Photo : Peter Louis GUME, AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Peter Louis GUME, AFP
IN BRIEF
By Anu Maria Joseph
Sudan: Communal clashes kill 32 people in Abyei village
On 20 November, BBC Africa reported that at least 37 people were killed in a gunmen attack in the village of Abyei. One of the UN peacekeepers was also killed during the attack. The attack comes alongside ongoing communal hostilities in the village over land and resources. The village of Abyei is an oil and resources-rich region that lies on the border between Sudan and South Sudan. It is considered to belong to both countries after a peace agreement that was signed in 2005. The previous week, the UN Security Council extended its mandate of the peacekeeping mission in the region for one more year. (“UN peacekeeper among 32 killed in Sudan clashes,” BBC, 20 November 2023
Kenya: Death toll due to floods rise to a dozen
On 20 November, BBC Africa reported that according to the Kenyan government, the death toll due to the heavy rains and floods has risen to ten. The Coast regional police commissioner Rhoda Onyancha stated that more than 20,000 families have been affected by the floods in the counties of Mombasa, Kilfi, Kwale and Tana River. The World Meteorological Organization reported that the heavy rains that are affecting the East African countries including Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia are caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon. (“Kenya flood toll rises as recovery of bodies continues,” BBC, 20 November 2023)
South Africa: Calls on ICC to issue arrest warrant on Netanyahu
On 20 November, the South African government called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes in Gaza. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni stated that the ICC’s failure to issue arrest warrants would mean a “total failure” in global governance. South Africa, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros and Djibouti referred to the ICC for an investigation of the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza. Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel clashes were reported in the city of Cape Town. In response to the clashes, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the Israel-Gaza conflict should not “deepen divisions” within South African society. Ramaphosa’s government and African National Congress (ANC) had expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Ramaphosa stated: "Support for the Palestinian struggle cannot be equated with antisemitism.” (“Israel-Gaza conflict should not divide SA - Ramaphosa; SA calls on ICC to issue arrest warrant for Netanyahu,” BBC, 20 November 2023)