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Pics of the day, August 15, 2018

editorial@africanews.com — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 08:20:17 +0000

Africanews samples the pictures of the day’s news.

Press Review of August 16, 2018 [The Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 08:32:08 +0000

We review the headlines of Africa’s top newspapers on The Morning Call.

Nigeria: Soldiers' mutiny at Maiduguri Airport [The Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 07:34:58 +0000

A soldiers’ mutiny in Nigeria. Troops from the special forces fired shots into the air on Sunday evening at the Maiduguri international airport, moments before their redeployment to Marte in Borno State. We speak to Don Okereke, a security analyst in Nigeria’s capital Lagos to give us more details regarding this mutiny.

Morocco's Kasbah of the Udayas [The Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 08:52:15 +0000

Morocco is a renowned tourist destination and the capital Rabat is home to several historical attractions. For many tourists, a visit to Rabat can be a pleasant surprise and a welcome break from the hustle of other Moroccan cities. We focus on the Kasbah district where we discover more about the Kasbah of the Udayas.

Equality bill divides Tunisians [The Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 07:48:42 +0000

Tunisia has long been seen as a pioneer for women’s rights in the Arab world but a series of planned reforms seem to be dividing the country. Earlier this week, President Beji Caid Essebsi announced plans to submit a draft bill to parliament that will see inheritance rights between men and women equalized. Tunisian law currently stipulates that men receive double the inheritance that women receive, which is similar to the share in other Arab countries and based on Islamic law, or Shariah.

Nigerians shocked by Victor Moses' premature retirement

editorial@africanews.com (Daniel Mumbere) — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 07:21:20 +0000

Nigerians have reacted with shock and surprise at Wednesday’s announcement of Victor Moses’ retirement from international football at the age of 27 in order to focus on his club career. Chelsea wing-back Moses, who made 37 appearances for Nigeria, played every minute of the African nation’s World Cup campaign in Russia where they were eliminated in the group stage. “I have experienced some of the best moments of my life wearing the Super Eagles shirt and have memories with me that will last a lifetime,” Moses said in a statement on Twitter. ALSO READ: Nigeria coach reveals the most impressive player on the team “However, I feel that now is the right time to step away in order to be able to focus fully on my club career and young family, as well as to allow the next generation the opportunity to step up and to flourish.” Reactions from fans I won't understand why Victor Moses retired at 27 tho, especially at a time when Super Eagles is very much exciting . ..but we must respect his decision . All the best Victor ! pic.twitter.com/rXSVsuKosm— Senator Tinuoye ?? (@KingNoCulture) August 15, 2018 Did Victor Moses have a fallout with thenff or did he choose to retire from international football out his own will or did something else force him to retire? Who retires from international football at 27?

— Kamogelo Masoabi ™ (Toolkit_Masoabi) August 16, 2018 It was a pleasure to play alongside such a great player. You have served your nation well and will always be remembered. Good luck in all you do????VictorMoses pic.twitter.com/b7gVutJf7T

— AhmedMusa718 (Ahmedmusa718) August 15, 2018 Victor Moses’ retirement may not be the last we hear. Others likely to follow. Surprised it took this long #Team9jaStrong— Colin NOT Collins (@ColinUdoh) August 15, 2018 I cant even wrap my head around Victor Moses retiring from international football. He is just 27 & Nigerian Football is getting better. Sad to hear but i respect his decision. All the best Moses— KinG NomSo? (@ani_nomso) August 15, 2018 Moses won the 2013 African Cup of Nations and helped Nigeria reach the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup. He won the 2016-17 Premier League title with Chelsea but has not started a match under new manager Maurizio Sarri this season.

Charity ship carrying 141 migrants finally docks in Malta

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 20:16:50 +0000

The Mediterranean rescue ship Aquarius arrived at Valletta harbour in Malta on Wednesday to disembark 141 migrants. This ends a five-day tug-of-war between European Union countries which had banned the vessel from docking in several ports. The ship, run by the Franco-German charity SOS Mediterranee and Doctors without Borders (MSF), was allowed in after France, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain agreed on Tuesday to take in the migrants, who were rescued off the coast of Libya. The EU countries will also take some of a group of 114 migrants rescued by the Maltese armed forces and brought to Malta on Monday. The row was the latest tussle highlighting how politically fraught the issue of coping with seaborne migrants remains despite a migration deal agreed on by EU leaders at a summit in June. Reuters

Niger, Germany to work together to ''battle against terrorism''

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 19:54:35 +0000

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday praised the efforts of Niger in the fight against terrorism and offered Berlin’s support to battle against the menace. Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou, was in the German capital for talks with Merkel, and said more help was needed to tackle illegal immigration, education, security, local administrative infrastructure and healthcare. “Niger is not only fighting against terrorist forces coming from Mali but also a neighbouring country of the Chad lake region. So the fight against terrorism is a significant challenge for Niger and I would like to thank you that you have always fought to make sure that Niger and the Sahel states in the G5 really take on the responsibility yourselves. But we will also support you that you get a robust international mandate to continue this fight and from 2019 Germany will be on the UN Security Council and we will try to work with you together to find political solutions for Libya but also in your fight against terrorism”, Merkel told a press briefing. The Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou solicited more European assistance to tackle illegal immigration among others. “The solutions of the problems which lead to illegal immigration are of course connected to the creation of employment opportunities, especially for young people. And to be able to o create employment opportunities, especially for young people, we need significant investment. Not just in agriculture but also in our industry. Africa needs not just raw materials but the mobilisation of funds from within Africa but also from the diaspora. It needs development aid but also direct foreign investment into the countries of the Sahel”, Issoufou said. The Nigerien president also said Germany and Europe can play a significant role in helping finds solutions to the crisis in Libya, which is often used as a route for illegal migration to Europe. Reuters

Comoros: prosecutor accuses 8 persons arrested last week of 'attempted coup'

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 17:47:52 +0000

Prosecutor of the Republic of the Comoros has accused eight people who were arrested last week, of an attempted coup and wanting to commit “a terrorist act”. Mohamed Abdoua, told news on Wednesday that investigations have just begun to unravel those behind the plot. ‘‘There were searches that resulted in seized materials, so-called seals. There are some banners. I read these banners. The banners were designed and manufactured to be used after shooting down the authorities and taking over power. They tried to use these to persuade opinions to adhere to their act”, Abdoua said. A wave of arrests, including those of writer Said Ahmed Said Tourqui and brother of a former vice president, took place last week in the wake of the July 30 constitutional referendum. Three people were released on Tuesday but five others, remain in custody. Leader of the opposition Juwa party and former president Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, has been under house arrest for almost four months. These arrests occur after several others in recent weeks. Juwa Secretary General Ahmed el-Barwane was held for ten days in Moroni Central Prison in June and arrested again on July 31. His lawyer, Moudjahidi Abdoulbastoi said el-Barwane is been accused of “criminal conspiracy, willful assault and attempted murder”. These arrests occur after several others in recent weeks related to the referendum. Last week, the Supreme Court validated the yes vote in the referendum with 92.43% of the votes cast. The adopted reform allows the Comorian President to run for two consecutive terms, instead of one, and eliminates the three positions of Vice President and the Constitutional Court. The opposition denounced the “abuse of power” by President Azali Assoumani, and called for boycott of the referendum. A civil society organization, the Third Way Collective, described the referendum as “more of a scandalous electoral masquerade of these last years”. AFP

Ugandan legislator Bobi Wine charged with treason

editorial@africanews.com (Daniel Mumbere) — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 17:09:36 +0000

