Africanews RSS

South Africa president registers as MP, promises all-inclusive cabinet

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Wed, 22 May 2019 03:30:00 +0000

South Africa’s incoming president Cyril Ramaphosa has spoken about the composition of his new cabinet after registering as a Member of the sixth parliament on Tuesday. The next parliament is due to be constituted today (May 22) exactly two weeks after the May 8 national elections which the ruling African National Congress, ANC, he leads won with 57% of valid votes cast. The electoral configuration in South Africa is such that the party with the highest number of seats deploys one of their own parliamentarians to become president. Ramaphosa took over from Jacob Zuma in February 2018 and led the ANC into the polls. One of the main issues post the elections has been the issue of his cabinet, asked whether the task ahead gave him sleepless nights, he replied in the negative. He stressed that the team will be one that will have the right mix to help realize the plans the ANC sold to voters. “No, not sleepless nights, it’s the work that we have to do and everybody knows that we have got to do this work and that is precisely what we are working on now. “And we will present an outcome that – I think – our country will welcome, will be pleased with, because it will have a very good balance of gender, youth, competence, demographic, regional spread and all that. “So that is what we are going to seek to do. So you wait and see, watch this space,” he told the press in Cape Town as he went through processes of registration along with other lawmakers. The presidential inauguration is slated for May 25 according to government. Registering as Member of Parliament for the 6th administration #6thParliament https://t.co/BKnwZbCQia— Cyril Ramaphosa ?? (@CyrilRamaphosa) May 21, 2019

Ghana president assents to Right To Information bill

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Wed, 22 May 2019 03:00:00 +0000

Ghana’s president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday (May 21) signed into law the Right To Information, RTI, Act. The event comes about two months after the parliament passed it after years of delay. The president in an address said he was happy that the feat had been achieved under his watch and congratulated the parliament for their commitment to the bill. He added that the implementation of the act was due to start in the next fiscal year. The Act is primarily meant to allow citizens access to information by public offices as a means to holding government accountable. “I want to thank the seventh parliament for its courage, sense of responsibility and commitment to good governance in passing this significant piece of legislation. “The purposes of the act as set out in its preamble is to provide for the implementation of the constitutional right to information held by any public institution and to foster a culture of transparency and accountability in public affairs,” the president stressed. He added that if properly applied the Act could prove a critical tool in the fight against corruption in public life. Earlier today, I gave assent to the Right to Information Act, at a brief event at Jubilee House, the seat of the nation’s presidency. I am happy that deliberations on the RTI Bill were concluded in my time as President of the Republic, and in the time of the 7th Parliament. pic.twitter.com/kJJtKNGULJ— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) May 21, 2019 The right to information is enshrined in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution but, for many years, the country has struggled to pass the RTI law. As far back as 1999, Ghana’s Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) drafted an RTI Bill for Ghana. Despite this early start, Ghana has still not managed to adopt an RTI Law. In March 2018, the Right to Information Bill, 2018 (2018 Bill or Bill) was placed before Parliament. The current passage means it has taken a year to see the light of day. It had been the subject of a series of protests especially from the media and civil society groups. They accused lawmakers of deliberately delaying the passage of the law because of their own selfish interests. On their part, the lawmakers have argued that the bill needed finetuning in areas especially bordering on national security. Ghana’s media is one of the freest on the continent according to the press rights group, Reporters Without Borders. Incidentally on the day the Bill was accented to, there was a protest against the closure of radio stations deemed to be pro-opposition. Journalists in Ghana largely believe that the passage of the bill into law will make their work easier especially in the area of accessing official government data. Ghana, one of West Africa’s stable democracies, has had the press playing a crucial role in shaping the democracy. The killing earlier this year of an investigator linked to undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas was tagged as the most significant blot on the profession in recent years. There has, however, been a rise in the spate of physical attacks on journalists. The most recent has led to calls for the media to boycott the activities of the police. The president is on record to have condemned the attacks. Ghana will not be the first in Africa to pass an RTI law. The likes of South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Liberia, Malawi and Guinea have such laws in place.

Gabon president fires vice, forestry minister over timber scandal

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Wed, 22 May 2019 02:30:00 +0000

Gabon’s Vice President and Minister of State for Forests and the Environment have been relieved of their posts by presidential decree in connection with a timber scandal that rocked the central African country. Pierre Claver Maganga Moussavou Vice President since 2016 and Minister Guy-Bertrand Mapangou were both dismissed in a government statement posted on social media. The decree formed part of a reshuffle by President Ali Bongo and announced late Tuesday by Secretary General at the presidency, Jean Yves Teale. The latest development is an offshoot of what has become known as the “Kevazingo Gate” in which illegally felled special hardwood of 353 containers worth nearly $250 million was reported stolen from a cache of 392 intercepted at the port of Owendo in late February and early March this year. Gabonese officials suspended over Kevazingo Gate By decree of the President of the Republic on this day. The functions of the vice-president of the Republic Mr Pierre Claver Manganga Moussavou, by decree of the President of the Republic on this day, is put to an end as is that of the Minister of State for Forests and the Environment Guy-Bertrand Mapangou, Teale said. In recent days, the two personalities, had been questioned by Prime Minister Julien Nkoghe Bekale for their respective roles in the suspected precious wood scandal. The two reports said strongly denied complicity in the affair which the president has vowed to punish all perpetrators. In the middle of May, Gabon’s prosecutor general Olivier N’zahou said 71 of the missing containers were found on the port premises of Cameroon-registered transport company SOTRASGAB, and 129 were found on the property of company Owendo Container Terminal (OCT). Par décret du Président de la République en date de ce jour : ... pic.twitter.com/2TUAPhB5Zm— République Gabonaise (@PresidenceGA) May 21, 2019

U.S. court awards Somali herder $1.5m in damages over 1987 torture

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Wed, 22 May 2019 02:00:00 +0000

A court in the United States has found a former Somali military commander guilty of torture and awarded one of his victims damages to the tune of $1.5 million. The Center for Justice and Accountability, CJA, a U.S.-based group that represented Farhan Warfaa said on Tuesday that the Virginia jury had found that Col. Yusuf Abdi Ali had tortured their client in 1987. Warfaa, a semi-nomadic herder described the verdict of the court as a vindication of the excesses that he suffered along with others (in present-day Somaliland) at the hands of the commander Ali (alias Tukeh.) “The jury awarded Mr. Warfaa $500,000 in damages, including $100,000 in punitive damages. Congrats to Mr. Warfaa and the legal team from CJA_News and DLA_Piper!” CJA said in a tweet. In relaying facts of the case, CJA wrote: “Over the course of a three-day trial, the jury heard evidence that early one morning in 1987, Mr. Warfaa was rounded up with other men from his village and taken to the Military Headquarters of the Fifth Brigade of the Somali National Army, where Col. Tukeh held command. “Mr. Warfaa testified that Col. Tukeh’s soldiers tortured and interrogated him, and that Col. Tukeh himself shot Mr. Warfaa multiple times at point blank range, leaving him for dead. “Miraculously, he survived. Over thirty years after that ordeal, Mr. Warfaa faced Col. Tukeh in a federal courtroom, and prevailed. “Evidence presented at trial included eyewitness testimony from former officers of the Somali National Army and other survivors of Somali National Army abuses, and expert testimony from former U.S. Special Envoy to Somalia, Ambassador Robert Gosende and medical experts, Dr. Allen S. Keller and Professor Daryn Reicherter.” The incident happened under the regime of President Siad Barre specifically against members of the Isaaq community during the Somali civil war. Present-day Somalia continues to battle against Al-Shabaab insurgents. Semi-autonomous Somaliland enjoys relatively better stability but has failed to attain international recognition 28 years after declaring independence from Somalia. Hargeisa has been under pressure to hold talks with Mogadishu.

Eritrea envoys meet with Sudan protest leaders amid transition impasse

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Wed, 22 May 2019 01:00:00 +0000

An Eritrean delegation that was dispatched by President Isaias Afwerki to neighbouring Sudan met with leaders of the protest movement that toppled Omar al-Bashir in April. The two-man delegation comprising Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and presidential advisor Yemane Ghebreab met with representatives of the Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, FDFC, in Khartoum. They had earlier met with leader and deputy of the Transitional Military Council, TMC, that toppled Bashir after incessant protests that started in December 2018. The FDFC representatives stressed the brotherly ties between the two countries whiles the delegation also expressed their best wishes for an outcome that served the best interests of Sudan. The delegation, on its part, conveyed #Eritrea’s wishes for an outcome that serves the interests of peace, stability and development in Sudan. pic.twitter.com/0ix3T0eqo9— Yemane G. Meskel (@hawelti) May 21, 2019 Meanwhile, protest leaders have called for a nationwide boycott in the wake of the latest stall in talks aimed at a civilian transition. Whiles the two groups have largely agreed on a legislative set up, the sovereign council’s composition is the cause of a rift that seems irreconcilable. The continued presence of sit-ins and barricades in parts of the capital Khartoum had been a major sticking point between the parties. Another being the request by the military that Islamic Sharia law be made the main source of legislation. Bashir is currently being held in a maximum security prison on charges of money laundering and terrorism financing. More recently prosecutors revealed that he will be charged for killing of protesters.

