Photo : REUTERS, FRANCIS KOKOROKO
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : REUTERS, FRANCIS KOKOROKO
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Ghana: economic issues worsen with rising inflation
On 14 September, BBC reported, the Ghana Statistical Service released a report on the country’s economy which continues to worsen day by day. According to the reports, the rate of inflation in the country rose to 33.9 per cent in August, up from 31.7 per cent in July. The cost of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels increased over 46 per cent. Mismanagement and corruption is popularly perceived as attributes of the economic situation. However, the government says the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic and the Ukraine crisis is behind the downturn. ("Ghana economic woes deepen with rising inflation," BBC, 14 September 2022)
Ethiopia: Tigray fighters losing control of towns, says TPLF
On 14 September, TPLF army commander said the Tigrayan fighters in war-torn northern Ethiopia lost control of a town near the Eritrean border. He told a regional news agency that joint Ethiopian and Eritrean troops have taken the Sheraro town. He also said the federal forces had taken control of Addi Arkay, a town between the borders of Tigray and the neighboring Amhara region. Neither governments have yet commented on the reports. He added the government forces have plans “to control Axum, Adigrat, Shire and enter Mekelle” and the ultimate goal was “to disarm” Tigrayan forces. Earlier this week, the TPLF had accused the government of conducting a series of airstrikes in Mekelle that reported civilian casualties. The move came after the Tigrayan forces agreed to take part in peace talks mediated by the African Union. ("Tigray fighters losing ground - TPLF general," BBC, 14 September 2022)
Kenya: Government plans to cut ties with SADR, says President Ruto
On 14 September, the new Kenyan President William Ruto said his government plans to cut ties with Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). He said the country supports the United Nations framework as the mechanism to find solutions for the issues in Western Sahara. The announcement came shortly after His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco congratulated Ruto for his victory. SADR has been provoking a transition from a semi-autonomous territory to self-rule. However, Morocco strongly opposed the attempt for the region to decide its future through a referendum. ("Kenya cuts links with Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic," BBC, 14 September 2022)