Uganda’s vocal legislator, Robert Kyagulanyi, who is popularly known as Bobi Wine has been charged with treason, in the aftermath of the deadly clashes that rocked the West Nile town of Arua on the last day of campaigns to elect a member of parliament for the municipality. The Deputy Prime Minister, Moses Ali has told parliament on Wednesday that Bobi Wine, who was campaigning for independent candidate in the race, Kassiano Wadri will face the Army Court Martial on Thursday. Ali also informed the legislators that Bobi Wine is receiving treatment at a military hospital in the Northern Uganda town of Gulu. Bobi Wine was arrested along with other legislators and opposition supporters, including Wadri after police accused them of attacking president Yoweri Museveni’s convoy on Monday. ALSO READ: Museveni blames police, politicians for death of Bobi Wine’s driver in Arua Charges against Bobi Wine Police spokesperson of north-western region, Josephine Angucia told journalists that Bobi Wine and Wadri are to be charged with malicious damage to the motorvehicle belonging to the convoy of the President. Bobi Wine is also charged with unlawful possession of firearms. Angucia also confirmed that both Bobi Wine and Wadri have been charged with treason. Police in Arua reportedly recovered two submachine guns and a pistol from Bobi Wine and Wadri. ‘’“Kassiano Wadri was arrested with one pistol, which had 12 rounds of ammunition(...) It was found with him during the time of his arrest. He even confessed that he is licensed to have it,’‘ Angucia said. “For that matter, all have been charged with treason, unlawful possession of firearms, that is for the case of Kyagulanyi Robert and malicious damage to the motorvehicle belonging to the convoy of the President.” Police say they recovered a total of 75 rounds of ammunition, 46 white tablets suspected to be drugs, Ugandan flags, red t-shirts and smartphones among other items found in the rooms of the legislators at Arua Pacific Hotel. Residents of Arua cast their votes on Wednesday, and vote counting is underway to determine who will replace the deceased Ibrahim Abiriga, who was gunned down in mysterious circumstances in June this year.

''Congo is far from bankruptcy''- President Nguesso

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 15:59:52 +0000

President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso on Tuesday said the Central African nation “is far from bankruptcy”. “We are negotiating with the International Monetary Fund in trust and strict observation of procedures,” said the Congolese president in a televised speech aired Tuesday night, the eve of the 58th anniversary of the country’s independence from France. Sassou Nguesso said he hopes to reach an agreement that will contribute significantly to improve the situation of its public finances. The Republic of the Congo has already signed a letter of intent with the Breton Woods institution. But negotiations seem to have taken time since the IMF discovered Congo’s hidden debt of over 5, 000 billion CFA francs which represents 110% of its gross domestic product. With external debt held by China at 34.15% and traders at 29.90%, the country posted a growth rate of -2% in 2017 and expects growth of 1.9% this year. It has taken advantage in the price of oil to increase its oil production which is estimated at 350,000 barrels per day this year.

Amnesty reminds Senegal, Mauritania over detention of dissidents ahead of Sept. polls

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 15:39:46 +0000

Amnesty International on Wednesday called on the governments of Senegal and Mauritania to ensure that opponents receive fair trials and are guaranteed their right to freedom of expression in the run-up to elections. In Senegal, generally cited as a model of democracy in the region, the human rights organization in a statement cited the trial of mayor of Dakar Khalifa Sall and presidential candidate of February 2019 election as an example of ‘‘unfair trials’‘. Khalifa Sall, a socialist dissident has been in custody for more than a year following a five year prison sentence handed down to him for embezzling public funds. His verdict will be heard on August 30 before the Appeals Court of Dakar. The statement summarized an Amnesty report on human rights in Senegal titled “Words Not Followed by Acts” which also highlighted the case of Karim Wade, former minister and son of President Abdoulaye Wade who ruled the West African nation from 2000-2012. Wade who is also vying for the presidency in the 2019 elections, was in March 2015 sentenced to six years in prison. Amnesty said, his trial did not respect “international standards” because it did not provide for appeal. Amnesty also cited the cases of other Senegalese opponents and that of jihadists allegedly convicted after “unfair” trials following “long periods of pre-trial and unassisted detention of their lawyers”. The statement signed by François Patuel, and cited by AFP said “in the run-up to the 2019 elections, Senegal must guarantee journalists, opposition leaders, government opponents and human rights defenders their rights to freedom of expression and to organize peaceful demonstrations without fear or repression’‘. In another statement, the International NGO also denounced the recent arrests of two opponents, an anti-slavery activists, Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid and Abdallahi Ould Housseine, and two journalists, Babacar Ndiaye and Mahmoudi Ould Saibout in Mauritania. Patuel said ‘’ these arrests and detentions constitute the worst signals of intimidation, harassment and repression by the Mauritanian authorities of dissenting voices in the run-up to the legislative, regional and local elections” of 1 September’‘. The Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, a former general, came to power through a coup in 2008 before being elected in 2009 and re-elected in 2014. Elections are scheduled for September. AFP

Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic announces retirement from global football

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 14:22:57 +0000

Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic has announced his retirement from international football almost a month after helping the Balkan nation reach the World Cup final for the first time. The 32-year-old Juventus forward scored 33 goals for Croatia, , in 89 appearances since his 2007 debut. Mandzukic netted three goals in the World Cup finals in Russia, including the winner against England in the semi-finals and his team’s second goal in the 4-2 defeat by France in the final. Apart from two World Cups, Mandzukic also represented Croatia in two European Championships and was named the nation’s Footballer of the Year in 2012 and 2013. Reuters

Tragedy in Sudan as over 20 primary school children drown: state agencies

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 13:39:55 +0000

Over 20 people including primary school children and a female hospital employee perished on Wednesday when a boat carrying more than 40 people sank while crossing the Nile in northern Sudan, state news agency SUNA said. Civil defence forces were searching the waters for the bodies of the missing children, the agency added. A female hospital employee also drowned. It said the boat’s engine failed in a high current while it was crossing the river to a school in Kabna, a small village in northern Sudan. The woman was identified as a hospital employee in the village. REUTERS

Museveni blames police, politicians for death of Bobi Wine's driver in Arua

editorial@africanews.com (Daniel Mumbere) — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 13:29:51 +0000

*As voters in Uganda’s West Nile town of Arua head to the polls on Wednesday, president Yoweri Museveni has issued a statement explaining the clashes in Arua’s by-election that caused the death of a legislator’s driver. Several MPs including popular musician and government critic, Robert Kyagulanyi popularly known as Bobi Wine were arrested following Monday’s deadly clashes, as police explained that opposition supporters had attacked the president’s convoy as it left the NRM rally in Arua. Kassiano Wadri, an independent candidate in the Arua municipality race, was also arrested and is still detained, even as the Electoral Commission confirmed that he is still one of the candidates that voters can select in today’s poll. Museveni, in his statement, blamed the chaos that claimed the life of Yasin Kawuma, Bobi Wine’s driver on ‘weak management by the police and criminal behaviour by some opposition leaders’. ‘‘The stones they threw broke the rear glass window of the car where we transport luggage. That window glass is not armoured. There was no harm on the old man with a hat,’‘ explained the president. Museveni said his security detail restrained from responding to the opposition attack because ‘we were not equipped for anti-riots’. ‘‘Our intervention could have resulted into people’s death because we only had live bullets.’‘ The president concluded by squarely saying politicians who organise rowdy supporters are responsible for their actions, and will be punished according to the law. Arua is holding a by-election to replace the previous MP for Arua, Ibrahim Abiriga, was shot dead in June in still unexplained circumstances. The opposition in Uganda has long accused President Museveni of using the military and police to influence the outcome of elections. He denies the allegation.

South Africa's black champion pigeon racer

editorial@africanews.com (Michael Ike Dibie) — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 13:07:49 +0000

The pigeons are coming home after a day of training. They live at Samuel Lofts, a club for racing pigeons in Walkerville, 30 kilometers south of Johannesburg, South Africa. The owner of the club, pigeon fancier and world champion racer, Samuel Mbiza has worked with pigeons since he was a child shooting birds out of the sky with his sling-shot. Mbiza says it became more than simple fun after his mother bought him a fantail – a fancy pigeon with more feathers than other breeds. “There is something about these pigeons, the way they look and they look athletic and the way they behave, and also their intelligence, they are very, very intelligent,” he added. Last year, Mbiza made history by bidding and buying Belgium’s best long-distance racing pigeon for a record 350,000 US dollars. His plan is to breed the bird – nick-named the ‘Usain Bolt pigeon’, and create a legion of champion racers for South Africa. There are over 4,000 pigeon fanciers in South Africa but Mbiza is one of few black breeders and racers. Since Mbiza started the Samuel Lofts seven years ago, he has built a team of 650 birds in different stages of training and maturity. He is also working on getting more, young, black South Africans involved. Jerry Khumalo is Samuel Lofts manager. He is in charge of training and supervises the care of the birds. “I teach them how to fly outside, how to train them, so in the morning we wake up, first we take them out, we chase them for one hour, thirty minutes, fifteen minutes, when they are still young. When they grow up we start to take them out of the bakkie, we basket them take them out 20 k’s, 40 kilometers, 60 kilometers up to 100, like from this week we train them 100 kilometers,” he said. The sport is worth millions of dollars. In some races, first prize can go up to 1 million US dollars and the entry fee as high as 1,000 US dollars. Pigeons flying long distances are exposed to various hazards like prey and other flying objects or power lines. Some die on the way home, while others get injured. There have also been reported cases of doping, something activists say is difficult to clamp down on. Mbiza says he loves his pigeons and treats them like royalty.

