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Turkish president urges Muslim unity to stop Israeli attacks on Palestine

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 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday emphasized the importance of unity and joint action for Islamic countries in response to Israel’s ongoing onslaught in Gaza. President Erdogan said the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and occupied Palestinian territories since Oct. 7, 2023, have once again demonstrated the critical importance of Islamic nations’ unity and solidarity. He made these remarks in a video message to the International Humanitarian Summit on “The Future of Gaza,” which was organized in Istanbul by Türkiye’s Diyanet Foundation and Al Khair Foundation. “In full view of the world, nearly 50,000 of our Palestinian sisters and brothers, most of them children and women, have been martyred,” he said, adding: “As a result of Israel’s bombardments directly targeting civilians, over 100,000 innocent Palestinians have been injured.” He lamented that Israel’s attacks on Lebanon have resulted in over 3,500 deaths and that “places of worship, schools, hospitals, and all aspects of civilian infrastructure have been targets of Israel’s assaults.” “In the face of these attacks, Türkiye stands in full solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters,” he vowed. “Over the past year, we have especially sought to extend a helping hand to our sisters and brothers in Gaza and Lebanon,” Erdogan stressed, recalling: “With over 86,000 tons of aid delivered, we are among the countries providing the most support to Palestine.” He pointed out that the amount of aid delivered to Lebanon has exceeded 1,300 tons, adding: “We are continuing our diplomatic efforts to ensure that Islamic countries respond collectively to the oppression in Gaza and act together.” “Our struggle will continue until the occupation and massacres in Palestine come to an end and an independent, sovereign, and territorially unified Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is established based on the 1967 borders,” he underlined, expressing his belief that “the international humanitarian aid summit will support us in this struggle.” Israel has launched a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas in October last year, killing over 44,300 people, most of them women and children, and injuring over 104,900. The second year of genocide in Gaza has drawn growing international condemnation, with officials and institutions labeling the attacks and blocking of aid deliveries as a deliberate attempt to destroy a population. Last week, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its deadly war on Gaza.

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Rescue efforts continue in Eastern Uganda after deadly landslides

Africa /

Rescue operations are ongoing in eastern Uganda following devastating landslides that have buried homes in over six villages. Irene Muloni, a former Energy Minister and current Woman MP for Bulambuli District, urged authorities on Thursday (Nov. 28) to relocate residents from the disaster-stricken area. So far, 45 houses have been completely buried. At least 15 people, including 7 children, have been confirmed dead, and 113 others are still missing. “The government is working to acquire more land, but as you can see, the situation is dire. The rains are continuing, and the water is everywhere—on the hills, flowing down in waterfalls. It’s just too dangerous. People need to be moved immediately. My appeal is for the people to leave this area and stay with relatives. Let’s leave this place,” Muloni said. The landslides occurred after heavy rainfall on Wednesday night in the mountainous Bulambuli District, located about 280 kilometers east of Uganda’s capital, Kampala. This is not the first time the district has been impacted by torrential rains; last year, similar flooding caused significant loss of life. Uganda Police have ramped up rescue efforts, working alongside other security agencies and local communities. However, rescue teams are facing challenges due to impassable roads. During a rescue operation on the Nile River, two boats capsized on Wednesday while attempting to reach the submerged Pakwach Bridge.

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UN Rapporteur: France’s Netanyahu immunity claim has no legal validity

