Author name: fatih

Five killed in protests across Mozambique over election dispute

Africa /

At least five people were killed and three others seriously injured in protests across Mozambique, including in Maputo, Nampula, and Zambezia, according to police reports. Orlando Mudumane, spokesman for the Police General Command, stated that violent clashes erupted between police and protesters armed with stones, knives, and machetes. The demonstrations were reportedly organized by Venancio Mondlane, a defeated presidential candidate, who claimed that the October 9 election results were fraudulent and declared himself the winner. From his refuge in South Africa, Mondlane called for a nationwide protest from December 4 to 11, aiming to block key infrastructure such as roads, railways, ports, and airports to “restore the truth” about the elections. Outgoing President Filipe Nyusi warned that the unrest could disrupt public sector salary payments, particularly for teachers and nurses, due to Mozambique’s lack of external financial support. Protests escalated in Matola after a 13-year-old boy was fatally shot by a plainclothes police officer. In response, residents blocked access to the Beleluane Industrial Park, home to the Mozal aluminum plant, temporarily halting the company’s truck operations.

Five killed in protests across Mozambique over election dispute Read More »

Guinea: Investigative journalist abducted amid media crackdown

Africa /

An investigative journalist was abducted in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, by men in security forces uniforms, his wife and lawyer reported on Wednesday. The abduction comes as the military regime continues to intensify its crackdown on independent media. Habib Marouane Kamara, editor-in-chief of the online investigative outlet lerevelateur224.com, was heading to meet a businessman and a friend on Tuesday evening when he was stopped by men in a pickup truck, his wife, Mariama Lamarana Diallo, said in a statement. According to the friend who was with Kamara, the men, dressed in security force uniforms, smashed the rear windshield of their vehicle and forcibly dragged Kamara out. This account was confirmed by a witness who spoke to The Associated Press but wished to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. The men beat Kamara with batons until he lost consciousness, then threw him into their truck and drove away, Diallo said. Kamara’s friend was also forced into the police vehicle but was later released and has gone into hiding. Since the incident, Kamara’s wife and his lawyer, Salifou Beavogui, have not been able to contact him. “I am speechless,” Diallo said, breaking into tears. Guinea has been under military rule since a 2021 coup ousted President Alpha Conde. The regional bloc ECOWAS has called for a return to civilian governance, with elections scheduled for 2025. However, the military junta has yet to announce a date for the elections and has taken measures to suppress opposition, dissolving numerous political parties and placing two major opposition groups under observation. Guinea joins a growing list of West African countries, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where military juntas have seized power and delayed a return to civilian rule. Earlier this year, Burkina Faso’s military regime extended its transition period by five years. Col. Mamadi Doumbouya, the leader of Guinea’s junta, justifies his actions by claiming he intervened to prevent chaos and criticizing the previous government’s unfulfilled promises. However, critics argue that Doumbouya’s leadership is no better than that of his predecessor. In February, Doumbouya dissolved the government without explanation, promising to appoint a new one. He has resisted foreign pressure, stating that Africans are “exhausted by the categorizations with which everyone wants to box us in.” Since taking power, the military regime has cracked down on independent media. Rights groups report that journalists have been subjected to harassment, arrests, and violence. Social networks and private radio stations have been shut down, and news websites have been suspended without explanation. “Despite media pluralism, journalists and the media face increasing obstruction and attacks, which have become alarmingly common,” said Reporters Without Frontiers in a statement earlier this year.

Guinea: Investigative journalist abducted amid media crackdown Read More »

Kenyan court finds LGBTQ activist’s housemate guilty of murder

Africa /

A Kenyan court has found the housemate of LGBTQ activist Edwin Chiloba guilty of murder after the activist’s body was discovered in a metal box two years ago. On Wednesday, a High Court judge in Eldoret ruled that Jacktone Odhiambo suffocated Chiloba and hid his body in a metal box, which was later dumped on the roadside. Odhiambo, who denied the charges, was found to have DNA evidence linking him to the victim, and witnesses testified to hearing a heated argument between the two and seeing Odhiambo moving the box. The court did not determine the motive for the killing, though DNA evidence indicated that Odhiambo and Chiloba had an intimate relationship. Despite this, the killing was not considered a hate crime by the police, who arrested Odhiambo, Chiloba’s housemate in Eldoret. Chiloba’s death in January 2023 garnered international attention, highlighting issues surrounding LGBTQ rights in Kenya, where same-sex relationships are illegal. At the time, Chiloba was known for his activism and fashion sense within the LGBTQ community. Kenya remains a largely conservative society, with the president stating in the past that gay rights are not a priority for the country.

