Photo : Jacoline Shoones, EPA
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Jacoline Shoones, EPA
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Zambia: President Hakainde Hichilema meets Chinese President Xi Jinping
On 15 September, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing for bilateral talks. The two leaders agreed upon a “comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.” President Xi stated that their friendship had “withstood the test of international storms and changes” encouraging more imports from Zambia. China plays a major role in Zambia’s mining sector and Zambia seeks to restructure its external debt with its leading creditor, China. (“Zambia to upgrade ties with biggest creditor China,” BBC, 15 September 2023)
Sudan: RSF threatens to establish parallel government in Khartoum
On 15 September, Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced that it aims to form another government with Khartoum as its capital. The move came in response to the Sudanese military-led government announcing its plans to build a presidential palace and headquarters of its foreign ministry in the city of Port Sudan. RSF leader Hamdan Dagalo tweeted: RSF had shown “great patience regarding al-Burhan's individual decisions despite his illegitimacy.” (Sudan's RSF leader threatens to form own government, BBC, 15 September 2023)
Niger: President Macron claims French ambassador held hostage
On 15 September, French President Emmanuel Macron commented that France’s envoy to Niger is living like a hostage in the French embassy. Macron stated: “As we speak, we have an ambassador and diplomatic staff who are literally being held hostage in the French embassy.” In August, the coup leaders demanded French ambassador Sylvain Itte to leave the country after France announced its support to the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum. However, the French government refused to comply with the 48-hour ultimatum and to recognise the coup government. Macron then stated: “I will do whatever we agree with President Bazoum because he is the legitimate authority and I speak with him every day.” Nearly 1500 French troops are deployed in Niger fighting Islamist insurgency in the region. The coup leaders have halted military cooperation with France and requested the troops to leave quickly. (“Macron says French ambassador ‘literally being held hostage’ in Niger,” Al Jazeera, 15 September 2023)