Photo : AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AFP
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Burkina Faso: At least 11 killed in jihadist attack
On 28 September, BBC reported, the government said eleven soldiers dies and 50 civilians missing in Burkina Faso in a suspected jihadist attack. A supply convoy escorted by the army was attacked while traveling to the northern town of Djibo. AFP news agency said the government called the incident a “barbaric attack”. The authorities said the attack, which no one has yet claimed responsibility for, has caused significant material damage. On 5 September, in another attack on a convoy, at least 35 civilians were killed and 37 wounded. Both the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda affiliated militant groups are exacerbating the jihadist insurgence in the Sahel region amid France’s Mali withdrawal. (“Burkina Faso attack: 11 soldiers killed in ambush,” BBC, 28 September 2022)
Ethiopia: Satellite image show military mobilization in Ethiopia-Eritrea border, says US company
On 28 September, a private US company said satellite images showed military forces mobilizing in towns on either side of Ethiopia's northern border with Eritrea. Images taken on 26 September showed military forces, vehicles and artillery positions in the town of Shiraro. The images taken on 19 September showed the deployment of heavy weaponry in Serha town, near Tigray border. On 13 September, Tigray forces accused the Eritrean troops of shelling Tigrayan towns and taking control of the town of Shiraro. The Ethiopian and Eritrean authorities have not responded to the accusations. (“Satellite images show military build-ups in Ethiopia, Eritrea - Maxar,” Reuters, 28 September 2022)
Mali Prime Minister says it will not respect ECOWAS sanctions on Guinea
On 28 September, the interim prime minister said Mali does not respect and will not apply sanctions imposed by the ECOWAS on Guinea over last year's coup. The previous week the ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Guinea's military government for delaying elections and a democratic transition after seizing power last year. The sanctions included freezing military government official's financial assets and a travel ban to other countries in the region. Mali's interim prime minister, Abdoulaye Maiga said: "Taking into account the solidarity and fraternity between Mali and Guinea, the transitional government has decided to break away from all illegal, inhumane and illegitimate sanctions imposed on (Guinea) and will take no action on them." (“Mali says it will not respect regional sanctions on Guinea,” Reuters, 28 September 2022)