Africa Intel
🇸🇴 Thousands trapped in Somalia flash floods Thousands of people are trapped in flooded areas following heavy rains in Somalia's Jubbaland state, the UN's humanitarian agency says. The heavy rains that started last month have elevated the water levels on…
🇸🇴 Flood fatalities rise to 29 in Somalia
The death toll from the ongoing flash floods in Somalia has risen to 29, the national disaster management agency says.
The flooding has left many people injured and affected an estimated 850,000 others, the agency's head said.
Earlier this week, Somalia declared an emergency in the most affected states - Jubbaland, Hirshabelle South West and Galmudug.
The flooding began last month after heavy rains raised water levels and caused the overflowing of the Juba and Shabelle rivers.
Flash floods have also killed dozens of others in neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia.
#Somalia
@africaintel
The death toll from the ongoing flash floods in Somalia has risen to 29, the national disaster management agency says.
The flooding has left many people injured and affected an estimated 850,000 others, the agency's head said.
Earlier this week, Somalia declared an emergency in the most affected states - Jubbaland, Hirshabelle South West and Galmudug.
The flooding began last month after heavy rains raised water levels and caused the overflowing of the Juba and Shabelle rivers.
Flash floods have also killed dozens of others in neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia.
#Somalia
@africaintel
🇿🇲 Scores of Zambian opposition MPs suspended amid row
Seventeen Zambian opposition MPs have been suspended from parliament for 30 days, following a disruption of the House session last week.
The lawmakers defied orders to leave the plenary after they accused the Speaker of denying them an opportunity to speak.
While suspending them, Speaker Nelly Mutti described the MPs' behaviour as unparliamentary and a breach of the House’s decorum and integrity.
Mutti said that lawlessness should not be confused with freedom of expression and defying the Speaker amounted to an assault on Zambia’s constitutional democracy.
MP Brian Mundubile, the leader of the opposition in parliament, was among those suspended.
The MPs claim the ruling party wants to push for some constitutional changes in their absence.
#Zambia
@africaintel
Seventeen Zambian opposition MPs have been suspended from parliament for 30 days, following a disruption of the House session last week.
The lawmakers defied orders to leave the plenary after they accused the Speaker of denying them an opportunity to speak.
While suspending them, Speaker Nelly Mutti described the MPs' behaviour as unparliamentary and a breach of the House’s decorum and integrity.
Mutti said that lawlessness should not be confused with freedom of expression and defying the Speaker amounted to an assault on Zambia’s constitutional democracy.
MP Brian Mundubile, the leader of the opposition in parliament, was among those suspended.
The MPs claim the ruling party wants to push for some constitutional changes in their absence.
#Zambia
@africaintel
🇳🇬 Nigerian man killed in test on bullet-proof charm
A man has been shot dead in Nigeria's north-eastern Bauchi state while a so-called bullet-proof charm was being tested on him by a traditional healer.
The healer - who allegedly fired the shot with a locally made gun - has been arrested, along with two other suspects, while other suspects are on the run, police spokesperson said.
Charms believed to have magic powers are commonly used in Nigeria, where many people consult traditional healers over a wide variety of issues.
But there have been several reports of people being killed after testing so-called bullet-proof charms and medicines.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
A man has been shot dead in Nigeria's north-eastern Bauchi state while a so-called bullet-proof charm was being tested on him by a traditional healer.
The healer - who allegedly fired the shot with a locally made gun - has been arrested, along with two other suspects, while other suspects are on the run, police spokesperson said.
Charms believed to have magic powers are commonly used in Nigeria, where many people consult traditional healers over a wide variety of issues.
But there have been several reports of people being killed after testing so-called bullet-proof charms and medicines.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
🇧🇫🇷🇺 Burkina Faso, Russia discuss military cooperation
The Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs of Burkina Faso Kassoum Coulibaly went to Moscow on a working visit.
He met with the Defence minister of the Russian federation Sergei Shoigu. They agreed to strengthen defense ties.
"Thank you for your prompt arrival in Russia to form an interagency delegation and your readiness to work to increase our cooperation in defense and economic fields," Shoigu said.
