fatih, Author at Radar Africa

Protests greet new Mozambican president

Hundreds of supporters of Mozambique’s opposition protested Wednesday as the country inaugurated a new president following disputed elections and deadly unrest. Daniel Chapo took his oath as the country’s fifth president before about 2,500 people who endured intense heat in front of a city hall in the capital, Maputo. Opposition supporters peacefully protested a few meters away after security forces wielding guns and batons blocked them from getting to the venue. Security forces sealed several roads and kept a heavy presence in other parts of Maputo. Chapo, a 48-year-old law graduate, acknowledged the need to end the instability rocking the southern African nation. “Social harmony cannot wait, nor can the building of consensus for the matters that worry the Mozambican people, so dialogue has already began and we will not rest until we have a united and cohesive country,” he said. The country’s Constitutional Council in December declared Chapo the winner of the presidential election, with 65.17% of the vote, dismissing a challenge by opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, whom it said got 24 percent of the vote. A series of protests and a violent crackdown by security forces following the elections have left at least 300 people, including scores of children, dead, according to local and international human rights organizations. Mondlane, a 50-year-old pastor, has been leading the push for protests through messages on platforms such as Facebook to demand “restoration of the electoral truth.” Some western countries, including the United States, have also questiond the credibility of the elections.

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South Africa faces outrage over handling of illegal miners

Africa / fatih

South Africa Faces Backlash Over Handling of Illegal Miners’ Standoff, Death Toll Hits 87 South African authorities are facing mounting criticism over their response to a standoff with illegal miners trapped in an abandoned gold mine, where at least 87 people have died. The miners, suspected to have perished from starvation and dehydration, were reportedly denied assistance by authorities, who initially opted to “smoke them out” by cutting off food supplies. This decision has sparked outrage, with accusations that police and mine owners dismantled crucial rescue systems, such as ropes and pulleys. Community groups, frustrated by the lack of official help, launched their own rescue efforts, while courts later intervened, ordering authorities to allow food and water deliveries and initiate a formal rescue operation. Despite the slow response, Mannas Fourie, CEO of the Mines and Rescue service, praised the “world first” rescue operation using a unique machine developed by South Africa’s mining industry. Many locals had warned of the unfolding disaster, with volunteers recovering decomposing bodies from the mine weeks ago. The incident has led to calls for an independent inquiry, with political leaders urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate the handling of the crisis. Authorities now estimate that nearly 2,000 miners had been working illegally in the mine since August last year.

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Uganda court to try Kizza Besigye for treason, risking death penalty

Africa / fatih

A Ugandan military court has ruled that opposition leader Kizza Besigye will stand trial for treason, with a potential death sentence if convicted. The decision further complicates the 68-year-old’s legal battles ahead of the 2026 presidential elections. Besigye, who has unsuccessfully run for president four times, went missing in Nairobi late last year. He resurfaced shortly after in Kampala, where he faced charges including illegal possession of a firearm and allegedly seeking foreign military support to undermine Uganda’s security. Following his arrest, Besigye was remanded in custody, and a military prosecutor later added a treason charge to the case. Besigye has denied all allegations. Human Rights Watch condemned the trial, calling it “the latest example of Uganda’s authorities using military courts and charges to target the opposition.” Rights groups have long accused President Yoweri Museveni’s government of repressing opposition figures and violating their rights.

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UN condemns alleged torture at Libyan prison, calls for investigation

Africa / fatih

The UN Support Mission in Libya has expressed concern over what it described as “disturbing footage circulating on social media,” believed to show the torture of detainees at Gernada prison in eastern Libya. The facility is operated by military personnel loyal to Khalifa Haftar, leader of the eastern-based administration that competes with the UN-recognized government in Tripoli. Critics of the eastern authorities are reportedly among those held at the prison, located approximately 250 kilometers from Benghazi, the headquarters of the eastern administration. While the authenticity of the footage remains unverified, the UN has stated that it is consistent with known patterns of human rights violations in detention centers across Libya. The UN has called for an immediate investigation into the incident. Human rights organizations have long condemned the abuse and torture taking place in Libyan detention facilities. However, neither the Tripoli government nor the eastern-based authorities have responded to the allegations or the newly surfaced footage.

