MSF Report Reveals Catastrophic Toll of Violence in Sudan
The war in Sudan has led to a collapse in the protection of civilians with communities facing indiscriminate violence, killings, torture, and sexual violence amid persistent attacks on health workers and medical facilities according to a report released by Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Monday. The report, ‘A war on people-The human cost of conflict and violence in Sudan,’ describes how both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their supporters are inflicting horrendous violence on people across the country. The war has wrought a catastrophic toll since fighting began in April 2023 with hospitals attacked, markets bombed, and houses razed to the ground. “Estimates for the total number of people injured or killed during the war vary but MSF, which works in eight states across Sudan, revealed that in just one of the hospitals it supports, Al Nao hospital in Omdurman, Khartoum state, 6,776 patients were treated for injuries caused by violence between 15 August 2023 and 30 April 2024, an average of 26 people per day,” the report said. … The report contains shocking reports of sexual and gender-based violence [and] testimonies detailing targeted ethnic violence against people in Darfur. Radio Tamazuj
Security Forces Lock Down Ugandan Opposition’s HQ Ahead of Protest
Ugandan security forces have surrounded the headquarters of the main opposition party in advance of a planned antigovernment rally over alleged corruption and human rights abuses. Police and soldiers cut off access to the office of the National Unity Platform (NUP), which sits near the capital, Kampala, on Monday. The threat of protests has angered longtime President Yoweri Museveni, who claimed it to be a plot being operated by unnamed “foreigners”. NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi claimed that the blockade prevented people from entering or leaving, while some have been roughly detained. … Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, added that several opposition leaders had been “violently arrested”. Bobi Wine, 42, a pop star turned politician, has in recent years emerged as the biggest challenger to Museveni. The 79-year-old has ruled the East African nation since 1986. However, Ugandan youth have spearheaded unrest recently, and are planning to march to parliament on Tuesday to protest against alleged widespread corruption and human rights abuses. Al Jazeera
DR Congo Summons Uganda Diplomat over M23 Conflict
Uganda again rejected United Nations allegations that it is backing M23 rebels in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo after Kinshasa summoned the Ugandan charge d’affaires over the issue. Since late 2021, M23 has seized large tracts of territory in North Kivu province, with a recent report commissioned by the U.N. Security Council alleging “active support” for the rebels by Ugandan army and military intelligence officials. … In the report published on July 8, U.N. experts said they had confirmation of “active support” for M23 from members of Ugandan intelligence. The report said 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers had been fighting alongside M23 rebels in the mineral-rich east, displacing millions of people, and that Kigali had “de facto control” of the group’s operations, a claim Rwanda denies. The experts also said they had evidence confirming “active support for M23 by certain UPDF [Uganda People’s Defense Forces] and Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence officials.” VOA/AFP
Governor of Eastern Congo’s Gold-rich Province Bans Mining Activities to ‘Restore Order’
The governor of the South Kivu province in eastern Congo on Friday ordered the suspension of all mining activities to “restore order” in the mineral-rich region, which is plagued by violence from armed groups. Mining activities are suspended until further notice because of “the disorder caused by mining operators,” Gov. Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki said in a statement, without providing further details. … The local authorities gave 72 hours to “all mining companies, businesses and cooperatives to leave the sites and places of exploitation,” the statement added. It was difficult to immediately assess whether the decision would be respected, as certain mining areas are under the control or influence of armed groups. It was also difficult to immediately assess the impact of this decision at the economic level. Thousands of residents of this gold- and coltan-rich province depend directly or indirectly on mining. Many Chinese companies mine gold and other minerals in South Kivu, one of the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo that have been plagued by violence from armed groups for nearly three decades. In recent months, as the military battle the militias, the security situation has worsened. AP
Algerian Opposition Denounces ‘Unfair Conditions’ in Upcoming Election
