Photo : Presidential Press Service, Handout via Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Presidential Press Service, Handout via Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Apoorva Sudhakar and Anu Maria Joseph
DR Congo: Former Kenyan president calls for more regional troops
On 10 February, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, a mediator for the East African Community (EAC) bloc said that more troops are needed in Democratic Republic of Congo where the armed groups have withdrawn, according to the Luanda agreement. He expressed concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the North Kivu province where the M23 rebel attacks had resumed. In addition, he urged all parties to focus on the implementation of the resolutions of the third round of talks in Nairobi and appealed for urgent humanitarian support in the region. Meanwhile, Uganda and South Sudan have announced their decision to send troops to DRC. (“Ex-Kenyan leader urges more regional troops to DR Congo,” BBC, 10 February 2023)
President declares state of disaster to manage power crisis
On 9 February, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster to address the power crisis. Ramaphosa said this would help the government support food production, storage and retail supply chain, and roll out solar panels for unhindered power supply. Ramaphosa said a Minister of Electricity will be appointed to the presidency “work with the Eskom board and management on ending load shedding and ensuring that the Energy Action Plan is implemented without delay.” (Hassan Isilow, “South Africa’s president declares state of disaster over power crisis,” Anadolu Agency, 10 February 2023)
Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso to seek re-entry to ECOWAS and AU
On 9 February, Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso sought re-entry to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU). The three countries were suspended after they were taken over by their militaries. Following a meeting between the respective foreign ministers, a joint statement read that they “agreed to pool their efforts and undertake joint initiatives for the lifting of the suspension measures and other restrictions” by the AU and ECOWAS. The ministers criticised the sanctions claiming that they impact their citizens, who are already suffering from insecurity and political instability. (“Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso seek re-entry to regional blocs,” Al Jazeera, 10 February 2023)