Photo : Joe Penney, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Joe Penney, Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Niger: US troops resumes operations
On 14 September, Al Jazeera reported that the US military has resumed its operations in Niger, flying drones and aircraft in their airbase in Niger after a temporary halt amid the coup. General James Hecker stated: “Through the diplomatic process, we are now doing, I wouldn’t say 100 percent of the missions that we were doing before, but we’re doing a large amount of missions that we’re doing before.” Nearly 1,100 US soldiers are deployed in the country. The previous week, the Pentagon had announced that US forces shifted from Air Base 101 near the capital Niamey to Air Base 201 in Agadez. Niger is a primary regional outpost for the US military which leads operations against rebel and Islamist insurgent groups. (“US military resumes drone, crewed aircraft operations in post-coup Niger,” Al Jazeera, 14 September)
Libya: Floods updates
On 14 September, the Red Crescent reported that around 11,000 people had died and 20,000 others were missing in the devastating floods in Libya. Thousands have been displaced after two dams burst due to pressure from the storm Daniel’s intense rainfall. Meanwhile, the UN’s World Meteorological Organization commented that several human casualties could have been avoided if authorities had issued warnings as carried out evacuations. Besides, while the rescue operations and reach of aid are underway, the UN has warned of an outbreak of several diseases due to the contaminated water. The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced USD two million for emergency efforts. (“What's the latest?,” BBC, 14 September 2023)
Sudan: UN envoy resigns; warns of civil war
On 14 September, the UN envoy to Sudan, Volker Perthes, announced his resignation after informing the UN Security Council that the conflict in Sudan is at risk of becoming a full-blown civil war. The resignation comes after Sudan declared him unwelcome in the country the previous month. Perthes criticised the warring parties- SAF leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF leader General Mohamed Dagalo of carrying out human rights abuses across the country. He also blamed SAF for its air strikes in civilian areas. According to the UN more than five million people have been displaced following the fighting in Sudan that erupted in April. (“UN's Sudan envoy resigns, warns of full civil war,” BBC, 14 September 2023)