Photo : Odelyn Joseph, AP Photo
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Odelyn Joseph, AP Photo
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Kenya: Established diplomatic ties with Haiti
On 21 September, Kenya and Haiti established diplomatic ties. Haitian and Kenyan Ministers of Foreign Affairs announced exchange of ambassadors. The development comes after Kenya offered 1,000 police officers to Haiti, part of an international assistance force to fight gang violence. (“Kenya and Haiti establish diplomatic ties, BBC, 21 September 20203)
Niger: Ousted President Bazom files appeal to ECOWAS for release
On 21 September, ousted President Mohamed Bazoum appealed to the ECOWAS’s court for his release. An appeal filed on 18 September demanded Bazoum’s release and reinstatement as president against his “arbitrary arrest” and “violation of freedom of movement” following the coup in July. Bazom’s lawyer Seydou Diagne stated: “We request... in view of the violation of political rights, that the state of Niger be ordered to immediately restore constitutional order by handing over power to President Bazoum, who must continue to exercise it until the end of his mandate.” (“Niger's ousted leader petitions Ecowas court for help,” BBC, 21 September 2023)
Democratic Republic of Congo: President calls for the immediate withdrawal of UN mission
On 21 September, Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshosekedi called on the UN peacekeeping mission to withdraw its troops by the end of the year. The UN mission, MONUSCO, began its mission in 2010 pledging to fight insurgency in eastern DRC. However, its presence became increasingly unpopular after it failed to quell the increasing insurgency. Tshisekedi during the UNGA stated: “It is to be deplored that peacekeeping missions deployed for 25 years … have failed to cope with the rebellions and armed conflicts; “This is why … I instructed the government of the republic to begin discussions with the UN authorities for an accelerated withdrawal of MONUSCO … by bringing forward the start of this progressive withdrawal from December 2024 to December 2023.” (“DR Congo President Tshisekedi seeks withdrawal of UN peacekeepers this year,” Al Jazeera, 21 September 2023)