Kenyan court finds LGBTQ activist’s housemate guilty of murder Read More »

DR Congo to execute gang members

Africa /

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has announced that the death penalty will be applied to members of the “Kuluna” gangs operating in urban areas. In a recent statement, DRC Minister of Justice Constant Mutamba revealed new measures to combat these gangs. He highlighted the creation of the “Urban Gangs Combat Commission” and plans to launch operations in neighborhoods where gang activity is most prevalent. Mutamba emphasized that gang members will be prosecuted as “terrorist criminals” and stressed that strict measures would be taken against them. “We will impose the death penalty on gang members operating in urban centers,” Mutamba stated. In the capital, Kinshasa, home to around 20 million people, “Kuluna” gangs are infamous for crimes such as robbery, extortion, assault, and murder. These gangs, largely made up of unemployed youth, have made life increasingly difficult for residents. Although the death penalty remains legal in the DRC and is often handed down by courts, it has not been carried out since 2003.

DR Congo to execute gang members Read More »

Arctic Ocean may see its 1st ‘ice-free’ day by 2027, study warns

Discover /

The Arctic Ocean could experience its first “ice-free” day as early as 2027, according to a new study, signaling a profound shift in the planet’s climate. Even under the most optimistic scenarios, this “ominous milestone for the planet,” is inevitable within the next two decades, researchers caution in the study published in Nature Communications on Monday. “The first ice-free day in the Arctic won’t change things dramatically,” said co-author Alexandra Jahn, a climatologist at the University of Colorado Boulder. “But it will show that we’ve fundamentally altered one of the defining characteristics of the natural environment in the Arctic Ocean, which is that it is covered by sea ice and snow year-round, through greenhouse gas emissions.” Arctic sea ice, which has been shrinking by more than 12% per decade since satellite monitoring began in 1979, plays a critical role in regulating global temperatures and supporting marine ecosystems. As the ice melts, darker ocean waters absorb more sunlight – a feedback loop that accelerates warming. This phenomenon, known as the albedo effect, has transformed the Arctic into a region warming four times faster than the global average.
 – ‘We want to be prepared’ Using 11 climate models and 366 simulations, the study estimates the ice-free threshold could be crossed within three to six years if unusually warm conditions occur. Most scenarios place this event in the 2030s, highlighting the urgency of cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Lead author Celine Heuze, a climatology researcher at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, underscored the importance of preparation. “Because the first ice-free day is likely to happen earlier than the first ice-free month, we want to be prepared. It’s also important to know what events could lead to the melting of all sea ice in the Arctic Ocean,” Heuze said. While the findings are stark, the researchers emphasize that significant reductions in carbon emissions could delay this milestone and mitigate its broader impacts. “Any reductions in emissions would help preserve sea ice,” Jahn added, offering a glimmer of hope in the face of a rapidly changing Arctic.

Arctic Ocean may see its 1st ‘ice-free’ day by 2027, study warns Read More »

South Korean opposition parties file impeachment motion against President Yoon

World /

The South Korean opposition parties Wednesday filed an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol amid ongoing political crisis in the country. Six opposition parties submitted the impeachment bill against Yoon to the National Assembly, Yonhap News reported. The move comes after Yoon, in an aborted move, tried to impose martial law on the country. Yoon’s decision was voted down by majority of lawmakers, forcing the president and his Cabinet to lift the martial law within six hours. An opposition lawmaker said the impeachment vote against Yoon could be held as early as Friday or Saturday. Earlier, the main opposition Democratic Party said it will file treason charges against Yoon, as well as his defense and interior ministers, and impeach them. Democratic Party has majority in the parliament, holding 170 seats in the 300-member National Assembly. However, they need 22 votes from minor opposition parties and eight from the ruling People Power Party to remove a sitting president. If Yoon is impeached, he will be suspended from his duties until the Constitutional Court decides whether to restore him or remove him from office. Meanwhile, all military and police personnel were “fully” banned from entering the parliament building. “The National Assembly Secretariat has implemented a full ban on entry to the National Assembly building for personnel from the Ministry of National Defense, military forces, and the National Assembly Guard, including police officers, who unlawfully entered the premises,” Korea JoongAng Daily quoted Kim Min-ki, secretary-general of the National Assembly, as saying. The development came after around 280 troops entered the parliament last night after President Yoon declared martial law.

