Photo : Hassan Ali Elmi, AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Hassan Ali Elmi, AFP
IN BRIEF
Anu Maria Joseph
Somalia: Ethiopian ambassador expelled
On 4 April, Somalia expelled the Ethiopian ambassador to the country and ordered the closure of consulates. It additionally recalled the ambassador to Ethiopia. The expulsion came after a rise in tensions between the two, following Ethiopia’s port deal with self-declared Somaliland in January. Somalia considers Somaliland as part of its territory and accused Ethiopia of infringing on its “sovereignty and internal affairs.” Somalia described the deal as an act of “aggression” and an "impediment to… peace and stability.” (“Somalia expels Ethiopian ambassador amid row over Somaliland port deal,” BBC, 4 April 2024)
Togo: Delay in elections amidst constitutional reform
On 4 April, BBC reported on Togo announcing the delay in the parliamentary and regional elections over the controversial constitutional reform. According to the reform which was approved the previous week, the country replaced the presidential system with a parliamentary one. The opposition parties rejected the reform citing that it would let President Faure Gnassingbé stay in power. On 3 April, the presidential office announced the postponement of the elections which were initially scheduled for 20 April. The election delay was announced after President Gnassingbé returned the bill for a second reading amidst widespread criticism. (“Togo postpones elections after new constitution row,” BBC, 4 April 2024)
Ethiopia: Federal forces carry out war crimes in Amhara, says HRW
On 4 April, Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused Ethiopian federal forces of summarily executing civilians and committing war crimes in the Amhara region. It called on the UN for an independent investigation. Deputy Africa director at HRW, Laetitia Bader, stated: “Civilians are once again bearing the brunt of an abusive army operating with impunity. The Ethiopian armed forces’ brutal killings of civilians in Amhara undercut government claims that it’s trying to bring law and order to the region.” Additionally, it called on the AU to suspend Ethiopia’s participation in the peacekeeping missions until “commanders responsible for grave abuses are held accountable.” (“Ethiopia’s army accused of committing war crimes in Amhara region,” Al Jazeera, 4 April 2024)