Photo : BBC
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : BBC
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Ukraine foreign minister begins Africa tour
On 4 October, Ukraine Foreign Affairs Minister, Dmytro Kuleba visited Senegal as part of his African tour. Kuleba met with Senegal’s Foreign Minister Aissata Tall Sall and signed several bilateral cooperation deals. Kuleba is said to be on a counteroffensive tour in Africa after Russia’s Sergei Lavrov visited the continent in July. Next year, Russia plans to host the second Russia -Africa summit in Ethiopia. (“Ukraine foreign minister begins Africa tour in Senegal,” BBC, 4 October 2022)
Nigeria: At least 12 killed by gunmen
On 4 October, BBC reported, Nigerian police said gunmen killed at least 12 people and stole dozens of cattle in the north-eastern state of Taraba. Residents said the attackers disguised themselves as security guards and raided the village of Mobizen. Later, they opened fire on the crowd after pretending to be searching for armed criminals. Violence led by armed criminal groups as well as Islamist insurgents are exacerbating the security situation in the country. (“Nigeria gunmen disguised as guards kill 12 people,” BBC, 4 October 2022)
Ethiopia: Tigray rebels accuse the federal forces and Eritrea of deadly strike
On 4 October, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front accused the Ethiopian and Eritrean forces of killing dozens of people including children in an airstrike. There has been no comments from either the Ethiopian or the Eritrean government side. Humanitarian workers said an air strike in the same area killed at least six people the previous week. The series of incidents came after the satellite image reports of troops and heavy weapons mobilizing near the Eritrea border. (“Rebels accuse Ethiopia and Eritrea of deadly strike,” BBC, 4 October 2022)