W.H.O. Declares Global Emergency Over New Mpox Outbreak
The rapid spread of mpox, formerly called monkeypox, in African countries constitutes a global health emergency, the World Health Organization declared on Wednesday. This is the second time in three years that the W.H.O. has designated an mpox epidemic as a global emergency…Since the beginning of this year, the Democratic Republic of Congo alone has reported 15,600 mpox cases and 537 deaths. Those most at risk include women and children under 15…The outbreak has spread through 13 countries in Africa, including a few that had never reported mpox cases before. On Tuesday, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared a “public health emergency of continental security,” the first time the organization has taken that step since the African Union granted it the power to do so last year. The New York Times
Sudan Peace Talks Start – but neither Side Shows Up
Fresh peace talks aimed at ending Sudan’s 16-month war have started although neither warring side has entered the negotiating room. The US, which is leading the talks, insisted the event continued regardless, saying “we are going to try to do everything we can to try to end this horrific crisis in Sudan”. The army said it would boycott the talks several days ago , while RSF delegates went to Switzerland but at the last minute said they would stay away…Dashing hopes of a ceasefire, the army said it would not attend as the RSF had not implemented “what was agreed upon” in Saudi Arabia last year. The paramilitary group had not met key conditions of the Jeddah Declaration, such as withdrawing its fighters from civilians’ houses and public facilities, the army said…Previous peace talks in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have all failed. Delegates from the US, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the African Union and the United Nations attended Wednesday’s ceremony. BBC
Malian Rebels Say They Have Received No Help from Ukraine, Foreigners
A spokesperson for Mali’s Tuareg rebel alliance said it received no external assistance in fighting in late July that dealt a significant blow to Mali’s army and its Wagner partners, nor has it received any help from Ukraine. The northern rebels in early August said they had killed at least 84 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers over days of fierce fighting in the town of Tinzaouaten near the Algerian border, in what appears to be Wagner’s heaviest defeat since it stepped in two years ago to help the West African country’s military authorities fight insurgent groups. A spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency made comments on July 29 that Mali interpreted to mean Ukraine had provided information to the rebels ahead of the fighting. Days later, Mali said it was cutting diplomatic ties with Ukraine over the remarks. Ukraine, in a statement by the foreign ministry, said that move was hasty and no evidence had been provided to show Kyiv had played any role in the fighting. Reuters
Convoy Carrying More than 1,000 Civilians Ambushed in Burkina Last Week, Governor Says
Suspected jihadists ambushed a military convoy carrying more than 1,000 civilians in Burkina Faso last week, leading to civilian deaths and injuries, the regional governor said in a statement published on Wednesday, without providing a death toll. The ambush took place on Aug. 9 in the village of Tawori in the east of the Sahel country, Governor Ram Joseph Kafando said in the statement, after visiting the wounded in hospital on Tuesday…The failure of previous governments to protect civilians against the insurgency have contributed to two coups in Mali, two in Burkina Faso and one in Niger since 2020. But the juntas have so far failed on their promises to stamp out the insurgency and end violence that has caused thousands of deaths and displaced millions. Reuters
Nigeria Considers Tough Penalties for Subversive Acts under Proposed Law
Nigerian lawmakers are considering a bill that would impose punishments of up to 10 years in jail for actions deemed subversive, a move that critics see as an attempt to crack down on dissent following a wave of anti-government protests. The proposed Counter Subversion Bill, currently in its early stages of debate, introduces a 10-year jail term for refusal to recite the national anthem, a five-year jail term for erecting an “illegal road block”, and a three-year sentence for “disobeying constituted authority”. It comes in the wake of nationwide protests against economic reforms that have escalated a cost of living crisis. They ended abruptly following a deadly police response that resulted in at least 23 deaths. Critics see the proposed law as an attempt by the government to suppress dissent and limit public demonstrations. Reuters
Nigerian Army Destroys 27 Illicit Refineries, Seizes Stolen Oil
Nigerian army troops have destroyed at least 27 illicit refining sites and seized stolen crude oil following raids this week on illegal oil bunkering sites in the Niger River delta, an army spokesperson said on Wednesday. Large-scale oil theft and sabotage of pipelines have hobbled output from Nigeria, Africa’s top energy producer, and crimped exports in recent years, crippling government finances and leaving President Bola Tinubu with one of his biggest challenges. Acting army spokesperson Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said around 100,000 litres of stolen crude were seized during the raids. Three vehicles loaded with illegally refined fuel were also seized. The raids are part of ongoing operations to curb oil theft, Danjuma said in a statement. Reuters