South Korean opposition parties file impeachment motion against President Yoon Read More »

Heading towards Ghana’s general election

Africa /

Public frustration over Ghana’s economic struggles, including rising prices and a lack of jobs, has dominated the lead-up to Saturday’s general election, which is expected to test the nation’s democratic resilience. Support for outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo and his ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has plummeted during his second term, amid the worst economic crisis in decades, protests over the cost of living, and instability in key industries such as cocoa and gold. As a result, the push for change has tipped both the presidential and legislative races in favor of opposition leader John Dramani Mahama and his National Democratic Congress (NDC), according to recent polls. However, many voters are growing disillusioned with the political process. “The country is ruined. I will vote, but I don’t think it will change anything,” said 18-year-old Emmanuel Kwaku Jr, a high school graduate casting his ballot for the first time. A recent survey by pan-African research group Afrobarometer found that 82% of Ghanaians feel the country is headed in the wrong direction, with fewer than half expecting improvement in the coming year. “We have the trappings of democracy: we hold elections every four years, yet the benefits are minimal,” said Abena Tekyiwaa Manuh, senior fellow at the Accra-based Centre for Democratic Governance (CDD). “That’s dangerous.” Ghana’s commitment to two-term limits for presidents and largely peaceful transitions of power has made it an exception in a region increasingly plagued by coups and political instability. However, whoever wins the election will face immense pressure to fulfill campaign promises and improve the lives of citizens. If not, the youthful population may begin to question whether democracy is overrated, said Manuh and two Western diplomats. “We see a lot of anger among the youth, a sense of hopelessness, but also a sense of change. If that change doesn’t happen after the elections, what will happen?” one diplomat asked, speaking on condition of anonymity. “There is growing concern that Ghana’s peace and democracy are fragile.” A ‘Tricky Phase’ Twelve candidates are running for president, with Mahama and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling NPP seen as the leading contenders. Both have pledged to address the economic instability that has plagued the country since 2020, including soaring inflation, a $3 billion IMF bailout, and massive debt restructuring. Polls open at 0700 GMT and close at 1700 GMT for the 18.7 million registered voters. Legislative results are expected by early Monday, with presidential results due by Tuesday. However, trends may allow the outcome to be called earlier. The results period is expected to be “a tricky phase,” with rising tensions due to a lack of trust in institutions, including the electoral commission, said Jonas Claes, elections lead for the EU delegation in Ghana. Mahama and the NDC have repeatedly questioned the commission’s ability to conduct a credible election, citing voter roll irregularities and other concerns. Bawumia and the NPP, on the other hand, argue that the allegations are an attempt by Mahama to prepare for rejecting the results if they don’t go his way. “I don’t think widespread violence is expected, but it’s hard to be 100% sure,” Claes said.

Heading towards Ghana’s general election Read More »

Burundian youth flee to Tanzania for Work, face abuse and deportation

Africa /

Young Burundians are fleeing to Tanzania in search of work, but many face harsh treatment upon arrival. Accused of being illegal migrants, they are often hunted down, arrested, beaten, and imprisoned before being deported back to Burundi. Once home, many are taken in by families in Mabanda, southern Burundi. Habimana Domatien, a 23-year-old from Kayanza in northern Burundi, recalls his traumatic experience in Kasulu Prison. “We were surrounded, arrested, and taken to a station. We were beaten at night, slapped, and severely mistreated. It was very hard,” he says. Host families in Burundi are calling on Tanzanian authorities to stop the mistreatment of these young migrants. “We ask Tanzania not to harm them. Some return traumatized, depressed, and almost beyond recovery. The Tanzanian government should treat our youth with kindness, as we do when they come to us,” says Olive Sindayihebura, a representative of host families. NGOs report that around 300 children have been expelled from Tanzania in the past two months. Ferdinand Simbaruhije, spokesperson for the National Federation of Associations for Children’s Welfare in Burundi (FENADEB), states that between July and September of this year, 149 children were expelled—147 boys and two girls. An additional 182 children returned voluntarily, bringing the total to 291. FENADEB attributes the migration of Burundian youth to widespread poverty, with many falling prey to human trafficking networks operated by Burundians in collaboration with Tanzanian traffickers.