Polls close in Malawi: Vote counting and collation underway

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 21 May 2019 20:00:00 +0000

Polls closed in Malawi’s tripartite election late Monday as thousands trooped to cast their ballots and elect political representatives for the next five years. Despire reports of delays on the morning of the May 21 vote, the independent Malawi Electoral Support Network said at 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT), an hour after polls were supposed to open, voting was taking place in 97% of polling stations. Citizens went to the polls on Tuesday, casting their votes to elect a president, members of parliament and local government councillors. President Peter Mutharika is seeking a second term, and is being challenged by his deputy, Saulos Chilima, and the leader of the country’s biggest opposition party, Lazarus Chakwera. Malawi’s electoral commission (MEC) has pledged to deliver a credible election, with its chief, Dr. Jane Ansah asking the 6.9 million registered voters to trust that their will will be respected. In this article, we provide updates from the time polls opened on Tuesday morning, to the time official results will be announced, which Ansah said will be within 8 days; Voting closes, counting underway Election anomalies registered Main candidates profiles, and where they cast their votes Electoral commission explains Chilima’s delayed voting Malawi’s election in numbers Chilima’s 40-minute wait to cast his vote Election observers project high voter turnout Malawians share voting experience online Polls open Why this is a high-stakes election Polls close, vote counting underway Counting has started at 6pm across #Malawi. Below, a photo sent by our observers in Lilongwe.#MalawiElections2019 pic.twitter.com/VPF99vJtzk— EU EOM Malawi 2019 (@eueomMalawi) May 21, 2019 Election anomalies registered While the voting process has so far been peaceful and relatively smooth, there have been a few anomalies that have been registered and acknowledged by the electoral authorities. Other than the widely reported incident of vice president Chilima’s delayed voting, there have also been issues of misplaced ballot papers and voter’s registers. The electoral commission said Chilima’s name was transferred from his official polling station, while voting is reported to have started late at the Kanyenjele polling station after it was supplied with a wrong voter’s register. There have also been reports of misplaced Mangochi ballot papers being found at Naotcha centre in Blantyre, while Blantyre city centre Matope Ward ballot papers were found within Dziwe Balaka south constituency ballots. Main contenders cast their votes President Peter Mutharika is seeking a second and final term, but faces a tough challenge from his deputy, Saulos Chilima and other opposition leaders. Mutharika’s term has been dominated by food shortages, power outages and ballooning external debt, which have damaged his popularity, as well as concerns about his health. Mutharika at a glance 78 years old became president in 2014 his elder brother Bingu wa Mutharika was also president and died after having a heart attack while in office. is a constitutional expert and former law professor at Washington University previously served as a minister of justice, for education, science and technology, and as minister of foreign affairs President APMutharika voting at Goliati, in Thyolo. #MalawiElections2019 #MalawiDecides2019 Pic credit: Abel Ikiloni pic.twitter.com/9NdhKq2Pd8— Malawi Government (MalawiGovt) May 21, 2019 Saulos Chilima was Mutharika’s running mate in 2014 and became vice president — but he then fell out with his boss. Chilima at a glance 46 years old quit ruling party last year and set up United Transformation Movement (UTM) previously worked as senior executive at Unilever, Coca-Cola and Airtel Chilima has run a colourful and energetic youth-targeted campaign on a platform of eradicating poverty, fighting graft and creating employment. But it is uncertain if his new party can make a major impact. His wife Mary made waves ahead of the election, releasing a slick and much-admired rap video extolling her husband’s candidacy. PICS: Vice President & UTM_inUK Presidential candidate Dr. Saulos Chilima casting his vote earlier today. #MalawiElections2019 #MalawiDecides2019 Pic credit: Govati Nyirenda pic.twitter.com/GRCVNM4I2U— Malawi Government (MalawiGovt) May 21, 2019 Former evangelist Lazarus Chakwera, 64, leads Malawi’s oldest party, the Malawi Congress Party, which is the main opposition party and ruled Malawi from 1964 to 1994 under Hastings Banda’s one-party rule. Chakwera led the party into the 2014 elections, coming second to Mutharika at the polls and he now hopes to go one better. The Malawi Congress Party has lost all five presidential elections since 1994 but Chakwera has made great efforts to re-energise its base. Chakwera at a glance 64 years old Chakwera was president of the Malawi Assemblies of God from 1989 to 2013 he was endorsed by former president Joyce Banda in March Malawi Congress Party presidential candidate LAZARUSCHAKWERA casting his vote in his home village in Malembo , Lilongwe North West. #MalawiElections2019 #MalawiDecides2019 Reported by lisakadango pic.twitter.com/7zS2BbRWXd— Malawi Government (@MalawiGovt) May 21, 2019 Former President Dr. Joyce Banda going through the voting process this morning at Malemia Polling Station in Zomba Malosa Constituency#MalawiDecides2019 #MalawiElections2019 Pics Credit: Evance Chisiano, Malawi News Agency (Mana) pic.twitter.com/XTIn198nrK— Malawi Government (@MalawiGovt) May 21, 2019 41-year-old Atupele Muluzi, has drawn large crowds to his rallies and is considered the outsider who has a slim chance. Muluzi at a glance 41 years old leads United Democratic Front (UDF) son of Bakili Muluzi who governed the country from 1994 until 2004 UDF allied with Mutharika’s ruling party after 2014 elections is currently the health minister Analysts say Muluzi’s alliance with the government may have cost him votes. UDF Presidential candidate AtupeleMuluziMP casting his vote at Nainunje polling center in Machinga North East constituency where he is contesting for the MP of the area. #MalawiElections2019 #MalawiDecides2019 Reported by Patrick Ndawala pic.twitter.com/0Ewy0ajVd4— Malawi Government (MalawiGovt) May 21, 2019 Electoral commision update Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson, Dr. Jane Ansah has explained that Chilima’s name was transferred during the verification process between January and February 2019 from his St Thomas Polling Centre to Chizumulu Island. Ansah also urged employers to desist from preventing their employees from voting, saying the commission had received complaints. Malawi’s election in numbers 8 presidential candidates 193 parliamentary seats 1,331 parliamentary candidates in 2019 6,859,570 registered voters 5,006 polling stations 11,095 commission officials Chilima votes Local media are reporting that the vice president Saulos Chilima waited up to 40 minutes before he could cast his vote at St Thomas Polling Centre in the capital Lilongwe. His name was reportedly missing from the voters’ register. Chilima, who fell out with president Mutharika, and quit the ruling party last year, has previously accused the state of harassment and intimidation. ALSO READ: Malawi’s Mutharika criticised for ‘illegally’ sacking vice president His name has not been found. He has been allowed to vote because he has the voter’s ID, National ID and he registered with his wife whose details are available.— Justin G Mkweu (@Justinmkweu) May 21, 2019 Monitoring the polls Meanwhile, the European Union Elections Observer Mission (EUOM) in Malawi has deployed over 80 staff at polling stations across the country, and will be giving regular updates throughout the voting, counting and tallying stages. ‘‘It is pleasing to note that polling appears to be underway in all the areas where we have observers, meaning materials have been delivered and polling staff were ready,” the EUOM Chief Observer, Miroslav Poche said on Monday. ‘‘Many polling stations have lengthy queues, indicating that Malawians are turning out in large numbers to vote.’‘ We just visited St Kizito primary school in Limbe and everything was well organized (super impressed with their signs for each stream!) and going on well. One voter reported to us that he waited only ~20 minutes to vote. #MalawiElections2019 #MalawiDecides2019 pic.twitter.com/PAuI70bXbT— kim yi dionne (@dadakim) May 21, 2019 Malawians share voting experience online I have done my part and voted, go out and VOTE ?? Malawi. #MalawiElections2019 #MalawiDecides2019 #DoloAmavota #VoteMphamvuYanga #MWVotes2019 #MWDecides2019 pic.twitter.com/z6CbFC5bB2— Leah Soko (@Leah_Soko) May 21, 2019 This really a special feeling… It’s my first time, out here standing on th line… My heart racing#MalawiDecides2019— Jodeh (@Miyaouzi_et_al) May 21, 2019 Malawi Defence Force soldiers casting their votes at Community Center Hall in Nkhotakota Central Constituency. #MalawiDecides2019 pic.twitter.com/ATblJRLgDz— NationOnline (@NationOnlineMw) May 21, 2019 It’s done guys. It is very peaceful in #Blantyre. ? My #Vote my #Voice. Ready to work with the new government for a better #Malawi. LET’S DO THIS #MalawiElections2019 #MalawiDecides2019 pic.twitter.com/gb5lDts1SZ— Charles M. Lipenga (@brocharliz) May 21, 2019 Prisoners voting in Mulanje #MalawiDecides2019 #MalawiElections2019 Reported by Blackson Mkupatira pic.twitter.com/3xkVOd4rBn— Malawi Government (@MalawiGovt) May 21, 2019 Polls open Polling stations opened at 6:00 hours local time (0400 GMT) in Malawi on Tuesday, and voters will now have the opportunity to decide the fate of incumbent president Peter Mutharika who is battling to hold off two serious rivals in a race that focused on corruption allegations and economic development. Mutharika, who has been in power since 2014, will face opposition from his own deputy Saulos Chilima and former baptist preacher Lazarus Chakwera. “We have set Malawi on the path of progress,” Mutharika, 78, told several thousand cheering supporters of his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Blantyre at his final campaign rally at the weekend. His bid for a second term has focused on the economy and his record of improving road and electricity infrastructure across the southeastern African country. Under Mutharika, inflation has fallen from 23 percent to below nine percent, but still only 11 percent of the population has access to electricity. The election is the first since a new law forced parties to declare large donations and banned the once-common practice by candidates of giving cash handouts. Food shortages, power outages and ballooning external debt have hurt Mutharika’s popularity ahead of the vote. Mutharika’s opponents He faces a strong challenge from Chakwera, leader of the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP), who came a narrow second in the 2014 election. Ahead of the vote, Chakwera told AFP that he expected “nothing less than victory — we are winning.” Mutharika’s other opponent, Chilima, quit the ruling party last year to form the youth-focused United Transformation Movement, while staying on as vice president. Under Malawi law, the president cannot fire the vice president. Chilima, 46, emphasised his youth credentials by doing push-ups on stage during the campaign. More than half of the 6.8-million registered voters are under 35. High-stakes election Dan Banik, a politics professor at the University of Malawi, told AFP that the election posed many questions. “What will happen when a winner is declared by a narrow margin?” he said. “How will losing presidential candidates take defeat? Will supporters of the incumbent DPP peacefully accept losing?” he asked. Banik said that the election commission and the courts could be severely tested by counting complaints after polling day on Tuesday, when voters will also choose lawmakers and local councillors. In Malawi’s “winner takes all” system, Mutharika won in 2014 with just 36 percent of the vote. He came to power in the aid-dependent country vowing to tackle corruption after the “Cashgate” scandal erupted a year earlier, revealing massive looting from state coffers. But his government has been dogged by several high-profile cases of corruption and nepotism. Last November, Mutharika himself was forced to return a $200,000 donation from a businessman facing a corruption case in a $3-million contract to supply food to the Malawi police. “It will even be more uncertain and tight than last time. It could undermine the legitimacy of the winning candidate,” said Michael Jana, a Malawi politics specialist at Johannesburg’s University of the Witwatersrand. Malawi won independence from Britain in 1964, and was then ruled by Hastings Banda as a one-party state until the first multi-party elections in 1994. The country, which has a population of 18 million people, has one million adults living with HIV, one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world. Agencies

Malawi goes to polls [Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com (Jerry Bambi) — Tue, 21 May 2019 12:24:07 +0000

Polls have opened and nearly 7 million registered voters are expected today to exercise their civic franchise in local, parliamentary and presidential ballots. So what is the contest in this elections? First off it is the presidential race that has captured a lot of attention. Seven candidates are running for president, but the real battle is among incumbent President Peter Mutharika, Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and main opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera.

Madagascar legislators indicted in bribery scandal [Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com (Jerry Bambi) — Tue, 21 May 2019 12:21:32 +0000

Madagascar’s anti-corruption agency has begun legal action against more than half of the country’s parliamentary deputies who are suspected of taking bribes. After a year-long inquiry, a dossier on 79 MPs was sent to the prosecutor’s office “to begin legal action against the accused”. So what are they are really accused of? And what does their indictment mean?

Police officer pushed off van after spraying tear gas at Algerian protesters [No Comment]

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 21 May 2019 11:01:51 +0000

A police officer who sprayed tear gas at protesters was pushed off a van as tens of thousands of Algerians returned to the streets of the capital Algiers for the 13th successive Friday to demand the removal of the nation’s ruling elite.

[SciTech] Huawei users worried over Google ban

editorial@africanews.com (Daniel Mumbere) — Tue, 21 May 2019 10:48:00 +0000

On today’s episode of SciTech, we explore how tech is powering democracy in South Africa, plus the latests breakthroughs in wildlife photography and explain why the Android system will no longer be available for Huawei smartphones. Tackling voter apathy using WhatsApp The Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh Xperience or simply #SMWX, the team produces a live-stream show on WhatsApp that focuses on the intersection of politics and popular culture, seeking to connect with young people in a way that mainstream media have reportedly failed to do. The team believes that using attractive aesthetics like the brightly coloured fabrics they wear, and accessible platforms like Whatsapp, can enable young people to pick interest in the drab world of politics and democracy. ‘‘You can’t give children this incredible life that has infinitely smooth frictionless UX experiences throughout their entire life, and then give them a traditional representative democracy that sucks. At a fundamental level, it’s really horrible, slow, its time consuming and its inefficient.’‘ Camera that spots images in total darkness Meanwhile, in Kenya, participants at the East Africa Technology Fair were left in awe, as Canon, the leading supplier of digital cameras, unveiled camera technology that allows you to spot moving subjects one kilometre away in total darkness without the help of a flash light. The Canon ME20F-SHN, which is an Internet Protocol (IP) camera, does not use flash light to illuminate the subject, and is envisioned to help with surveillance against thieves at night, and poachers in game parks. ‘‘It also achieves a minimum subject illumination of 0.0005 lux or less. It is the highest sensitivity in the industry. That means the wildlife photographers can capture the images in colour,’‘ explained Parag Kauangal, the Sales Manager for East and Central Africa at Canon. ‘‘It also has an Ethernet connectivity which enables network capabilities, so the wildlife photographer does not need to be stationed in one place. He can operate from a remote area but still configure and monitor the scene.’‘ Worried Huawei users Huawei users all over the world are bracing themselves for the impact of a Google ban that will limit the Chinese phone makers ability to use the Android system. Google’s blocked updates of Android operating system for Huawei after the U.S. Trump administration decided Thursday to add Huawei to the trade blacklist under the pretext of national economic emergency. While Huawei said on Monday that it can still develop and use the Android system thanks to the open source license, users will lose access to popular applications involving Google Play Store, Gmail and YouTube in new-generation smart phones. “In fact, I wish they had warned me, because I had no idea. But I do not think it’s going to change much. But I admit that I would have preferred to know this in advance because I just bought it,’‘ said a worried Huawei user in Belgium. @danmumbere

Pics of the day, May 20, 2019

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 21 May 2019 09:25:16 +0000

Africanews samples the pictures of the day’s news.

