Photo : AP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AP
LAKE CHAD
UN calls for probe into Nigeria, Chad air strikes that killed more than 100 civilians
On 13 May, Al Jazeera reported that United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk on Wednesday called for independent investigations into separate air strikes by Nigerian and Chadian forces in northern Nigeria that reportedly killed more than 100 civilians. Turk said he was “shocked” by reports that Nigerian military air strikes on a market in Tumfa village in Zamfara state killed at least 100 civilians, including women and children, on May 10, while also expressing alarm over Chadian air raids targeting Boko Haram camps in the Lake Chad region that allegedly killed dozens of Nigerian fishermen. Rights group Amnesty International said witnesses reported heavy civilian casualties in the Zamfara attack, while footage verified by AFP reportedly showed badly burned fishermen receiving treatment in Bosso, Niger, after Chadian strikes on islands controlled by Boko Haram, where civilians are often forced to pay taxes to militants. Turk stressed that operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province must comply with international humanitarian and human rights law, urging both militaries to take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian harm. However, Nigeria’s military rejected allegations of civilian casualties, with defence spokesman Major-General Michael Onoja saying there was no credible evidence of non-combatant deaths and insisting the Zamfara strike targeted a “confirmed high-level gathering” of militants based on intelligence assessments. (“UN urges independent probes into deadly Nigeria, Chad air attacks,” Al Jazeera, 13 May 2026)
ETHIOPIA
Macron backs African-led conflict resolution for continent’s crises
On 13 May, Africa News reported that French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed support for African-led solutions to the continent’s political and security crises during a trilateral meeting in Addis Ababa with African Union (AU) Commission chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. During his first visit to the AU headquarters at the end of a five-day Africa tour, Macron said African problems “must first and foremost be resolved and coordinated by Africa” and described the AU as the “legitimate body” for addressing the continent’s challenges, while Youssouf said discussions focused heavily on peace and security and France’s role on the UN Security Council in stabilising conflict zones. Macron also announced that Paris would host an international conference later this year to mobilise additional financing for the AU Peace Fund and urged full implementation of UN Resolution 2719, which allows mandatory UN member-state contributions to AU peace operations. Throughout the tour, which included stops in Egypt and Kenya, Macron stressed the need for the AU to strengthen its own peacekeeping and mediation capacity, while France would support those efforts without taking the lead. (“Macron in Addis Ababa: “African problems must be solved by Africa”,” Africa News, 13 May 2026)
GHANA
Ghana begins repatriating citizens in South Africa amid protests
On 13 May, Africa News reported that Ghana began evacuating around 300 citizens from South Africa following a wave of anti-foreigner protests and xenophobic attacks across several South African cities. President John Dramani Mahama approved the evacuation for citizens who registered with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria, while the government said the move aimed to ensure their safety amid rising tensions targeting migrants. Nigeria also expressed concern over reports of assaults and intimidation against foreigners. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa denied that the country was xenophobic, condemning attacks on foreign nationals and saying undocumented migration should be addressed “within the confines of the law”. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled that asylum seekers whose applications were previously rejected could not remain in the country and reapply, a decision welcomed by the Department of Home Affairs as a victory against abuse of the asylum system. (“Ghana to repatriate hundreds of citizens from South Africa,” Africa News, 13 May 2026)