Photo : Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Mali: 49 civilians killed Islamist militant attack
On 7 September, Al Jazeera reported that at least 49 civilians and 15 soldiers were killed in two attacks by Islamist militant groups. The militants attacked a passenger boat between Abakoira and Zorghoi, in the territory of Rarhous and a military camp in the Bourem Circle, part of the Gao region.. Nearly 50 assailants were also killed during the clashes. Al Jazeera quoted an AFP report on a group affiliated with al-Qaeda claiming both attacks. TheUN Special Representative and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has raised concerns regarding the developments stating: “The region has experienced a devastating surge in terrorist attacks against civilian and military targets; the humanitarian consequences are alarming.” Since August, an affiliate of al-Qaeda, known as the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims or JMIN has carried out a blockade around the Malian city of Timbuktu, close to the Niger River. (“Attack on boat, army base in Mali kills at least 49 civilians, 15 soldiers,” Al Jazeera, 7 September 2023)
Gabon: Coup leaders say deposed president free to leave the country
On 7 September, the coup leader of Gabon announced that the deposed President Ali Bongo has been released from house arrest and is free to leave the country considering his medical condition. Military spokesperson Colonel Ulrich Manfoumbi stated: “Given his state of health, the former President of the Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba is free to move about. He may, if he wishes, travel abroad for medical checkups.” Gabon’s military leaders carried out a coup on 30 August after Ali Bongo was declared the winner of controversial elections. The military said that they seized the control peacefully and will return civilian rule through credible and free elections. (“Gabon’s military says deposed President Ali Bongo ‘free’ to travel abroad,” Al Jazeera, 7 September 2023)
Nigeria: Opposition against the court ruling upholding Tinubu’s election victory
On 7 September, Nigeria’s presidential election tribunal upheld Bola Tinubu’s victory in the elections held on 25 February. Opposition parties including People’s Democratic Party and Labour Party legally challenged the results citing Tinubu’s dual citizenship, drug conviction case in the US and vote rigging; all of them were disagreed by the court. The opposition supporters have denounced the results. (“Opposition supporters saddened as tribunal upholds President Tinubu’s win,” Al Jazeera, 7 September 2023)
Gabon: Military government appoints opposition leader as interim prime minister
On 7 September, Gabon’s military government which came to power through a coup on 30 August, appointed former opposition leader, Raymond Ndong Sima, as the prime minister of the transitional government. Sima is an economist and critic of deposed President Ali Bongo. He was Bongo’s prime minister from 2012 to 2014. Later, ran against Bongo in the 2016 and 2023 elections. (“Gabon military government appoints former opposition leader as interim PM,” Al Jzeera, 7 September 2023)
Guniea: Four die amid clashes on coup anniversary
On 7 September, according to BBC, clashes were reported between the protesters and security forces on the second anniversary of the military coup. The Forces Vives, the opposition alliance of political parties and trade unions reported that four men aged between 15 and 18 died. Two of them died on 4 September in Conakry during the security forces' attack on the neighbourhoods of the political activists. The other two died on 5 September and several were injured. In October 2022, Guniea’s military government under Mamady Doumbouya promised a two-year transition to democracy as ECOWAS denied a three-year plan but the Forces Vives expressed concerns as the elections are delayed. (Azeezat Olaoluwa, Deaths reported as Guinea marked coup anniversary, BBC, 7 September 2023)