Africa

Botswana votes to decide fate of ruling party’s 58-year reign

Africa /

Botswana heads to the polls on Wednesday, facing a pivotal election that will decide whether the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) can maintain its 58-year grip on power. Analysts suggest this election is particularly unpredictable, as the country grapples with an economic downturn due to declining demand for diamonds, a crucial resource. The opposition criticizes the BDP for its lengthy tenure, accusing it of economic mismanagement and corruption—claims the party denies. Many young voters in the capital, Gaborone, hope for change that will bring employment opportunities. While Botswana is generally regarded as having low corruption and good governance, public confidence in the government is waning. “I’m a graduate but still unemployed. I hope this election will lead to a brighter future,” said resident Maitshwarelo Ditsebe. With unemployment exceeding 27% and youth unemployment over 45%, there is a strong desire for change. “I hope the party I vote for will create jobs for young women,” added Gaborone resident Boago Sentsho. President Mokgweetsi Masisi of the BDP is seeking a second and final term, competing against three challengers, including Duma Boko from the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change, who has promised to significantly raise the minimum wage and enhance social grants. The election will determine the composition of parliament, with voters casting ballots for 61 National Assembly seats and 609 local council seats. Polling stations open at 6 AM on Wednesday.

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Turkey condemns terror attack in Chad, offers condolences

Africa, Turkey /

Türkiye on Monday expressed condolences with the people of Chad over a terrorist attack in the Central African country. A statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed sadness over the killing of nearly 40 Chadian soldiers and many others injured by a “terrorist attack on a military base in the Lake Chad province” on Sunday. The ministry statement also wished a swift recovery to the wounded and wished Allah’s mercy on those who lost their lives.

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Macron in Morocco to boost trade and immigration ties

Africa /

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Morocco on Monday for a three-day visit focused on enhancing trade, climate change, and immigration partnerships. In Rabat, he will meet with King Mohammed VI and Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, and address the Moroccan parliament. The visit aims to repair relations between the two countries, strained in recent years, particularly over France’s position on Western Sahara. In July, Macron shifted France’s long-standing stance, supporting Morocco’s autonomy plan for the region, which has been welcomed by Rabat, especially after it gained U.S. recognition for its claim in exchange for normalizing ties with Israel in 2020. Morocco is the largest destination for French investment in Africa, hosting over 900 French subsidiaries, and is also France’s top trading partner in the region. Macron’s visit may pave the way for future economic agreements and address ongoing immigration and visa policy issues.

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U.S. to restrict visas in Ghana ahead of elections

Africa /

The U.S. State Department announced on Monday that it will restrict visas for individuals deemed responsible for undermining democracy in Ghana. This decision comes ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for December 7. Ghana has enjoyed nearly two decades of peaceful, free, and fair elections. However, recent allegations of voter roll irregularities have raised concerns about a potential democratic decline. This upcoming election will mark the ninth consecutive general election since Ghana returned to multi-party democracy in 1992. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that the visa restrictions will target those “who undermine democracy,” not the Ghanaian government or its citizens. Last month, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ghana’s largest opposition party, staged nationwide protests demanding an audit of the voter roll, claiming to have uncovered thousands of unauthorized transfers and removals of voter names. Incumbent President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is stepping down after his second and final term. Thirteen candidates have been approved for the presidential race, but analysts predict a two-man competition between former President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.

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Lamine Yamal racially abused by Real Madrid fans

World /

La Liga condemned racist remarks from the Real Madrid stands directed towards Lamine Yamal during El Clasico and announced on Sunday that it would file a formal complaint with the National Police Information Brigade’s Hate Crimes Section. During the El Clasico against Barcelona on Saturday, Real Madrid fans hurled racist insults at Yamal. “In light of the events that took place during the match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona, where intolerable racist behavior was observed, LALIGA will immediately report the racist insults and gestures received by FC Barcelona players to the Hate Crimes Section of the National Police Information Brigade, as well as informing the Coordinating Prosecutor of the Hate Crimes and Discrimination Unit of the State Attorney General’s Office,” La Liga said in a statement on Sunday. “There is no place for this scourge in sport,” it added. The incident occurred during the Real Madrid-Barcelona match, where Yamal scored Barcelona’s third goal. Barcelona won the El Clasico 4-0 against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu. Robert Lewandowski scored twice while Yamal and Raphinha added one on the road. – Real Madrid launch investigation Real Madrid launched an investigation into a reported racist insult at Yamal. “Real Madrid has opened an investigation in order to locate and identify the perpetrators of these deplorable and despicable insults so that the appropriate disciplinary and judicial measures can be taken,” Real Madrid said in a separate statement. Lamine Yamal, a 17-year-old Spanish footballer born to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, was subjected to racist insults by a group in the stadium during his celebration and corner kicks after scoring his team’s third goal. One of the most targeted players in the recent rise in racism in the Spanish top tier was Brazilian Vinicius Junior, who plays for Real Madrid. In response to incidents of racism directed towards Vinicius Junior, the Spanish courts sentenced four people to prison, fines, and sports bans in rulings made in June. Ahead of the Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid match on Sep.29, four people were detained for initiating a hateful, racist campaign targeting Junior on social media platforms.

