Photo : Al Jazeera
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Al Jazeera
IN BRIEF
Narmatha S and Anu Maria Joseph
Cameroon: Militant attack kills a civilian
On 30 January, BBC reported on a violent militant attack in the capital city of Buae in Cameroon. One civilian was reportedly killed. The Anglophone militants have been carrying out frequent attacks demanding a separate state for decades. Recently, they have been forcing the residents to carry out the so-called “ghost-town” protests to halt economic activities. (“Deadly attack on Cameroon city as militants enforce 'ghost towns’,” BBC, 30 January)
Founding members of Ecowas left the bloc, deep regrets say AU
On 30 January, the African Union (AU) expressed its “deep regret” over the decision by Mali, Burkina Faso and NIger to leave ECOWAS on 28 January. AU's commission chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat called on regional leaders to mediate the dialogue between the Ecowas leadership and the three countries. The main accusations laid by Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are that it is being influenced by foreign powers and does not work for the welfare of their country. (“Mali, Burkina and Niger Ecowas exit of 'deep regret' to AU ,” BBC, 30 January 2024)
Niger: 22 people killed in suspected jihadist attack
On 30 January, BBC Africa reported that at least 22 people were killed in a suspected jihadist attack in Motagatta village bordering Nigeria. BBC quoted an unidentified official who told AFP news agency that attackers came in motorbikes and began shooting people. Although the military government mentioned opacity on the origin of the attack, jihadist insurgency in Niger has risen since 2015. (“More than 20 killed in Niger attack - reports,” BBC, 30 January 2024)
Sudan: Warring factions committing war crimes in Darfur, says ICC
On 30 January, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, stated that there are “grounds” to prove that the warring military factions in Sudan are committing war crimes in the Darfur region. Khan told the UNSC that his office is gathering "a very significant body of material, information and evidence" regarding the war crimes committed by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces in the Darfur region. He added that the humanitarian situation in the region is deteriorating daily and urged the authorities to cooperate with the ICC investigations. (“'Sudan's battling forces likely committing war crimes',” BBC, 30 January 2024)
Somalia: Indian Navy rescues 19 Pakistani nationals from pirates
On 30 January, BBC Africa reported on the Indian Navy rescuing 19 Pakistani nationals after Somali pirates hijacked their fishing vessel off the coast of Somalia. The Indian Navy stated that 11 pirates seized the vessel and kept the crew hostage. It added that India's INS Sumitra navy patrol ship intercepted the hijacking and "compelled the safe release of the crew and the vessel.” In January, the Indian Navy rescued 17 people after Somali pirates hijacked another Iranian-flagged ship in the Gulf of Aden. The increasing number of pirate attacks has raised concern regarding the resurfacing of pirate campaigns in the region. (“Indian navy rescues 19 Pakistanis from Somali pirates,” BBC, 30 January 2024)