🇳🇬 Nigeria to free 313 suspected Boko Haram insurgents for lack of evidence
Nigeria's military will free more than 300 people suspected of being part of the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency after a court ruled there was no evidence they committed any crimes, a defence spokesperson said.
The 313 people, who had been suspected of being members of Boko Haram, will be released after a ruling by a court in northeastern Borno state, the heartland of the insurgency, according to defence spokesperson Major General Edward Buba.
"The court ordered their release for want of evidence after the conclusion of investigations and other ancillary matters," Buba said.
The cases were prosecuted by the Department of Prosecution, part of the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the people will be handed over to the Borno State Government for further action, he added.
Buba would not say where the suspects were being held or how long they had been in custody.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Nigeria's military will free more than 300 people suspected of being part of the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency after a court ruled there was no evidence they committed any crimes, a defence spokesperson said.
The 313 people, who had been suspected of being members of Boko Haram, will be released after a ruling by a court in northeastern Borno state, the heartland of the insurgency, according to defence spokesperson Major General Edward Buba.
"The court ordered their release for want of evidence after the conclusion of investigations and other ancillary matters," Buba said.
The cases were prosecuted by the Department of Prosecution, part of the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the people will be handed over to the Borno State Government for further action, he added.
Buba would not say where the suspects were being held or how long they had been in custody.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
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🇷🇼 Rwanda receives second group of asylum seekers in a week
Rwanda has received 57 Eritrean and 35 Sudanese asylum seekers, days after 91 other refugees and asylum seekers arrived in the country from Libya.
The 183 refugees and asylum seekers will remain in Rwanda pending the processing of their resettlement applications, the UN's refugee agency said.
The arrivals are part of a programme supported by the UN's refugee agency, African Union and European Union.
Since 2019, the programme has sent more than 2,200 refugees and asylum seekers of various nationalities from Libya to Rwanda. Over 1,600 of them have been resettled in the US and across Europe.
The latest arrival of the refugees and asylum seekers in Rwanda comes as the UK attempts to pass new legislation that would allow it to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda.
#Rwanda
@africaintel
Rwanda has received 57 Eritrean and 35 Sudanese asylum seekers, days after 91 other refugees and asylum seekers arrived in the country from Libya.
The 183 refugees and asylum seekers will remain in Rwanda pending the processing of their resettlement applications, the UN's refugee agency said.
The arrivals are part of a programme supported by the UN's refugee agency, African Union and European Union.
Since 2019, the programme has sent more than 2,200 refugees and asylum seekers of various nationalities from Libya to Rwanda. Over 1,600 of them have been resettled in the US and across Europe.
The latest arrival of the refugees and asylum seekers in Rwanda comes as the UK attempts to pass new legislation that would allow it to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda.
#Rwanda
@africaintel
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🇲🇬 Deadly cyclone hits northern Madagascar
A cyclone that hit northern Madagascar on Wednesday has left at least six people dead and forced 2,000 out of their homes.
Local news reports say that “flooding caused significant damage” with roads and bridges affected.
The AFP news agency, citing the disaster management authority (BNGRC), puts the death toll from cyclone Gamane at 11.
It reports that six of the victims drowned, while the others died after being hit by falling trees or collapsing houses.
"It's rare to have a cyclone like this. Its movement is nearly stationary," Gen Elack Andriakaja, BNGRC director-general said.
"When the system stops in one place, it devastates all the infrastructure. And that has serious consequences for the population. And significant flooding.”
#Madagascar
@africaintel
A cyclone that hit northern Madagascar on Wednesday has left at least six people dead and forced 2,000 out of their homes.
Local news reports say that “flooding caused significant damage” with roads and bridges affected.
The AFP news agency, citing the disaster management authority (BNGRC), puts the death toll from cyclone Gamane at 11.
It reports that six of the victims drowned, while the others died after being hit by falling trees or collapsing houses.
"It's rare to have a cyclone like this. Its movement is nearly stationary," Gen Elack Andriakaja, BNGRC director-general said.
