Photo : Njeri Mwangi, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Njeri Mwangi, Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Jerry Franklin A and Ryan Marcus
Kenya: Al-Shabaab kills eight police officers
On 14 June, Al Jazeera reported that eight Kenyan police officers were killed when their vehicle was detonated by an improvised explosive device in an attack by al-Shabab. The attack took place in Garissa county in Eastern Kenya, bordering Somalia where Al-Shabaab has instigated rebellion against the government in Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab has been engaged in armed revolt against Somalia’s central government for more than 15 years. The North Eastern Regional Commissioner, John Otieno, stated that Al-Shabaab is now targeting security forces and passenger vehicles. ("Eight Kenyan police killed in suspected al-Shabab bombing," Al Jazeera, 14 June 2023)
South Africa: Parliament passes healthcare bill
On 14 June, BBC reported that the National Assembly of South Africa has passed the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill. The bill aims to provide access to quality healthcare for all South Africans belonging to all races, rich or poor, and legal long-term residents. Additionally, the proposed legislation intends to establish a single public health fund for both private and public healthcare providers. This fund will be financed by general taxes, collected from people who earn more than a certain amount, and employee payroll deductions. Health Minister Joe Phaahla stated: “This is one of the most revolutionary pieces of legislation presented to this house since the dawn of democracy.” The leading opposition party Democratic Alliance (DA) has criticized the bill stating nine million of the 60 million South Africans who have health insurance would have to be covered by an already overburdened public health system. (“South African MPs pass ‘revolutionary’ health bill,” BBC, 14 June 2023)
DR Congo: HRW blames M23 militia for the killings
On 14 June, Al Jazeera reported that Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused the M23 rebel group of committing murder, rape, and other war crimes in the eastern part of DR Congo. The report by HRW on 13 June specified that the M23 militia committed eight unlawful killings and 14 cases of rape since late 2022. HRW stated: “The United Nations Security Council should add M23 leaders, as well as Rwandan officials who are assisting the abusive armed group, to the council’s existing sanctions list.” (“HRW accuses M23 militia of rape, finds mass graves in DR Congo,” Al Jazeera, 14 June 2023)
Sudan: Ethnic and sexual violence in Darfur concerns UN
On 14 June, BBC reported that UN chief Antonio Guterres was dismayed over the large-scale reports of violence in the Darfur region of Sudan and called for the warring factions to commit to a firm cessation of conflict. Guterres stressed the need to end looting and widen the aid access for nine million people in Darfur. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan, Volker Perthes, stated that the attacks were carried out by Arab militia and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Further, Saudi Arabia has announced to jointly lead a conference for humanitarian response in Sudan. ("UN chief 'appalled' by Darfur's ethnic and sexual violence," BBC, 14 June 2023