Ugandan Man Accused of Supporting IS-Aligned Rebel Group

Ugandan Man Accused of Supporting IS-Aligned Rebel Group

According to court documents viewed by Reuters, a Ugandan man facing terrorism charges is accused of aiding the Allied Democratic Forces , which shifted from an uprising in Uganda to operating in Congo since the late 1990s and aligning with Islamic State in mid-2019. Alleged activities include recruiting fighters for the group.

July 9, 2024 6

Africa

UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo Halts Withdrawal Plans Without Future Timeline

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has announced a pause in its withdrawal process, with no specified schedule for subsequent phases following the initial one in June as reported by Reuters. Last September, President Felix Tshisekedi had urged the mission to accelerate the withdrawal of peacekeepers deployed to tackle insecurity fueled by armed conflicts over territorial and resource control.

July 9, 2024 10

Africa

Tanzania artist jailed for burning Hassan’s picture is freed

A Tanzanian artist has been freed after paying a fine for setting fire to a picture of President Samia Suluhu Hassan in a viral TikTok video. Shadrack Chaula, 24, was found guilty last week of disseminating offensive information online over the video, which saw him burn the photo and utter words that police said were offensive to the head of state. The painter was released -- […]

July 9, 2024 10

Africa

Moody’s Downgrades Kenya’s Sovereign Rating Amid Fiscal Challenges

Moody's downgraded Kenya's sovereign rating to "Caa1" from "B3" on Monday, citing reduced ability to manage its debt burden through fiscal consolidation. Reuters says, This downgrade affects the country's local- and foreign-currency long-term issuer ratings and foreign-currency senior unsecured debt ratings. In June, Kenyan President William Ruto withdrew planned tax hikes following mass protests that resulted in at least 24 deaths.

July 9, 2024 7

Africa

Rwanda’s Tutsi minority has been in power for 30 years – but study finds ethnicity doesn’t matter to people if their needs are met

By Réginas Ndayiragije, University of Antwerp and Marijke Verpoorten, University of Antwerp Thirty years ago, the Rwandan Patriotic Front, a predominantly Tutsi armed group, took over Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city – and soon after, the country’s governance. This victory occurred amid a horrific genocide masterminded by a Hutu-dominated regime. Rwanda’s main ethnic groups are the Hutu, who make up a majority of the population, and […]

July 9, 2024 25

Africa

Senegal’s president urges dialogue with Sahel military juntas

Senegalese President and West Africa's ECOWAS "facilitator" Bassirou Diomaye Faye called Monday for dialogue and peaceful reconciliation with three countries that recently split from the bloc. The military leaders of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso broke away from the Economic Community of West African States earlier this year and formed a confederation of their own on Saturday. ECOWAS heads of state met in Abuja on Sunday […]

July 8, 2024 13

Africa

DR Congo military court sentences 22 soldiers to death

A military court in the volatile east of DR Congo sentenced 22 soldiers to death on Monday for "fleeing the enemy", a lawyer told AFP, as Congolese armed forces fight against M23 rebels. Sixteen soldiers were handed death sentences in one case in the North Kivu province, and six others in a separate case. sm/at/keo/cw AFP (NAMPA / AFP)

July 8, 2024 63

Africa

Ecowas summit: 6 steps the leaders can take to restore stability and growth in west Africa

By Olayinka Ajala, Leeds Beckett University This year’s summit of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) takes place against a challenging environment for the regional bloc. Recent developments in the region have included coups, insecurity and economic instability. Climate change also poses challenges. Six successful and two attempted coups in the region since 2020 were followed by the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina […]

July 8, 2024 26

Africa

Kenya’s protests are different this time: 3 things that make it harder for government to crush them

By Awino Okech, SOAS, University of London On 25 June 2024, a youth-led protest primarily composed of Gen Zs, as they are popularly referred to, stormed Kenya’s parliament. Legislators voted to pass the Finance Bill 2024 in its third and last reading ahead of presidential assent. This was the second countrywide protest over the proposed taxes in the draft law and excesses in government […]

July 8, 2024 19