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The UN special rapporteur on Palestine on Thursday rejected France’s immunity claims regarding the arrest warrants issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by the International Criminal Court (ICC), arguing such immunity has “no” legal validity. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Wednesday that certain leaders could have immunity under the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC). Barrot highlighted that the Rome Statute “deals with questions of immunity for certain leaders,” adding that such matters ultimately rest with judicial authorities. Meanwhile, France’s Foreign Ministry in a statement emphasized the country’s dedication to honoring international commitments under the Rome Statute, stating: “France will respect its international obligations, understanding that the Rome Statute requires full cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC).” The statement also pointed out that “a state cannot be required to act in a manner inconsistent with its obligations under international law regarding the immunities of states that are not parties to the ICC.” Asked by Anadolu in an interview whether this claim has any legal validity, Francesca Albanese said: “No, because it’s been already resolved by the court in the case of Omar al-Bashir in the past, and no one (argued).” Al-Bashir is a Sudanese former military officer and former head of state who was indicted by the ICC in 2009 and 2010 for war crimes and crimes against humanity against civilians in Darfur. “The argument of the state immunity cannot be made. The court has already said it,” Albanese said. She underlined that hindering the enforcement of an ICC arrest warrant could be considered a violation of Article 70 of the Rome Statute. “I want to point to the fact that obstructing the execution of an ICC arrest warrant could be seen as a breach of Article 70, an obstruction to the administration of justice, which is an offense, a criminal offense in itself,” she said. She also described France’s contradictory approaches toward the warrant against Netanyahu and the one issued against Russia’s President Vladimir Putin back in March 2023 – a non-party state – as “double standards.” Last week, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its deadly war on Gaza.

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Tanzania holds local elections amid allegations of irregularities and repressi...

Africa /

Tanzanians have been voting in local government elections, seen as a key test for the country’s democratic institutions ahead of the 2025 presidential election. Around 31 million eligible voters are choosing from over 80,000 candidates for village and street leadership positions, which hold significant influence across the country. President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), a dominant force for decades, is facing growing opposition, particularly from parties that boycotted the 2019 elections. While Hassan promised a free and fair vote, there have been allegations of irregularities and repression leading up to the polls. The main opposition party, Chadema, accused the authorities of electoral fraud, citing the disqualification of thousands of its candidates and alleged ballot box stuffing. Chadema also reported that three of its members were killed on the eve of the election, and party leader Freeman Mbowe was briefly arrested during a rally over the weekend. Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 after the sudden death of her authoritarian predecessor, John Magufuli, was initially praised for easing restrictions on the opposition and media. However, rights groups and Western governments have since criticized what they view as a resurgence of repression ahead of these elections.

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Escalating violence in Haiti displaces 41,000, half of them children

Africa /

Since November 11, escalating violence and insecurity in Haiti’s capital have forced 41,000 people to flee their homes, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Rights group Save the Children reports that about 52% of the displaced, or more than 21,000 people, are children, many of whom have been forced to move multiple times in the past two years. This marks the largest wave of displacement since January 2023, the IOM’s latest figures show. As a result, many children have sought refuge in overcrowded schools repurposed as shelters or with host families, often lacking access to clean water, food, and healthcare. Save the Children called on November 27 for unrestricted access for humanitarian workers and life-saving supplies across Haiti, particularly in Port-au-Prince, to address hunger and acute malnutrition and to ensure the protection of children. The current wave of violence driving displacement comes amid a surge in gang recruitment of children, which the UN reports has increased by 70% over the past year. Many of these children are being forced to join gangs, while others do so as a means of survival. Violence in the capital intensified after Haiti dismissed its interim prime minister amidst political infighting and corruption allegations involving the transitional council set up to restore democracy. The UN estimates that gangs now control 85% of the city. Efforts by a Kenya-led police mission have failed to shift the power dynamics on the ground.

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Arrest warrant issued for Jubaland President Madobe

Africa /

An arrest warrant has been issued for Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, following his third re-election in the region’s presidential election on November 25. The Banadir Regional Court stated that Madobe’s third term in office violated the constitution and charged him with “treason,” ordering his detention and trial. The Somali government also declared the election illegal, noting that the state constitution limits presidents to two terms. In response, Madobe reportedly issued an arrest order against Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The Somali government had previously set a schedule for regional elections in June 2025 and national elections in September 2025, but Jubaland and Puntland boycotted the meeting, objecting to the plan. This disagreement has fueled tensions between the central government and the regional states.

