Photo : Iranian Army office via AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Iranian Army office via AFP
IN BRIEF
by Ryan Marcus
Nigeria: Chinese navy fleet visit Lagos
On 4 July, Africanews reported that three Chinese navy vessels made a five-day stopover at Lagos, Nigeria. The Nigerian Navy spokesman Admiral Ayo-Vaughan stated that the visit to the Gulf of Guinea aimed at improving diplomacy between the two countries. The Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jiachun stated: "Peace is not free, peace should be defended. So I think that we need military security collaboration, so Africa-China, Nigeria-China can do things to not only safeguard the peace, but to protect the vessels in the Gulf of Aden and also here in the Gulf of Guinea.” ("Gulf of Guinea: Chinese navy on "friendly visit" to Nigeria," Africanews, 4 July 2023)
Sudan: Civilians called to enlist to army
On 4 July, Africanews reported that Sudanese army chief Abdel al-Burhan stated the army is ready to receive and equip volunteers. He directed the civilian to enlist to the nearest command unit. Al-Burhan stated that all young and capable men should enlist leading to speculations on the call being a forced conscription. Civilians speculate that the recruitment could worsen the violence. ("Sudan conflict: army chief calls for civilians to enlist," Africanews, 4 July 2023)
Sudan: Army plane shot down
On 4 July, Africanews reported that an army fighter jet was shot down in Khartoum during artillery clashes. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed that it had shot down the aircraft and arrested the pilot. The RSF have additionally accused the army of massacres in the Khartoum region. ("Sudan: an army plane shot down during clashes in Khartoum," Africanews, 4 July 2023)
Cameroon: Amnesty states that atrocities are committed
On 4 July, Africanews reported that Amnesty International has accused the security forces, separatists and militia for committing atrocities in the North-West region. The violations include executions, torture and sexual assault. Civilians retaliating against the clashes are often violated in the region. Amnesty International states that the clashes have claimed more than 6,000 lives and displaced more than a million people. ("Rampant atrocities committed in Cameroon - Amnesty," Africanews, 4 July 2023)
Mali: Ex-rebels reassure Russian envoy
On 4 July, BBC reported that Mali's Tuareg armed group expressed reassurance over peaceful conditions in Mali during discussions with the Russian ambassador. The armed group had warned that the removal of MINUSMA would impact northern Mali's peace process. Following the Wagner Group deployment of mercenaries in 2022, observers have highlighted doubts on the Malian army's ability to cope with the violence following the UN's withdrawal. ("Mali ex-rebels 'reassured' after talks with Russian envoy," BBC, 4 July 2023)