The ill-fated journey of Air CEMAC

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 12:13:40 +0000

On August 3, 2018 in Douala, the CEMAC transport ministers announced the liquidation of Air CEMAC, an airline owned by central African states, which was never able to take off. Beyond the selfishness of leaders, there is also the question of the maturation of projects upstream. The barriers such as taxes and charges that plague the aviation industry had been brushed aside as leaders rushed into the idea of Air CEMAC. Indeed N’Djaména, Brazzaville and Douala are among the most expensive airports on the continent, in terms of operation. This posed a real challenge to profitability and competitiveness. But if governments have failed, the private sector in Central Africa may well take over. The market is there, and it’s growing. In this week’s business segment, Jean-David Mihamle examines the issues that grounded Air CEMAC even before its maiden flight.

Zimbabwe: Mnangagwa's lawyers ask court to throw out Chamisa's election petition

editorial@africanews.com (Daniel Mumbere) — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 11:16:22 +0000

Zimbabwe’s president-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa has filed submissions in the country’s Constitutional Court opposing a challenge to his victory by main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, one of Mnangagwa’s lawyers said on Wednesday. Chamisa has said the July 30 vote was rigged and challenged the result which gave Mnangagwa 2.46 million votes against 2.15 million votes for him. Paul Mangwana, the ruling party’s legal affairs secretary and one of Mnangagwa’s lawyers said Chamisa would now be required to respond to Mnangagwa’s application before the matter is set down for a hearing. “We have successfully filed our opposition papers to this application, which we think is just a waste of time but that’s for the courts to decide,” Mangwana told reporters outside the Constitutional Court. “Our papers are clearly showing that, one, the MDC Alliance has not complied with the rules of court and also that they do not have a case on merit,” he added. ZANU-PF case Another of Mnangagwa’s lawyers, Lewis Uriri told the official Herald newspaper’s online edition that he had asked the court to dismiss Chamisa’s application, which he said had missed a 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) deadline last Friday. “We have filed our opposing papers,” said Adv. Uriri adding, “We will show the court that Chamisa’s lawyers had until Friday 10 am to file and serve their papers.” ZANU-PF’s legal team has also argued that Chamisa and his MDC-Alliance cannot prove that presidential election results announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) were wrong as they did not make use of a provision in the Electoral Act which allows for the recounting of votes within 48 hours. Chamisa’s case Chamisa is challenging the ZEC announced presidential election results that indicate that President Mnangagwa won the elections with 50.8% of the votes cast, against Chamisa’s 44.3%. ALSO READ: Julius Malema tells ‘too old’ Mnangagwa to serve one term Among other things, Chamisa questions the announcement of presidential election results by commissioners other than the ZEC chair, as prescribed by the country’s electoral laws. Chamisa cites other irregularities including the announcement of results on a provincial basis instead of per constituency, and says a series of mathematical errors during the tallying process have a material outcome on the outcome of the elction. It’s now up to the Constitutional Court The constitution requires a losing presidential candidate to file any challenge within seven days of a winner being declared. The Constitutional Court, whose decision is final, can uphold the result, declare a new winner, order a fresh election within 60 days or make any other ruling it deems fit. The court must rule within 14 days of an election challenge being lodged. The days do not include weekends and public holidays according to the court rules.

Sierra Leone remembers victims of the deadly 2017 mudslide and floods

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 11:55:56 +0000

The Sierra Leonean president Julius Maada Bio participated Tuesday in a ceremony in Freetown on the occasion of the 1st anniversary of the floods which had made more than a thousand deaths in 2017 and promised to build a memorial on the site of the disaster. Some 500 people, mostly in black and white, gathered in a church in Regent, a neighbourhood on the outskirts of Freetown, where heavy rains had caused the partial collapse of a mountain on the night of 14 August 2017. “We are here to witness the pain and trauma of the landslide tragedy,” said President Bio, who took office in April. On August 14, 2017, after several days of heavy rain, a section of Sugar Leaf Hill on the outskirts of the capital Freetown broke away. Muddy torrents and huge blocks of stone had rushed down the steep slope, washing away the Regent neighbourhood houses below or covering them entirely with reddish earth. One year later, residents are still facing the consequences of the disaster. Olivia Cile, who lost her husband and two children in the landslide, says she is “always scared when it rains at night as if the memories of the disaster haunt me”. “I still live in the area of the disaster because the help provided by NGOs and the government was not enough to start a new life elsewhere,” she told AFP. Over the past 15 years, four major floods have affected more than 220,000 people in Sierra Leone and caused severe economic damage, according to the World Bank. The one in August 2017 was the deadliest, with an official toll of 1,141 dead and missing. By 2021, the country will need some $82.41 million (€70 million), or 2.2% of GDP, to recover from the disaster, including the reconstruction of six medical centres and 59 schools, according to the World Bank. Sierra Leone is ranked among the poorest countries in the world.

South Africa's Kaizer Chiefs have 'Best kit of 2018/19 season': FourFourTwo

editorial@africanews.com (Daniel Mumbere) — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 10:26:44 +0000

Months after the Nigerian jersey made global headlines for being voted the ‘most beautiful’ at the World Cup, South African club Kaizer Chiefs is making the headlines and international sales, after sports magazine FourFourTwo said they have the best kit of the 2018/19 season. The magazine which ranked the top 20 kits for the new season, called the new Kaizer Chiefs outfits ‘delightful’. “Oh yes. Kaizer Chiefs have produced two delightful kits for the current season: first‚ a gold home jersey with black strips which represent ‘traditional spears rising together to create a sense of motion and unity on the field,’‘ FourFourTwo said. ALSO READ: Nigerian World Cup jersey excites fans ‘‘The second is a stunning purple-bodied‚ black-sleeved change strip with some fetching splashes of gold on the collar‚ crest and Nike swoosh. Now‚ where can we buy one… or 10?” New season. New threads. Same iconic club. Which of our royal looks are you going to sport this season? ?? Shop now: https://t.co/S5q7LMHDOL#HailTheChief #Amakhosi4Life pic.twitter.com/dejw56zsb5— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) July 16, 2018 Chiefs’ traditional gold home and new purple away jerseys beat Boca Juniors‚ Aston Villa‚ Fulham and kits from English club giants like Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea who all featured in the ranking of this season’s top 20 football shirts. Kaizer Chiefs relish global attention Chiefs’ marketing director Jessica Motaung said the ranking by the globally-read magazine has introduced the club to new markets, and spiked a rise in demand for the Amakhosi jersey globally. “So it’s also very good in that it’s going to increase sales internationally. I think it also will on our Digistore‚ where we deliver internationally too,’‘ Motaung said. “I think also it’s great for African football clubs. Because you’ve seen the vibes with the Nigeria national team jerseys‚ but from a club point of view‚ clubs also need to stand out internationally. And we’re glad we’re able to represent.” The Chiefs kit is designed by global sportswear brand, Nike, although Motaung said they are heavily involved in the design process of their jerseys.

Uganda opposition MP and singer Bobi Wine arrested [The Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 07:08:26 +0000

Ugandan musician and member of parliament Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine was arrested on Tuesday in the town of Arua where he was campaigning for an opposition candidate for today’s by-election. The arrest comes after an incident in which security officers shot his driver dead. We find out more from Africanews correspondent in Uganda.