"When the system stops in one place, it devastates all the infrastructure. And that has serious consequences for the population. And significant flooding.”
#Madagascar
@africaintel
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Forwarded from ShamS
🇸🇾🇹🇳 Speaker of the Tunisian Assembly of People’s Representatives, Ibrahim Bouderbala, stressed that Syria is a true pillar of the security and stability of the entire region.
That came during a meeting with the Syrian Ambassador to Tunisia, Muhammad Muhammad, Ibrahim Bouderbala reaffirmed that his country supports Syria’s right to fight the terrorism that targets it.
The both sides discussed the relations between the two countries and ways to develop them in various fields, especially in the legislative and parliamentary field, as well as the views were exchanged on issues of common interest.
Telegram
X/Twitter
That came during a meeting with the Syrian Ambassador to Tunisia, Muhammad Muhammad, Ibrahim Bouderbala reaffirmed that his country supports Syria’s right to fight the terrorism that targets it.
The both sides discussed the relations between the two countries and ways to develop them in various fields, especially in the legislative and parliamentary field, as well as the views were exchanged on issues of common interest.
Telegram
X/Twitter
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🇪🇹 Power blackout hits much of Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s state-run power company has said large portions of the country have been hit by an electricity blackout due to “issues in our system”.
Ethiopian Electric Power did not disclose exactly what those issues were but said in a post on its Facebook page that it was investigating what prompted the outage.
All parts of the country, except Bahir Dar, a city in the north-west, and its surrounding area, have experienced the power problem which began around 15:40 local time.
In a separate statement, the company said it had begun restoring power in the capital, Addis Ababa, and some other parts of the country hours after the problem occurred.
#Ethiopia
@africaintel
Ethiopia’s state-run power company has said large portions of the country have been hit by an electricity blackout due to “issues in our system”.
Ethiopian Electric Power did not disclose exactly what those issues were but said in a post on its Facebook page that it was investigating what prompted the outage.
All parts of the country, except Bahir Dar, a city in the north-west, and its surrounding area, have experienced the power problem which began around 15:40 local time.
In a separate statement, the company said it had begun restoring power in the capital, Addis Ababa, and some other parts of the country hours after the problem occurred.
#Ethiopia
@africaintel
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🇷🇺🇪🇷 Russian warship docks in Eritrea port
A Russian navy warship has arrived at Eritrea's main Red Sea port of Massawa, amid tension in the region caused by Iran-backed Houthi militants.
Senior Eritrean military chiefs and officials were there to welcome the ship, the Marshal Shaposhinkov, as it docked on Thursday,
Russia's ambassador to Eritrea was also present.
According to Eritrea’s Minister of Information Yemane Gebre Meskel, the frigate belongs to Russia’s Pacific Fleet.
He said that it was there to mark the "30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Russia and Eritrea”.
A US naval task force is deployed in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to protect commercial and military ships sailing up and down the vital trade route from Houthi attacks.
#Russia #Eritrea
@africaintel
A Russian navy warship has arrived at Eritrea's main Red Sea port of Massawa, amid tension in the region caused by Iran-backed Houthi militants.
Senior Eritrean military chiefs and officials were there to welcome the ship, the Marshal Shaposhinkov, as it docked on Thursday,
Russia's ambassador to Eritrea was also present.
According to Eritrea’s Minister of Information Yemane Gebre Meskel, the frigate belongs to Russia’s Pacific Fleet.
He said that it was there to mark the "30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Russia and Eritrea”.
A US naval task force is deployed in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to protect commercial and military ships sailing up and down the vital trade route from Houthi attacks.
#Russia #Eritrea
@africaintel
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🇲🇿🇷🇼 Mozambique approves extradition treaty with Rwanda
The Mozambican parliament has ratified an extradition agreement with Rwanda despite concerns it could be used against critics of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
Mozambican opposition MPs voted against the deal saying it could enable political persecution.
