๐ธ๐ณ Senegal suspends internet access
Senegal's communications ministry told mobile operators to suspend internet access on Tuesday, ahead of a planned march by activist groups, which was banned by authorities.
It was unclear whether the march would take place after authorities on Monday banned it, citing logistical concerns.
The civil society and religious groups that called the demonstration will hold a press conference later on Tuesday to announce next steps, spokesman Amadou Samb told.
#Senegal
@africaintel
Senegal's communications ministry told mobile operators to suspend internet access on Tuesday, ahead of a planned march by activist groups, which was banned by authorities.
It was unclear whether the march would take place after authorities on Monday banned it, citing logistical concerns.
The civil society and religious groups that called the demonstration will hold a press conference later on Tuesday to announce next steps, spokesman Amadou Samb told.
#Senegal
@africaintel
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๐ฑ๐ท Liberia's president appointed new defence minister
Liberia's President Joseph Boakai has appointed a retired female brigadier general, Geraldine George, as the acting minister of defence after protests by the wives of soldiers forced the resignation of her predecessor.
This is the first time a woman is serving in the post.
She enlisted in the army in 2006 as it was being rebuilt following the end of a civil war and rose to become part of the elite forces. She has served as the deputy chief of staff for the last six years.
After Boakai was sworn in as president on 22 January, he appointed her as the deputy for administration in the defence ministry.
Her promotion comes after Defence Minister Prince Charles Johnson III resigned following protests by the wives of soldiers on Monday.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberia's President Joseph Boakai has appointed a retired female brigadier general, Geraldine George, as the acting minister of defence after protests by the wives of soldiers forced the resignation of her predecessor.
This is the first time a woman is serving in the post.
She enlisted in the army in 2006 as it was being rebuilt following the end of a civil war and rose to become part of the elite forces. She has served as the deputy chief of staff for the last six years.
After Boakai was sworn in as president on 22 January, he appointed her as the deputy for administration in the defence ministry.
Her promotion comes after Defence Minister Prince Charles Johnson III resigned following protests by the wives of soldiers on Monday.
#Liberia
@africaintel
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๐ช๐น Ethiopian troops killed 45 civilians said human rights watchdog
Ethiopia's human rights watchdog says government forces carried out a massacre of civilians last month in Amhara state.
The Human Rights Commission said it had identified at least 45 civilian deaths, although the number was most likely higher as it couldn't investigate fully.
The commission said victims had been targeted for allegedly supporting an ethnic Amhara militia.
Eyewitnesses said they'd seen people shot dead on the streets as soldiers fought rebels in the town of Merawi.
The government has not yet commented.
#Ethiopia
@africaintel
Ethiopia's human rights watchdog says government forces carried out a massacre of civilians last month in Amhara state.
The Human Rights Commission said it had identified at least 45 civilian deaths, although the number was most likely higher as it couldn't investigate fully.
The commission said victims had been targeted for allegedly supporting an ethnic Amhara militia.
Eyewitnesses said they'd seen people shot dead on the streets as soldiers fought rebels in the town of Merawi.
The government has not yet commented.
#Ethiopia
@africaintel
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๐ณ๐ฌ Islamic police arrest TikToker in northern Nigeria
The Islamic police in Nigeriaโs northern state of Kano say they have arrested a popular female TikToker for posting โindecent and un-Islamicโ content on the social media app.
Two weeks ago the police unit, known as Hisbah, launched a manhunt for six TikTokers who they say constantly violate Islamic guidelines in their use of social media.
Hisbah spokesperson Lawal Fagge told that Murja Ibrahim Kunya was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday, along with her boyfriend.
Kunya is accused of using vulgar and uncouth language in her videos.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
The Islamic police in Nigeriaโs northern state of Kano say they have arrested a popular female TikToker for posting โindecent and un-Islamicโ content on the social media app.
Two weeks ago the police unit, known as Hisbah, launched a manhunt for six TikTokers who they say constantly violate Islamic guidelines in their use of social media.
Hisbah spokesperson Lawal Fagge told that Murja Ibrahim Kunya was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday, along with her boyfriend.
