Photo : Reuters/Tiksa Negeri
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Reuters/Tiksa Negeri
IN BRIEF
By Ashwin Dhanabalan, Angkuran Dey and Meghna Manoj
African Union: Bloc assess reports on Africans escaping Ukraine
On 1 March, the African Union said it was disturbed by reports that mentioned African nationals were being stopped from fleeing Ukraine. The bloc said: “[A]ll people have the right to cross international borders during the conflict, and as such, should enjoy the same rights to cross to safety from the conflict in Ukraine, notwithstanding their nationality or racial identity.” The African students accused Ukrainian security forces of breaching international law. African countries have been scrambling to evacuate their citizens from the conflict zone.
Libya: UN encourages opposition to appoint a joint committee
On 4 March, the UN advisor to Libya, Stephanie William, discussed with rival factions to come together to try and resolve the country’s constitutional arrangements. As reported by BBC: “has sent letters to parliament and the High State Council, which represent separate administrations, to each nominate six members for a joint committee.” This comes after Fathi Bashaga was sworn in as the new Prime Minister. However, a power rivalry exists as Tripoli’s incumbent premier Abdulhamid Dbeibah refused to step down.
Burkina Faso: Albert Ouedraogo, the new civilian Prime Minister
On 4 March, the military regime in Burkina Faso appointed Albert Ouedraogo as the transitional Prime Minister. Ouedraogo is an economist and has prior experience in public administration, national development, and in dealing with private companies. His appointment comes after Col Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was sworn in on 2 March as the interim President since the regime seized power in the military coup.