26 June 2021
Nigeria: The Middle Belt (Abuja, Benue, Plateau, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Kwara) “is volatile, and highly susceptible to militia attacks and sectarian crises. There are also frequent clashes between pastoralists and sedentary farmers”. In the absence of adequate government responses (the deployment of the army often proves counter-proudctive), the article provides a long list of ways of communities dealing with the insecurity and violence, e.g. mediation, support through dispute resolution, community truth and reconciliation groups, inter-religious dialogue, traditional justice systems, community policing, civic education.
https://theconversation.com/violence-is-endemic-in-north-central-nigeria-what-communities-are-doing-to-cope-157349
Female Genital Cutting (FGC): A BBC article about FGC in Egypt. At the end of the article, there is a map of the world with FGC rates (source The Woman Stats Project 2015) that is a bit different because it optically rates countries with FGC rates below 11% as having no FGC (yellow). As most international comparisons, this one also treats mild forms (e.g. in Indonesia or southern Nigeria) and severe forms (infibulation, e.g. in Somalia) the same.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57530121
25 June 2021
South Africa: There is “serious” conflict inside the Zulu royal family concerning the succession of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu. Parts of the family do not accept the new monarch King Misuzulu KaZwelithini (son of the chief wife of the late king) announced in May as successor to the throne. According to traditional Prime Minister Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi the “battle lines (are) drawn”. Buthelezi has been accused of sowing dissent, a charge he denies.
BBC Africa Live 25 June 2021. 7:57
Niger: Two villages in Tillabéri province, Danga-Zouani and Korombara, have been raided by jihadists on motorbikes. At least 10 were killed and grains stores and huts were burned down.
BBC Africa Live 25 June 2021. 6:52
Somaliland: A new port which is to boost trade between the Horn of Africa and the Gulf region has been opened in Berbera. Landlocked Ethiopia should benefit and become less dependent on Djibouti for its imports and exports. In May, Dubai’s DP World agreed a $1bn deal with the Ethiopian government to create a trade and logistics corridor between Ethiopia and Berbera.
BBC Africa Live 25 June 2021. 5:15
Senegal: One more anti-terror law that could be used to suppress dissent? “The Movement for the Defence of Democracy - an opposition coalition - has urged people to take to the streets”. After thousands taking to the streets of Dakar yesterday Thursday, police have been deployed today Friday before the controversial vote of the law.
BBC Africa Live 25 June 2021. 12:20