Photo : Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Reuters
IN BRIEF
Ayan Datta
Sudan: US envoy says fall of El Fasher is imminent
On 11 June, according to the BBC, US Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perillo said that El Fasher could fall to Rapid Support Forces (RSF) imminently. The Envoy said that the RSF considered establishing Darfur as an independent state after capturing it. Perillo said: "We see 45,000 pregnant women who not only have no real prenatal care, but don't even have enough meals a day to be nourished enough for a healthy pregnancy.” El Fasher was a sanctuary for people fleeing the conflict. However, it recently became another frontline zone. Perillo said that the US would not recognise any breakaway independent state of Darfur. (“Sudan's El Fasher could fall to rebels imminently - US,” BBC, 11 June 2024)
Malawi: Vice President Saulos Chilima confirmed dead in plane crash
On 11 June, according to BBC, Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera said that the wreck of the plane carrying the country’s Vice President Saulos Chilima had been found with no survivors. Chakwera said: "I consider it one of the great honours of my life to have had him as a deputy and as a counsellor.” (“Saulos Chilima: Malawi vice-president confirmed dead in plane crash,” BBC, 11 June 2024)
Nigeria: Gunmen kill 25 in raid
On 11 June, according to BBC, gunmen killed 25 people and abducted multiple others in the northwestern Katsina state. The bandits rode in the village on motorbikes, shot people, looted shops, and abducted multiple. A local resident, Abdullahi Yunusa Kankara, said: “Our town has turned into a death zone. Almost every house in the village has fallen victim to this attack. More dead bodies were recovered this [Monday] morning." (“Nigeria gunmen kill at least 25 in village raid, officials say,” BBC, 11 June 2024)