Fans applaud Ghana's Asamoah Gyan following international retirement

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 21 May 2019 09:01:12 +0000

Football fans across the world are paying tribute to Ghana’s all-time leading goal-scorer Asamoah Gyan who announced his international retirement on Monday. The news which comes a month before the start of the African Nations Cup, follows shortly after he was removed as the national team’s captain. Striker Gyan has not featured for the side since September 2017 after persistent injury problems and has also battled for game-time with his Turkish club Kayserispor. “Upon consultation with my family and team, and as an active footballer and captain of the national team, if the decision of the coach is to give captaincy of the tournament to another player while I am named in the team (squad) of the tournament, I wish to recuse myself from the tournament,” Gyan said in a statement. “I also wish to retire from the national team permanently,” he said. The 33-year-old netted 51 goals in 106 international appearances, both Ghana national team records, which includes scoring at six consecutive Nations Cup finals, as well as three World Cups between 2006 and 2014. Social media reactions Asamoah Gyan has a good claim as one of the most potent Ghana striker at international level. Here are the numbers.#3Sports pic.twitter.com/bQNLCvsX0j— Michael Oti Adjei (@OtiAdjei) May 20, 2019 Asamoah Gyan served Ghana wholeheartedly. He deserves some accolades. Statistics do not lie!!— n.a (@thenanaaba) May 20, 2019 Asamoah Gyan, indeed you’ve really paid your dues for Ghana ?? . We can’t talk Ghana football without you. You’ve really been through a lot. Well done, BABY JET. I will never forget your first goal in that world cup against the Czech Republic ? pic.twitter.com/p43wppSlVA— ??Jake Ato Wilson -Addy (@addywilsonjacob) May 20, 2019 I still don’t know why Asamoah Gyan spoil that penalty against Uruguay at the World Cup…?? But he is still a legend let’s respect him for that ?? pic.twitter.com/sG0WTLt9Ey— ?? Gyesi the Goat???? (@_gyesi) May 20, 2019

Ethiopians buy $173,000 dinner tickets to beautify Addis Ababa

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 21 May 2019 06:30:00 +0000

Prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s plans to beautify Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa received a major boost over the weekend when more than 200 people paid an eye-watering $173,000 (150,000 euros) to attend a fundraising dinner. The state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate published pictures of diners, some wearing tuxedos, seated at a long rose-covered banquet table. “A seat at the event is valued at 5 million birr,” the report said, adding that “over 200 individuals, representatives from local and international organizations” took part in the event. The dinner was held to raise funds for a three-year project by Abiy to “lift the image” of the capital, a bustling, fast-changing city where modern buildings have shot up, construction is everywhere and greenery scarce. “The rapid growth and expansion of the city over the past few years has not adequately utilised the natural resources and beautiful topography that the city is endowed with,” according to a video of the project posted on Abiy’s website. The video said that currently green cover is only 0.3 square metres per capita in Addis Ababa, and the project hopes to raise this to seven square metres per capita, in line with average green coverage in Africa. The project along an area of 56 square kilometres (21 square miles) envisions parks, bicycle paths and walkways along the rivers of the capital, the planting of trees and the development of urban farms. It is estimated to cost $1 billion, according to Fana. Abiy’s website said that those present at the dinner would have a plaque with their name on it placed along the project route, and would have a private photo-op with the prime minister. The pictures would be compiled into “an album of individuals who changed the face of Addis Ababa.” Abiy has won praise for his reformist agenda since taking office in April last year. Ethiopia is home to more than 100 million people, the second most populous country on the continent after Nigeria, and its economy is the fastest growing in the region. However, it is also one of the poorest, with the World Bank estimating average earnings of $783 per year. Abiy’s dinner drew criticism on social media with some Ethiopians questioning whether the project was really a priority for the country. AFP

EU – Horn of Africa: Mogherini visits Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Tue, 21 May 2019 03:00:00 +0000

The European Union, EU, High Representative for Foreign Policy / Vice President, Federica Mogherini, on Monday (May 20) started her three-day visit to the Horn of Africa in Somalia. She met with Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre for talks in the capital Mogadishu. She is expected in Kenya before she moves to Djibouti and wraps up the mission in Ethiopia. It is expected to last between 20 – 22 May, 2019. In comments after the meeting she stressed that the visit was part of the EU’s friendship, partnership and support for the government. “We recognise that Somalia is first and foremost of strategic relevance and importance, not only for Somali people, for the region, for Africa, but also for Europe and the international community,” she said. According to a release from the EU External Action, whiles in Somalia: she visited European Union Training Mission (EUTM) Somalia troops and EU Capacity Building Mission (EUCAP) Somalia personnel. “We recognise that Somalia is first and foremost of strategic relevance and importance, not only for Somali people, for the region, for Africa, but also for Europe and the international community” FedericaMog in Mogadishu today to meet with HassanAKhaire EU_in_Somalia ???? pic.twitter.com/fydAvRjrYO— European External Action Service – EEAS ?? (eu_eeas) May 20, 2019 Media Advisory on Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia engagements Over in Kenya she is billed to meet President Kenyatta and members of government. She will also launch a cross border programme, meet with youth and civil society organisations as well as inaugurate the new EU Delegation offices in Nairobi. She will conclude her visit by travelling to Djibouti and Ethiopia. In Djibouti, she will meet President Ismail Omar Guelleh, Foreign and International Cooperation Minister Mahmoud Ali Yousouf, as well as Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Mahboub Maalim. She will also visit the EU’s ATALANTA maritime security mission and a EU funded project of desalinisation. In Addis Ababa, she is due to meet African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat to discuss the next EU-African Union ministerial meeting and regional issues. EU – Somalia relation: Factsheet Glad to receive FedericaMog, High Rep/VP, EU_Commission, a key partner for Somalia. Shared with her the exciting progress we have made on all fronts, looking forward to working with EU in 2019 our year of implementationEU_in_Somalia #NabadIyoNolol#TubahaQaranka pic.twitter.com/6FbL1WQUEi— Hassan Ali Khaire (HassanAKhaire) May 20, 2019

Kenya blocks entry of Somali lawmakers amid diplomatic spat

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Tue, 21 May 2019 02:00:00 +0000

Somali news outlets reported late Monday that Kenya had denied a number of lawmakers access into the country, the latest round of a diplomatic standoff between the two neighbours. Radio Dalsan said Somalia’s deputy minister of Water and Energy, Osman Libah as well as Senators Ilyas Ali Hassan and Zamzam Dahir had been left stranded at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, JKIA, in Nairobi. “Dalsan Media has learnt that the Somali Embassy in Nairobi unsuccessfully interced on behalf of the three,” they added in a follow up tweet. Reports indicate that the trio are expected to return to Mogadishu on Tuesday morning and are likely to spend the night at JKIA. A Voice of America journalist disclosed that all three persons were carrying diplomatic passports by the Kenyan authorities roundly rejected issuing them visas. Harun Maruf quoted sources that said other government officials who were allowed into Kenya were those that produced alternative passports upon the refusal of the Somali version. Somali laws allows citizens to hold dual citizenship. Most high ranking government officials hold passports of other countries. In February this year, Kenya summoned its ambassador to Somalia, saying it was protesting a decision by the Mogadishu government to auction oil and gas exploration blocks at the centre of a maritime territorial dispute in the Indian Ocean. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is considering a claim by the two neighbours over a common maritime boundary. The case was brought by Somalia in 2014 after negotiations over the 100,000 square km stretch of sea floor broke down. A mediation effort led by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed seemed to have yielded positive results with Kenya and Somalia agreeing to deescalate tense relations. Abiy’s flew with Somali president from Addis Ababa to Nairobi with his office saying after the meeting: “As an outcome both agreed to work towards peace & to take measures in addressing particular issues that escalated the tensions.”

Ethiopia making displacement crisis worse with forced returns – Refugee Int.

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Tue, 21 May 2019 01:00:00 +0000

The Ethiopian government is worsening an already bad situation with respect to an internal displacement crisis that has made the country a global leader in the area of displacements relative to insecurity. This is the view of Refugee International, RI, a Washington-based group that “advocates for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people.” In a May 18, 2019 statement titled, Ethiopia’s treatment of its own IDPs making crisis worse, RI said it was deeply alarmed by new efforts aimed at forcibly returning displaced people. Their statement is premised on recent reports especially by the UK Guardian that said authorities were destroying temporary structures in southern Ethiopia, Gedeo Zone, as a means of getting displaced people to return to their places of origin. “The government’s actions are making an ongoing humanitarian crisis even worse,” said RI Senior Advocate Mark Yarnell, who traveled to southern Ethiopia in September 2018. “I met displaced people who described horrific levels violence, including entire villages burned to the ground. The government pushing people to return to their home communities prematurely will only add to the ongoing suffering.” RI said the government was reversing positive gains in the mode of a recent draft IDP startegic plan which promised humane returns. They averred that officials were not learning from the problems of earlier return efforts. “This is in no way voluntary and a major breach of basic rights,” said Yarnell. “The irony is that the Ethiopian government has been receiving international praise—deservedly so—for its increasingly progressive policies toward refugees, including promoting their right to work and access national services. But the way it’s treating its own displaced citizens is not only shameful, it’s inhumane.” The statement concluded with a call to the government to pause the current return effort until its Strategic Plan can be carried out in a manner that is truly voluntary, sustainable, and in collaboration with displaced people themselves.

Polls the best route out of Algeria's political crisis - Army chief

editorial@africanews.com — Mon, 20 May 2019 18:45:04 +0000

Elections are the best way to overcome Algeria’s political crisis and avoid a constitutional vacuum, the country’s army chief said on state television. Lieutenant-General Ahmed Gaed Salah on Monday also urged speeding up the formation of a committee to supervise the election, without mentioning a date for the vote. A presidential election has been scheduled for July 4, but a source said on Friday it might be postponed. REUTERS

CAF unveils AFCON 2019 mascot [Football Planet]

editorial@africanews.com (Philemon Mbale NSONGAN) — Mon, 20 May 2019 18:14:00 +0000

Guinea’s U17 side, finalist at this years youth championship have been disqualified from participating in the next two editions of the U17 competition as well as the world cup in Brazil later this year, as they fielded two over aged players during the competition in Tanzania. RS Berkane last night muscled a late goal in the Caf Confederation Cup first leg finals against Zamalek of Egypt. Playing their first continental finals, the Moroccans take a one goal lead into the return leg to be played this weekend. Less than a month to the kickoff of Africa’s most prestigious football come together, Caf has officially released the mascot for the competition do not blink it is brief. Exclusively getting the views of former premier league player George Elokobi’s views on the surge of record breaking Africans in the EPL this season and he tells us what has changed from when he played for Wolverhampton Wanderers from 2009 to 2011.

