🇹🇿 Tanzania opposition leader going to return after rally ban lifted
Tanzania’s opposition leader and former presidential candidate Tundu Lissu has said he will return home this month from exile in Europe to “write a new chapter” after the government’s decision to lift a ban on political rallies.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan lifted the six-and-a-half-year ban on political rallies last week, part of her reconciliation strategy after taking over the presidency in March 2021 following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli.
Lissu initially left the country in 2017 to seek treatment abroad after he was shot 16 times, mostly in the lower abdomen, in an attack by unknown attackers in the administrative capital Dodoma in September that year.
#Tanzania
@africaintel
Tanzania’s opposition leader and former presidential candidate Tundu Lissu has said he will return home this month from exile in Europe to “write a new chapter” after the government’s decision to lift a ban on political rallies.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan lifted the six-and-a-half-year ban on political rallies last week, part of her reconciliation strategy after taking over the presidency in March 2021 following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli.
Lissu initially left the country in 2017 to seek treatment abroad after he was shot 16 times, mostly in the lower abdomen, in an attack by unknown attackers in the administrative capital Dodoma in September that year.
#Tanzania
@africaintel
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🇸🇴 The regional head of the IS was killed in Puntland
In Somalia, the Puntland Autonomous Region forces have announced the elimination of the Islamic State's leader in the region. Abu Bara al-Amani was killed in a failed attack on a security garrison in Bari district. His associates were killed along with him. Al-Amani had been involved in planning attacks and recruiting.
Notably, the day before, the IS resources reported the first attack on security forces in Puntland in a long time. According to the group, one soldier was killed in the attack.
According to security forces, IS has one of its main operating bases in Puntland, where it attacks government forces and al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab fighters.
#Somalia
@africaintel
In Somalia, the Puntland Autonomous Region forces have announced the elimination of the Islamic State's leader in the region. Abu Bara al-Amani was killed in a failed attack on a security garrison in Bari district. His associates were killed along with him. Al-Amani had been involved in planning attacks and recruiting.
Notably, the day before, the IS resources reported the first attack on security forces in Puntland in a long time. According to the group, one soldier was killed in the attack.
According to security forces, IS has one of its main operating bases in Puntland, where it attacks government forces and al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab fighters.
#Somalia
@africaintel
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Africa Intel
🇩🇯 Djibouti signs $1B deal to set up rocket and satellite launch site Djibouti has signed a $1 billion deal with Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group to set up a rocket and satellite launch site in the country. The project, that will take 5 years to complete…
🇩🇯 New details have been released regarding $1B deal to set up rocket and satellite launch site in Djibouti
The deal, signed by Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, and the Chinese firm Hong Kong Aerospace Technology earlier this week, will pave the way to develop infrastructure for the planned site.
Construction could be finished as early as 2027, according to President Guelleh, and once the 30-year co-management contract with Hong Kong Aerospace Technology has ended, the infrastructure will be handed over to Djibouti.
Djibouti's proximity to the equator makes it an attractive location from which to launch satellites that can take advantage of Earth’s rotational speed and reduce the amount of fuel needed for their ascent.
In the wake of this deal African space experts have highlighted the fact that no African country has launched a satellite from Africa, but now there will possibility to do so.
#Djibouti
@africaintel
The deal, signed by Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, and the Chinese firm Hong Kong Aerospace Technology earlier this week, will pave the way to develop infrastructure for the planned site.
Construction could be finished as early as 2027, according to President Guelleh, and once the 30-year co-management contract with Hong Kong Aerospace Technology has ended, the infrastructure will be handed over to Djibouti.
Djibouti's proximity to the equator makes it an attractive location from which to launch satellites that can take advantage of Earth’s rotational speed and reduce the amount of fuel needed for their ascent.
In the wake of this deal African space experts have highlighted the fact that no African country has launched a satellite from Africa, but now there will possibility to do so.
#Djibouti
@africaintel
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🇫🇷🇪🇬 The Paris prosecutor's office didn't find evidence regarding the role of a French military mission in the deaths of civilians in Egypt
The unit for crimes against humanity of the Paris judicial court will not investigate the "Sirli" case. So decided the unit's prosecutor, to whom a complaint of crimes against humanity, complicity and torture had been sent against those responsible for the Egyptian-French anti-terrorist operation bearing that name.
Conducted during the second half of the 2010s in the desert area between Egypt and Libya, this mission seems to have caused the death of many civilians in air strikes. This is what the two American NGOs behind the complaint, Egyptians Abroad for Democracy and Codepink, claim.
