Africa Intel pinned ยซMain Events in Africa on February 4-11 ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ฌ๐ณ๐ง๐ซ Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso signed a new document outlining the formation of the alliance. ๐ฟ๐ฆThe energy crisis in South Africa continues to worsen. Opposition parties say the main problem in the country lies withinโฆยป
๐ง๐ฎ๐น๐ท Burundi sent rescue team to earthquake-hit Turkey
Burundi has deployed a โspecialisedโ team of ten to Turkey to help in the rescue and recovery operations following last week's devastating earthquake.
โThey will be deployed by Turkish authorities to areas where they need them mostโ, Burundi Foreign Affair Minister said.
Burundi did not deploy a team to Syria because โaccess to affected areas is difficult," but the minister added that "we sympathise with the suffering brotherly people of Syria."
#Burundi #Turkey
@africaintel
Burundi has deployed a โspecialisedโ team of ten to Turkey to help in the rescue and recovery operations following last week's devastating earthquake.
โThey will be deployed by Turkish authorities to areas where they need them mostโ, Burundi Foreign Affair Minister said.
Burundi did not deploy a team to Syria because โaccess to affected areas is difficult," but the minister added that "we sympathise with the suffering brotherly people of Syria."
#Burundi #Turkey
@africaintel
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๐ณ๐ฌ Nigeria military denies coup plot claim ahead of poll
The Nigerian military has denied a claim by the governing party that it is planning to disrupt the upcoming presidential election.
An official from the APC party had said that generals had last week held a secret meeting with the rival PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.
The allegations are "wicked" and "malicious", the army statement said. The army said that it was professional and "loyal to the constitution" and would never be part of a plot to overthrow the civilian authorities. "The Armed Forces of Nigeria will never be part of any ignoble plot to truncate our hard-earned democracy," army added.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
The Nigerian military has denied a claim by the governing party that it is planning to disrupt the upcoming presidential election.
An official from the APC party had said that generals had last week held a secret meeting with the rival PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.
The allegations are "wicked" and "malicious", the army statement said. The army said that it was professional and "loyal to the constitution" and would never be part of a plot to overthrow the civilian authorities. "The Armed Forces of Nigeria will never be part of any ignoble plot to truncate our hard-earned democracy," army added.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
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๐จ๐ฉ DR Congo soldiers get death sentence for cowardice against M23 rebels
A court in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced seven soldiers to death for cowardice in the face of the enemy and murder.
They were found to have fled advancing M23 rebels, retreating through the town of Sake where they caused the death of two people by recklessly discharging their arms.
Their lawyers plan to appeal. In DR Congo death sentences are commuted to life imprisonment.
#DRC
@africaintel
A court in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced seven soldiers to death for cowardice in the face of the enemy and murder.
They were found to have fled advancing M23 rebels, retreating through the town of Sake where they caused the death of two people by recklessly discharging their arms.
Their lawyers plan to appeal. In DR Congo death sentences are commuted to life imprisonment.
#DRC
@africaintel
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๐ธ๐ด Somaliland agrees to ceasefire after five days of fighting in disputed territory
The administration of Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland said it had agreed to an unconditional ceasefire, following five days of clashes in the east of the territory that health workers say have killed dozens of people.
Heavy fighting broke out between Somaliland forces and militiamen in and around the town of Las Anod, the administrative centre of the Sool region, on Monday after local leaders said they wanted to rejoin federal Somalia.
"Somaliland government has agreed to an unconditional cease-fire tonight despite past attacks by militias," Somaliland's defence minister said.
A spokesperson for the group who oppose Somaliland rule, called the ceasefire "a lie."
#Somalia
@africaintel
The administration of Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland said it had agreed to an unconditional ceasefire, following five days of clashes in the east of the territory that health workers say have killed dozens of people.
Heavy fighting broke out between Somaliland forces and militiamen in and around the town of Las Anod, the administrative centre of the Sool region, on Monday after local leaders said they wanted to rejoin federal Somalia.
"Somaliland government has agreed to an unconditional cease-fire tonight despite past attacks by militias," Somaliland's defence minister said.
A spokesperson for the group who oppose Somaliland rule, called the ceasefire "a lie."
