insert_link Africa Cameroon President Secures Delay of Parliamentary and Local Elections to 2026 Cameroonian President Paul Biya obtained approval from lawmakers on Tuesday to postpone parliamentary and local elections until 2026, a move that opposition parties fear could hinder their ability to challenge in next year's presidential election- according to Reuters. The bill to extend the mandate by a year to March 2026 was supported by lawmakers from Biya's Cameroon People's Democratic Movement, which holds a majority in the National Assembly. today10 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Nigeria’s NNPC Seeks $2 Billion Oil-Backed Loan to Strengthen Finances Nigeria's state-backed oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, is negotiating another oil-backed loan to enhance its finances and support business investments, its chief executive told Reuters. The NNPC aims to raise at least $2 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter, as the company faces increasing economic pressure. today10 July, 2024
insert_link Africa 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. today9 July, 2024
insert_link 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. today9 July, 2024
insert_link 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 -- […] today9 July, 2024
insert_link 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. today9 July, 2024
insert_link 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 […] today9 July, 2024
insert_link 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 […] today8 July, 2024
insert_link 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) today8 July, 2024