The decision to dismiss the case was received by the organizations' lawyers a few days ago. The letter from the prosecutor mentions, by way of explanation, an "insufficiently characterized offence".
#France #Egypt
@africaintel
The unit for crimes against humanity of the Paris judicial court will not investigate the "Sirli" case. So decided the unit's prosecutor, to whom a complaint of crimes against humanity, complicity and torture had been sent against those responsible for the Egyptian-French anti-terrorist operation bearing that name.
Conducted during the second half of the 2010s in the desert area between Egypt and Libya, this mission seems to have caused the death of many civilians in air strikes. This is what the two American NGOs behind the complaint, Egyptians Abroad for Democracy and Codepink, claim.
The decision to dismiss the case was received by the organizations' lawyers a few days ago. The letter from the prosecutor mentions, by way of explanation, an "insufficiently characterized offence".
#France #Egypt
@africaintel
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🇿🇼 Zimbabwe police arrest 25 opposition members ahead of presidential election
Zimbabwean police on Saturday fired teargas at an opposition party gathering in Harare and arrested 25 of its members, including two members of parliament.
The arrests come after a wave of violence against opposition supporters in rural Zimbabwe.
Police confirmed the arrests of members of the Citizens Coalition for Change, Zimbabwe's main opposition political party, and said a detailed statement would be released following investigations."It was an unsanctioned gathering according to the local authorities. I am receiving numerous reports that people were beaten, we will release a full statement in due course," police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
Zimbabwean police on Saturday fired teargas at an opposition party gathering in Harare and arrested 25 of its members, including two members of parliament.
The arrests come after a wave of violence against opposition supporters in rural Zimbabwe.
Police confirmed the arrests of members of the Citizens Coalition for Change, Zimbabwe's main opposition political party, and said a detailed statement would be released following investigations."It was an unsanctioned gathering according to the local authorities. I am receiving numerous reports that people were beaten, we will release a full statement in due course," police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
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🇸🇴 At least 8 people killed and over 25 wounded in blasts targeting troops in central Somalia
Three suicide car bomb blasts in central Somalia killed at least 8 people and wounded over 25 on Saturday as the army steps up offensive against al-Shabab.
Police said 2 explosions had happened in Jalalaqsi (2 dead, 11 hurt) and 3rd blast occurred in Buloburde (6 dead and 24 wounded).
"A suicide car bomb exploded at a government forces checkpoint near the bridge," said Seinab Abdullahi, a shopkeeper in the Jalalaqsi district.
#Somalia
@africaintel
Three suicide car bomb blasts in central Somalia killed at least 8 people and wounded over 25 on Saturday as the army steps up offensive against al-Shabab.
Police said 2 explosions had happened in Jalalaqsi (2 dead, 11 hurt) and 3rd blast occurred in Buloburde (6 dead and 24 wounded).
"A suicide car bomb exploded at a government forces checkpoint near the bridge," said Seinab Abdullahi, a shopkeeper in the Jalalaqsi district.
#Somalia
@africaintel
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🇹🇳 Hundreds rally against President in Tunisia
Hundreds of people in the Tunisian capital have taken to the streets in demonstrations against President Kais Saied on the 12th anniversary of the fall of former dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.
A crowd gathered in the capital Tunis to demand the end of his government. Tunisians who supported Saied since he came to power in 2021 have grown increasingly frustrated with the state of the economy. With debts piling up, the country has struggled to import basic goods, including staples such as coffee, milk and sugar.
Separately, protesters also marched against Saied's seizure of near total power. In 2021, the president sacked the prime minister, suspended parliament and pushed through a constitution enshrining his one-man rule.
#Tunisia
@africaintel
Hundreds of people in the Tunisian capital have taken to the streets in demonstrations against President Kais Saied on the 12th anniversary of the fall of former dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.
A crowd gathered in the capital Tunis to demand the end of his government. Tunisians who supported Saied since he came to power in 2021 have grown increasingly frustrated with the state of the economy. With debts piling up, the country has struggled to import basic goods, including staples such as coffee, milk and sugar.
Separately, protesters also marched against Saied's seizure of near total power. In 2021, the president sacked the prime minister, suspended parliament and pushed through a constitution enshrining his one-man rule.
#Tunisia
@africaintel
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Forwarded from Sahel Intel
🇲🇱🇲🇷🇹🇩🇳🇪🇧🇫 G5 Sahel Defense Ministers renew support for united Mali
The Ministers of Defense of the G5 Sahel countries met on January 10th in N'Djamena, Chad, and reiterated their support for the reintegration of Mali, "in the common interest of our respective countries".