Political challengers in Algeria are sounding the alarm over a presidential election scheduled for 7 September, which will see incumbent Abdelmadjid Tebboune seek a second term in office. It comes five years after he was elected in a vote widely rejected by the opposition. Prominent opposition figure Louisa Hanoune, the leader of the Workers’ Party, this week withdrew her candidacy, citing “unfair conditions”. Her party will boycott the vote entirely. Hanoune, who entered the race two months ago, denounced what she alleged were attempts to exclude her party from the race and prevent voters from choosing freely between parties. In a press release, she stressed that democracy depends on respecting fundamental freedoms that allow people to voice their will. … During 2019 protests that culminated in President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s resignation, she was imprisoned on charges of conspiracy against the state and military. After spending approximately 10 months in detention, she was acquitted and released in May 2020. … Algeria’s complex political dynamics mean that the influence of the military and entrenched elites often plays a significant role in shaping electoral outcomes. The last presidential elections in 2019 were widely boycotted. With all five candidates linked to Bouteflika, the opposition objected that the new poll would not rid the country of its old political elite. RFI
Tunisian President Kais Saied to Seek Reelection in October after Tumultuous First Term
Tunisia’s President Kais Saied said Friday that he will run for a second term, making a long-expected announcement while many of his potential opponents languish in prison on charges their attorneys have described as politicized. The announcement about Saied’s candidacy in the October election was published on the presidency’s Facebook page after a busy week during which critics of Saied and his government have continued to face arrest, gag orders and other restrictions. The repressive measures have raised fears about the trajectory of the North African nation 13 years after protestors toppled its longtime dictator in the first of the regional uprisings that later became known as the Arab Spring. … Tunisia has since imprisoned dozens of his critics from business and political spheres, including Rached Ghannouchi, the leader of the political party Ennahda that ascended to power after last decade’s revolution. AP
Exhausted Migrants Arrive on Beach in Spain’s Canaries
Dozens of exhausted migrants arrived in a wooden boat on a beach in Spain’s Canary Islands early on Friday amid a sharp rise in perilous crossings from Africa, with emergency personnel and a few stunned beachgoers rushing to help. The boat carrying 64 people made it to the Las Burras beach on the island of Gran Canaria by its own means, authorities said. Eleven migrants were taken to hospitals, some by helicopter as four were in critical condition. The number of migrants arriving irregularly by sea to the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean soared by 160% between January and July 15 from a year ago, totalling almost 20,000 people, according to Spain’s interior ministry. Overall arrivals by sea to Spain, including across the mainland, grew by 88% to around 25,300 people. After reaching the beach lined with hotels, many of the migrants lay on the sand, looking frail and exhausted. One lay flat and almost motionless. Many struggled to walk. … The route from Africa to the Canary Islands is the fastest-growing migration route in Europe, with irregular crossings up 303% from January to May from a year ago, according to the latest data from European border control agency Frontex. Reuters
Five Things to Know about Turkey’s Interests in Africa
[…] Over President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s two decades in power, Ankara has consolidated its foothold on the continent, quadrupling its number of embassies there. Here are five of Turkey’s diplomatic and economic interests and strategies in Africa: ‘Alternative to the West’. At a time when many African countries are turning away from their former colonial rulers, Turkey has looked to fill the void left behind. … Defense and security. Turkey has signed defense agreements with a number of states spanning the breadth of the continent … Those agreements have opened up contracts for Turkey’s defense manufacturers, notably for its reputedly reliable and inexpensive drones. … Fossil fuels and nuclear. Turkey is also expanding its interests in Africa’s energy sector. In September or October it plans to launch an oil and gas exploration mission off the coast of Somalia, similar to the one it is carrying out in Libyan waters. … Infrastructure and construction. Ankara is generally seen as a “reliable partner”, said Didier Billion, Turkey specialist at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs — “particularly in the construction and infrastructure sectors.” … Religion, schools and television. Turkey has accumulated considerable soft power in the region, notably through education, the media and its shared religion with Africa’s many Muslim countries. VOA/AFP
After Cabinet Sackings, Kenya’s Youth Protesters Call for President Ruto to Go
Despite President William Ruto’s decision to dismiss nearly his entire cabinet following nationwide protests by young people, the anti-government demonstrations have evolved into demands for his resignation. The Kenyan government has repeatedly rejected these calls, frequently deploying aggressive police tactics in response. Protesters have also demanded that members of parliament be dismissed for years of misgovernment. They condemned members of the National Assembly for approving the contentious 2024 Finance Bill, which many Kenyans view as harsh and indifferent to ordinary citizens. The demonstrators issued other demands too, including the repeal of recent tax increases, which Ruto has agreed to meet. The president appointed 11 replacement ministers on Friday, six of whom served in the previous cabinet. The crucial post at the head of the finance ministry, however, remains empty. RFI
