Photo : BBC
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : BBC
IN BRIEF
by Apoorva Sudhakar
Malawi: Vice president arrested over corruption allegations
On 25 November, the Anti-Corruption Bureau said it had arrested Vice President Saulos Chilima for allegedly awarding government contracts after accepting money up to USD 280,000 and other items from bidders. The ACB said Chilima had assisted two companies linked to British businessman Zuneth Sattar in securing the contracts. The ACB said it had been investigating Sattar and some public officers for plundering state resources by influencing the contracts via the public procurement system. The development comes after a Financial Times report which said the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) was investigating Sattar for reportedly abusing the public procuring system in Malawi. (“Malawi vice president arrested by anti-corruption bureau,” Al Jazeera, 25 November 2022)
Sao Tome and Principe: Coup attempt contained, says PM
On 25 November, Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada said a coup attempt had been foiled and six people, including former national assembly president Delfim Neves, had been detained for the same. The Economic Community of West African States condemned the development. The ECOWAS Chairman, also the Guinea-Bissau President, Umaro Sissoco Embalo emphasised that Sao Tome and Principe was known to be a model democracy in the continent. (“Coup attempt thwarted in Sao Tome and Principe, PM says,” Al Jazeera, 25 November 2022)
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Clashes resume despite ceasefire
On 25 November, clashes between the M23 rebel group and the army resumed, two days after a ceasefire was declared by DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, Angola, and Uhuru Kenyatta, the former president of Kenya and a mediator. On 24 November, Al Jazeera quoted an M23 spokesperson: “M23 has seen the document on social media … There was nobody in the summit [from M23] so it doesn’t really concern us … Normally when there is a ceasefire, it is between the two warring sides.” (“DRC fighting resumes, M23 say ceasefire deal doesn’t affect them,” Al Jazeera, 25 November 2022)