Photo : AllAfrica/MODIS Land Rapid Response Team/NASA GSFC
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AllAfrica/MODIS Land Rapid Response Team/NASA GSFC
IN BRIEF
By Padmashree Anandhan, Sejal Sharma, and Satyam Dubey
Mozambique: Tropical cyclone Gombe makes landfall
On 17 January, northern and central parts of the country experienced heavy torrential rainfall and damaging winds as tropical cyclone Gombe hit the mainland. The cyclone has resulted in heavy damage to infrastructure and human life. So far, 53 people have died and 80 people injured with at least 400,000 displaced. Southern Africa has seen a sharp rise in the intensity and frequency of tropical storms, which is suspected to be a consequence of global climate change.
Sudan: Armed groups attack Jabal Moon
On 17 March, an armed militia locally known as the Janjaweed killed at least 17 people and burned down four villages in the Jabal Moon mountain region. Three workers with Darfur-based Human Rights Monitors present there to assess and monitor the situation in the region were among those killed. The region has seen several attacks like these from the militia, also known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The attacks are a part of the conflict between residents, RSF, and corporations over creating mining projects in the gold-rich area.
DRC: Attack on camp for displaced people kills 14
On 20 March, Coopérative pour le développement du Congo (CODECO) militiamen entered Drakpa and killed 14 people in a machete attack. CODECO is an association of various Lendu militia groups operating within the Democratic Republic of Congo. The victims included seven children, including a two-year-old child. The victims were displaced people from Ngotshi who were living in a camp in the Ituri region of Drakpa.
Sudan: UN Report on atrocities in Unity State
On 22 January, the UN Human Rights Office, OHCHR, issued a report on multiple killings and rampant sexual violence targeted towards civilians, especially women and children, in South Sudan’s Unity state. The report gave a horrific account of violence inflicted on civilians since the civil war started in 2013. The OHCHR has called for an immediate investigation into the matter and has called these acts constituting war crimes. The UN Mission in Sudan, UNMISS, and other humanitarian actors have increased efforts to assess and de-escalate the conflict.