Photo : Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Apoorva Sudhakar
US calls on M23 to withdraw from captured territories in DRC
On 4 January, the US Department of State’s spokesperson Ned Price referred to the UN experts’ report claiming evidence of Rwanda’s support to the M23 and said that the US expects the rebel group to withdraw from the locations highlighted in the Luanda Agreement signed on 23 November. Price’s statement said: “Noting the report’s clear evidence of Rwandan support to M23 and credible reports of grave human rights abuses by M23, we reiterate our call for Rwanda to cease all support to M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC.” Price also condemned “ the collaboration between elements of the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and armed groups, including FDLR…” that was mentioned in the UN report. (“Statement on Report by UN Group of Experts,” US Department of State, 4 January 2023)
Somalia: Car bombs claim 35 lives
On 4 January, at least 35 people, including women and children, were killed and 40 injured in central Somalia’s Mahas town after al Shabaab detonated two car bombs. Mahas District Commissioner Mumin Mohamed Halane informed the state radio that one bomb targeted his residence and the other targeted a federal lawmaker’s home. Meanwhile, al Shabaab claimed that 87 people had died in the attack against “apostate militias and soldiers.” (Abdi Sheikh, “Car bombs kill 35, burn houses in central Somalia - police,” Reuters, 4 January 2023)
Mali: Five killed in attack near Bamako
On 3 January, the security ministry said five people had been killed in an attack on a civil defence post near Bamako, by unidentified assailants. The ministry said the casualties included two civil defence force members and three civilians. (“Five killed in attack near Malian capital,” Reuters, 4 January 2022)