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Arab countries welcome Gaza cease-fire deal

Africa / fatih

Arab countries welcomed Wednesday’s announcement of a Gaza cease-fire deal between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, the result of more than a year of intensive negotiations with Egyptian, Qatari, and US mediators. “I welcome the cease-fire agreement in Gaza after over a year of strenuous efforts mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the US,” Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Facebook. He emphasized the urgent need to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. “This agreement highlights the importance of quickly providing critical aid to the people of Gaza to address the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, without any obstacles, until a sustainable peace is achieved through a two-state solution,” he said Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to supporting a just peace, remaining a steadfast partner in achieving it, and defending the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Jordan’s Foreign Ministry praised the efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and the US to reach the agreement, emphasizing the “need for full adherence to it.” The statement quoted Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi as stressing the “need to launch an immediate international initiative to deliver sufficient and sustainable humanitarian aid to address the humanitarian disaster caused by the Israeli aggression on Gaza.” It highlighted that Jordan, “under the guidance and follow-up of King Abdullah II, will continue providing humanitarian aid to Gaza and supporting the Palestinian people in their pursuit of their full legitimate rights to achieve a just peace.” Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati also welcomed the announcement of a cease-fire deal. “This announcement closes a bloody chapter in the history of the Palestinian people, who have suffered greatly due to Israeli aggression,” said Mikati, saying he hopes the cease-fire “will be sustainable and that Israel will adhere to it, paving the way for a final resolution to the Palestinian issue and granting Palestinians their legitimate rights.” – Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, Yemen, Libya Saudi Arabia also welcomed the news, stressing “the need for adherence to the agreement, the cessation of Israeli aggression on Gaza, the complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the (Gaza) Strip and all Palestinian and Arab territories, and the return of displaced people to their areas.” The Saudi Foreign Ministry also stressed “the importance of building on this agreement to address the root cause of the conflict by enabling the Palestinian people to obtain their rights, foremost among them the establishment of their independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.” United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan also welcomed the deal. He commended “the efforts made by Qatar, Egypt and the United States to achieve this agreement,” voicing hope that it “will pave the way to end suffering, prevent further loss of life, and put an end to the crisis and tragic conditions in the Gaza Strip.” The Iraqi Foreign Ministry also said that it “welcomes the agreement, which comes after significant sacrifices and immense suffering by the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.” The ministry called the cease-fire efforts “a reflection of the importance of international cooperation to end civilian suffering and ensure regional stability.” Similarly, Yemen, through a Foreign Ministry statement, praised joint mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt and the United States that led to the agreement, “which is expected to end the war in Gaza and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.” Mohamed Menfi, the head of Libya’s Presidency Council, welcomed the cease-fire announcement, voicing hope for a smooth implementation of its terms. “The Palestinian cause will remain the central cause to the Libyan people,” Menfi said on X, stressing Libya’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause on all international platforms. On the organizational front, the International Union of Muslim Scholars welcomed the “cessation of aggression on Gaza and commended the resilience and sacrifices of its people,” calling in a statement for “the reconstruction of Gaza.” Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani confirmed the agreement, which is set to come into effect on Sunday. He outlined the first phase, which will last for 42 days and include the release of 33 Israeli detainees in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners. The announcement comes on day 467 of Israel’s genocide against Gaza, which with US backing has killed and wounded more than 156,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The war has left more than 11,000 people missing, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of many elderly people and children in one of the worst global humanitarian disasters ever.

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US Central Command commander visits Egypt to discuss security

Africa, Egypt / fatih

US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla visited Egypt on Monday to discuss security issues. Kurilla met with Ahmed Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, in the capital Cairo to discuss a range of issues, including efforts to address shared security challenges and combat violent extremist organizations. He reaffirmed the military-to-military relationship between the two nations and discussed efforts to advance the partnership to ensure a secure and stable future, CENTCOM said in a statement. On Jan. 11-12, Kurilla visited US servicemembers and conducted key leader engagements in Saudi Arabia. Kurilla met with Gen. Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Chief of General Staff of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces, to discuss shared security concerns. While in Saudi Arabia, Kurilla also met with Lt. Gen. Saghir Hamood Bin Aziz, Chief of Staff of the Yemini Armed Forces, to exchange views on efforts to strengthen security cooperation and combat regional threats such as the Houthis and their attacks against military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Bab Al Mandeb Strait. According to local media, Kurilla is also expected to visit Israel.

