Photo : Amadou Keita, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Amadou Keita, Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Jerry Franklin and Immaculine Joy Paul
Mali: Long-term resistance to constitutional referendum continues
On 8 May, Al Jazeera reported that several political associations in Mali had joined forces to oppose the government’s decision to hold a referendum on a new constitution scheduled on 18 June. The referendum which was previously planned to be held on 19 March is considered a milestone as it promised elections in February after the coup in 2021. The coalition is demanding the cancellation of the decree to convene the electoral bodies that it considers the ruling authorities illegitimate. Additionally, they attributed to the insecurity that is prevailing in the country. Constitutional change has long been disputed in the nation as it faces multiple challenges which include resistance from various Muslim religious figures, rebel groups, and civil society who do not support the idea of a secular state. The government announced that the referendum campaign will run from 2 June to 16 June. (“Malian political coalition opposes constitutional referendum,” Al Jazeera, 8 May 2023)
Sudan: 10,000 flee to neighbouring Central African Republic amidst clashes
On 7 May, UN officials said that around 9,700 people from Sudan have moved to the Central African Republic owing to the conflict between the Rapid Support Force (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The numbers, according to the officials, are expected to increase and more than half the population is in need of assistance and protection. The UN’s top humanitarian official in the country, Mohamed Ag Ayoya, said that the discussions are underway regarding the settlement of the refugees. Existing malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and the flood-prone condition of the region are major concerns. Gervais Tengomo, an emergencies officer with the WHO said that surveillance to detect any possible epidemic outbreak has intensified. According to the UN, around 120,000 people are in need of food assistance in Sudan. (“Nearly 10,000 flee from Sudan to neighbouring Central African Republic,” Africanews, 8 May 2023)
Zimbabwe: Digital currency backed by gold introduced in the country
On 8 May, the Central Bank of Zimbabwe introduced a digital token as a legal tender, backed by gold reserves. The currency is said to be a form of electronic money that allows the holders of Zimbabwean currency to exchange it in return for the gold-backed tokens. The aim of the digital currency is to reduce the volatility of the Zimbabwean currency which declined significantly; USD one currently worth approximately 1,000 Zimbabwean dollars, compared to 150 Zimbabwean dollars a year ago. The increased inflation rate has been a challenge in Zimbabwe for the past 10 years. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who assured a middle-income economy by the year 2023, is unable to restore confidence in the local currency yet. (“Zimbabwe introduces digital currency backed by gold,” Africanews, 8 May 2023)