Photo : AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AFP
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Sudan: Between 10,000 and 20,000 Sudanese left the country, says UN
On 20 April, the UN warned that between 10,000 and 20,000 have fled Sudan amid the political crisis. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) stated that it was “greatly alarmed by the escalating violence in Sudan.” A statement by the agency read: "The initial, most pressing, needs are water, food, shelter, health care, child protection, and prevention of gender-based violence.” (“Between 10,000 to 20,000 flee Sudan for Chad - UN,” BBC, 20 April 2023)
Uganda: President refuses to sign anti-LGBT bill
On 20 April, Ugandan President Yower Museveni refused to sign the controversial anti-LGBT bill that prescribed death penalty for particular cases. A spokesperson to the presidency stated that Museveni was not against the bill, however, wanted the parliamentarians to consider “the issue of rehabilitation.” The meeting was dissolved returning the bill to the national assembly with demand for “improvement.”(“ Uganda’s President Museveni refuses to sign anti-LGBTQ bill,” Al Jazeera, 20 April 2023)
Mali: President’s chief of staff and three others killed in armed men attack
On 20 April, Mali military junta stated that the chief of staff for interim President Oumar Traore and three others were killed in an attack in the rural area of Nara in Koulikoro region. The statement did not provide any further details on the attack or who was responsible for the attack. However, rebel groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL have captured vast regions of the country, killed thousands and displaced millions since 2012. (“Malian president’s chief of staff, three others killed in ambush,” Al Jazeera, 20 April 2023)