[/media-credit] India Africa Forum Summit, 2015
The most important in this week’s headlines out of and concerning Africa, for those who need help catching up.
In this week’s news, bloggers are freed in an African country, the U.S. deploys troops in Central Africa, and African leaders head to India for a summit.
More than 41 African Heads of State and Governments are expected to converge on the Indian capital, New Delhi for the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) on October 26-29.
According to the Indian Express newspaper, if all the invited leaders show up for the even this “makes it the highest attendance, surpassing China, US and Japan which have held African leaders’ summits in the past.”
In a tweet from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the PM stated, “India is proud to host @indiaafrica2015. The Summit reflects India & Africa’s desire to engage more intensively for a better future.”
The event is expected to build on relationships between India and African countries and will include participation from the African Union (AU).
2. The U.S. Puts Boots On The Ground in Cameroon
The United States has decided to place forces on the ground in Cameroon to fight the Boko Haram. It is anticipated the forces will be deployed to reach 300 in the coming months.
The forces will conduct surveillance and airborne intelligence in the region, according to statements from the White House.
The return of the Chibok girls is still one of the main issues in the fight against Boko Haram.
3. Ethiopia’s Zone 9 Bloggers Cleared of Terrorism Charges
Four Ethiopian bloggers have been cleared of terrorism charges. Originally nine were arrested on the terrorism charges but five were released earlier in July.
The bloggers have been in jail for over a year after they were arrested for “sabotaging the state.”
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the case involving the bloggers “inspired a sustained online campaign for their release by activists in Ethiopia and beyond.”
Ethiopia is ranked fourth on the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) 10 most censored countries. The county is said to have surveillance watch over journalists in the country.
The country’s human rights record was questioned by many organizations during a visit in July by U.S. President, Barack Obama.
