Photo : AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AFP
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Libya: At least five died during clashes
On 26 September, the Defense Post reported, a security source said at least five people were killed and 13 wounded in western Libyan town of Zaouia during a clash between rival forces. The fighting broke out between the group linked to the defense ministry and the other to the interior ministry after a member of one group was killed by the other over a fuel smuggling dispute, which is common in the region. The country has been going through a political crisis amid the clashes between the rival prime ministers Abdulhamid Dbeibah and Fathi Bashagha. (“Five Dead in Western Libya Clashes,” Defense Post, 26 September 2022)
Tunisia: Anti-government protest against rising food prices
On 26 September, anti-government protests took place in multiple suburbs of the Tunisian capital Tunis. The protesters criticized President Kais Saied for failing to tackle the inflation and rising food prices. In one district in the outskirts of Tunis, police used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators who were blocking the roads. The protest was triggered after the suicide of a local man who was allegedly harassed by police for selling fruit without permission. (“Tunisians protest against high food prices,” BBC, 26 September 2022)
Ethiopia: Drone debris strike UN aid truck
On 26 September, the World Food Programme told the Reuters news agency that debris from a drone strike in Ethiopia’s Tigray region hit an aid truck. A WFP spokesperson said: “Flying debris from the strike injured a driver contracted by WFP and caused minor damage to a WFP fleet truck.” A spokesperson from the Tigray rebel group, TPLF described the incident “an outrageous crime”. Following the incident, the Ethiopian government warned aid organizations against operating in the areas where the government forces are targeting the Tigrayan rebels. (“Ethiopia tells aid groups to avoid active military zones,” BBC, 26 September 2022, “Air strike debris hit aid lorry in Tigray - WFP,” BBC, 26 September 2022)