Press Review of August 15, 2018 [The Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 09:05:05 +0000

We review the headlines of Africa’s top newspapers on The Morning Call.

Russia interests in Africa [The Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 06:57:43 +0000

Africa is both searching for and being courted by new strategic partners, amid changing geopolitical dynamics. Apart from China, Russia is also striving to position itself on the African continent especially since Western sanctions that meant it needed to find alternative trading partners.

Mauritania: Two journalists jailed in Nouakchott [The Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 07:09:36 +0000

Two journalists have been in detention in Mauritania’s capital Nouakchott and authorities have not given the reasons leading to their arrests. Local media reports indicate that a complaint was lodged against them by a relative of President Ould Abdel Aziz that could have led to their arrest on August 8. Journalists in the country are now demanding for an explanation and the immediate release of their two colleagues.

Ghana's ruling party thugs sack CEO of teaching hospital, staff strike

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 22:11:57 +0000

Thugs allegedly affiliated to Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Monday sacked Chief Executive Officer of a teaching hospital located in Tamale, capital of the Northern region. The group known as Kandahar boys went to the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) and ordered the facility’s head Dr. David Zaawumya Kolbila to leave his office. A video clip of their action showed them walk into the CEO’s office and ordering him and other staff in the office to leave, which they all obliged without any resistance. ? [VIDEO] When some irate youth suspected to be Kandahar Boys of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Monday afternoon stormed the Tamale Teaching Hospital and chased out the Chief Executive officer, Dr David Zaawumya Kolbila. pic.twitter.com/yQIZUmxckv— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) August 13, 2018 Their actions have since led to a strike action by all medical staff at the facility. The workers are protesting the action of the group which they say compromises their security. Local media reports say the group said their action as to protect the hospital because the CEO was not consulting other hospital authorities in decision making. The Kandahar Boys say that they were instrumental in getting the CEO of the Tamale Teaching Hospital into position but he has ignored the NPP youth since he got the position, a journalist with local FM station, Citi FM said on Tuesday. The regional minister – who is the chief security officer – has confirmed that he knows some of the people caught on tape. He has insisted that the law will take its course as per the president’s orders that impunity be stamped out irrespective of who perpetrates it. Meanwhile, there is a back and forth within the NPP as to whether or not the people involved in the act were really party operatives or not.

Nigeria's 2019 polls will have 91 parties, over 12m new voters

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 22:11:00 +0000

Nigeria officially has 91 registered political parties the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disclosed on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. At the last count in January 2018, there were 68 parties. Between then and now, INEC said it had certified 23 more parties out of an application of 144. The elections body noted in a press statement that this was the final batch of registration before the country goes to the polls in February 2019. The new parties will be presented their certificates on Thursday at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. “This brings the number of political parties to 91 and will be the last round of registration until after the general elections of 16th February 2019. This suspension is in line with the Section 78 (1) of the Electoral Act, which requires all applications for registration as political party to be concluded latest six months to a general election,” the statement affirmed. In other matters raised in the statement, INEC said it was on course to publish the first step of the electoral process – the notice of election. The August 17, 2018 event will kick-start the countdown to the 2019 general election, INEC said. It had also extended the continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise which was supposed to afford people the opportunity to get their voter identification document. INEC said it had registered 12.1 million new voters as at 11th August, 2018. The CVR which started in April 2017 was supposed to end on 17th August, 2018 but has been pushed to the last day of August 2018. INEC entreated people to go and collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs), that process will be suspended with just days to the elections. Populous Nigeria and congested political space Political parties in Africa’s most populous nation typically cut across the country’s geopolitical zones – the northern, middle and southern sectors. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country. Its politics is currently dominated by two main forces – the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP lost political power in 2015 after ruling the country for 16 years prior. They produced three presidents over the period. Olusegun Obasanjo, the late Umaru Musah Yar Adua and Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan lost the 2015 presidential election to incumbent Muhammadu Buhari. Buhari’s tenure expires in 2019 when new elections are to be held. Buhari has announced his intention to seek a final term. INEC oversees all elected office elections from the presidential, gubernatorial, national assembly – senate and house of representatives, local level etc. It has only recently published its general election guidelines. Political watchers say it is highly likely that most of these parties will not field candidates across the country due to capacity issues, a number of them will enter alliances with the major parties and field aspirants in areas they see as their strongholds.

Saudi Arabia rejects 27,000 sheep and goats from Somalia

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 22:12:04 +0000

Authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have cause to be returned some 27,000 livestock – sheep and goat – to Somalia. Local media reports indicate that the herds of sheep and goats arrived at the Bosaso port on Tuesday afternoon. The cause of the rejection was because of fear of Rift Valley fever. The move has been seen as a blow to Somali livestock traders who expected to make profits from the sale of the animals. News of the rejection was announced last weekend in an official letter shared by a Somali journalist with the VOA, Harun Maruf. He added that Saudi authorities did not state the basis of their action since there was no independent examination to prove the claim. Traders, however, insisted that medics had given the animals a clean bill of health before they were shipped. Rift Valley fever is an infection common in Africa caused by a bunyavirus; transmitted by mosquitoes or by handling infected animals – sheep, goat, camel. With no specific treatment or effective human vaccine, Rift Valley fever can cause blindness and severe haemorrhaging, leading the victim to vomit blood or even bleed to death. In the pilgrimage season which comes with the season of Islamic sacrifice, Saudi Arabia makes use of a lot of livestock as pilgrims are obliged at a point to slaughter sheep. During the Eid-ul Adha festivities also, most people opt to sacrifice sheep even though there are other options like cow and camel. Somalia is not the only country that annually exports animals to Saudi and it is not known the extent to which the current action will impact the availability of animals. Saudi Arabia have been deporting Somalis for long time, Now they are deporting back our livestock.SomaliPM UNSoma pic.twitter.com/tKzrKDSbPV— Mohamed Amin Mohamud (@MohamedAminMoh5) August 13, 2018

Outrage as Nigeria police detain journalist over source of story

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 22:12:14 +0000

Civil society groups and online activists are demanding the release of a Nigerian journalist arrested by police over a report he filed in connection with a security seige on the legislature last week. Samuel Ogundipe – a security reporter – for the privately-owned Premium Times newspaper according to reports is being asked to disclose the source of a police report meant for the president. The newspaper reports that police used a false pretext to get the journalist to present himself to the station where he has since been detained. A Premium Times report said the journalist was been held strictly on the orders of the Inspector General of police, Ibrahim Idris, who has expressed misgivings about their report on his activities. The police apparently invited a female colleague on a different issue – which turned out to be untrue. The colleague was detained along with the paper’s managing editor who had accompanied her. She was made to call Ogundipe who arrived on orders of his managing editor, he was detained whiles the other two employees were released. Media and human rights groups have since Tuesday evening heaped pressure on the government and police to release the journalist. Most online activists insist that the journalist was not obliged to disclose his source, they went on to bemoan the abuse of power by police on the same day that the acting president had ordered an overhaul of an anti-robbery squad, SARS. Nigeria Police must release journalist Samuel Ogundipe of PremiumTimesng. Journalism is not a crime. Forcing a journalist to reveal his sources is a gross violation. #ENDSAR #freeSamuelOgundipe

— Amnesty Int. Nigeria (AmnestyNigeria) August 14, 2018 #Nigeria: pressfreedom is gravely concerned by reports that journalist SamuelOgundipe has been arrested and detained by PoliceNG for his reporting with PremiumTimesng. #JournalismIsNotACrime PoliceNG_PCRRU ProfOsinbajo #FreeSamuelOgundipe https://t.co/Y0HsqVvtXl— CPJ Africa (@CPJAfrica) August 14, 2018 With the arrest of Premium Times reporter, Samuel Ogundipe, by the Police for refusing to disclose the source of his story, I think Acting President ProfOsinbajo should begin his task of overhauling a unit of the Police with removal of this insubordinate IG.#FreeSamuelOgundipe pic.twitter.com/Zvq7ghczN1

— Gimba Kakanda (gimbakakanda) August 14, 2018 The arrest of SamuelOgundipe a Journalist with PremiumTimesng by PoliceNG for not disclosing his news source, journalists are not expected to disclose sources. The police should stop arbitrary arrest and detention of citizens. Not on a day government announced #ReformPoliceNG pic.twitter.com/5PKfUt30Sj

— Kayode Ogundamisi (ogundamisi) August 14, 2018 The authorities ProfOsinbajo PoliceNG should immediately and unconditionally release journalist Samuel Ogundipe PremiumTimesng detained simply for doing his job.#FreeSamuelOgundipe UNHumanRights UN_SPExperts davidakaye https://t.co/MrHSNJyKCQ— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) August 14, 2018 Press Release: Arrest & detention of SAMUEL OGUNDIPE, PremiumTimesng Investigative Journalist.

