Photo : Gonzalo Fuentes, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Gonzalo Fuentes, Reuters
IN BRIEF
Narmatha S and Vetriselvi Baskaran
Burkina Faso: Series of attacks kill hundreds
On 3 March, Al Jazeera reported that at least 170 people were killed in a series of attacks in three villages in northern Burkina Faso. The attacks are separate from the attacks on a mosque in Natiaboani and a church in Essakane that killed dozens. Currently, nearly half of the country is under the control of several armed groups. (“About 170 people killed in Burkina Faso attacks, regional official says,” Al Jazeera, 3 March 2024)
Chad: Military leader to run for election
On 2 March, Chad’s military leader, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, announced that he would run for the presidential election which is scheduled for May. Deby stated: “I, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, am a candidate for the 2024 presidential election under the banner of the For a United Chad coalition.” The elections are expected to end three years of transition after Mahamat Deby took over the power post-death of his father Idriss Deby. (“Chad interim leader Deby confirms plan to run for president in May,” Al Jazeera, 3 March 2024)