Photo : Adama Diarra, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Adama Diarra, Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Apoorva Sudhakar
Mali: Three UN peacekeepers killed in central Mali blast
On 21 February, the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali said at least three UN peacekeepers had been killed and five injured in an IED blast in central Mali. The development comes a day after the military government raised its objections against the European Council’s head’s remarks that the Malian state was “collapsing” as militants, largely linked to the Islamic State and al Qaeda, were making advances into new territories. (“Three UN peacekeepers killed by roadside bomb in Mali,” Al Jazeera, 21 February 2023)
Nigeria: Eight police officers killed in suspected IPOB attack
On 20 February, a local police spokesperson in Anambra state said at least eight police officers had been killed in two separate attacks suspected to be carried out by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The spokesperson said a patrol vehicle and three exhibit vehicles had been set on fire in the attack and that two attackers were arrested and three were “fatally wounded.” The attacks come days ahead of the presidential elections; an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official said deployment to some stations may be hindered due to security challenges. (“Suspected rebels kill 8 police officers ahead of Nigeria election,” Al Jazeera, 21 February 2023)