Photo : AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AFP
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Ethiopia: Government agrees to resume negotiations over GERD
On 27 April, Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it is ready to resume tripartite negotiations with Egypt and Sudan regarding the issue over the Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD). State Minister of Foreign Affairs Mesganu Arga announced the decision while talking with the US special envoy to the Horn of Africa, Mike Hammer. The ministry stated through Twitter: "Regarding GERD [Ambassador Mesganu] said Ethiopia is ready to resume the tripartite negotiations under the auspices of the AU." The relations between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan have strained over the construction and operation of the dam, which demands a legal agreement regarding the same. (“Ethiopia says ready to resume Nile dam negotiations,” BBC, 27 April 2023)
Sudan: UK accused of delaying German evacuation operation
On 27 April, senior German political sources told the BBC that the UK’s efforts to evacuate its embassy staff from Sudan hindered evacuation efforts of German citizens. They accused the British forces of landing in Sudan without the consent of the Sudanese army while other European countries were hoping to airlift their citizens. The sources said that the “unannounced British military presence” angered the Sudanese army and after which they refused access to the facility. The UK Ministry of Defence described the allegations as “complete nonsense.” (“Sudan crisis: UK accused of delaying German evacuation efforts,” BBC, 27 April 2023)
‘Climate Change,’ a major cause for the droughts in East Africa, WWA analysis
On 27 April, Al Jazeera reported on a study by the World Weather Attribution on the continuing severe drought in the Horn of Africa. The analysis says that the drought has left more than 4.35 million people in the region in dire need of humanitarian aid. Besides, 43,000 people in Somalia are estimated to have died in 2022. According to the study, climate change is a major driver behind the worst drought. A climate scientist with the Kenya Meteorological Department who worked with WWA, Joyce Kimutai said: “Climate change has made this drought exceptional.” (“Global warming made Horn of Africa drought possible: WWA study,” Al Jazeera, 27 April 2023)