Photo : Anadolu Agency
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Anadolu Agency
IN BRIEF
By Ashwin Dhanabalan, Angkuran Dey and Meghna Manoj
Tunisia: President Kais Saied dissolves the parliament
On 30 March, Tunisia's President Kais Saied announced the dissolution of the parliament. The move comes eight months after the Tunisian President had sacked the Prime Minister, Hicham Mechichi and suspended parliamentary proceedings after violent anti-government protests broke out in several Tunisian cities. Saied stated: "Today, at this historic moment, I announce the dissolution of the Assembly of Representatives of the people, to preserve the state and its institutions."
Mali: Russia sends military equipment to Bamako's government
On 31 March, Mali's military accepted two combat helicopters and two sophisticated radar systems from the Russian authorities to help fight against Islamist militants. With the withdrawal of French forces from the region, Russia has developed closer ties with the military regime. Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group are believed to be helping the military in fighting the jihadist threat. The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves le Drian, conveyed that the military leaders of Mali had become hostage to the mercenaries. However, Mali's Defence Minister, Col. Sadio Camara, disregarded the criticism and pointed out that the Russian equipment provided autonomy to the military in battling the insurgents.
Somalia: UNSC unanimously votes for a new peacekeeping force
On 1 April, the UN Security Council passed a unanimous vote for a new peacekeeping force in Somalia. The statement released by the UNSC presidency, held by the UAE, pointed out that the UNSC has adopted a resolution for reconfiguration of the current African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The current mission comprises 20,000 soldiers, police, and civilians helping the local authorities fight the militia. The approved resolution has called for the gradual retreat of peacekeepers from the region in four phases until the last peacekeepers leave the country by the end of 2024.
Congo: Kinshasa becomes a member of the East African Community
On 29 March, the Democratic Republic of Congo became the seventh member of the East African Community (EAC), giving massive impetus towards expanding the trade territory under the bloc. The inclusion of the Democratic Republic of Congo will expand the consumer market of EAC to almost 300 million. The Congolese President, Felix Tshisekedi, lauded the association and stated: "I have always considered the East African community as the best compared to other sub-regional economic blocs in Africa, in terms of free movement of people and goods, infrastructure integration and trade."