🇷🇼 Kagame critic and former Rwanda PM dies in exile
A former prime minister of Rwanda and strong critic of the government of President Paul Kagame has died in exile in Belgium.
Relatives confirmed Faustin Twagiramungu's death on Saturday, saying the 78-year-old had been ill.
Twagiramungu - a moderate Hutu - was prime minister in the government of national unity that was formed after the 1994 genocide.
He fell out with the Tutsi-dominated government when he spoke out against the killings of Hutus.
He resigned from his post in 1995 and went into exile in Belgium.
Twagiramungu returned briefly to Rwanda in 2003 to stand as a presidential candidate but lost to the current leader, Kagame.
#Rwanda
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A former prime minister of Rwanda and strong critic of the government of President Paul Kagame has died in exile in Belgium.
Relatives confirmed Faustin Twagiramungu's death on Saturday, saying the 78-year-old had been ill.
Twagiramungu - a moderate Hutu - was prime minister in the government of national unity that was formed after the 1994 genocide.
He fell out with the Tutsi-dominated government when he spoke out against the killings of Hutus.
He resigned from his post in 1995 and went into exile in Belgium.
Twagiramungu returned briefly to Rwanda in 2003 to stand as a presidential candidate but lost to the current leader, Kagame.
#Rwanda
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🇩🇿🛢 Algeria to cut oil production by further 51,000 bpd in Q12024
Algeria plans to voluntarily cut its oil production by 51,000 barrels per day (bpd) for Q1 2024, bringing its oil production target to 908,000 bpd, an energy ministry said.
"In order to support market stability, these additional amounts of reduction will be restored gradually, according to market conditions," said the statement.
The Ministry indicated that this additional reduction comes within the framework of strengthening the precautionary efforts made by OPEC+ countries with the aim of supporting the stability and balance of oil markets.
The new cut comes in addition to another voluntary cut of 48,000 bpd that it announced in April and which is due to expire at the end of 2024.
#Algeria
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Algeria plans to voluntarily cut its oil production by 51,000 barrels per day (bpd) for Q1 2024, bringing its oil production target to 908,000 bpd, an energy ministry said.
"In order to support market stability, these additional amounts of reduction will be restored gradually, according to market conditions," said the statement.
The Ministry indicated that this additional reduction comes within the framework of strengthening the precautionary efforts made by OPEC+ countries with the aim of supporting the stability and balance of oil markets.
The new cut comes in addition to another voluntary cut of 48,000 bpd that it announced in April and which is due to expire at the end of 2024.
#Algeria
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Africa Intel
🇲🇷 Prosecutor seeks 20 years for former president of Mauritania Aziz A Mauritanian prosecutor requested a 20-year prison sentence for former president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. Aziz has been on trial since January 25 for allegedly abusing his power in order…
🇲🇷 Former Mauritanian President Aziz denies charges of "illicit enrichment"
Former Mauritanian president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz on Monday firmly denied in court all allegations he faces of abusing his power and amassing a huge fortune.
Aziz, who ruled Mauritania between 2008 and 2019, fell into disgrace under successor and current President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.
With the prosecution having demanded a 20-year sentence, the 66-year-old former leader embarked on an hours-long monologue in court.
"All of these accusations are false, unjust and part of a warped plot against me," he told. “I am accused of corruption, Where is my corrupter? Where is the proof of this corruption?," asked Aziz.
#Mauritania
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Former Mauritanian president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz on Monday firmly denied in court all allegations he faces of abusing his power and amassing a huge fortune.
Aziz, who ruled Mauritania between 2008 and 2019, fell into disgrace under successor and current President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.
With the prosecution having demanded a 20-year sentence, the 66-year-old former leader embarked on an hours-long monologue in court.
"All of these accusations are false, unjust and part of a warped plot against me," he told. “I am accused of corruption, Where is my corrupter? Where is the proof of this corruption?," asked Aziz.
#Mauritania
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🇿🇲 Zambia yet to retrieve trapped miners days later
Zambian officials have said they have been unable to locate dozens of illegal miners believed to be trapped after a mudslide at an open cast copper mine on Friday.
The accident in Zambia's northern Copperbelt province occurred after heavy rains.
Rescue teams have been pumping water from the underground pits at the Sesili mine in Chingola but have not made contact with the miners.
President Hakainde Hichilema said he was saddened by the "heartbreaking situation".
