Africa

DR Congo calls for sanctions against Rwanda

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The president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) on Wednesday called on the international community to impose targeted sanctions on Rwanda for allegedly supporting M23 rebel group. In his address to the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, Felix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of “destabilizing” eastern Congo, where M23 rebels are fighting government forces. “The situation in eastern DR Congo is of particular concern. The resurgence of the M23 terrorist group has caused an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with nearly 7 million people internally displaced,” he said. There was no immediate reaction from Rwanda. DR Congo and Western countries accuse Rwanda of backing the M23, one of the rebel groups fighting in eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since its resurgence in 2021, a claim Kigali consistently denies. Kigali, in turn, accuses Kinshasa of harboring Rwandan rebels – the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), whose goal is to overthrow the Rwandan government. A recent cease-fire brokered by Angolan President Joao Lourenco has not been fully implemented, with fighting reported between government troops and M23 rebels in North Kivu province. Last month, the Congolese military accused M23 rebels of violating the cease-fire after fighting erupted. DR Congo has been plagued by violence orchestrated by different armed groups for nearly three decades. More than 900,000 people were recently displaced in the three eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri during the first four months of this year, according to the UN.

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Ramaphosa  calls for vaccine deployment against mpox in Africa

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 South Africa’s president on Tuesday called for the urgent deployment of vaccines and medical counter-measures to combat the growing threat of mpox, particularly in Africa. Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the dangers posed by pandemics and endemics, including mpox, which has been spreading rapidly across the continent. “Pandemics and endemics cause a serious threat to us all,” he said. “We are concerned by the spread of mpox across the world, and Africa in particular. We urge the international community to mobilize vaccine stockpiles and other medical countermeasures for deployment where they are most needed,” he added. The outbreak of mpox has raised alarms across several African nations due to its rapid spread and the vulnerability of healthcare systems. The call for vaccines comes as international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, work to coordinate efforts to contain the virus. The Africa CDC recently warned about a worrying upward trend of mpox cases across the continent, stressing that the disease is not yet under control across Africa. Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa CDC, last Thursday said that compared to the same period last year, there has been a 177% and 38.5% increase in the number of mpox cases and deaths, respectively, across 15 African nations. Africa has recorded more than 29,000 cases and 738 deaths this year, according to the latest data from the Africa CDC.

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Botswana hosts talks on elephant trade

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Botswana is hosting representatives from 33 African elephant range states to discuss the trade in live elephants and develop a unified approach to elephant population management. Environment and Tourism Minister Nnaniki Makwinja emphasized the need for a collective voice, acknowledging the diverse challenges faced by different regions. “While we recognize that solutions are not one-size-fits-all, we urge countries to collaborate before implementing measures that could hinder wildlife conservation efforts,” Makwinja stated at the opening of the four-day meeting. Previous talks in Panama highlighted divisions among African nations regarding elephant management. Southern African countries seek relaxed trade measures, while regions like Eastern and Western Africa advocate for stricter regulations. Conservation scientist Dan Challender noted that while the meeting offers a platform for dialogue, achieving consensus on all issues may be challenging due to varying elephant populations and policies across the continent. Local conservationist Isaac Theophilus expressed hope that delegates opposing elephant trade would engage with communities affected by human-wildlife conflict to gain a better understanding of the issues. Veterinarian Dr. Eric Verreynne pointed out the logistical hurdles of transporting elephants, stressing the complexity and cost involved, especially when relocating family groups. Currently, Africa’s elephant population stands at approximately 415,000, with over half residing in southern Africa.

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Nigeria advocates for permanent African seat on UN security council

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Nigeria has joined the growing call among African leaders for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council. During the 79th U.N. General Assembly in New York, Nigerian Defense Minister Mohammed Badaru emphasized that such a change would enhance fairness and inclusivity. “Having participated in 41 different U.N. missions globally, Africa deserves a permanent seat on the Security Council for justice and equity,” he stated. Other African leaders are echoing this sentiment. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa recently remarked that relying on a select few for global security is “unjust and unsustainable.” Kenyan President William Ruto also criticized the current multilateral system as inadequate. Historically, many African nations were still under colonial rule when the Security Council was established. In 2005, the African Union adopted the Ezulwini Consensus, advocating for at least two permanent and five non-permanent seats for Africa on the council. Currently, the U.N. General Assembly elects five new members for two-year terms, with Africa holding three rotational seats on the 15-member council. Patrick Agbambu, founder of Security Watch Africa Initiative, noted that Africa’s lack of unity is a major barrier to securing representation. “Without a united front, Africa cannot effectively advocate for a permanent seat,” he said, highlighting the divisions within the African Union. Recently, the United States, a permanent member of the Security Council, expressed openness to two African seats, though without veto power. Security analyst Senator Iroegbu acknowledged the need for African representation but cautioned that it won’t resolve all issues. “Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation with significant economic potential, is well-positioned, but Security Council membership alone won’t ensure stability unless underlying issues are addressed,” he said.

