🇪🇺🇳🇬 EU observers say 21 killed in Nigeria election violence
European Union election observers said on Monday at least 21 people were killed during Nigeria's regional elections, which were marked by intimidation and violence.
Nigerians voted for state governors in 28 of 36 states on Saturday. Results were still expected from several states on Monday.
"Polling on election day was again disrupted by multiple incidences of thuggery, intimidation of voters, polling officials, observers and journalists and this occurred in most of the states," European Union Observer Mission Nigeria chief observer told.
He said, however, there were some improvements in Saturday's vote compared to last month's presidential poll. Election materials arrived on time at most polling units, which opened early while electronic voting machines worked better than last month.
#EU #Nigeria
@africaintel
European Union election observers said on Monday at least 21 people were killed during Nigeria's regional elections, which were marked by intimidation and violence.
Nigerians voted for state governors in 28 of 36 states on Saturday. Results were still expected from several states on Monday.
"Polling on election day was again disrupted by multiple incidences of thuggery, intimidation of voters, polling officials, observers and journalists and this occurred in most of the states," European Union Observer Mission Nigeria chief observer told.
He said, however, there were some improvements in Saturday's vote compared to last month's presidential poll. Election materials arrived on time at most polling units, which opened early while electronic voting machines worked better than last month.
#EU #Nigeria
@africaintel
🇰🇪 Opposition warns of weekly Kenya protests
Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga has said protests will take place every Monday until President William Ruto addresses the high cost of living which has brought economic hardship to millions of Kenyans.
He is also pushing for what he calls "electoral justice", which is a mixture of his disputed claim that he won the last election and a push to block the reconstitution of the team that runs Kenya's election.
#Kenya
@africaintel
Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga has said protests will take place every Monday until President William Ruto addresses the high cost of living which has brought economic hardship to millions of Kenyans.
He is also pushing for what he calls "electoral justice", which is a mixture of his disputed claim that he won the last election and a push to block the reconstitution of the team that runs Kenya's election.
#Kenya
@africaintel
🇬🇦 Gabon arrests 33 after ferry disaster
33 people have been arrested under a criminal investigation into a ferry accident off Gabon last week that claimed 24 lives, rescue coordinators said Sunday.
Those detained include officials at the ministry of transport, the merchant marine and the vessel's owner, Royal Cost Marine, according to the public prosecutor.
Rescue teams are looking for another 13 listed as missing after a small passenger boat.
#Gabon
@africaintel
33 people have been arrested under a criminal investigation into a ferry accident off Gabon last week that claimed 24 lives, rescue coordinators said Sunday.
Those detained include officials at the ministry of transport, the merchant marine and the vessel's owner, Royal Cost Marine, according to the public prosecutor.
Rescue teams are looking for another 13 listed as missing after a small passenger boat.
#Gabon
@africaintel
🇳🇬 Nigeria's two big parties dominate governorship elections
Nigeria's two biggest parties won the majority of states in weekend governorship polls, official figures showed on Monday, maintaining their political dominance.
Ruling All Progressives Congress won 15 states, People's Democratic Party won 7 states. A northern regional party won one state and led in another. Labour Party, which rejected the Lagos result, led in one state.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Nigeria's two biggest parties won the majority of states in weekend governorship polls, official figures showed on Monday, maintaining their political dominance.
Ruling All Progressives Congress won 15 states, People's Democratic Party won 7 states. A northern regional party won one state and led in another. Labour Party, which rejected the Lagos result, led in one state.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
🇳🇦 Namibia prepares for protests on independence day
Namibian activists have vowed to go on with protests against unemployment despite a police ban, as the country marks 33 years of independence on Tuesday.
Inspector General of Police directed the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) to choose another day to protest. He said holding protests on independence day "may cause feelings of hostility".
NEFF activists have, however, said they will go on with their demonstrations and accused the government of undermining their rights by deciding when to protest.
NEFF activists has called on unemployed youth to join the nationwide protest. They said unemployment in the country was now a national crisis.
Activists added that Namibia would celebrate 33 years of "high unemployment, high poverty, corrupt governance, looting and mismanagement of the country."
#Namibia
@africaintel
Namibian activists have vowed to go on with protests against unemployment despite a police ban, as the country marks 33 years of independence on Tuesday.
Inspector General of Police directed the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) to choose another day to protest. He said holding protests on independence day "may cause feelings of hostility".