Eritrea stands with Sudanese people - Afwerki sends delegation to Khartoum

editorial@africanews.com — Mon, 20 May 2019 15:35:00 +0000

May 20: Eritrea stands with Sudanese people – Afwerki Eritrea stands in solidarity with the Sudanese people was the crust of a message transmitted by a delegation that was sent on Sunday by President Isaias Afwerki to Khartoum. “President Isaias’ message further stressed Eritrea’s confidence in the ability of the Sudanese people to find solutions to their own issues. The President of the TMC, General Alburhan, welcomed Eritrea’s initiative and briefed the delegation on developments in the country. “Both sides affirmed their readiness to put Eritrean Sudanese relations back on track. Eritrea’s delegation is on a two-day visit to the Sudan,” the information Minister said in tweets on Sunday. Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and Presidential Adviser Yemane Ghebreab met the leader of Sudan’s Transitional Military Council, TMC, General Abdulfetah AlBurhan, for talks on Sunday. The same day talks resumed between the generals and the protest leaders – Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, FDFC. As at Monday, they also held a meeting with the second in command of the military junta and leader of the Rapid Support Forces, General Mohamed Hamdan Hamedti. Eritrea is the second neighbour to send a delegation to Khartoum since Bashir was deposed. Ethiopia PM days after Bashir’s ouster issued a statement stressing that Ethiopia stood with the resilient Sudanese protesters. Abiy’s deputy has visited Khartoum as has the Foreign Affairs chief earlier this month. South Sudan president Salva Kiir also recently expressed support for the protesters tasking meddlers to stay off the affairs of sovereign Sudan. Eritrea diplomacy hits top gear: Delegation visits Mogadishu, Cairo, Riyadh Eritrea's delegation visiting the Sudan met with Deputy President of TMC, Mohamed Hamdan D. Hameidti. General Hameidti stated that current visit of the delegation signifies the end of a chapter and the beginning of a promising one in bilateral ties between Eritrea & the Sudan pic.twitter.com/wCkYmdvqdj— Yemane G. Meskel (@hawelti) May 20, 2019 May 16: British ambassador urges resumption of talks Irfan Siddiq, the British ambassador in Sudan has asked the military junta to quickly resume talks with protest leaders. He said the parties risked losing progress made in the transition talks with the situation. He tweeted details of a meeting with the Abdul Fattah Burhan-led Transitional Military Council, TMC, that deposed Omar al-Bashir on April 11. His full statement is as follows: Met with TMC today for their explanation of the suspension of talks. TMC claim environment not conducive given escalation: expansion of roadblocks, blocking of railway line, worsening security and hostile statements from FFC. Urged TMC to resume talks asap. Progress made was significant and it seemed strange to suspend at this point and risk losing all gains made. Delay also creates a vacuum that could lead to further instability. Rollback of roadblocks had begun, should continue and was welcome. Also stressed absolute need to avoid further violence. No amount of provocation justifies shooting protestors. Pressed for results of investigation into recent killings and injuries ASAP. “Protesters caution military junta over suspension of talks”: https://www.africanews.com/2019/05/16/sudan-protesters-warn-confused-junta-over-suspension-of-talks/ May 13: Special forces disperse protesters in northern Khartoum Special forces believed to be from Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces have dispersed protesters in the capital on Monday, media reports have shown. The forces dispersed protests and removed road blocks in parts of the city’s north. Tear gas was used in the process, the reports further added. Incidentally, the action comes on the day talks resumed over transition. The military junta that deposed Omar al-Bashir remain deadlocked with protest leaders calling for a transfer of power to a civilian-led transition team. A sit-in outside the army headquarters in Khartoum, however, continues with roadblocks being regularly reinforced. Protesters are spending the Ramadan in the streets where they spend the entire day – observing the fast. May 7: UN, AU support civilian-led transition The African Union and the United Nations say they are supporting a civilian-led transitional government in Sudan following last month’s overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir. AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat told reporters after meeting Monday with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres there is no question of sustaining the military council that assumed power after al-Bashir’s ouster, saying “it is not acceptable.” But he said military members could be part of a civilian government. Protesters have called for a swift transition to civilian rule, and the AU initially gave the military 15 days to hand over power but extended the deadline to 60 days. Mahamat said talks are underway. The U.N.-AU communique welcomes and supports “AU-led efforts to facilitate a consensual and civilian-led transition, in close coordination with the U.N.” AP May 3: Military rejects civilian majority in joint council A protester was killed in Sudan’s Darfur region after security forces shot at a group of protesters on Saturday. Media reports said nine people were shot and injured at a sit-in with hospital authorities in the town of Nyala, confirming the casualty. Reports on Saturday said the military had tried to break the sit-in leading to the clashes and the subsequent incident. The sit-in is part of the nationwide action by protest leaders to push for a handover of power to civilians. Around 5,000 protesters marched peacefully from the Atash camp for the displaced to a military installation housing the 16th Infantry Division, SUNA said, citing South Darfur’s governor. Sudan has seen frequent protests near military buildings. The agency said protesters attacked military personnel and tried to seize military vehicles in the town, some 1,100 km southwest of Khartoum. However the Sudanese Professionals’ Association (SPA), which spearheaded protests that led to the ouster of president Omar al-Bashir last month, said the protesters were peaceful, and made no mention of casualties. South Darfur Governor Hashim Khalid Mahmoud said four military and Rapid Support Forces personnel were injured, SUNA reported. He said the joint forces fired live ammunition into the air and used tear gas, but said no demonstrators were hurt. The Transitional Military Council, TMC, is currently holding power having ousted long-serving Omar al-Bashir in April. Talks with civilians have failed to reach an agreement. The junta are however under pressure from the international community and the continuing sit-in that has crippled movement in key parts of the capital and other cities. The TMC is currently led by Abdel Fatteh Al-Burhaan who was sworn into office about two days after Bashir’s fall. His predecessor was one Ahmed Ibn Auf – Bashir’s last defense minister who resigned after a little over a day in charge. Bashir is currently being held in solitary confinement at Kobar, a maximum security jail in Khartoum. He is the subject of a judicial probe over possible money laundering and terrorism financing. Sad news from Nyala, South Darfur this morning. Of the 9 people shot and injured at yesterday's sit-in, one man has passed away from a gunshot wound in the stomach – according to a source at Nyala hospital this morning.— Yousra Elbagir (@YousraElbagir) May 5, 2019 May 3: Military rejects civilian majority in joint council A member of Sudan’s Transitional Military Council has told the BBC that they were only willing to split representation on a proposed joint transition team with civilians. Lt-Gen Salah Abdelkhalek said they had rejected a civilian majority in the proposed council with the Alliance for Freedom and Change who led the protests that led to the ouster of ex-president Omar al-Bashir. Roadblocks are still mounted across the capital Khartoum where a massive protest was held on Thursday calling for a civilian administration. Protest leaders early this week said the junta was not serious about reaching a deal. “The red line will be not a majority of civilians, they will not accept this… maybe half and half, this is the last point. This is the top point.” Asked about a team of say seven civilians, seven soldiers he responded: “Maybe, maybe: I can satisfy my soldiers, my officers, we are not alone.” AU gives Sudan military third deadline of 60-days to handover power https://t.co/GOasHvM9Df— africanews (@africanews) May 1, 2019 April 20: Sudan investigating Bashir after large sums of cash found at home- source Sudan’s public prosecutor has begun investigating ousted President Omar al-Bashir on charges of money laundering and possession of large sums of foreign currency without legal grounds, a judicial source said on Saturday. The source said that military intelligence had searched Bashir’s home and found suitcases loaded with more than $351,000 and six million euros, as well as five million Sudanese pounds. “The chief public prosecutor… ordered the (former) president detained and quickly questioned in preparation to put him on trial,” a judicial source told Reuters. “The public prosecution will question the former president in Kobar prison,” the source added. Relatives could not be immediately reached on Saturday for comment about the investigation. Bashir, who is also being sought by the International Criminal Court over allegations of genocide in the country’s western Darfur region, was ousted on April 11 by the military following months of protests against his rule and had been held at a presidential residence. April 18: Bashir’s brothers detained The Transitional Military Council in Sudan has arrested two brothers of ousted leader Omar al-Bashir. It is not know over exactly what charges they are being held. A military spokesperson said the move was part of efforts to uproot symbols of the former regime. HE added that militia and armed groups loyal to Bashir had been brought under police or military control. Bashir was arrested after his overthrow last week and transferred to prison custody earlier this week. The military is under pressure from protesters and the diplomatic community to handover power to a civilian transition team. Meanwhile, neighbouring South Sudan on Wednesday (April 17) offered to mediate in the crisis. The government has sent a delegation to Khartoum to meet interested parties. “The president has offered to mediate the ongoing negotiations among various groups in Sudan with the hope that the new transition will usher in a new day in Sudan…,” a statement by President Salva Kiir’s office said. Statement: AUC chair meets military delegation in Addis Ababa The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, today (April 16) received a Sudanese delegation led by Lieutenant-General Jalal Alsheikh Altayeb, member of the Military Transitional Council (MTC), who conveyed a written message to from Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairperson of the MTC. Recalling the communiqué adopted by the Peace and Security Council at its meeting held on 15 April and his own earlier communiqué, the Chairperson reiterated the African Union’s commitment to work with all the Sudanese stakeholders towards a consensual and inclusive transition that meets the aspirations of the people and ensures the stability of the country. As part of the continental solidarity and the search for African solutions to African problems, the Commission of the African Union will continue to closely monitor the situation and interact with all the Sudanese stakeholders, with the view to helping them overcome the challenges confronting their country. My statement following discussions earlier today with a Sudanese delegation led by Lieutenant-General Jalal Alsheikh Altayeb, member of the Military Transitional Council. #Sudan. https://t.co/VPIu5QtRb2 pic.twitter.com/4xtccHOBvF— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) April 16, 2019 Standing with Sudan Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the TMC, received phone calls from the Saudi king, UAE president, Qatari emir, Ethiopian prime minister and South Sudanese president, SUNA said on Monday. They expressed support for the TMC in “this delicate and historic stage” and their concern for the security and stability of the country, SUNA said. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for “a rapid transfer of power to a civilian transitional government,” in a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. “This must be followed by a credible, inclusive political process that meets the expectations of the Sudanese people with regard to economic and political reforms,” her office said in a statement. Sisi meanwhile reiterated Egypt’s support for “the brotherly Sudanese people’s will” and said Cairo would “not interfere in its internal affairs”, according to a presidential statement. AU issues ultimatum to Sudan military In a communique on Monday, the African Union’s Peace and Security Council called for Sudan’s military to transfer power to a “transitional civilian-led political authority” within 15 days or face suspension from the AU. Lieutenant General Jalal al-Deen al-Sheikh, a member of the TMC, met Ethiopia’s prime minister in Addis Ababa, where the AU is based, and said, “We are already in the process of choosing a prime minister” for a civilian government, according to the Sudanese state news agency SUNA. “So we are initiating this even before having this session with the African Union. This is our conviction and this is also the way forward to peace, but also, we respect it and we are committed to the decision of the Peace and Security Council.” SPA makes demands The Sudanese group that led protests against deposed President Omar al-Bashir called on Monday for the transitional military council that has taken power to be disbanded and for a new interim civilian ruling council to be formed. Representatives of the Sudanese Professionals’ Association (SPA) piled pressure on the military commanders who have taken over, issuing a long list of demands for deeper and faster change to end repression and a ruinous economic crisis. If their demands were not met, the group would press on with protests and not join a future transitional government, Ahmed al-Rabie, an SPA member, told Reuters. The SPA held its first news conference since Bashir, who ruled with an autocratic hand since seizing power in a coup 30 years ago, was ousted by the military on Thursday following months of street demonstrations. A new interim civilian body should be given full executive powers, with the armed forces having representation, and the Transitional Military Council (TMC) that took over last week should be dissolved, the SPA said. “If our demand for the formation of a civilian transitional council with military representation is not met, we will not be part of the executive authority, the cabinet, and we will continue the mass escalation and the sit-ins to fulfil our demands,” Rabie told Reuters. SPA representatives also renewed calls for the head of the judiciary and his deputies and public prosecutor to be removed. They demanded the dissolution of Bashir’s National Congress Party and said they received affirmation from the TMC that the party will not participate in a transitional government. The SPA also called for the seizure of the party’s assets and the arrest of its prominent figures. It demanded the dissolution of paramilitary groups that were loyal to the old government, and of the National Intelligence and Security Service’s (NISS) operations authority, and called for an end to Sudan’s press law and the public order law, which the SPA has said restricts freedoms. April 15, 2019: Protesters assured of security, ex-govt members arrested Some members of the erstwhile government have been arrested by the transitional military council, reports from the country has suggested as at Monday morning. There has been no mention of the reasons why they were picked up and who exactly had been picked. Ousted Omar al-Bashir is currently in detention and is likely to face trial in Sudan. Protesters who are holding an adamant sit-in entering two-weeks have also been assured of security by the military. As of Monday morning, protesters have block efforts by soldiers to remove road blocks according to reports. The sit-in at the army headquarters in the capital, Khartoum, was the last straw that forced the military to oust President Omar al-Bashir last week. Protesters have refused to leave until the military hands over power to a civilian-led transition team. The military high command has offered the protest leaders the opportunity to name a prime minister, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday. The border guard militia, along with some troops from the army, have asked people to help them with clearing the roads blocks, saying “let's help each other.” People have chanted back to them, “must be us.”— Yousra Elbagir (@YousraElbagir) April 15, 2019 April 14, 2019: Protesters to pick Prime Minister The military council in charge of Sudan has asked activists to nominate an independent candidate for the position of Prime Minister in the transitional government, Al Jazeera reports. The portal’s journalist covering the Sudan uprising confirmed that on day two of military – protester groups talks, the military said it was only interested in two security related portfolios. “He said the military council only wants two positions, the defence and interior ministries. That’s because, in his words, they want to maintain order and security in the country,” Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan reports from Khartoum. Morgan reported further that there were some disagreements among political parties in the duration and the shape that some of the measures expected to he undertaken. “Now the political parties themselves are divided. Some of them want a two year transitional period, others want four. There’s also disagreement over how to deal with the national intelligence and security services. Some want it completely abolished while others want reforms,” she added. Sudan’s new transition leader Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Abdelrahman is a military commander believed to be more ready to talk to the protesters. He was the third most senior general in the Sudanese armed forces and is little known in public life. As head of Sudan’s ground forces he oversaw Sudanese troops fighting in the Saudi-led Yemen war and has close ties to senior Gulf military officials. In his first televised address, Burhan said he was also canceling a night curfew ordered by his predecessor and ordered the release of all prisoners jailed under emergency laws put in place by ousted President Omar al-Bashir. A coalition of groups leading the protests said it had accepted an invitation by the armed forces to meet on Saturday to discuss a new civilian government. The main protest organiser had earlier on Saturday urged people to keep marching to demand a civilian government after the defence minister and the intelligence chief stepped down. Intelligence chief resigns Sudan’s security and intelligence chief quit on Saturday, state media reported, a day after the defence minister stepped down abruptly as interim leader following the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir and protesters kept up demands for change. Salah Abdallah Mohamed Saleh, known as Salah Gosh, who headed the National Intelligence and Security Service and was once the most influential person in the country after Bashir, was held responsible by protesters for the killing of demonstrators demanding an end to military rule. The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), which has been leading protests to demand a civilian government, called for more demonstrations on Saturday. “Today, we continue the march to finish the victory for our victorious revolution,” the SPA said in a statement. “We assert that our revolution is continuing and will not retreat or deviate from its path until we achieve … our people’s legitimate demands of handing over power to a civilian government,” it said. Defence minister resigns Sudan’s defence minister stepped down abruptly on Friday as head of the country’s transitional ruling military council after only a day in the post, as protesters demanded quicker political change following President Omar al-Bashir’s ouster by the armed forces. Hours after the military council sought to calm public anger by promising a new civilian government, Defence Minister Awad Ibn Auf said in a televised speech he was quitting as head of the council. Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Abdelrahman will be the new head of the council, Ibn Auf said. He also said Chief of Staff Kamal Abdelmarouf al-Mahi was relieved of his position as deputy head of the transitional military council. “In order to ensure the cohesion of the security system, and the armed forces in particular, from cracks and strife, and relying on God, let us begin this path of change,” Ibn Auf said. News of the change sparked joyful celebrations by many thousands in the streets of Khartoum as people chanted, “The second has fallen!” in reference to Bashir, witnesses said. “What happened is a step in the right direction and is a bow to the will of the masses, and we have become closer to victory,” Rashid Saeed, a spokesman for the main protest group, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), told Reuters. “We are committed to our demands that we submitted to the army,” he said. “We call on the masses to stay on the streets until all the demands are met.” 16 killed during protests against military council At least 16 people were killed and 20 injured by stray bullets at protests and sit-ins on Thursday and Friday, a police spokesman said. Government buildings and private property were also attacked, spokesman Hashem Ali added. Worshipers packed the streets around the Defence Ministry for Friday prayers, heeding a call by the SPA to challenge the military council. The numbers swelled in the afternoon and a Reuters witness estimated hundreds of thousands of protesters thronged areas around the ministry, which was guarded by soldiers. Hashem Ali asked citizens to help ensure safety and public order. Military council pledges civilian government Sudan’s ruling military council on Friday promised the country would have a new civilian government, a day after the armed forces overthrew President Omar al-Bashir after 30 years in power. The council, which is now running Sudan under Defence Minister Mohammed Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf, said it expects a pre-election transition period it announced on Thursday to last two years at most or much less if chaos can be avoided. The council also announced that it would not extradite Bashir to face allegations of genocide at the international war crimes court. Instead he would go on trial in Sudan. Friday’s announcement of a civilian government by the head of the military council’s political committee, General Omar Zain al-Abideen, appeared aimed at reassuring demonstrators who took to the streets to warn against imposing army rule after Bashir’s overthrow. ‘Protesters, not army have solutions’ Abideen pledged that the military council would not interfere with the civilian government. However he said the defence and interior ministries would be under the council’s control. He said the military council had no solutions to Sudan’s crisis and these would come from the protesters. “We are the protectors of the demands of the people,” he said. “We are not greedy for power.” Earlier on Friday, thousands of Sudanese demonstrators camped outside the defence ministry to push for a civilian government, defying a curfew and calling for mass prayers. Demonstrators who have been holding almost daily anti-Bashir protests have rejected the decision to set up a transitional military council and vowed to continue protests until a civilian government is established. Activists called for mass Friday prayers outside the defence ministry compound, a focal point for protests. At the compound, large tents were put up and people brought in food and handed out water as the crowd swelled, a Reuters witness said. Ahmed al-Sadek, a 39-year-old trader, said he had not slept at his home since the sit-in began on Saturday. Activists wearing yellow vests controlled traffic around the compound on Friday morning and managed foot traffic to and from the sit-in, a Reuters witness said. They also blocked a major bridge in central Khartoum. Bashir, 75, had faced 16 weeks of demonstrations against him. What next for protesters? Thousands of people flocked to an anti-government protest outside the defence ministry on Thursday, while huge crowds took to the streets in central Khartoum, dancing and shouting anti-Bashir slogans. Protesters chanted: “It has fallen, we won.” Demonstrators called for a civilian government and said they would not accept an administration led by military and security figures, or by Bashir’s aides. Omar Saleh Sennar, a senior member of the Sudanese Professionals’ Association, one of the main protest groups, said it expected to negotiate with the military over a transfer of power. “We will only accept a transitional civilian government,” Sennar told Reuters. Names of Bashir’s possible successors that have been circulating include the defence Minister, an ex-military intelligence chief, also an Islamist, and former army chief of staff Emad al-Din Adawi. Adawi is said to be favoured by regional neighbours at odds with Bashir over his Islamist leanings. Bashir detained, military council takes over Sudan’s defense minister said on Thursday that President Omar al-Bashir had been detained “in a safe place” and that a military council would run the country for a two-year transitional period, confirming a long anticipated coup by the armed forces. In a statement broadcast on state TV Defense Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf said there would be elections at the end of the transitional period. Seated on a gold-upholstered armchair, Auf announced a three-month state of emergency, a nationwide ceasefire and the suspension of the constitution. He also said Sudan’s air space would be closed for 24 hours and border crossings shut until further notice. Sudanese sources told Reuters that Bashir was at the presidential residence under “heavy guard”. A son of Sadiq al-Mahdi, the head of the country’s main opposition Umma Party, told al-Hadath TV that Bashir was being held with “a number of leaders of the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood group”. The defence minister made an appeal to the citizens, asking them to tolerate security measures that will be put in place. He also pledged that human rights will be observed throughout the transition period. Photos: Celebrating the end of an era Political prisoners released Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Service has announced the release of all political prisoners across the country, state news agency SUNA reported on Thursday. The announcement came after Sudanese sources said President Omar al-Bashir had been forced to step down after three decades in power. Shortly after the announcement, Twitter users circulated photos showing former detainees being welcomed by protesters as they joined demonstrations against Omar al-Bashir. One of those released was Mohammed Naji Elasam, a spokesman for the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), the main organiser of protests being held across Sudan since December, witnesses said. Elasam had been detained for more than three months. Protesters vow to protect revolution from Bashir’s allies The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), which has been leading protests that have lasted over three months, has urged the armed forces to ‘handover power to the people’, according to what they described as ‘the declaration of freedom and change’. ‘‘We assert that the people of Sudan will not accept anything less than a civil transitional authority composed of a patriotic group of experts who were not involved with the tyrannical regime,’‘ read part of a statement issued on their website on Thursday. Omar Saleh Sennar, a senior member of the SPA said the group was waiting for a statement by the army and expected to negotiate with the military over a transfer of power away from Bashir. Soldiers raid Bashir’s party headquarters A Reuters witness says soldiers raided the headquarters of the Islamic movement led by Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir in the capital Khartoum on Thursday. The Islamic movement is the main component of Sudan’s ruling party. Government sources said Bashir had stepped down and consultations were underway to form a transitional council. Minister says Bashir has stepped down Embattled Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has stepped down and consultations are under way to form a transitional council to run the country, government sources and a provincial minister said on Thursday. The minister of production and economic resources in North Darfur, Adel Mahjoub Hussein, told the Dubai-based al-Hadath TV that “there are consultations to form a military council to take over power after President Bashir stepped down”. Sudanese sources confirmed the report and told Reuters Bashir was at the presidential residence under “heavy guard”. Military to make announcement soon: state media The military will make an announcement soon, state television said as troops were deployed in Khartoum. “The armed forces will present an important statement shortly. Be ready for it,” the announcement on state television read, without giving further details. The army and security services deployed troops around the defence ministry and on major roads and bridges in the capital as thousands of people flocked to an anti-government protest outside the ministry, a Reuters witness said. Tens of thousands of Sudanese took to the streets in the centre of Khartoum in jubilation, dancing and chanting anti-Bashir slogans. Protesters outside the defence ministry chanted: “It has fallen, we won.” State television and radio played patriotic music, reminding older Sudanese of how military takeovers unfolded during previous episodes of civil unrest. REUTERS