"Russian-Burkinabé relations are based solely on the principles of mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests, and in recent years they have acquired positive dynamics," he added.
Kassoum Coulibaly hailed undergoing negotiations with Rusia and called them "a real practical phase".
#BurkinaFaso #Russia
@africaintel
The Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs of Burkina Faso Kassoum Coulibaly went to Moscow on a working visit.
He met with the Defence minister of the Russian federation Sergei Shoigu. They agreed to strengthen defense ties.
"Thank you for your prompt arrival in Russia to form an interagency delegation and your readiness to work to increase our cooperation in defense and economic fields," Shoigu said.
"Russian-Burkinabé relations are based solely on the principles of mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests, and in recent years they have acquired positive dynamics," he added.
Kassoum Coulibaly hailed undergoing negotiations with Rusia and called them "a real practical phase".
#BurkinaFaso #Russia
@africaintel
🇿🇦🇮🇱 South Africa to call in Israeli envoy for formal reprimand
South Africa will call in Israeli ambassador Eliav Belotsercovsky to issue him with a "demarche", or formal reprimand, a senior foreign policy official said on Wednesdays.
"The demarche will be asked for hopefully by today. Not sure when he will come in," Zane Dangor, the director-general of South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, told.
Dangor gave no further details of the demarche, a protest issued through diplomatic channels, and did not specify the reason for the reprimand.
South Africa criticised the ambassador this week over public comments he made, but did not specify what he had said.
#SouthAfrica #Israel
@africaintel
South Africa will call in Israeli ambassador Eliav Belotsercovsky to issue him with a "demarche", or formal reprimand, a senior foreign policy official said on Wednesdays.
"The demarche will be asked for hopefully by today. Not sure when he will come in," Zane Dangor, the director-general of South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, told.
Dangor gave no further details of the demarche, a protest issued through diplomatic channels, and did not specify the reason for the reprimand.
South Africa criticised the ambassador this week over public comments he made, but did not specify what he had said.
#SouthAfrica #Israel
@africaintel
🇪🇹 Oromo rebels and Ethiopian officials hold talks
Talks between the Ethiopian government and the Oromo Liberation Front (OLA) rebel group have resumed in Tanzania.
Significantly, OLA commander Kumsa Diriba has joined Ethiopian government and military officials in the talks for the time.
A previous round of talks between the OLA and the government ended without agreement, and fighting continued.
The regional bloc, Igad, which is headed by Ethiopia’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs Workneh Gebeyehu is believed to be among key mediators.
#Ethiopia
@africaintel
Talks between the Ethiopian government and the Oromo Liberation Front (OLA) rebel group have resumed in Tanzania.
Significantly, OLA commander Kumsa Diriba has joined Ethiopian government and military officials in the talks for the time.
A previous round of talks between the OLA and the government ended without agreement, and fighting continued.
The regional bloc, Igad, which is headed by Ethiopia’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs Workneh Gebeyehu is believed to be among key mediators.
#Ethiopia
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇳🇬 Nigerian court orders release or bail hearing for ex-central bank head A Nigerian court on Monday ordered that former central bank governor Godwin Emefiele, who has been in detention for three months, be unconditionally released or that the government…
🇳🇬 Nigerian court grants ex-central bank head bail after five months
A Nigerian court on Wednesday granted bail to former central bank governor Godwin Emefiele, , who has been in detention since June.
"There must be an end to detention without trial. Without any further ado, I hereby order that the applicants be released on bail to his counsel," the judge said.
The court granted Emefiele bail on the condition that he surrender his passport to the court and his lawyers produce him in court on November 15 for another hearing. No monetary bail bond was required for Emefiele's release.
His trial has stalled since August when the security agencies failed to present him in court to enter a plea.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
A Nigerian court on Wednesday granted bail to former central bank governor Godwin Emefiele, , who has been in detention since June.
"There must be an end to detention without trial. Without any further ado, I hereby order that the applicants be released on bail to his counsel," the judge said.
The court granted Emefiele bail on the condition that he surrender his passport to the court and his lawyers produce him in court on November 15 for another hearing. No monetary bail bond was required for Emefiele's release.
