Photo : Anadolu
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Anadolu
IN BRIEF
By Ayan Datta
Kenya: Violent protests
On 25 June, according to Al Jazeera, Kenyan police shot and killed 13 people who were rallying against the government’s finance bill. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that security forces should “exercise restraint” and protestors should demonstrate peacefully.
The same day, according to BBC, protestors broke into Kenya’s parliament complex, vandalised its interiors and set parts of the complex on fire. The police shot dead five protesters and used rubber bullets and tear gas to control the crowd. The protestors were rallying against the government’s recent finance bill, which included multiple tax rises. Kenya’s President William Ruto also deployed the military and said that the government would “thwart any attempts by dangerous criminals to undermine the security and stability of our country.”
On 26 June, according to BBC, Kenya’s President William Ruto said that the government would use all instruments at its disposal to prevent a repeat of the 25 June violence between protesters and the police. He said that “legitimate” protests against his finance bill were “hijacked by a group of organised criminals.” The protestors had set fire to the Nairobi governor’s office, the City Hall and Kenya’s parliament. They organised the protests to oppose Ruto’s corrupt government and his finance bill, which raised taxes on healthcare and housing. However, Ruto argued that the tax increases were necessary to prevent Kenya from defaulting on its foreign debts. (“Kenya tax protests: Five reported killed in capital Nairobi,” BBC, 25 June 2024; “Kenya tax protests updates: 13 killed as demonstrations rock country,” Al Jazeera, 25 June 2024; “Kenya's president faces tough choices after day of bloodshed,” BBC, 26 June 2024)
Minsk: Lavrov says exploitation continues in Africa through economic methods
On 25 June, according to Africanews, Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov, said, “In Africa, many countries are increasingly asserting their national interests and understanding that exploitation continues, but through different economic methods.” He added that African states “wanted to be independent and seek mutually respectful partnerships.” Lavrov was speaking in Minsk during an official visit to Belarus. (““Exploitation continues in Africa, but through economic methods,” Lavrov,” Africanews, 25 June 2024)