Photo : Hassan Ali Elmi, AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Hassan Ali Elmi, AFP
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Somalia: Civilians killed in a targeted attack on Al Shabaab
On 8 September, BBC reported that seven civilians including five children were killed in an air strike that targeted Islamist militants in the village of El Garas. Meanwhile, the Somali government announced that it had killed three senior Al Shabaab militants. Somalia’s Deputy Minister of Informations, Abdirahman Yusuh stated: “[Al-Shabab] placed explosive devices in a civilian house, which caused the deaths of innocent people.” (“Civilians reportedly killed in Somali air strike,” BBC, 8 September)
South Africa: President arrives in India for the G20 Summit
On 8 September, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in India for the G20 summit which is to convene on 9 September. Ramaphosa was welcomed by India’s Minister of State for Rail, Coal and Mines, South Africa’s High Commissioner to India and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations. According to South Africa’s Department of International Relations, Ramaphosa is set to have bilateral meetings with several heads of State “to strengthen South Africa’s diplomatic, economic and cultural ties.” (“South Africa's President arrives in India to attend G20 summit,” Africanews, 8 September 2023)
Gabon: No prohibition from contesting in elections for General Nguema
On 8 September, BBC reported on Gabon’s transition agreement published in the official gazette specifying that the interim leader General Brice Oligui Nguema is not prohibited from taking part in the elections. The agreement stated that the President of the transition, the National Council of the transition, the Government of the transition, the Parliament of the transition and the Constitutional Court of the transition would oversee the transition process of Gabon. The agreement barred the prime minister and vice president from standing in the elections that will follow the end of the transition period though the date of the elections has not been declared. The agreement also provides amnesty to the military personnel who were part of the coup. (Armand Mouko, “Could Gabon coup leader stand for election?,” BBC, 8 September 2023)
Sudan: RSF denounces US sanctions as “shocking, unfortunate and unfair”
On 8 September, Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) condemned the US sanctions on two of its leaders calling it “shocking, unfortunate and unfair.” On 6 September, the US levied financial sanctions on RSF’s deputy leader Abdel Rahim Dagalo and a travel ban on the West Darfur state’s commander, General Rahman Juma over human rights violations. In response, the US called out the US for not levying sanctions on Sudan’s army who according to the RSF have committed “heinous crimes.” RSF stated that the US sanctions may complicate the peace efforts. (“Sudan's RSF condemns 'unfair, shocking' US sanctions,” BBC, 8 September 2023)