Photo : AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AFP
IN BRIEF
Ayan Datta
South Africa: ANC to form national unity government
On 5 June, BBC reported that a spokesperson of the African National Congress (ANC), Mahlegi Bhengu-Motsiri, said that the party seeks to form a government of national unity with others. She said: "The results indicate that the South Africans want all parties to work together." Bhengo-Motsiri said that the ANC had discussed with the Democratic Alliance (DA), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and MK party. By forming a national unity government, the ANC could avoid the dilemmas of choosing coalition partners. The DA is seen as pro-white and opposes the ANC’s black empowerment policies. The MK and EFF would alienate the business community. There is also the personal animosity between Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa. South Africa had a national unity government in 1994 when a Nelson Mandela-led ANC formed a coalition government with the pro-apartheid National Party. (“South Africa election: ANC eyes government of national unity,” BBC, 6 June 2024)
Zambia: Chinese nationals arrested for running cybercrime syndicate
On 5 June, according to BBC, 22 Chinese nationals pled guilty to committing cyber-related crimes. The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) arrested them in April after raiding their premises. The accused were charged with running a “sophisticated internet fraud syndicate.” The individuals worked at the Golden Top Support Services, operated in Lagos. The syndicate targeted people in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and African countries with online scams. Li Xianlin, a Chinese national, is believed to be the company’s director. (“Zambia cybercrime: Chinese nationals plead guilty to scam charges,” BBC, 6 June 2024)
Burkina Faso: Foreign Minister Lavrov’s visit
On 4 June, Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov, visited Burkina Faso. This was his first visit to Burkina Faso. Lavrov met Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré. Lavrov said that he was grateful for Traoré’s assistance in helping Russia reopen its embassy in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou. (“Lavrov arrives in Burkina Faso, third leg of his Africa tour,” Africanews, 6 June 2024)
Sudan: 1280 civilian casualties in El-Fasher
On 5 June, the aid group Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) stated: “Since the fighting began on May 10, we have received 1,280 casualties at the MSF-supported South Hospital – 203 have died from their injuries.” The MSF said that with the intensification of the conflict in El Fasher, the South Hospital was the only remaining in the region. The hospital had been bombed three times in a week and at the brink of being non-operational. (“El Fasher Conflict: 1,280 civilian casualties and hospital closure looms,” Sudan Tribune, 6 June 2024)
Sudan: 100 dead in RSF attack
On 5 June, the Sudan Tribune reported that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killed 100 people in Al-Jazira state’s Wad Al-Norra village. Local neighbourhood committees reported: “The village of Wad Al-Noora witnessed a massacre after the RSF militia attacked it twice.” The RSF took control of Al-Jazirah state in 2023. Since then, it has been raiding villages and committing atrocities against residents. Residents want to arm themselves to resist the RSF. (“RSF commits massacre in Al-Jazirah village, leaving nearly 100 dead,” Sudan Tribune, 6 June 2024)