Photo : Sunday Alamba | AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Sunday Alamba | AFP
IN BRIEF
By Apoorva Sudhakar
Nigeria: At least eight killed by gunmen in central Nigeria
On 1 February, the Benue state police spokesperson said eight people, including a divisional police chief, had been killed by gunmen in Naka town in central Nigeria. The divisional police chief was leading an officers’ team against the armed group in a gunfight. The development took place after the police received a distress call when gunmen blocked the Markurdi-Naka road and forced travellers along the road to flee. (“Gunmen kill police chief, seven others in central Nigeria,” Al Jazeera, 2 February 2023)
Ghana: Eight people allegedly killed by military; high command dismisses claims
On 1 February, BBC quoted eyewitnesses who said eight people, including a 12-year-old boy, had been killed after armed men in military shot at civilians in Bawku town in the north along the Burkina Faso border; the boy was reportedly burnt to death. The MP for Bawku Central accused the military of carrying out the attack and demanded an immediate investigation. However, the military high command had previously issued a statement warning people from wearing military uniforms. (Thomas Naadi, “Ghana military denies role in civilian deaths in the north,” BBC, 2 February 2023)
Morocco: Spanish PM visits Rabat marking new turn in relations
On 2 February, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrived in Rabat and met Morocco's Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch amid thawing relations between the two countries. France24 quoted Sanchez: "We are going to avoid anything that may offend the other, especially with regard to our respective spheres of sovereignty." Sanchez's visit is the first high-level visit since 2015; Sanchez emphasised the "enormous unexplored potential" of Spain-Morocco relations and said the meeting indicates a consolidation of a new stage in bilateral ties. On the same day, at least 20 deals were signed on investments, energy and education. (“In Morocco, Spain PM reinforces ties after crisis,” France24, 2 February 2023)