Photo : REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
IN BRIEF
by Apoorva Sudhakar
Abandon neocolonial attitude, Mali tells Macron
On 31 July, Mali’s military government criticised France’s President Emmanuel Macron’s view on Mali. The government spokesperson said: “The transitional government demands President Macron permanently abandon his neocolonial, paternalistic and patronising posture to understand that no one can love Mali better than Malians.” The statement comes after Macron’s remarks during his West Africa tour wherein he said it was the responsibility of West African countries to ensure that Malians “express the sovereignty of the people.” (“Mali junta criticises Macron's 'neocolonial and patronising' attitude,” France24, 1 August 2022)
Ruling coalition and opposition claim victory in parliamentary elections
On 1 August, the governing coalition and the opposition claimed victory in the parliamentary elections which concluded polling on 31 July. The head of the ruling coalition claimed that they had secured 30 of the 46 administrative departments; however, the opposition dismissed the claims and said it had defeated the ruling coalition in most departments. The elections took place amid speculations that President Macky Sall may extend his tenure beyond the two terms. (Ngouda Dione and Diadie Ba, “Senegal's ruling party, opposition both claim victory after legislative vote,” Reuters, 1 August 2022)
Over 80 people arrested for gang rape for eight women
On 1 August, 84 people were arrested allegedly in connection with a gang-rape of eight women on 28 July, in a town close to Johannesburg. The women were shooting a video near a mining dump when illegal miners ordered young men to rape the women aged between 19 and 37. The men were also ordered to rob the women. On 1 August, the police started producing the suspects before the court. The Police Minister said the incident was a “matter of shame” to South Africa. (“SA gang rape is 'shame of the nation' - police minister,” BBC, 1 August 2022)
Two killed as UN peacekeepers open fire
On 31 July, two people were killed when UN peacekeepers opened fire while trying to enter DRC from Uganda. Deutsche Welle quoted a statement and reported that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "outraged" by the incident and demanded accountability. The special representative of the Secretary-General of the UN in Congo said the suspects had been arrested. ("Democratic Republic of Congo: 2 dead as UN peacekeepers open fire," Deutsche Welle, 31 July 2022)