Photo : Ed Harris, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Ed Harris, Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Madagascar: At least 18 died in police firing
On 30 August, Al Jazeera reported, at least 18 people were killed in Madagascar after the police opened fire on protesters demonstrating over the kidnapping of a child with albinism. People with albinism are regularly the target of violence in the country. According to the UN, more than a dozen were abducted, attacked and murdered in the past two years. In the previous week, Four suspects were arrested, following the abduction of the child. However, the residents forced their way into the police station, armed with blades and machetes demanding that suspects be handed over, which triggered the clash. (“Madagascar police shoot 18 dead in albino kidnap protest: Medic,” Al Jazeera, 30 August 2022)
The UN chartered Ukrainian ship for the Horn of Africa arrives in Djibouti
On 30 August, the World Food Programme reported that a United Nations chartered ship loaded with Ukrainian wheat for millions at risk of starvation in Ethiopia arrived in Djibouti. The bulk carrier MV Brave Commander carrying 23,000 tonnes of grain reached the Horn of Africa port two weeks after leaving Black Sea port in Ukraine. WFP executive director, David Beasley said on Twitter: “We have officially docked! The first WFP ship to carry Ukrainian grain since February has just arrived in Djibouti. Now, let's get this wheat offloaded and on to Ethiopia.” The previous month, the UN agency reported that 20.4 million people in Ethiopia are in need of food support because of the worst drought and global food crisis amid the war in Ukraine. ("First Ukraine ship for Horn of Africa docks in Djibouti port – UN," Al Jazeera, 30 August 2022)
Ethiopia: Aid delivery to Tigray suspended, says UN
On 30 August, the UN said that the humanitarian aid delivery efforts to the northern Ethiopian region of Tigray have been suspended after the resumption of fighting the previous week. The violence erupted is currently concentrated in the neighboring Amhara region is worsening besides calls for de-escalation. The UN says, aid delivery by road transport and flights transporting aid workers to Tigray has been suspended. Meanwhile, a UN team of international human rights experts set up to probe allegations of abuses in Ethiopia said it is “outraged” about the renewed hostilities and called for an end to the violence. (Kalkidan Yibeltal, "UN says aid delivery to Tigray suspended," BBC, 30 August 2022)