Photo : REUTERS, Francis Kokoroko
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : REUTERS, Francis Kokoroko
IN BRIEF
By Anu Maria Joseph and Narmatha S
Ghana: President Nana Akufo-Addo’s push for colonial reparations
On 15 November, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo urged African and Caribbean countries to demand reparations for the atrocities during colonialism and slavery. He described the assertion as “a valid demand for justice.” The comments were made during the reparations conference held in Ghana’s capital Accra. The conference was attended by leaders of African and Caribbean countries. Akufo-Addo stated: "No amount of money can restore the damage caused by the transatlantic slave trade and its consequences. But surely, this is a matter that the world must confront and can no longer ignore.” In September, during the UN General Assembly Akufo-Addo had commented that “no amount of money would ever make up for the horrors, but it would make the point that evil was perpetrated.” The conference aims to a unified voice to assist African countries that are seeking reparations. (“Ghana's President Akufo-Addo in fresh push for reparations,” BBC, 15 November 2023)
Uganda: Parliament passes bill limiting oil imports through Kenya
On 14 November, Uganda’s parliament passed a bill permitting the state-owned oil company, Uganda National Oil Company (Unoc) to supply oil to the domestic market. Uganda imports 90 per cent of its oil through Kenya’s Mombasa port. According to Uganda’s Minister of Energy, Ruth Nankabirwa, the bill will limit the import of oil through Kenya as it “exposed Uganda to occasional supply vulnerabilities where Ugandan oil marketing companies were considered secondary whenever there were supply disruptions.” Members of the parliament who supported the bill asserted that it would reduce the fuel cost and the “fuel cartels that arbitrarily influence fuel pricing.” (“Uganda MPs approve ending oil imports through Kenya,” BBC, 15 November 2023)
Mali: Army recaptures rebel stronghold Kidal
On 15 November, BBC Africa reported on Mali’s army seizing Kidal, a town in northern Mali which has been under the control of the Tuareg rebels for a decade. The junta stated that the recapturing of the town did not mean the mission was complete. The Permanent Strategic Framework (CSP), an alliance of Tuareg armed groups, stated that they left Kidal “for strategic reasons” and that the “fight continues.” In 2015, an agreement was signed between the Tuareg rebels and the Malian government where many of the rebels were incorporated into the army. However, recently the rebels started remerging after French troops withdrew their troops amid a failure in addressing insurgency and the junta turned to the Russian paramilitary group, Wagner, for assistance. (“Mali army seizes key rebel northern stronghold Kidal,” BBC, 15 November 2023)
Somalia: The UNSC adopts a resolution to extend ATMIS.
On 15 November, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution to extend the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) for a period of six months. It will expire on June 30, 2024. Resolution 2710 gives authority for the AU member states to deploy up to 17,626 uniformed personnel to aid ATMIS until 31 December. The phase 2 drawdown adds an additional 3000 personnel as requested by the Somalian government. The resolution further authorises 14,626 personnel from 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024 and to complete the phase 3 drawdown of 4000 personnel for ATMIS. (Somalia: Votes on the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and on the Renewal of the Sanctions Regime, Security Council Report, 15 November 2023)