Africa Intel pinned «Main Events in Africa on January 22-28 🇫🇷🇧🇫 France agreed to pull its troops out of Burkina Faso, recalled ambassador to Burkina Faso. 🇺🇸🇸🇴 US raid in Somalia killed top Islamic State leader. 🇪🇹 Oromo Liberation Army published a manifesto with demands to…»
🇰🇪🇹🇿 Kenya and Tanzania accuse the KLM airlines of spreading ‘unfounded’ claims about purported ‘civil unrest’
The governments of Kenya and Tanzania have hit out at KLM airlines for spreading “unfounded” claims after the airline published an advisory warning of travel disruptions due to purported civil unrest in the two countries.
The carrier had said that “civil unrest” between Friday and Monday could potentially force flights to be cancelled, before amending its alert to refer to an unspecified “local threat in Tanzania”.
Kenya’s transport minister said that he had protested to the airline over “this unfounded, false, insensitive and misleading information that paints Kenya in bad light”. Tanzania’s government also criticised the advisory, saying there was no truth to the claims.
The airline, which is owned by Air France-KLM, apologised to the Kenyan government, saying the advisory was “only meant for our customers in Tanzania”.
#Kenya #Tanzania
@africaintel
The governments of Kenya and Tanzania have hit out at KLM airlines for spreading “unfounded” claims after the airline published an advisory warning of travel disruptions due to purported civil unrest in the two countries.
The carrier had said that “civil unrest” between Friday and Monday could potentially force flights to be cancelled, before amending its alert to refer to an unspecified “local threat in Tanzania”.
Kenya’s transport minister said that he had protested to the airline over “this unfounded, false, insensitive and misleading information that paints Kenya in bad light”. Tanzania’s government also criticised the advisory, saying there was no truth to the claims.
The airline, which is owned by Air France-KLM, apologised to the Kenyan government, saying the advisory was “only meant for our customers in Tanzania”.
#Kenya #Tanzania
@africaintel
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🇳🇬 Lorry crushes Nigerian passenger bus in Lagos
A lorry pulling a 6m shipping container has toppled over, crushing a passenger bus on a bridge in the Nigerian city of Lagos.
Lagos state’s emergency management agency (Lasema) said nine people, including two children, had been killed in the accident at Ojuelegba bridge on Sunday afternoon.
“The bus was picking up passengers when the lorry lost control and fell over the side of the bridge,” Lasema head said. One woman was rescued alive after a forklift truck was able to the suspend the container allowing the top of the bus to be cut off, he added.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
A lorry pulling a 6m shipping container has toppled over, crushing a passenger bus on a bridge in the Nigerian city of Lagos.
Lagos state’s emergency management agency (Lasema) said nine people, including two children, had been killed in the accident at Ojuelegba bridge on Sunday afternoon.
“The bus was picking up passengers when the lorry lost control and fell over the side of the bridge,” Lasema head said. One woman was rescued alive after a forklift truck was able to the suspend the container allowing the top of the bus to be cut off, he added.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
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🇲🇬 Death toll rises after Madagascar's tropical storm
In Madagascar, 25 people are now known to have died as a result of a severe tropical storm which hit 10 days ago. 21 people are missing. Nearly 40,000 were made homeless.
Cyclone Cheneso brought winds of more than 160km/hr. Its rains caused extensive flooding.
Madagascar's cyclone season runs from November to April. Madagascar, Mozambique and the wider southern Africa region have been hit by severe storms and cyclones in recent years.
#Madagascar
@africaintel
In Madagascar, 25 people are now known to have died as a result of a severe tropical storm which hit 10 days ago. 21 people are missing. Nearly 40,000 were made homeless.
Cyclone Cheneso brought winds of more than 160km/hr. Its rains caused extensive flooding.
Madagascar's cyclone season runs from November to April. Madagascar, Mozambique and the wider southern Africa region have been hit by severe storms and cyclones in recent years.