The vice-president, Mutale Nalumango, said the incident at the Sesili mine was a "disaster".
#Zambia
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Zambian officials have said they have been unable to locate dozens of illegal miners believed to be trapped after a mudslide at an open cast copper mine on Friday.
The accident in Zambia's northern Copperbelt province occurred after heavy rains.
Rescue teams have been pumping water from the underground pits at the Sesili mine in Chingola but have not made contact with the miners.
President Hakainde Hichilema said he was saddened by the "heartbreaking situation".
The vice-president, Mutale Nalumango, said the incident at the Sesili mine was a "disaster".
#Zambia
@africaintel
🇳🇬🇳🇪 Nigeria calls for Niger Junta to free ousted president Mohamed Bazoum
Nigeria is calling for the release of ousted Niger president Mohamed Bazoum and for the military junta to allow him to leave for a third country, its foreign minister said.
Nigeria is current chair of the regional group ECOWAS which has imposed sanctions on Niger following the July coup that ousted Bazoum.
"Bazoum will no longer be in custody. He will go to a third country that is mutually agreed. And then we start talking about the removal of sanctions."
He said ECOWAS was still open to talks with Niger's junta.
"You know, the opportunity is there. We are always ready, willing, and able to listen to them and the ball is in their court."
ECOWAS leaders will meet in Nigeria's capital Abuja on December 10 to discuss the region.
#Nigeria #Niger
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Nigeria is calling for the release of ousted Niger president Mohamed Bazoum and for the military junta to allow him to leave for a third country, its foreign minister said.
Nigeria is current chair of the regional group ECOWAS which has imposed sanctions on Niger following the July coup that ousted Bazoum.
"Bazoum will no longer be in custody. He will go to a third country that is mutually agreed. And then we start talking about the removal of sanctions."
He said ECOWAS was still open to talks with Niger's junta.
"You know, the opportunity is there. We are always ready, willing, and able to listen to them and the ball is in their court."
ECOWAS leaders will meet in Nigeria's capital Abuja on December 10 to discuss the region.
#Nigeria #Niger
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🇹🇿 Tanzania flood, landslide death toll jumps to 47
The number of people killed by floods and landslides in northern Tanzania has jumped to 47, with another 85 people injured, following torrential rain, a senior government official said.
Severe flooding caused by a combination of the El Nino and Indian Ocean dipole weather phenomena has killed hundreds of people in Kenya and Somalia and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes since seasonal rains began in October.
Search and rescue operations were underway in the Manyara region as authorities fear some bodies might be trapped in the mud, Manyara region commissioner told.
Around 100 houses in the village of Katesh, Hanang district, were swallowed by a landslide, President Samia Suluhu Hassan said.
#Tanzania
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The number of people killed by floods and landslides in northern Tanzania has jumped to 47, with another 85 people injured, following torrential rain, a senior government official said.
Severe flooding caused by a combination of the El Nino and Indian Ocean dipole weather phenomena has killed hundreds of people in Kenya and Somalia and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes since seasonal rains began in October.
Search and rescue operations were underway in the Manyara region as authorities fear some bodies might be trapped in the mud, Manyara region commissioner told.
Around 100 houses in the village of Katesh, Hanang district, were swallowed by a landslide, President Samia Suluhu Hassan said.
#Tanzania
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🇵🇸🇹🇳 At least 20 wounded Gazans were received in Tunis for treatment
Tunisia says it has received and treated some of the wounded from Gaza.
At least 20 injured persons including a one year old baby were treated in Tunisia according to Mustapha Ferjani, Advisor to President Kais Saied.
"The number of wounded is 20. They have 19 people accompanying them and even among these there are some slightly wounded. The re are complicated cases of shrapnel wounds, burns and broken limbs. We hope that they will be treated and return in the best possible health."
#Palestine #Tunisia
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Tunisia says it has received and treated some of the wounded from Gaza.
At least 20 injured persons including a one year old baby were treated in Tunisia according to Mustapha Ferjani, Advisor to President Kais Saied.
"The number of wounded is 20. They have 19 people accompanying them and even among these there are some slightly wounded. The re are complicated cases of shrapnel wounds, burns and broken limbs. We hope that they will be treated and return in the best possible health."
