Photo : Ashraf Shazly,AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Ashraf Shazly,AFP
IN BRIEF
by Jerry Franklin and Immaculine Joy Paul
Sudan: Air Strikes and clashes persist despite ceasefire
On 23 May, BBC reported that air strikes and clashes continued in Khartoum which weakened the latest attempt at a ceasefire. The new seven-day truce came into effect on 22 May. The truce came about as a result of formal talks facilitated by Saudi Arabia and the United States. According to a US-Saudi statement, the new agreement would be enforced by a ceasefire monitoring mechanism, which acknowledged prior failures to maintain peace. Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo issued an audio message right before the truce came into effect stating that his troops would not retreat until they end the coup. (“Sudan conflict: Air strikes and clashes as new ceasefire begins,” BBC, 23 May 2023)
Morocco: Ukrainian foreign minister visits Rabat
On 23 May, Al Jazeera reported that the meeting between Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita happened at Rabat on 22 May, to enhance bilateral cooperation. The key point of discussion included the situation of Moroccan students in Ukraine, coordination between the two countries with a renewed emphasis on political dialogue and economic cooperation, trade facilitation, food security, territorial integrity, and regional security. Kuleba and Bourita signed a memorandum of understanding and exchange program intended to improve diplomats' awareness of one another's foreign policy, particularly concerning Africa. (“Ukrainian and Moroccan FMs meet in Rabat,” Al Jazeera, 23 May 2023)
Mali: US accuses Mali as Wagner group’s transit route
On 23 May, Al Jazeera reported that the United States Department of State accused Russia’s Wagner mercenary force of using false paperwork to ship military equipment through Mali. State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller stated: “We have been informed that Wagner is seeking to transit material acquisitions to aid Russia’s war through Mali and is willing to use false paperwork for these transactions. In fact, there are indications that Wagner has been attempting to purchase military systems from foreign suppliers and route these weapons through Mali as a third party.” Additionally, Miller stated that these accusations have not yet been proven and added that the US has been imposing sanctions on entities supporting Wagner’s military operations. (“US says Russia’s Wagner force eyes Mali as route for war supplies,” Al Jazeera, 23 May 2023)
Ethiopia: Protestors demand the withdrawal of Eritrean troops
On 23 May, Al Jazeera reported that there were mass demonstrations in northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region demanding the return of the displaced population due to the war and the withdrawal of foreign forces as the conflict had ended with a truce signed in November 2022. The battle between the federal troops and the Tigrayan forces left thousands of people dead. Millions of people were forced from their homes and their places were occupied by security forces and fighters. The Eritrean troops which were not mentioned in the truce continued to operate in several border towns. (“Protesters in Ethiopia’s Tigray demand Eritrean troops withdraw,” Al Jazeera, 23 May 2023)
Sudan: Ceasefire appears to bring relative calm in the region
On 23 May, BBC reported that following the ceasefire agreed between the warring factions, the airstrikes targeting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been stopped. El Geneina and Nyala, two cities in the Darfur region face relative calmness after days as they were badly affected by the conflict. The residents say that after five weeks of conflict, there is relative peace in the region. However, there were immediate breaches of the ceasefire by the military forces on 22 May. While the previous ceasefires collapsed, the latest one seems to be efficient as it is backed by a monitoring mechanism. (“Sudan ceasefire: Khartoum largely quiet, residents say,” BBC, 23 May 2023)
Horn of Africa: Aid agencies support UN’s USD 7 billion for food crisis
On 23 May, Al Jazeera reported that humanitarian agencies support the United Nations’ appeal for USD seven billion for the Horn of Africa as more than 43.3 million people need food assistance in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya due to drought in the region. The UN is convening a high-level pledging event on 24 May where member states and partners will be encouraged to provide financial aid to the Horn of Africa crisis. International Rescue Committee President David Miliband stated: “Efforts to combat food insecurity need to be urgently scaled up across a wider group of governments, international financial institutions, and climate actors.” Additionally, Miliband stated that the appeals have received less than a quarter of the needed donations until now. (“Aid agencies back UN’s $7bn appeal for Horn of Africa food crisis,” Al Jazeera, 23 May 2023)