South Sudan: RJMEC: Realistic Elections Timetable Should Be Backed by Budget, Guaranteed Funding
The chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said it is vital for the leaders in South Sudan to budget and guarantee funding for elections after agreeing on a firm timetable for the exercise. He made the remarks on Wednesday while virtually briefing the meeting of the United Nations Security Council reviewing the status of implementation of the peace agreement…In reviewing the status of implementation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, Amb. Gituai outlined some key challenges that have slowed down progress including; insufficient political will, trust deficit among the Parties, capacity gaps, and persistent levels of intercommunal violence in the states. Radio Tamazuj
South Sudan Govt, SSOMA Hold First Meeting in Months, Agree on Political Dialogue
In a significant step towards peace in South Sudan, the government and the SSOMA Leadership Council (SSOMA LC) held their first meeting in months, from August 12th to 14th, 2024, in Rome. The meeting, hosted by the Community of Sant’Egidio, was attended by representatives of the Kenyan Government and facilitated by the special envoy of the Government of South Sudan. The primary focus of the discussions was the Tumaini initiative, an inclusive and open process aimed at achieving a sustainable and just peace settlement in South Sudan…This meeting marks a crucial development in the peace process in South Sudan. It demonstrates a renewed commitment from both the government and the SSOMA LC to engage in dialogue and seek a political solution to the conflict. Sudan Tribune
Chad Opens Consulate in Morocco-ruled Western Sahara
Chad opened on Wednesday a consulate in Western Sahara, joining African and Arab countries that have established diplomatic missions there in a sign of support for Morocco’s claim to the disputed territory. Morocco considers Western Sahara its own territory, but the Algeria-backed Polisario Front wants to establish its own state there. So far 29 countries have opened consulates in Western Sahara cities of Layoune and Dakhla in full support of Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory. Reuters
‘A New Orbit’: Brigadier General Takes over Space Force in Europe and Africa
[Brig. Gen. Jacob Middleton took over as the commander of U.S. Space Forces in Europe-Space Forces Africa during a ceremony Tuesday for Col. Max Lantz II, who is retiring…That a one-star general was chosen to step in after Lantz underscores the importance of space power in the region, said Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, the service’s chief of space operations…In Africa, the Europe-based guardians helped build a space reconnaissance tracking program that allowed AFRICOM to provide partners with unclassified information through commercial satellite imagery and other means. The data-sharing helped with cross-border violence, disaster relief and illegal fishing, among other problems, Saltzman and Langley said…Such initiatives foster U.S. partnerships on the continent, [Langley] said. Stars and Stripes
Botswana, US Address Challenges Facing Women in Military
U.S. and Botswanan military personnel took part in a workshop focusing on better integrating women into the African country’s army, addressing issues such as sexual harassment and the need for tailored equipment. The three-day workshop was part of a larger program wrapping up Thursday intended to strengthen relations between the two countries and build local forces’ capacity. Major Teisha Barnes, military operations officer of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, which has an initiative to better address the role of women serving their countries, said women in the military face challenges that could limit their opportunities…The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, or SETAF-AF, workshop coincides with a broader initiative known as Southern Accord 2024, which is aimed at strengthening bilateral military capabilities. VOA
A Chess Club for Kids Thrives in a Congo Refugee Camp. It’s about More than the Game
In a corner of a refugee camp in conflict-wracked eastern Congo, about a dozen chess games are going, each one with its own fascinated audience. The Soga Chess Club for children doesn’t have enough tables and chairs…But the chess club founders say it’s good enough to try and take these kids’ minds away from what they’ve seen and experienced so far: fighting and killing, hunger and fear…Chess is “a therapeutic escape from the stress and horrors these children have endured,” said Gabriel Nzaji, one of the club’s instructors. He said the game encourages the children to be quiet and to focus, a way of calming their minds…Soga has around 100 children signed up to its club…The organizers said they noticed that most of the children would spend their days engaged in rough, war-like games, sometimes involving sticks they’d swing at each other. They hope chess offers them something other than a mimicking of the conflict they’ve grown up around. AP