Photo : Daniel Irungu, EPA
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Daniel Irungu, EPA
IN BRIEF
by Jerry Franklin, Ryan Marcus, Sneha Surendran, Nithyashree RB and Prearana P
Kenya: Violence delays the reopening of the Somalian border
On 6 July, Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki stated that the attacks by Al Shabab rebels in Kenya paused the reopening of its border with Somalia. Kindiki tweeted: “The government will delay the planned phased-out reopening of the Kenya-Somalia border points to facilitate comprehensive and conclusive handling of the recent wave of terror attacks and cross-border crime.” On 15 May 2023, Kindiki and his Somali counterpart Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh Ali released a joint statement, declaring their intention to reopen the borders and end a 12-year blockade that was initiated by Kenya in 2011. The siege was established to combat the influx of al-Shabab militants into Nairobi. (“Kenya delays reopening border with Somalia: All the details,” Al Jazeera, 6 July 2023)
Ghana: Amnesty International criticizes the redrafted anti-LGBT bill
On 6 July, BBC reported that Amnesty International Ghana condemned legislators for collectively backing a redrafted anti-LGBT bill. The amended bill aims to provide a three-year sentence in prison for people who identify as LGBT, and LGBT rights activists could spend up to 10 years in prison. Amnesty Ghana Director Genvieve Partington stated that the regulation clearly infringes several human rights and restricts both freedom of expression and association. The human rights organization stated that it is about time for Ghana to give recognition to the LGBT community. (“Amnesty condemns Ghana anti-gay bill,” BBC, 6 July 2023)
Sudan: Increase in sexual violence, condemns UN
On 6 July, BBC reported that the United Nations criticized the increase in sexual abuse against women and girls in Sudan. The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, deemed the sexual abuse that traumatized women and children in Sudan as intolerable. The UN human rights office in Sudan stated that more than 20 incidents of conflict-related sexual abuse were reported. Additionally, up to 20 women were raped in one of the incidents. (“UN condemns sexual violence against Sudan women,” BBC, 6 July 2023)