Weekly Highlight of WPS on the African Continent from 26th to 30th October 2020

Boko Haram ‘kills 12’ in raid near Nigeria’s Chibok

There has been reports of Boko Haram terrorist groups attacks which has left 12 people dead. The sect abducted three women and four children. Increasing Boko Haram attacks have become regular in recent weeks as  the sect has continued to destabilize communities in Borno State in Nigeira. This abduction and killing occurred in the town of Chibok where mass kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls occurred in 2014.

Further details: https://www.macaubusiness.com/boko-haram-kills-12-in-raid-near-nigerias-chibok/

West African governments must resource women for peace, security

The Head of United Nations for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas  while chairing a virtual meeting on the 20th Anniversary of the UNSCR 1325 at Koffi Annan International Peace `keeping Training Centre in Accra has called for governments in the sub-region should channel resources into training local women in contributing to peace. The Envoy notes that women’s role in security and stability remains extremely low. In his speech he called the full participation of women in formal peace process a level playing ground as conflict continue to have devastating effect on women.

Further Details: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/West-African-governments-must-resource-women-for-peace-security-Ibn-Chambas-1095745

Ten years after a post-election conflict, a new poll stirs violence in Côte d’Ivoire

The third term presidential bid of Cote d’Ivoire president has caused tension in the state and this has left at least 16 dead and several non-supporters of the incumbent president killed in clashes with security forces in recent weeks. There are fears that the situation will deteriorate further and take an ethnic dimension pitting the Northern communities against the Southern, Eastern and Western groups. Political analysts have claimed that the recent inter communal violence shows that long standing ethnic and social divisions in Cote d Ivoire have not been adequately addressed.

Further Detail: https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/2020/10/28/cote-d-ivoire-election-conflict-africa

Africa needs greater inclusion of women in peace and security processes

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the UNSCR1325 the head of African Peer Review Mechanism, Prof Eddy Maloka and the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, Ms Cristina Duarte have called on greater inclusion of women in peace and security processes in Africa. Both institutions advocated for the full implementation of UNSCR1325 and its domestication in local, national and regional levels will enhance development aspirations on the continent. Both speakers noted the fact that the pandemic has scaled back the gains made as women and girls  have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

Further Details: https://www.thesierraleonetelegraph.com/africa-needs-greater-inclusion-of-women-in-peace-and-security-processes/

Cameroon school attack puts spotlight on neglected conflict

The Government of Cameroon has blamed the killing of the Kumba schoolgirls on separatist militants. Other massacres allegedly carried out by the Government in Ngarbuh in Northwest Cameroon in February have been called out on social media by citizens. Human rights groups have accused the Government of Cameroon and separatist militant in the southwest provinces of killing civilians. Citizens have called out the African Union and other international bodies for not prioritising the conflict in Cameroon nor speaking up against it.  

Further Details: https://www.dw.com/en/cameroon-school-attack-puts-spotlight-on-neglected-conflict/a-55402395

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