Photo : Al Jazeera
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Al Jazeera
IN BRIEF
By Vetriselvi Baskaran and Narmatha
Somalia: Said Abdullahi Deni re-elected in Puntland
On 8 January, BBC reported that Said Abdullahi Deni secured a second term as Puntland's President in a tensely contested election marred by previous disputes and violence. He won the elections securing 45 votes against Guled Salah Barre with 21 votes. Puntland carries out indirect elections where the clan leaders choose the Members of Parliament (MPs) who then elect the president. At least 26 people were killed in 2023 during clashes between Deni’s supporters and the opposition over the demand to conduct direct election. According to BBC, Deni's immediate swearing-in signals a continuation of his leadership in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region. ("Said Deni re-elected Somalia’s Puntland president," BBC, 8 January 2024)
South Sudan: 30 civilians killed in violence
On 8 January, BBC Africa reported that at least 30 civilians were killed in an attack on a cattle camp in the state of Jonglei in South Sudan. Armed men from the Pibor region are suspected to be behind the cattle raid-turned-violence. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) condemned the violence, urged all parties to cease hostilities and pursue peaceful solutions and called on to "de-escalate the situation." They emphasised the need for regional authorities to engage in dialogue, justice and preventative measures to avoid further bloodshed in the volatile Jonglei and Pibor regions. ("UN condemns killing of 28 civilians in South Sudan," BBC, 8 January 2024)
Rwanda: Deals with Jordan
On 8 January, BBC reported that in a bid to strengthen their relationship, Rwanda and Jordan signed several agreements during King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein’s visit to Kigali. The deals span various sectors including health, economics, trade, agriculture and taxation, aiming to eliminate double taxation and tackle tax evasion. The collaboration extends to politics, defence and counter-terrorism as well. Jordan expressed gratitude for Rwanda's humanitarian aid to Gaza, highlighting the growing affinity between the two counties. ("Rwanda signs multiple deals with Jordan during king's visit," BBC, 8 January 2024)