Photo : AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AFP
IN BRIEF
By Anu Maria Joseph
Tanzania: Deal with UAE giant DP World
On 23 October, United Arab Emirates (UAE) maritime giant DP World signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Tanzania. The deal worth USD 250 million will give the DP World the managing authority of the Dar es Salaam port for the next 30 years. The deal has sparked several criticisms that it "violated Tanzania's constitution and endangers national sovereignty.” However, the high court of the town of Mbedya has dismissed the petition demanding to halt the deal. The Dp World, owned by Emirati ruling families, has port operations in Angola, Djibouti, Egypt, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal and Somalia. In 2021, it promised to invest USD one billion in Africa. (“DP World in Tanzania: The UAE firm taking over Africa's ports,” BBC, 23 October 2023)
DRC: ADF attack, M23 resurgence and tensions with East African force
On 24 October, BBC Africa reported that at least 23 civilians were killed in a rebel attack in the town of Oicha in the Beni region of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congolese government attributed the attack to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Uganda-based rebel group linked to Islamic State active in the region. Meanwhile, on 23 October, BBC Africa reported on a new wave of fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo between the government forces and March23 (M23) rebels. According to the report, the rebels have captured the town of Kitshanga in the province of North Kivu. An unnamed security source informed AFP news agency: "The rebels are in Kitshanga and we are trying to find a way to retake the town.” Previous week, the Congolese government had asked the East African force to leave the country by December owing to its failure in addressing the M23 unrest. Forces from Kenya, Burundi, Uganda and South Sudan have been deployed in the eastern DRC against the M23 campaign in November 2022. However, the rebel campaign has worsened in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu with the Rwandan government allegedly supporting the rebels. According to the UN refugee agency, more than 6.2 million people have been displaced due to the insurgency in the region. (“Islamists kill 23 in morning attack - DR Congo mayor,” BBC, 24 October 2023)
Cameroon: 40 people kidnapped in Touboro
On 24 October, BBC Africa reported that at least 40 Chadian and Cameroonian citizens were kidnapped by the bandits in the town of Touboro in Cameroon. Mayor of the town, Celestin Yandal, told BBC that the bandits targeted the Chadian traders who were returning from Touboro market. Cameroon and Chad share 1,100 kilometres of borders which are prone to ransom kidnappings. (“Bandits in Cameroon kidnap around 40 people - mayor,” BBC, 24 October 2023)