Mozambique's Bar Association expressed the same concern.
The Rwandan authorities have been accused of targeting critics in several countries across Africa, including Mozambique. This is denied by Rwanda.
The two countries have a close relationship, with Rwandan troops deployed in northern Mozambique to help fight Islamist militants.
#Mozambique #Rwanda
@africaintel
The Mozambican parliament has ratified an extradition agreement with Rwanda despite concerns it could be used against critics of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
Mozambican opposition MPs voted against the deal saying it could enable political persecution.
Mozambique's Bar Association expressed the same concern.
The Rwandan authorities have been accused of targeting critics in several countries across Africa, including Mozambique. This is denied by Rwanda.
The two countries have a close relationship, with Rwandan troops deployed in northern Mozambique to help fight Islamist militants.
#Mozambique #Rwanda
@africaintel
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🇿🇦 South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma involved in car crash
Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been involved in a car crash but escaped unharmed.
According to local news reports, Police said a drunk driver hit his official state car on Thursday evening.
A member of his party, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), claimed it was deliberate.
Zuma, suspended by the African National Congress (ANC), is campaigning for MK before May's election.
The crash occurred in his home province, KwaZulu-Natal, at 18:40 local time.
"No injuries were reported," said police. A 51-year-old man was arrested for drunk and reckless driving.
Musa Mkhize, MK's election head, suggested the crash was planned.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been involved in a car crash but escaped unharmed.
According to local news reports, Police said a drunk driver hit his official state car on Thursday evening.
A member of his party, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), claimed it was deliberate.
Zuma, suspended by the African National Congress (ANC), is campaigning for MK before May's election.
The crash occurred in his home province, KwaZulu-Natal, at 18:40 local time.
"No injuries were reported," said police. A 51-year-old man was arrested for drunk and reckless driving.
Musa Mkhize, MK's election head, suggested the crash was planned.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
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🇨🇳🇲🇦 China EV battery maker BTR to build cathode plant in Morocco
The Moroccan government gave the green light on Friday for Chinese electric battery maker BTR New Material Group to build a factory near Tangier to produce key component cathode.
The plant, to be built at a cost of 3 billion dirhams ($300 million), will have a production capacity of 50,000 tonnes, Morocco’s investment ministry said.
The first output of 25,000 tonnes is expected in September 2026, the ministry said in a statement following the signing of the investment deal with BTR.
Moroccan officials have often pitched the north African country as a good location for EV battery factories because of its existing auto industry and renewable energy sectors, and the presence of raw materials including cobalt and phosphates.
#China #Morocco
@africaintel
The Moroccan government gave the green light on Friday for Chinese electric battery maker BTR New Material Group to build a factory near Tangier to produce key component cathode.
The plant, to be built at a cost of 3 billion dirhams ($300 million), will have a production capacity of 50,000 tonnes, Morocco’s investment ministry said.
The first output of 25,000 tonnes is expected in September 2026, the ministry said in a statement following the signing of the investment deal with BTR.
Moroccan officials have often pitched the north African country as a good location for EV battery factories because of its existing auto industry and renewable energy sectors, and the presence of raw materials including cobalt and phosphates.
#China #Morocco
@africaintel
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Africa Intel
🇲🇬 Deadly cyclone hits northern Madagascar A cyclone that hit northern Madagascar on Wednesday has left at least six people dead and forced 2,000 out of their homes. Local news reports say that “flooding caused significant damage” with roads and bridges…
🇲🇬 Madagascar cyclone Gamane kills at least 18, displaces thousands, government says
A tropical cyclone that swept across the island of Madagascar this week killed at least 18 people and displaced thousands more, the country's disaster management office said on Friday.
Tropical cyclone Gamane, which crossed the northeast of Madagascar on Wednesday and Thursday, displaced more than 20,000 people, the National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) said in a report. Three others were injured and four were still missing, it added.
Gamane made landfall north of Vohémar in northeast Madagascar on Wednesday morning with average winds of 150 km per hour and gusts of 210 km per hour, BNGRC said late on Thursday.