His trial has stalled since August when the security agencies failed to present him in court to enter a plea.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Forwarded from JOIN @MEDMANNEWS
⚡️🇪🇬 Regarding the visit of the head of the CIA, William J Burns.
Mr.Burns visited Egypt on the 7th of November & met the Egyptian President & the Director of the General Intelligence Bureau in Egypt, there was a small statement published, it did not discuss anything that was said in the meeting, besides that "the parties involved discussed regional & international issues."
I have now been informed that they discussed, in extreme detail, the war in Gaza, & as a matter of fact, Mr.Burns actually tried to pressure Egypt into joining an occupation force that would be established in Gaza after & if Hamas is defeated.
Egypt said no, and it reiterated that it will 1) not allow for a liquidation of the Palestinian cause in Gaza since it establishes a precedent that will be enacted in the West Bank and 2) It will not participate in such an occupation force.
The U.S is trying to gather a new coalition like they did in Kuwait in the 90s, alas, they ran out of political and economic goodwill.
@themediterraneanman
Mr.Burns visited Egypt on the 7th of November & met the Egyptian President & the Director of the General Intelligence Bureau in Egypt, there was a small statement published, it did not discuss anything that was said in the meeting, besides that "the parties involved discussed regional & international issues."
I have now been informed that they discussed, in extreme detail, the war in Gaza, & as a matter of fact, Mr.Burns actually tried to pressure Egypt into joining an occupation force that would be established in Gaza after & if Hamas is defeated.
Egypt said no, and it reiterated that it will 1) not allow for a liquidation of the Palestinian cause in Gaza since it establishes a precedent that will be enacted in the West Bank and 2) It will not participate in such an occupation force.
The U.S is trying to gather a new coalition like they did in Kuwait in the 90s, alas, they ran out of political and economic goodwill.
@themediterraneanman
Africa Intel
🇪🇹 Fighting intensifies in Ethiopia's Amhara amid blackout Heavy fighting is reported to be continuing between Ethiopian troops and local militias across large parts of the Amhara region. Residents say heavy weaponry is being used. There are also fears that…
🇪🇹 Heavy fighting in historic Ethiopian town
Ethiopian government forces and local militias have clashed in the historic town of Lalibela in the volatile Amhara region, residents have told.
They described the fighting as intense and said it included the use of heavy weapons.
A plane due to land at the airport on Wednesday morning failed to do so, the residents said.
Lalibela is home to rock-hewn churches built in the 13th Century and are registered as Unesco world heritage sites, making it a popular tourist destination.
In August, militias briefly took control of the town’s airport.
#Ethiopia
@africaintel
Ethiopian government forces and local militias have clashed in the historic town of Lalibela in the volatile Amhara region, residents have told.
They described the fighting as intense and said it included the use of heavy weapons.
A plane due to land at the airport on Wednesday morning failed to do so, the residents said.
Lalibela is home to rock-hewn churches built in the 13th Century and are registered as Unesco world heritage sites, making it a popular tourist destination.
In August, militias briefly took control of the town’s airport.
#Ethiopia
@africaintel
🇳🇬 Nigeria's president signs budget including funds for yacht, bulletproof cars
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has signed into law a $2.8 billion supplementary budget that includes funding for new bulletproof cars for himself and his wife, despite widespread criticism from citizens facing a cost-of-living crisis.
The budget, which was approved by lawmakers on November 2, also includes allocations for a presidential yacht, official vehicles for the first lady's office, and renovations to the president's residential quarters.
The spending plan was initially proposed by Tinubu as a means to address "urgent issues" such as defence and security.
The presidency defended the provision for the yacht, describing it as an operational naval boat with specialised security gadgets.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has signed into law a $2.8 billion supplementary budget that includes funding for new bulletproof cars for himself and his wife, despite widespread criticism from citizens facing a cost-of-living crisis.
The budget, which was approved by lawmakers on November 2, also includes allocations for a presidential yacht, official vehicles for the first lady's office, and renovations to the president's residential quarters.
The spending plan was initially proposed by Tinubu as a means to address "urgent issues" such as defence and security.
