Photo : EL PAÍS
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : EL PAÍS
IN BRIEF
Narmatha S and Anu Maria Joseph
Ethiopia: Starvation deaths in Tigray and Amhara
On 31 January, BBC reported on the severe food insecurity in the Tigray and Amhara regions of Ethiopia. The government had previously denied the starvation death reports issued by the local officials. According to the national ombudsman, nearly 400 people have died out of hunger and food insecurity in the Tigray and Amhara regions in recent months. Ethiopia's Ombudsman had sent experts to study the cases in the region and concluded that 351 died in Tigray and 44 in Amhara. The memo by the Tigray Food Cluster says that only 14 per cent of 3.2 million people get food aid from humanitarian agencies in Tigray this month. Following a large grain scam in Tigray in March last year, the UN and the US suspended food supply to the region. According to the UN, nearly 20.1 million people across Ethiopia need humanitarian aid due to drought, conflict and a poor economy. (“Ethiopian federal body admits starvation deaths,” BBC, 31 January 2024)
Kenya: President orders to go ahead with the Haiti mission against the court ruling
On 31 January, Kenyan President William Ruto ordered the planned deployment of police forces in Haiti aimed at fighting gang violence to go ahead “as soon as next week.” This comes after a court in Kenya ruled that the mission is “illegal” and the National Security Council under Ruto does not have the authority to deploy police force outside the country. Meanwhile, opposition leader Ekuru Aukot responded: "Appreciate the wisdom of Justice Mwita on a 'service' and a 'force'. As per law and the constitution, you can not deploy a police service outside Kenya.” (“Kenyan President Ruto says Haiti mission to go ahead soon despite court ruling,” BBC, 31 January 2024)
Somalia: The intelligence agency shuts down WhatsApp groups linked to Al Shabab
On 31 January, Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency stated that it had shut down nearly 20 WhatsApp groups suspected of being managed by the Al Shabab militants. The agency added that it has disabled data services for nearly 2,500 mobile services associated with the group. As part of the country’s “total war” against Al Shabab, Somalia has been trying to disrupt the communication and financial channels of the group. However, besides multidimensional efforts, the militant group has been carrying out frequent attacks across the country. (“Somalia's intelligence agency says it blocks WhatsApp groups used by al-Qaida-linked militants,” Africanews, 31 January 2024)