#Somalia
@africaintel
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๐น๐ณ Tunisian police detained politicians and businessman
Tunisian police detained politicians and a politically connected businessman on Saturday, their lawyers said, in a case that local media said was based on suspicion of conspiracy against state security.
Local media said that the police arrested the Abd El Hamid Jlassi, a former senior official in Ennahda Islamist party and a fierce critic of President Kais Saied, on charges of plotting against state security. Khayam Turki, a former finance minister, and Kamel Ltaif, a construction magnate and some other former diplomats and retired military officers were also detained
#Tunisia
@africaintel
Tunisian police detained politicians and a politically connected businessman on Saturday, their lawyers said, in a case that local media said was based on suspicion of conspiracy against state security.
Local media said that the police arrested the Abd El Hamid Jlassi, a former senior official in Ennahda Islamist party and a fierce critic of President Kais Saied, on charges of plotting against state security. Khayam Turki, a former finance minister, and Kamel Ltaif, a construction magnate and some other former diplomats and retired military officers were also detained
#Tunisia
@africaintel
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๐ณ๐ช Niger says at least 10 soldiers were killed in insurgent ambush
At least 10 Nigerien soldiers were killed in an ambush, and more than a dozen others were injured by armed assailants near the Niger's border with neighbouring Mali, Niger's defence minister said.
Around 16 people are missing following the attack in Banibangou near Mali, Niger's defence minister said in a statement, adding that air force support forced the insurgents to flee across the border into Mali.
#Niger
@africaintel
At least 10 Nigerien soldiers were killed in an ambush, and more than a dozen others were injured by armed assailants near the Niger's border with neighbouring Mali, Niger's defence minister said.
Around 16 people are missing following the attack in Banibangou near Mali, Niger's defence minister said in a statement, adding that air force support forced the insurgents to flee across the border into Mali.
#Niger
@africaintel
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Africa Intel
๐ธ๐ด Somaliland agrees to ceasefire after five days of fighting in disputed territory The administration of Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland said it had agreed to an unconditional ceasefire, following five days of clashes in the east of the territoryโฆ
๐ธ๐ด Fighting in Somaliland kills nine
At least nine people were killed and another 14 wounded in Somalia's breakaway Somaliland region, a local government official and medic said, hours after Somaliland called for an unconditional ceasefire.
Somaliland's government has faced heavy opposition in Las Anod and surrounding areas, where some clan leaders are seeking to rejoin federal Somalia and have accused the Somaliland authorities of failing to tackle insecurity.
"Somaliland forces are shelling the civilian areas by using mortars and heavy artillery," Abdirahim Ali Ismail, mayor of Las Anod. "The general doctor who was treating the wounded in the war was killed in the hospital."
Somaliland's interior ministry said Somaliland's troops had acted in self defence and the ceasefire still held.
#Somali
@africaintel
At least nine people were killed and another 14 wounded in Somalia's breakaway Somaliland region, a local government official and medic said, hours after Somaliland called for an unconditional ceasefire.
Somaliland's government has faced heavy opposition in Las Anod and surrounding areas, where some clan leaders are seeking to rejoin federal Somalia and have accused the Somaliland authorities of failing to tackle insecurity.
"Somaliland forces are shelling the civilian areas by using mortars and heavy artillery," Abdirahim Ali Ismail, mayor of Las Anod. "The general doctor who was treating the wounded in the war was killed in the hospital."
Somaliland's interior ministry said Somaliland's troops had acted in self defence and the ceasefire still held.
#Somali
@africaintel
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Africa Intel
๐ฒ๐ผ Malawi court reinstates sacked anti-corruption chief The Malawi high court has lifted the government's suspension of the head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Martha Chizuma, paving the way for her to return to work. The suspension was linked to a lawsuitโฆ
๐ฒ๐ผ Malawi drops charges against anti-corruption chief
Malawi has dropped criminal charges against the head of the anti-corruption agency following pressure from the countryโs main donors and local civil society groups
Martha Chizuma was facing charges of criminal defamation over a leaked audio in which she allegedly made remarks suggesting that a number of senior government officials and some judicial officers were hindering the fight against corruption.
