Vote Counting Underway in Somaliland after Peaceful Election
Polls have closed across Somaliland after presidential elections, and it appears Wednesday’s voting across the breakaway region has gone smoothly. The Somaliland National Electoral Commission (NEC) said polls closed across the region at 6 p.m. local time. More than 1 million people were registered to vote across some 2,000 polling stations in Somalia’s breakaway region. In the evening, vote counting was underway, according to the electoral agency…[NEC Chairman Muse Hassan Yusuf] said the NEC would announce the result of the election by November 21. VOA
Mauritius Opposition Leader Ramgoolam Sworn in as PM after Election Rout
Veteran Mauritian politician Navin Ramgoolam was sworn in as prime minister for his fourth term on Wednesday, a decade after he last left power, following his coalition’s dramatic triumph in a general election…Afterwards the 77-year-old Ramgoolam, who previously served as prime minister from 1995 to 2000 and 2005 to 2014, told reporters that the country had voted with rage, and that he intended to transform it…In 2006, Ramgoolam launched a programme to cut bureaucracy and simplify taxes in order to diversify the $10 billion economy from tourism, textiles and sugar exports. Reuters
Why Post-election Violence in Mozambique Is a Concern for Southern Africa
Mozambique, which gained independence from Portugal in 1975, is a crucial part of regional trade in Southern Africa, sharing borders with South Africa, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Eswatini. Instability in the country risks spilling over its border and creating problems for its neighbors, many of whom are dealing with the domestic challenges related to illegal migration…Mozambique has been fighting an Islamic State-affiliated group that has launched attacks on communities in the northern province of Cabo Delgado since 2017…Neighboring countries still host Mozambicans seeking work and economic opportunities, which means any further instability is likely to exacerbate further migration. AP
Sudan War Deaths Are Likely Much Higher than Recorded, Researchers Say
More than 61,000 people are estimated to have died in Khartoum state during the first 14 months of Sudan’s war, with evidence suggesting the toll from the devastating conflict is significantly higher than previously recorded, according to a new report by researchers in Britain and Sudan. The estimate includes some 26,000 people who suffered violent deaths, a higher figure than one currently used by the United Nations for the entire country…The estimated deaths from all causes in Khartoum state were at a rate 50% higher than the national average before the conflict between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted in April 2023, researchers said. Reuters
Cyber Attacks, the Latest Weapon in Sudan’s War on Media
The warring factions in Sudan are leveraging cyber attacks against independent media they cannot reach physically…According to the Sudanese Journalists’ Syndicate (SJS), the assault on independent media has intensified, with 445 journalists killed, detained, tortured, or suffering from destruction of their media facilities. As of November, 25 newspapers, more than seven television stations, and 12 radio stations have reportedly halted operations in Sudan. At Medameek, Editor-in-chief Montaser Abdelwahid described cyber attacks as a “distinct form of war aimed at obscuring the truth”. Both sides of the conflict, he said, use extensive propaganda to distort public opinion and cover up their actions. “This war is largely a media war driven by misinformation. They are killing the truth by obstructing reports on the horrific attacks taking place. Dabanga Sudan
How Telegram, TikTok Aided Russian Disinformation that Led to Incarceration of Nigerian Minors
In August, the economic struggle [in Nigeria] culminated in a protest tagged #EndBadGovernance…Four days into the protest that began on 1st August, something unexpected appeared – Russian flags waved by demonstrators in the northern cities of Kano, Jos, and Kaduna…[Sani Abbas, a Kano-based TikTok influencer with over 100,000 followers said] he was paid by a Telegram channel called “Africa Initiative.” Telegram, a widely used messaging platform in Nigeria, with approximately 54 per cent of internet users aged 16 to 64 reporting usage as of the third quarter of 2022, played a pivotal role in organising and disseminating information during these protests…[Premium Times] tracked the accounts and narratives on TikTok that directly relate to Mr Abbas’ account, focusing on videos posted between 5 and 11 August. [Premium Times] identified 38 accounts that shared similar content promoting pro-Russian narratives and military takeovers. Premium Times
Nigeria: HumAngle Report Wins Global Journalism Award
An investigation published by HumAngle has won the Kavli Science Awards, organised by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The investigation titled: “Niger Delta Communities Grappling with Health Impacts of Gas Flaring” was done by Abdulwaheed Sofiullahi…Sofiullahi is the second Nigerian to win the award. The award-winning piece highlighted how constant gas flaring by oil companies in Nigeria’s South-South region has exposed residents to toxic pollutants, leading to respiratory issues, cancer risks, and other serious health challenges. HumAngle
Mali Arrests Top Politician for Criticizing Burkina Faso’S Ruling Junta
Mali’s ruling junta arrested one of the country’s top politicians Wednesday for criticizing the military rulers of neighboring Burkina Faso, according to his son and a judiciary source. Issa Kaou N’Djim, who previously supported Mali’s current military leader Col. Assimi Goita before distancing himself, was arrested on charges of insulting a foreign head of state, which is a crime in Mali, an employee of the court system said…N’Djim had claimed on the Joliba TV News broadcaster on Sunday that the military rulers of Burkina Faso, a close ally of Mali, made up evidence of a foiled coup in September. AP
Niger: Hama Amadou, West African Political ‘Phoenix,’ Dies at 74
Hama Amadou, a West African politician who alternated stints in high office in Niger with prison and exile, a reflection of his country’s turbulent politics, died on Oct. 24 in Niamey, the capital. He was 74…He was immensely popular, retaining his hold on the masses in one of the world’s most impoverished countries, a hot, arid land that moves at the slow rhythm of the encroaching desert. He advocated a brand of nationalism rooted in self-sufficiency and pragmatic governance, and he connected with his working-class supporters through storytelling in the West African griot tradition…After Niger’s latest coup d’état, in July 2023, brought the country under military dictatorship yet again, Mr. Amadou returned to Niamey from Paris, hoping that the generals would quickly restore civilian rule, as had occurred in the past. They didn’t. The New York Times
Niger Embraces Russia for Uranium Production Leaving France Out in the Cold
On 8 November, Mining Minister Ousmane Abarchi announced that Niger is actively seeking to attract Russian investment in uranium and other natural resources. The move comes against the backdrop of a breakdown in relations with France, Niger’s former colonial power and a long-time partner in uranium mining…Tensions between France and Niger escalated after the junta’s decision to revoke Orano’s licence to operate at the Imouraren uranium mine in June of this year. This deposit is one of the largest in the world and has been a focal point of French investment over the years. Since its involvement began in the early 2000s, Orano has invested over €1 billion in developing the mine. RFI
Africa Is Demanding a Bigger Slice of the Climate Finance Pie
African countries and activists are in Baku, Azerbaijan this week for COP 29 pushing for increased investment in climate-related projects as well as the reform of the global financial system. Central to the discussions is the setting of new climate finance targets to support developing countries in climate adaptation and mitigation. The proposed “New Collective Bargaining Agreement (NCQG)” is meant to replace a 15-year old commitment by developed nations to provide $100 billion annually to developing countries, which was only achieved in 2022 after years of missed targets. Semafor
Ivory Coast to Establish $500 Mln Green Finance Fund
Ivory Coast will create a $500 million green finance fund to support sustainable growth initiatives, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in a statement. Africa’s 54 countries have borne the brunt of climate change, despite releasing far fewer polluting emissions than the industrialised world. They receive just 1% of annual global climate finance. Ivory Coast’s new facility will be established under the African Green Banks Initiative, a platform working to create a $1.5 billion ecosystem of green investment facilities by 2030 on the continent. Reuters