Africa Intel
⚡️🇪🇹 Ethiopia plans state of emergency in Amhara Ethiopia’s cabinet has agreed to declare a state of emergency in the restive Amhara region following days of clashes between local militias and the army. The move comes a day after Amhara region’s head, Yilkal…
🇪🇹 Ethiopia declares six-month state of emergency in Amhara after clashes
Ethiopia's government declared a six-month state of emergency on Friday in the country's second-largest region, Amhara, following days of clashes between the military and local Fano militiamen, giving it powers to impose curfews, restrict movement and ban gatherings.
"It was found necessary to declare a state of emergency as it had become difficult to control this outrageous activity based on the regular legal system," Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office said in a statement.
Friday's order gave the government powers to impose curfews, restrict movement, ban the carrying of guns and other sharp objects, ban public gatherings, and to make arrests and conduct searches without warrants.
#Ethiopia
@africaintel
Ethiopia's government declared a six-month state of emergency on Friday in the country's second-largest region, Amhara, following days of clashes between the military and local Fano militiamen, giving it powers to impose curfews, restrict movement and ban gatherings.
"It was found necessary to declare a state of emergency as it had become difficult to control this outrageous activity based on the regular legal system," Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office said in a statement.
Friday's order gave the government powers to impose curfews, restrict movement, ban the carrying of guns and other sharp objects, ban public gatherings, and to make arrests and conduct searches without warrants.
#Ethiopia
@africaintel
🇰🇪 Kenya suspends Worldcoin's crypto project over safety concerns
Kenya's interior ministry said on Wednesday that it had suspended the local activities of cryptocurrency project Worldcoin while government agencies assess potential risks to public safety.
The project founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman launched last week. It requires users to give their iris scans in exchange for a digital ID, and in some countries users also get free cryptocurrency as part of plans to create a new "identity and financial network".
"Relevant security, financial services and data protection agencies have commenced inquiries and investigations to establish the authenticity and legality of the aforesaid activities," interior minister said.
A preliminary review of Worldcoin's operations has raised concerns, among them being that obtaining consumer consent in return for a monetary award bordered on inducement.
#Kenya
@africaintel
Kenya's interior ministry said on Wednesday that it had suspended the local activities of cryptocurrency project Worldcoin while government agencies assess potential risks to public safety.
The project founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman launched last week. It requires users to give their iris scans in exchange for a digital ID, and in some countries users also get free cryptocurrency as part of plans to create a new "identity and financial network".
"Relevant security, financial services and data protection agencies have commenced inquiries and investigations to establish the authenticity and legality of the aforesaid activities," interior minister said.
A preliminary review of Worldcoin's operations has raised concerns, among them being that obtaining consumer consent in return for a monetary award bordered on inducement.
#Kenya
@africaintel
🇸🇸 South Sudan's Kiir fires finance minister in latest abrupt cabinet change
South Sudan President Salva Kiir has fired Finance Minister Dier Tong Ngor, the latest abrupt cabinet change in South Sudan.
"You have seen what's happening in the market, I mean how the U.S. dollar is appreciating against the South Sudanese pound," the spokesperson said, when asked why Ngor had been removed after about a year in his post.
The new finance minister will be Bak Barnaba Chol, an economics graduate who is seen as a close political ally of Kiir, the spokesperson said, adding it was routine for Kiir to make cabinet changes when he felt it was necessary.
Kiir has now fired four finance ministers since 2020.
#SouthSudan
@africaintel
South Sudan President Salva Kiir has fired Finance Minister Dier Tong Ngor, the latest abrupt cabinet change in South Sudan.
"You have seen what's happening in the market, I mean how the U.S. dollar is appreciating against the South Sudanese pound," the spokesperson said, when asked why Ngor had been removed after about a year in his post.
The new finance minister will be Bak Barnaba Chol, an economics graduate who is seen as a close political ally of Kiir, the spokesperson said, adding it was routine for Kiir to make cabinet changes when he felt it was necessary.
Kiir has now fired four finance ministers since 2020.
