Photo : AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AFP
IN BRIEF
By Jerry Franklin
Niger: 29 soldiers killed in an alleged armed group attack
On 3 October, Al Jazeera reported that the country of Niger declared three days of national mourning following the death of 29 soldiers in an alleged jihadist attack on 2 October. Niger’s Ministry of Defence issued a broadcast statement claiming that improvised explosive devices and kamikaze vehicles were used by more than a hundred terrorists in the attack in western Niger. Additionally, the ministry stated that dozens of terrorists were killed and two soldiers were critically injured. The incident took place during military operations aimed at eliminating the threat posed by the armed group ISIL (ISIS) in the region, near the country's border with Mali. (“Niger declares mourning after dozens of soldiers killed in attack near Mali,” Al Jazeera, 3 October 2023)
Ethiopia: Surge in human right violations and social unrest, says UN
On 3 October, the UN’s International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) issued a warning regarding the current state of instability and rights abuses, despite a peace pact that was signed a year ago between the Ethiopian government and Tigrayan forces. The Chairperson of the Commission, Mohamed Chande Othman, stated: “We are gravely concerned about the situation in Ethiopia and the potential for future atrocities. Our report shows that the overwhelming majority of risk factors for future atrocity crimes are present in Ethiopia.” The report highlights the ongoing serious violations occurring in Tigray, alongside a pattern of human rights abuses and international crimes within the Oromia, Amhara, and Afar regions. Recent reports of extrajudicial killings and mass arrests in Amhara have raised concern for the commission. The government of Addis Ababa has been advocating for the termination of the commission despite calls from rights organizations for its renewal. The government argues that Ethiopia can investigate complaints of abuse internally. (“Growing violence and rights abuses in Ethiopia - UN,” BBC, 3 October 2023)