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WHO reports almost 30,000 suspected mpox cases in Africa

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A recent World Health Organization report reveals nearly 30,000 suspected mpox cases in Africa since the beginning of the year, primarily concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring Burundi. The report also indicates over 800 deaths linked to suspected mpox during this period. Following the declaration of a public health emergency by the WHO’s director general, this outbreak represents the organization’s highest alert level. Outside Africa, a few cases have been confirmed in countries such as Sweden and Pakistan. Although the virus was first identified decades ago, it has evolved, making human-to-human transmission more efficient. Vaccination efforts against the virus are set to begin in the Democratic Republic of Congo on October 2nd.

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Burundi implement safety measures for Mpox

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According to UNICEF, children aged 5 to 19 make up 33 percent of mpox cases in Burundi. As the new academic year begins, schools and parents are taking this data seriously. At a school in western Burundi, staff are implementing measures to protect both students and themselves. The director of the ‘Les Petits Trésors’ school stated, “When they line up in front of the flag, they must keep their distance to avoid touching each other, and handwashing is mandatory.” In recent weeks, Burundi has seen a more than 40 percent increase in mpox cases, with hundreds reported since July. Meanwhile, neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo is also experiencing a rise in mpox cases. The World Health Organization recently noted that suspected cases in the DRC account for a significant portion of the nearly 30,000 cases recorded across Africa this year. In August, the WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency in parts of Africa. Beyond the continent, a few cases have also been confirmed in countries like Sweden and Pakistan.

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Tunisians protest against president Said amid electoral tensions

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For a second week, crowds of Tunisians took to Tunis’ main avenue to denounce president Kais Saied, not long before the presidential election on October 6th. They’re accusing him of reinforcing authoritarian rule and suppressing political competition.  The demonstration, which took place amid a heavy police protest, comes after lawmakers put forward a bill that would take away the administrative court’s power to adjudicate electoral disputes. The opposition insists that this would discredit the upcoming election, and lay the groundwork for Saied to clinch another term in office.  Earlier this month, the country’s electoral commission rejected a court ruling reinstating three presidential candidates, in what critics say is another example of Saied stamping out competition.  The president has denied accusations that he is using the electoral commission and judiciary to ensure a victory in October. Rather, he says he is waging a battle against traitors and the corrupt.  Political tensions in Tunisia have been on the rise since 2021, when Saied started to rule by decree. The opposition has called this move a ‘coup’.

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Somalia receives military aid from Egypt amid tensions

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Somalia received a large consignment of military equipment on Monday from Egypt amid tensions with a breakaway territory of the East African country.  An Egyptian military cargo ship docked at the port of Mogadishu accompanied by a small warship which provided escort and security. The shipment is the largest since the UN arms embargo was lifted last December. The military aid included heavy artillery and anti-tank weapons, according to local media. The Somali government has not explicitly confirmed or denied the military aid, but Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, who visited Mogadishu’s seaport on Monday, thanked Egypt. “Somalia has passed the stage where they were dictated to and awaited the affirmation of others on who it will engage with,” Nur said in a brief statement on X. He added that Mogadishu knows its “own interests, and we will choose between our allies and our enemies.” The military supplies come amid tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over Addis Ababa’s sea access deal with Somalia’s breakaway territory of Somaliland. The region has expressed grave concern over the supply of heavy weapons to Somalia by Egypt, which it said jeopardizes the security of a region already facing complex security challenges. It said the unchecked proliferation of arms in an already fragile environment heightens the risk of an arms race, with various factions likely seeking to acquire their own stockpiles to safeguard their interests.

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Ghana police arrest protesters over economic mismanagement

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Ghana’s police have arrested dozens of demonstrators in the capital protesting against perceived economic mismanagement by the government. The crowds also expressed concerns over illegal mining practices that damage the environment. Police accused some protesters of attacking officers and pledged a strong response to those involved. A police spokesperson claimed the gatherings were unlawful and led to clashes. However, Democracy Hub, the group organizing the three-day protest, accused the police of attacking peaceful protesters. Oliver Barker Vormaw, a convenor for the group, stated, “We’ve contacted our lawyers regarding today’s actions. We’re warning everyone about potential random arrests.” The demonstrations come as Ghana prepares for its presidential election in December, with the country’s financial situation weighing heavily on voters. The nation is slowly recovering from a severe financial crisis in 2022 that pushed inflation to 54 percent.

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