#SouthSudan
@africaintel
🇺🇬🇨🇳 Uganda to reopen century-old rail link after China fails to fund new line
Uganda has begun restoring a branch of a century-old, British-built railway line that is expected to cut the cost of shipping goods to the country's north, South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo, a railway spokesperson said.
The line, which has been out of use for roughly 40 years, is part of the East Africa rail network that stretches from Kenya's Indian Ocean seaport of Mombasa. It was built by Kenya and Uganda's former colonial ruler Britain around the beginning of the 20th-century.
Uganda decided to revamp the old network after plans to build a separate modern standard gauge railway (SGR) failed to secure financing from China. Raliway spokesman said China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) would restore the old line over the course of two years at a cost of $55.48 million provided by the Ugandan government.
#Uganda #China
@africaintel
Uganda has begun restoring a branch of a century-old, British-built railway line that is expected to cut the cost of shipping goods to the country's north, South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo, a railway spokesperson said.
The line, which has been out of use for roughly 40 years, is part of the East Africa rail network that stretches from Kenya's Indian Ocean seaport of Mombasa. It was built by Kenya and Uganda's former colonial ruler Britain around the beginning of the 20th-century.
Uganda decided to revamp the old network after plans to build a separate modern standard gauge railway (SGR) failed to secure financing from China. Raliway spokesman said China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) would restore the old line over the course of two years at a cost of $55.48 million provided by the Ugandan government.
#Uganda #China
@africaintel
🇳🇬 Nigeria's Tinubu hails significant new gas-fired power plant
Nigeria began construction of a 1,350 megawatt gas-fired power plant near its capital Abuja on Friday, the first major project under President Bola Tinubu, who promised to improve erratic electricity supply and spur sluggish economic growth
Power cuts are frequent in Nigeria, with no city spared electricity shortages, due to inadequate generation capacity and a patchy grid.
The Gwagwalada Independent Power Plant, which will burn Nigerian gas, will provide about 11% of Nigeria's energy needs and will be built in three phases, state oil firm NNPC said. NNPC chief executive said the power plant would help "monetise our abundant gas resources." Nigeria has some of the largest gas reserves in the world.
China Mechanical Engineering Corp. and GE Vernova are building the power plant in partnership with the NNPC, with the first phase expected to be completed in 2024, the NNPC said.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Nigeria began construction of a 1,350 megawatt gas-fired power plant near its capital Abuja on Friday, the first major project under President Bola Tinubu, who promised to improve erratic electricity supply and spur sluggish economic growth
Power cuts are frequent in Nigeria, with no city spared electricity shortages, due to inadequate generation capacity and a patchy grid.
The Gwagwalada Independent Power Plant, which will burn Nigerian gas, will provide about 11% of Nigeria's energy needs and will be built in three phases, state oil firm NNPC said. NNPC chief executive said the power plant would help "monetise our abundant gas resources." Nigeria has some of the largest gas reserves in the world.
China Mechanical Engineering Corp. and GE Vernova are building the power plant in partnership with the NNPC, with the first phase expected to be completed in 2024, the NNPC said.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone’s President calls for dialogue after divisive polls
Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio has called for "unity" and "dialogue" to overcome deep divisions over the June 24 disputed elections, at the official opening of the new National Assembly boycotted by the government.
"In this Parliament where no party has reached a two-thirds majority, the need for dialogue and negotiation resounds with the utmost urgency. We must find common ground across political divides," said the president re-elected at the end of June, in the first round, for a second term.
The opposition All People's Congress Party (APC) decided "on its non-participation at any level of governance, including the legislature and local councils, judging the results of the presidential, legislative and local elections " rigged" for the benefit of President Bio and his party.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio has called for "unity" and "dialogue" to overcome deep divisions over the June 24 disputed elections, at the official opening of the new National Assembly boycotted by the government.
"In this Parliament where no party has reached a two-thirds majority, the need for dialogue and negotiation resounds with the utmost urgency. We must find common ground across political divides," said the president re-elected at the end of June, in the first round, for a second term.