Our attention has been drawn to the illegal arrest & detention of Premium Times, investigative journalist, SamuelOgundipe, earlier today.#FreeOurJournalists #FreeSamuelOgundipe pic.twitter.com/I85IjvHrjy— CDD West Africa (@CDDWestAfrica) August 14, 2018 Dear ProfOsinbajo,

On the same day you ordered the police to overhaul SARS, SARS still arrested Samuel Ogundipe, a PremiumTimesng journalist because of a story. Please consider this as evidence that SARS needs to be scrapped and not overhauled. #EndSARS https://t.co/MZ2VF8GumH— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) August 14, 2018 I have just heard of the arrest and detention of Samuel Ogundipe.. Without Hesitation We ask the IG of Police to immediately release him.. Or have us mobilize in Protest#FreeSamuelOgundipe— AnthonyEhilebo (@AnthonyEhilebo) August 14, 2018 Dear PoliceNG,
Free Jones Abiri !!! #FreeJonesAbiri
Free Samuel Ogundipe !!! #FreeSamuelOgundipe
Free Musikilu Mojeed !!! #FreeMusikiluMojeed
Say No to Police Brutality and Injustice !!!

— Bhadmus Hakeem (Bhadoosky) August 14, 2018 PoliceNG you’re still detaining SamuelOgundipe so as to compel him to reveal his source(s), I’ve publicly confessed that his source was me… You can check his work to see numerous instances where I’ve been cited. If you need to arrest someone for the leak, please arrest me.— Mr. Aye Dee (@MrAyeDee) August 14, 2018 Nigeria Police must release journalist Samuel Ogundipe of PremiumTimesng. Journalism is not a crime. Forcing a journalist to reveal his sources is a gross violation. #EndSARS #freeSamuelOgundipe

— 'Wale Olajubu (Ogbeniafolabi) August 14, 2018

Burundi sets 2020 target to enforce total ban on plastics

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 17:41:45 +0000

The Burundian government has moved to join fellow East African counterparts on the list of countries that have outlawed the use of plastics. The move will begin in early 2020. An August 13, 2018 decree signed by President Pierre Nkurunziza said the country was prohibiting the “manufacture, import, storage, sale and use of all plastic bags and other plastic packaging.” Enforcement of the ban will however begin in 18 months time – i.e. in February 2020. This according to the authorities is to allow enough time for “the disposal of current stocks and orders already placed.” As is usually the case, the decree noted that there could be some exemptions “for biodegradable plastic bags, bags and plastic materials used in medical services, and in industrial and pharmaceutical packaging.” Currently, only a handful of African countries are enforcing a ban on plastics – among others Eritrea, Rwanda, Kenya, Morocco. Records indicate that over 40 countries worldwide have banned plastic bags. According to a 2018 UN report, policies to combat plastic waste have produced mixed results. Successive governments in Ghana have pledged to deal with the plastic menace but have failed to implement an effective ban – same is the case with most countries across West Africa. In Congo Republic, they are largely banned with most materials being sold with paper envelopes, foil and old newspapers. The ban is however very loosely enforced. Over in Cameroon, households are paid for every kilo of plastic waste they collect, but still plastic bags are being smuggled in.

Nigeria president orders immediate overhaul of 'brutal' police unit

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 16:52:26 +0000

Nigeria’s acting president, Yemi Osinbajo, has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) with immediate effect to overhaul the management and activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). According to the president, the move was in responses to persistent complaints and reports on the activities of SARS, which bordered on human rights violations. “The IGP will ensure that any Unit that emerges from the process will be intelligence-driven and restricted to the prevention and detection of armed robbery and kidnapping, and apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offences, and nothing more. “I have equally directed the IGP to ensure that all operatives in the emerging Unit conduct their operations in strict adherence to the rule of law and with due regard to International Human Rights Law and the constitutionally guaranteed rights of suspects,” his statement added. As part of the presidential orders, the country’s human rights commission is to conduct an investigation into the alleged unlawful activities of SARS in view to ensure that victims get adequate redress. Osinbajo is deputizing for President Muhammdu Buhari who is on vacation in London and is due back in the country soon. This is the second security related decision Osinbajo has taken in as many days. He fired the local spy chief last week after the legislature was “invaded” by masked operatives. Online activists in December 2017 launched a campaign to have the police unit disbanded. The #EndSARS hashtag trended especially on Twitter after a report that purported that members of the squad had shot and killed a young man. The hasthtag was used by many others to share their experiences with the squad, most of which bordered on the flagrant abuse of powers by SARS members. Issues of arbitrary arrests, detention without charge and violent threats were among the key complaints. But in a press release issued by IGP Ibrahim Idris, the police force admitted that it had been following the complaints and had seen “the need to to reposition SARS for more efficiency and effective service delivery to all Nigerians. “The IGP has directed the immediate re-organization of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) nationwide and instant investigation into all the allegations, complaints and infractions leveled against personnel of SARS across the country by the IGP X-Squad of the Force. “In the new arrangement, a Commissioner of Police is now the overall head of the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad nationwide under the Department of Operations, Force Headquarters Abuja,’‘ the statement added. The statement, however, stressed that the SARS had played a key role in fighting crime in Africa’s most populous nation. Whiles ordering that the new directives take immediate effect nationwide, the force also announced complaint avenues for persons who feel their rights have been violated by members of SARS at any point.

Report exposes Sisi-Netanyahu secret summit

editorial@africanews.com (Jerry Bambi) — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 16:25:53 +0000

A new report has exposed a secret meeting held in May between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi According to Israel’s Channel Ten the both leaders in the secret summit held in Egypt discussed a long-term ceasefire with the Palestinian Gaza Strip the easing of an Israeli-Egyptian blockade of Gaza, and rehabilitation of its infrastructure. Citing unnamed senior US officials, channel 10 said the meeting was held on May 22. Egypt and the United Nations have been trying to mediate a long-term truce between Israel and Hamas. The last known meeting of the two leaders until this exposed summit dates back to New York in September 2017 ahead of the United Nations General Assembly’s meeting.

A compressed air vehicle project to fight rising fuel prices in Egypt [No Comment]

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 15:55:12 +0000

Postgraduate students at an Egyptian university designed an air-powered vehicle to combat rising fuel prices and carbon emissions.