It slowly dissipated on Thursday afternoon while still over land, the disaster management office said, having dumped heavy rain and caused flooding in many localities.
Roads and bridges collapsed in the north of Madagascar, BNRGC said.
#Madagascar
@africaintel
A tropical cyclone that swept across the island of Madagascar this week killed at least 18 people and displaced thousands more, the country's disaster management office said on Friday.
Tropical cyclone Gamane, which crossed the northeast of Madagascar on Wednesday and Thursday, displaced more than 20,000 people, the National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) said in a report. Three others were injured and four were still missing, it added.
Gamane made landfall north of Vohémar in northeast Madagascar on Wednesday morning with average winds of 150 km per hour and gusts of 210 km per hour, BNGRC said late on Thursday.
It slowly dissipated on Thursday afternoon while still over land, the disaster management office said, having dumped heavy rain and caused flooding in many localities.
Roads and bridges collapsed in the north of Madagascar, BNRGC said.
#Madagascar
@africaintel
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🇸🇩🇬🇧 Food aid used as weapon of war in Sudan said UK MPs
British MPs have warned that food aid is being used as a weapon of war in Sudan’s bitter civil conflict.
Vicky Ford, the chair of parliament's all-party group on Sudan, said there was evidence both warring sides - the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces - were restricting humanitarian aid.
She was speaking after new research suggested more than 100 villages in western Sudan had been burned.
The Centre for Information Resilience – a government-funded research group – says that 108 villages and settlements in western Sudan have been fully or partially destroyed by fire since last April.
The UK Foreign Office says what’s happening bears all the hallmarks of ethnic cleansing as black Africans are targeted by Arab militias.
Ford also said sexual violence against women was widespread, with evidence that some girls were deliberately disfiguring themselves to avoid rape.
#Sudan #UK
@africaintel
British MPs have warned that food aid is being used as a weapon of war in Sudan’s bitter civil conflict.
Vicky Ford, the chair of parliament's all-party group on Sudan, said there was evidence both warring sides - the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces - were restricting humanitarian aid.
She was speaking after new research suggested more than 100 villages in western Sudan had been burned.
The Centre for Information Resilience – a government-funded research group – says that 108 villages and settlements in western Sudan have been fully or partially destroyed by fire since last April.
The UK Foreign Office says what’s happening bears all the hallmarks of ethnic cleansing as black Africans are targeted by Arab militias.
Ford also said sexual violence against women was widespread, with evidence that some girls were deliberately disfiguring themselves to avoid rape.
#Sudan #UK
@africaintel
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🇺🇬 Ugandan president's son vows crackdown on graft after taking over military
The son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to fight corruption in the military after taking over as its top commander, a move widely expected to accelerate his rise to eventually succeed his father.
Museveni named 49-year-old son Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the East African country's new Chief of Defence Forces last week.
In a formal handover ceremony on Thursday, Kainerugaba "vowed to improve the welfare of soldiers by fighting the evil of corruption and mismanagement of resources", according to a statement released by the military.
#Uganda
@africaintel
The son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to fight corruption in the military after taking over as its top commander, a move widely expected to accelerate his rise to eventually succeed his father.
Museveni named 49-year-old son Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the East African country's new Chief of Defence Forces last week.
In a formal handover ceremony on Thursday, Kainerugaba "vowed to improve the welfare of soldiers by fighting the evil of corruption and mismanagement of resources", according to a statement released by the military.
#Uganda
@africaintel
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🇸🇩🇺🇳 Sudan needs 'immediate action' on hunger to avert widespread death, UN-backed report says
Immediate action is needed to "prevent widespread death and total collapse of livelihoods and avert a catastrophic hunger crisis in Sudan," a United Nations-backed global authority on food security warned on Friday.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) had been due to issue an update to its December analysis. But it was unable to do so due to the war.
Instead, the IPC said it reviewed the latest evidence available and published the alert on Friday "to express major concern" about the deteriorating situation.
