Africa: Muslims to observe Ramadan March 23-April 21 regionwide

Event

Muslims in several African countries will begin their annual observance of the holy month of Ramadan on or around March 23; the exact date depends on the first sighting of the lunar crescent and may vary locally by one or two days. During Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn until dusk. Some government and business offices may alter operating hours and maintain adjusted schedules to accommodate the holiday; the impact of Ramadan on those operations will likely be more pronounced in predominantly Muslim countries, such as Burkina Faso, Comoros, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda. Officials and hardline Muslims in some countries, including Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, and Somalia, may forcibly try to close restaurants and other businesses that are perceived to violate Ramadan ordinances and promote activity they deem to be in line with Islamic teachings and traditions.

While practices generally vary by country, the widely observed religious introspection leads to slow-paced daylight hours, and the breaking of the fast leads to festive gatherings late into the night.

Eid al-Fitr (Feast of Breaking the Fast) occurs at the end of Ramadan on or around April 21. Celebrations may last one to seven days. Businesses, government offices, foreign embassies, banks, and schools will likely close for Eid al-Fitr in many countries.

An upsurge in militancy is possible in areas with active insurgencies, including in parts of East Africa and the Sahel sub-region. Additional security personnel could be deployed around major hotels, busy intersections, transport hubs, commercial and financial centers, government buildings, military installations, diplomatic missions, international organization offices, tourist centers, and any areas where foreigners tend to congregate. Increased security is also possible around soft targets, such as markets, shopping centers, restaurants, places of worship, and other crowded public areas.

Context

The Al-Shabaab militant group in Somalia continues to pose security threats in East Africa, particularly in Somalia and Kenya. During Ramadan, security forces typically go on high alert in countries that have contributed troops to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), including Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi, Kenya, and Djibouti. Al-Shabaab has carried out large-scale attacks in Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti, and Uganda in the past.

The Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP) and the Nigeria-based militant group commonly known as Boko Haram regularly attack civilian, commercial, government, and military targets in northern Nigeria, especially in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states. Boko Haram has also staged major bombings in other areas - including the cities of Kano, Kaduna, Jos, and Abuja. Moreover, Boko Haram militants have carried out cross-border attacks in Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and its affiliated groups, such as Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wa al-Moumin (Group for the Victory of Islam and the Faithful, JNIM), pose a significant threat in the Sahel sub-region, which includes Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These groups have also been responsible for several kidnappings of locals and foreigners in the region.

Advice

Remain respectful of Islamic traditions; do not eat or drink in the presence of Muslims during the daytime. Consider limiting exposure to possible militant target sites such as marketplaces, government buildings, and places of worship. Do not discuss sensitive political or religious matters in public.