Zambians protest introduction of tax on internet calls

editorial@africanews.com (Daniel Mumbere) — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 13:36:38 +0000

Zambians are protesting the implementation of a 30 Ngwe ($0.1) levy on internet calls over platforms like WhatsApp, Skype and Viber. The resolution to implement the new tariff was passed by Zambia’s cabinet chaired by president Edgar Lungu on Monday. Journalists were told that the new tariff was designed to protect the telecommunications industry and jobs in such companies, following the ‘rise in the use of internet phone calls at the expense of traditional phone calls.’ ‘‘Jobs such as call centre workers, talk time sellers, conventional call technicians will reduce drastically if more Zambians migrate to internet calls and create jobs in America and elsewhere,’‘ explained the information minister and government spokesperson, Dora Siliya. The 30 ngwee tariff on internet calls ONLY is cost sharing to save jobs in telecoms. What’s up and Facebook owners don’t pay to access citizens phones via our telecom infrastructure yet citizens expect functioning & expanded network. Social media surfing not impacted by tariff.— Hon. Dora Siliya, MP (@Dora_Siliya) August 14, 2018 Government claims that 80% of the eight million active users (first quarter of 2018) are using Whatsapp, Viber and Skype to make calls. Bloggers ask gov’t to withdraw new tax Zambians including bloggers, opposition politicians and ordinary citizens have since cried foul over the new tariff, arguing that mobile subscribers acquire data bundles from the telecommunications companies, in order to access the platforms in question. The Bloggers of Zambia issued a statement on Tuesday, calling on the government to withdraw the tariff and the other Cyber laws that are in the pipeline. “We are concerned about the proposed tariff of 30 Ngwe per day because it is a major threat to freedom of expression, access to information, media rights, freedom of assembly online an affront to the enjoyment of digital rights,” the bloggers said in a join statement issued with MISA Zambia. The government also intends to introduce the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bill, which it says will promote responsible use of digital platforms and safeguard users of electronic platforms which include social media from unscrupulous users that mean harm. Reactions from Zambians online Tax on WhatsApp calls? Zambia is not a country. It’s a business.— Absolut Vanilla (@tandiiwe) 13 août 2018 Better we shouldn’t have WhatsApp in zambia. Iam not ready to pay that 30ngwee.i will go back to mxit and 2go.— tony thee goon ?? ‘ (@tonytheegoon) 14 août 2018 This level of engagement and knowledge is worrying. All internet & telecom services providers pay for the use of infrastructure in Zambia…..so whatsapp or facebook are not interested in paying for the infrastructure because the ISPs already….Mwazi zambloggers #OpenSpaceZM https://t.co/qGNcJ04xet— Peter Green (@Green1257) 14 août 2018 Internet regulation or repression of free speech Zambia’s actions follow an increasingly consistent pattern by governments in Africa to regulate social media platforms. Ugandans are still resisting a daily social media tax of $0.05 that was imposed in July. Human rights groups including Amnesty International condemned the tax as an attack on freedom of speech. Tanzania in April approved new Internet Regulations that required bloggers to pay up to $900 to operate in the country, while also introducing stringent measures like compulsory passwords for all mobile phone owners. Defaulters of the new regulations face hefty fines of up to $2000 and jail time. In May, Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta, signed into law the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Bill 2018. New York-based media rights watchdog the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) had warned that the bill could criminalise free speech.

New life for former gangsters in northern Madagascar city

editorial@africanews.com (Jerry Bambi) — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 12:50:23 +0000

The city of Diego-Suarez, in northern Madagascar has a new identity. Only a few years ago, it was the theater of all sorts of crimes committed by armed gangs known as the ‘foroches’ which means wild ones, in the local Malagasy language. Today, Local authorities are reintegrating young offenders involved in organized gangs and training them in different vocational skills in a project known as ‘Secren’. This project is supported by the International Labor Organization, which is providing funding for its development. Vial Lucet is the director of the project. According to him “the ILO is providing the funding needed for theoretical and practical training, while also providing funding for starter kits once the young people leave the centre”. José Pouely is a former gang member of ‘foroches’. He used to fight with rival gang members mostly about girls but today he fixes traditional fishing boats. “My father used to build wooden boats, and I wanted to do the same as him, he says. Police still patrol the streets of Diego-Suarez to boost security and discourage crime, but more importantly they are raise awareness bout the training programme. Since the launch of the project in 2016, more than 200 young people have received training in electromechanics,computer graphics, and carpentry. As a result, many young people in Diego-Suarez can now avoid the prisons and have a chance at a better livelihood.

Cameroon legend Eto'o joins Xavi and Sneijder at Qatar Sports Club

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 13:18:15 +0000

African football legend and ex-Cameroon captain Samuel Eto’o has joined the 13th club of his long career when he signed for Qatar Sports Club on a free transfer, days after leaving Turkish club Konyaspor by mutual consent. Eto’o, a four-time African footballer of the year, becomes the latest big-name arrival to join the Qatar Stars League after ex-Spain international Xavi and former Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder. The management of Qatar Football Club is pleased to invite you to attend the press conference to present the international star Samuel Eto'o, which will be held on Tuesday at 8:00 pm at the Club— Qatar Sports Club (@QatarSportClub) 13 août 2018 The 37 year old striker played with Xavi at Barcelona and Sneijder at Inter Milan, winning the Champions League with both teams. Eto’o is Cameroon’s all-time leading goalscorer with 56 goals, and twice an African Cup of Nations winner. Cameroon appoints Clarence Seedorf as new head coach of the Indomitable Lions REUTERS

Mali: low turnout in run-off poll due to security fears- Observers

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 11:19:46 +0000

Election observers in Mali on Monday said voters stayed away in droves from the country’s run-off presidential election due to fears over security and apathy. However, they said the voting process was generally fair despite a number of incidents. Mali’s security minister, Salif Traore addressed a news conference on Monday saying some polling stations could not open because they were inaccessible. “The association at 8hrs-00 gives us 490 polling stations that could not open. I repeat we were at 871 last time and this time we are at 490 stations that could not open. Unfortunately, once more the region of Mopti comes in the lead with around 440 stations that could not open and out of the 440 a minimum of 100 stations that could not open because they were inaccessible”, Traore said. Mali’s Citizen Observation Pool, a civil society group said security fears severely dampened the turnout, which it estimated at just over 27 percent of the eight million registered voters. Turnout is usually about 40 percent in Malian elections. The vote was between incumbent President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and opposition leader Soumaila Cissé after none of them secured a fifty plus one percent of the first round of vote in July. Keïta polled 41 percent of the vote and Cissé had 17 percent. Cissé, who accused the government of cheating in the first round, on Monday against alleged electoral fraud which he said he won. Mali is high on the list of Western powers’ security concerns due to the presence of militant groups with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State. A successful election is seen as vital in the move to restore stability as the government tackles resurgent Islamist threat and outbreaks of ethnic strife. Reuters

DR Congo employs experimental Ebola treatment as epidemic spreads to Ituri

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 09:33:49 +0000

Democratic Republic of Congo’s health ministry has started using the experimental mAb114 Ebola treatment on patients in the east of the country, the first time it has been deployed against an active outbreak. The outbreak in eastern Congo’s North Kivu province has now spread to neighbouring Ituri province, where a person who was a confirmed case died after returning home from the flare-up’s epicentre in the North Kivu town of Mangina, the ministry said in a statement. Five new cases have been confirmed, the statement said, bringing the total number of cases to 57 — 30 confirmed and 27 that are considered probable. Forty-one people are believed to have died in all from the haemorrhagic fever. [Explainer]Profile of the much-feared killer that is Ebola The mAb114 treatment was developed in the United States by the National Institutes of Health using the antibodies of the survivor of an Ebola outbreak in the western Congolese city of Kikwit in 1995. It was 100 percent effective when tested on monkeys. The ministry said that several other experimental treatments have arrived in the regional hub of Beni and are awaiting approval from an ethics committee, including Remdesivir, Favipiravir and REGN3450, REGN3471 and REGN3479. REUTERS

Whatsapp business for SME's [Sci tech]

editorial@africanews.com (Ignatius Annor) — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 09:35:25 +0000

It’s a big one for smaller businesses around the world as whatsapp’s business app continues to grow. Call it the whatsapp version of a facebook page. Whatsapp first launched the app earlier this year in select markets in the US, UK, Italy among others and now it is available worldwide. This means if you are a small business, it’s a pretty convenient way to keep up with customers and grow your clientele. We speak to Josiah Kwesi Eyison, CEO of Ghanaian-based iSpacegh for his thoughts. Samsung on Thursday unveiled its latest smart-phone model, the Galaxy Note 9, as it grapples with a sharp slowdown in sales. The world’s leading smart-phone seller, saw a 22 percent drop in mobile revenues and is banking its hopes on this model to boost sales. And, a wave of medical research is providing fresh evidence that marijuana may help dogs and cats cope with arthritis, epilepsy, anxiety and other maladies without the side effects of traditional drugs. Demand for information is so strong that a “Cannabis and Cats” panel discussion was packed on Sunday, August 5, the world’s biggest cat-centric event, Catcon in California. Ignatius Annor has more details on Sci tech. @IgnatiusAnnor