Kunya is accused of using vulgar and uncouth language in her videos.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
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๐ฟ๐ฆ๐บ๐ณ๐ต๐ธ๐ฎ๐ฑ South Africa submits "urgent request" to ICJ regarding Israel's Rafah offensive
South Africa has asked the International Court of Justice to consider whether Israel's plan to extend its offensive in Gaza into the city of Rafah requires additional emergency measures to protect the rights of Palestinians.
The South African presidency said it had submitted an "urgent request" to the ICJ on Monday, adding that the government was "gravely concerned that the unprecedented military offensive against Rafah, as announced by the State of Israel, has already led to and will result in further large scale killing, harm and destruction."
Last month, the World Court ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent its troops from committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, following a case brought by South Africa.
#SouthAfrica #UN #Palestine #Israel
@africaintel
South Africa has asked the International Court of Justice to consider whether Israel's plan to extend its offensive in Gaza into the city of Rafah requires additional emergency measures to protect the rights of Palestinians.
The South African presidency said it had submitted an "urgent request" to the ICJ on Monday, adding that the government was "gravely concerned that the unprecedented military offensive against Rafah, as announced by the State of Israel, has already led to and will result in further large scale killing, harm and destruction."
Last month, the World Court ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent its troops from committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, following a case brought by South Africa.
#SouthAfrica #UN #Palestine #Israel
@africaintel
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๐น๐ณ Record number of migrants died or went missing off Tunisia in 2023
A record 1,313 migrants were reported to have died or went missing off the Tunisian coast last year, a rights group said, highlighting the worsening migrant crisis in country.
The number represented about 75% of the number of dead or missing off the coasts of Italy, Libya and Malta, Ramadan Ben Amor, an official at the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights told.
Tunisia has replaced Libya as north Africa's main departure point for people fleeing poverty and conflict elsewhere in Africa and across the Middle East in the hope of a better life in Europe.
About 100 migrants have died or gone missing off the Tunisian coast since mid-January.
#Tunisia
@africaintel
A record 1,313 migrants were reported to have died or went missing off the Tunisian coast last year, a rights group said, highlighting the worsening migrant crisis in country.
The number represented about 75% of the number of dead or missing off the coasts of Italy, Libya and Malta, Ramadan Ben Amor, an official at the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights told.
Tunisia has replaced Libya as north Africa's main departure point for people fleeing poverty and conflict elsewhere in Africa and across the Middle East in the hope of a better life in Europe.
About 100 migrants have died or gone missing off the Tunisian coast since mid-January.
#Tunisia
@africaintel
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๐ณ๐ฌ Gunmen kill four, abduct at least 40 in northwest Nigeria
Armed men killed four people, including two policemen, and kidnapped at least 40 others in an attack on Kaura Namoda, in Nigeria's northwest Zamfara state, police and residents said.
Zamfara police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar confirmed the attack and said reinforcements have been deployed to the Kasuwar Daji district of the town where the incident took place.
"They took more than 40 women and children, including some elderly men," said witnesses.
Gangs of heavily armed men referred to as bandits by locals have wreaked havoc across Nigeria's northwest in the past three years, kidnapping thousands of people, killing hundreds and making it unsafe to travel by road or to farm in some areas.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Armed men killed four people, including two policemen, and kidnapped at least 40 others in an attack on Kaura Namoda, in Nigeria's northwest Zamfara state, police and residents said.
Zamfara police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar confirmed the attack and said reinforcements have been deployed to the Kasuwar Daji district of the town where the incident took place.
"They took more than 40 women and children, including some elderly men," said witnesses.
Gangs of heavily armed men referred to as bandits by locals have wreaked havoc across Nigeria's northwest in the past three years, kidnapping thousands of people, killing hundreds and making it unsafe to travel by road or to farm in some areas.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
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๐ฒ๐ผ Viral conjunctivitis outbreak in northern Malawi
Malawi has confirmed an outbreak of viral conjunctivitis in the Karonga district, with 109 cases reported since 1 February.
The disease was first identified among long-distance travellers from neighbouring Tanzania, officials at the Songwe border post, and later within the community, Karongaโs director of health services, David Sibale, said.
An outbreak of viral conjunctivitis was reported in Tanzania in mid-January.
By the end of the month, it had spread to 17 regions in both the mainland and the islands of Zanzibar, with more than 5,000 cases recorded.
Kenya, Comoros, Madagascar and Mayotte have also recorded cases.
