Photo : Andreea Campeanu, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Andreea Campeanu, Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Jerry Franklin and Immaculine Joy Paul
Sudan: UN examines the human rights abuses
On 11 May, the United Nations Human Rights Council held a one-day emergency session on killings, injuries, and other abuses against civilians in Sudan. A resolution was adopted calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities with no pre-conditions to scrutinise the human rights violations. United Nations High Commissioner Volker Türk accused the Sudanese Armed Forces(SAF) and Rapid Support Force(RSF) of violating international humanitarian law. (“UN rights body approves tighter scrutiny of abuses in Sudan,” Africanews, 11 May 2023)
Sudan: South Sudanese struggles despite fleeing conflict
On 11 May, Africanews reported that more than 40,000 people, majority South Sudanese, fled Sudan due to ongoing conflict. The UN has called for more than USD 95 million in urgent assistance. The people returning are going back to remote villages challenged by limited access to roads, healthcare and food. The World Food Programme has only been able to reach 50 per cent of people facing food insecurity. The war is disrupting supply chains leading to inflation. (“South Sudanese flee Sudan's conflict yet return to crisis,” Africanews, 11 May 2023)
Zambia: Discusses economic ties with France
On 11 May, africanews reported that French President Emmanuel Macron and Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema discussed the restructuring of Zambia’s debt and economic diplomacy between countries on 10 May in France. Hichilema said: “Our continent, Africa, has been lagging. We must do something dramatic to lift Africa. We cannot continue with the old ways. And that’s why, in our talks with President Macron, as I said, it was a debt issue, but also for investment, for trade.” He added that Zambia was ready for business and the country has opportunities to offer in sectors including energy, minerals, and agriculture. Further, he stated that he is not anyone's puppet and that he works with other nations to promote mutual interests following the accusation of him being used by Western nations. (“Zambia’s Hichelma discusses debt, economic ties in France,” Africanews, 11 May 2023)
Sub-Saharan Africa: 16.5 million displacements in 2022
On 11 May, africanews reported that the overlapping crises in Africa forced millions of people to flee their countries in 2022. According to a joint report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre(IDMC) and Norwegian Refugee Council(NRC), the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa recorded around 16.5 million people displaced in 2022, and more than half of them were displaced due to conflict in DRC and Ethiopia. IDMC Chief Alexandra Bilal said: “Since the start of the most recent conflict in April, we have already recorded the same number of displacements as we did for the whole year in 2022. Clearly, it’s a very volatile situation on the ground.” Bilal pointed out that more than 3 million people have already been displaced across Sudan in 2023. (“16.5 million displacements recorded across sub-saharan Africa in 2022- report,” Africanews, 11 May 2023)
Mali: Soldiers killed in ambush
On 11 May, six Malian soldiers were killed and nine were injured this week in an ambush on a Malian army detachment near Bamako in the west of the country. According to the police source, the soldiers were attacked near the town of Badala, around 130 km from the capital. The nature of the attack and the identity of the assailants were not specified. It added that the soldiers’ retaliation left “several dead.” A local politician who confirmed the death toll said that the attack was carried out by “terrorists”, a term which is used in Mali to indicate Jihadists. Since 2012, there has been a significant spread of jihadism and complex political, economic and humanitarian crisis in Mali. (“Malian soldiers killed in ambush,” Africanews, 11 May 2023)
Guinea: Police fires at the protestors; nearly 7 killed and 32 wounded
On 11 May, nearly 7 people were killed and 32 injured in the anti-military government protests that took place in Conakry, the capital of Guinea. Police in riot gear came down with a heavy hand on the rioters as rocks and burned tyres were thrown at police. A new series of protests is being planned in the face of the killings. Nzerekore, a city in the southeast and the central town of Dabola too witnessed small-scale protests. The opposition parties and civil society groups said in a joint statement that arrests were reported. They added that a second day of peaceful demonstrations would be held as planned. There were no responses to the allegations from the military rulers so far. Guinea is facing widespread protests and deadly clashes since the military took over in a string of coups since 2020. (“At least seven people killed by police gunfire in Guinea protests,” Al Jazeera, 11 May 2023 )