Ilunga Ilunkamba: DRC prez nominates experienced hand as Prime Minister

editorial@africanews.com — Mon, 20 May 2019 15:12:56 +0000

Ilunga Ilunkamba has been nominated by President Felix Tshisekedi to occupy the position of Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC. Ilunga’s nomination was announced on Monday barely an hour after Bruno Tshibala, Kabila’s last Prime Minister, handed in his resignation and that of the last government. The nominee is seen as an experienced politician having held different ministerial posts since the 1980s through to the early 1990s. The local portal Actualite.cd said the nominee was: “a respected economist with a doctorate in applied economics. He knows the wheels of politics,” they added. Previous positions he has held include: Deputy Minister of Economy, Industry and Foreign Trade (1981-1983); Deputy Minister of Planning (1983-1984); Deputy Minister of Portfolio (1984-1986). He also served as Senior Economic and Financial Adviser to the Presidency (1986-1987); Deputy Minister of Planning (1987-1990). Then held brief stints as Minister of Planning (1990); Minister of Finance (1990-1991). #RDC Le Dr Sylvestre ILUNGA ILUNKAMBA, est nommé Premier Ministre par ord. n 19/056. Cet ancien Directeur Général de la Société Nationale des Chemins de fer du Congo (SNCC SA) va être à la tête du nouveau Gouvernement dont la structure est en cours d’élaboration. pic.twitter.com/rPZgAkWrVa— Présidence RDC ?? (@Presidence_RDC) May 20, 2019

African football stars honour retiring Nigerian governor

editorial@africanews.com — Mon, 20 May 2019 14:41:34 +0000

Football legends from across Africa and Nigeria converged in Lagos on Saturday to play a send off football game in honour of the outgoing governor of Lagos State Akinwunmi Ambode. The ‘match for Ambode’ was played to recognize the governor’s laudable contributions to the development of sports in Lagos since he took up office in 2015. Ambode kicked off the star flagged match before an excited audience at Agege Stadium. Among the football stars present included Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o, Ivorian Didier Drogba, representative of the Liberian President, who is a former award winning football star and Yaya Toure from Ivory Coast among others according to local news media. The governor was also inducted into the Hall of Fame by Nigeria Supporters Club (NSC)for his unwavering support to sport development especially football in Nigeria.

12 Jihadists killed as Egypt investigates bomb explosion

editorial@africanews.com — Mon, 20 May 2019 14:31:52 +0000

Egyptian police are inspecting the damage caused by the explosion of a tourist bus near the famous pyramids of Giza where 17 people were seriously injured on Sunday. There have not been any claims to the attack. Among the targets were several foreigners of different nationalities, including 25 South Africans. The South African Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the ambassador is following up with the authorities and has activated the emergency response mechanism and opened an emergency telephone line “for families concerned about their loved ones. In addition, 12 suspected jihadists were killed during a police raid in the suburbs of Six October, known for making explosive devices. These incidents are a cause for concern for local authorities, especially since the country is hosting the African Cup of Nations in a little over a month.

Ethiopia follows South Africa, Zimbabwe in rationing electricity

editorial@africanews.com — Mon, 20 May 2019 14:25:00 +0000

Ethiopia has become the latest African nation to ration electricity for domestic and industrial customers after a drop in water levels in hydroelectric dams led to a production deficit. Zimbabwe and South Africa have in the recent past been hit by severe power outages and implemented loadshedding campaigns. Ethiopia’s minister for water and electricity, Seleshi Bekele, said on Friday that the drop in water levels at the country’s Gibe 3 dam had led to a deficit of 476 megawatts, which is more than a third of the country’s electricity generation of 1,400 MW. Ethiopia has also suspended electricity exports to neighbouring Djibouti and Sudan, which earns the country $82 million a year, the minister said. Under the rationing programme, which runs until July, domestic consumers will face blackouts for several hours each day, while cement and steel firms will have to operate fewer shifts due to the cuts, Seleshi said. REUTERS

Shifting careers: From banking to making pancakes [Inspire Africa]

editorial@africanews.com — Mon, 20 May 2019 14:17:16 +0000

In this edition on Inspire Africa, an Ivorian entrepreneur who own several pastry shops in Abidjan shares his tips to successfully changing careers and sustaining a business.