#Malawi
@africaintel
Malawi has confirmed an outbreak of viral conjunctivitis in the Karonga district, with 109 cases reported since 1 February.
The disease was first identified among long-distance travellers from neighbouring Tanzania, officials at the Songwe border post, and later within the community, Karongaโs director of health services, David Sibale, said.
An outbreak of viral conjunctivitis was reported in Tanzania in mid-January.
By the end of the month, it had spread to 17 regions in both the mainland and the islands of Zanzibar, with more than 5,000 cases recorded.
Kenya, Comoros, Madagascar and Mayotte have also recorded cases.
#Malawi
@africaintel
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๐บ๐ณ๐ธ๐ณ UN urges security forces in Senegal to respect and ensure human rights
As protests continue in Senegal against President Macky Sallโs decision to delay the countryโs elections to December, there is increasing concern by the UN over the behaviour of security forces.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and other human rights organisations have called on the authorities to "ensure that they uphold the countryโs long-held tradition of democracy and respect for human rights."
โIt is crucial that the authorities unequivocally order the security forces to respect and ensure human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly,โ said OHCHR spokesperson.
โAt least three young men were killed during protests and at least 266 people have reportedly been arrested across the country, including journalists,โ she said.
#UN #Senegal
@africaintel
As protests continue in Senegal against President Macky Sallโs decision to delay the countryโs elections to December, there is increasing concern by the UN over the behaviour of security forces.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and other human rights organisations have called on the authorities to "ensure that they uphold the countryโs long-held tradition of democracy and respect for human rights."
โIt is crucial that the authorities unequivocally order the security forces to respect and ensure human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly,โ said OHCHR spokesperson.
โAt least three young men were killed during protests and at least 266 people have reportedly been arrested across the country, including journalists,โ she said.
#UN #Senegal
@africaintel
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๐จ๐ฎ Ivory Coast president rewards football team for their AFCON win
Celebrations for Ivory Coastโs football team continued on Tuesday as the country marked its victory in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Players, coaches, and officials were received by head of state, Alassane Ouattara, for a reception at the Presidential Palace.
The victorious Elephants, African champions in 2023, received medals from Ouattara and each members of the squad received a monetary gift.
In the countryโs National Order of Merit, team officials were awarded the rank of Commander, while the coaches and players were named Chevalier and officers.
President showed his gratitude and confidence in team, which "showed bravery and resilience throughout the African Cup of Nations."
#IvoryCoast
@africaintel
Celebrations for Ivory Coastโs football team continued on Tuesday as the country marked its victory in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Players, coaches, and officials were received by head of state, Alassane Ouattara, for a reception at the Presidential Palace.
The victorious Elephants, African champions in 2023, received medals from Ouattara and each members of the squad received a monetary gift.
In the countryโs National Order of Merit, team officials were awarded the rank of Commander, while the coaches and players were named Chevalier and officers.
President showed his gratitude and confidence in team, which "showed bravery and resilience throughout the African Cup of Nations."
#IvoryCoast
@africaintel
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๐ณ๐ฌ๐ธ๐ณ Nigeria's president's postpones visit to Senegal
Nigeria's President and ECOWAS Head, Bola Tinubu, had a scheduled meeting with President Sall for Monday.
As of now, no new date has been arranged for the visit.
The anticipated discussion between the Nigerian leader and Sall was aimed at urging the Senegalese President to uphold his country's constitution and steer clear of plunging Senegal into prolonged turmoil.
This call comes in the wake of recent protests sparked by the postponement of the presidential elections slated for the end of this month.
#Nigeria #Senegal
@africaintel
Nigeria's President and ECOWAS Head, Bola Tinubu, had a scheduled meeting with President Sall for Monday.
As of now, no new date has been arranged for the visit.
The anticipated discussion between the Nigerian leader and Sall was aimed at urging the Senegalese President to uphold his country's constitution and steer clear of plunging Senegal into prolonged turmoil.
This call comes in the wake of recent protests sparked by the postponement of the presidential elections slated for the end of this month.
#Nigeria #Senegal
@africaintel
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๐ฒ๐ฌ Madagascar approved the law allowing castration of child rapists
Madagascar's Parliament has passed a law allowing for the chemical and, in some cases, surgical castration of those found guilty of the rape of a minor.