Burundian youth flee to Tanzania for Work, face abuse and deportation Read More »

IFAD urges investment in small farmers at COP16

Africa /

The UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is urgently calling for increased investments to support small-scale farmers in combating land degradation and desertification. These efforts are critical to safeguarding global food security, climate stability, and ecosystems, as the sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) takes place this week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. IFAD President Alvaro Lario, who is attending COP16 in Riyadh, is advocating for small-scale farmers and producers who are grappling with the devastating effects of drought and desertification—challenges that threaten the livelihoods of approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide. The drought in East Africa, which has been the worst in over 40 years, and the worsening conditions in North Africa underscore the urgency of addressing these issues. In the Sahel region, which forms a barrier to the Sahara Desert, desertification has advanced up to 200 kilometers southward over the past 30 years. This year, Zimbabwe has experienced its worst drought in living memory, leading President Emmerson Mnangagwa to declare a nationwide state of disaster. Many small-scale farmers in Zimbabwe rely on rainfed agriculture, and the ongoing drought—driven by El Niño—has led to widespread crop failure. An estimated 40% of farmers have lost their entire harvest, and poor infrastructure, including broken irrigation systems, is further hampering efforts to grow crops. The situation is expected to leave 6 million people in Zimbabwe food insecure during the 2024-2025 lean season (January to March). In response, IFAD has been supporting initiatives such as the Smallholder Irrigation Revitalization Programme (SIRP), which is helping thousands of farmers maintain crop production despite limited rainfall. This project, benefiting over 27,000 rural households, aims to restore irrigation systems and improve climate resilience and food security across Zimbabwe. At COP16, IFAD will emphasize the urgent need for greater investment in small-scale farmers, who produce 40% of the world’s food, and 60% of Africa’s food. “The world’s 500 million small farms are the backbone of global food systems,” said IFAD President Lario. “They are the most vulnerable to climate change and the least prioritized for investment. Supporting them is essential if we want to ensure long-term food security.” IFAD will also stress that neglecting investment in food security, poverty reduction, and stability has dire consequences. In addition to the human and economic toll, land degradation and climate change could drive as many as 700 million people to migrate by 2050, further exacerbating global challenges. Small-scale farmers play a pivotal role in economic stability, particularly in many developing countries where agriculture is a key driver of GDP.

IFAD urges investment in small farmers at COP16 Read More »

Apple faces lawsuit for allegedly spying on workers

World /

 US tech giant Apple is facing a lawsuit for allegedly spying on its employees using company-managed devices such as iPhones. Workers using personal Apple devices must link their iCloud accounts to the company, from which Apple allegedly collects various data from off-duty employees, such as location, claimed Amar Bhakta, who has been working in Apple’s digital advertising division since 2020, in a lawsuit filed on Sunday. In his lawsuit, Bhakta claimed that workers’ personal devices, including iPhones, were installed with proprietary internal software on company grounds, where the devices are “subject to search by Apple.” Apple allegedly violated California law by requiring its employees to agree to a policy allowing the company to “engage in physical, video, and electronic surveillance” of its employees,” he added. “For Apple employees, the Apple ecosystem is not a walled garden. It is a prison yard. A panopticon where employees, both on and off duty, are subject to Apple’s all-seeing eye,” US-based tech news website The Verge reported on Monday, citing court documents. He alleged that Apple restricts employees’ speech by prohibiting them from discussing their working conditions and wages, as well as their political activity. “We strongly disagree with these claims and believe they lack merit,” Apple spokesperson Josh Rosenstock said in a statement to The Verge.

Apple faces lawsuit for allegedly spying on workers Read More »

Scroll to Top