Photo : AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AFP
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Sudan: Begins talks to merge army factions
On 27 March, military and civilian political leaders began talks to bring the government-backed militia, the RSF, under the authority of the army. The talks were part of the agreement signed in December agreeing for a return of civilian democratic rule. Military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who seized power through a coup said that he wanted to end the armed forces supporting dictatorial governments in Sudan. (“Sudan begins talks to bring army factions together,” BBC, 27 March 2023)
Democratic Republic of Congo: 17 people executed by the Codeco militia
On 27 March, at least 17 people who were captured by the Codeco militia group were executed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. UN-sponsored Radio Okapi reported that the victims were travellers heading to Mungwalu, in Ituri province. They were abducted after three members of the militia group were killed in a clash with a rival group. The authorities have not yet commented on the attack. (“Militia execute 17 hostages in DR Congo hotspot,” BBC, 27 March 2023)
Kenya: One protester killed in clashes with security forces
On 27 March, one of the protesters was shot dead in Kenya’s western city of Kisumu after the protests turned violent. Clashes were also reported between the protesters and the police in informal settlements in Nairobi. Deployment of security forces to quell the protests has inflamed the tensions. The protests have been going on under the leadership of Raila Odinga against the rising cost of living and what the opposition mention as ‘illegal presidency’. (“One shot dead during Kenyan protests,” BBC, 27 March 2023)