NEFF activists have, however, said they will go on with their demonstrations and accused the government of undermining their rights by deciding when to protest.
NEFF activists has called on unemployed youth to join the nationwide protest. They said unemployment in the country was now a national crisis.
Activists added that Namibia would celebrate 33 years of "high unemployment, high poverty, corrupt governance, looting and mismanagement of the country."
#Namibia
@africaintel
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe's new 300 MW coal-fired plant starts feeding into grid
Zimbabwe's new 300 megawatt (MW) coal-fired power generating unit started feeding electricity into the national grid late on Monday, the state power utility said, as it moves to ease extended outages that have impacted businesses and households.
The southern African country is expanding its 920 MW Hwange thermal power station by adding two 300 MW units at a cost of $1.4 billion, with 85% of the funding coming from China.
The first of the two units built by Chinas Sinohydro was successfully synchronised into the national grid late Monday, the Zimbabwe Power Company said.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
Zimbabwe's new 300 megawatt (MW) coal-fired power generating unit started feeding electricity into the national grid late on Monday, the state power utility said, as it moves to ease extended outages that have impacted businesses and households.
The southern African country is expanding its 920 MW Hwange thermal power station by adding two 300 MW units at a cost of $1.4 billion, with 85% of the funding coming from China.
The first of the two units built by Chinas Sinohydro was successfully synchronised into the national grid late Monday, the Zimbabwe Power Company said.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇸🇳 Senegal leader says it's legal to seek third term
Senegal's president has rejected claims that it would be unconstitutional for him to seek a controversial third mandate.
Macky Sall's comments are likely to fuel an already tense political climate. Critics of Sall accuse his government of using the courts to sideline the opposition politician, Ousmane Sonko.
The constitution in Senegal was amended in 2016 to shorten a presidential term from seven to five years. It states that no-one can serve more than two consecutive terms which the opposition says clearly prevents Sall from running in next year's election.
#Senegal
@africaintel
Senegal's president has rejected claims that it would be unconstitutional for him to seek a controversial third mandate.
Macky Sall's comments are likely to fuel an already tense political climate. Critics of Sall accuse his government of using the courts to sideline the opposition politician, Ousmane Sonko.
The constitution in Senegal was amended in 2016 to shorten a presidential term from seven to five years. It states that no-one can serve more than two consecutive terms which the opposition says clearly prevents Sall from running in next year's election.
#Senegal
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇳🇦 Namibia prepares for protests on independence day Namibian activists have vowed to go on with protests against unemployment despite a police ban, as the country marks 33 years of independence on Tuesday. Inspector General of Police directed the Namibia…
🇳🇦🇿🇦 Protesters were dispersed in Namibia, in South Africa protests were diminished
Collegues from SAMU.ZA informed that several NEFF activists, members of parliament and commissar were detained just after the start of anti-government protests. Because of that demonstrations were quickly dispersed.
EFF in South Africa also have little success in protesting. In Western Cape province rain prevented demonstrations from happening. In other provinces police was quick to react.
However EFF leader, Julius Malema, has already called it "the most successful protest action South Africa has ever seen".
#Namibia #SouthAfrica
@africaintel
Collegues from SAMU.ZA informed that several NEFF activists, members of parliament and commissar were detained just after the start of anti-government protests. Because of that demonstrations were quickly dispersed.
EFF in South Africa also have little success in protesting. In Western Cape province rain prevented demonstrations from happening. In other provinces police was quick to react.
However EFF leader, Julius Malema, has already called it "the most successful protest action South Africa has ever seen".
#Namibia #SouthAfrica
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇰🇪 Protests in Kenya Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga planned countrywide protests against President William Ruto and his government. Odinga said that the demonstration will be against the high cost of living and what he calls an illegitimate presidency.…
🇰🇪 One killed, six injured, 200 detained in Kenya protests, police say
A university student in Kenya was killed,six police officers were injured and 200 were detained in protests on Monday against President William Ruto's government over high living costs, police said.
Protesters took to the streets of the capital, Nairobi, and several other cities in response to a call for demonstrations by opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Some lit fires in the streets and threw rocks at police. Police fired tear gas and water cannons.
Despite that protests, as in the case of Namibia and South Africa, were not successful.
#Kenya
@africaintel
A university student in Kenya was killed,six police officers were injured and 200 were detained in protests on Monday against President William Ruto's government over high living costs, police said.
Protesters took to the streets of the capital, Nairobi, and several other cities in response to a call for demonstrations by opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Some lit fires in the streets and threw rocks at police. Police fired tear gas and water cannons.