Egypt security forces react to bus bombing, kill 12 militants

editorial@africanews.com — Mon, 20 May 2019 14:00:00 +0000

Egypt security forces react Egypt’s interior minister said on Monday that the country’s security forces have killed 12 suspected Islamist militants in Cairo, following the explosion that killed at least 12 people travelling in a tourist bus. A rudimentary device containing nails and pieces of metal detonated on the perimeter of the Grand Egyptian Museum near a bus carrying 25 South African tourists from the airport to the pyramids district. The Interior Ministry did not say whether the suspected militants were connected to Sunday’s attack, but said its forces killed the suspects during raids on their hideouts in the 6th of October and Al Shorouk districts, where it said members of the militant group Hasm were planning a series of attacks in the country to create an “atmosphere of chaos.” Egypt accuses the group, which emerged in 2016 and has claimed several attacks, of being a wing of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt’s oldest Islamist movement denies this and says it seeks change through peaceful means only. The ministry said the suspects were killed in gunbattles, but did not elaborate on the suspects’ identity or whether there had been any casualties or injuries among the security forces. Weapons and explosives were found at the scene of the shootouts, the ministry said. Explosion targets tourist bus At least 17 people have been killed in an explosion targeted at a tourist bus in Egypt on Sunday. The incident occured near the Grand Egyptian Museum, next to the pyramids of Giza. South African and Egyptian tourist were among the injured in the attack, according to security and medical sources.The attack comes just over a month before the start of the African Cup of Nations in Egypt from 21 June to 20 July. The tourism industry, crucial to the Egyptian economy, has been severely affected by political instability and attacks following the 2011 revolt that led to the fall of President Hosni Mubarak after 30 years in power. From 14.7 million in 2010, the number of visitors fell to 8.3 million in 2017.

Nigeria appoints Hamisu Yadudu as head of Aviation

editorial@africanews.com (DIBIE IKE Michael) — Mon, 20 May 2019 13:21:27 +0000

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the appointment of Captain Hamisu Rabiu Yadudu as the new Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). His appointment was conveyed through a letter, referenced FMA/PSAPPT/CEO/014/VOL.I/3 and dated May 20, 2019 from the Federal Ministry of Transportation. In a press statement by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs FAAN, Yakubu Henrietta, it noted that Capt. Yadudu, who took over from Engr. Saleh Dunoma as MD was the Authority’s Director of Airport Operations prior to this appointment. An ICAO/ACI accredited International Airport Professional, Capt. Yadudu holds professional certifications in Avionics, Airport Safety Management Systems, Airport Security Management, Air Transport Systems Management, amongst others. FG APPOINTS HAMISU YADUDU AS MD FAANhttps://t.co/sY8OtT1TIs— FAAN (@FAAN_Official) May 20, 2019 His appointment takes immediate effect.

Vivatech2019: can Africa become tech leader? [Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com (Jerry Bambi) — Mon, 20 May 2019 12:54:31 +0000

French technology summit called Vivatech has come to an end. Around 9,000 startups from about 125 countries took part culminating into a crowd of over 100,000 people. At the conference, tech leaders highlighted and showcased the role the world’s biggest tech companies can play in solving some of the world’s biggest problems. For French President Emmanuel Macron, Europe could become a tech leader by “building a tech ecosystem that is compatible with democracy.”

Kotula, a ‘One man’s initiative’ to help Soweto [Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com (Jerry Bambi) — Mon, 20 May 2019 12:54:06 +0000

In South Africa, a ‘One man’s initiative’ has translated into a community development programme responding to direct and specific needs of sprawling communities in the district of Soweto. The initiative provides support to orphaned and vulnerable children, women and elderly residents in a community that is broadly affected by HIV/AIDS, domestic violence and extreme poverty. Adam Ginster, is the founder of Kotula.

DRC opposition leader Moïse Katumbi arrives in Lubumbashi (local media)

editorial@africanews.com — Mon, 20 May 2019 09:56:31 +0000

Democratic Republic of Congo’s opposition leader Moise Katumbi, who has been in exile for the last three years, arrived in Lubumbashi on Monday, local media reported. Katumbi was received by thousands of excited supporters from his Ensemble pour le Changement party, at the Luano airport. Plane carrying moise_katumbi has just touched down. It a frenzy out here with his supporters going crazy!

— Catherine Wambua- Soi (C_SOI) May 20, 2019 Situation at the airport in Lubumbashi. Told plane carrying moise_katumbi to touch down shortly. He is one of the wealthiest people in #DRC. Fell out with former president Joseph Kabila in 2015. Then fled after accused of hiring merceneries and corruption #DRC pic.twitter.com/ww2umQW54F

— Catherine Wambua- Soi (C_SOI) May 20, 2019 The opposition politician has been living in exile for the last three years, after he was charged by former president Joseph Kabila’s government of several crimes including fraud, hiring foreign mercenaries and illegally acquiring a second citizenship. Convictions against the 54-year-old politician have since been dismissed under the new government led by Felix Tshisekedi, paving way for Katumbi to return to DRC a free man.

Inside Zuma's arguments to stop corruption trial

editorial@africanews.com — Mon, 20 May 2019 09:30:23 +0000

South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma has appealed to the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, asking it to halt corruption proceedings against him, on the basis of political interference and pre-trial irregularities. Zuma has applied for a permanent stay of prosecution from 16 charges of fraud, racketeering and money laundering relating to a deal to buy 30 billion rand of European military hardware for South Africa’s armed forces in the late 1990s. The 77-year old, appearing in court on Monday for the fifth time since the charges were reinstated, has previously said he is the victim of a politically motivated witch-hunt. Zuma’s lawyers on Monday argued that their client has been treated unfairly, and with bias from the National Prosecuting Authority (NAP) and the South African public. “Suppose we know that he may well have done what we suspect he did. Does he get stripped of human dignity, is there a reason to deal with him in a particular way because he is Mr Zuma?” Zuma’s lawyer, Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane said in his opening address. “Zuma was denied the opportunity to challenge evidence that implicated and prejudiced him,” the lawyer added. They argue that former head of South Africa’s Directorate of Special Operations (DSO), Leonard McCarthy ‘overzealously’ pursued the investigation of Zuma’s involvement in the arms deal. In addition, Zuma’s lawyers say the former NPA head Bulelani Ngcuka biased the public when he said that he had ‘a prima facie case against Zuma, but he would not prosecute’. The lawyers say these actions by members of the NPA prove that Zuma is being dealt with unfairly and with bias. “Mr Ngcuka’s decisions, were politicial decisions.” .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%; } Zuma who was president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018, still enjoys support from several sections of South African society, including political parties like the Black Land First Movement. BLF shall be in court on 20th of May to stand with PresJGZuma. We shall continue to defend black people who come under attack from land thieves & white monopoly capital by any means necessary.

The process of setting up the Private Litigation Unit is also at an advanced stage. pic.twitter.com/vLIM8A3Wi5

— Black First Land First (BLF) (BLF_SouthAfrica) May 20, 2019 His supporters in the KwaZulu-Natal province marched to the court, and he is expected to address them after his court appearance.

DRC: Excitement in Lubumbashi ahead of Katumbi's return

editorial@africanews.com (Daniel Mumbere) — Mon, 20 May 2019 07:27:09 +0000

Supporters of Moise Katumbi are awaiting his return to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), that is scheduled for Monday at 10:00 hours local time. The opposition politician has been living in exile for the last three years, after he was charged by former president Joseph Kabila’s government of several crimes including fraud, hiring foreign mercenaries and illegally acquiring a second citizenship. Convictions against the 54-year-old politician have since been dismissed under the new government led by Felix Tshisekedi, paving way for Katumbi to return to DRC a free man. Katumbi’s party, Ensemble pour le Changement, had tasked the new president to demonstrate a commitment to democratic reforms by releasing political prisoners and facilitating the return of exiled politicians. Katumbi, along with another opposition heavyweight politician, Jean Pierre Bemba, supported Martin Fayulu, in the election won by Tshisekedi. Fayulu welcomed Katumbi home on Monday, posting on his official Twitter account; ‘‘No matter how long the night, the day always ends up rising. Welcome home Moïse Katumbi,’‘ Fayulu said. Highly anticipated return A ‘welcome back’ sign being put up outside home of senior opposition figure Moïse Katumbi, who will be returning to DR Congo tomorrow after over 2 yrs in self-imposed exile. Last month Court overturned his fraud jail sentence, paving the way for his return. (Image via WhatsApp) pic.twitter.com/39GKPwxKrJ— Samira Sawlani (@samirasawlani) 19 mai 2019 On our way to the luano's airport in Lubumbashi with ii_papy. The chairmain moise_katumbi is back for the better of DRCMuyamboKyassa scodenational pic.twitter.com/2HqopoXiru— Emery Pat. OLENGHA (@EPOlengha) 20 mai 2019 Welcome home Moise katumbi we waiting for you , and I say thank to the president Fatshi for everything. Thanks— kabemba dawson (@jordanNyembo) 20 mai 2019 Welcome moise_katumbi pic.twitter.com/tzDBKq8Aqm

— ???? DRC= Felix président (nestac245) 19 mai 2019 Lubumbashi airport at a standstill. Thousands making their way to the airport to recieve Moise Katumbi #DRC pic.twitter.com/SeVw4Lpbo0— Catherine Wambua- Soi (@C_SOI) May 20, 2019 Katumbi’s last attempt to return home before the presidential elections last year, was unsuccessful after aviation authorities barred him from landing in Lubumbashi.

Schwarzenegger resurrects 'Africa is not a country' debate

editorial@africanews.com — Mon, 20 May 2019 06:46:41 +0000

Africans over the weekend called out American entertainment magazine TMZ, for reporting that Arnold Schwarzenegger had been attacked in Africa, rather than specifying that the widely reported incident happened in South Africa. A video of a man striking the actor and former California governor at a sports event in South Africa on Saturday, was shared online, prompting Schwarzenegger to reassure his fans. “There is nothing to worry about. I thought I was just jostled by the crowd, which happens a lot,” the star of the “Terminator” films wrote on Twitter, thanking fans for their concern. Schwarzenegger, 71, was chatting with fans at the Arnold Classic Africa, an event showcasing body-building and other sports, in Johannesburg when he was kicked from behind. “I only realized I was kicked when I saw the video like all of you. I’m just glad the idiot didn’t interrupt my Snapchat.” While the assailant was quickly restrained by a security guard, Africans online could not be restrained from attacking the TMZ report that said Schwarzenegger had been attacked on the continent. Africa is not a country He was attacked in South Africa. Africa is a continent. Be specific plz.— momoh kelvin (@mnk_pope) 18 mai 2019 I am in Lesotho Right inside South Africa but I refuse to share that responsibility. I refuse— friend of Hodor (@letseare) 19 mai 2019 Stop going to pages like this to say “Africa isn’t a country” If they are too dumb not to know Africa is a continent – that’s their problem not ours as Africans!!!!! https://t.co/gA8AzM4Npl— Israel Oladipupo O. (@LadiSpeaks) 20 mai 2019 This is not the first time that Africans have called out Western media and sometimes celebrities for failing to distinguish between specific countries on the continent. READ MORE: Kanye West is coming to ‘what is known as Africa’

Englishmen defeat Congolese wrestlers in mini-tournament

editorial@africanews.com — Sun, 19 May 2019 21:42:00 +0000

Two English wrestlers, Steeve Moroco and George Castano, paraded the streets of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, to celebrate their victory. In the combat at Kinshasa stadium, the Congolese wrestlers who tried to take their championship title, experienced grappling holds, and heavy punches that spelled outright defeat for them. The event organisers remain optimistic about the future of the event. “It’s a mini tournament that we organise between the British wrestlers who come from London and Congolese wrestlers’‘, Guy Momat, member of the event planning team said. This is the spirit, it lasts for 3 days in a row where the Congolese will experience the Congolese style and the British style of wrestling,’‘ he added. According to one of the Champions George Castano,winning begins with a decision. “ I win because I’m strong in the mind. It doesn’t matter how big you are, how small or big your arms are. It’s a strength of your mind, and I was prepared to go one way and one way only! he said. And that’s lifting my heavy weight championship of the world”,he added. This mini-tournament has become one of the biggest annual events in the local wrestling world, wining the hearts of many in Kinshasa.

