Terror attacks and kidnappings spread in Nigeria: why Lagos could be a target

Terror attacks and kidnappings spread in Nigeria: why Lagos could be a target

By Adewumi I. Badiora, Olabisi Onabanjo University Crimes that were previously associated with Nigeria’s northern region – like kidnapping for ransom and terrorism – appear to be spreading to the south-west region, including Lagos. Adewumi Badiora, an urban and community safety researcher, outlines urgent steps that must be taken to keep banditry and insecurity out of Lagos. What is the current state of banditry […]

June 26, 2024 12

Africa

What’s next after Kenya’s deadly protests?

By Rose TROUP BUCHANAN, Simon VALMARY After an unprecedented day of chaos and deadly violence, Kenya finds itself plunged into uncertainty on Wednesday, with lawmakers due to vote this week on deeply unpopular tax hikes that have sparked widespread protests. How did East Africa's economic powerhouse get to this point and what happens now? Tuesday's national strike against proposed tax hikes began peacefully, with […]

June 26, 2024 14

Africa

‘Shaken to the core’: Kenya shocked as protests turn deadly

By Dylan GAMBA, Rose TROUP BUCHANAN Kenya was in a state of shock Wednesday following unprecedented scenes that left parts of parliament ablaze and gutted, as protests over proposed tax hikes turned deadly, prompting President William Ruto's government to deploy the military. "Deaths, mayhem", read the front-page headline on the Standard newspaper, while the Daily Nation described the situation as "Pandemonium", saying: "The […]

June 26, 2024 19

Africa

WHO Urges Urgent Action on Mpox Surge in Africa Amid Dangerous Congo Strain

The World Health Organization has called for urgent action to address the rising spread of mpox in Africa. Rosamund Lewis, WHO's technical lead for mpox, highlighted the critical need for intervention. Meanwhile, John Claude Udahemuka from the University of Rwanda warned about a highly dangerous strain in Congo's South Kivu province, a mutated version of the clade I mpox. This strain has fatality rates of approximately 5% in adults and […]

June 26, 2024 9

Africa

Police Open Fire on Protesters in Kenya; At Least Five Dead, Parliament Set Ablaze

Police in Kenya opened fire on demonstrators attempting to storm the legislature, resulting in at least five deaths and dozens of injuries. Reuters says protesters, reacting to legislation that raises taxes, overwhelmed the police and set parts of the parliament building on fire. Citizen TV reported that some protesters managed to enter the Senate chamber earlier in the day.

June 26, 2024 15

Africa

Kenya protesters shot as they near parliament

Anti-tax protesters in the Kenyan capital Nairobi have pushed their way into the complex where the parliament sits. Local TV has been showing images of a police truck on fire nearby. There have been reports of people being wounded as police fired rounds to disperse the crowds. A human rights organisation said it had witnessed four protesters being shot, and said that one person had been killed. This has not […]

June 25, 2024 19

Africa

WHO alarmed by attack on Sudan maternity hospital

Heavy fighting in Sudan hit a new low over the weekend when a maternity hospital in besieged El Fasher city came under attack. The development comes after more than 14 months of fighting between rival militaries in Sudan.

June 25, 2024 31

Africa

One killed in Kenya rallies as protesters breach parliament

Kenyan police shot dead one protester near the country's parliament Tuesday, a rights watchdog said, as hundreds of demonstrators angry over tax hikes breached barricades and entered the partly ablaze government complex. AFP journalists saw three people lying motionless on the ground near the compound, where police fired live rounds and left "many wounded", according to Amnesty International Kenya. Police fired at crowds massing outside the parliament […]

June 25, 2024 37

Africa

Kenya protesters scuffle with police firing rubber bullets, tear gas

By Hillary ORINDE Stone-throwing demonstrators scuffled Tuesday with Kenyan police who fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon to disperse thousands of mostly young people protesting proposed tax hikes in the capital Nairobi, AFP journalists saw. The mainly Gen-Z-led rallies, which began last week, have caught the government off guard, with President William Ruto saying over the weekend he was ready to talk to […]

June 25, 2024 23