Despite that protests, as in the case of Namibia and South Africa, were not successful.
#Kenya
@africaintel
🇸🇩 Political faction condemns moves to form new govt without consensus in Sudan
Sudanese political faction, known as the "Democratic Block", condemned the plan by the country’s military and the main pro-democracy forces to establish a transitional government despite lack of consensus.
"We at the Democratic Block did not sign the framework agreement, we are not accepting it, we reject it," Ali Askoury, the chairman of the Democratic Alliance for Social Justice said.
The faction includes Sudan’s finance minister, Jibreel Ibrahim, and the Governor of Darfur, Minni Minnawi, among numerous other smaller political figures and parties.
#Sudan
@africaintel
Sudanese political faction, known as the "Democratic Block", condemned the plan by the country’s military and the main pro-democracy forces to establish a transitional government despite lack of consensus.
"We at the Democratic Block did not sign the framework agreement, we are not accepting it, we reject it," Ali Askoury, the chairman of the Democratic Alliance for Social Justice said.
The faction includes Sudan’s finance minister, Jibreel Ibrahim, and the Governor of Darfur, Minni Minnawi, among numerous other smaller political figures and parties.
#Sudan
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇺🇸🇪🇹 U.S. determines all sides committed war crimes in Ethiopia conflict The United States has determined that all sides committed war crimes during the conflict in northern Ethiopia that killed tens of thousands of people, left hundreds of thousands facing…
🇪🇹🇺🇸 Ethiopia calls US accusations of war crimes "inflammatory"
Ethiopia on Tuesday rejected a claim by the U.S. State Department that its army, along with all sides in the recently concluded conflict in the northern Tigray region, had committed war crimes, calling the charge "inflammatory" and "untimely."
"Such apportioning of blame is unwarranted and undercuts support of the U.S. for an inclusive peace process in Ethiopia," the Ethiopian foreign affairs ministry said.
He said the U.S. determination was "selective" since it exonerated Tigrayan forces from accusations of rape and sexual violence.
Nevertheless, the statement said Ethiopia hoped its "strategic relationship" with the United States would be restored.
#Ethiopia #USA
@africaintel
Ethiopia on Tuesday rejected a claim by the U.S. State Department that its army, along with all sides in the recently concluded conflict in the northern Tigray region, had committed war crimes, calling the charge "inflammatory" and "untimely."
"Such apportioning of blame is unwarranted and undercuts support of the U.S. for an inclusive peace process in Ethiopia," the Ethiopian foreign affairs ministry said.
He said the U.S. determination was "selective" since it exonerated Tigrayan forces from accusations of rape and sexual violence.
Nevertheless, the statement said Ethiopia hoped its "strategic relationship" with the United States would be restored.
#Ethiopia #USA
@africaintel
🇿🇲 World Bank president expresses deep concern on Zambia debt restructuring
World Bank President said he remained deeply concerned about the debt restructuring stalemate in Zambia and that the bank is working with India and the International Monetary Fund on the G20 debt restructuring process.
Zambia meanwhile has been stuck in default since it became the first COVID-era African nation to do so in November 2020.
Its finance minister has said it is pushing to finish the long-delayed Common Framework restructuring by end of March or shortly after.
#Zambia
@africaintel
World Bank President said he remained deeply concerned about the debt restructuring stalemate in Zambia and that the bank is working with India and the International Monetary Fund on the G20 debt restructuring process.
Zambia meanwhile has been stuck in default since it became the first COVID-era African nation to do so in November 2020.
Its finance minister has said it is pushing to finish the long-delayed Common Framework restructuring by end of March or shortly after.
#Zambia
@africaintel
🇪🇺🇹🇳 EU fears "a collapse" of Tunisia
The European Union is concerned about the deterioration of the political and economic situation in Tunisia and fears a collapse of the country, declared Monday the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell.
"The situation in Tunisia is very dangerous," he said after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. “If Tunisia collapses, this risks causing migratory flows towards the EU and causing instability in the MENA region. We want to avoid this situation,” he added.
The ministers asked Belgium and Portugal to send representatives on a mission to Tunisia in order to carry out "an assessment of the situation to enable the EU to direct its measures".
#EU #Tunisia
@africaitntel
The European Union is concerned about the deterioration of the political and economic situation in Tunisia and fears a collapse of the country, declared Monday the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell.
