Photo : Al Jazeera
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Al Jazeera
IN BRIEF
By Jerry Franklin
Niger: Sanctions compel a 40 percent reduction in the budget
On 9 October, BBC reported that the Niger administration cut its budget by 40 percent due to the impact of sanctions and the withdrawal of aid following the coup. The military junta announced a reduction in its budget for 2023 from USD 5.3 billion (Euro 4.3 billion) to USD 3.2 billion. President Mohamed Bazoum was deposed in a coup, prompting regional and international penalties such as border closures, asset freezes, and the suspension of aid delivery. Due to trade limitations, the country has seen rising food and commodity prices as well as a shortage of medications. The budget cuts would exacerbate Niger's deteriorating economic condition. (“Niger cuts its budget by 40% as sanctions bite,” BBC, 9 October 2023)
Burkina Faso: Security forces kill a commander linked to failed coup attempt
On 9 October, BBC reported that the security forces in Burkina Faso executed commander Ismael Tohobougo, suspected of taking part in a coup attempt in September. Tohobougou had been on the run ever since the military prosecutor had called him in for interrogation. Tohobougou was charged with taking part in an attempted coup against Capt. Ibrahim Traore among other military officers. Additionally, the suspension of several army personnel connected to the coup attempt was disclosed by the country’s Defense Ministry on 6 October. The National Gendarmerie's Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. Evrard Somda, was fired and Lt. Col. Kouagri Natama replaced him. (“Burkina Faso commander linked to failed coup killed - army,” BBC, 9 October 2023)
Kenya: Court halts the deployment of police officers to Haiti
On 9 October, BBC reported that the deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti had been halted by a Kenyan court awaiting the verdict of an appeal. The judge emphasised the appeal's grounds as being of public and national importance. According to former presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot's petition, the intended deployment is unconstitutional as he claims that normal police officers could not be assigned to international missions. Additionally, Aukot criticized that the country cannot afford to lose 1,000 police officers as it already deals with insecurity and ethnic clashes internally. The court would provide additional instructions at the end of October. (“Kenya court puts a hold on police deployment to Haiti,” BBC, 9 October 2023)