Photo : Eduardo Soteras, AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Eduardo Soteras, AFP
IN BRIEF
By Anu Maria Joseph
Ethiopia: Heavy fighting in Amhara
On 8 November, BBC Africa reported on heavy fighting in Lalibela, a Unesco heritage site, in Ethiopia, between the federal forces and the Amhara regional militia, Fano. Meanwhile, the residents of the Amhara region reported drone strikes and indiscriminate shelling in the Gojjam, Shoa and Gondar regions of Amhara. The fighting broke out in August after the government directed to integrate regional forces into the federal forces. The Fano militia claim that the integration will threaten their local defence to other regional militias including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has accused the federal forces and Fano militia of committing human rights atrocities. The Ethiopian government denied the accusations describing it as “unbalanced.” According to EHRC, more than 3,000 people have fled the region since the beginning of the conflict. (“Lalibela fighting: Amhara Fano militia and Ethiopian army clash in historic town,” BBC, 8 November 2023)
Horn of Africa: Flash floods in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia
On 8 November, BBC Africa reported that at least 29 people were killed in flash floods followed by heavy rains in Somalia. The Somali National Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) stated that at least 850,000 people are affected by the floods. The Somali government has declared an emergency in the states of Jubbaland, Hirshabelle South West and Galmudug. The flash floods were caused by the overflowing of the Juba and Shabelle rivers following heavy rains. Meanwhile, flash floods are also reported in neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia. On 6 November, BBC Africa reported that at least 15 people were killed in Kenya in flash floods. According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) El Niño weather phenomenon is behind the heavy rains and is likely to continue until April 2024. (“Call for action in Kenya as El Niño causes havoc,” BBC, 8 November)
Uganda: The UK and the US issue security alert
On 8 November, the UK High Commission in Uganda issued a security alert citing the “growing terror threat in Uganda, including the targeting of foreigners.” Additionally, the US embassy in Uganda issued a similar security alert. Both countries advised their citizens not to attend larger gatherings including worship events. The UK government warned its citizens against visiting Semuliki National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. The development comes after a British and South African couple were killed in an Allied Democratic Force (ADF) attack in September. ADF attacks in western Uganda have increased recently, heightening the insecurity situation in the country. In June, at least 42 people were killed in an ADF attack in a school in western Uganda. (“UK, US issue fresh security alert for Uganda,” BBC, 8 November 2023)