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Egypt's highest civilian court has upheld death sentences for 12 senior Muslim Brotherhood figures over a 2013 sit-in which ended with security forces killing protesters.
Nationwide protests have taken place since October 7 despite the disbanding of the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) police unit.
The demonstrators have been accused of attacking police stations and personnel.
The rallies which are mostly attended by young people have become avenues to vent against corruption and unemployment.
Rights groups say at least 15 people have been killed the demonstrations began in early October.
Guinea's main opposition candidate Cellou Dalein Diallo arrived in the capital Conakry on Thursday ahead of this weekend's election, greeted by hordes of animated supporters.
The city had earlier resounded to the sound of car horns as supporters of President Alpha Conde, who is seeking a controversial third term on Sunday, whisked through the city in a motorcade.
After about a week of combative campaigning, the 82-year-old president himself returned to the capital on Wednesday amid heightened political tension in the West African state.
Conde's re-election bid comes after he pushed through a constitutional referendum in March, which he argued would modernise the country, but which allowed him to bypass a two-term limit for presidents.
Opposition to this triggered mass protests from last October, sparking a massive crackdown by security forces and claiming dozens of lives.
Rights groups are increasingly critical of Conde, whom they say is veering towards authoritarianism.
Diallo's motorcade proceeded through streets thronged with supporters wearing the green and white colours of his party Thursday, while a swarm of motorbike riders driving ahead of the opposition leader slalomed between the supporters.
\"We're tired, we want change,\" said unemployed mechanic Balde Mamadou Oury, 35.
Twelve candidates are contesting Sunday's election in total. However most think only Conde and Diallo are serious contenders.
After decades as an opposition activist, Conde became Guinea's first democratically-elected president in 2010 and won re-election in 2015.
Diallo, 68, now Guinea's leading opposition politician, was formerly a prime minister under authoritarian leader Lansana Conte.
After months of tension between the pair, Guineans interviewed by AFP expressed fears of potential violence on election day and the period that follows.
Clashes between Conde and Diallo supporters have wounded several people in different parts of the country in recent days.
'Hate speech'
Kabinet Fofana, a Guinean political scientist, warned there was a danger one of the candidates would not accept the outcome of the election.
\"A major difficulty is the question of recognition, acceptance of the results of the ballot boxes,\" he said.
The outcome of Guinea's poll is likely to resonate further afield too, kicking off a string of elections this year across West Africa.
Activists are concerned that a win for Conde would bode ill for democratic norms in the region.
Aside from the third presidential term, Guinea's election campaign has been marked by fears of increased ethnic tensions in the diverse country.
For example, Conde - who normally speaks French when addressing the nation - last month told voters in the Malinke language that backing an opposition Malinke candidate amounted to voting for Diallo.
Politics in Guinea are mostly drawn along ethnic lines. President Conde's party is largely backed by Malinke people, and Diallo's UFDG by Fulani people, although both insist that they are pluralist.
Against a back
By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer TOKYO (AP) — A coalition of 180 rights group on Wednesday called for a boycott of next year's Beijing Winter Olympics tied to reported human rights abuses against ethnic minorities in China. The games are to open in one year, on Feb. 4, 2022, and are set to go forward despite the pandemic. The coalition is composed of groups representing Tibetans, Uighurs, Inner Mongolians, residents of Hong Kong and others. The group has issued an open letter to governments calling for a boycott of the Olympics 'to ensure they are not used to embolden […]
The post Rights groups call for boycott of Beijing 2022 Winter Games appeared first on Black News Channel.
She is the youngest inaugural poet in recent history.
KwaZulu-Natal Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Bheki Ntuli has died of Covid-19-related complications.
Online Writer Zanu PF Masvingo provincial Secretary for Information and Publicity and former Chiredzi North MP Ronald Ndava has died. Ndava died due to Covid-19 related complications at Chiredzi General Hospital where he had been admitted. In a statement, Masvingo minister of State and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira said he was appalled by Ndava's death. “Cde Ndava’s death is a heavy blow to the province of Masvingo and the entire nation. He has left a vacuum that will be difficult to fill. Ndava was a hardworking cadre, a businessman and a family man,” Chadzamira said. So far, three prominent Zanu PF members have died due to Covid-19, with Manicaland State and Devolution minister Ellen Gwaradzimba (60) who died on Friday becoming the second. In July last year, Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement minister Perrance Shiri also succumbed to the respiratory disease. Meanwhile, several Zanu PF members tested positive to Covid-19 among them, Tafadzwa Mugwadi (Zanu PF Director of Information and Publicity), Mary Mliswa-Chikoka (Hurungwe West MP and Mashonaland West Minister), and Obert Mpofu (secretary for administration). In August, twenty six Zanu PF employees were reported to have tested positive to Covid-19.
In a letter to SN of January 13 Dr. Kwesi Sansculotte-Greenidge pointed out the necessity and possibility of a political solution to Guyana’s ethno-political problems through constitutional restructuring.
