Photo : Al Jazeera
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Al Jazeera
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Democratic Republic of Congo: At least 17 killed in landslides
On 18 September, at least 17 people were killed in a landslide in the northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo caused by torrential rains. The disaster occurred in the town of Lisal in Mongala province near the Congo River. Governor Cesar Limbaya Mbangisa expressed condolences to the families of the victims. (“Landslide in northwest DR Congo kills at least 17 people,” Al Jazeera, 18 September 2023)
Mali: Re-emerging Tuareg rebellion
On 18 September, BBC Africa reported on the claims of Tuareg rebels from northern Mali on seizing control of two army bases. BBC quoted a Malian official informing AFP news agency regarding fighting that happened in the town of Léré in the Timbuktu region on 17 September. An alliance of Tuareg group, Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) re-launched a rebellion in August following the expulsion of the UN peacekeepers from the country. The peace deal between Tuareg separatists in 2015 has floundered since the coup in 2020. A unrecognised spokesman for CMA stated: "We attacked and took control of the two military camps in the town of Léré this Sunday.” The renewed rebellion comes weeks after al-Qaeda linked jihadist group, Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM), declared "war in the Timbuktu region.” (“Tuareg rebels claim to have captured Mali army bases,” BBC, 18 September 2023)