Photo : AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AFP
IN BRIEF
by Apoorva Sudhakar and Anu Maria Joseph
Ethiopia: Army says “liberated several localities” from OLA rebels
On 3 January, the Ethiopian army said that it had “liberated several localities” from Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) rebels. A senior army official said: “the security forces have launched a coordinated operation to stop the subversion by the Shene and ensure stability in the region.” The OLA was declared as a terrorist group in Ethiopia along with TPLF, which claims to fight for the rights of ethnic Oromo people. (“Raid against Oromo rebels successful - Ethiopia army,” BBC, 3 January 2023)
Burkina Faso: 28 bodies found in northwestern town
On 3 January, the government said bodies of 28 people who had been shot dead on 30 and 31 December had been discovered in a Nouna town in the northwest; an investigation has been launched into the same. The government statement said the killings took place as the government had launched the Homeland Defence Volunteers (VDP) to mobilise civilians in the fight against Islamist insurgency. A BBC news report referred to the Collective Against Impunity and Stigmatisation of Communities (CISC) which said the victims were killed by armed civilians pretending to be from the VDP. (“Burkina Faso violence: Bodies of 28 people found in Nouna,” BBC, 3 January 2023)