🇿🇦 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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🇿🇦🇲🇿 Concern over South Africa attacks on Mozambican cars
The Mozambican government has expressed concern over repeated attacks on vehicles with the national number plate in South Africa.
In the latest incident, a group of unknown criminals, still at large, set alight six vehicles belonging to Mozambican citizens, including a passenger bus, which was carrying around 35 passengers and was bound for the port city of Durban. The attack took place about 90 km from the Ponta de Ouro border crossing between the two countries.
There are no reports of deaths or injuries. The victims were rescued by the South African authorities and escorted back to the border.
Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation described the situation as worrying. She says her government cannot explain the phenomenon and has demanded an explanation from South Africa.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
The Mozambican government has expressed concern over repeated attacks on vehicles with the national number plate in South Africa.
In the latest incident, a group of unknown criminals, still at large, set alight six vehicles belonging to Mozambican citizens, including a passenger bus, which was carrying around 35 passengers and was bound for the port city of Durban. The attack took place about 90 km from the Ponta de Ouro border crossing between the two countries.
There are no reports of deaths or injuries. The victims were rescued by the South African authorities and escorted back to the border.
Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation described the situation as worrying. She says her government cannot explain the phenomenon and has demanded an explanation from South Africa.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
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🇺🇸🇪🇬 Blinken says U.S. will keep pressing Egypt on human rights
The United States will continue to encourage Egypt to take steps on human rights, including freeing more political prisoners and guaranteeing freedom of expression, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a visit to Cairo.
After talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Blinken told reporters that Egypt had taken "important strides" protecting religious freedoms, releasing some prisoners, etc.
"But the concerns that we have remain and in the spirit of candor and the spirit of the partnership we have, we expressed those very clearly," Blinken said, adding that he had raised the cases of individual prisoners.
#USA #Egypt
@africaintel
The United States will continue to encourage Egypt to take steps on human rights, including freeing more political prisoners and guaranteeing freedom of expression, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a visit to Cairo.
After talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Blinken told reporters that Egypt had taken "important strides" protecting religious freedoms, releasing some prisoners, etc.
"But the concerns that we have remain and in the spirit of candor and the spirit of the partnership we have, we expressed those very clearly," Blinken said, adding that he had raised the cases of individual prisoners.
#USA #Egypt
@africaintel
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🇺🇸🇸🇴 US Ambassador to the UN urges donors to help Somalia
The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, urged the world’s donors on Sunday to give immediate help to a country facing deadly famine, which she described as “the ultimate failure of the international community.”
Excess deaths during what is now Somalia's longest drought on record will “almost certainly” surpass those of the famine formally declared in the country in 2011, when more than a quarter-million people died.
Speaking in a meeting with the Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the U.S. Ambassador said that while a famine had been "averted the last time around" that efforts to fight it should be ramped up now in order to avoid such an incident in March-April this year.
#USA #Somalia
@africaintel
The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, urged the world’s donors on Sunday to give immediate help to a country facing deadly famine, which she described as “the ultimate failure of the international community.”
Excess deaths during what is now Somalia's longest drought on record will “almost certainly” surpass those of the famine formally declared in the country in 2011, when more than a quarter-million people died.
Speaking in a meeting with the Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the U.S. Ambassador said that while a famine had been "averted the last time around" that efforts to fight it should be ramped up now in order to avoid such an incident in March-April this year.
#USA #Somalia
@africaintel
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🇿🇦 South African judge withdraws from Zuma corruption trial
A South African judge presiding over the corruption trial of former President Jacob Zuma has withdrawn from the case - in a move likely to cause further delays. Judge Piet Koen said he wanted to avoid any risk of compromising the perception of justice, after he earlier ruled against Zuma's efforts to force out the prosecutor.
Zuma is facing 16 counts of fraud and racketeering over the purchase of fighter jets and other arms equipment when he was vice-president in the 1990s. Eighteen months ago, Zuma was given a 15-month jail term for contempt of court in connection with another corruption case. He has denied any wrongdoing.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
A South African judge presiding over the corruption trial of former President Jacob Zuma has withdrawn from the case - in a move likely to cause further delays. Judge Piet Koen said he wanted to avoid any risk of compromising the perception of justice, after he earlier ruled against Zuma's efforts to force out the prosecutor.
Zuma is facing 16 counts of fraud and racketeering over the purchase of fighter jets and other arms equipment when he was vice-president in the 1990s. Eighteen months ago, Zuma was given a 15-month jail term for contempt of court in connection with another corruption case. He has denied any wrongdoing.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
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🇱🇾🇺🇦 GNU and Ukrainian military attaché discussed military cooperation between the two countries
Abd al-Hamid al-Dbeiba, Director of the Office of the Head of the Government of National Unity (GNU) discussed with the Ukrainian military attaché in Libya military cooperation between the two sides, including maintenance and repair of some weapons, warships and aircraft in Ukraine.
The Director of the Office of the Head of the GNU welcomed the Ukrainian military attaché, praising the relations of the Ukrainian Republic with the Libyan state.
He stressed the need to rebuild bridges of cooperation between the two countries, especially in the military field, which will be anchored by the military attachés of the two countries' embassies.
#Libya #Ukraine
@africaintel
Abd al-Hamid al-Dbeiba, Director of the Office of the Head of the Government of National Unity (GNU) discussed with the Ukrainian military attaché in Libya military cooperation between the two sides, including maintenance and repair of some weapons, warships and aircraft in Ukraine.
The Director of the Office of the Head of the GNU welcomed the Ukrainian military attaché, praising the relations of the Ukrainian Republic with the Libyan state.
He stressed the need to rebuild bridges of cooperation between the two countries, especially in the military field, which will be anchored by the military attachés of the two countries' embassies.