The opposition All People's Congress Party (APC) decided "on its non-participation at any level of governance, including the legislature and local councils, judging the results of the presidential, legislative and local elections " rigged" for the benefit of President Bio and his party.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
🇹🇩🇳🇪 Chad rejects Niger coup intervention
Chad will not intervene in a coup in neighbouring Niger, the country's defence minister Daoud Yaya Brahim has said.
He made his remarks on state television on Friday, just as West Africa's regional bloc, ECOWAS, said it has devised a possible plan to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
#Chad #Niger
@africaintel
Chad will not intervene in a coup in neighbouring Niger, the country's defence minister Daoud Yaya Brahim has said.
He made his remarks on state television on Friday, just as West Africa's regional bloc, ECOWAS, said it has devised a possible plan to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
#Chad #Niger
@africaintel
🇳🇬🇳🇪 Nigeria’s Tinubu seeks Senate support for ECOWAS intervention in Niger, according to Al Jazeera
According to Al Jazeera, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has written a letter to his country’s Senate, asking its members to back a regional military intervention in neighbouring Niger.
On Friday Tinubu requested for “military buildup and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant”.
Meanwhile, Abdourahamane Tchiani, current leader of Niger, has said he will not bow to pressure to reinstate Bazoum. He denounced the sanctions as “illegal” and “inhumane” and urged his countrymen to get ready to defend their nation.
#Nigeria #ECOWAS #Niger
@africaintel
According to Al Jazeera, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has written a letter to his country’s Senate, asking its members to back a regional military intervention in neighbouring Niger.
On Friday Tinubu requested for “military buildup and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant”.
Meanwhile, Abdourahamane Tchiani, current leader of Niger, has said he will not bow to pressure to reinstate Bazoum. He denounced the sanctions as “illegal” and “inhumane” and urged his countrymen to get ready to defend their nation.
#Nigeria #ECOWAS #Niger
@africaintel
🇨🇩 In DR Congo suspected child kidnapper arrested after mutilated body found
A Congolese woman suspected child kidnapper was arrested on Thursday and is being held in Bukavu in eastern DR Congo.
Aged about 30, "Ombeni Malekera, who is not on her first crime, has kidnapped two children from the same family since Tuesday, August 1" mayor of the commune of Bagira in Bukavu, capital of the province of South Kivu, told.
"The body of the five-year-old girl was found on Wednesday at the edge of a river, amputated of her sex and her tongue," he said.
The searches that have been launched have made it possible to find the three-year-old boy who was "drugged" in the home of Ombeni Malekera.
"The angry population wanted revenge but the law enforcement officers intervened, the lady was taken to the Bukavu prosecutor's office, her trial in the act will begin shortly", said the mayor.
#DRC
@africaintel
A Congolese woman suspected child kidnapper was arrested on Thursday and is being held in Bukavu in eastern DR Congo.
Aged about 30, "Ombeni Malekera, who is not on her first crime, has kidnapped two children from the same family since Tuesday, August 1" mayor of the commune of Bagira in Bukavu, capital of the province of South Kivu, told.
"The body of the five-year-old girl was found on Wednesday at the edge of a river, amputated of her sex and her tongue," he said.
The searches that have been launched have made it possible to find the three-year-old boy who was "drugged" in the home of Ombeni Malekera.
"The angry population wanted revenge but the law enforcement officers intervened, the lady was taken to the Bukavu prosecutor's office, her trial in the act will begin shortly", said the mayor.
#DRC
@africaintel
🇱🇾🇹🇳 Migrants continue to pour into Libya following expulsions from Tunisia
Hundreds of migrants from Africa continue to arrive in Libya daily, after Tunisian authorities began conducting mass expulsions in early July, according to the U.N. and humanitarian groups.
According to humanitarian organisations in Libya, at least 17 people have died in the desert between Libya and Tunisia in the past three weeks.
#Libya #Tunisia
@africaintel
Hundreds of migrants from Africa continue to arrive in Libya daily, after Tunisian authorities began conducting mass expulsions in early July, according to the U.N. and humanitarian groups.
According to humanitarian organisations in Libya, at least 17 people have died in the desert between Libya and Tunisia in the past three weeks.
