Photo : Al Jazeera
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Al Jazeera
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Somalia: At least ten people killed in Al-Shabab attack
On 22 February, BBC reported that at least 10 people were killed in an attack in Somali’s capital Mogadishu. The authorities said that al Shabab is responsible for the siege at a building occupied by pro-government militia. Security forces said that they have killed four members of al Shabab group. Despite significant gains by Somalia’s military backed by the African Union and the US forces, the militant group continues to carry out frequent attacks. (“Ten killed as Somali forces end siege in Mogadishu,” BBC, 22 February 2023)
Tunisia: President Saied’s remarks criticised
On 22 February, Tunisian President Kais Saied called for “emergency measures” against irregular migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. Rights groups have criticised his remarks that the influx of migrants was aimed at changing the country’s demography as racist. The Reuters news agency quoted him: “The undeclared goal of the successive waves of illegal immigration is to consider Tunisia a purely African country that has no affiliation to the Arab and Islamic nations.” A spokesperson for the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights described Saied’s remarks: “A racist approach just like the campaigns in Europe…the presidential campaign aims to create an imaginary enemy for Tunisians to distract them from their basic problems.” (“Tunisia leader's remarks against migrants criticised,” BBC, 22 February 2023)
Somaliland: Thousands fleeing to Ethiopia amid violence, says UN
On 22 February, the UN said that thousands of civilians fled the self-declared republic of Somaliland to Ethiopia following fighting between regional government forces and local militias. The UN’s refugee agency, the UNHRC said that more than 80,000 people have reached Ethiopia’s Doole area from Somaliland’s Las Anod district the previous month. (“Thousands flee to Ethiopia amid Somaliland violence,” BBC, 22 February 2023)