Photo : AP Photo
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AP Photo
IN BRIEF
by Jerry Franklin, Ryan Marcus, Sneha Surendran, Nithyashree RB and Prearana P
Burkina Faso: France cancels aid
On 7 August, France cancelled all development aid and budget support to Burkina Faso as the ECOWAS deadline to restore the ousted Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum ended on 6 August. Bamoko condemned ECOWAS’ announcement of possible military intervention in Niger by calling it a “declaration of war” following the coup in Niger. (“France suspends aid to Burkina Faso,” BBC News, 7 August 2023)
Ethiopia: Intense clashes in Amhara
On 7 August, BBC Africa reported on intense clashes between Amhara regional forces and Ethiopian federal forces. The clashes were reported in the cities of Bahir Dar and Gondar, in the Amhara region. A state of emergency has been declared in the region following the clashes. Amhara regional head Yilkal Kefale, called on the federal government to intervene, claiming that security in the region had become “difficult to control within regular law enforcement mechanisms.” The Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, raised concerns stating: "There could be grievances that have not been addressed, but the best way to solve them is dialogue as any other means will only hinder efforts to address the same grievances, make us lose what we have and complicate issues that we want solved permanently.” Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom, expressed concerns over the ongoing violence. He commented: “Humanitarian access is difficult due to blockage of roads; communication is difficult due to internet suspension.” (Kalkidan Yibeltal, Fighting intensifies in Ethiopia's Amhara region,” BBC News, 7 August 2023)
Nigeria: Attacks on farmers
On 7 August, BBC reported that Save the Children, a charity organization, had alerted that Nigeria’s food security was endangered by the attacks on farmers by armed groups. According to data, at least 120 farmers were killed and 30 were abducted in the first half of this year. Furthermore, 25 million Nigerians could be pushed into food insecurity this year according to the UN. (“Armed groups threaten Nigeria food security - charity,” BBC, 7 August 2023)
Niger: Mali and Burkina Faso send delegations
On 7 August, as the deadline to return the ousted Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum to power ended on 6 August, delegations from Mali and Burkina Faso visited Niamey. Both countries showcased their support to the leaders of the coup. Bamako and Ouagadougou had condemned ECOWAS’ possible foreign intervention if Niamey failed to restore Bazoum to power, as a “declaration of war.” (“Mali, Burkina Faso, sends delegation to Niger in solidarity,” Africanews, 8 August 2023)