Africa

Activist Kemi Seba regains freedom after custody in France

Africa /

“Those who seek to dim our light will have to wait,” activist Kemi Seba declared on Thursday (Oct. 17) upon regaining his freedom. The Beninese activist, in his forties, spent nearly four days in custody at the French interior security agency (DGSI) headquarters in Paris. His lawyer, Juan Branco, stated during a press conference on Wednesday (Oct. 16) that Seba was questioned in relation to two charges: “collusion with a foreign power to foster hostility or acts of aggression against France” and “maintaining ties with a foreign power that could harm the fundamental interests of the nation.” Both charges carry a potential prison sentence of at least 10 years. According to French newspaper Le Monde, Seba, born Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, is not currently under prosecution, as confirmed by the Paris public prosecution. Seba, a vocal critic of neo-colonialism in Africa, was arrested on Monday (Oct. 14) while having lunch with a colleague. Branco condemned the arrest as “violent.” Seba’s organization, Urgences Panafricatistes, stated that he was in Paris to visit a sick relative and meet with members of the Beninese opposition. He was arrested alongside his close ally Hery Djehuty, who has also been released. Born in France, Seba was stripped of his nationality last July and has since relocated to West Africa with his wife and children.

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Africa: Flooding has left 10 million children in out of school

Africa /

International humanitarian organization Save the Children reported that approximately 10 million children in Central and West Africa are unable to attend school due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall. In a written statement, the organization noted that nearly 1 million people have been displaced in Niger, Nigeria, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) due to the floods. The statement highlighted that the rains have caused significant damage to school buildings, with some even collapsing, and many of those displaced are seeking refuge in schools. Mali and Niger have been the hardest hit by the flooding, with schools expected to open late—one month in Mali and three weeks in Niger. The statement also mentioned that, due to ongoing conflicts and poverty, 36 million children in these four countries were already out of school, and the floods have added another 10 million to this number.

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Iranian foreign minister arrives in Egypt amid tensions with Israel

Egypt /

 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Cairo late Wednesday, according to an announcement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei on X. His visit comes amid heightened anticipation of an Israeli strike on Iran following a retaliatory missile attack by Tehran against Israel earlier this month. Baghaei shared a picture of Araghchi’s arrival in Cairo, saying, “We just arrived in Cairo. Iran and Egypt are significant countries with rich histories and civilizations, and they are influential players in the region.” He added that “important discussions will take place on Thursday with senior officials in Egypt.” The official Iranian news agency, IRNA, reported Araghchi’s arrival as part of a regional tour to meet senior Egyptian officials, noting a formal reception. IRNA pointed out that the last visit by a senior Iranian official to Egypt occurred 14 years ago when Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the late Iranian foreign minister, traveled to the Egyptian capital for the inauguration of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Cairo is the eighth stop on Araghchi’s tour, which began two weeks ago “to coordinate efforts aimed at halting the crimes of the Zionist entity and activating a cease-fire in Gaza and Lebanon,” according to IRNA. The top diplomat’s visit is his first since he assumed his foreign minister’s post two months ago. He arrived from Jordan and is expected to visit Türkiye, following stops in Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and Oman. Earlier Wednesday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty disclosed in statements that Araghchi’s visit is part of “Egyptian efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.” Regional tensions have escalated due to Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 42,400 people, mostly women and children, following a Hamas attack last year. The conflict has spread to Lebanon, with Israel launching deadly strikes across the country, which have killed more than 1,500 people and injured over 4,500 others since last month.

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Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo leads Mozambique elections

Africa /

Daniel Chapo, the presidential candidate for Mozambique’s ruling party Frelimo, participated in last week’s general election. Preliminary results released on Wednesday indicate that Frelimo is leading in all 11 provinces, positioning Chapo as the likely next president. However, election observers have expressed concerns about the integrity of the poll, stating it fell short of international standards. Reports of disorganized counting, poorly sealed ballot boxes, vote buying, inflated voter rolls, and intimidation have emerged. Opposition parties have alleged fraud, with at least one calling for a nationwide strike on Monday and another planning to contest the results in court. Frelimo has been in power since Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and has faced persistent accusations of election rigging, which the party denies. Final results are expected on October 24.

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Egypt, Spain renew calls for ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon

Egypt /

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Spanish counterpart José Manuel Albares Bueno renewed calls for cease-fires in Gaza and Lebanon during a meeting in Cairo on Wednesday, October 16. Abdelatty emphasized that true security and peace cannot be achieved without addressing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, stating, “There is no security or stability in this region without the establishment of a Palestinian state.” Albares echoed the sentiment, advocating for an “immediate permanent cease-fire in Gaza and a truce in Lebanon,” stressing that Spain, along with Egypt and other international partners, has consistently called for these measures since the outbreak of violence. Spain is one of three European countries to have recognized Palestine as a state and has recently urged the EU to reconsider its trade relations with Israel. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also called for an end to arms exports to Israel.

