28 June 2021
Nigeria: Islamic State of West Africa Province (Iswap) and Boko Haram are reported to have merged. A video has shown fighters from the two organisations pledging their loyalty to a new commander.
BBC Africa Live 28 June 2021. 11:54
Nigeria: This TheConversation article gives a brief overview over Yoruba history. It is also a summary by the author of his book Akinwumi Ogundiran, The Yoruba: A New History, Indiana University Press 2020, 562 pages. From 300 before our era to the present day.
https://theconversation.com/a-long-view-sheds-fresh-light-on-the-history-of-the-yoruba-people-in-west-africa-162776
Nigeria: The country’s poverty situation “is grim and embarrassing” seen its endowment with resources. To fight poverty, the focus should be more on promoting structural transformation than on cash transfers. The article also discusses different concepts of poverty. Nothing really new.
https://theconversation.com/nigerias-poverty-profile-is-grim-its-time-to-move-beyond-handouts-163302
Zambia: According to Amnesty International, there has been “an increasingly brutal crackdown on human rights, characterised by brazen attacks on any form of dissent” over the past five years. Unlawful and lethal force is part of intimidation against all those who dare to criticize Edgar Lungu’s regime. Amnesty International has appealed to the authorities “to respect human rights ahead and after the August elections”.
BBC Africa Live 28 June 2021. 13:20
27 June 2021
Burkina Faso: Thousands of protesters against insecurity with placards like “We want to cultivate our fields in peace”, took to the streets in Kaya, the capital of the Centre-North region, on Saturday, “mainly women displaced by escalating violence and the widows of soldiers and police officers killed by militants”.
BBC Africa Latest Updates 27 June 2021. 9:00
Sudan: Former officials wanted for alleged war crimes in Darfur will be handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The surrender of ex-President Omar al-Bashir to the ICC had already been promised in February 2020. The identity of those to be handed over has not been divulged. The Darfur conflict has killed at least 300,000 and displaced millions.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57628697
Somalia: 21 men convicted of being al-Shabab members have been sentenced to death and have been shot by a firing squad, the Puntland authorities having “vowed to bring to justice any members of al-Shabab or people found assisting the group in its attacks.” Much of Somalia’s centre and south is controlled by al-Shabab. A report by Hiraal Institute published in October 2020 had found that al-Shabab raises as much or more revenue than Somalia’s government.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57630144
For the report: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54690561