Photo : Pius Utomi Ekpei,AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Pius Utomi Ekpei,AFP
by Jerry Franklin and Immaculine Joy Paul
Nigeria: US embassy personnel under attack
On 17 May, two employees and two police officers were killed during a gunmen attack on a United States convoy in southeast Nigeria. On 16 May, two police officers and a driver were kidnapped in Nigeria’s Anambra state. The number of people in the convoy and the nature of their trip are unclear. The US Department of State later issued a statement that they have initiated an investigation along with the Nigerian security services. According to the police in Ambara, separatists could be responsible for the attack as there is already an ongoing series of violence. (“Gunmen attack convoy of US embassy personnel in Nigeria,” Al Jazeera, 17 May 2023)
Sudan: Rising prices and fuel shortages deepen the humanitarian crisis
On 17 May, Africanews reported that the humanitarian crisis has been worsening in the country as vendors and farmers suffer from rising prices and fuel shortages. The farmers in the Al Qalaa region have been unable to transport their vegetables due to fuel shortages. The United Nations Humanitarian Agency, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs(OCHA), stated that the price of basic commodities and water has been rising by 60 per cent or more due to supply challenges. (“Vendors, farmers suffer amid rising prices and fuel shortages,” Africanews, 17 May 2023)
Sudan: UN seeks funds for Sudan aid as millions suffer from conflict
On 17 May, BBC reported on the UN seeking some USD three billion to cope with humanitarian activities in Sudan as the conflict doesn't seem to subside. It also expects that more than a million could flee the country due to the fighting and nearly 25 million people accounting for more than half of Sudan’s population are in need of aid and protection. It added that access to aid agencies is difficult and repeated looting of aid supplies and attacks on aid workers are persistent. (“UN seeking $3bn for Sudan aid as fighting rages on,” BBC, 17 May 2023)