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Niger renames streets, squares from French colonial era

Africa /

Niger replaced on Wednesday the names of streets and public squares inherited from the French colonial era with those of prominent African historical figures. The renaming, initiated by the Ministry of Youth and Culture, saw streets and squares in the nation’s capital of Niamey given new names. The locations had long carried names that reminded the public of the hardships and suffering endured under colonial rule, according to Youth and Culture Minister Amadou Abdourahaman. Among the changes, a boulevard previously named after former French President Charles De Gaulle was rechristened as Djibo Bakary Boulevard in recognition of Bakary’s pivotal role in Niger’s independence. In another symbolic gesture, the engraved portrait of French commander Parfait-Louis Monteil on a stone wall in Niamey was removed and replaced with the image of Thomas Sankara, the legendary revolutionary leader of Burkina Faso. Additionally, “Francophonie Square” was renamed the “Alliance of Sahel States Square” to honor the alliance formed by Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. The changes follow another significant cultural shift in Niger. In June 2023, the country replaced its colonial-era national anthem, “La Nigerienne,” composed in 1961 by French composer Maurice Albert Thiriet, with “For the Honor of the Homeland (Pour l’honneur de la Patrie),” which celebrates Niger’s struggle against colonialism.

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Egypt, Saudi Arabia call for cease-fire in Gaza, Lebanon

Egypt /

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday called for “steps towards de-escalation” and a cease-fire in Gaza and Lebanon. During a meeting, the two leaders emphasized that “the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, is the only path to achieving sustainable ceasefire, peace, and security in the region,” said the Egyptian Presidency in a statement. Al-Sisi and bin Salman called for “steps towards de-escalation, including a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, as well as addressing the worsening humanitarian conditions, and halting policies that push the region to the brink of further conflict.” “Attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause would lead to the continuation of conflict in the region,” they pointed out. The two leaders also discussed several regional issues, with a focus on the security of the Red Sea region, as well as the situations in Sudan, Libya, and Syria. They agreed to form an Egyptian-Saudi Supreme Coordination Council and signed an agreement to encourage and protect mutual investments between the two countries, according to the statement. Earlier, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday upon arrival at Cairo airport. On Sept. 16, bin Salman met with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in Riyadh to discuss enhancing cooperation between the two countries. In June 2022, during a visit to Egypt, bin Salman held talks with Sisi during which they affirmed their shared stance and common destiny, culminating in the signing of 14 investment agreements. In November 2023, the Egyptian president and the Saudi crown prince met in Riyadh and called on the international community to intervene to halt Israeli military escalation in the Gaza Strip.

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ICC renews Congo probe into North Kivu crimes

Africa /

The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor announced on Monday the renewal of an investigation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on allegations of crimes committed in the conflict-ridden North Kivu province since early 2022. Eastern Congo has long been plagued by over 120 armed groups competing for control of the region’s gold and other resources, leading to mass killings and one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with more than 7 million people displaced and many lacking access to aid. The most prominent rebel group, M23, gained attention over a decade ago when it seized Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, near the Rwandan border. The group is named after a March 23, 2009, peace deal that it claims the Congolese government has failed to honor. In August, clashes between M23 and pro-government militias resulted in the deaths of 16 villagers, violating a cease-fire intended to aid the displaced population. The ICC initially opened its investigation in Congo 20 years ago amid ongoing armed conflict. Last year, the Congolese government requested an investigation into alleged crimes by armed groups in North Kivu since January 1, 2022. Prosecutor Karim Khan stated that the recent violence in North Kivu is linked to a long history of hostilities in the region since mid-2002, and therefore, these new allegations will be included in the ongoing investigation. Khan emphasized that the investigation will not focus on specific parties or groups, but will aim to independently and impartially assess the responsibility of all actors involved in crimes within the ICC’s jurisdiction. The ICC has previously convicted three rebels for crimes in the eastern Ituri region, including notorious warlord Bosco Ntaganda, known as “The Terminator,” who was found guilty of murder, rape, and sexual slavery. His 30-year sentence was upheld by appeals judges in 2021.

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Nigeria: More than 2 million people have been displaced due to flooding

Africa /

In Nigeria’s Kogi State, it has been reported that more than 2 million people have been displaced due to flooding. Umar Y. Mahmud, the Disaster Management Officer for the Red Cross in Kogi State, stated that the floods occurred in nine areas of the state as a result of the Niger and Benue rivers overflowing. Mahmud noted that the flooding has displaced over 2 million people and explained that rescue teams are assisting residents in evacuating to camps and villages. “The situation is currently very dire due to the rising Niger River,” he said. He also mentioned that approximately 150,000 hectares of land have been submerged due to the flooding. This year, about 300 people have lost their lives in Nigeria as a result of floods caused by heavy rainfall.

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