Photo : Ngouda Dione, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Ngouda Dione, Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Jerry Franklin, Ryan Marcus, Sneha Surendran, Nithyashree RB and Prearana P
Senegal: The arrest of opposition figure sparks terror in Senegal
On 1 August, Al Jazeera reported on the death of two people in the city of Ziguinchor in Senegal. The clashes followed after the arrest of Ousmane Sonko, the opposition leader. Sonko was remanded on charges of criminal association with terrorists and for stimulating insurrection. The government has further dissolved Sonko’s Patriots of Senegal Party (PASTEF). The PASTEF supporters have accused Senegal’s President Macky Sall of sidelining the opponent. (“Two killed in Senegal in protests over arrest of opposition figure Sonko,” Al Jazeera, 1 August 2023)
Niger: Mali and Burkina Faso caution against the use of force to overturn the coup
On 31 July, the military leadership of Niger’s neighbours, Burkina Faso and Mali announced: “Any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali.” They warned that this would have terrible consequences for the entire region. This comes after the regional bloc, ECOWAS, suggested the use of force to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger who was overthrown in a coup on 26 July. The military leaders further announced their refusal to levy the “illegal, illegitimate and inhumane sanctions against the people and authorities of Niger.” (“Burkina Faso, Mali warn against military intervention in Niger,” Al Jazeera, 1 August 2023)
Niger: EU reassures no risks in uranium supply
On 1 August, Euratom, the EU’s nuclear agency, reassured that the coup in Niger would not have any consequences on the EU’s nuclear power generation that uses uranium from Niger. According to the agency, they have uranium reserves enough to last another three years, stating: “If imports from Niger are being cut, there are no immediate risks to the security of nuclear power production in the short term.” Euratom reported that in 2022, 25.4 per cent of the EU’s natural uranium was sourced from Niger. (“EU sees no uranium supply risks to nuclear production after Niger coup,” Al Jazeera, 1 August 2023)
Niger: European countries evacuate citizens
On 1 August, a plane carrying 262 French and European nationals left for Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport. Following the attack on the French embassy in Niamey, France announced the evacuation of both French and European citizens. Two more flights are scheduled. The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France stated that the closure of Niger’s airspace disabled the French and Europeans to leave on their own. The large-scale evacuation by the French is the first of its kind from the Sahel. Germany, Italy, and Spain will begin the process of evacuation. According to Al Jazeera, 600 French, 70 Spaniards, and 100 Germans are in Niger. (“European countries begin evacuation of citizens from coup-hit Niger,” Al Jazeera, 1 August 2023)