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Uganda Cuts Internet Ahead of High-Stakes Presidential Election
1 day ago•Source: The New York Times
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Niger strips licences of drivers over Mali fuel deliveries amid jihadist blockade
Niger’s transport ministry revoked the licences of 14 transport operators and 19 drivers who refused to transport fuel to Mali, where jihadists led by JNIM have blockaded imports and attacked tankers. Mali, which relies on Niger for fuel, has seen shipments disrupted as convoys face militant threats along a 1,400km route; some deliveries have still reached Mali, while planned shipments stalled due to refusals. Sanctions require surrender of licences and documents, highlighting the government's effort to enforce obligations amid the broader insurgency.
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Tree-born Miracle Rosita Mabuiango Dies at 25
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Kenyan Suspected Serial Killer Admits to Murdering 42 Women
A suspected serial killer in Kenya has confessed to murdering 42 women following the discovery of several bodies at a quarry, according to police reports.
"Escaping Boko Haram: A Decade of Chibok Kidnappings"
Saratu Dauda, one of the Chibok Girls kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014, shared her harrowing escape story after being held captive for nine years. Despite global campaigns and efforts to bring back the girls, many are still missing, and kidnappings in Nigeria have continued to rise.
"Rwandan Genocide: Stories of Forgiveness and Reconciliation 30 Years On"
Thirty years after the devastating genocide in Rwanda, the country has made impressive progress, with Kigali now being the envy of Africa. President Paul Kagame, the architect of this transformation, has ruled with harsh methods that have drawn international condemnation. Despite the country's remarkable development, ethnic divisions persist, and human rights abuses, including curtailed free speech and imprisonment of opponents, continue under Kagame's iron-fisted rule.
"Senegal's New President Bassirou Diomaye Faye Vows Change"
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, at 44, became Africa's youngest elected president in Senegal, promising "systemic change" during his inauguration ceremony. Faye, a former political prisoner, paid homage to those who suffered during the country's yearslong lead-up to the election and pledged not to disappoint them. His victory followed a dramatic campaign, including the cancellation and subsequent rescheduling of the election by the former president, Macky Sall.
"Senegal's Historic Presidential Election: From Prison to Presidency for Young Opposition Leader"
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, backed by Senegal’s prominent opposition figure Ousmane Sonko, has secured a surprise victory in the country’s presidential election, becoming the youngest elected president in Africa at 44. His main rival, Amadou Ba, conceded defeat, acknowledging Faye's win in the first round. Faye and Sonko have garnered support by criticizing political elites, vowing to renegotiate contracts with oil and gas companies, and advocating for "monetary sovereignty" in Senegal.
"Gambia Considers Repealing Ban on Female Genital Cutting"
Lawmakers in Gambia are set to vote on repealing a 2015 ban on female genital cutting, potentially becoming the first nation to roll back protections against the practice. Critics fear that overturning the ban could set a dangerous precedent and undo decades of work to end female genital cutting, which is deeply rooted in cultural and traditional beliefs. If the bill passes, it may open the door for other countries to take similar action, sparking concerns about the potential erosion of laws protecting women and girls.
"Niger Junta Orders Termination of Military Ties with US Over Alleged Iran Uranium Deal"
Niger has ordered 1,000 American armed forces personnel to leave the country, revoking its military cooperation deal with the United States and throwing the U.S. strategy in the region into disarray. The military junta in Niger stated that the American presence in the country is "illegal" and violates constitutional and democratic rules, signaling a growing trend in the Sahel region of breaking ties with Western countries and partnering with Russia instead.
"Political Turmoil in Eswatini: Tradition, Monarchy, and Democratic Reforms"
In Eswatini, a college student, Manqoba Motsa, and other young activists are protesting to remove King Mswati III from power, facing violent crackdowns by riot police. However, Motsa's own father, a soldier sworn to protect the throne, stands in opposition to his son's efforts. This reflects a broader trend of restless young activists across Africa pushing to remove long-reigning leaders viewed as barriers to the continent's potential, as the continent's youthful population seeks to drive economic growth and global influence.
Kenyan Court Blocks Police Deployment to Haiti
A Kenyan court has blocked the deployment of 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti, disrupting a multinational security force aimed at stabilizing the violence-ridden Caribbean nation. The force, backed by the United Nations and financed by the United States, has been stalled since October due to legal challenges in Kenya. The court's decision has cast doubt on the mission's future, which aimed to combat armed gangs and restore order in Haiti.
Tragic Shipwreck Claims Lives of 61 Migrants off Libya
At least 61 migrants, including women and children, drowned in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya. The boat had set off from the city of Zwara with approximately 86 people on board. The International Organization for Migration in Libya highlighted the ongoing dangers of the central Mediterranean migration route, where over 28,000 Africans have died or disappeared since 2014. This incident adds to the unrelenting toll as people in Africa flee famine, conflict, and other upheavals in search of safer shores.