Photo : Azad Essa, Al Jazeera
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Azad Essa, Al Jazeera
IN BRIEF
by Jerry Franklin, Ryan Marcus, Sneha Surendran, Nithyashree RB and Prearana P
Rwanda: Women Deliver conference urges for gender rights protection
On 17 July, BBC reported that several state authorities and activists who attended the Women Deliver conference in Rwanda, stressed on the need to protect gender equality. The Women Deliver conference was held for the first time in Africa. Rwandan President Paul Kagame stated that political pushback against women's equality would indicate that they are the most vulnerable during the global crisis. The Women Deliver President urged activists and government authorities to double down and work in unity. ("Call for gender rights protection at Rwanda conference," BBC, 17 July 2023)
Cameroon: Open fire kills about 10 people
On 17 July, Cameroon's regional Governor Debben Tchoffo reported on the death of 10 people in the city of Bamenda. The witness claimed that the open fire was a result of failed backing of local separatists. The Ambazonia Defence Forces (ADF) has denied its responsibility for the incident. Additionally, Tchoffo declared the possibility of launching a man-hunt for terrorists behind the massacre, and announced further investigation. Amnesty International slammed government troops, separatists, and militias for the atrocities practised in Cameroon's English-speaking regions. ("Gunmen kill 10 in northwest Cameroon in ongoing Anglophone crisis," Al Jazeera, 17 July 2023)
Tunisia: EU signs deal to prevent illegal migration
On 16 July, Africanews reported that the EU and Tunisia signed a deal to prevent illegal migration from Tunisia to European countries, and curb smuggling. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Tunisia’s President Kais Saied, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte facilitated the deal in Tunis. The deal focused on macroeconomic stability, economy and trade, the green transition, people-to-people contacts, and migration. Under migration, the EU will provide aid worth EUR 105 million for search and rescue, and patrolling. Tunisian nationals who could not seek refuge in the EU bloc will be sent back. From EUR 105 million, EUR 15 million will be utilised for the voluntary return of migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, to their origin countries from Tunisia. (EU, Tunisia sign deal to fight illegal migration,” Africanews, 17 July 2023)