Photo : Yasuyoshi Chiba, AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Yasuyoshi Chiba, AFP
IN BRIEF
by Apoorva Sudhakar
Ethiopia: Three dissenting clerics reinstated in Oromia
On 15 February the Orthodox Church said it had reached an agreement with three clerics in the Oromia region declared themselves archbishops after accusing the main church of bias against Oromos. The agreement reinstated the clerics, promised funds, resources to the churches in Oromia, and emphasised the need to train more Afaan Oromo-speaking priests. (“Ethiopian Orthodox Church reaches deal with three rogue bishops,” Al Jazeera, 16 February 2023)
Nigeria: President extends deadline for exchanging old banknotes
On 16 February, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the extension of the deadline to exchange old banknotes till 10 April. The previous deadline to exchange denominations of 1,000, 500, and 200 naira notes was 10 February; however, shortage of new notes led to violence and queues outside banks. However, Buhari maintained that while 200 notes could be used until 10 April, 1000 and 500 notes had to be exchanged at the central bank and other authorised points. The development contradicts the Supreme Court’s ruling that all old notes will remain legal until challenges filed by state governments are heard. (“Nigeria’s Buhari extends deadline to turn in old banknotes,” Al Jazeera, 16 February 2023)