This is effectively a joint rejection of the Tuareg nationalist movement which has repeatedly sought independence from southern Mali, and in recent weeks has threatened to pull out of an earlier autonomy agreement.
The Ministers of Defense of the G5 Sahel countries met on January 10th in N'Djamena, Chad, and reiterated their support for the reintegration of Mali, "in the common interest of our respective countries".
This is effectively a joint rejection of the Tuareg nationalist movement which has repeatedly sought independence from southern Mali, and in recent weeks has threatened to pull out of an earlier autonomy agreement.
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Sahel Intel
🇲🇱 Mali's President declares January 14th "Day of Recovered Sovereignty" Col. Assimi Goïta, military leader of Mali, has declared a national paid holiday for January 14th, celebrating the recovery of Mali's sovereignty from foreign influence. It may be assumed…
🇲🇱 Mali's first "Day of Recovered Sovereignty" was launched
Mali marked its new "National Day of Patriotic Sovereignty" on Saturday, introduced by military leader Colonel Assimi Goïta.
The event is intended to be a founding act of popular resistance to external pressure. This day is a reminder of the massive protests that took place just one year ago when Malians took to the streets to protest against the economic sanctions imposed by ECOWAS.
No large gathering is organized, officially for security reasons, but local initiatives do take place.
#Mali
@africaintel
Mali marked its new "National Day of Patriotic Sovereignty" on Saturday, introduced by military leader Colonel Assimi Goïta.
The event is intended to be a founding act of popular resistance to external pressure. This day is a reminder of the massive protests that took place just one year ago when Malians took to the streets to protest against the economic sanctions imposed by ECOWAS.
No large gathering is organized, officially for security reasons, but local initiatives do take place.
#Mali
@africaintel
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🇸🇳 Senegal government critic released following court order
A judge on Tuesday (January 10) ordered the release of a Senegalese journalist and anti-government critic after more than two months in detention, his lawyers said.
Widely followed in Senegal for his regular columns on current affairs, Niang was released on December 14, 2022 but sent back to prison a week later, and had since been on a hunger strike in protest at his detention.
The case against Niang arose after he wrote about rape charges faced by Senegal's main opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko. Niang's arrest sparked a wave of criticism from the press, civil society groups and Senegal's opposition, with many calling for his release.
#Senegal
@africaintel
A judge on Tuesday (January 10) ordered the release of a Senegalese journalist and anti-government critic after more than two months in detention, his lawyers said.
Widely followed in Senegal for his regular columns on current affairs, Niang was released on December 14, 2022 but sent back to prison a week later, and had since been on a hunger strike in protest at his detention.
The case against Niang arose after he wrote about rape charges faced by Senegal's main opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko. Niang's arrest sparked a wave of criticism from the press, civil society groups and Senegal's opposition, with many calling for his release.
#Senegal
@africaintel
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🇺🇸 US Treasury secretary heads to Africa as US seeks to counter China’s influence
US Treasury secretary Janet Yellen is going to depart to visit three African countries, including South Africa, central to President Joe Biden’s strategy to rejuvenate ties with the continent and counter China’s influence in Africa.
The 11-day journey comes just a month after Biden hosted more than 40 African leaders in Washington.
Yellen will participate in meetings in Senegal, South Africa and Zambia.
#USA
@africaintel
US Treasury secretary Janet Yellen is going to depart to visit three African countries, including South Africa, central to President Joe Biden’s strategy to rejuvenate ties with the continent and counter China’s influence in Africa.
The 11-day journey comes just a month after Biden hosted more than 40 African leaders in Washington.
Yellen will participate in meetings in Senegal, South Africa and Zambia.
#USA
@africaintel
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🇨🇳 China calls for more African representation in international bodies
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has said Africa should have a greater voice in the UN Security Council and other international bodies, something the continent's leaders "have long called for".
Qin made the call in a statement issued after meeting the head of the African Union Commission Moussa Mahamat Faki, who voiced frustration at what he said was the exclusion of Africa from international governance.
#China
@africaintel
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has said Africa should have a greater voice in the UN Security Council and other international bodies, something the continent's leaders "have long called for".
Qin made the call in a statement issued after meeting the head of the African Union Commission Moussa Mahamat Faki, who voiced frustration at what he said was the exclusion of Africa from international governance.
#China
@africaintel
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🇬🇭 Ghana increases salaries by 30% amid economic woes
Ghana’s government and trade unions have agreed to increase all public servants’ salaries by 30% for 2023, they said in a joint statement, as the country struggles to reduce debt and tackle rampant inflation.