The law has prompted criticism from international rights groups, but also found support from activists who say it's an appropriate deterrent to rapes.
Parliament in Madagascar passed the law on February 2 and the Senate, the upper house, approved it last week. It must now be ratified by the High Constitutional Court and signed into law by President Andry Rajoelina, who first raised the issue in December.
Justice Minister Landy Mbolatiana Randriamanantenasoa said it's a necessary move because of an increase in child rape cases.
Offenders would also face sterner sentences of up to life in prison as well as castration.
#Madagascar
@africaintel
Madagascar's Parliament has passed a law allowing for the chemical and, in some cases, surgical castration of those found guilty of the rape of a minor.
The law has prompted criticism from international rights groups, but also found support from activists who say it's an appropriate deterrent to rapes.
Parliament in Madagascar passed the law on February 2 and the Senate, the upper house, approved it last week. It must now be ratified by the High Constitutional Court and signed into law by President Andry Rajoelina, who first raised the issue in December.
Justice Minister Landy Mbolatiana Randriamanantenasoa said it's a necessary move because of an increase in child rape cases.
Offenders would also face sterner sentences of up to life in prison as well as castration.
#Madagascar
@africaintel
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๐ช๐ฌ 15 killed, 7 injured in multiple-vehicle crash along major Egyptian highway
A truck slammed into several passenger vehicles in Egyptโs province of Alexandria, killing at least 15 people, authorities said.
The crash, which happened late Tuesday in Amreya district, west of Alexandria city, also injured eight people.
The truck slammed into four microbuses, a type of mass-transit minivan that's popular across Egypt, the report said. One microbus overturned and a second was set ablaze, it said.
Ambulances rushed to the scene of the crash and transported injured people to hospitals, according to local media.
#Egypt
@africaintel
A truck slammed into several passenger vehicles in Egyptโs province of Alexandria, killing at least 15 people, authorities said.
The crash, which happened late Tuesday in Amreya district, west of Alexandria city, also injured eight people.
The truck slammed into four microbuses, a type of mass-transit minivan that's popular across Egypt, the report said. One microbus overturned and a second was set ablaze, it said.
Ambulances rushed to the scene of the crash and transported injured people to hospitals, according to local media.
#Egypt
@africaintel
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๐จ๐ฉ DR Congo's defence minister visited conflict-hit east again
For the second time in less than a week, the Democratic Republic of Congo's defence minister has visited the east of the country, where Rwanda is accused of backing M23 rebels.
Jean-Pierre Bemba told residents in the main city, Goma, that government forces were working closely with UN peacekeepers to protect the population.
Violent attacks by the rebels have seen thousands flee to Goma.
The clashes have led to protests against the UN and Western countries, who demonstrators accuse of supporting Rwanda.
#DRC
@africaintel
For the second time in less than a week, the Democratic Republic of Congo's defence minister has visited the east of the country, where Rwanda is accused of backing M23 rebels.
Jean-Pierre Bemba told residents in the main city, Goma, that government forces were working closely with UN peacekeepers to protect the population.
Violent attacks by the rebels have seen thousands flee to Goma.
The clashes have led to protests against the UN and Western countries, who demonstrators accuse of supporting Rwanda.
#DRC
@africaintel
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๐จ๐ซ Central African Republic says 10,000 children are still fighting alongside armed groups
About 10,000 children are still fighting alongside armed groups in Central African Republic more than a decade after civil war broke out, the government said.
Marthe Kirima, the minister for family and gender, said in a statement that children are still being recruited as fighters, spies, messengers, cooks and even used as sex slaves.
While 15,000 children have escaped from rebel forces, she said, many are traumatized and find it difficult to return to normal life.
Some former child soldiers told The Associated Press that their harrowing experiences had pushed them to become peace ambassadors.
#CAR
@africaintel
About 10,000 children are still fighting alongside armed groups in Central African Republic more than a decade after civil war broke out, the government said.
Marthe Kirima, the minister for family and gender, said in a statement that children are still being recruited as fighters, spies, messengers, cooks and even used as sex slaves.
While 15,000 children have escaped from rebel forces, she said, many are traumatized and find it difficult to return to normal life.
Some former child soldiers told The Associated Press that their harrowing experiences had pushed them to become peace ambassadors.
#CAR
@africaintel
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