Photo : Leo Correa, AP Photo
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Leo Correa, AP Photo
IN BRIEF
by Jerry Franklin
Senegal: Over 350 people sustain injuries during clashes
On 5 June, the Red Cross in Senegal reported that almost 360 people were injured in the violence which broke out after the Senegal court sentenced Ousmane Sonko to two years in jail for corrupting youth. Additionally, 16 people were declared dead in clashes between protesters and security in the capital, Dakar, and in the city of Zinguinchor on 1 June. The government has banned mobile internet access in order to prevent subversive messages from being shared. (“Over 350 were injured in Senegal clashes - Red Cross,” BBC, 5 June 2023)
Libya: Egyptian migrants send back to the country
On 5 June, BBC reported that thousands of Egyptian migrants were deported back to Cairo. Further, 4,000 migrants have been found during raids on people traffickers in the east of Libya. According to an Egyptian security source, just around half of those detained were in Libya illegally, and they were the only ones deported. The migration agencies stated that there are approximately 500,000 migrants in Libya, many of whom are attempting to travel to Europe by boat, while others have found jobs and established themselves in the nation. (“Libya expels thousands of Egyptian migrants,” BBC, 5 June 2023)
South Africa: Eight people died in a shooting
On 5 June, Africanews reported that gunmen broke into a men’s hostel near the city of Durban on 3 June. The South African Police Service stated that eight people were dead and two others were injured during the shooting. South Africa has one of the world's highest homicide rates, and there has been a rash of mass shootings in recent years. Earlier this year, at least two mass shootings were reported. According to official crime figures, 30 people were killed by firearms in South Africa per day in the first three months of 2023. During the same three months, authorities reported over 4,000 occurrences of illegal gun or ammunition possession. (“8 dead in South Africa shooting at men’s hostel near Durban,” Africanews, 5 June 2023)
Malawi: Human Rights Watch demands to stop relocating refugees
On 5 June, BBC reported that Human Rights Watch (HRW) asked the government to reverse its actions and return the 902 people who were picked up and taken to the Dzalek refugee camp 40 kilometres outside the capital, Lilongwe. Additionally, HRW claimed that many people were forced to close their enterprises and were imprisoned before being taken away. There have also been instances of minor refugees being imprisoned and other refugees being beaten and having their possessions taken. The Malawi government followed the encampment policy that detained and forcibly moved refugees and asylum seekers across the country violating basic human rights. (“Malawi must stop dumping refugees - Human Rights Watch,” BBC, 5 June 2023)