The year 2023 was a tumultuous one for Africa, marked by political instability, economic turmoil, and severe climate-related disasters. The continent was swept up in geopolitical drama, with new conflicts surfacing, and flawed elections sparking military coups. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, together with the war in Ukraine, further disrupted supply chains across the continent.
The Horn of Africa was particularly affected by climate disasters, enduring its third consecutive year and sixth season of failed rainfall. According to World Health Organization data from August, this severe drought displaced 2.3 million people. Subsequent floods resulted in 80 fatalities across Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan, and displaced thousands more. Adding to the climate woes, cyclones in Malawi and Mozambique led to hundreds of deaths and further displacement.
African leaders, in response to these crises, held the first-ever African climate summit in Nairobi. They demanded that Western countries contribute more towards climate taxes. This stance was echoed at COP28 by African negotiators, who called for a just and equitable fossil phase-out, as per Lerato Ngakane, communications director at the Global Oil and Gas Network.
The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with disruptions to the global food supply chain due to the Russia-Ukraine war, heightened the cost-of-living crisis. This sparked protests in countries such as Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and Tunisia. In Malawi, the president suspended official travel to conserve foreign reserves, while Nigeria experienced a surge in fuel prices due to the sudden termination of a longstanding fuel subsidy and the devaluation of the naira.
Political instability was prevalent, with military coups taking place in Niger and Gabon, and unsuccessful coup attempts in Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau. Election disputes occurred in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Eswatini, Gabon, Sierra Leone, and Madagascar, with Liberia being a notable exception, experiencing a peaceful transition.
Conflict escalated in several regions. The Sudanese Armed Forces clashed with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, resulting in over 10,000 deaths and mass displacement. Violence also intensified in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while in Ethiopia, a fallout between the federal government and Fano militias in the Amhara region triggered heavy fighting.
Despite these challenges, there were positive developments. The BRICS bloc expanded to include Egypt and Ethiopia, with South Africa hosting the 15th summit. Although France's influence in its former colonies waned following coups in Gabon and Niger, Russia's influence in Africa increased, despite the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, a key figure in Russian diplomacy in Africa.
In a move to stimulate trade and revenue, several African nations relaxed visa requirements. Mozambique waived visas for 29 countries, Rwanda abolished visas for all Africans, and Kenya signed a 90-day visa waiver agreement with South Africa.
In summary, while 2023 presented Africa with significant challenges from climate disasters, political upheaval, and economic crises, there were also considerable advances in international cooperation and policy changes aimed at fostering growth and stability. The resilience and determination of African nations will undoubtedly continue to influence the continent's future trajectory.
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