🇰🇪 Kenyan hospital to dispose unclaimed bodies of 475 babies

Kenya's largest public referral hospital has announced that it will dispose hundreds of unclaimed bodies currently at its morgue if family members will not collect them.

"Interested members of the public are therefore requested to identify and collect the bodies within seven days, failure to which the hospital will seek authority from the courts to dispose of them," the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) said.

The 541 bodies include 475 babies and 66 adults.

The hospital published the names of the deceased, but the identities of a few of the bodies are unknown.

KNH and other public hospitals and morgues in Kenya frequently issue notices for relatives to collect unclaimed bodies.

Bodies that remain uncollected after the grace period are often buried in mass graves.

#Kenya

@africaintel

🇹🇬 After public outcry, Togolese president Gnassingbé orders constitutional reform back to parliament

After nearly a week of growing public discontent, the Togolese presidency announced that the controversial constitutional reform bill will be tabled again in Parliament.

In a statement unveiled on March 29, the office of President Faure Gnassingbé invokes the "interest aroused" by the adoption of the bill and the "perfectible nature of the law" to justify the request for a "second reading".

The legislation, initially passed by parliament on March 25, has faced criticism from opposition parties who view it as a ploy to consolidate Gnassingbe's domination over the structure of power in Togo.

Gnassingbé has ruled the country since 2005. Before that, he's father was in charge.

The proposed Constitution grants parliament the power to choose the president, doing away with direct elections. This makes it likely that Gnassingbé would be re-elected when his mandate expires in 2025.

#Togo

@africaintel

🇬🇦 Parties debate democratic future for Gabon

Talks have begun in Gabon over the country's transition to civilian rule.

Representatives from more than 100 political parties are taking part in what's being called an Inclusive National Dialogue.

The process was initiated by the country's military leader Brigadier Gen Brice Oligui Nguema and will be chaired by the Archbishop of Libreville, Jean Patrick Iba-Ba.

The military forced out President,Ali Bongo in August last year after a general election beset by accusations of fraud.

It has since promised a transition to democratic rule.

#Gabon

@africaintel

🇲🇿 Desperate families dig for food in Mozambique drought

People are surviving by picking wild fruits and tubers after droughts destroyed crops in parts of central Mozambique.

Hunger has forced dozens of families from their homes in Sofala province and into neighbouring areas of Manica province, authorities say.

Because of its latitude and coastal location, much of Mozambique is vulnerable to the destructive El Niño weather phenomenon which has worsened with the climate crisis.

District official Candido Zeca, who is responsible for economic affairs in the badly-hit area of Chemba, admits not enough has been done to help people in need but says food aid and farming resources are on their way.

#Mozambique

@africaintel

🇰🇪 Kenyan doctors strike over pay and training extends into third week

Kenyan public hospital doctors who have been on strike since last month convened in two major cities on Tuesday to discuss their grievances against the government.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), which represents over 7,000 members, went on strike on March 15 to demand payment of their salary arrears and the immediate hiring of trainee doctors.

The arrears arose from a 2017 collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the union said. Doctors are also demanding the provision of adequate medical insurance cover for themselves and their dependants.

It also wants the government to address frequent delays of salaries and to start paying doctors who work in public hospitals as part of their higher degree courses.

The minister of health Susan Nakhumicha has said the government cannot afford to hire the trainee doctors due to financial pressure on the public kitty.

#Kenya

@africaintel

🇸🇸 At least 12 killed, 15 children missing in South Sudan attack

Youths attacked a village in eastern South Sudan and shot dead at least 12 people while 15 children are missing, officials said on Tuesday, as local conflicts continued to increase ahead of elections late this year.

Activists believe the recent rise in violence is at least partly connected to the elections to choose leaders to succeed the present transitional government.

In the latest incident on Sunday, youths attacked Ajwara village in Pibor's Pochalla county, Abraham Kelang, Information Minister of Greater Pibor Administrative Area, said.

"Twelve people were killed, 10 injured and there were some cattle that were raided," he told.

The attackers, from the Murle ethnic group, are also suspected of abducting children, Owety Olung, the acting commissioner of Pochalla County, said.

#SouthSudan

@africaintel

🇪🇬 Egypt's Sisi starts third term pledging more investment, social spending

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was sworn in for his third term on Tuesday in the country's new capital, the largest of the mega-projects that have come to symbolise his rule while stretching the country's finances.

Speaking at the new parliament building, Sisi highlighted the challenges Egypt withstood in recent years while promising continued development.

"The past few years have shown that the path of nation-building is not paved with roses ... between terrorist attempts at home, sudden global crises abroad, fierce wars around us," Sisi told.

Sisi swept to victory in an election last December with 89.6% of the vote and no serious challengers.

#Egypt

@africaintel

🇲🇱Los partidos políticos de Mali han solicitado un plazo para las elecciones presidenciales después de que la junta gobernante no haya organizado las elecciones dentro de la prometida transición de regreso a la democracia en un plazo de 24 meses.

"Utilizaremos todas las vías legales y legítimas para restablecer el orden constitucional normal en nuestro país", dijeron en la declaración, que cuenta con más de 20 firmantes, incluida una importante coalición de oposición y el partido del derrocado ex presidente.

La junta no ha reaccionado.

🇬🇧Political parties in Mali have requested a time frame for presidential elections after the ruling junta failed to organise polls within a promised 24-month transition back to democracy.

"We will use all legal and legitimate avenues for the return of normal constitutional order in our country," they said in the statement, which has over 20 signatories, including a major opposition coalition and the toppled ex-president's party.

The junta has not reacted.

