Politics
The national army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s de facto leader who seized power in a coup in 2021, has engaged in war with the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary commanded by Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo, resulting in the deaths of around 300 people, mostly civilians, and leaving at least 2,600 injured. The conflict has involved tanks and air strikes in Khartoum, the capital, and has led to the looting of hospitals and aid agencies, as well as attacks on diplomats.
In response to jihadists controlling around half of the country, Burkina Faso’s military government has declared a general mobilisation, granting them the power to requisition people, goods, and services, and impose a state of emergency. Western military sources are concerned that the jihadists may move south and encircle Ouagadougou, the capital, having already cut off road links in the north.
Rachid Ghannouchi, the long-serving leader of Ennahda, Tunisia’s main Islamist party, has been arrested, according to the party. This marks a drastic step against the opposition by Kais Saied, the increasingly repressive president.
2023-04-20 10:11:15
Link from www.economist.com