South Africa: Ramaphosa crackdown on corruption extends to state attorneys

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 10:17:31 +0000

As South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa steps up efforts to crackdown on corruption, the justice minister said on Tuesday that they will probe allegations that state attorneys defrauded government of billions of dollars by deliberately losing cases. Ramaphosa, who replaced former president Jacob Zuma in February, has made the fight against corruption a key plank of his administration as he seeks to restore investor confidence after the scandal-plagued Zuma era. Attorneys accused of colluding The Special Investigating Unit (SIU), a state entity which probes malpractice in government, will look into hundreds of cases where state attorneys are accused of colluding with private lawyers to agree the settlement of fictitious claims. “The investigation will help the Department of Justice to lay to rest concerns that have been raised,” Justice Minister Michael Masutha told reporters. “Where appropriate … disciplinary action as well as criminal investigations will be initiated against alleged perpetrators to ensure that firm action is taken to uproot corrupt activities.” In the health ministry, one of the departments worst affected by the alleged fraud, claims totalling 56 billion rand ($4 billion) will be investigated, Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi said at the same briefing. ALSO READ: South Africa court declares appointment of state prosecutor by ex-president Zuma ‘invalid’ REUTERS

Tunisian President voices support for equal inheritance draft bill

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 09:31:36 +0000

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi on Monday announced his support for a bill that will ensure that men and women have equal rights to inheritance. The draft inheritance equality bill has sparked controversy as it departs from a principle inspired by the Koran in many Arab countries. In a televised speech to mark Tunisian women’s day, Essebsi said the law would allow the testator the possibility “to either apply the Constitution or choose freedom’‘. ‘‘I propose to make equality in inheritance a law.God willing, Mr. President [of the Tunisian Parliament], when this law comes to you, you will look at it with an open mind because it is a project for the future, for the future of Tunisia and I hope it will unite [people] “, Essebsi said. The current law, which is based on Islamic law, provides that, as a rule, a man inherits the double of a woman of the same degree of kinship. Meanwhile, pro-social reforms protesters gathered in the Tunisian capital on Monday to support proposed reforms by President Beji Caid Essebsi that will allow men and women to have equal rights to inheritance. The nearly two thousand protesters largely made of women thronged the streets of Tunis to defend their rights. Equal inheritance is one of the most debated issues among a series of societal reforms proposed by a commission created by the Tunisian president in 2017. This Commission for Individual Freedoms and Equality suggested that the family patrimony should be shared by default equally between male and female heirs. The owner of the estate would however have the opportunity to go to a bailiff-notary to divide his property according to the rule of two-thirds. The announcement comes as the ruling party, Nidaa Tounès, founded by President Beji Caïd Essebsi in 2012, is deeply shaken by a power struggle in his leadership in the run-up to the legislative and presidential elections scheduled for 2019. The president called on elected officials of Ennahdha to vote for the bill, which he said must be presented to the deputies at the end of the parliamentary recess. AFP

Uganda's Bobi Wine is missing after deadly clashes with Museveni's security

editorial@africanews.com (Daniel Mumbere) — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 08:53:49 +0000

The whereabouts of vocal musician and legislator Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine remain unknown after Uganda Police confirmed on Tuesday morning that they do not have him in their custody. Bobi Wine was last heard from on Monday evening when he took to Twitter to say that his driver had been shot dead, adding that ‘my hotel has been cordoned off by police and SFC’ Arua’s bloody by-election Campaigns to replace the slain legislator of Arua Municipality, Ibrahim Abiriga, became riotous and deadly on Monday as supporters of the independent candidate Kasiano Wadri clashed with SFC security operatives, who are charged with protecting the president of the country. President Museveni had spent the day in Arua campaigning for the ruling party candidate Nusura Tiperu, while Bobi Wine was also in the area to support Wadri. Residents of Arua will cast their votes on Wednesday 15th August. What happened? Bobi Wine’s announcement of the death of his driver shook many Ugandans who bemoaned the violent twist that the election had taken, recalling that Abiriga, whose replacement was being sought, had also been violently killed in June. Senior Press Secretary, Don Wanyama quickly sent out an explanatory tweet saying opposition supporters attacked the president’s convoy, provoking the subsequent crackdown. President KagutaMuseveni car that was hit by opposition supporters this evening in Arua town. The police will issue a statement on this incident shortly. nbstv newvisionwire DenisNabz FrankTumwebazek mollykamukama JustineLumumba pic.twitter.com/qlT9jwePJ0

— Don Wanyama (nyamadon) August 13, 2018 Police later confirmed this version of events, saying the president’s convoy had been blocked by opposition supporters before and after a rally he addressed in Arua. ‘‘When President Museveni was going to Boma grounds for the final rallies, he was met by a tractor that had the red ribbons. When leaving the grounds, he was then met with Hon. Wadri’s supporters,’‘ explained Emilia Kayima, Uganda Police spokesperson. Red is the color worn by several opposition politicians and supporters including Bobi Wine and Wadri. The supporters insisted that we walk to the venue of today's rally in Arua and so we did#KasianoWadriForArua#UnityInDiversity #PEOPLEPOWER pic.twitter.com/jtoWJYsbfr— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) August 13, 2018 Where is Bobi Wine? Police have confirmed that they have detained the independent aspirant for the Arua Municipality race, Kassiano Wadri, whose supporters were accused of attacking the president’s convoy. ‘‘But we have Hon. Wadri in our custody, we want to establish why he used force to evade police, was it a serious plan he had in mind to disorganize the campaigns!,’‘ said Jonathan Musinguzi, the West Nile Regional Police Commander. They however claim not to have Bobi Wine in their custody. ‘‘Arua is calm and people are going on with their businesses. We don’t have Hon. Kyagulanyi at the moment but he’s one of the key suspects,’‘ Musinguzi added. Earlier, the police spokesperson, Emilia Kayima, had confirmed that one death has been record and at least 30 people have so far been arrested. Attacks on journalists Videos circulating on social media showed journalists covering the deadly clashes on Monday evening, being assaulted. Sabiti Joseph, a journalist with a local television station, NBS TV confirmed that he and a cameraman were safe, even after a scuffle with security operatives. ‘‘I can confirm that both our cameraman and reporter are safe, they managed to escape the security operatives who bundled them up earlier today while preparing to do a live link,’‘ Sabiti told the television’s morning show. Sabiti added that journalists covering the by-election are worried about the ‘whereabouts of Herbert Zziwa’, a journalist with another television station, NTV who was arrested on Monday evening. NTV has since confirmed that Zziwa and a correspondent he was working with, Ronald Muwanga, are ‘currently detained at Arua Central Police station’. UPDATE: We can confirm that our reporter zziwaherbert and correspondent, Ronald Muwanga are currently detained at Arua Central Police Station. We are engaging the authorities to have them released. #NTVNews pic.twitter.com/a6TWC723k1

— NTV UGANDA (ntvuganda) August 14, 2018 The rise and rise of Bobi Wine Since he joined parliament last year, Kyagulanyi has gained in popularity through his often biting criticism of Museveni’s government, which at times he expresses through his music. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Government officials see his appeal, especially to young people, as a threat to Museveni’s hold on power which is fraying due to public anger over deteriorating public services, corruption and rights abuses. Critics say Museveni is set for a life presidency after parliament last year removed an age cap from the constitution that would have barred him from seeking re-election in 2021.

Madagascar's fast internet is a luxury [The Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 07:20:25 +0000

Madagascar is ranked among one of the world’s poorest countries. But it has faster internet connectivity than in the UK, France and Canada. A recent report revealed that it has the fastest internet speed in Africa, beating countries like Kenya and South Africa.

Rwanda government sacks entire health unit [The Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 08:53:19 +0000

A major crackdown on Rwanda’s Ministry of Health.has led to the sacking of an entire staff of one of the country’s vital units for gross mismanagement of public resources. This follows reports of serious financial flaws in the Health ministry. Hamad Baligira, director of human resources and administration together with Théogène Namahungu, director of the Health Technology and Infrastructure Planning Unit have both been sacked and more ministry officials are likely to be prosecuted. We find out how this latest crackdown is affecting the country’s health sector.