"Without an immediate cessation of hostilities and significant deployment of humanitarian assistance ... the population of Khartoum and Gezira States, Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan, is at risk of reaching the worst levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition during the upcoming lean season starting from April – May 2024," the IPC said.
#Sudan #UN
@africaintel
Immediate action is needed to "prevent widespread death and total collapse of livelihoods and avert a catastrophic hunger crisis in Sudan," a United Nations-backed global authority on food security warned on Friday.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) had been due to issue an update to its December analysis. But it was unable to do so due to the war.
Instead, the IPC said it reviewed the latest evidence available and published the alert on Friday "to express major concern" about the deteriorating situation.
"Without an immediate cessation of hostilities and significant deployment of humanitarian assistance ... the population of Khartoum and Gezira States, Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan, is at risk of reaching the worst levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition during the upcoming lean season starting from April – May 2024," the IPC said.
#Sudan #UN
@africaintel
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🇪🇬 Egypt's population growth declines to 1.4%
In Egypt, population growth is at half-mast. In 2023, it slowed to 1.4%, its lowest rate in decades, according to figures by the Ministry of Planning data.
Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world, with 106 million inhabitants, according to the official Egyptian statistics agency.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had already warned of the burden of the birth rate on public finances and government services. To curb the demographic push, the authorities launched the 2019 campaign, "Deux, c'est assez" (Two is enough).
#Egypt
@africaintel
In Egypt, population growth is at half-mast. In 2023, it slowed to 1.4%, its lowest rate in decades, according to figures by the Ministry of Planning data.
Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world, with 106 million inhabitants, according to the official Egyptian statistics agency.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had already warned of the burden of the birth rate on public finances and government services. To curb the demographic push, the authorities launched the 2019 campaign, "Deux, c'est assez" (Two is enough).
#Egypt
@africaintel
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🇸🇳 Senegal’s top court confirms Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s election victory
Senegal's Constitutional Council on Friday confirmed the presidential election victory of opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
The top court validated provisional results announced on Wednesday based on vote tallies from 100 percent of polling stations.
Faye won more than 54% of votes in last Sunday's delayed presidential poll, with ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba taking over 35%.
Faye ,44, is due to be sworn in as Senegal's youngest president on Tuesday in the city of Diamniadio, according to the presidency.
#Senegal
@africaintel
Senegal's Constitutional Council on Friday confirmed the presidential election victory of opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
The top court validated provisional results announced on Wednesday based on vote tallies from 100 percent of polling stations.
Faye won more than 54% of votes in last Sunday's delayed presidential poll, with ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba taking over 35%.
Faye ,44, is due to be sworn in as Senegal's youngest president on Tuesday in the city of Diamniadio, according to the presidency.
#Senegal
@africaintel
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Africa Intel
🇪🇹 Power blackout hits much of Ethiopia Ethiopia’s state-run power company has said large portions of the country have been hit by an electricity blackout due to “issues in our system”. Ethiopian Electric Power did not disclose exactly what those issues…
🇪🇹 Power restored in Ethiopia
The power cut affecting Ethiopia "except Bahir Dar and surroundings" is over, the Ethiopian Electric Power announced. "Due to a problem in our system, the power has been interrupted," their statement read, not giving reasons for the power failure.
Most of the country was without power for about 18 hours.
This incident comes days after Ethiopia's Ministry of Water and Energy said it is "widely investing in power generation and infrastructural development to become an energy hub in Eastern Africa".
#Ethiopia
@africaintel
The power cut affecting Ethiopia "except Bahir Dar and surroundings" is over, the Ethiopian Electric Power announced. "Due to a problem in our system, the power has been interrupted," their statement read, not giving reasons for the power failure.
Most of the country was without power for about 18 hours.
This incident comes days after Ethiopia's Ministry of Water and Energy said it is "widely investing in power generation and infrastructural development to become an energy hub in Eastern Africa".
#Ethiopia
@africaintel
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