Sudan - military and protest leaders resume negotiations

editorial@africanews.com — Sun, 19 May 2019 20:26:00 +0000

The military and leaders of the protest in Sudan resumed Sunday dialogue on the composition of a future transitional sovereign council, after a warning from Islamists on the need to keep Islamic law as the source of legislation. The leaders of the protest want at all costs a civilian to lead this future key institution, after an urgent call from the international community for the negotiations to lead to a transition “truly civilian-led”. “The new round of negotiations between the Transitional Military Council and the Alliance for Freedom and Change (ALC), began” in the evening, the Military Council said in a statement. Spearheading the protest, the LAC had earlier indicated that the negotiations would focus on the distribution, between army and protest leaders, and the seats of the Sovereign Council as well as on its future leader. Negotiations were suspended on Wednesday by the Military Council led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhane, who took power after President Omar al-Bashir’s dismissal and arrest on April 11. The military demanded the removal of the barricades installed by demonstrators in Khartoum. Since April 6, thousands of Sudanese have been camping outside army headquarters in the Sudanese capital to demand the transfer of power to a civilian administration. On Friday, demonstrators dismantled several of these barricades.

French interior minister in talks with Alassane Ouattara over terrorism and immigration

editorial@africanews.com — Sun, 19 May 2019 20:21:00 +0000

French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner arrived in Abidjan on Sunday to discuss cooperation between France and Côte d’Ivoire, mainly on terrorism and immigration. “The risk (terrorist) exists everywhere , It has struck in France and Côte d’Ivoire” said the minister emphasizing “cooperation on intelligence”, after a meeting with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara. Accompanied by the Ivorian Ministers of Defence Hamed Bakayoko and Interior Sidiki Diakité, with whom working meetings were scheduled for Monday, Castaner also expressed the willingness of France and Côte d’Ivoire to “combat smuggling activities” with migrants and weapons. He also mentioned the fight against illegal immigration, considering that there were “too many Ivorians who arrive in France without rights or titles”. Côte d’Ivoire, whose neighbours Burkina Faso and Mali face recurrent jihadist attacks, was hit by a jihadist attack in March 2016 in the seaside town of Grand-Bassam, near Abidjan, when attackers opened fire on the beach and hotels killing 19 people. Several other attacks have been thwarted thanks to the collaboration of the Ivorian, Malian, Burkinabe and French intelligence services, according to Ivorian and French security sources. Castaner stressed the strength of the Ivorian economy, saying that the country should be helped to develop rather than young people “imagine that there are European Eldorados”.

Boeing completes software updates to 737 MAX jets

editorial@africanews.com — Sun, 19 May 2019 18:42:00 +0000

Boeing company said on Thursday (May 16) it had completed a software update for its 737 MAX jets, which have been grounded worldwide since March after they were involved in two fatal crashes. The airplane manufacturer said it was providing additional information to address requests from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that includes details on how pilots interact with controls and displays in different flight scenarios. Once the requests are addressed, Boeing will work with the FAA to schedule its certification test flight and submit final certification documentation, the company said. The company hopes the software upgrade and associated pilot training will add layers of protection to prevent erroneous data from triggering a system called MCAS, which activated in both crashes. Boeing said it has completed associated simulator testing and its engineering test flight and developed training and education materials that are now being reviewed by the FAA, global regulators and airline customers so that the jets can be returned to service. The 737 MAX was grounded following a fatal Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed all 157 on board just five months after a similar crash of a Lion Air flight killed 189 people.

Malawi's president holds final rally ahead of elections

editorial@africanews.com — Sun, 19 May 2019 18:34:00 +0000

Malawian President Peter Mutharika, made a final plea to voters on Saturday, promising to develop the country “beyond recognition” if he wins next week’s election. Mutharika, who came to power in 2014, could face a tough battle to hold onto office in Tuesday’s election, after his presidency was damaged by corruption allegations. “We have set Malawi on the path of progress. The opposition have nothing to criticise me on,” he told several thousand cheering supporters in Blantyre at his final campaign rally. “My priorities for this country are development and building skills. When you give me a chance for another five years, I will develop this country beyond recognition’‘. “I can assure you that we will get to the level of Singapore and Malaysia.” Mutharika, who said he was taking only 40 percent of his salary to help the economy, pledged to construct more schools and factories in Malawi — a largely agricultural country that is one of the poorest in the world. “We will continue to build the economy so that we eradicate poverty,” he said. Mutharika also pledged to provide secure accommodation for albinos, who have been killed or mutilated for their body parts in the belief that they contain magical powers. In a surge of attacks, 163 cases have been reported since November 2014, including 22 murders, Amnesty International said this month. Mutharika, 78, who has denied rumours of ill health, was greeted by supporters chanting “We all knew our father was alive!” “He should win again so that we continue living in peace and he should continue with his mission,” said businesswoman Flora Malewa, 25, at the rally.

Malawi's opposition candidates wrap up campaigns

editorial@africanews.com — Sun, 19 May 2019 18:28:00 +0000

Malawi’s opposition candidates made a last-ditch bid on Saturday (May 18) as candidates for next week’s hotly contested election wrapped up their campaigns at rival rallies across the country. Analysts expect a tight race on Tuesday (May 21) between President Peter Mutharika and two leading opposition candidates — Lazarus Chakwera, who heads the second-largest party in parliament and Deputy President Saulos Chilima. Pastor Lazarus Chakwera, 64, who leads the Malawi Congress Party, the second-largest party in parliament, has made corruption-fighting a key campaign message. On the outskirts of Lilongwe, Mutharika’s former ally-turned-foe Chilima told supporters the president was corrupt and should not be allowed to contest. Former law professor Mutharika, 78, is trying to secure a second five-year term in Malawi, a southern African country heavily dependent on foreign aid which has experienced severe droughts in the past decade. Voters will also elect a new parliament and local government councillors.

Video: Sudan's deputy military junta head denies role in protestor deaths, says wants democratic elections

editorial@africanews.com — Sun, 19 May 2019 14:00:00 +0000

The deputy head of Sudan’s ruling military council on Saturday denied ordering soldiers to attack protestors. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are accused of firing at protestors this past week, killing at least six. Speaking in front of an audience of tribal leaders and senior diplomats, Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, said the army wants Sudan to revert to civilian rule. Watch our report

Malawi's president makes final plea for re-election in tight race

editorial@africanews.com — Sun, 19 May 2019 10:48:22 +0000

Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika made a last-ditch bid to win re-election on Saturday as candidates for next week’s hotly contested election wrapped up their campaigns at rival rallies across the country. Former law professor Mutharika, 78, is trying to secure a second five-year term in Malawi, a southern African country heavily dependent on foreign aid which has experienced severe droughts in the past decade. Addressing thousands of supporters in his stronghold in Blantyre, the nation’s commercial capital, Mutharika highlighted the country’s relative economic stability during his government and said he wanted to win “without trickery and in peace”. “I found a broken economy. And I have fixed it,” he told the crowd, many of whom were dressed in traditional bright blue clothing emblazoned with the symbol of his Democratic Progressive Party. While there are no reliable opinion polls to forecast the outcome of Tuesday’s election, analysts expect a tight race between Mutharika and two leading opposition candidates — Deputy President Saulos Chilima and Lazarus Chakwera, who heads the second-largest party in parliament. “I’m confident we’re winning this on Tuesday,” said Doris Dika, a Mutharika supporter who sells clothes and shoes in Blantyre and attended Saturday’s rally. Voters will also elect a new parliament and local government councillors. CORRUPTION ACCUSATIONS On the outskirts of the city of Lilongwe, Mutharika’s former ally-turned-foe Chilima told supporters the president was corrupt and should not be allowed to stand, vowing to tackle graft and lower fertiliser prices if elected. Mutharika denies his government is corrupt and says he has achieved important successes improving infrastructure and lifting agricultural output since he took office in 2014. Chilima said on Saturday he would grant a temporary amnesty to anyone who had looted public money in the “Cashgate” graft scandal which was uncovered in 2013, prompting some donors to cut off critical budget support. Chilima, 46, who has targeted young voters with a vibrant social media campaign featuring hip-hop videos, also said he would set up a fund for young entrepreneurs. Yotham Phiri, a civil servant at Chilima’s rally, said he wanted to see a younger man take over who would halt corruption. Pastor Lazarus Chakwera, 64, who leads the Malawi Congress Party, the second-largest party in parliament, has also made corruption-fighting a key campaign message. He told his closing rally on Saturday he wanted to change the law so the head of the country’s anti-corruption bureau would no longer be appointed by the president. REUTERS

Deaths, ashes in wake of Ivory Coast ethnic violence

editorial@africanews.com — Sun, 19 May 2019 10:47:09 +0000

Nine people have died and at least 84 injured in Beoumi, a small town in central Côte d’Ivoire, following ethnic violence for three days this week between indigenous (Baoulé) and non-indigenous (Dioula or Malinké, northern nationals) populations. An altercation between a taxi driver (Malinke) and a commercial motorbike rider (Baule) on Wednesday turned into a battle in the city and then surrounding villages, according to witnesses. The clashes spread to the village of Kongonoussou, separated from the city by a bridge over a dam. “At about 9am on Thursday, I saw a crowd coming from Beoumi. Malinke youth armed with clubs, machetes and 12-gauge guns… They started shooting, I ran home. I was able to tell my cousin who went out with her two children,” says Désiré Kouamé, a Baoulé, who explains that he was injured in the back when he “wanted to go home to get my two old out”. Once the attackers left, Désiré returned home on fire and was able to take out the burned bodies of his aunts Zouzou Wô Ngo (95 years old) and Juliette Yobouet (75 years old). The small brick house is charred, there is almost nothing left of it, kitchen utensils are on the floor, blackened by smoke… “We’ve lost everything,” he said, haggard. The teacher’s house also went up in smoke. In the middle of what was once the living room, lays the carcass of a motorcycle. “They attacked him with a machete and shot him twice in the legs. All because he’s a Baule,” a villager swore. Hundreds of military and gendarmes have been deployed throughout the area to avoid further clashes. Tension remains high between the two communities who look at each other like a tile dog. Many still want to fight it out. Some residents say that members of the Malinke community are still missing. Each of the two communities lives in its own neighbourhoods. The market is closed, as are all shops and gas stations. Shops and houses around the market were looted and burned down. Transport has been interrupted while army patrols travel between burnt-out cars. Inter-community clashes, sometimes deadly, are frequent in Côte d’Ivoire, a country of about 25 million inhabitants with several dozen ethnic groups. These clashes are often linked to land ownership and transport. Clashes between local populations and Dioula transporters, who traditionally control bush taxis, occur sporadically, sometimes killing people. The municipal elections (October 2018, some of which took place in January) were marked by violence that killed several people in the country. Many people expect the October 2020 presidential elections to be tense. AFP

Boeing admits flaw in 737 MAX simulator software

editorial@africanews.com — Sun, 19 May 2019 10:35:33 +0000

American aircraft manufacturer Boeing admitted that there were defects in its 737 MAX flight simulators’ software that is used to train pilots, following two deadly crashes involving the aircraft. The company said Saturday that the flight simulator software could not reproduce certain flight conditions such as those at the time of the Ethiopian Airlines crash in March or the Lion Air crash in October last year. Later the same day, a spokesman from Boeing, Gordon Johndroe, said that “Boeing has made corrections to the 737 Max simulator software and has provided additional information to device operators to ensure that the simulator experience is representative across different flight conditions.” Analysts said that the disclosure of the problem with the simulator software is a further blow to the credibility of the Boeing brand. Many countries, including the U.S., have grounded Boeing 737 Max planes due to the two fatal crashes. REUTERS

