Photo : Ludovic Marin | AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Ludovic Marin | AFP
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Africa: Macron to announce new Africa strategy ahead of visit
On 27 February, BBC reported that French President Emmanuael Macron is expected to outline the new Africa policy ahead of his four-nation visit to the continent. He will be visiting Gabon, Angola, Congo-Brazzaville and Democratic Republic of Congo this week. The visit comes alongside the increasing Russian and Chinese footprints in the continent alongside probing anti-French sentiments in the west African countries. (“Macron seeks strategy shift in Africa visit,” BBC, 27 February 2023)
Democratic Republic of Congo: M23 seizes more territory
On 27 February, BBC reported that the M23 rebels had seized more territory in Mushaki and Ryaya areas of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congolese army has not yet commented on the reports of capture. The areas are said to have large deposits of coltan, manganese, tantalum and other minerals. According to the new timelines by East Africa defence chiefs, the rebels were supposed to withdraw on 28 February from territories they had seized. (“Rebels seize more ground as DR Congo fighting rages, BBC, 27 February 2023)
Nigeria: Opposition party accuses irregularities in the election results
On 27 February, the major opposition parties in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party member stormed out of the election results announcing centres alleging irregularities in the results. A PDP member accused the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) of non-transparent results saying: “We have evidence of Bvas machines malfunctioning in several states and we have asked the commission to provide us the state results on its portal as promised but they declined.” However, INEC has denied the allegations. (“Opposition parties storm out of election centre,” BBC, 27 February 2023)