CAR: Risk of Life Imprisonment for Martin Joseph Figueira, Portuguese Humanitarian Worker
The Central African Republic government has accused Portuguese-Belgian national Martin Joseph Figueira of espionage on behalf of certain Western countries, including the United States. During a press conference at the Presidential Palace, President Archange Touadera’s advisor clarified the situation regarding the member of the American NGO FHI 360. … Figueira was arrested on May 25 in Zemio, Haut-Mboumou, and has been detained for two months. He is accused of financing terrorist groups, including Ali Darassa’s Unity for Peace in Central Africa (UPC), conspiracy, espionage, and incitement to hatred. … International organizations have called for Figueira’s unconditional release, deeming the allegations unfounded. AfricaNews
Zimbabwe Deports Chinese in Viral Video Assaulting Mine Workers
Zimbabwe this week deported two Chinese nationals accused of hanging two mine employees on a front-end loader in a case that ignited debate about alleged abuses by investors from the Asian country. A viral video of the two employees being tied to a bucket of the front-end loader before it was lifted with them hanging by their hands sparked outrage and spurred the authorities to take action. … The brief police statement said, “investigations are in progress,” without naming the Chinese nationals, but a few hours later a government spokesperson announced on social media that they had been deported. … Last year, Zimbabwean labour unions wrote to the government demanding that it investigate Chinese employers, whom they said had become notorious for violations such as torture, beatings, gender-based violence, low wages and a host of other labour transgressions. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions – the largest labour centre in the country – accused government officials of shielding abusive Chinese employers because they were getting bribes. Last year, Zimbabwean labour unions wrote to the government demanding that it investigate Chinese employers, whom they said had become notorious for violations such as torture, beatings, gender-based violence, low wages and a host of other labour transgressions. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions – the largest labour centre in the country – accused government officials of shielding abusive Chinese employers because they were getting bribes. The East African
China’s Direct Investment in Kenya Drops Sharply
A report by Kenya’s National Bureau of Statistics shows a significant drop in direct investment from China. The report says Beijing’s investments in Kenya fell by more than a third over the last three years. Analysts say China is increasingly focused on exporting products rather than investing. … China has invested heavily in Kenya and other African countries in recent years, often as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. Beijing became Kenya’s top source of imports, according to national data, and remains so. But Kenyan data show that between 2020 and 2022, Chinese expenditures in Kenya’s construction sector, which is China’s leading area of foreign investment in the country, dropped more than 34%. VOA
Nigeria Cholera Outbreak: Medical Experts, Government Move to Curb Spread
The Nigerian government is currently grappling with a cholera outbreak that has swept through the West African nation. As authorities work tirelessly to contain the spread of this diarrheal disease, medical experts are urging residents to maintain proper hygiene when handling food and liquids. Dr. Adewale Adeleye emphasized that thorough hand washing and safe food and water practices are crucial in preventing the spread of cholera. He advised citizens to heed all health advisories and take proactive measures, as the disease is highly transmissible. While vaccines are available for those at high risk, Dr. Adeleye noted that mass immunization is not currently advisable for cholera. “These vaccines are typically meant for specific at-risk groups, and their immunity wanes after two to three years, requiring booster doses,” he said. … As of July 15, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported over 3,600 suspected cholera cases and 103 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 2.8 percent. AfricaNews
Flooding Drives Liberia to Mull Capital City Move
Severe flooding in Liberia has led a group of senators to propose relocating the capital city away from overcrowded and poorly managed Monrovia, a suggestion met with a mixture of enthusiasm and hesitancy in the West African country. Flash floods triggered by torrential rains between the end of June and early July left nearly 50,000 Liberians in urgent need, the national disaster management agency said. The flood-prone capital was particularly badly hit, owing in part to overpopulation, a poor sewage system, and a lack of building regulation. Meeting to discuss the persistent flooding problem, a senate joint committee in early July suggested establishing a new city to replace Monrovia. … Monrovia is home to 1.5 million people and lies on the Atlantic coast of Liberia, one of the poorest countries in the world. The city is the economic, political, and cultural hub of the country, with the Freeport of Monrovia providing a gateway for Liberian exports including iron ore, rubber, and timber to reach the United States and Europe. But the city’s poorly functioning infrastructure can barely keep up with its ever-expanding population. VOA/AFP
