The French President Emmanuel Macron has said that France has no intention of withdrawing its troops in the Sahel region. This move is aimed at continual fight against militants in the region, who have continued to wreak havoc. The French troops have been in the country for eight years in an operation that has seen 55 troops killed.
Tag: Africa
Ebola — Guinea Declares New Epidemic
At least three people have died from Ebola in Nzerekore, Guinea while four others who have been confirmed to have it are hospitalized. Health officials confirmed this on Sunday. It is alleged that one person escaped and is still at large. The eight are said to have attended the funeral of a nurse that took place in Goueke on February 1st.
France, Sahel Countries to Hold Virtual Summit
The heads of states of the G5 Sahel region are scheduled to take part in a two-day summit to be held in Chad. The main aim of the meeting is to discuss the fight against armed groups in the region. The G5 Sahel countries include Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Niger.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Made First Woman, African Head of WTO
Nigerian Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was selected Monday as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). She becomes the first woman to lead the global organization, as was confirmed by the organization in a statement. The 66 year-old Okonjo-Iweala also becomes the first African leader to preside over the organization.
UNCTAD — Global FDI Plummets
Foreign direct investment, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, plummeted 42% globally in 2020, the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said on Sunday. UNCTAD indicated that the recovery from this indicator would be likely be delayed until 2022.
Niger — 100 Killed in Twin Terror Attacks
At least 100 people were killed and several others were injured in attacks against two villages in Niger Saturday. The attacks were perpetrated by a group of unknown armed men, the country’s Prime Minister, Brigi Rafini, and the local mayor of the region, Almou Hassane, confirmed.
Ethiopia — Over 100 Killed in Ethnic Violence
More than 100 people were killed on Wednesday in Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz region, as a result of ethnic violence, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission reported. The massacre took place at various points in the Meketel area, in the Bekuji Kebele town, just one day after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had visited that region.
Nigeria — Hundreds of Boys Abducted in School Attack
Nigerian authorities have confirmed that 400 students are still missing following an attack on a school in the state of Katsina and the subsequent abduction of students. Using the hashtag #BringBackOurBoys, Nigerians have flooded Twitter with criticism of the country’s poor security situation.
Ghana — Akufo-Addo Re-Elected, Mahama Disputes Result
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo was declared winner of the country’s hotly contested presidential election on Wednesday. However, the country’s main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), whose candidate came a close second, announced on Thursday that it will challenge the results.
World AIDS Day — HIV Rising Among South African Girls
As the world marked World AIDS day on Tuesday, South Africa’s vice president, David Mabuza, sounded a warning about the continued increase in HIV infections in the country. Some 7.6 million people live with the virus, and in particular, HIV cases are on the rise among girls aged 10 to 14 years old.
Ethiopia — Abiy Vows to “Keep Order’ in the Country
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reaffirmed on Friday that his duty as the Ethiopian head of government is to “maintain order” in the country after meeting with African Union (AU) envoys on the conflict in Tigray. Abiy ordered the army to attack the rebel-held region in northern Ethiopia.
Kaboré Re-elected President of Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso’s incumbent President, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, was re-elected to another five year term on Thursday, according to the National Independent Electoral Commission. The Commission announced he had been re-elected in the first round. He promised in a speech to commit to a “permanent dialogue” to build a better country.
Russia New Immigration Law and Comparison
The Russian Ministry of Economic Development announced new draft law pertaining the simplified procedure for the foreign nationals to obtain Russian residential permit. It should be noted, Ukrainian nationals can obtain Russian citizenship under the simplified procedure already without the need of the investment.
WHO Declares End of Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the latest Ebola outbreak Wednesday in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The outbreak, declared on June 1, infected 130 people and caused 55 deaths in the province of Équateur. It was the eleventh outbreak to hit the country.
Ethiopia — Ahmed Warns Troops Marching on Tigray
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday warned that the three-day deadline given for Tigray’s rebel forces to surrender had expired. Prime Minister Ahmed’s statement paves the way for a military onslaught by the Ethiopian government in Mekelle, the capital of the semi-autonomous region of Tigray.
US, Africa and Geopolitics
This year has been challenging shaping the trajectory around the world. The winner of the US presidential election will have vested interest in the US influence around the globe, including on the African continent. Currently, there is an attempt of the global geopolitical redistribution.
Jerry Rawlings, Ghana’s Former President, Dies
Ghana’s former President, Jerry Rawlings, has died, his party said in a statement Thursday. Rawlings, a long-serving Ghanaian President, who led the West African state for two decades, died at the age of 73 in a hospital in the nation’s capital, Accra. He had been battling an undisclosed illness.
Tundu Lissu Leaves Tanzania for Belgium
Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu left the German embassy in Dar es Salaam for Brussels with the help of Western diplomats. He told the media that he is being threatened following his move to challenge President John Pombe Magufuli in the country’s recently concluded presidential elections.
