Photo : Bernadett Szabo, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Bernadett Szabo, Reuters
IN BRIEF
By Anu Maria Joseph
Africa: Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala visits Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana and Ivory Coast
On 5 November, Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala began his eight-day visit to Africa. His visit began with the inauguration of the Czech-Ethiopian Business Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia hosting 14 Czech 40 Ethiopian entrepreneurs. In Ethiopia, he emphasised the potential for cooperation in the health and defence sectors. Besides Ethiopia,, he visited Kenya, Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Fiala’s visit aims to encourage the development of commercial and trade ties between the Czech Republic and African countries. He stated: “The visit to Africa will follow the same format as my visit to Asia, which brought a number of concrete [positive] results for Czech companies. We must change our [outdated] approach to [cooperation with states in] Africa. Africa has great potential for our companies.” (“Czech PM to visit African countries to expand trade relations,” Report, 6 November 2023)
Nigeria: Ten people killed in suspected Boko Haram attack
On 6 November, BBC Africa reported that at least ten people were killed in a suspected Boko Haram attack in the village of Zabarmari in the state of Borno in Nigeria. A farmer told BBC that the militants riding motorbikes looted and attacked the village. (“Farmers hacked to death in north-eastern Nigeria,” BBC, 6 November 2023)
Cameroon: 20 people killed in separatist attack
On 6 November, BBC Africa reported that at least 20 people were killed in a separatist attack in the Manyu region of Cameroon. The militants injured several others and set ablaze many houses. Since 2017, Ambazonia Defense Forces (ADF) has been carrying out separatist movements in two Anglophone regions of Cameroon- Yaounde and Manyu against the government. According to BBC, the conflict has left at least 6,000 people dead and thousands displaced. (“Cameroon homes torched in deadly separatist raid,” BBC, 6 November 2023)