Military’s excessive force in African countries condemned

Various African countries bodies have rejected and criticised the allegedly heavy-handed approach by the military in enforcing lockdown rules and regulations.

Burkinabé revolutionary and former President of Burkina Faso Thomas Sankara once said, “Without patriotic political education, a soldier is only a potential criminal.” As the list of crimes reportedly being committed by military forces across Africa grows, citizens and governments have been calling for an end to the violence and aggression displayed by soldiers as they continue to enforce law and order during their respective lockdowns. South Africa is one of the countries affected, with news coming from Alexandra that a man was allegedly beaten to death by members of the defence force on Good Friday (10 April). This, unsurprisingly, caused huge outrage and authorities have launched an investigation.

Home to the continent’s largest economy, Nigeria is also facing claims that its military is using excessive force. According to the country’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), as of 16 April, the Security Forces were alleged to have been responsible for killing 18 people during the two-week lockdown.

A statement released by the National Human Rights Commission read, ‘The report notes that most of the violations witnessed during the period arose as a result of excessive or disproportionate use of force, abuse of power, corruption and non-adherence to national and international laws, best practices and rules of engagement’.

Source:  NHRC condemns alleged torture, rape of lady by Kogi Govt.

In Rwanda, five soldiers have been arrested for allegedly raping women in a Kigali slum during that country’s lockdown. Reports have also emerged that residents near the capital have informed military authorities of soldiers’ excessive use of force and of property and belongings being stolen by the armed forces.

Source: Rwandan soldiers accused of raping women during lockdown

Zimbabwe’s security forces have also been in the spotlight for their brutal crackdown on protests. President Emmerson Mnangagwa labelled these ‘unacceptable’ adding that there would be consequences for anyone found to be involved in such behaviour.  “Violence or misconduct by our security forces is unacceptable and a betrayal of the new Zimbabwe. Chaos and insubordination will not be tolerated,” he said in a statement.

Source: Mnangagwa says Zimbabwe army violence ‘unacceptable’,

Here are a few tweets from the continent on people’s experiences and thoughts on the defence force’s aggressive tactics:

• KENYA:

• GHANA:

• LESOTHO:

https://twitter.com/SeanMaliehe/status/1246492150461759490

• NIGERIA:

• ANGOLA:

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