Photo : Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Reuters
IN BRIEF
Narmatha S and Vetriselvi Baskaran
Democratic Republic of Congo: Clashed between the police and the protesters
On 12 February, BBC reported on the clashes between the police and the protestors in the capital Kinshasa. The police fired tear gas at the protestors gathered near foreign embassies in Kinshasa. The crowd was involved in burning the tyres and the national flags of the US and Belgium, accusing the Western countries of backing Rwanda. The development came after the M23, a Tutsi-led rebel group allegedly supported by Rwanda, started advancing towards the capital of the North Kivu state, Goma. (“DR Congo protests: Police fire tear gas to disperse anti-Western demonstrations in Kinshasa,” BBC, 12 February 2024)
Tunisia: Migrant boat missing in the Mediterranean
On 12 February, BBC reported that Tunisian migrants went missing while attempting to reach Italy from the city of Bizerte in Tunisia. Tunisia’s National Guard stated that at least 17 Tunisian migrants went missing. Coastguards and Navy-backed helicopters are continuing the rescue operation. (“Tunisians missing at sea after attempting to reach Italy,” BBC, 12 February 2024)
Senegal: Delayed election out of “moral obligation,” says Sall’s spokesperson
On 12 February, the Ministry of Business and Trade spokesperson, Abdou Karim Fofana, stated that the election delay is a necessary move and a "moral obligation to stay and solve this problem" because according to the constitution, President Macky Sall is the guarantor of the functioning of the institutions. Three people have died in violent riots after Sall announced the delayed elections. (“Senegal leader delayed election out of 'moral obligation' - spokesman,” BBC, 12 February 2024)
Morocco: Demonstrators demand to end ties with Israel
On 12 February, BBC reported that thousands of Moroccans protested in the capital Rabat against the country's ties with Israel, angered over the war in Gaza. The protesters waved signs condemning the violence and called for an end to the Israel-Morocco relations. In 2020, the US brokered into establishing diplomatic ties between Morocco and Israel in exchange for the US recognition of Moroccan claims in Western Sahara. ("Thousands protest in Morocco against ties with Israel," BBC, 12 February 2024)
Liberia: Appointment of the first female defence minister
On 12 February, Liberian President Joseph Boakai gave retired Brigadier General Geraldine George the position of acting Minister of Defence. Geraldine George is the first female defence minister in the country. She enrolled in the army in 2006 and then joined the elite forces. She served six years as deputy chief of staff. The development came after the protest carried out by soldiers' wives demanding the resignation of the former Minister of Defence Prince Charles Johnson III for low wages in the military barracks. ("First woman appointed as Liberia's defence minister," BBC, 12 February 2024)
Senegal: ECOWAS chair meets President Sall
On 12 February, ECOWAS chair and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu met Senegal’s President Macky Sall at the Senegalese capital Dakar in the wake of the postponement of the Presidential election. The development came after the bloc held emergency-level talks the previous week, discussing the political crisis in Senegal and the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the bloc. ("ECOWAS chair Tinubu to meet Senegal’s Sall over postponed elections," Al Jazeera, 12 February 2024)