Photo : Tiksa Negeri, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Tiksa Negeri, Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Sudan: UK relocates its ambassador to Ethiopia
On 28 April, the UK government relocated its ambassador to Sudan to neighbouring Ethiopia and temporarily closed its embassy in Sudan. The British Foreign Office stated: "From Addis Ababa, he will lead the UK's diplomatic efforts in the region to bring fighting to an end in Sudan." The move was followed after the evacuation of 536 British nationals from the conflict-riven Sudan. (“UK relocates its Sudanese ambassador to Ethiopia,” BBC, 28 April 2023)
Burkina Faso: 33 soldiers killed in attack
On 28 April, BBC reported that at least 33 soldiers were killed in north-east Burkina Faso. An army statement said that Islamist militants active in the region are suspected to be behind the attack. The incident marked the second similar attack over a week killing dozens of soldiers.Over 100 civilians were killed in the region by what the local officials described as men in military uniform. Non-governmental organisations reported that over 10,000 civilians and soldiers have been killed in various attacks since the beginning of this year. (“Thirty-three soldiers killed in Burkina Faso attack,” BBC, 28 April 2023)
Tunisia: Over 200 migrant dies near Tunisian coast
On 28 April, BBC reported on coastguards recovering the bodies of 41 migrants off the Tunisian coast. A senior official said that more than 200 people drowned over the past week. A justice official in the port city of Sfax, Faouzi Masmoudi said: “On Tuesday [25 April], we had more than 200 bodies, well beyond the capacity of the hospital, which creates a health problem.” The UN migration agency said that a total of nearly 300 migrants died, including those departing from the Libyan coast, over the past week. It added that more than 800 people died this year alone. (“More than 200 migrants die off Tunisia in just 10 days,” BBC, 28 April 2023)