Photo : AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AFP
IN BRIEF
By Narmatha S and Vetriselvi Baskaran
Sudan: Conflict-led displacement on the rise
On 9 February, humanitarian agencies cautioned that the continuing conflict in the Abyei region, a border area shared between Sudan and South Sudan, for two weeks has left thousands displaced. The clashes are between two rival factions, the Twic and Ngok, of the Dinka ethnic group belonging to the Wrrap state. According to BBC, nearly 100 people including UN peacekeepers have lost their lives in the violence. Troika, a coalition of the UK, the US and Norway forces, insisted on the South Sudanese government to hold responsibility for the attacks. Nearly 2,200 people, mostly women and Children, are residing in one of the UN camps, located in Rumajak, which is seven kilometres north of Abyei. ("Thousands forced out by fighting in disputed Abyei region," BBC, 10 February 2024)
Ethiopia: Oxfam warns of the hunger plight
On 9 February, Oxfam cautioned that one in three Ethiopians are undergoing hunger. Previously, the federal government had reported that nearly 400 people had lost their lives due to hunger, which was denied by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Conflicts and drought are the central factors for the ongoing Famine situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray, Amhara and Oromia regions. Oxfam warned that the country would have faced the worst if no aid was provided. The pause in aid from the World Food Programme (WFP) and the US Aid Last Spring, due to looting allegations, worsened the situation. ("Almost 10 million Ethiopians face extreme hunger - Oxfam," BBC, 10 February 2024)
Malawi: Tourism efforts with new visa regulations
On 9 February, BBC reported that Malawi has lifted visa requirements for visitors from 79 countries to encourage tourism and trade in the country. On 7 February, Minister of Homeland Security, Ken Zikhałe, announced the immigration rules to remove visa requirements for people from the UK, China, Russia, Germany, Australia, Canada, Belgium, Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, France, and several other countries. Nationals of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) are similarly exempted from visa requirements. This excludes countries that demand Malawian citizens to have visas. This change also excludes diplomats and government officials with multiple entry visas with Malawi. According to the new visa regulations, multiple entry visas in Malawi are valid for up to 12 months. The British embassy in Malawi urged its people to use this opportunity to visit popular tourist attractions in the southern African country. Malawi joins Kenya and Rwanda in welcoming African visitors. (“Malawi lifts visa restrictions for 79 countries,” BBC, 9 February, 2024)
South Africa: Israel denies the allegations of South African minister
On 9 February, Israel responded to the statement by the South African Minister. The relationship between Israel and South Africa has been tense after the latter filed a case against the former for the genocidal acts in Gaza at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). South Africa's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Naledi Pandor, stated that she was targeted by Israel and sought police protection as she kept receiving threatening messages. Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded: "These are baseless and false accusations, yet another blood libel by the South African foreign minister, who serves as the legal arm of the Hamas terrorist organisation.” (“Israel denies threatening South African minister,” BBC, 9 February 2024)
Uganda: Rescue of its citizens from Myanmar
On 9 February, BBC reported that the Ugandan government is working with Myanmar's government to rescue migrants. Among the migrants, 30 are Ugandan citizens. Meanwhile, the opposition party claims that more than 450 Ugandans reside in Myanmar. The Africans went to other countries including Malaysia and Thailand, in search of employment, were scammed to Myanmar and are under the control of rebels. Uganda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, John Mulimba, stated that the government has appealed to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) for rescue operations. (“Uganda seeks help to free kidnapped citizens in Myanmar,” BBC, 9 February 2024)
Senegal: Tear gas fired to disintegrate gatherings
On 9 February, BBC reported the situation in Senegal as people protested against the postponement of elections by Mack Sall’s government. The opposition politicians accused President Macky Sall of being an autocrat. After Sall announced the postponement of the elections, protests and riots erupted in the capital Dakar and other cities. Police fired tear gas and lobbed stun grenades at the protesters. Sall claims that a dispute in the eligibility of candidates is behind the delay. (“Senegal police tear-gas gathering protesters, Macky Sall 'like a 90-year-old autocrat' - former PM,” BBC, 9 February 2024)