#Libya #Tunisia
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇹🇩🇳🇪 Chad rejects Niger coup intervention Chad will not intervene in a coup in neighbouring Niger, the country's defence minister Daoud Yaya Brahim has said. He made his remarks on state television on Friday, just as West Africa's regional bloc, ECOWAS,…
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🇹🇩🇳🇪 A video of Chad's defence minister Daoud Yaya Brahim telling about neutrality of his country in possible military conflict between ECOWAS and Niger.
This fact means that the use of French fighter jets and other aircrafts from the N'Djamena airfield now being highly questionable if the military conflict with Niger finally erupt.
#Chad #Niger
@africaintel
This fact means that the use of French fighter jets and other aircrafts from the N'Djamena airfield now being highly questionable if the military conflict with Niger finally erupt.
#Chad #Niger
@africaintel
🇳🇪 Niger’s junta rulers ask for help from Wagner PMC
Reports are comming that Niger’s new military government has asked for help from the Russian mercenary group Wagner.
The request came during a visit by one of the coup leaders, Geneneral Salifou Mody, to neighboring Mali, where he made contact with someone from Wagner, said The Associated Press. They reported that three Malian sources and a French diplomat confirmed the meeting.
Some news outlets also report that a few PMC Wagner consultants have already arrived this morning from Mali to Niger.
#Niger #Wagner
@africaintel
Reports are comming that Niger’s new military government has asked for help from the Russian mercenary group Wagner.
The request came during a visit by one of the coup leaders, Geneneral Salifou Mody, to neighboring Mali, where he made contact with someone from Wagner, said The Associated Press. They reported that three Malian sources and a French diplomat confirmed the meeting.
Some news outlets also report that a few PMC Wagner consultants have already arrived this morning from Mali to Niger.
#Niger #Wagner
@africaintel
🇫🇷🇳🇪 France is not going to withdraw its military from Niger in the near future said the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Catherine Colonna.
#France #Niger
@africaintel
#France #Niger
@africaintel
🇪🇬 Blaze engulfs historic ministry building in central Cairo
A historic neo-Islamic ministry in central Cairo was engulfed in flames on Saturday.
It was not immediately clear what caused the blaze. Five people were injured.
The fire appeared mainly confined to the top floor of the Ministry of Religious Endowments, or Awqaf, building, although flames were seen shooting out of a second floor window as well.
At least seven firetrucks were deployed, and after several hours the fire was largely extinguished.
The main part of the building was built in 1898, with wings added on either side in 1912 and 1927. Most of the ministry's employees moved to the new capital, away from the clutter and chaos of Cairo, in late July.
#Egypt
@africaintel
A historic neo-Islamic ministry in central Cairo was engulfed in flames on Saturday.
It was not immediately clear what caused the blaze. Five people were injured.
The fire appeared mainly confined to the top floor of the Ministry of Religious Endowments, or Awqaf, building, although flames were seen shooting out of a second floor window as well.
At least seven firetrucks were deployed, and after several hours the fire was largely extinguished.
The main part of the building was built in 1898, with wings added on either side in 1912 and 1927. Most of the ministry's employees moved to the new capital, away from the clutter and chaos of Cairo, in late July.
#Egypt
@africaintel
🇳🇬 Nigeria's president says central bank undergoing forensic audit
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said on Friday the central bank was undergoing a comprehensive forensic audit as part of reforms following the suspension of the bank's governor in June.
Tinubu said the federal government's payroll would also be reviewed. This follows criticism by economic analysts that the government was losing billions of naira every year paying people not employed by the government, known as "ghost workers."
"We'll block all financial loopholes," said Tinubu.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said on Friday the central bank was undergoing a comprehensive forensic audit as part of reforms following the suspension of the bank's governor in June.
Tinubu said the federal government's payroll would also be reviewed. This follows criticism by economic analysts that the government was losing billions of naira every year paying people not employed by the government, known as "ghost workers."
"We'll block all financial loopholes," said Tinubu.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
🇿🇼 Opposition in Zimbabwe said president Mnangagwa wants to cling to power
Zimbabwe's main opposition leader accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of violating the law and tearing apart independent institutions to cling to power.