"The situation in Tunisia is very dangerous," he said after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. “If Tunisia collapses, this risks causing migratory flows towards the EU and causing instability in the MENA region. We want to avoid this situation,” he added.
The ministers asked Belgium and Portugal to send representatives on a mission to Tunisia in order to carry out "an assessment of the situation to enable the EU to direct its measures".
#EU #Tunisia
@africaitntel
🇲🇱 Mali's leader presents new constitution project
In order to promote Mali's new draft constitution, Colonel Assimi Goita, head of the country, met with religious leaders, politicians and civil society.
"It is now up to you to make this work your own. Above all, you are expected to disseminate it widely and explain it to the population" he said to the crowd, adding "Malians in all parts of our country and abroad need to be informed about the developments and progress of the draft constitution."
"We must work together so that the Malian people, with full knowledge of the facts, take ownership of the draft constitution and adopt it by a large majority. We will then have taken a decisive step in the process of rebuilding our state," added Colonel.
#Mali
@africaintel
In order to promote Mali's new draft constitution, Colonel Assimi Goita, head of the country, met with religious leaders, politicians and civil society.
"It is now up to you to make this work your own. Above all, you are expected to disseminate it widely and explain it to the population" he said to the crowd, adding "Malians in all parts of our country and abroad need to be informed about the developments and progress of the draft constitution."
"We must work together so that the Malian people, with full knowledge of the facts, take ownership of the draft constitution and adopt it by a large majority. We will then have taken a decisive step in the process of rebuilding our state," added Colonel.
#Mali
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇨🇩 East DR Congo militants kill at least 22 in string of attacks Suspected militants killed at least 22 people in a string of attacks across the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern Ituri and North Kivu provinces overnight Saturday, officials and activists…
🇨🇩 East DR Congo attack toll rises to over 30
The toll of attacks on villages by militiamen on Saturday in Ituri, in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), rose from 15 to more than 30 dead.
The CODECO ( Cooperative for the Development of Congo ) community militia, which claims to protect the Lendu tribe against the Hema tribe, is accused of carrying out the attacks early Saturday morning against five villages in the territory of Mahagi, killing inhabitants, stealing cattle, looting and burning houses.
Also on Saturday in eastern DRC, in the neighboring province of North Kivu, rebels from ADF are accused of killing at least nine people in the village of Nguli, in Lubero territory.
#DRC
@africaintel
The toll of attacks on villages by militiamen on Saturday in Ituri, in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), rose from 15 to more than 30 dead.
The CODECO ( Cooperative for the Development of Congo ) community militia, which claims to protect the Lendu tribe against the Hema tribe, is accused of carrying out the attacks early Saturday morning against five villages in the territory of Mahagi, killing inhabitants, stealing cattle, looting and burning houses.
Also on Saturday in eastern DRC, in the neighboring province of North Kivu, rebels from ADF are accused of killing at least nine people in the village of Nguli, in Lubero territory.
#DRC
@africaintel
🇸🇳 Senegalese opposition leader claims he was victim of assassination attempt
The country’s main opposition leader claimed he survived an assassination attempt. Ousmane Sonko has been hospitalized after appearing in court in a defamation case.
"We are waiting for the results. They blocked the ambulance that was supposed to pick me up and my lawyers had to get inside ambulance to be able to pick me up at my home. That's why I am saying that this is an assassination attempt."
Authorities have not responded to the allegation. Before Sonko's trial, he had vowed before thousands of supporters rallied in Dakar to lead Senegal in 2024.
#Senegal
@africaintel
The country’s main opposition leader claimed he survived an assassination attempt. Ousmane Sonko has been hospitalized after appearing in court in a defamation case.
"We are waiting for the results. They blocked the ambulance that was supposed to pick me up and my lawyers had to get inside ambulance to be able to pick me up at my home. That's why I am saying that this is an assassination attempt."
Authorities have not responded to the allegation. Before Sonko's trial, he had vowed before thousands of supporters rallied in Dakar to lead Senegal in 2024.
#Senegal
@africaintel
🇲🇱🇧🇫 Activists walk from Bamako to Ouagadougou to promote states' federation
A small group of activists have been walking from Mali's capital Bamako to Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou to express their support for a federation between the two states.
The group are due to arrive in Ouagadougou where they will end their march at the Thomas Sankara memorial.
Holding the flags of both countries and the African Union, the group of about a dozen men and women walked in single file last week on the side of a road near Hounde, in western Burkina Faso, as they neared the finish line of a trek of more than 860 km.