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Ghanaians reeling after fire destroys largest used clothes market

Business / fatih

Devastated traders in the West African nation of Ghana are seeking aid to rebuild the country’s largest second-hand clothing market. The Kantamanto Market in the capital Accra was ravaged by a fire on the night of Jan. 1 that reduced huge swaths of it to ashes and destroyed millions of used clothing items. According to a statement Sunday by the Ghana-based Or Foundation, nearly 8,900 stalls were destroyed and 10,000 people were directly affected. “15 million secondhand garments arrive from the Global North in Kantamanto Market every week, and the community of more than 30,000 people working in Kantamanto Market is responsible for recirculating 25 million pieces of second-hand clothing every month through resale, reuse, repair and remanufacturing. It’s a vibrant hub of creativity and a necessary alternative to fast fashion,” the charity said, emphasizing the market’s vital role. A representative of the Or Foundation confirmed to Anadolu on Monday that they were seeking donations to help rebuild the businesses. “This funding will be dispersed according to the expressed priorities of market leadership. Resources are needed to rebuild…Resources will be needed to keep individuals afloat physically, financially and spiritually,” the foundation said in the statement. It said that while it was not able to confirm actual financial losses, nearly 60% of the market was burnt to ground. Most of the items sold in the market came from the US, Canada and England. Although the reason behind the fire is still under investigation, rebuilding has begun, according to a report by the Ghana News Agency. Ghanian President John Mahama’s special aide and spokesperson Joyce Mogtari Bawah said the administration will “soon begin enhancing the market.” Former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen was among those leading with donations to help the devastated businesses. Given the enormity of the damage caused by the fire, the All Traders Association at Kantamanto sought support from everyone. “Our doors are open for support to rebuild our market,” it said. People also called on big fast fashion brands to contribute to the market’s reconstruction. “Tens of millions of dollars were lost in equipment, bales of secondhand clothing, infrastructure and other supplies,” it said. “The Kantamanto community spends over $300 million on bales every year, over half of which is paid to the Global North exporters.”

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Mozambique parliament sworn in amid protests and general strike

Africa / fatih

Mozambique’s new parliament was sworn in on Monday in Maputo amid tight security, as opposition-led protests and a general strike paralyzed the city, leaving it eerily quiet. Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who continues to dispute the results of the October 9 election, called for the strike to protest alleged electoral fraud. During the swearing-in, around 30 seats were left vacant as opposition parties Renamo and MDM boycotted the event, demanding a recount. However, members of the Podemos party were present, with MP Ivandro Massingue accusing the boycotting parties of “cowardice.” Protests in the city included barricades and burning tires, with police deploying tear gas to disperse crowds. “We are tired of manipulation. Independence begins today,” said one protester, Osvaldo. Some businesses remained closed, fearing looting, though others, like shopkeeper Selzio, expressed support for the strike, saying, “Change requires sacrifice.” Incoming President Daniel Chapo has called for unity, while newly elected Speaker Margarida Talapa promised a parliament “open to dialogue.” Yet, many citizens remain skeptical, with widespread criticism of the government for neglecting the country’s worsening conditions.

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Rescued baby gorilla recovering in Istanbul zoo

Turkey / fatih

A baby gorilla rescued from a plane’s cargo hold is recovering at an Istanbul zoo while wildlife officials consider whether he can be returned to his natural habitat. The case also highlights the issue of illegal animal trafficking through the city’s busy airports. The five-month-old gorilla, named Zeytin (meaning “Olive”), was discovered in a box on a Turkish Airlines flight from Nigeria to Thailand last month. He is now being cared for at Polonezkoy Zoo, where he is recovering from the traumatic journey. Fahrettin Ulu, director of Istanbul Nature Conservation and National Parks, said on Sunday, “We hope the baby gorilla can return to his homeland. The most important thing is ensuring a safe environment for him.” Since his rescue, Zeytin has been gaining weight and becoming more active. “When he first arrived, he was very shy and stayed in one spot,” said veterinarian Gulfem Esmen. “Now he’s more confident and enjoys playing on his own.” Both western and eastern gorillas, native to central Africa’s forests and mountains, are endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Istanbul’s airports are increasingly being used for smuggling wildlife. In October, customs officials at Sabiha Gokcen Airport discovered 17 young Nile crocodiles and 10 monitor lizards hidden in a passenger’s luggage.

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Author name: fatih