Nelson Chamisa also warned that any evidence of tampering by Mnangagwa's ruling party in this month's elections could lead to “total disaster for a beleaguered nation that is in economic ruin".
Chamisa said Mnangagwa has utilized institutions like the police and the courts to crack down on critical figures, ban opposition rallies and prevent candidates from standing.
Chamisa will challenge Mnangagwa and the ruling ZANU-PF party's 43-year hold on power in an August 23 vote.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
Zimbabwe's main opposition leader accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of violating the law and tearing apart independent institutions to cling to power.
Nelson Chamisa also warned that any evidence of tampering by Mnangagwa's ruling party in this month's elections could lead to “total disaster for a beleaguered nation that is in economic ruin".
Chamisa said Mnangagwa has utilized institutions like the police and the courts to crack down on critical figures, ban opposition rallies and prevent candidates from standing.
Chamisa will challenge Mnangagwa and the ruling ZANU-PF party's 43-year hold on power in an August 23 vote.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇺🇸🇳🇪 US pauses some foreign assistance programs for Niger government
The U.S. is pausing certain foreign assistance programs that benefit the government of Niger but will continue giving humanitarian and food assistance, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday.
"As we have made clear since the outset of this situation, the provision of U.S. assistance to the government of Niger depends on democratic governance and respect for constitutional order," Blinken said in a statement on Friday.
"We remain committed to supporting the people of Niger to help them preserve their hard-earned democracy and we reiterate our call for the immediate restoration of Niger's democratically elected government," Blinken added.
#USA #Niger
@africaintel
The U.S. is pausing certain foreign assistance programs that benefit the government of Niger but will continue giving humanitarian and food assistance, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday.
"As we have made clear since the outset of this situation, the provision of U.S. assistance to the government of Niger depends on democratic governance and respect for constitutional order," Blinken said in a statement on Friday.
"We remain committed to supporting the people of Niger to help them preserve their hard-earned democracy and we reiterate our call for the immediate restoration of Niger's democratically elected government," Blinken added.
#USA #Niger
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇳🇬🇳🇪 Nigeria’s Tinubu seeks Senate support for ECOWAS intervention in Niger, according to Al Jazeera According to Al Jazeera, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has written a letter to his country’s Senate, asking its members to back a regional military intervention…
⚡🇳🇬🇳🇪 Senators reject Tinubu’s request for the military invasion of Niger
Nigerian Senators have declined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's request to invade the Republic of Niger.
President Tinubu has been urged to focus more on a clamp down on Boko Haram, bandits and the agitators of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
It was gathered that the Senators implored President Tinubu to approach the Niger coup situation with a non-kinetic dialogue approach to reach a peaceful resolution with the military junta in Niger.
#Nigeria #Niger
@africaintel
Nigerian Senators have declined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's request to invade the Republic of Niger.
President Tinubu has been urged to focus more on a clamp down on Boko Haram, bandits and the agitators of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
It was gathered that the Senators implored President Tinubu to approach the Niger coup situation with a non-kinetic dialogue approach to reach a peaceful resolution with the military junta in Niger.
#Nigeria #Niger
@africaintel
🇳🇪 Niger students rally in support of coup leader
Around a hundred students have demonstrated in the Nigerien capital Niamey to support the military who took control of the country in a coup on 26 July.
Protesters were angry at sanctions and threats of military intervention by leaders in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Niger and gave the junta that toppled elected president Mohamed Bazoum one week to restore him or face the potential use of force. But with the news about Nigeria's senate rejection of Tinubu's request for the military invasion of Niger and Chad's neutrality in possible conflict, this threat is more and more a joke.
#Niger
@africaintel
Around a hundred students have demonstrated in the Nigerien capital Niamey to support the military who took control of the country in a coup on 26 July.
Protesters were angry at sanctions and threats of military intervention by leaders in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Niger and gave the junta that toppled elected president Mohamed Bazoum one week to restore him or face the potential use of force. But with the news about Nigeria's senate rejection of Tinubu's request for the military invasion of Niger and Chad's neutrality in possible conflict, this threat is more and more a joke.
#Niger
@africaintel