In a statement over the weekend, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said he discontinued the cases following a review and consultation with the attorney general. But Chizuma's lawyer told that the charges have not been formally dropped.
#Malawi
@africaintel
Malawi has dropped criminal charges against the head of the anti-corruption agency following pressure from the countryโs main donors and local civil society groups
Martha Chizuma was facing charges of criminal defamation over a leaked audio in which she allegedly made remarks suggesting that a number of senior government officials and some judicial officers were hindering the fight against corruption.
In a statement over the weekend, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said he discontinued the cases following a review and consultation with the attorney general. But Chizuma's lawyer told that the charges have not been formally dropped.
#Malawi
@africaintel
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๐ง๐ซ Twelve civilians killed in Burkina Faso attack
At least 12 civilians have been killed and 6 injured in an attack in northern Burkina Faso, according to reports.
Locals in Kossi province, close to the border with Mali, told that armed men on motorbikes stormed the village of Sanakadougou. Residents said at least 12 people died and six were wounded, but it was feared the toll could be higher. โAlmost the entire village was burnt down,โ witnesses said.
There were also reports of another attack by armed groups on the neighboring town of Yaran.
It is thought the assailants were members of the Islamist insurgency.
#BurkinaFaso
@africaintel
At least 12 civilians have been killed and 6 injured in an attack in northern Burkina Faso, according to reports.
Locals in Kossi province, close to the border with Mali, told that armed men on motorbikes stormed the village of Sanakadougou. Residents said at least 12 people died and six were wounded, but it was feared the toll could be higher. โAlmost the entire village was burnt down,โ witnesses said.
There were also reports of another attack by armed groups on the neighboring town of Yaran.
It is thought the assailants were members of the Islamist insurgency.
#BurkinaFaso
@africaintel
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๐ช๐ท๐บ๐ธ๐ช๐น Eritrean leader said US supported rebels in Tigray conflict
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has accused the US of supporting Tigrayan rebels during the civil war in northern Ethiopia.
In a Sunday interview with local media, the president claimed that the peace deal signed between Ethiopia and the Tigray Peopleโs Liberation Front was rushed by the US to prevent the rebels from losing in the battlefield.
Isaias also added that hundreds of thousands of people died in the conflict, though he did not elaborate on Eritrean casualties.
#Eritrea #USA #Ethiopia
@africaintel
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has accused the US of supporting Tigrayan rebels during the civil war in northern Ethiopia.
In a Sunday interview with local media, the president claimed that the peace deal signed between Ethiopia and the Tigray Peopleโs Liberation Front was rushed by the US to prevent the rebels from losing in the battlefield.
Isaias also added that hundreds of thousands of people died in the conflict, though he did not elaborate on Eritrean casualties.
#Eritrea #USA #Ethiopia
@africaintel
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Africa Intel
๐น๐ณ Tunisian police detained politicians and businessman Tunisian police detained politicians and a politically connected businessman on Saturday, their lawyers said, in a case that local media said was based on suspicion of conspiracy against state security.โฆ
๐น๐ณ Tunisia police arrested ex-judges
Tunisian police on Sunday arrested two former judges who were dismissed by President Kais Saied last year.
These detentions come after a wave of arrests of businessmen, politicians, former diplomats and retired military officers earlier.
Bechir Akremi and Tayeb Rached, who were among the dozens of judges and members of the judiciary sacked in 2022, were detained by policeใ
It was said Akremi's arrest was linked to the investigation into the assassination a decade ago of Chokri Belaid, a political activist. It added that Rached's arrest was due to suspicion of financial corruption.
Over recent months, authorities have arrested or opened investigations into several of Saied's political opponents.
#Tunisia
@africaintel
Tunisian police on Sunday arrested two former judges who were dismissed by President Kais Saied last year.
These detentions come after a wave of arrests of businessmen, politicians, former diplomats and retired military officers earlier.
Bechir Akremi and Tayeb Rached, who were among the dozens of judges and members of the judiciary sacked in 2022, were detained by policeใ
It was said Akremi's arrest was linked to the investigation into the assassination a decade ago of Chokri Belaid, a political activist. It added that Rached's arrest was due to suspicion of financial corruption.
