Photo : AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AFP
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Ethiopia: Government aims to take control of federal entities, UN calls for immediate resumption of peace talks
On 17 October, the Ethiopian government said that it aims to take control of airports and other federal facilities in Tigray “to protect Ethiopia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The statement added that the move is necessary to protect its airspace which has been “violated by hostile foreign actors supporting the TPLF.” Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that the “situation in Ethiopia is spiralling out of control” and has called for an urgent resumption of peace talks. The same day, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) called on the international community to “compel the Eritrean army to withdraw from Tigray” and “press the Ethiopian government to come to the negotiating table.” (“Ethiopia war spiralling out of control - UN chief,” BBC, 17 October 2022)
Nigeria: “Overwhelming” flood disasters leaves 600 dead
On 17 October, BBC reported, the minister for disaster management said that recent flooding in Nigeria had become an “overwhelming” disaster and many states were unprepared despite warnings. Nearly 600 people have died in the devastating floods which the country has seen in a decade. More than 1.3 million people have been displaced and at least 200,000 homes have been destroyed. Government has blamed unusual heavy rains and climate change for the calamity. Discharge of excess water from dams in Nigeria and neighbouring Cameroon are other factors that caused the flooding. (Ishaq Khalid and Elsa Maishman, “Nigeria floods: 'Overwhelming' disaster leaves more than 600 people dead,” BBC, 17 October 2022)
Eritrea: Security agents detains catholic bishop
On 15 October, a catholic bishop was arrested by Eritrean security agents at Asmara international airport. The government has not publicly commented on the arrest. The previous week another priest was arrested without unknown reasons. The arrest comes amid Catholic bishops repeatedly calling the Eritrean government for an inclusive democracy and ending authoritarian behaviour. In 2019, the authorities shut down Catholic-run schools and hospitals alleging that they were imposing regulations that stipulate that religious bodies cannot run such institutions.(“Eritrea detains Catholic bishop - sources,” BBC, 17 October 2022)