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Egypt warns no peace in region without Gaza ceasefire

Egypt /

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated on Saturday that without a ceasefire in Gaza, there “will be no peace or security” in the region. During a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Abdelatty condemned Israel’s actions, emphasizing that “in the twenty-first century, we cannot accept a policy of starving over 2.2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.” Sybiha criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, linking it to various global crises. “This war in Ukraine is not just about Ukraine; it’s about restoring a world order based on international law,” he said. He also announced that Ukraine is planning another Global Peace Summit, inviting Russian representatives to participate. Israel’s Netanyahu rejects Egyptian cease-fire initiative in Gaza  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected an initiative proposed by Egypt on Sunday for a short-term cease-fire with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced the proposal, according to Israeli media. “We proposed a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip for two days to exchange four (Israeli) hostages for some (Palestinian) prisoners, and then negotiations would take place over 10 days to turn the cease-fire into a permanent truce,” al-Sisi said during a joint press conference with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in the capital Cairo. Despite the support of most Israeli ministers for the Egyptian proposal, Tel Aviv decided to reject the deal due to opposition from Netanyahu, who emphasized that “negotiations will take place only under fire,” according to Israel’s Channel 12. The channel confirmed that Israel’s security establishment also supported the proposal. Israel estimates that around 101 of its citizens are still being held captive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza amid concerns that some of them may have already been killed in indiscriminate Israeli airstrikes across the densely populated area. Efforts led by the US, Egypt and Qatar to secure a cease-fire and facilitate a prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas have so far stalled, with Netanyahu refusing to consider ending the conflict. The Israeli army has continued a devastating offensive on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border incursion by Hamas last October, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire. Nearly 43,000 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 100,000 others injured, according to local health authorities. The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

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Uganda fuel tanker explosion toll up to 24

Africa /

The death toll following a fuel tanker explosion near the Ugandan capital Kampala last week has risen to 24, the government said Sunday. The impoverished East African country has witnessed several similar disasters in recent years, with people rushing to steal fuel from tankers involved in road accidents. The “devastating accident” on Tuesday in the town of Kigogwa, about 25 kilometres (15 miles) north of Kampala, resulted in “11 reported dead at the scene”, said Communications Minister Godfrey Kabbyanga in a statement He added that “13 more have since died in Kiruddu hospital and Bombo military hospital bringing the number to 24”. “Since some of the dead were burnt beyond recognition, the police have been working tirelessly hard to identify the deceased through DNA testing,” he said. The tanker had left the capital for Gulu in northern Uganda, a journey of some 650 kilometres (403 miles), but it overturned and burst into flames en route. The driver is still at large, according to the government.

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Kenya’s court blocks $740 million Adani energy contract

Business /

Kenya’s High Court has halted the government’s plans to award a major electricity transmission contract to India’s Adani Energy Solutions Limited, citing concerns over the procurement process. On Friday, the court issued an order blocking the Sh95.68 billion ($740 million) deal after the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) petitioned against it, highlighting issues of public participation and constitutional compliance. Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled for a conservatory order, suspending any project agreements related to the development of transmission lines and substations. The project, designed to enhance Kenya’s electricity infrastructure, has been controversial since its signing on October 11 as a 30-year public-private partnership with the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO). It aimed to finance several high-voltage transmission lines. This court decision is seen as a win for local contractors who argued they were unfairly excluded from the bidding process. Adani Group’s recent attempt to secure a management lease at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has also faced public protests, with critics expressing concerns over potential threats to local jobs and sovereignty. Both the airport project and the transmission line deal have faced scrutiny over transparency and public involvement, with opponents warning of economic risks tied to foreign control of critical infrastructure.

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