Photo : AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AFP
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Africa: France unveils new Africa strategy
On 28 February, the French President, Emmanuel Macron unveiled France’s new Africa strategy which is to reduce its troop presence in the continent. Macron described French military bases in Africa as a heritage from the past and that France should not be a scapegoat for failures in the fight against insurgency in the Sahel. This comes a week after Russia promised to increase its military support to west African countries alongside the controversy over the presence of Russian Wagner Group in Mali. Meanwhile, Macron described the group as the life insurance of failing regimes in the region. (“France to reduce troops in Africa in new strategy,” BBC, 28 February 2023)
Nigeria: Oppositions protest against the INEC and irregularities in the election results
On 28 February, members of Nigeria’s major opposition parties walked out of the National Collation Center protesting against the irregularities in the results announced. The main oppositions People’s Democratic Party and Labour party, alleged that there were instances of over-voting and disparities in the results. Meanwhile, protests broke out in major towns denouncing the Independent National Election Commission (INEC), accusing the body of running non-transparent elections and demanding a rerun. (“Demonstrators out in support of electoral commission,” BBC, 28 February 2023)