Photo : Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Kenya: African leaders reaches Nairobi Declaration; aims at climate financing
On 6 September, marking the final day of the Africa Climate Summit, African political and business leaders adopted the Nairobi Declaration proposing new global taxes and reforms to international financial institutions to fund climate action. Kenyan President William Ruto announced that the declaration will form Africa’s negotiating position at the COP28 summit held in Dubai. Ruto stated: “In Africa, we can be a green industrial hub that helps other regions achieve their net zero strategies by 2050; unlocking the renewable energy resources that we have in our continent is not only good for Africa, it is good for the rest of the world.” (“African leaders seek global taxes for climate change at Nairobi summit,” Al Jazeera, 6 September 2023)
Democratic Republic of Congo: EAC to extend mandate for regional force
On 6 September, East African Community (EAC) leaders agreed to extend the duration of the mandate for the regional force to 8 December in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The bloc sent its troops into the conflict-riven region in November 2022 after the resurgence of the m23 rebel group. Since 2021, M23 rebels have taken over swathes of territory in North Kivu province; the DRC government has been accusing Rwanda, one of the EAC members, of supporting the rebels. (“East Africa leaders extend regional troop mandate in DR Congo,” Al Jazeera, 6 September 2023)
Ethiopia: Federal forces accused of killing civilians
On 6 September, BBC reported on Ethiopian opposition groups accusing the federal forces of killing civilians in the Amhara region where it has been fighting the Fano militia. The Enat party stated that at least 29 civilians were killed near the town of Majete. The party added that at least 20 civilians were killed in drone strikes in two other areas in the region. The violence broke out in the region following the Ethiopian government’s decision to disband regional military groups, a move Amharas believe would weaken the region’s defences. (“Ethiopian federal troops accused of killing civilians,” BBC, 6 September 2023)