Photo : AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AFP
IN BRIEF
Narmatha S and Vetriselvi Baskaran
Niger: ECOWAS lifts sanctions
On 24 February, ECOWAS lifted sanctions on Niger which were imposed following the coup in 2023. The announcement came with a condition of immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family members who were detained following the coup. The bloc's President Omar Alieu Touray stated that the decision is purely on a "humanitarian basis." In January, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso left the bloc forming the Alliance of Sahel States. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu urged three countries to reconsider their withdrawal decision. ("ECOWAS lifts sanctions on Niger amid tensions in West Africa bloc," Al Jazeera, 24 February 2024)
Burkina Faso: Terrorist attack on Catholic church
On 25 February, the northern village of Essakane witnessed a terrorist attack carried out by unknown gunmen on a Catholic church. At least 12 people were killed during the attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. According to a report by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, the number of people killed by armed groups has nearly tripled compared to the previous 18 months. (“At least 15 killed in attack on Catholic church in Burkina Faso,” Al Jazeera, 25 February 2024)
South Africa: ANC pitches for votes as majority threatened
On 24 February, the African National Congress (ANC) announced its manifesto for the May elections. It fears that the share of the vote could fall below 50 per cent for the first time since independence. Several challenges, including unemployment that rose to 32 per cent, frequent power cuts and high crime levels, led to the ANC losing its popularity. According to BBC, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated: "There are forces that seek to use this election to undo the progress of democracy. It is crucial that together we defend our hard-won freedom.” The ANC polled above 50 per cent in national elections, enabling it to run the country without challenge since 1994. (“South Africa's ANC pitches for votes as majority threatened,” BBC, 24 February 2024)