The presidency defended the provision for the yacht, describing it as an operational naval boat with specialised security gadgets.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
🇩🇿🇮🇱 Algerian president calls for ICC lawsuit against Israel
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take action to hold Israel accountable for the crimes it is committing against Palestinians in Gaza.
He stated that "in Palestine under occupation, all human, moral, religious, and legal standards and values have crumbled due to the brutal massacres carried out by the occupying forces against the Palestinian people."
Tebboune added: “These atrocities are witnessed daily by the world, yet there is a terrible global silence. Where is humanity? And where is the global conscience that has become absent regarding the genocide being committed?”
#Algeria #Israel
@africaintel
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take action to hold Israel accountable for the crimes it is committing against Palestinians in Gaza.
He stated that "in Palestine under occupation, all human, moral, religious, and legal standards and values have crumbled due to the brutal massacres carried out by the occupying forces against the Palestinian people."
Tebboune added: “These atrocities are witnessed daily by the world, yet there is a terrible global silence. Where is humanity? And where is the global conscience that has become absent regarding the genocide being committed?”
#Algeria #Israel
@africaintel
🇰🇪 Kenya dam owner to compensate 2018 flooding victims
The families of the victims of the 2018 dam disaster in Kenya have reached an out-of-court settlement with the owner of the facility.
In an agreement mediated by Kenya's Human Rights Commission, the owner agreed to pay Ksh1.2 million ($8,000) for adults and Ksh800,000 ($5,300) for minors lost in the tragedy, the commission said.
The incident occurred in 2018 when the dam collapsed after heavy rains, and water flooded through the fields of a 3,000-acre commercial coffee farm, sweeping away homes and crop farms downstream.
At least 47 people including 20 children were killed according to the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
Thousands were displaced from their homes as the dam water swept through neighboring villages.
In the case, the dam owners were charged with several offences, including failing to prepare an environmental impact assessment report before building the facility.
#Kenya
@africaintel
The families of the victims of the 2018 dam disaster in Kenya have reached an out-of-court settlement with the owner of the facility.
In an agreement mediated by Kenya's Human Rights Commission, the owner agreed to pay Ksh1.2 million ($8,000) for adults and Ksh800,000 ($5,300) for minors lost in the tragedy, the commission said.
The incident occurred in 2018 when the dam collapsed after heavy rains, and water flooded through the fields of a 3,000-acre commercial coffee farm, sweeping away homes and crop farms downstream.
At least 47 people including 20 children were killed according to the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
Thousands were displaced from their homes as the dam water swept through neighboring villages.
In the case, the dam owners were charged with several offences, including failing to prepare an environmental impact assessment report before building the facility.
#Kenya
@africaintel
🇿🇦🇺🇸 Ford's South Africa unit to invest $281 million in hybrid vehicles
The South African unit of U.S. auto giant Ford said on Wednesday it would invest 5.2 billion rand ($281 million) to produce a hybrid vehicle in the country, as it urged the government to move fast on an electric vehicle policy.
Three-quarters of cars produced by South Africa's auto industry, which accounts for 5% of gross domestic product, are exported, mostly to European countries.
But with the UK and Europe banning the sale of new petrol cars from 2035, South Africa's government has warned of an existential threat to the sector, and automakers have sought a government plan to transition to electric vehicles.
In the meantime the company is focussed on producing hybrid vehicles - cars that can run on petrol like a regular internal combustion engine or ICE-driven vehicles and also run on electric charge.
#SouthAfrica #USA
@africaintel
The South African unit of U.S. auto giant Ford said on Wednesday it would invest 5.2 billion rand ($281 million) to produce a hybrid vehicle in the country, as it urged the government to move fast on an electric vehicle policy.
Three-quarters of cars produced by South Africa's auto industry, which accounts for 5% of gross domestic product, are exported, mostly to European countries.
But with the UK and Europe banning the sale of new petrol cars from 2035, South Africa's government has warned of an existential threat to the sector, and automakers have sought a government plan to transition to electric vehicles.
In the meantime the company is focussed on producing hybrid vehicles - cars that can run on petrol like a regular internal combustion engine or ICE-driven vehicles and also run on electric charge.
#SouthAfrica #USA
@africaintel