#Palestine #Tunisia
@africaintel
🇷🇺🇲🇱 Russian delegation arrived in Mali for talks
A Russian delegation led by Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov has held talks with the president of Mali.
The visit was aimed at discussing opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
The preliminary agreement between the countries also includes cooperation in renewable energy, civil aviation, nuclear power and its applications, oil, construction of railroad networks in the region and coal mining.
In addition, the meeting discussed the creation of an airline that will serve regional destinations in Mali as well as in Burkina Faso and Niger.
Minister of Economy and Finance Alousseni Sanou emphasized that the provision of electricity to the population is a priority for Mali.
#Russia #Mali
@africaintel
A Russian delegation led by Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov has held talks with the president of Mali.
The visit was aimed at discussing opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
The preliminary agreement between the countries also includes cooperation in renewable energy, civil aviation, nuclear power and its applications, oil, construction of railroad networks in the region and coal mining.
In addition, the meeting discussed the creation of an airline that will serve regional destinations in Mali as well as in Burkina Faso and Niger.
Minister of Economy and Finance Alousseni Sanou emphasized that the provision of electricity to the population is a priority for Mali.
#Russia #Mali
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇨🇩 East Africa force starts withdrawal from DR Congo Scores of Kenyan troops flew out of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, marking the start of the withdrawal of a regional force after Kinshasa did not renew its mandate to help fight M23 rebels.…
🇨🇩 DR Congo rebels vow to reoccupy areas as regional force quits
M23 rebels say they will reoccupy areas that are being vacated by a regional force in the troubled eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
A Kenyan contingent of about 300 soldiers was the first to leave their positions in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, early on Sunday.
Kenya troops occupied Kibumba and Kibati and other positions north of Goma.
In a statement, the M23 said it “will recover and occupy all areas” that it handed over to the regional forces at the beginning of the peace process. A ceasefire agreed to last month has been ignored, leading to fresh fighting.
#DRC
@africaintel
M23 rebels say they will reoccupy areas that are being vacated by a regional force in the troubled eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
A Kenyan contingent of about 300 soldiers was the first to leave their positions in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, early on Sunday.
Kenya troops occupied Kibumba and Kibati and other positions north of Goma.
In a statement, the M23 said it “will recover and occupy all areas” that it handed over to the regional forces at the beginning of the peace process. A ceasefire agreed to last month has been ignored, leading to fresh fighting.
#DRC
@africaintel
🇲🇱🏴 Malian Armed Forces claim to have repelled 4 jihadist attacks
The Malian army claimed on Sunday to have repelled four "terrorist" attacks in four localities in the north of the country.
“The Malian Armed Forces (Fama) successively repelled terrorist attacks against four military posts in the localities of Labbezagan, Gossi, Tessalit and Ménaka,” said a press release.
In Ménaka, an important town in the north-east of Mali close to the Nigerien border, "despite a significant concentration of terrorist fighters determined to do battle with our forces, the Fama inflicted a bloody defeat on them with the neutralization of several dozen terrorists and the arrest of around twenty", assured the Malian army.
#Mali
@africaintel
The Malian army claimed on Sunday to have repelled four "terrorist" attacks in four localities in the north of the country.
“The Malian Armed Forces (Fama) successively repelled terrorist attacks against four military posts in the localities of Labbezagan, Gossi, Tessalit and Ménaka,” said a press release.
In Ménaka, an important town in the north-east of Mali close to the Nigerien border, "despite a significant concentration of terrorist fighters determined to do battle with our forces, the Fama inflicted a bloody defeat on them with the neutralization of several dozen terrorists and the arrest of around twenty", assured the Malian army.
#Mali
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Africa Intel
🇷🇺🇲🇱 Russian delegation arrived in Mali for talks A Russian delegation led by Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov has held talks with the president of Mali. The visit was aimed at discussing opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the two…
🇷🇺🇳🇪 Russian Defense Ministry travelled to Niger
Niger's Defense Minister Salifou Modi met with a Russian delegation on December 3. It is the first visit by a Russian delegation at the ministerial level since the coup in Niger took place.
The delegation led by Colonel-General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov was hosted for talks by the head of Niger’s military government General Abdourahamane Tiani.
The parties “signed documents to strengthen military cooperation between the Republic of Niger and the Russian Federation,” according to Nigerien authorities.
#Russia #Niger
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Niger's Defense Minister Salifou Modi met with a Russian delegation on December 3. It is the first visit by a Russian delegation at the ministerial level since the coup in Niger took place.
