Photo : AP Photo
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AP Photo
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Eritrea: Hundreds injured in a clash between rival Eritrean groups in Israel
On 2 September Al Jazeera reported that more than 100 people were injured in Israel’s city of Tel Aviv during a clash between a rival group of protesters from Eritrea. The clashes erupted between the anti-government and pro-government factions of Eritrean asylum seekers. Israeli police fired warning shots in the air to disperse the protesters; at least 39 suspects who assaulted police were arrested. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: “We want harsh measures against the rioters, including the immediate deportation of those who took part.” President Isaias Afwerki has ruled Eritrea since 1991 and the country never had elections. Political parties are banned and freedom of expression and the press are restricted in the country. Nearly 20,000 Eritreans are residing in Israel. (“Dozens of people injured in clashes between rival Eritrean groups in Israel,” Al Jazeera, 2 September 2023)
Niger: Military against France backing Prasident Bazoum
On 1 September, Niger’s military leaders accused France of interfering in the country’s internal matters. They accused French President Emmanuel Macron of “perpetuating a neocolonial operation against the Nigerien people.” Colonel Amadou Abdramane stated that Macron’s comments “constitute further blatant interference in Niger’s domestic affairs.” The development comes after Macron backed ECOWAS’ threat of military action against the coup by stating the he “supports [ECOWAS’s] diplomatic action and, when it so decides, [its] military action.” (“Niger’s military government slams Macron for backing President Bazoum,” Al Jazeera, 1 September 2023)