South Africa Issues Arrest Warrant for ANC Official
Ace Magashule, the secretary-general of South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), was slammed with an arrest warrant on Tuesday for alleged involvement in corruption. The announcement was made by South African prosecutors, who were investigating high corruption in the country.
Ivory Coast — Ouattara Willing to Work with Opposition
Ivory Coast’s Alassane Ouattara has declared that he is ready to have a dialogue with opposition leaders in an effort to forge the country ahead. President Ouattara invited the head of opposition Henry Konan Bedie for a meeting. He was speaking during the final announcement of the election results by the constitutional council.
3,000 Ivorians Flee to Liberia Following Violence
More than 3,000 Ivorians who fled the October 31 election-related violence in Côte d’Ivoire sought refuge in neighboring Liberia, a source from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced today. About 40 people have so far been killed since August in Côte d’Ivoire in acts of violence related to the presidential elections.
Kabuga, Rwandan Genocide Financier, to be Tried
One of Rwanda’s top genocide suspects will have his pre-trial hearing on Wednesday in The Hague, Netherlands. The ruling was made by a United Nations tribunal. Felicien Kabuga faces charges on crimes against humanity in the 1994 genocide. The charges include genocide, complicity in genocide, and incitement to commit genocide.
Libyan Political Dialogue Forum Launched in Tunisia
On Monday, the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) began in Tunisia, with the participation of 75 personalities from various Libyan parties, and in the presence of the Tunisian President, Qais Said. The Tunisian President emphasized that this step was “for the sake of peace.”
Cameroon — 11 Kidnapped Teachers Freed
Eleven teachers who had been kidnapped in the troubled North West Region of Cameroon have been released. The local religious leaders confirmed their release, saying that the separatists yielded to pressure after locals stormed their camps demanding the release of the teachers.
Guinea — Opposition Leader Appeals Conde’s Win
Guinea’s top opposition leader, Cellou Dalein Diallo, has appealed against President Alpha Conde’s victory in the October 18 elections. His lawyer, Alseny Aissata Diallo, said that the appeal was filed because they have enough evidence showing that the elections were marred by irregularities.
Ethiopia — 54 Massacred in Oromia Region
At least 54 people have been killed by gunmen in Gawa Qanqa village, in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Officials revealed that homes were set on fire during the terrible attack. The assailants are said to have dragged the victims from their home to a school where they were killed.
Tanzania — Magufuli Promises to Work With Opposition
Tanzania’s President-elect, John Pombe Magufuli, promised on Saturday to work with his rivals after an overwhelming victory in the presidential election. The election was rejected by the opposition as fraudulent, and described by the US as having been marked by massive irregularities.
Ivory Coast — Former President Appeals for Calm
Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo has broken his silence and called for dialogue to avoid a “disaster” in the country as it heads to polls on Saturday. An issue worrying observers is the fact that the country has already recorded 30 deaths in pre-election clashes. There is a tense atmosphere in the country prior to the vote.
UNICEF Donates Hand Washing Facilities, Soap to Kenya
In helping fight the Coronavirus pandemic, the international humanitarian organization, UNICEF, has embarked on distributing disinfectants and installing hand-washing facilities in many schools across Kenya. The organization is also partnering with the nation’s Ministry of Education in a ‘Back to School’ campaign.
Mali — Terror Trial Begins, Row with France Continues
Mali has begun trial for suspects accused of an attack on a luxury nightclub in Bamako. The two are said to be members of the Islamic State, an active militant group in the country. In March, a French citizen, a Belgian, and three Malians were killed in an attack at La Terrasse, a restaurant and a night club.
Tanzania — Opposition Cries Foul, Alleging Fraud
The main opposition candidate for the presidency in Tanzania, Tundu Lissu, protested today what he described as “large-scale irregularities” that threaten the integrity of the Tanzanian Presidential elections outcome. General elections are taking place in the country today.
Cameroon Blames Separatists for Attack on School
The Cameroonian government blamed separatists for an attack on a school in the town of Kumba, in the southwestern part of the country, that left seven students dead. The government called for a stop for the killings of the innocent. Gunmen stormed the Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy.
Tanzania — Magufuli, Lissu in Tight Race
Tanzanians go to the polls on Wednesday in a general election to elect a new president, in which the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, in power since the country’s independence in 1961, is facing a stiff competition from the opposition Chadema party’s presidential candidate, Tundu Lissu.
Amnesty Blames Guinea Authorities for Post-Election Violence
The security forces in Guinea have been blamed for excessive use of force during protests against the October 18 elections. Amnesty International said that the police fired live rounds of ammunition at protesters during the unrest that claimed ten lives. The United Nations also condemned the post-election violence.
Russia Biowarfare Propaganda Against West
The Russian state media has been dumping information over the weekend pertaining the US authorities plan to use a blood-sucking weapon-an army of mosquitoes for biological warfare. Russia is using social media and a number of websites to spread disinformation to cause fear and trouble in the US.
