Photo : AP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AP
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Nigeria: 15 pilgrims killed in gunmen attack
On 7 February, at least 15 Nigerian Muslim pilgrims were killed in an attack by unidentified gunmen. Following the incident, the Nigerian presidential spokesperson said: “The Nigerian foreign affairs ministry, through the Nigerian embassy in Burkina Faso, is engaging with the Burkinable authorities and awaits the outcome of their investigation of the unfortunate incident, and if necessary, to ensure that all culprits are appropriately sanctioned.” President Muhammadu Buhari shared condolences to the deceased and added that the government would make “every effort” to return the survivors back home as well as the bodies of those killed. (“Nigeria pilgrims killed in Burkina Faso bus attack,” BBC, 7 February 2023)
Democratic Republic of the Congo: At least eight killed in protests against peacekeeping forces
On 7 February, hundreds of people protested against the UN and the East African Regional Force accusing them of failing to support the Congolese force’s operations against the M23 rebels. On 8 February, BBC reported that at least eight people were killed during violent clashes between the protesters and the peacekeeping forces. The military governor of the North Kivu province said that the peacekeepers fired in self-defence when the protesters attacked a convoy. (“Deadly protests against regional force in DR Congo,” BBC, 7 February 2023)
Ethiopia: Tigray authorities says Eritrean troops still remain in the region
On 7 February, the authorities of Ethiopia's Tigray region said that despite the reports of withdrawal, Eritrean troops continue to remain as small units in the region. Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) spokesperson Getachew Reda said: "Although there were occasions when they [Eritrean troops] withdrew in an organised manner, there are instances of in and out of small units, and this should be addressed fully." (“Eritrean troops still in northern Ethiopia - TPLF,” BBC, 7 February 2023)