Photo : Luc Gnago, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Luc Gnago, Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Burkina Faso: At least 14 people killed in jihadist attack
On 24 March, security officials in Burkina Faso said that jihadist insurgents killed nearly 14 people, including four soldiers, near the northern city of Kaya. The attack happened on the same day interim leader Captain Ibrahim Traore visited the region. The jihadists targeted a unit of soldiers and defence volunteers who were tasked with repairing the water supply in the town of Zorkoum. (“Burkinabe militants kill 14 in attack in north,” BBC, 24 March 2023)
South Africa: Opposition vows to protect Putin from ICC arrest
On 24 March, South Africa’s opposition minority party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is welcome to visit Pretoria despite the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. EFF leader Julius Malema said that Putin will not be arrested while in South Africa, a country where Russia “played a huge role to support the struggle for freedom.” He stated: “Putin is welcomed here. No one is going to arrest Putin. If need be, we will go and fetch Putin from the airport to his meetings. He will address, finish all his meetings, and we will take him back to the airport.” He added: “we know our friends. We know the people who liberated us. We know the people who supported us.” (“SA opposition vows to 'protect' Putin from ICC arrest,” BBC, 24 March 2023)