Over recent months, authorities have arrested or opened investigations into several of Saied's political opponents.
#Tunisia
@africaintel
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๐น๐ฌ Main Togo opposition party holds rally ahead of elections
Hundreds of supporters of the ANC, National alliance for change party in Togo, attended a rally in Agoรจ-Nyivรฉ. The ANC president attended the rally.
"You may have noticed that we have called for people to go and register to vote when the census is launched. This is important because we called before not to register and many of our voters are not registered. So they have to go and register," the ANC president said.
Main opposition parties boycotted the previous legislative polls in 2018, citing "irregularities" in their preparation. Consequently some of their supporters did not vote.
#Togo
@africaintel
Hundreds of supporters of the ANC, National alliance for change party in Togo, attended a rally in Agoรจ-Nyivรฉ. The ANC president attended the rally.
"You may have noticed that we have called for people to go and register to vote when the census is launched. This is important because we called before not to register and many of our voters are not registered. So they have to go and register," the ANC president said.
Main opposition parties boycotted the previous legislative polls in 2018, citing "irregularities" in their preparation. Consequently some of their supporters did not vote.
#Togo
@africaintel
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Africa Intel
๐บ๐ฌ Uganda says it will not renew mandate of UN human rights office Uganda has said it will not renew the mandate of the United Nations human rights office, citing the development of its own sufficient capacity to monitor rights compliance. In a letter sentโฆ
๐บ๐ฌ Uganda move to close UN rights office angers opposition
A move by Uganda's government to close the United Nations' local human rights office has drawn strong criticism from opposition leaders and activists, who say it highlights the country's worsening record on civil liberties.
"The regime in Uganda should be isolated by all democracy seeking people," Bobi Wine, a leader of the opposition National Unity Platform, said.
Livingstone Sewanyana, who heads the Uganda Human Rights Foundation, rejected the government's justification for closure of the office. "For the last couple of years the civic space has been shrinking," he said.
#Uganda
@africaintel
A move by Uganda's government to close the United Nations' local human rights office has drawn strong criticism from opposition leaders and activists, who say it highlights the country's worsening record on civil liberties.
"The regime in Uganda should be isolated by all democracy seeking people," Bobi Wine, a leader of the opposition National Unity Platform, said.
Livingstone Sewanyana, who heads the Uganda Human Rights Foundation, rejected the government's justification for closure of the office. "For the last couple of years the civic space has been shrinking," he said.
#Uganda
@africaintel
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Africa Intel
๐ฟ๐ฒ๐จ๐ณ Zambia's finance minister says China is optimistic in debt talks Zambia's finance minister says China has shown "optimism" in negotiations to ease the country's debt, a day after US treasury secretary said Beijing was a barrier to ending the crisis.โฆ
๐ฟ๐ฒ๐จ๐ณ Zambia rejects China's call for World Bank to join its debt restructuring
Zambia's finance minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, rejected a call from China for the World Bank and other multilateral lenders to join a restructuring of the country's debt and warned that delays were holding up the economy.
Minister said that "time is of the essence" to finish a restructuring of about $13 billion of external debt this year and signalled that China's demand was a distraction from talks for reducing the loans.
"Discussions at higher levels like those just make our situation worse, because what we are looking for is urgent solutions, not discussions that may drag out the matter," he said.
Zambia became the first African country to default during COVID-19 epidemic, but the restructuring of its external debts with creditors including China and Eurobond holders has been greatly delayed.
#Zambia #China
@africaintel
Zambia's finance minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, rejected a call from China for the World Bank and other multilateral lenders to join a restructuring of the country's debt and warned that delays were holding up the economy.
Minister said that "time is of the essence" to finish a restructuring of about $13 billion of external debt this year and signalled that China's demand was a distraction from talks for reducing the loans.
"Discussions at higher levels like those just make our situation worse, because what we are looking for is urgent solutions, not discussions that may drag out the matter," he said.
Zambia became the first African country to default during COVID-19 epidemic, but the restructuring of its external debts with creditors including China and Eurobond holders has been greatly delayed.
#Zambia #China
@africaintel
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๐ธ๐ณ Senegal set for biggest growth in Africa
The World Bank predicts Senegal's economy will grow more than any other African nation this year.
