Photo : AP Photo/ Peter Dejong
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AP Photo/ Peter Dejong
IN BRIEF
by Apoorva Sudhakar and Anu Maria Joseph
Malawi president criticises wealthier countries for climate losses
On 11 November, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera joined with other African leaders in criticising the developed countries for not paying enough to climate change induced issues. Speaking at the COP27 meeting in Egypt he said that African countries are contributing only little to pollute the climate and that wealthier countries should take more responsibility. He said: “That’s why we’re saying if you’re really serious about this it’s not about charity. This pays for what you have deliberately used and benefited you and you don’t want to pay up.” (“Paying for climate damage not charity - Malawi president,” BBC, 11 November 2022)
Tunisia: Ghannouchi released after trial for money laundering
On 10 November, Ennahda party leader Rached Ghannouchi was released after a trial for a case on money laundering and incitement of violence. Prior to his trial, Ghannouchi termed the case an “empty file” and an “invented problem.” The development comes as other Ennahda party members also face prosecution over transactions involving a digital content production firm which has been under a probe since 2021 for alleged “plotting against state security.” Ghannouchi said these proceedings are “trumped-up and aimed at distracting the Tunisian people from the real problems we're facing.” (“Tunisia's Islamist leader Ghannouchi released after 'money-laundering' trial,” France24, 11 November 2022)
Ethiopia: Government says federal forces controls 70 per cent of Tigray
On 11 November, the Ethiopian government said that currently the federal forces control 70 per cent of the northern region of Tigray. Ethiopian Prime Minister’s national security adviser stated through twitter: “70 per cent of Tigray is under the Ethiopian National Defence Forces'' and that aid was “flowing like no other times.” However, according to the AFP news agency reports, the spokesperson of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) had denied the claim. A TPLF spokesperson said: “He is plucking his facts out of thin air.” (“Ethiopian forces control 70% of Tigray - government,” BBC, 11 November 2022)