The prime ministers of Mali and Burkina Faso said last month they would examine the idea of creating a federation. It is not clear exactly what that would entail.
#Mali #BurkinaFaso
@africaintel
A small group of activists have been walking from Mali's capital Bamako to Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou to express their support for a federation between the two states.
The group are due to arrive in Ouagadougou where they will end their march at the Thomas Sankara memorial.
Holding the flags of both countries and the African Union, the group of about a dozen men and women walked in single file last week on the side of a road near Hounde, in western Burkina Faso, as they neared the finish line of a trek of more than 860 km.
The prime ministers of Mali and Burkina Faso said last month they would examine the idea of creating a federation. It is not clear exactly what that would entail.
#Mali #BurkinaFaso
@africaintel
🇹🇩 Chad sentences 441 rebels to life in prison over ex-president Deby's death
A court in Chad sentenced more than 400 rebels to life in prison on Tuesday over the death of former president Idriss Deby, who was killed on the frontline of a battle against their group in 2021, their lawyer said.
The trial of 465 members of the Libyan-based Front for Change and Concord in Chad rebel group started on February 13.
The criminal chamber of N'Djamena's court of appeal on Tuesday found 441 defendants guilty of acts of terrorism, undermining national security and endangering the life of the head of state among other charges. They were sentenced to life in prison and will have to pay compensation to the state.
#Chad
@africaintel
A court in Chad sentenced more than 400 rebels to life in prison on Tuesday over the death of former president Idriss Deby, who was killed on the frontline of a battle against their group in 2021, their lawyer said.
The trial of 465 members of the Libyan-based Front for Change and Concord in Chad rebel group started on February 13.
The criminal chamber of N'Djamena's court of appeal on Tuesday found 441 defendants guilty of acts of terrorism, undermining national security and endangering the life of the head of state among other charges. They were sentenced to life in prison and will have to pay compensation to the state.
#Chad
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇺🇬 Uganda’s President says West "wasting time" with gay rights push Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has accused Western countries of imposing gay rights on African nations, as lawmakers in the country prepare to vote on an anti-LGBT bill. The bill, introduced…
🇺🇬 The Ugandan parliament passed an anti-homosexual law
Uganda's parliament on Tuesday passed a law that criminalises identifying as LGBT.
More than 30 African countries, including Uganda, have already banned same-sex relations. The new law appears to be the first to outlaw merely identifying as LGBT, according to Human Rights Watch.
Violations under the law draw steep penalties including death for aggravated homosexuality and life in prison for gay sex. Aggravated homosexuality involves gay sex with people under 18 years old or when the perpetrator is HIV positive, among other categories, according to the law.
#Uganda
@africaintel
Uganda's parliament on Tuesday passed a law that criminalises identifying as LGBT.
More than 30 African countries, including Uganda, have already banned same-sex relations. The new law appears to be the first to outlaw merely identifying as LGBT, according to Human Rights Watch.
Violations under the law draw steep penalties including death for aggravated homosexuality and life in prison for gay sex. Aggravated homosexuality involves gay sex with people under 18 years old or when the perpetrator is HIV positive, among other categories, according to the law.
#Uganda
@africaintel
🇹🇿 Tanzania detects its first-ever cases of the highly fatal Marburg viral disease
Tanzania has confirmed its first-ever cases of Marburg, a high-fatality viral hemorrhagic fever with symptoms broadly similar to those of Ebola, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.
The WHO said in a statement that the confirmation of the disease by Tanzania's national public laboratory followed the death of five in Tanzania's northwest Kagera region who developed symptoms, which include fever, vomiting, bleeding and renal failure.
"We are working with the government to rapidly scale up control measures to halt the spread of the virus," WHO said.
Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon are also battling the outbreak of Marburg that was confirmed in February.
#Tanzania
@africaintel
Tanzania has confirmed its first-ever cases of Marburg, a high-fatality viral hemorrhagic fever with symptoms broadly similar to those of Ebola, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.
The WHO said in a statement that the confirmation of the disease by Tanzania's national public laboratory followed the death of five in Tanzania's northwest Kagera region who developed symptoms, which include fever, vomiting, bleeding and renal failure.
"We are working with the government to rapidly scale up control measures to halt the spread of the virus," WHO said.
Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon are also battling the outbreak of Marburg that was confirmed in February.
#Tanzania
@africaintel