#Madagascar
@africaintel
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🇳🇬 Nigeria extends collection date for voter cards
The deadline for Nigerians to collect their voter card, which is required to cast a ballot in next month’s election, has been extended by a week to Sunday 5 February.
Known as a Permanent Voter's Card (PVC), it contains biometrical data of the voter and is used as further verification of identity on election day.
This is the second time the deadline for collection of PVCs has been changed. The date initially set was Monday 12 December 2022, before being moved to Sunday 29 January 2023. The latest extension comes as many people have been finding it difficult to get their cards from collection centers, with some being told their cards have yet to be printed or cannot be found.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
The deadline for Nigerians to collect their voter card, which is required to cast a ballot in next month’s election, has been extended by a week to Sunday 5 February.
Known as a Permanent Voter's Card (PVC), it contains biometrical data of the voter and is used as further verification of identity on election day.
This is the second time the deadline for collection of PVCs has been changed. The date initially set was Monday 12 December 2022, before being moved to Sunday 29 January 2023. The latest extension comes as many people have been finding it difficult to get their cards from collection centers, with some being told their cards have yet to be printed or cannot be found.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
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🇿🇦 South Africa is not going to abandon coal yet
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has said there are no plans to immediately abandon coal-fired power stations during a proposed transition to cleaner forms of energy.
The country is one of the world's most coal-dependent nations. It is currently experiencing lengthy power cuts blamed on ageing infrastructure and corruption.
Since 2021 South Africa has secured several billion dollars in international loans and grants to support a switch to greener power.
Addressing colleagues from the governing African National Congress party, Ramaphosa suggested it would be unwise to reduce the country's capacity as it made what he called a just energy transition.
#SouthAfrica
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has said there are no plans to immediately abandon coal-fired power stations during a proposed transition to cleaner forms of energy.
The country is one of the world's most coal-dependent nations. It is currently experiencing lengthy power cuts blamed on ageing infrastructure and corruption.
Since 2021 South Africa has secured several billion dollars in international loans and grants to support a switch to greener power.
Addressing colleagues from the governing African National Congress party, Ramaphosa suggested it would be unwise to reduce the country's capacity as it made what he called a just energy transition.
#SouthAfrica
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🇺🇳🇨🇬 UN envoy meets with Congolese President to discuss Libyan Crisis
The UN envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily met Congolese President and the Chairman of the African Union High Level Panel on Libya, Sassou Nguesso, to brief him on his recent consultations with all Libyan stakeholders and the efforts to bring stability and security, as well as to restore legitimacy in the country through elections in 2023.
“President Nguesso pledged his full support to the UN efforts highlighting the risks associated with the continuation of the status quo. He also emphasized that the Libyan issue is of African, Arab and international concern and thus all should play a positive role in its resolution,” Bathily said.
Nguesso emphasized that the Libyan crisis can only be resolved through an inclusive process with positive international support, stressing that national reconciliation in Libya can only be achieved through positive engagements by all Libyan stakeholders.
#UN #Congo
@africaintel
The UN envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily met Congolese President and the Chairman of the African Union High Level Panel on Libya, Sassou Nguesso, to brief him on his recent consultations with all Libyan stakeholders and the efforts to bring stability and security, as well as to restore legitimacy in the country through elections in 2023.
“President Nguesso pledged his full support to the UN efforts highlighting the risks associated with the continuation of the status quo. He also emphasized that the Libyan issue is of African, Arab and international concern and thus all should play a positive role in its resolution,” Bathily said.
Nguesso emphasized that the Libyan crisis can only be resolved through an inclusive process with positive international support, stressing that national reconciliation in Libya can only be achieved through positive engagements by all Libyan stakeholders.
#UN #Congo
@africaintel
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🇿🇦 Ruling ANC outline plans to end load shedding by end of this year
South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) says its strategic goal is to end the rolling blackouts before the end of the year or reduce it to at least to Stage 2.