Malawi: Uncertainty over general elections outcome

editorial@africanews.com — Sun, 19 May 2019 09:24:31 +0000

Malawi’s outgoing President, Peter Mutharika, 78, takes another shot at extending his political career on Tuesday in an uncertain presidential election, where he will face an opposition leader and two members of his own government. 6.8 million voters of the poor and agricultural southern African country, which is highly dependent on international aid, will also elect their MPs and local councillors on the same day. Peter Mutharika, who has been in power since 2014, is running for a second term against seven other candidates. His presidency has been tarnished by corruption cases, despite his commitment to fight this scourge. He was personally involved in a $3.9 million bribe case. He first stated that he was “convinced that it was an honest donation”, before being forced to repay $200,000. During campaign, Mutharika carefully avoided mentioning the scandal. “Malawi has been put on the road to progress,” he said Saturday at his last election rally in Blantyre in front of thousands of his supporters. “If you give me another five years, I will transform this country to the point that you will not recognize it… We will reach the level of Singapore or Malaysia,” he said. Infrastructure, including roads, has improved over the past five years, but the outgoing economic balance sheet remains mixed. Since 2014, inflation rate has fallen from 23 to 9%, but growth has fallen from 5.7% to 4%, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Mutharika’s main opponents on Tuesday – his Vice-President Saulos Chilima, his Minister of Health Atupele Muluzi and opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera – naturally made the fight against corruption one of their main campaign arguments. Saulos Chilima, who last year slammed the door of the ruling Democratic People’s Party (DPP) while retaining his position as vice-president, accuses the outgoing President of “corruption” and “nepotism”. “We are witnessing a serious plundering of public resources, which are intended to improve the quality of life,” he told AFP. “The people in power…knew exactly what to do, but they did the exact opposite.” On Saturday, Lazarus Chakwera, leader of the main opposition party, the Malawi Congress Party of former dictator Hastings Kamuzu Banda (1964-1994), also played the anti-corruption card again. “We must put an end to corruption and enforce the rule of law,” he told AFP. “People are ready for change (...) We will win this election,” added the man who came second in the 2014 presidential election. This year, he has a major advantage: the support of former President Joyce Banda (2012-2014). His supporters believe that he will win. “I want the country to return to what it was during the Kamuzu era, things were then much better,” Scholastica Blackson, a peanut farmer, told AFP. In 2019, half of Malawi’s 18 million people still live below the poverty line and only 11% of its population has access to electricity. AFP

Boeing says it has corrected simulator software of 737 MAX jets

editorial@africanews.com — Sun, 19 May 2019 08:48:54 +0000

Boeing Co has made corrections to simulator software that mimics the flying experience of its 737 MAX jets, which were involved in two fatal crashes, and the company has provided additional information to device operators, a spokesman said on Friday. The spokesman, Gordon Johndroe, said the changes will ensure that the simulator experience is representative across different flight conditions and will improve the simulation of force loads on the manual trim wheel that helps control the airplane. The comments came after the New York Times on Friday reported here that Boeing recently discovered that the flight simulators airlines use to train pilots could not adequately replicate conditions that played a role in the 737 MAX crashes. “Boeing is working closely with the device manufacturers and regulators on these changes and improvements, and to ensure that customer training is not disrupted,” Johndroe said. Although the simulators are not built by Boeing, the planemaker does provide the underlying information on which they are designed and built, the New York Times said. The 737 MAX was grounded in March following a fatal Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed all 157 on board just five months after a similar crash of a Lion Air flight of a 737 MAX killed 189 people. On Thursday, Boeing said it had completed a software update for its 737 MAX jets and that is also submitting a plan on pilot training to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. REUTERS

Nomadic farmers in Morroco assert their rights to freely move and graze livestock

editorial@africanews.com — Sat, 18 May 2019 21:02:00 +0000

Nomadic farmers in Morroco assert their rights to freely move, graze livestock and explore the country’s Southern teritories. In spite of the countless disputes their exploits has landed them in with crop famers in the region of Souss, they remain determined. Tensions are recurrent and the situation is increasing in complexity.They fear eventual disappearance of their identity due to periodic movements. We refuse to be confined to a cage,” declares nomadic herder Mouloud. ‘‘We are part of the society and we have our customs, what are our customs? We are nomads, we cannot limit ourselves to one place, we want to travel throughout great Morocco, but within the framework of the law”, he added. While the situation remains a threat to crop famers, the battle is playing out on social media networks. Although a law has recently been pass to regulate pastoral nomadism and allow for “rational exploitation of vegetation” in Morocco, both the nomads and farmers rejected the law.

Cameroon's amateur engineer builds miniature bulldozers from recycled materials

editorial@africanews.com — Sat, 18 May 2019 20:58:00 +0000

A 16-year-old engineering apprentice, Awa Bless Chi, who fled the violent English-speaking Cameroon, finds home in Douala and explores his talent of building miniature bulldozers from recycled materials. His creativity is captivating, generating amusement in his fans and passerby who enjoy watching him ‘‘cruze’‘ in his bulldozer or a miniature tank made from recycled materials. In spite of his enthusiasm towards creating theses miniature machines, his biggest dream is to go back to school to continue his education. “I couldn’t go to school anymore because of the crisis. To do something useful, I made things. In Bamenda, there were no activities because of the dead cities (imposed by the armed separatists, editor’s note), so I decided to move to Douala, which is more secure,” he said. In the country’s economic capital, where he has been living with his brother-in-law for a month, the teenager recovered cardboard remains, plywood pieces, bamboo pieces and a little scrap metal. He then carefully assembles the materials to make small machines branded “Chi Style”. These are set in motion when the young prodigy connects them, with electrical cables, to batteries. On a side street in Nkoulouloun, a working-class district of Douala, Awa Bless Chi sets up her works for a small demonstration. Immediately, a crowd of curious people gather around him. Applause accompanies the demonstration. “He’s a genius,” cuts off a curious man. “You’re strong as a child! You don’t belong here in the country,” said another. “Get the plane off the ground,” says another one. Something that fascinates his audience, with some donating money to him as a form of encouragement. “It’s a brain, to do that at his age. But it’s not certain he’ll make it here. We need special training centres for this kind of young people,” pleads a spectator, Pierre Nguemné. Through his work, the teenager also wants to sensitize his classmates who have remained in the English-speaking area, urging them not to forget their dreams. Although over 600,000 children are deprived of education as a result of the crisis in Cameroon, this has done little to prevent young Awa Bless Chi from being productive and taking steps towards his dreams.

Italian oil company Eni discover new light oil in Agola's deep offshore

editorial@africanews.com — Sat, 18 May 2019 20:58:00 +0000

Italian oil company Eni, revealed on tuesday the discovery of a new light oil in Agola’s deep offshore. With this discovery, up to 250 million barrels of light oil with further upside is expected. The production is also estimated at 10,000 barrels of oil per day. According to the company, this operation is the fourth largest commercial discovery since Eni relaunched its exploration project in mid-2018, in Angola. The Ndungu-1 NFW well is located a few kilometers from Eni’s West Hub facilities, and has been drilled in a water depth of 1076 meters, and it reached a total depth of 4050 meters. It follows the discoveries of Kalimba, Afoxé and Agogo; the four discoveries altogether is estimated to contain up to 1.4 Billion barrels of light oil in place. This discovery will however,boost Angola’s oil production and increase the financial wherewithal of a country still dependent on oil, despite efforts to diversify its economy.

Malawi president faces tough election against deputy

editorial@africanews.com — Sat, 18 May 2019 14:52:51 +0000

Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika is in for a stern test at next week’s elections, challenged by a field of candidates including his deputy – a onetime ally turned rival – and a former pastor who accuses him of corruption. Former law professor Mutharika, 78, is trying to secure a second five-year presidential term on Tuesday, when Malawians will also vote for a new parliament and local government councillors. The southern African country is heavily dependent on foreign aid and has suffered frequent severe droughts in the last decade that have affected hundreds of thousands of people. Mutharika is credited with improving infrastructure and lowering inflation. But he was dealt a blow last year when Deputy President Saulos Chilima quit the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to form a new party, the United Transformation Movement (UTM). Chilima, a 46-year-old former telecoms executive, has gambled his political future on winning the presidency, said Boniface Dulani from the University of Malawi. “If Chilima loses that might signal the end of his political career; win, and he gets a platform to see if the successes he had in the private sector can be replicated in government,” Dulani said. A major issue at these elections will be corruption, following a series of high-profile scandals in the past decade. Chilima and Lazarus Chakwera, a former pastor who is also running for president and who leads the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), say Mutharika has nurtured graft. Mutharika denies that. He says local media reports he benefited from a $4 million contract to supply food to the police force are a ploy to smear him before the elections. REUTERS

UN warns of humanitarian crisis in drought-stricken Somalia

editorial@africanews.com — Sat, 18 May 2019 13:54:57 +0000

Drought has left nearly two million Somalis in desperate need of food, a humanitarian agency warned Monday, as poor rainfall pushes communities to the brink across East Africa. The Norwegian Refugee Council said hundreds of thousands of children were already suffering malnutrition in Somalia and millions had abandoned their homes in search of food in the arid, conflict-torn nation. “The humanitarian situation has deteriorated at an alarming rate as a result of the drought,” Victor Moses, the council’s country director in Somalia, said in a statement. The failure of the so-called long rains that usually sweep East Africa between March and May has caused widespread crop failures and heaped immense pressure on livestock-dependent communities in the greater region. Somalia is enduring its third-driest long rains season since 1981. The United Nations estimates that 1.7 million people are going hungry, with that figure expected to grow by another half a million come July. Last week, the UN said 44,000 Somalis had left their homes in rural areas for urban centres just this year — joining the estimated 2.6 million internally-displaced people across the country. Close to a million children will need treatment for malnutrition in 2019. “The deterioration has come much earlier than seen over the last decades and before affected communities could recover from the most recent drought,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. But the hunger crisis could extend well beyond Somalia, with the entire Horn of Africa region at risk from drought and extreme weather exacerbated by climate change. Almost 80 percent of the population in the Horn depend on farming for a living, said the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization. The Famine Early Warning Systems Network said in April that if rains did not materialise in May “the season will have failed and the impact on food security outcomes would be more severe than currently anticipated”. The US-funded network warned more than 42 million people in Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda and nearby Yemen were currently facing crisis levels of food insecurity. In Kenya, considered the most dynamic economy in the AFP

Christians seek refuge after deadly Burkina attack

editorial@africanews.com — Sat, 18 May 2019 10:13:45 +0000

Concerned about a rise in violence against Christians in Burkina Faso, Pastor Jacques Ouedraogo changed the time of his Sunday service as a precaution. He believes this is what saved his life. Later, his church was one of two targeted by gunmen on May 12 in the town of Dablo in a series of deadly attacks on churches and a religious procession in the last two weeks in Burkina’s formerly peaceful Central North region. “I could have been one of the martyrs who fell on Sunday,” said the priest. “We’ve told ourselves our turn will come. Today Christians are potential targets. We’re all scared.” In the wake of Sunday’s bloodshed, he and hundreds of residents fled Dablo. The town had previously served as a safe haven for some of the thousands displaced by violence in the country’s northern Sahel region, which has become a stronghold for militant groups with links to Islamic State and al Qaeda. Around 90 kilometres south of Dablo, the city of Kaya has become a refuge for those newly displaced, including a farmer, who asked to be identified by the name Te Wende. Along with his his wife, mother, grandmother and two children, he was warned by neighbours to flee. “When the shooting started, they called us straight away and told us to run far away,” he said. “We don’t know where they came from or what they really wanted,” he said. On Thursday, the United Nations warned that the Central North region had become the new epicentre for attacks. The recent targeting of churches threatens to upend traditionally peaceful relations between the Muslim majority and Christians, who make up a quarter of Burkinabes. “I call on Christians not to panic and not to yield to the temptation of vengeance, because that could be blind,” the Bishop of Kaya, Theophile Nare, said at a meeting of bishops in the capital on Friday. The first church attack occurred in late April, when gunmen killed a Protestant pastor and five congregants. Subsequently, a Catholic priest and five parishioners were killed in the Dablo attack and a further four Catholics died in an attack on Tuesday. No one has claimed responsibility, but the Burkinabe government has blamed “terrorist groups … attacking religion with the macabre aim of dividing us.” Violent attacks linked to the strengthening jihadist insurgency have surged this year in Burkina as well as across the broader Sahel region, an arid expanse of scrubland just south of the Sahara desert. Militants have also worked to sow ethnic tensions between farming and herding communities in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in order to boost recruitment among marginalised communities. On Thursday, Islamic State’s West African branch claimed responsibility for an ambush that killed 28 soldiers this week in Niger, one of the deadliest attacks against the military in Niger’s west in recent years. REUTERS