Photo : Reuters/BBC
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Reuters/BBC
IN BRIEF
by Apoorva Sudhakar
DRC-Rwanda: Kinshasa orders Kigali envoy to leave within 48 hours
On 29 October, the Democratic Republic of the Congo directed Rwanda’s ambassador to leave the country within 48 hours, on Kigali’s alleged support to the M23 rebels in DRC’s east. The decision came after the defence council met to discuss the capture of two towns by the rebels. The government spokesperson cited “a massive arrival of elements of the Rwandan element to support the M23 terrorists.” On 30 October, Rwanda accused DRC of scapegoating Kigali “to cover up and distract from their own governance and security failures.” (“DR Congo expels Rwandan ambassador as M23 rebels seize towns,” Al Jazeera, 30 October 2022)
DRC: 11 killed in stampede at Martyr’s stadium
On 29 October, 11 people, including two police personnel, were killed in a stampede at the Martyr’s stadium in Kinshasa where people had gathered for Fally Ipupa’s concert. The interior minister said the stadium had gone past the 100 per cent capacity and blamed the organisers for the casualties. Reuters reported that several people forced their way into the VIP section after the 80,000 seats were filled. Prior to the incident, security forces allegedly dispersed the crowd outside the stadium using teargas. (“Stampede at Fally Ipupa concert kills 11 in DRC’s capital,” Al Jazeera, 30 October 2022)
Somalia: Nearly 100 killed in car bombings in the capital
On 30 October, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said at least 100 people had been killed and 300 injured after two car bombs exploded in capital city Mogadishu on 29 October. A police officer told Reuters that the first bomb explosion targeted the education ministry and another explosion while people were running towards ambulances with victims. The President has accused al Shabaab of the attack and said the . Previously, in 2017, an explosion in the same location outside a hotel had claimed over 500 lives. (“At least 100 killed, 300 hurt in ‘heinous’ Mogadishu car bombings,” Al Jazeera, 30 October 2022)