In his political overview, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tabled some of the interventions to end load shedding
Ramaphosa says for now the country’s objective is to decrease rolling blackouts to lower levels. He has, however, warned that interventions that have been proposed will take sometime to take effect.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) says its strategic goal is to end the rolling blackouts before the end of the year or reduce it to at least to Stage 2.
In his political overview, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tabled some of the interventions to end load shedding
Ramaphosa says for now the country’s objective is to decrease rolling blackouts to lower levels. He has, however, warned that interventions that have been proposed will take sometime to take effect.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
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🇷🇺🇸🇴 Russian helicopter in Somalia was fired upon by Al-Shabaab
A Russian helicopter that was taking part in the UN humanitarian mission in Somalia was fired upon at Mogadishu airport by members of the al-Shabaab group. This was reported by the Russian embassy in Djibouti and Somalia. No one was injured.
“A Russian UTair helicopter, which was in the parking lot, participating in the air transport support of the UN humanitarian mission in Somalia, was fired at the international airport in the city of Mogadishu,” the embassy said.
The incident occurred on January 23; the embassy reported it only on January 29. Russian pilots continued to work as usual in Somalia.
#Russia #Somalia
@africaintel
A Russian helicopter that was taking part in the UN humanitarian mission in Somalia was fired upon at Mogadishu airport by members of the al-Shabaab group. This was reported by the Russian embassy in Djibouti and Somalia. No one was injured.
“A Russian UTair helicopter, which was in the parking lot, participating in the air transport support of the UN humanitarian mission in Somalia, was fired at the international airport in the city of Mogadishu,” the embassy said.
The incident occurred on January 23; the embassy reported it only on January 29. Russian pilots continued to work as usual in Somalia.
#Russia #Somalia
@africaintel
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🇿🇦🇪🇺 South Africa gets 280 million euros in EU grants for green transition
The European Union announced it would invest more than 280 million euros in grants in South Africa to help the country green its coal-dependent economy.
"Together with South Africa, we are committed to a decarbonisation pathway," Josep Borrell, who is in South Africa for talks, said in the statement.
The EU said the money came as part of the bloc's recently unveiled Global Gateway initiative, which is in part aimed at countering China's and Russian growing influence.
#SouthAfrica #EU
@africaintel
The European Union announced it would invest more than 280 million euros in grants in South Africa to help the country green its coal-dependent economy.
"Together with South Africa, we are committed to a decarbonisation pathway," Josep Borrell, who is in South Africa for talks, said in the statement.
The EU said the money came as part of the bloc's recently unveiled Global Gateway initiative, which is in part aimed at countering China's and Russian growing influence.
#SouthAfrica #EU
@africaintel
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🇸🇴 Top al-Shabab commanders killed by Somali forces
The Somali government says it has killed more than 130 fighters from the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab - including top commanders. It says a joint operation was carried out with Somalia's international partners, which include the US military.
Over the last six months the al-Shabaab group has lost swathes of territory as the result of an operation led by pro-government forces.
It is impossible to verify the details of this attack but the Somali government has described what sounds like a significant setback for al-Shabaab.
An information minister said 136 jihadist fighters had been killed in a joint operation with Somalia's international partners.
#Somalia
@africaintel
The Somali government says it has killed more than 130 fighters from the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab - including top commanders. It says a joint operation was carried out with Somalia's international partners, which include the US military.
Over the last six months the al-Shabaab group has lost swathes of territory as the result of an operation led by pro-government forces.
It is impossible to verify the details of this attack but the Somali government has described what sounds like a significant setback for al-Shabaab.
An information minister said 136 jihadist fighters had been killed in a joint operation with Somalia's international partners.
