Archives: News

Why in the News?

The places discussed in this article are pertinent to conflict zones either due to Geopolitical conflicts or Climate change impacts.

Political and Ethnic Conflicts:

• Darfur Region, Sudan:
  • The Darfur region constitutes Western Sudan, present-Eastern Chad, and the present-Northern part of the Central African Republic Region. 
  • This conflict involves clashes between government forces and paramilitary groups, resulting in widespread violence and displacement, particularly in regions like Darfur.
  • Darfur has experienced conflict for years, with ethnic tensions and government-rebel clashes leading to violence and displacement. 
  • The conflict has been characterized by allegations of ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses.

• Somalia:
  • The Conflict zone of Somalia is situated in the South-Eastern part (Mogadishu).
  • Al Shabaab is an Islamist militant group that has been engaged in a prolonged insurgency against the Somali government. 
  • The conflict has led to widespread violence, including attacks on civilians, and has contributed to significant displacement within Somalia

• Nigeria:
  • Groups like Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have carried out attacks, including suicide bombings and kidnappings, targeting civilians and security forces. 
  • This conflict has led to widespread displacement (Due to infringements of Human rights), particularly in northeastern Nigeria.
  • Nigeria is traversed by several major rivers, including the Niger River and the Benue River. 
  • The Niger River flows from southeastern Guinea through Mali, Niger, Benin, and Nigeria. It is the third-longest river in Africa behind the Nile and the Congo. 
  • Niger River tributaries include the Sokoto, Kaduna, Benue, and Bani Rivers.

• Tigray, Ethiopia:
  • The conflict in Tigray erupted between regional forces and the Ethiopian government in late 2020, leading to widespread violence, displacement, and allegations of human rights abuses.
  • Ethiopia has experienced internal conflicts fueled by ethnic divisions and political grievances, leading to sporadic violence and displacement in various regions.
  • The region is part of the Nile River Basin.

Resource-based Conflicts (Climate Change Impact):

• Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC):
  • The DRC has been plagued by multiple armed groups operating in different regions, often vying for control over territory and resources. 
  • The M23 rebel group is one of several militias involved in the conflict, leading to displacement and humanitarian crises.
  • The DRC is home to the Congo River, one of the largest rivers in Africa. 
  • The Congo River drains a total watershed area of 3,690,750km 2, covering all of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as well as parts of Congo-Brazzaville, Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia and Angola.
• Burkina Faso:
  • Burkina Faso (landlocked in West Africa) has experienced a rise in violence perpetrated by groups affiliated with al Qaeda and the Islamic State, leading to displacement and insecurity, especially in the northern regions.
  • This conflict is often seen as a spillover from instability in neighboring Mali.
  • This region lies on the Prime Meridian. 
  • As it is landlocked, it does not have any significant rivers or lakes within its territory. However, it is part of the Volta River Basin, which includes rivers like the Black Volta and the White Volta.

• Sahel Region:
  • The Sahel is a 3,860-km transitional belt stretching between the Sahara Desert and sub-Saharan Africa, extending from Senegal to Eritrea. It consists of Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Eritrea, and a portion of southern Algeria.
  • Climate: Characterized by semi-arid conditions and features barren landscapes, making it susceptible to desertification.
  • It serves as a historical and cultural crossroads, where Arabic, Islamic, and nomadic cultures from the north intersect with indigenous and traditional cultures from the south.
  • The region faces numerous challenges, including ethno-religious tensions, political instability, widespread poverty, natural disasters, and the proliferation of criminal and political movements. 
  • Its vast, ungoverned spaces make it a hotspot for various illicit activities.

• Notable water bodies in the Sahel region:
  • Niger River: It is a major waterway that traverses through countries such as Mali, Niger, and Nigeria, providing water for irrigation, transportation, and fishing.
  • Senegal River: The Senegal River forms part of the northern border of Senegal and Mauritania. It provides water for agriculture, supports ecosystems, and is used for transportation and hydropower generation.
  • Bani River: A tributary of the Niger River, the Bani River flows through Mali during the rainy season, supporting agriculture and wildlife in the region.
  • Koumoue River: This river, located in Burkina Faso, is a tributary of the Niger River and plays a crucial role in providing water for agricultural activities in the region.
  • Logone River: The Logone River, flowing through Chad and Cameroon, is an important water source for communities living along its banks, supporting agriculture and providing habitats for wildlife.
  • Mare aux Hippopotames: This seasonal lake, located in Niger, fills with water during the rainy season and serves as an essential habitat for wildlife, including hippos and migratory birds.
  • Lake Chad: Although Lake Chad has significantly diminished in size over the years due to factors such as climate change, overuse of water resources, and population growth, it remains an important water body for countries like Chad, Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon.

• Afar Triangle:
  • The Afar Triangle, also known as the Afar Depression or Afar Rift, is a geological depression in the Horn of Africa. It encompasses parts of Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti.
  • It is said to be world’s Sixth Ocean in making.
  • It is located at the tri-junction of the African, Arabian, and Somali tectonic plates, making it one of the most geologically active regions on Earth. 
  • Border disputes between countries have occasionally involved the Afar region, particularly along the border areas.

Previous Year Questions:

[2013] Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?

 [2020] Consider the following pairs:

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2 and 4 only

[2022] The term “Levant” often heard in the news roughly corresponds to which of the following regions?

(a) Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores

(b) Region along North African shores stretching from Egypt to Morocco

(c) Region along Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa

(d) The entire coastal areas of Mediterranean Sean

[2022] Consider the following pairs:

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair

(b) Only two pairs

(c) Only three pairs

(d) All four pairs

[2023] Consider the following pairs:

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

a) Only one

b) Only two

c) All three

d) None

[2023] Consider the following pairs:

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None