Photo : Eduardo Soteras, AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Eduardo Soteras, AFP
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Ethiopia: AU welcomes TPLF’s decision to take part in peace talks
On 12 September, the African Union welcomed the announcement by the Tigrayan rebels that they are willing to take part in peace negotiations. The head of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat said that it was a unique opportunity to end the conflict and urged the government and the rebels to enforce an immediate ceasefire. Tigrayan rebel leaders were against an AU led mediation, instead favored outgoing Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta to lead the talk. On 11 September, the Tigrayan leaders said that they were ready to participate in peace talks led by the African Union. However, there has been no response from the Ethiopian government. In August, the fighting between the federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) resumed, destroying the five months ceasefire. ("AU welcomes Tigray call for Ethiopia peace talks," BBC, 12 September 2022)
Nigeria: at least nine people died in flooding in northern Jigawa state
On 12 September, BBC reported, the authorities said that at least 9 people have been killed and two others missing following severe flooding in northern Jigawa state of Nigeria. The local leaders said that many homes and farms have been destroyed by the flood which affected at least seven villages in the Ringim area. The floods followed by the torrential rains displaced hundreds. The Nigerian government said that more than 500,000 people have been affected by a series of floods across the country. (“Nine killed in northern Nigeria floods,” BBC, 12 September 2022)
DR Congo: Uganda pays USD 65 million as reparations
On 12 September, the Democratic Republic Congo authorities said that Uganda had handed over USD 65 million in the first installment of a fine it was ordered to pay as compensation for losses caused by wars in the 1990s when the Ugandan troops invaded Congolese territory. The Ugandan finance ministry spokesperson Apollo Munghinda said: “It's true we have paid USD 65 million as the first installment.” In February, the International Court of Justice ordered Uganda to pay USD 325 million as reparations. It covers USD 225 million for damages to persons, USD 40 million for damages to property and USD 60 million for looted resources. In 2005, the ICJ said that civilians were killed and tortured and villages were destroyed after Ugandan troops invaded DRC. Along with Rwanda, Uganda was supporting rebels trying to overthrow the late president Laurent Kabila. Two million people were killed and thousands were displaced during the conflict. ("Uganda pays first installment of $325m war reparations to DRC," Al Jazeera, 12 September 2022)