Press Review of August 14, 2018 [The Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 07:14:31 +0000

We review the headlines of Africa’s top newspapers on The Morning Call.

WHO delegation visits Ebola epicenter in DR Congo [The Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 07:22:06 +0000

The World Health Organisation is concerned about security and healthcare exposures in the latest Ebola outbreak in DR Congo. During his visit to Mangina, Director General of the health agency Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for free and secure access for responders working in the area, as part of efforts to contain the disease.

Egypt's Sisi deeply concerned over security in the Red Sea after attack on oil tankers

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 07:54:19 +0000

Egypt’s president Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Monday expressed deep concern over security in the Red Sea following an attack by Yemen’s Houthis on two oil tankers that forced Saudi Arabia to temporarily suspend crude shipments through the strait of Bab al-Mandab. Speaking at a joint news conference with his Yemeni counterpart, the Egyptian President also said Cairo was committed to helping Yemen regain its security after over three years of war that killed thousands of people. “We categorically deny that Yemen would become a foothold for the influence of non-Arab forces, or a platform for security and stability threats against the brotherly Arab countries or freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait,” Sisi said, speaking alongside President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. In July, Saudi Arabia temporarily halted oil shipments through Bab al-Mandab citing security concerns after Iran-aligned Yemen’s Houthis attacked two oil tankers in the Red Sea near the strait with missiles, damaging one vessel. Saudi Arabia resumed oil shipments through the strait several days later, but the incident has highlighted the magnitude of the situation in the area, where fighting between the Houthis and supporters of Hadi’s government has been raging since 2015. Reuters

Photos: Mrs Buhari dedicates honorary degree to Nigerian women, children

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 22:39:51 +0000

Wife of the Nigerian president, Aisha Buhari, has dedicated an honourary degree she received on Monday to women and children in Africa’s most populous nation. A new media aide to her husband tweeted photos of Mrs Buhari receiving a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration (Honoris causa.) The honour was conferred on her by Sun Moon University in the South Korean city of Asan. The trained beautician is known to undertake social programs aimed at bettering the lot of women and children though her non-governmental organization, Future Assured. Mrs Buhari dedicates ‘Brussels award’ to Nigerian army and elements of peace In October 2016, she dedicated an award she received in Brussels to the Nigerian army and to people who were engaged in the war to restore peace in the country. She delivered an opening remark under the theme, ‘Women’s Role in Global Security’ during the Women’s Froum Crans Montana event held in Brussels. Mrs Buhari said, ‘‘I whole-heartedly dedicate this award presented to me by the Belgian deputy Prime Minister …. to the Nigerian Military men and women who have lost their lives and those at the war front battling to restore peace.’‘ Nigeria’s northeast is home to Boko Haram insurgency that continues to claim lives and result in the destruction of property. Mrs Buhari hails from Adamawa State, one of those affected by the insurgency. The other two are Borno State and Yobe State.

Eritrea delegation in Somalia to deepen bilateral relations

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 22:17:43 +0000

An Eritrean government delegation arrived in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Monday to hold high-level meetings. The delegation headed by Foreign Affairs minister Osman Saleh and presidential advisor Yemane Gebreab met with Prime Minister Hassan Khayre who received them on arrival in Mogadishu. Later in the afternoon, the team met with President Mohamed Abdulahi Mohamed who according to reports briefed them on progress of Somalia’s domestic and external challenges. President Mohamed further reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to the Joint Declaration signed by both countries and outlined priorities for its implementation. The said declaration was signed during a historic official visit to Asmara in July 2018. Eritrea’s delegation delivered a message from President Isaias Afwerki to his Somali counterpart. The Somali PM participated in the meeting. Eritrean FM Osman Saleh and Presidential adviser, Yemane Gebreab arrive in Mogadishu for high level talks, following President Farmajo’s recent visit to Asmara. Regional cooperation for stability and economic progress is crucial for common prosperity of the Horn. #nabadiyonolol pic.twitter.com/1rlMsK98Fj— SomaliPM (@SomaliPM) August 13, 2018 The Somalia – Eritrea thaw in relations comes after that of Ethiopia and Eritrea, which event saw about two decades of hostilities normalized. Diplomatic and security watchers say a remaining diplomatic tension in the region is between Djibouti and Eritrea. The two nations have a border disagreement with Djibouti insisting that Eritrea still holds some Djiboutian soldiers.

FIFA threatens to ban Ghana over govt meddling in football

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 22:27:12 +0000

Football’s world governing body, FIFA, has warned the government of Ghana over plans to liquidate the Ghana Football Association (GFA) following a corruption scandal led by an investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas. In a statement issued on August 13, 2018; and signed by FIFA General-Secretary Fatma Samoura, the body said it was particularly worried about government’s undue interference in the affairs of the GFA in clear contravention to FIFA statutes. The statement read in part, “Under these circumstances, the Bureau based on article 16 paragraph 1 of the FIFA statutes decided on 11 August 2018 that if the petition to start the liquidation process of the GFA is not withdrawn by Monday, 27 August 2018 at 12h00 (CET), the GFA will be suspended with immediate effect. “The suspension would be lifted only once the above-mentioned petition is withdrawn and FIFA is given written proof thereof,” the statement added. The letter was addressed to head of a Ghana government liaison team that was tasked to hold talks with FIFA to avert a ban after government suspended local football activities. One June 12, 2018, an Accra High Court placed an interim injunction on the activities of the GFA following an application by the Attorney General. A month later, another High Court in Accra ordered that members, directors and officers of the GFA be restrained from exercising their powers in relation to the body’s activities. It also appointed a state body as liquidator. All local football activities have been grounded since June this year after the investigative piece revealed corruption on the part of match officials across the football chain. The GFA president at the time, who was on FIFA and CAF committees, Kwesi Nyantakyi, was also involved in corrupt practices as captured on tape. he has since been suspended from football activities as a probe continues into the allegations.

Ethiopian activists condemn mob action, violence during rally in Oromia

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 22:16:27 +0000

Known and famed Ethiopian activists took to social media in condemnation of mob violence over the weekend in the Oromia region’s town of Shashememe. Reports by local portals indicate that four people were killed during a public gathering organized to welcome a top pro-democracy activist, Jawar Mohammed. Three people died as a result of a stampede at the entrance of Shashemene stadium – venue of the rally, while another died after having been mob-lynched by a group who authorities say were acting based on fake news that the car he was driving was carrying a bomb. Jawar, who is also Executive Director of the privately-owned Oromia Media Network recently returned to the country to engage in peaceful political process following ongoing government reforms. The Addis Standard news portal said a vehicle the victim of the mob-lynching was driving was also set on fire. They quoted top Oromia officials as confirming that the car belonged to the Shashemene city administration and security department which was on patrol duty and that it did not carry any explosives. A government that have lost the monopoly of violence, incapable of guaranteeing security, and allows crowd justice cannot hope to bring democracy. There can be no democracy under conditions of anarchy. Get a grip. #Shashamanne #Ethiopia— Awol Allo (@awolallo) August 12, 2018 But selective outrage on social media and thinly veiled Oromophobia surely can’t take us very far. Barbaric acts of few deranged individuals doesn’t represent the entire Qeerroo or Oromo. We should be able to condemn this despicable act without blaming an entire group.— Mohammed Ademo (@OPride) August 13, 2018 Uncontrolled #Qeerroo authority in #Oromia should be tapped. The ‘monopoly of force’ should be in the hands of a responsible government what so ever. What happened in Shashemene today is barbaric and unacceptable. This is not good for president Lemma and PM Abiy either.— BefeQadu Z. Hailu (@befeqe) August 12, 2018 So now we lost 3 people for a peaceful gathering. Does this make sense for you guys ?? #Ethiopia #Shashemene ?— Soli ? (@Soli_GM) August 12, 2018 What happened in shashamanne is despicable, inhumane, is an affront to everything we are as a community, our sacrifices as a society, & our aspirations as a country. We all should condemn it wherever we are. Shame!— Fatuma Bedaso (@FBedaso) August 12, 2018