Guinea — At Least Three Killed in Post-Election Violence
At least three people died Wednesday in the Guinean capital, Conakry, following clashes between opposition supporters and security forces. In recent days, following the presidential election, Guinea has witnessed several clashes between supporters of the nation’s opposition leader, Cellou Dalien Diallo, and the police.
Guinea — Diallo Claims Victory in Presidential Election
Cellou Dalein Diallo, Guinea’s opposition leader, declared himself the winner of the country’s presidential election on Sunday. Diallo insisted that he has defeated President Alpha Condé, although the official results have not yet been published. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) replied that Diallo’s claim is “premature” and “null.”
Nigeria — Protesters Storm Prison, Free Captives
A crowd broke into a prison and released detainees in Benin City, in southern Nigeria Monday. The action is part of protests against police brutality in the country. As reported by the Associated Press, some of the inmates jumped from an institution fence while others were seen running down the street to unknown destinations.
Eight Dead As Clashes Rock Kassala, Eastern Sudan
At least eight people were killed and scores injured after a demonstration in Kassala, in eastern Sudan, degenerated into clashes. The protests were ignited by the move by the Sudanese Prime Minister, Abdalla Hamdok, to sack the provincial governor, Saleh Ammar from the Bani Amer tribe.
Amnesty Condemns Tanzanian “Lawfare”
As the date for Tanzania’s sixth general election nears, human rights organization Amnesty International has raised a red flag that the government has resorted to “a raft of laws” designed “to silence journalists, NGOs, human rights defenders and members of the political opposition, among others.”
Nigeria — Celebrities Join Protests Against Police Brutality
Nigeria witnessed another day of demonstrations against police brutality as thousands of young Nigerians took to the streets in several cities of the West African state, including in its economic capital, Lagos. There, several roads were blocked due to the protests. The Nigerian protests against police brutality have been ongoing for a while now.
Mali — Sophie Pétronin, Soumaila Cisse Released
At least four people who had been held captive in Mali have been released by jihadists. Among those released is an old French aid worker, Sophie Petronin, who had been held hostage for four years. The 75 year old, who was running a charity for children with malnutrition was kidnapped by an Islamic militants in December 2016.
Mali Releases 180 Prisoners in Likely Swap
At least 180 prisoners have been released from a prison in Bamako by Malian authorities. It is alleged that 70 prisoners were released on Saturday with another 110 on Sunday. They were flown from the northern part of the country. Analysts have argued that the release could be in exchange for an opposition leader who has been held for more than six months.
Mali — Government Hopeful ECOWAS Will Lift Sanctions
Mali’s newly appointed transitional President, Bah Ndaw on Thursday held a meeting with the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) Permanent Representative to Mali, Boly Hamidou. The transitional government is hopeful that sanctions placed on Mali by ECOWAS are likely to be lifted soon.
Zimbabwe: Government Accuses Opposition of Plotting Coup
The Zimbabwean government on Monday accused the country’s main opposition of having smuggled arms into the country in readiness for an alleged coup d’état against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration. The opposition has, in a quick rejoinder, categorically denied the accusation.
Victoire Tomegah-Dogbe Named Togo’s First Woman PM
Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé appointed Victoire Sidémého Tomegah-Dogbé as the nation’s new prime minister Monday, making her the first woman head of government in the tiny West African state. Her appointment was announced by the nation’s presidency on television.
Oluwaseyi Olufemi Emmanuel – A Fast Rising Musical Artist
Music in Africa cannot be mentioned without the likes of Oluwaseyi Olufemi Emmanuel – Some4real. Nowadays, everyone wants to be successful.
Oluwaseyi Olufemi Emmanuel (born April 8, 2001), also known as Some4real on the internet, is a musical artist. He is known for his music. He is also a social media influencer, blogger.
Mali — Moctar Ouane Appointed New Prime Minister
Mali’s new interim president, Bah Ndaw, signed a decree appointing the former foreign minister, Moctar Ouane, as the nation’s new prime minister. The appointment was announced on Sunday, two days after the president’s swearing-in ceremony, and following a meeting on Saturday with the military junta.
Mali — New President Sworn in, ECOWAS Maintains Sanctions
Bah Ndaw has been sworn in as Mali’s civilian president on Friday, filling a seat which had stayed vacant for around five weeks. This comes after the former president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, was ousted after the August 18 coup. The head of the military junta, Assimi Goita, was also sworn in as the Vice President.
Ivory Coast — Ex-President Urges “Civil Disobedience”
The former president of Côte d’Ivoire, Henri Konan Bédié, on Sunday led the nation’s opposition in appealing for “civil disobedience” in the face of “loss,” in the context of President Alassane Ouattara’s controversial candidacy for a third presidential term in the country’s presidential elections. They are scheduled for 31 October this year.
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