#Somalia
@africaintel
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Africa Intel
🇹🇳 Few early voters in Tunisian election Tunisian polling stations were quiet on Sunday for run-offs in a parliamentary election that drew only 11% turnout in December's first round, an outcome critics of the president said undermined his claims of public…
🇹🇳 Tunisia's second-round poll sees 11% voter turnout
The tepid turnout of 11.3%, according to provisional figures, came as opposition groups boycotted the second round of parliamentary elections. The numbers were almost as low as the first round, held in December 2022.
Opposition parties boycotted the poll, accusing the president of staging a coup after he shut down parliament in 2021 and gave himself almost unlimited executive powers.
The elections were seen as a test in Saied's move to consolidate power, but the legitimacy is now being questioned due to the low turnout.
#Tunisia
@africaintel
The tepid turnout of 11.3%, according to provisional figures, came as opposition groups boycotted the second round of parliamentary elections. The numbers were almost as low as the first round, held in December 2022.
Opposition parties boycotted the poll, accusing the president of staging a coup after he shut down parliament in 2021 and gave himself almost unlimited executive powers.
The elections were seen as a test in Saied's move to consolidate power, but the legitimacy is now being questioned due to the low turnout.
#Tunisia
@africaintel
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🇿🇦 Eight killed in mass shooting at birthday party in South Africa
Gunmen killed eight people and wounded three others at a birthday party in South Africa's Eastern Cape province, police said.
Two gunmen entered the yard of the house on Sunday evening in Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, and started shooting at guests, a police statement said.
The gunmen fled after the attack, and no arrests have been made, the police said. Investigations into the circumstances and possible motives for the attack were ongoing. Police have not named the victims, but confirmed that the owner of the house was among them.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
Gunmen killed eight people and wounded three others at a birthday party in South Africa's Eastern Cape province, police said.
Two gunmen entered the yard of the house on Sunday evening in Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, and started shooting at guests, a police statement said.
The gunmen fled after the attack, and no arrests have been made, the police said. Investigations into the circumstances and possible motives for the attack were ongoing. Police have not named the victims, but confirmed that the owner of the house was among them.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
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🇸🇩🇹🇩 Sudan's leader Burhan visits Chad to boost relations
Sudanese leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan travelled to neighboring Chad on Sunday for talks aimed at cementing ties between the two countries.
Al-Burhan and Chadian leader Mahamat Idriss Déby met in N'Djamena and renewed their commitment to implement a 2018 bilateral agreement. They also expressed their concern over communal violence in their countries and agreed to form a joint force to handle insecurity along their border.
Burhan and Déby also agreed to take the necessary steps to tackle irregular immigration and weapons smuggling. They also agreed to bolster joint patrols along the tri-border area with the Central African Republic.
#Sudan #Chad
@africaintel
Sudanese leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan travelled to neighboring Chad on Sunday for talks aimed at cementing ties between the two countries.
Al-Burhan and Chadian leader Mahamat Idriss Déby met in N'Djamena and renewed their commitment to implement a 2018 bilateral agreement. They also expressed their concern over communal violence in their countries and agreed to form a joint force to handle insecurity along their border.
Burhan and Déby also agreed to take the necessary steps to tackle irregular immigration and weapons smuggling. They also agreed to bolster joint patrols along the tri-border area with the Central African Republic.
#Sudan #Chad
@africaintel
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Africa Intel
🇹🇳 Tunisia's second-round poll sees 11% voter turnout The tepid turnout of 11.3%, according to provisional figures, came as opposition groups boycotted the second round of parliamentary elections. The numbers were almost as low as the first round, held in…
🇹🇳 Tunisia opposition calls for unity against the President after low election turnout
The country’s main opposition coalition which includes the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha urged a united front against president Kais Saied.
"I call on all those who are part of the political movement and those who are in the civil movement to rise to this new challenge ahead of us. Let's join hands to work for change, in the form of Kais Saied's departure," said Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, head of the National Salvation Front.
"Almost 90 percent, or rather 89 percent, of Tunisian voters ignored this farce and refused to be involved in this coup d'état scenario that does not represent them at all," he added.
National Salvation Front already includes several political entities opposing President Kais Saied.
