Photo : REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Sudan: Security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the protests
On 19 December, Sudanese security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades on pro-democracy protesters in the capital Khartoum. The demonstrators were marching towards the presidential palace demanding an end to the military rule. Previously, on 5 December, Sudan’s pro-democracy coalition Forces of Freedom and Change had signed a new deal with the military leaders agreeing for a two-year civilian-led transition towards election. However the protesters dismissed the agreement calling it too vague. Besides, the protesters claim that the deal doesn’t cover security reforms and that it would leave the military powerful and disrupt the democratic transition. (“Sudan police tear-gas pro-democracy protests,” BBC, 19 December 2022)
UK High Court rules Rwanda asylum plan lawful
On 19 December, the UK High Court ruled Rwanda asylum plan lawful and that it does not breach the UN’s Refugee Convention or human rights laws. Home Secretary Suella Braverman said that she is committed to the working of the plan. She said: “I am committed to making this partnership work - my focus remains on moving ahead with the policy as soon as possible and we stand ready to defend against any further legal challenge. However, Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper called the policy “unworkable, extortionate and deeply damaging.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed the ruling, calling it a “common sense position” that “the vast majority of the British public” wanted. (“Rwanda migrant plan is lawful, High Court rules,” BBC, 19 December 2022)
South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa re-elected as ANC head
On 19 December, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected as the leader of the governing African National Congress (ANC) party. He won against his rival Zweli Mkhize by 2,476 votes. He won the elections despite being challenged by money laundering allegations. Previously, Ramaphosa had denied and legally challenged the report by a parliamentary commission of inquiry, which claimed to have evidence for Ramaphosa’s misconduct and possible violation of the constitution. Besides, his victory comes despite a popular distress on regular power outages in the country. (“ANC conference: South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa defies scandal to win party vote,” BBC, 19 December 2022)
DRC objects to COP15 agreement
On 19 December, Democratic Republic of the Congo objected to the agreement signed at the UN Biodiversity Summit, also known as COP15. Environment Minister Ève Bazaiba said the DRC would raise its objections with the UN Secretary-General and the Convention on Biological Diversity. The DRC is home to the second-largest tropical rainforest and is home to critical ecosystems. The Guardian quoted Bazaiba: "We don’t need people to tell us to conserve it. Those who are asking us to protect our rainforests, to help humanity, we are asking those responsible for pollution for compensation. If they refuse, we are going to manage our own biodiversity." (Patrick Greenfield and Phoebe Weston, "We didn’t accept it’: DRC minister laments forcing through of Cop15 deal," The Guardian, 19 December 2022)