Trade unions representing public service employees started negotiating salary rises with the government in November 2022. The two parties on Thursday settled on a 30% increase to base pay across the board.
#Ghana
@africaintel
Ghana’s government and trade unions have agreed to increase all public servants’ salaries by 30% for 2023, they said in a joint statement, as the country struggles to reduce debt and tackle rampant inflation.
Trade unions representing public service employees started negotiating salary rises with the government in November 2022. The two parties on Thursday settled on a 30% increase to base pay across the board.
#Ghana
@africaintel
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🇹🇷 Turkish export to Africa is on rise
Turkish exports to African countries in 2022 have totaled a record high, exceeding $21 billion, an increase of 12.3 percent compared to its exports in 2021.
According to the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly, the data showed that the value of Turkey's exports to the countries of the brown continent during the past year amounted to 21.8 billion dollars.
Egypt ranked first among the African countries that imported Turkish products, with a value of $3.9 billion, Morocco second with $3 billion, and Libya third with $2.4 billion.
#Turkey
@africaintel
Turkish exports to African countries in 2022 have totaled a record high, exceeding $21 billion, an increase of 12.3 percent compared to its exports in 2021.
According to the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly, the data showed that the value of Turkey's exports to the countries of the brown continent during the past year amounted to 21.8 billion dollars.
Egypt ranked first among the African countries that imported Turkish products, with a value of $3.9 billion, Morocco second with $3 billion, and Libya third with $2.4 billion.
#Turkey
@africaintel
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🇨🇲 Cameroon urges workers to return back
The state-run Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), is calling for thousands of plantation workers who fled the country amid civil war to return to work.
About half the company’s 20,000 workers left more than four years ago over unpaid wages and after deadly and brutal attacks. The company last week said it was safe to return, but workers are skeptical and say it should first rebuild homes destroyed or damaged in the conflict.
The CDC said it wants thousands of workers back at banana, palm oil, and rubber plantations in the restive Southwest region. CDC general manager said if the workers return, the company’s sales will return to previous levels. He also added that they would then be able to afford paying back salaries and reconstructing destroyed buildings.
#Cameroon
@africaintel
The state-run Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), is calling for thousands of plantation workers who fled the country amid civil war to return to work.
About half the company’s 20,000 workers left more than four years ago over unpaid wages and after deadly and brutal attacks. The company last week said it was safe to return, but workers are skeptical and say it should first rebuild homes destroyed or damaged in the conflict.
The CDC said it wants thousands of workers back at banana, palm oil, and rubber plantations in the restive Southwest region. CDC general manager said if the workers return, the company’s sales will return to previous levels. He also added that they would then be able to afford paying back salaries and reconstructing destroyed buildings.
#Cameroon
@africaintel
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🇩🇪🇫🇷 German, French ministers want African solidarity with Europe
The top envoys said they wanted African countries to be part of a more unified front against Russia. The German and French foreign ministers wrapped up a two-day visit to Ethiopia on Friday, calling for cooperation between Europe and African countries to respond to world crises.
Speaking at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, German Foreign Minister said they wanted Africa to show solidarity with Europe against Russia. "We have common interests, and we have expectations of our African friends, and we have shared them with you," added French Foreign Minister.
#Germany #France
@africaintel
The top envoys said they wanted African countries to be part of a more unified front against Russia. The German and French foreign ministers wrapped up a two-day visit to Ethiopia on Friday, calling for cooperation between Europe and African countries to respond to world crises.
Speaking at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, German Foreign Minister said they wanted Africa to show solidarity with Europe against Russia. "We have common interests, and we have expectations of our African friends, and we have shared them with you," added French Foreign Minister.
#Germany #France
@africaintel
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🇧🇫 Terrorists killed near Ouanobia, Burkina Faso
Army destroyed a terrorist base on the night of Friday January 13 to Saturday January 14, 2023, and eliminated “several terrorists”, near Ouanobia in the Center-North region.
“An air-land operation launched with the support of a rapid intervention battalion made it possible to destroy a terrorist base near Ouanobia", government said.
During this operation the army also destroyed "explosives and logistics" and recovered "weapons and vehicles".
#BurkinaFaso
@africaintel
Army destroyed a terrorist base on the night of Friday January 13 to Saturday January 14, 2023, and eliminated “several terrorists”, near Ouanobia in the Center-North region.
“An air-land operation launched with the support of a rapid intervention battalion made it possible to destroy a terrorist base near Ouanobia", government said.
During this operation the army also destroyed "explosives and logistics" and recovered "weapons and vehicles".
#BurkinaFaso
@africaintel
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