Photo : AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AFP
IN BRIEF
by Jerry Franklin and Immaculine Joy Paul
Nigeria: Death toll rises; Clashes between herders and farmers still on
On 19 May, Nigeria witnessed a rise in the death toll to 85 from the clashes between herders and farmers also leading to the displacement of thousands. The violence broke out on 15 May in Plateau state which lies between Nigeria’s Muslim-dominated north and Christian-dominated south. The region has witnessed long-standing ethnic and religious violence for years. The reason behind the violence is unknown and the violence doesn't seem to subside. So far five have been arrested by the police in connection to the violence. (“Toll in Nigeria clashes between herders and farmers rises to 85,” The Hindu, 19 May 2023)
Mozambique: USD 150 million granted for cyclone Freddy recovery
On 19 May, Al Jazeera reported on the World Bank sanctioning USD 150 million to support Mozambique in its effort to recover from the grave damages caused by cyclone Freddy. The cyclone killed around 1,000 people when it hit Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar in late February followed by a landfall again in March. The funds (consisting of USD 100 million in grant money and USD 50 million in credit) are drawn from the World Bank’s existing projects in Mozambique. (“World Bank gives Mozambique $150m for Cyclone Freddy recovery,” Al Jazeera, 19 May 2023)
Nigeria: Communal clashes kills more than 100 people
On 19 May, the fighting between farmers and herders in Nigeria’s north-central state of Plateau increased the death toll above 100. According to residents and local authorities, locals are still in search of more bodies in the bush. The violence took place when a herder and his cattle were killed by farmers who had encroached on the latter’s land in April. The violence is seen as an ethno-religious conflict between nomadic Muslim herders and mainly Christian Indigenous farmers. (“More than 100 people dead in communal clashes in central Nigeria,” Al Jazeera, 19 May 2023)
Sudan: Burhan fires Dagalo as his deputy
On 19 May, Sudan’s army chief Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan sacked Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, his deputy and the commander of Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Since the military coup in October 2021, both have served as chairman and deputy of the ruling Sovereign Council. Burhan replaced Dagalo with former rebel leader Malik Agar who is also a Sovereign Council member. He further ordered the immediate effect of the decree issued. (“Sudan's Burhan sacks paramilitary leader as his deputy,” BBC, 19 May 2023