https://en.gariwo.net/texts-and-contexts/africa/

Africa

Besides the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, there are many critical contexts in the African continent in which inter-ethnic hatred causes violence and tension. Africa today is afflicted by wars and crises which, especially in the last two decades, have taken on new and dramatic characteristics: jihadist terrorism, bad governance, corruption, poverty and social malaise, ancient and new political, ethnic-tribal or religious tensions, up to the impact of climate change, which have aggravated already fragile situations, generating real clashes for resources - as well as humanitarian crises and migratory flows.

Over the years, thanks also to the contribution of Anna Pozzi, journalist and expert on Africa, of the Righteous honoured at the Garden of Milan, such as Denis Mukwege or Alganesh Fessaha, and of volunteers and Gariwo’s collaborators, we have collected a series of analyzes, articles and insights on African countries affected by clashes and violence.

Righteous for Africa

Warnings of Genocide in Ethiopia’s Tigray

A decades-long conflict turned into a civil war plunging Tigray into famine and mass starvation

Between November and December 2020, a civil war took place in Tigray, a region in Northern Ethiopia, involving the Ethiopian army, backed by Eritrean troops, and the Tigray’s People Liberation Front (TPLF). The war officially ended in December but the conflict kept escalating and ravaging the Tigray region, with millions of people displaced and suffering mass starvation. Ethiopian and Eritrean troops have been accused of ethnic cleansing, massacres, and war crimes in Tigray. Some discuss the crisis in terms of genocide.

Taking action is a choice, to break the spiral of violence

The speech by Denis Mukwege

Only the fight against impunity can break the spiral of violence. We all have the power to change the course of history when the beliefs we are fighting for are right. Turning a blind eye to this tragedy is being complicit. It’s not just perpetrators of violence who are responsible for their crimes, it is also those who choose to look the other way.

"Rape used to terrorise population"

report by DRC gynaecologist Denis Mukwege

British paper The Guardian reports about abuse against 100 women only last week in North Kivu, the war-torn region of Congo where Denis Mukwege carries out his relentless work of caring about victims. The doctor, specialised in reconstructive surgery for rape victims, tells journalist about women's struggle.

Rwanda de 1994, Centrafrique 2014

l'histoire se répète!

We publish the Call by Yolande Mukagasana, witness to truth honored in the Milan Garden of the Righteous, to stop genocide in Central Africa. You might disagree on her judgement about the Roman Catholic Church, as the Pope has condemned violence in the CAR, but it is important to acknowledge the suffering of genocide survivors in the face of new humanitarian tragedies.

Let’s turn on the light on Africa

A commitment to genocide prevention

Despite having rich culture, many youths, resources and potential, the continent of Africa is still plagued with poverty, cultural genocide and financial stability. Many academics, politicians and other figures of high power have great hope for Africa and shed light on the issues that need to be reversed.

Alarm Central African Republic

executions, torture and abuses by Seleka group

Despite the African Union's help, the country is still unable to help civilians survive Seleka violence. Clashes take up a religious nuance as the Muslim militants assault Christian churches and some Christians attack Islamic communities.

Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo arrested

Obama: "It's a victory of democracy"

Ivory Coast's outgoing President Laurent Gbagbo, entrenched for days in his palace-bunker in Abidjan, was arrested with his wife.
Alassane Ouattara, the Head of State recognized by the international Community, announced on tv the opening of a trial against Laurent Gbagbo.

Sudan, secession wins with 98,83%

but worries about Darfur remain in place

Official referendum results have been published. Nearly 99% of the inhabitants opted for independence. The government in Khartoum reveals it approves of the decision, but there are some significant problems: violence, border quarrels, the oil issue and above all the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

Uganda, murder of David Kato Kisule

gay rights activist

The man was hammered to death after his name had appeared in a chilling list of the local magazine Rolling Stone pointing to the names and faces of a hundred Ugandan homosexuals with the incitation to hang them.

Sudan, one Country or two?

60% turnout reached

Elections in Southern Sudan over secession from the rest of the Country. The vote, valid with a 60% turnout that was attained, was a condition of a 2005 deal to end the two-decade North-South conflict which witnessed gross violations of human rights especially in Darfur.

Rape is a weapon in Congo war

a doctor and a victim bear witness

Raped women are 600 only on the border between Congo and Angola. Gynaecologist Denis Mukwege built a hospital in the East where he operated more than 20,000 of them. One of the victim says: "We are proud and we can still hold our heads high".

Birtukan Mideksa is free again

she was pardoned by the President of the Republic

Ethiopian leader Birtukan Mideksa was excluded from elections, imprisioned for her ideas. Lady Freedom did not give up the struggle for civil rights and the respect of the Constitution: the leader of the Ethiopian opposition was released and back with her family. Yet her Country faces an escalation of death verdicts against the dissidents.

Lubna's fellow protesters convicted

they will face 20 lashes

9th September
Sudanese women demonstrate against Lubna Hussein's conviction and penalty of 40 lashes for wearing trousers. Hundreds women gathered around her and her sentence was commuted into a fine. The women arrested with Lubna Hussein for wearing trousers were sentenced to flogging and the payment of a 100-dollar fine.

Congo, rebels seize Goma

the opinion of Yolande Mukagasana

War is ravaging the rich region of Eastern Congo, murdering and displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians. We asked for the opinion of Yolande Mukagasana, witness to the Rwandan genocide and Righteous in the Garden of Milan, who is fighting for genocide prevention.