Photo : BBC/Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : BBC/Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Apoorva Sudhakar
East African heads of state call for ceasefire in DRC
On 20 June, Kenya’s presidency announced that the East African countries had called for an immediate ceasefire and end to hostilities between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The development came after heads from countries under the East African Community (EAC) - Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, South Sudan and Kenya - met in Nairobi to discuss the situation in eastern DRC. Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta’s office released a statement wherein the seven heads of state called for deploying a regional force, cooperating the DRC military, to quell the rebels and establish peace. The DRC presidency tweeted: “Placed under the military command of Kenya, this force should be operational in the coming weeks and should not include within it elements of the Rwandan army.” (“East Africa leaders agree regional force for DRCongo, urge ceasefire,” France24, 21 June 2022)
Mali: Over 100 civilians killed in central Mali
On 20 June, the government said at least 132 civilians had been killed in an armed attack in central Mali, suspected to be carried out by the Katiba Macina armed group between 18 and 19 June. The group, which is affiliated to al Qaeda, attacked at least three villages. The attacks comes as roads between north and central Mali are blocked by rebels. In another attack on 19 June, a UN peacekeeper was killed after sustaining injuries from an IED blast. (“More than 100 civilians killed in Mali attacks: Gov’t,” Al Jazeera, 20 June 2022)
Egypt-Saudi Arabia: Agreements worth USD 7.7 billion signed
On 20 June, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Egypt, kickstarting his regional tour outside the Gulf. Saudi Arabia’s state news agency said the Crown Prince will meet leaders of Egypt, Turkiye and Jordan to discuss bilateral cooperation and other areas of mutual interest. On 21 June, Egypt and Saudi Arabia announced the signing of 14 agreements worth USD 7.7 billion. The agreements include developing a multipurpose terminal at the Damietta port in Egypt, a pharmaceutical city in Saudi Arabia by Egypt's Pharco Pharmaceuticals, and other projects. (“Egypt, Saudi Arabia ink deals worth $7.7 bln on crown prince's visit,” Reuters, 21 June 2022; “Saudi crown prince lands in Egypt on start of regional tour,” Reuters, 21 June 2022)