The year was full of major events on the African continent. From the departure of French special forces from Burkina Faso to the general elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the presidential victory of Bola Tinubu in Nigeria, many events have marked the news. A look back at the highlights of the year.
First, in February, French special forces officially left Burkina Faso. Task Force Sabre, made up of 400 soldiers responsible for tracking down jihadist leaders in the Sahel, ended its operations after the denunciation of the defense agreements linking France and Burkina by the transitional government. This departure comes in a context of tensions between the two countries.
In March, Bola Tinubu was elected president of Nigeria. Former governor of Lagos, Tinubu won the presidential election by a comfortable margin. It faces many challenges, including revitalizing the economy, combating insecurity and managing regional crises. Tinubu also holds the rotating presidency of ECOWAS, making him the new face of West African diplomacy.
Sudan also experienced unrest in April. A fratricidal war broke out between the regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (FSR), a militia affiliated with the government. Despite attempts at mediation, fighting continued, resulting in the deaths of more than 6,000 people and the displacement of millions more.
In July, a coup took place in Niger, overthrowing President Mohamed Bazoum. The takeover by members of the Presidential Guard led to an escalation of tensions with France, Bazoum’s close ally. ECOWAS imposed sanctions on the country and threatened military intervention to restore constitutional order.
In August, former Ivorian President Henri Konan Bédié died at the age of 89. Head of State from 1993 to 1999, Bédié was an important political figure in Côte d’Ivoire. His death marked the end of an era for the country.
These events were some of the key moments in African news in 2023. They show both the challenges facing the continent and the political dynamics that shape it. It will be interesting to see how these events unfold and what future developments will be for Africa.