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NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
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IN BRIEF
Ayan Datta
Ethiopia: US-based institute reports Ethiopia committed genocide in Tigray war
On 4 June, Al Jazeera reported that the New Lines Institute found evidence that Ethiopia’s military committed “acts constituting the crime of genocide.” The report’s authors say that Ethiopia violated the Genocide Convention because it engaged in mass killings and starvation tactics. The authors say Ethiopian forces “possessed the intent to destroy Tigrayans as an ethnic group.” The authors call for Ethiopia to be tried before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). (“Strong evidence that Ethiopia committed genocide in Tigray war: Report | Crimes Against Humanity News,” Al Jazeera, 4 June 2024)
South Korea: President Yoon Suk Yeol hosts inaugural Korea-Africa summit
On 3 June, South Korea’s President Yoon hosted several African leaders for the first Korea-Africa summit. Yoon urged the African states to increase international pressure on North Korea. The two parties announced cooperation plans in mineral resources and sustainable infrastructure. Yoon announced an increase in development aid and investments. The two parties jointly stated the “importance of the efforts of the international community to achieve a complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.” (“With eye on the North, South Korea courts Africa with development aid,” Africanews, 4 June 2024)
South Africa: ANC to form coalition within the week
On 4 June, Africanews reported that the African National Congress (ANC) would hold a National Executive Committee meeting to determine the party’s coalition partners. The meeting would be held this week. In the recently concluded elections, President Cyril Ramaphosa lost his parliamentary majority. The ANC has multiple potential partners, but each comes with costs. If the ANC allies with the Democratic Alliance (DA), it would have the requisite numbers. However, the two have irreconcilable policy disagreements. If the ANC allies with Jacob Zuma’s MK party, it would also have the numbers. However, Zuma and Ramaphosa have personal differences. The ANC could include the Economic Freedom Fighters Party. However, any alliance of the ANC with EFF and MK will alienate the DA. The ANC’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, said on 3 June that the party was “having discussions within the organisation and with other parties and stakeholders on how best to establish national and provincial governments that reflect the will of the people.” (“Talks to form South Africa's next government, choose coalition partners,” Africanews, 4 June 2024)
Republic of the Congo: Lavrov meets President Nguesso and MFA Gakosso
On 4 June, Russia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, met with Congo’s President Denis Sassou-Nguesso. The crisis in Libya was high on their agenda. On 4 June, Lavrov and Congo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Claude Gakosso held a joint press conference. Gakosso argued for a negotiated end to the Russia-Ukraine war. He said: “Those who urge to send troops on the ground do not help the peace process, but on the contrary, they put all humanity under the risk of fatal and definitive confrontation.” Lavrov criticized the upcoming peace conference in Switzerland. (“Russian FM in Congo: Libya, war in Ukraine and cooperation top agenda,” Africanews, 4 June 2024)