"After slowing to 4.8% in 2022, growth in Senegal is projected to jump to 8.0% in 2023 and firm to 10.5% in 2024," the Bank said.
That's because huge oil and gas fields have been discovered in the Atlantic Ocean off Senegal's coast, the first of which could start producing this year, according to Petroleum and Energies Minister.
Analysts also expect to see continued growth in Senegal's thriving banking sector, as well as in telecommunications and financial services, among others.
#Senegal
@africaintel
The World Bank predicts Senegal's economy will grow more than any other African nation this year.
"After slowing to 4.8% in 2022, growth in Senegal is projected to jump to 8.0% in 2023 and firm to 10.5% in 2024," the Bank said.
That's because huge oil and gas fields have been discovered in the Atlantic Ocean off Senegal's coast, the first of which could start producing this year, according to Petroleum and Energies Minister.
Analysts also expect to see continued growth in Senegal's thriving banking sector, as well as in telecommunications and financial services, among others.
#Senegal
@africaintel
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๐ฌ๐ฆ Gabon announces shorter political terms
All political terms in office in Gabon will now last five years, President Ali Bongo announced on Monday. Until now, presidents officially served seven-year terms and senators served six-year terms. But presidents, members of parliament and senators can run for office as many times as they like.
President Bongo's announcement came during talks between the government and opposition, which were called to discuss election matters ahead of polls expected later this year.
#Gabon
@africaintel
All political terms in office in Gabon will now last five years, President Ali Bongo announced on Monday. Until now, presidents officially served seven-year terms and senators served six-year terms. But presidents, members of parliament and senators can run for office as many times as they like.
President Bongo's announcement came during talks between the government and opposition, which were called to discuss election matters ahead of polls expected later this year.
#Gabon
@africaintel
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๐ณ๐ฌ Nigeria presidential candidate Peter Obi appeals for peace
Peter Obi, Nigeria presidential candidate, called for non-violent electioneering and promised citizens a new and peaceful country. His speech followed reports of supporters being attacked with machetes and other weapons as they were making their way to the rally in Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
Addressing supporters, Obi also criticised security forces who had harassed citizens and he promised to say sorry for violence committed by the police. "We will apologise to all those who are victims of police brutality. All those who have suffered at the hands of the government, we will apologise to them. We will make sure that it never happens again. Nigeria will be a peaceful country."
Obi also promised that his administration would be good for business and said he aimed to make gas more profitable than oil.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Peter Obi, Nigeria presidential candidate, called for non-violent electioneering and promised citizens a new and peaceful country. His speech followed reports of supporters being attacked with machetes and other weapons as they were making their way to the rally in Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
Addressing supporters, Obi also criticised security forces who had harassed citizens and he promised to say sorry for violence committed by the police. "We will apologise to all those who are victims of police brutality. All those who have suffered at the hands of the government, we will apologise to them. We will make sure that it never happens again. Nigeria will be a peaceful country."
Obi also promised that his administration would be good for business and said he aimed to make gas more profitable than oil.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
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๐ฒ๐ฟ Rescue operations ongoing in Mozambique following heavy rains
In Mozambique the authorities are still dealing with the effects of the heavy rains that caused floods in the province of Maputo this week.
As a result, 6 people died, 14 000 people were evacuated out of more than 30 000 people estimated to have been affected by the flooding.
Rescue teams have been dispatched to the affected areas. The heavy rains caused the collapse of many homes.
The floods affected the Matola neighbourhood and the Boane district near the capital, Maputo. More flooding is expected in Maputo Province as water from flooded rivers in South Africa and Eswatini makes its way downstream.
#Mozambique
@africaintel
In Mozambique the authorities are still dealing with the effects of the heavy rains that caused floods in the province of Maputo this week.
As a result, 6 people died, 14 000 people were evacuated out of more than 30 000 people estimated to have been affected by the flooding.
Rescue teams have been dispatched to the affected areas. The heavy rains caused the collapse of many homes.
The floods affected the Matola neighbourhood and the Boane district near the capital, Maputo. More flooding is expected in Maputo Province as water from flooded rivers in South Africa and Eswatini makes its way downstream.
#Mozambique
@africaintel
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