The delegation led by Colonel-General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov was hosted for talks by the head of Niger’s military government General Abdourahamane Tiani.
The parties “signed documents to strengthen military cooperation between the Republic of Niger and the Russian Federation,” according to Nigerien authorities.
#Russia #Niger
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Africa Intel
🇬🇼 Gunfire broke out in Guinea-Bissau capital overnight, continued through morning Heavy gunfire was reported in Guinea-Bissau's capital on Friday night and morning hours after some National Guard soldiers went to free a detained minister and a senior state…
🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau President Embalo says a coup was foiled on Friday
Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo said that gunfire and clashes that had erupted in the capital of the West African nation on Friday were an attempted coup.
"I can assure you that the events of December 1, 2023, are yet another attempted coup and those responsible will suffer serious consequences," Embalo told.
Clashes between two army factions broke out in Bissau on Thursday night and continued on Friday after national guard soldiers freed an opposition minister who was detained in a corruption investigation.
At least six people were killed during a failed attempt to overthrow Embalo in February 2022.
"On February 1, 2022, we witnessed the same scenario. We still need to put an end once and for all on these upheavals in Guinea-Bissau," Embalo said.
#GuineaBissau
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Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo said that gunfire and clashes that had erupted in the capital of the West African nation on Friday were an attempted coup.
"I can assure you that the events of December 1, 2023, are yet another attempted coup and those responsible will suffer serious consequences," Embalo told.
Clashes between two army factions broke out in Bissau on Thursday night and continued on Friday after national guard soldiers freed an opposition minister who was detained in a corruption investigation.
At least six people were killed during a failed attempt to overthrow Embalo in February 2022.
"On February 1, 2022, we witnessed the same scenario. We still need to put an end once and for all on these upheavals in Guinea-Bissau," Embalo said.
#GuineaBissau
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Africa Intel
🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau President Embalo says a coup was foiled on Friday Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo said that gunfire and clashes that had erupted in the capital of the West African nation on Friday were an attempted coup. "I can assure you that…
🇬🇼 Parliament of Guine-Bissau was dissolved after “coup attempt”
Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo decided to dissolve the opposition-dominated Parliament on Monday, three days after armed clashes that he describes as an "attempted coup d'état".
“The date of the next legislative elections will be set at the appropriate time, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution,” says a presidential decree.
President Embalo invokes the "complicity" between the National Guard, the body involved in the clashes with the Presidential Guard, and "certain political interests within the state apparatus itself".
"After this attempted coup d'état led by the National Guard and in the face of strong evidence of the existence of political complicity, the normal functioning of the institutions of the Republic has become impossible. These facts confirm the existence of a serious crisis politics ,” he said.
#GuineaBissau
@africaintel
Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo decided to dissolve the opposition-dominated Parliament on Monday, three days after armed clashes that he describes as an "attempted coup d'état".
“The date of the next legislative elections will be set at the appropriate time, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution,” says a presidential decree.
President Embalo invokes the "complicity" between the National Guard, the body involved in the clashes with the Presidential Guard, and "certain political interests within the state apparatus itself".
"After this attempted coup d'état led by the National Guard and in the face of strong evidence of the existence of political complicity, the normal functioning of the institutions of the Republic has become impossible. These facts confirm the existence of a serious crisis politics ,” he said.
#GuineaBissau
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🇨🇩 Fourth DR Congo candidate backs ex-governor for president
A fourth candidate has dropped out of the presidential campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo to support former governor and opposition candidate Moïse Katumbi.
With the withdrawal of Delly Sesanga - a lawyer and MP from Kasai-Central province - there are now 21 opposition candidates running for the top job.
“I decided, in a burst of excitement and national unity to combine our forces with the candidacy of Moïse Katumbi,” he declared, , while calling for his supporters to vote for him.
#DRC
@africaintel
A fourth candidate has dropped out of the presidential campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo to support former governor and opposition candidate Moïse Katumbi.
With the withdrawal of Delly Sesanga - a lawyer and MP from Kasai-Central province - there are now 21 opposition candidates running for the top job.
“I decided, in a burst of excitement and national unity to combine our forces with the candidacy of Moïse Katumbi,” he declared, , while calling for his supporters to vote for him.
#DRC
@africaintel