#Tunisia
@africaintel
The country’s main opposition coalition which includes the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha urged a united front against president Kais Saied.
"I call on all those who are part of the political movement and those who are in the civil movement to rise to this new challenge ahead of us. Let's join hands to work for change, in the form of Kais Saied's departure," said Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, head of the National Salvation Front.
"Almost 90 percent, or rather 89 percent, of Tunisian voters ignored this farce and refused to be involved in this coup d'état scenario that does not represent them at all," he added.
National Salvation Front already includes several political entities opposing President Kais Saied.
#Tunisia
@africaintel
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🇧🇾🇿🇼 Belarusian President visits Zimbabwe
Belarussian President Aleksandr Lukashenko is beginning his three-day visit to Zimbabwe, his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa.
The visit follows the signing of trade agreements worth $350m with Zimbabwe including the provision of agricultural machinery.
During this visit, more deals are expected to be signed in energy, manufacturing, transport and logistics, according to Zimbabwe media.
Zimbabwe president Emmerson Mnagagwa visited Minsk in 2019. The economic ties with Zimbabwe have increased over the last seven years.
#Belarus #Zimbabwe
@africaintel
Belarussian President Aleksandr Lukashenko is beginning his three-day visit to Zimbabwe, his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa.
The visit follows the signing of trade agreements worth $350m with Zimbabwe including the provision of agricultural machinery.
During this visit, more deals are expected to be signed in energy, manufacturing, transport and logistics, according to Zimbabwe media.
Zimbabwe president Emmerson Mnagagwa visited Minsk in 2019. The economic ties with Zimbabwe have increased over the last seven years.
#Belarus #Zimbabwe
@africaintel
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🌍 Horn of Africa drought drives over 22 million people to hunger
From southern Ethiopia to northern Kenya and Somalia, around 22 million people are at risk of hunger as the worst drought in four decades grips the Horn of Africa. In the afflicted areas, inhabitants -- who eke out a living mainly from herding and subsistence farming -- are experiencing their fifth consecutive poor rainy season since the end of 2020.
The United Nations says 12 million people in Ethiopia, 5.6 million in Somalia and 4.3 million in Kenya are "acutely food insecure".
The overall figure has almost doubled from 13 million at the start of 2022, the UN's World Food Programme said in a January 23 report. Across the region, 1.7 million people have been driven from their homes by a lack of water and pasture, it added.
#Africa
@africaintel
From southern Ethiopia to northern Kenya and Somalia, around 22 million people are at risk of hunger as the worst drought in four decades grips the Horn of Africa. In the afflicted areas, inhabitants -- who eke out a living mainly from herding and subsistence farming -- are experiencing their fifth consecutive poor rainy season since the end of 2020.
The United Nations says 12 million people in Ethiopia, 5.6 million in Somalia and 4.3 million in Kenya are "acutely food insecure".
The overall figure has almost doubled from 13 million at the start of 2022, the UN's World Food Programme said in a January 23 report. Across the region, 1.7 million people have been driven from their homes by a lack of water and pasture, it added.
#Africa
@africaintel
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🇸🇩🇺🇸 Sudan releases man found guilty of killing U.S. diplomat
A Sudanese man facing the death penalty in connection to the killing of an American diplomat in 2008 has been released.
Abdelraouf Abuzeid, who was found guilty for the killing of U.S. diplomat John Granville, was released by the country's high court two years after a settlement was reached between the Sudanese government and Granville's family, his brother said.
The U.S. state department did not comment on the situation.
#Sudan #USA
@africaintel
A Sudanese man facing the death penalty in connection to the killing of an American diplomat in 2008 has been released.
Abdelraouf Abuzeid, who was found guilty for the killing of U.S. diplomat John Granville, was released by the country's high court two years after a settlement was reached between the Sudanese government and Granville's family, his brother said.
The U.S. state department did not comment on the situation.
#Sudan #USA
@africaintel
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