Lesotho: PM Declares National Food Insecurity Disaster
Prime Minister Sam Matekane has declared a national food insecurity disaster spanning eight months from July 2024 to March 2025. According to Mr Matekane, it is estimated that no less than 700 000 Basotho face extreme hunger because of the severe El Nino drought, that has affected not only Lesotho’s agricultural sector but the rest of Southern African regional countries. The number of Basotho facing hunger for the next eight months, is a significant increase from the 582,000 people affected in the 2022/2023 period. … “As a result of the El Nino droughts, it is projected that about 700,000 Basotho will need support to have food. Therefore, I declare a national food insecurity disaster effective from 12th July 2024 to 31st March 2025,” Mr Matekane said, in an official statement that he also read on national television. … According to reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Lesotho was one of the countries most affected by the Southern African drought in 2020, with an estimated 600,000 people in need of food assistance. The situation has only worsened since then, with the FAO reporting that 70 percent of Lesotho’s maize crop was affected in 2022. The World Food Programme (WFP) has also sounded the alarm, stating that Lesotho is still recovering from the effects of the 2020 drought, with 40 percent of the country’s population (around 1.2 million people) affected by food insecurity. Lesotho Times
Entire Anti-corruption Board Fired for Alleged Zambia Corruption
Zambia’s President Hakinde Hichilema has taken the extraordinary step of firing the entire board of the country’s corruption-busting body, after they themselves were accused of corruption, which they deny. It comes days after the head of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Thom Shamakamba, resigned from his post. Both he and the country’s solicitor-general – Marshal Muchende – were accused of taking kickbacks. Both men strongly deny the allegations. Since Mr Hichilema came to power three years ago, the authorities have been investigating a number officials from the former government accused of graft. Now, the explosive allegations are that ACC officials have been taking payments from politicians targeted by the probe in exchange for amnesty. The whistleblower is a man called O’Brien Kaaba – who was once a board member of the ACC. … He said the ACC must be reformed, alleging that the rot goes beyond the four fired board members and affects the whole institution. Mr Kaaba has been sued by Mr Muchende for defamation – a step that other figures could yet take. BBC
Four Arrested in Multimillion-dollar Meth Lab Bust in South Africa
South African police have uncovered an industrial-scale meth lab and arrested four suspects, including two Mexicans, in one of the country’s biggest-ever drug busts. The laboratory was discovered on a farm in Groblersdal, a small town in Limpopo province in the northeast of the country, the police said in a statement on Saturday. Limpopo is the northernmost province of South Africa; it borders Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Law enforcement agents found large quantities of chemicals, such as acetone, used in the manufacturing of illicit drugs, including crystal meth, with an estimated street value of 2 billion rand ($109.5m), the statement said. “What makes this different from other [seizures] is the involvement of Mexican citizens,” said Katlego Mogale, national spokesperson for the Hawks, an elite police unit that took part in the raid. … South Africa is a major drug transit country due to its geography and international trade links and is also a growing market for synthetic drugs, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Al Jazeera
Nigeria Fines Meta $220 Million over Data Violations
Nigeria has issued a $220 million (€202 million) fine against US tech giant Meta for violations of antitrust, data protection and consumer rights laws. Meta is the parent company of the social media platforms Facebook and Instagram, as well as of the WhatsApp instant messaging service. Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Friday accused Meta of discriminatory practices, abuse of market dominance, sharing Nigerians’ personal data without authorization and denying Nigerians the right to determine how their data is used. It said it had “significant evidence on the record” after launching a 38-month investigation in May 2021. FCCPC chief executive officer Adamu Abdullahi said investigations carried out by the commission showed that Meta had engaged in “invasive practices against data subjects in Nigeria.” … The FCCPC said that Meta was aware of the commission’s investigations into the firm. It said Meta proposed a “remedy package” that failed to address initial concerns. Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment from news agencies. Nigeria, which is Africa’s most populous country, has some 164 million internet subscriptions out of a total population of 200 million. Around three-quarters of Nigerians are under the age of 24, many of whom have grown up connected with social media. WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram are among the most popular social media platforms in Nigeria. … Nigeria’s government is not the first to take Meta to task for antitrust and data collection breaches. Earlier this month, the European Union accused Meta of breaching the bloc’s tech regulations. DW