Photo : Africanews
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Africanews
IN BRIEF
By Ayan Datta
Ghana: Vice-President Bawumia chooses Minister of Energy as running mate
On 5 July, Africanews reported that Ghana’s Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia chose Minister of Energy Matthew Opuku Prempeh as his running mate for the presidential election in December. Prempeh was a former Minister of Education and lawmaker. The duo will contest against former President John Dramani Mahama. The incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo would resign from office in January 2025 following the election. (“Ghana's presidential candidate Bawumia chooses energy minister as running mate,” Africanews, 5 July 2024)
Africa: UN joint report says land route twice as deadly for African migrants than Mediterranean rote
On 5 July, according to Africanews, a joint report published by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Mixed Migration Centre titled “On this Journey, No One Cares If You Live or Die.” African migrants and refugees taking the land route to Europe through the Sahara are twice as likely to be killed as on sea routes across the Mediterranean Sea. UNHCR's Special Envoy for the Central Mediterranean Situation, Vincent Cochetel, stated: “Many people tell us that they are aware of someone who has died on the way, normally more on the land routes than on the sea routes… risk of kidnapping seems to be a new one. It used to be mentioned by 2% of the respondents four years ago. Now it is mentioned by 18% of the respondents. Almost one out of five claims that the journey involved that risk of kidnapping.” (“Land routes through Africa are twice as dangerous for migrants and refugees,” Africanews, 5 July 2024)
Niger: US military to withdraw from Air Base 101
On 5 July, according to Reuters, US Air Force Major General Kenneth Ekman said that the US military would withdraw its troops from Niger’s Air Base 101 by 07 July and eventually from its drone base in Niger. Erkman stated: “We will do a joint ceremony on that occasion that marks the departure of the last U.S. C-17 (aircraft). The government of Niger will assume control of former U.S. areas and facilities.” Previously, Niger’s military government ordered the US to withdraw its around 1,000 troops from the country. (“US to complete withdrawal from Niger's Air Base 101 on Sunday,” Reuters, 5 July 2024)
Kenya: President Ruto holds online discussion with protesters
On 5 July, according to BBC, Kenya’s President William Ruto held a live discussion with protesters on X Spaces. Protesters asked Ruto whether he tried to reach out to the families of those who died or were injured in the protests if he cared about the people who elected him, and complained about the incompetence of Ruto’s cabinet secretaries. The X Space had around 163,000 participants. (“Kenya X Space: President William Ruto speaks to online army,” BBC, 5 July 2024)