Photo : Africanews
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Africanews
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Nigeria: At least 33 people killed in gunmen attack
On 17 April, Africanews reported that at least 33 people were killed following a gunmen attack in the village of Runji in the northwest of Nigeria. The State Commissioner of Security, Samuel Aruwan said: “Troops had a fierce encounter with the attackers and are still in the general area.” No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, bandits who are accused of recurring attacks and kidnappings are suspected to be behind the attack. (“At least 33 people killed by gunmen in northwest Nigeria,” Africanews, 17 April 2023)
Burkina Faso: At least 42 people including ten soldiers killed in two jihadist attacks
On 17 April, Africanews reported that at least ten soldiers and 32 civilian auxiliaries were killed in two jihadist attacks in the northern region of Aorema. The attacks happened after the government declared “general mobilisation” against the escalating jihadist violence on 13 April. Apart from the declaration, the military government announced to “give the state all the necessary means” to deal with the jihadist attacks in the country. It stated that those measures will provide in particular “the right to request people, goods and services and the right to call for defence employment, individually or collectively.” (“42 soldiers and soldiers' aides killed in two more attacks in Burkina Faso,” Africanews, 17 April 2023)
Sudan: Heavy fighting erupts between rival military faction killing 50 civilians
On 17 April, BBC reported that more than 50 civilians were killed in Sudan following heavy fighting between rival military factions. The clashes erupted between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under General Hamdan Dagalo and the military leader Abdel Fattah-al-Burhan. The UK, the US, the EU, China and Russia have all called for an immediate ceasefire. The UN’s Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged both the leaders to end the violence. (“Sudan: Army and RSF battle over key sites, leaving 56 civilians dead,” BBC, 17 April 2023)