Photo : SEBASTIEN KITSA MUSAYI, AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : SEBASTIEN KITSA MUSAYI, AFP
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
DRC: At least 14 killed in rebel attack in eastern DR Congo
On 31 August Al Jazeera reported, a local human rights group said that at least 14 were killed and more than dozens were kidnapped in an attack in Ituri province of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. An army spokesperson blames the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan militia having allegiance to the ISIL group, for the attack. Military spokesperson Antony Mwalushayi said that the army killed five fighters and rescued a five year old girl who had been kidnapped. The military group ADF carries out frequent deadly attacks in villages in easetrn Congo despite the joint efforts by the Congolese and Ugandan armies. ("At least 14 dead in rebel attacks in eastern DR Congo," Al Jazeera, 31 August 2022)
Ethiopia: Tigray forces accuses government forces conducting drone strikes in Mekelle
On 31 August, BBC reported, Tigrayan forces in Ethiopia’s northern region accused the government of conducting drone strikes in regional capital Mekelle. The government has not yet responded to the allegations. However, the previous week, it warned people to stay away from military targets. The UN said that the airstrikes conducted the previous week in Mekelle killed civilians including children. A Tigrayan official said that three bombs were dropped in the city and hospital was targeted in the latest strikes. The communication blackout in the region has made it difficult to get further information. Meanwhile, the fighting continues to intensify and spread to other regions after the resumption of the conflict, following a five-month truce. ("Tigray forces say hospital targeted in drone strikes," BBC, 31 August 2022)
Mali: At least 50 Malian civilians killed in military operation, says UN mission
On 31 August, the UN said that at least 50 Malian civilians were killed by Malian soldiers in a military operation on 19 April, aided by what it called "foreign" military personnel. The UN's mission in Mali, Minusma said that the incident happened in Hombori municipality in the central Douentza region after a military convoy was attacked. Minusma stated: "At least 50 civilians (including a woman and a child) were killed and more than 500 others arrested." The military did not respond to the allegations. Though the foreign fighters were not specified, Russian mercenaries are active in the country after France withdrew its troops amid tensions. ("Dozens of civilians killed in April by Mali’s army: UN report," Al Jazeera, 31 August 2022)