Photo : Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Reuters
IN BRIEF
Ayan Datta
Sudan: Iran and UAE accused of supplying arms
On 13 June, the BBC reported that Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had been accused of violating a 2005 UN arms embargo to Sudan. Dutch peace organisation PAX’s Humanitarian Disarmament Project Leader Wim Zwijnenburg analysed videos of the conflict on Twitter and said that Sudan’s Armed Forces used Iran-made drones, Mohajer-6 and Ababil-3. Amnesty International Crisis Team’s Weapons Investigator Brian Castner said that the UAE supplied drones to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces. (“Sudan war: Evidence that Iran and UAE drones used,” BBC, 13 June 2024)
South Africa: Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) agrees to join national unity government
On 13 June, the President of the Inkatha Freedom Party, Velenkosini Hlabisa, said that he would join the national unity government with the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance. Hlabisa said: “The only options were to become part of the government or part of the opposition." This was also the first official admission by any party in South Africa that a national unity government would be formed. (“South Africa election: IFP agrees to join ANC and DA in government of national unity,” BBC, 13 May 2024)
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Boat Sinks In Kwa river, killing 80
On 13 June, the BBC reported that 80 people died as a boat sank in the DRC’s Kwa River. The country’s President, Félix Tshisekedi, said he was “devaste.” He called for an “investigation into the true causes of this unfortunate incident to prevent such a disaster from happening again in the future.” (“DR Congo: 80 people killed after boat sinks,” BBC, 13 June 2024)
South Africa: First death from Mpox registered
On 13 June, South Africa’s Health Minister Joe Phaahla said that the country registered its first death from the Mpox virus on 10 June. A 37-year-old man died of Mpox in South Africa’s Gauteng province. Phaahla said: "One death is too many, especially from a preventable and manageable disease.” (“Mpox in South Africa: One person dies in Gauteng, says Health Minister Joe Pahaala,” BBC, 13 June 2024)