🇰🇪 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

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🇸🇸 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

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🇪🇬 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

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🇲🇱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

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🇨🇩 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

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🇿🇦 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

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🇸🇩 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

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🇳🇦 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

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🇿🇦 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

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🇿🇦🇮🇷 South Africa's foreign ministry сalls for justice following attack on Iranian consulate in Damascus

The South African Government has expressed its deepest sympathy to the families of the victims and has extended its condolences to the government and the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran following the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria.

"The South African Government views any attack on a diplomatic or consular establishment as a flagrant violation of international law that offers protection to diplomatic as well as consular representatives in a host state. The principle of protection of diplomatic and consular premises and staff constitutes a basic principle of International Law, which is required for the orderly conduct of relations between states," the statement reads.

South Africa has appealed to the UN, and it condemns the violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

🇳🇬 Nigerian state under curfew amid abductions

Nigeria's restive north-western Zamfara state has imposed a curfew along its borders with Sokoto and Katsina states in a bid to curb escalating cases of kidnapping in the area.

Movement will be restricted between 19:00 and 06:00 local time, the state's Commissioner for Information and Culture was quoted by local media as saying.

“This is to tackle the incessant kidnapping of travellers along the Sokoto-Gusau-Funtua highway," Alhaji Mannir Haidara added.

Cases of kidnapping for ransom have surged in north-western Nigeria, where armed gangs, locally referred to as bandits, target villages, schools, and travellers.

Last month, dozens of schoolchildren were abducted but later rescued in Kaduna state.

#Nigeria

@africaintel

🇲🇿 Mozambique bans import of dog breeds deemed dangerous

Mozambique’s agriculture ministry has banned the import of dog breeds considered to be dangerous.

The decision is aimed at combatting the numerous dog attacks that have been reported all over the country.

Dog bites are common in Mozambique. In the first half of last year, around 9,000 people were bitten, a reduction of 21% from 2022.

Some of the attacks have ended in serious injuries, amputations and even death.

The ban affects 26 breeds, including pit bulls, Rottweilers, bull terriers, bullmastiffs, German Shepherds, and Boerboels.

The measure however excludes dogs used by public security agencies, private security companies and disaster and rescue services.

Guide dogs and companion dogs for disabled people are also exempt.

All banned breeds that are already in the country, as well as their cross-breeds, must be registered with the authorities within 60 days.

#Mozambique

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🇳🇬 Nigeria's tax agency apologises after Easter message outcry

Nigeria's tax agency has apologised over an Easter message that was criticised as offensive and disrespectful by some Christians in the country.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on Sunday shared a post on X saying: "Jesus paid your debts, not your taxes", local media reported.

The now-deleted post was denounced by a number of Christian organisations, which demanded that the tax agency apologise.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), an umbrella group, said the message was “offensive and derogatory to the Christian faith”.

The association's National Director Abimbola Ayuba also complained that the post continued a pattern of "provocative messages around religious holidays".

In the apology FIRS spokesperson Dare Adekanmbi said the post was not intended to detract from the significance of Easter.

#Nigeria

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🇿🇦 South Africa parliament speaker resigns over corruption probe

South Africa's Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has resigned after police raided her home during a corruption investigation.

Mapisa-Nqakula is accused of soliciting bribes in return for awarding contracts during her time as defence minister.

She has denied the charges and said her resignation was "in no way an indication or admission of guilt".

She said given the "seriousness" of the probe she couldn't continue her role.

She became speaker in 2021. Before that, she served as defence minister for seven years.

Last week Ms Mapisa-Nqakula's lawyers filed a request for a court order to prevent her arrest, saying it would infringe on her dignity.

Judges rejected her bid on the basis that the matter was not urgent and they could not speculate on an arrest that was yet to happen.

#SouthAfrica

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