#Libya #Ukraine
@africaintel
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🇨🇩 DRC's capital is ready to welcome Pope Francis
In Kinshasa's Ndolo airport everything is ready to welcome Pope Francis, said officials.
The Holy Pontiff arrives on Tuesday in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Africa's largest catholic country. In total, Pope Francis will deliver twelve speeches and will meet, in addition to the authorities, victims of violence, displaced persons, members of the clergy and representatives of charities.
On Wednesday more than a million people are expected to attend a morning mass.
#DRC
@africaintel
In Kinshasa's Ndolo airport everything is ready to welcome Pope Francis, said officials.
The Holy Pontiff arrives on Tuesday in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Africa's largest catholic country. In total, Pope Francis will deliver twelve speeches and will meet, in addition to the authorities, victims of violence, displaced persons, members of the clergy and representatives of charities.
On Wednesday more than a million people are expected to attend a morning mass.
#DRC
@africaintel
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🇲🇱 Mali investigators finally see breakthrough in murder mystery
Investigations into a string of beheadings in southern Mali have scored a breakthrough, judicial and police sources said on Monday.
Ten people in the cotton-growing town of Fana have been decapitated since 2018, sparking fears of ritual killings.
"We have arrested the main suspect," local prosecutor told. He is a 42-year-old unemployed Malian man with no fixed address. A police official revealed the suspect had been arrested a year ago but had only confessed last week to the grisly murders. Neither the prosecutor nor the police official revealed the possible motive for the crimes.
The victims included a former soldier, a housewife, a five-year-old albino child and a two-year-old girl, and had apparently nothing in common.
#Mali
@africaintel
Investigations into a string of beheadings in southern Mali have scored a breakthrough, judicial and police sources said on Monday.
Ten people in the cotton-growing town of Fana have been decapitated since 2018, sparking fears of ritual killings.
"We have arrested the main suspect," local prosecutor told. He is a 42-year-old unemployed Malian man with no fixed address. A police official revealed the suspect had been arrested a year ago but had only confessed last week to the grisly murders. Neither the prosecutor nor the police official revealed the possible motive for the crimes.
The victims included a former soldier, a housewife, a five-year-old albino child and a two-year-old girl, and had apparently nothing in common.
#Mali
@africaintel
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🇰🇪 Kenya seeks to protect water resources from attacks
Kenya's government has launched a police unit to protect its water resources against vandalism and terrorism.
Kenya’s Interior Secretary Kithure Kindiki said that all critical water infrastructure would now be under the protection of the Critical Infrastructure Police Unit.
Making the announcement, Kindiki said that there had been attempts to access this infrastructure by criminals for economic reasons and "to attack our country’s security".
In recent years, Kenya has faced constant attack and threats of attack, especially from the al-Qaeda linked group al-Shabaab, whose raids on schools, public places and public transport have killed hundreds of people.
#Kenya
@africaintel
Kenya's government has launched a police unit to protect its water resources against vandalism and terrorism.
Kenya’s Interior Secretary Kithure Kindiki said that all critical water infrastructure would now be under the protection of the Critical Infrastructure Police Unit.
Making the announcement, Kindiki said that there had been attempts to access this infrastructure by criminals for economic reasons and "to attack our country’s security".
In recent years, Kenya has faced constant attack and threats of attack, especially from the al-Qaeda linked group al-Shabaab, whose raids on schools, public places and public transport have killed hundreds of people.
#Kenya
@africaintel
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🇧🇫 Burkina Faso says at least 28 soldiers, civilians killed in rebel attacks
At least 28 people, including soldiers and civilians, have been killed in two attacks by armed assailants in Burkina Faso.
The army said on Monday that a combat unit in Falagountou, in the north of the country near its border with Niger, came under attack and that 10 soldiers, two fighters of the volunteer force and a civilian were killed. The army said the bodies of 15 assailants were found after the attack.
In a separate statement governor of the country’s Cascades region in the south near the border with Ivory Coast, said the bodies of 15 men, all civilians, had been found following an attack on Sunday. The governor added armed men had stopped two transport vehicles carrying eight women and 16 men. The women and one man were freed, he said.
#BurkinaFaso
@africaintel
At least 28 people, including soldiers and civilians, have been killed in two attacks by armed assailants in Burkina Faso.
The army said on Monday that a combat unit in Falagountou, in the north of the country near its border with Niger, came under attack and that 10 soldiers, two fighters of the volunteer force and a civilian were killed. The army said the bodies of 15 assailants were found after the attack.
In a separate statement governor of the country’s Cascades region in the south near the border with Ivory Coast, said the bodies of 15 men, all civilians, had been found following an attack on Sunday. The governor added armed men had stopped two transport vehicles carrying eight women and 16 men. The women and one man were freed, he said.
#BurkinaFaso
@africaintel
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🇿🇦 South Africa considers state of disaster for power crisis
South Africa is considering declaring the power crisis in the country a national disaster. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday said the governing ANC party had recommended that a national state of disaster be declared to ensure sufficient resources were allocated to alleviate the problem.
This would be similar to the state of disaster declared in 2020 to manage the effects of the Covid pandemic, he said in his closing remarks at an ANC strategy meeting. “A national state of disaster will enable us to have the instruments necessary to fully implement the challenges that our nation faces,” he added.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
South Africa is considering declaring the power crisis in the country a national disaster. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday said the governing ANC party had recommended that a national state of disaster be declared to ensure sufficient resources were allocated to alleviate the problem.
This would be similar to the state of disaster declared in 2020 to manage the effects of the Covid pandemic, he said in his closing remarks at an ANC strategy meeting. “A national state of disaster will enable us to have the instruments necessary to fully implement the challenges that our nation faces,” he added.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
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