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EFF seeks Ramaphosa’s impeachment over ‘Phala Phala’ scandal

Africa /

Supporters of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party gathered outside the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday, November 26, to watch ongoing court proceedings on a big screen. At the center of the legal debate is a challenge by two opposition parties, calling for the revival of impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala scandal. The controversy stems from an alleged cover-up involving large sums of money—more than half a million dollars—in cash that was discovered at Ramaphosa’s private farm in 2022. The money had reportedly been stolen years earlier and kept hidden. The opposition parties, including the EFF, argue that Ramaphosa must be held accountable for the source of the money and that the African National Congress (ANC), using its parliamentary majority, shielded him from facing consequences. “All we want is for the president not to abuse his power, as former President Zuma did at his private residence,” said Thebe, a part-time supporter of the EFF. “We want Ramaphosa to explain where the money that was found at Phala Phala came from. The ANC always uses its majority in Parliament to protect its own.” The scandal emerged in 2022 when it was revealed that a large sum of cash, hidden on Ramaphosa’s farm, had been stolen in a burglary. Despite this, a vote in Parliament, where Ramaphosa’s party holds a dominant majority, blocked impeachment proceedings and effectively protected him from facing charges. EFF leader Julius Malema has called for a full parliamentary investigation into the matter. “We are here to hold the executive accountable,” Malema told the crowd outside the court. “The ANC came into court to defend corruption, to defend a man who has not disputed the fact that there was money at his farm.” Malema also expressed confidence in the EFF’s legal challenge, saying, “Comrades, we are going to win this case against Ramaphosa. And we’ll call him back to Parliament to start an impeachment process because the ANC used its majority in an unconstitutional manner.” The EFF and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) argue that Parliament failed to carry out its constitutional responsibility to hold the president accountable. However, Ramaphosa has been cleared of any wrongdoing by financial authorities, a public watchdog, and the police, after separate investigations. Reviving the impeachment process could be a high-risk move for Ramaphosa, who was re-elected in June for a second term with the support of coalition partners. While the EFF and ATM have been vocal in their calls for action, their smaller size means they would need support from other members of the ANC-led coalition to successfully push for impeachment, which many observers believe is unlikely. The Constitutional Court’s ruling on the matter is expected to take several weeks, or even months, as the legal process unfolds.

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Lebanese army to deploy in southern Lebanon after cease-fire

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The Lebanese army on Wednesday said it is preparing to deploy to the south of the country after a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah entered into effect. In a statement, the army said based on a request from the government, it will deploy to southern Lebanon in coordination with the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and in implementation of the UN resolution 1701. Resolution 1701, adopted on Aug. 11, 2006, calls for a complete halt to hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel and the establishment of a weapons-free zone between the Blue Line and the Litani River in southern Lebanon, with exceptions for the Lebanese army and UNIFIL. The Lebanese army urged citizens to wait before returning to the frontline village and towns “where the Israeli enemy entered, awaiting their withdrawal in accordance with the cease-fire agreement.” The truce between Israel and the Lebanese group took effect hours after US President Joe Biden said a proposal to end the conflict had been reached, amid hopes it would stop Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese towns and cities and end the year-long cross-border fighting. More than 3,760 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon and over 1 million displaced since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.​​​​​​

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Mali cuts Joliba TV signal after criticism of Burkina Faso military

Africa /

Mali’s ruling junta has shut down the signal of Joliba TV News after a debate in which a prominent politician criticized the military leaders of neighboring Burkina Faso, a journalist for the channel reported Tuesday. Attaher Halidou, the journalist who chaired the debate, told The Associated Press that the authorities cut off their signal but expressed hope it would be restored soon. The incident follows the recent arrest of politician Issa Kaou N’Djim, who claimed during the debate that Burkina Faso’s military government fabricated evidence of a failed coup in September. The director of Joliba TV was also questioned by authorities. The move to block Joliba TV’s signal is the latest step in a crackdown on press freedom and political dissent in Mali, which has been under military rule since 2020. Earlier this year, the junta arrested opposition politicians and activists, and banned media coverage of political parties. Mali’s Press House, a media rights group, threatened to re-broadcast the debate if authorities revoke Joliba’s license. The group’s president, Bandiougou Danté, said they are negotiating with authorities for a solution to restore the channel’s signal and protect press freedoms. N’Djim, a former vice president of Mali’s National Transitional Council, distanced himself from the junta, advocating for a return to democracy. He was previously imprisoned in 2021 for criticizing the military regime on social media. Mali, along with Niger and Burkina Faso, is part of the Alliance of Sahel States, a mutual defense pact formed in 2023. The security situation in the region has worsened, with rising extremist attacks and allegations of government forces killing civilians suspected of aiding militants.

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