🔗https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/africa/2024-04-01-mali-political-parties-request-elections-after-junta-shuns-transition-promise/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=jverheyden%2Fmagazine%2FWEST+AFRICA

▫️ @ENTRE_GUERRAS ▫️

🇺🇸🇨🇫 US to build much larger embassy in Bangui

The US State Department's call for tenders for the construction of a new embassy in Bangui closed on 28 March, Africa Intelligence reported.

Plans for the 33,000 m2 building include secure offices, staff quarters, an entertainment center, and a helipad.

#USA #CAR

@africaintel

🇸🇳 Ousmane Sonko named as Senegal prime minister

New Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Tuesday appointed politician and key backer Ousmane Sonko as prime minister in his first act as president.

Sonko, an opponent of former President Macky Sall, is popular among the West African nation's youth but was barred from the March 24 presidential election due to a defamation conviction. He denied any wrongdoing.

Campaigning jointly under the slogan "Diomaye is Sonko," Sonko urged supporters to vote for his top lieutenant, Faye, who ultimately won with over 54% of the vote in the first round.

Speaking after his appointment, Sonko said he would present Faye with a full list of proposed ministerial appointments for his approval.

"There will be no question of leaving him (Faye) alone to assume this heavy responsibility", Sonko said.

#Senegal

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🇳🇬 Millions of Nigerians face power price hikes

Nigerians face soaring electricity bills if the government goes ahead with plans to scrap its subsidy for 15% of consumers.

Doing so would save the public purse $2.6bn but only heap more pressure on millions of people struggling under a cost-of-living crisis.

The move was announced by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga on Tuesday, as a way to ease pressure on public finances.

He did not say when the rate would go up, but said rates had last been reviewed in 2020.

#Nigeria

@arficaintel

🇨🇩 Health center was damaged in DR Congo rebel attack

At least 10 civilians were killed during an attack in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, reports say.

The rebels set fire to a health centre, looted shops and burned down houses in the nearby village of Mangodomu, according to Emmanuel Kathembo Salamu, the mayor of the city of Mangina in North Kivu province.

"The army is in contact with the enemy. Psychosis reigns here," the mayor said.

A patient at the health centre was reportedly among civilians who were killed during the attack.

#DRC

@africaintel

🇿🇦 Jacob Zuma appeals against election ban

Former President Jacob Zuma has filed an appeal against South Africa's electoral commission, which last week barred him from standing in forthcoming elections.

The 81-year-old served as president from 2009 until 2018, when he had to step down because of corruption allegations.

He was convicted and received a 15-month prison sentence in 2021 for contempt of court - and the constitution says anyone who has had a prison sentence of longer than 12 months is not eligible to run for election.

The AFP news agency reports that court papers filed on his behalf argue that the electoral commission "had no valid reasons to violate the political rights of [former] President Zuma".

#SouthAfrica

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🇬🇦 Gabon leader mulls truth and reconciliation push

Gabon's transitional president, Brig Gen Brice Oligui Nguema, has hinted at the possible creation of a truth, justice and reconciliation commission to address atrocities in the country's past.

The military junta "reserves the right to analyse the merits" of such a commission, he said.

Nguema's remarks about a truth process come amid growing calls for justice for 2016's post-election violence, when then-President Ali Bongo was controversially re-elected in disputed circumstances.

"The timeframe of a transition seems, to me, far too narrow to establish responsibility for each event," said Gen Nguema. It is unclear if his statement is an indirect request for more time in power, or more time to get a commission up and running.

#Gabon

@africaintel

🇸🇩 Sudan suspends work of Al Arabiya, Al Hadath and Sky News Arabia channels, state news agency says

Sudan suspended the work of Saudi state-owned broadcasters Al Arabiya, Al Hadath and UAE-owned Sky News Arabia channel "due to its lack of commitment to the required professionalism and transparency and failure to renew its licenses", Sudanese state news agency (SUNA) said.

The suspension was prompted by the broadcasters' "lack of commitment to the required professionalism and transparency" and their failure to renew their licences, Information Minister Minister Graham Abdel Gader said.

Both Al Hadath and Al Arabiya said they were not officially informed of the suspension and have often renewed their licences.

The suspension comes just days after Sudan's foreign ministry accused Sky News Arabia of airing a forged militant report.

#Sudan

@africaintel

🇳🇦 Namibia investigates surge in rhino poaching in Etosha park

Namibian authorities are investigating a surge in rhino poaching that has seen 28 rhinos poached already this year, two-thirds of them in the country's flagship Etosha National Park.

It was particularly concerning that 19 rhinos were poached in Etosha this year, given the park is a focus for conservation efforts and a major international tourist attraction, the environment ministry said in a statement on Monday.

Of the rhinos poached, 19 were critically-endangered black rhinos and nine near-threatened white rhinos.

No suspects have been arrested yet.

"We condemn the barbaric actions of those involved and urge anyone with any information that may assist us in apprehending the suspects to come forth," the ministry's statement said.

Rhinos are poached for their horns, which are used in East Asian countries for making traditional medicines and jewellery.

#Namibia

@africaintel

🇿🇦 South African policymakers in talks on lowering inflation target said central bank's governor

South African policymakers are in discussions on lowering the central bank's inflation target, its governor said on Wednesday, adding that a lower target would make the country more competitive and bring the central bank in line with peers.

Lesetja Kganyago told he personally preferred a decision that would lower the target from its current range of between 3% and 6% "before we get to 2025", but that teams from the South African Reserve Bank and National Treasury were still identifying the appropriate range and risks associated with it.

"Our teams are in conversation now," Kganyago said. "The teams will advise the governor and the (finance) minister and say ok this is the appropriate target and this is the appropriate timeline within which we have got to achieve the target."

#SouthAfrica

@africaintel