Photo : AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AFP
IN BRIEF
by Apoorva Sudhakar
Chad: At least 19 killed in farmer-herder fighting
On 21 September, Reuters reported a government spokesperson’s announcement that at least 19 people were killed and over 20 injured in clashes between nomadic herders and sedentary farmers in the Moyen-Chari region of southern Chad. The news report explained that such clashes are common wherein the farmers accuse the herders of grazing animals on the latter’s lands. The latest fighting took place across five villages over three days. (“At least 19 killed in south Chad in clashes between farmers, herders,” Reuters, 21 September 2022)
Tunisia: Ghannouchi released after interrogation
On 21 September, BBC reported that the Ennahda party leader Rached Ghannouchi had been released by the counter-terrorism police after a night-long interrogation. Ghannouchi had been accused of smuggling jihadi fighters to Syria and Iraq. Meanwhile, the Ennahda party criticised the detention and interrogation of Ghannouchi and that of former prime minister Ali Laarayedh, terming the moves a violation of human rights. (“Tunisia releases opposition leader after questioning,” BBC, 21 September 2022)
Ethiopia: Government rejects UN report on Tigray
On 21 September, BBC reported Ethiopia’s rejection of a UN commission report which claimed that Ethiopia’s national army had carried out large-scale killings in Tigray. Ethiopia dismissed the claims terming the report “incomplete, incoherent and unsubstantiated,” and said it was released with an intention to demonise Ethiopia. The government further said the report was “a manifestly political statement issued under the guise of an investigation report.” (“Ethiopia rejects UN report on Tigray atrocities,” BBC, 21 September 2022)