Photo : Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Jerry Franklin, Ryan Marcus, Sneha Surendran, Nithyashree RB and Prearana P
Kenya: The opposition group announces its public vigils
On 25 July, BBC reported on the mass vigil declared by the Kenyan opposition group. After prolonged cost-of-living protests, the group declared to hold a public vigil in order to honour the people, who were killed in the previous demonstrations. The Azimio coalition reported on the death of 50 people along with hundreds wounded civilians. It further accused police for their brutal and excessive force exercised against the civilians, who weren’t a part of the protest. The country’s interior minister has defended the police force claiming the situation to be highly dangerous. Further, the police have expressed their limited investigation capacity, which held only 250 officers across the country. (Lailla Mohammed, “Kenyan opposition calls for vigils instead of protests,” BBC, 25 July 2023)
Sudan: WHO expresses concerns over Sudanese war
On 25 July, BBC reported that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning regarding the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and urged the warring parties to protect civilians. The WHO stated that more than two thirds of hospitals in Sudan are out of service and hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced. Additionally, the WHO stated that malaria, measles and dengue cases are on the rise due to disruption in health services. The WHO remarked that sexual and gender-based violence were reported in the country. ("WHO warns of Sudan's deepening humanitarian crisis," BBC, 25 July 2023)
Kenya: Ready to meet the opposition leader, says President
On 25 July, following anti-government protests, Kenyan President William Ruto tweeted that he is inclined to meet the opposition leader Raila Odinga. Odinga tweeted: “As you have always known, am available to meet one on one with you anytime at your convenience” addressing Odinga. The tweet comes following two developments. First, Odinga’s denouncement of assault and killings perpetrated by the police and their supposedly hired gangs towards the civilians. According to the Azimio coalition, 50 people have died during the clashes since March 2023 but officials reported 20 deaths. Second, the Amnesty International report of 27 “extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary execution” in July 2023. (Kenya’s Ruto offers to meet leader of opposition protests,” Al Jazeera, 25 July 2023)
Sudan: Humanitarian crisis is deepening says WHO
On 25 July, WHO stated that the humanitarian crisis in Sudan is deepening while two-thirds of hospitals are inoperative. WHO reported that disease outbreaks such as malaria, measles and dengue are increasing due to the conflict. WHO informed the rising violence against healthcare workers and infrastructure. It also said that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is increasing. (Will Ross, “WHO warns of Sudan's deepening humanitarian crisis,” BBC News, 25 July)