Photo : Djaffar Sabiti, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Djaffar Sabiti, Reuters
IN BRIEF
By Apoorva Sudhakar and Anu Maria Joseph
DRC-Rwanda: Kigali accuses Congolese soldiers of attacking border post
On 15 February, Rwanda said 12 to 14 Congolese soldiers had crossed into the neutral zone and opened fire at a border post. Kigali termed it “an act of provocation.” However, the Democratic Republic of the Congo denied the claim; the South Kivu province governor said: “In no case did the [army] cross the neutral zone, let alone open fire in the direction of Rwanda.” The governor added: “Rwanda’s tendency to want to portray itself as a victim and stoke tensions by making false accusations reveals without any doubt its intention to attack South Kivu province, as is currently the case in the war of aggression that it is carrying out in North Kivu.” (“Rwanda accuses DR Congo soldiers of attack on army border post,” Al Jazeera, 16 February 2023)
Libya: At least 73 migrants presumed dead after a shipwreck
On 15 February, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that at least 73 migrants are presumed dead after a shipwreck at the Libyan coast. So far 11 bodies were recovered by the Libyan Red Crescent and police. The ship was carrying migrants to Europe through the route that IOM described as "the world's deadliest migratory sea crossing." According to IOM, more than 130 people have died this year alone while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea through the route. (“More than 70 migrants feared dead after shipwreck,” BBC, 15 February 2023) Nigeria:
Nigeria: Protests over shortage of cash
On 15 February, BBC reported that the frustrated Nigerian public have taken to the streets over the scarcity of cash following the central bank's decision to scrap old notes and replace them with new notes that are yet to reach widely. A regional newspaper reported that protesters attacked banks and destroyed ATM machines. Meanwhile, two people are feared dead after the protest turned violent. Roads were blocked with burning tyres and banks and other businesses were shut in Ibadan city following the violent protest. Country is expected to carry out presidential elections by the end of February. (“Ex-Kenyan leader to head AU mission in Nigeria polls,” BBC, 15 February 2023, “Protests over cash shortage hit parts of Nigeria,” BBC, 15 February 2023)
The Uk accused of crimes against humanity over occupation of Chagos island
On 15 February, the Uk has been accused of crimes against humanity over its refusal to allow a group of islanders to return to Chagos archipelago. Human Rights Watch said that reparations should be paid to generations that were affected by the decision to depopulate the island during the colonial times. However, the UK Foreign Office stressed on its repeating "deep regret" response adding that it "categorically reject the characterization of events" as crimes against humanity. The HRW report comes as the UK is facing severe international criticism for holding on to what it calls as "British Indian Ocean Territory" though the UN's International Court of Justice ruled British occupation of the Island as illegal. ("UK accused of crimes against humanity over Chagos," BBC, 15 February 2023)