Photo : Pablo Tosco | AP Photo
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Pablo Tosco | AP Photo
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Sudan: Eritrean people smuggler arrested in Sudan
On 6 January, Interpol said that Kidane Zekarais Habtemariam, a notorious people smuggler accused of atrocities against migrants, was arrested in Sudan. It said the Eritrean national was the head of the organisation which kidnapped, extorted and murdered East African migrants. He escaped from custody in Ethiopia while on trial for allegations of people smuggling in 2020, leading to his conviction in absentia and life in prison sentence. According to Interpol, it dealt a serious blow to a major smuggling route into Europe. It said that it showed what can be accomplished when nations collaborate. (“Sudan arrests wanted Eritrean human smuggler, BBC, 6 January 2023)
Mozambique: Tropical storm warning in southern region
On 6 January, the Mozambique government issued a warning on a possible tropical storm in the southern coastal province of Gaza. The National Institute of Meteorology has asked the residents to take precautionary measures ahead of the storm. Southern Africa has been witnessing frequent and intense weather events which the UN describes as a climate crisis in Africa. Leaonardo Duma from the institute said: "If you have a house that is not in good condition, try to fix it well in order to be able to resist these strong winds that we are predicting." (“Tropical storm warning issued for southern Mozambique,” BBC, 6 January 2022)
DR Congo: Rebels surrender key military base
On 6 January, BBC reported that the M23 rebels had handed over its military base in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to an Eastern African regional force. Rumangabo camp which was seized by the group in October was handed over following a ceasefire brokered by East African leaders. (“DR Congo rebels surrender key military base,” BBC, 6 January 2022)