The article Victimology and its narratives appeared first on Stabroek News.
In keeping with its aggressive agenda to develop the game of golf in Guyana, President of the Guyana Golf Association (GGA) and Nexgen Golf Academy, Aleem Hussain, has confirmed that the acquisition of land to establish the first of five uniquely designed golf courses was completed this week.
The article Nexgen Global acquires land for golf facility on West Coast Demerara appeared first on Stabroek News.
Authorities are investigating hundreds of people in connection with the deadly pro-Trump riot at the US Capitol. Some of the defendants are accused of bringing weapons to Capitol Hill. Others were photographed ransacking the building. Many are charged with unlawful entry or violent entry. Here's what we know about some of those who have been charged. Richard 'Bigo' Barnett Barnett, […]
The mob in the streets, the Republican mob in the Senate, and assorted police are partners in the coup at the Capitol. The glue holding this band of brothers together is Black disenfranchisement and a pledge to White Supremacy. Remember Tulsa, the Black Wall Street massacre of 1921. Police deputized White thugs to destroy this […]
The post White terrorism must be dismantled appeared first on Florida Courier.
Tanzania’s main opposition leader was attacked by unidentified assailants as he entered his home late at night, officials with his party said Tuesday, just months ahead of a general election and as opposition figures face alleged harassment.
Freeman Mbowe, the leader of the opposition in parliament and chairman of the Chadema party, was rushed to a health center for treatment after he was attacked overnight in Dodoma, the administrative capital, Dodoma Regional Police Commander Gilles Murotto told reporters.
A climate of fear has grown in the East African nation, rights groups and critics say, as President John Magufuli seeks a second term in the October election that shows no sign of being delayed despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Chadema secretary-general John Mnyika said the attack was reminiscent of one in 2017 when former opposition legislator Tundu Lissu was shot by unknown gunmen at his home in Dodoma.
Lissu has said he will challenge Magufuli for the presidency in October.
CAPE TOWN - The Correctional Services Department on Saturday said it was alarmed by the sharp rise in COVID-19 infections in prisons. There are currently more than 1,000 active cases at correctional centres across the country. On Saturday, the department confirmed 152 inmates and eight officials tested positive following a coronavirus outbreak at the Helderstroom Prison in Caledon. The facility has since been placed on lockdown. The Correctional Services Department said it bolstered its COVID-19 response in a bid to curb the spread of the virus at prisons nationwide. But at Helderstroom Prison, the number of coronavirus cases rose from 92 to 160 since Friday. The department's Singabakho Nxumalo, said, “It is currently under lockdown. We took that decision intentionally so that we could limit the number of people who could be exposed to the virus.' The department said it has an adequate supply of PPE but was looking at rolling out full protective gear as more officials across the country are falling ill. 'We have sufficient PPE across all our centres across the country, but we take nothing for granted and we monitor the stock on a daily basis.' Nxumalo said for now the situation was under control. - Eyewitness News
NATIONAL Constitutional Assembly (NCA) leader Lovemore Madhuku has warned fellow opposition leaders against entrusting the ruling Zanu PF with the role of promoting constitutionalism. BY MOSES MATENGA Madhuku, who has often been described by critics as pro-Zanu PF, told NewsDay on Saturday that he was recently disappointed when President Emmerson Mnangagwa disregarded contributions made by members of the Political Actors’ Dialogue regarding proposed amendments to the Constitutional Bill Amendment No 2. Madhuku, as chair of the Polad sub-committee on governance and legislative agenda, said they submitted a number of key recommendations which were largely ignored by the ruling party. “As NCA we are still very much opposed to the Bill. As a party we will continue to demonstrate to the voters that Zanu PF is not a party to entrust with the promotion of constitutionalism,” Madhuku said. “As Polad sub-committee chair on governance and legislative agenda, I am heartbroken that the government has rejected our recommendations. However, I accept that Polad can only recommend, leaving it to the government to accept or reject. Polad has done its part.” Mnangagwa has proposed 27 amendments to the Constitution adopted by a popular vote in 2013. Among the proposed amendments is the scrapping of the contentious running mate clause to give the President sweeping powers to appoint his deputiaes. Rights groups view the proposed changes as meant to consolidate the President’s powers, whittling down powers of Parliament and other arms of the State. Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has already brought the Bill before Parliament for the second reading after public hearings were fast-tracked under cover of COVID-19 lockdown. Madhuku said despite the frustrations, Polad would continue engaging the ruling party on other reform agendas including electoral reforms. “Polad is not just about the Constitutional Amendment Bill,” he said. “Polad has lost on the Constitutional Amendment Bill but we will continue fighting outside Polad. “We will remain in Polad for other issues that our sub-committee is working on such as electoral reforms. We hope to succeed in those other areas. It will take time for Zanu PF to appreciate the value of a dialogue platform such as Polad.”
With President Irfaan Ali’s announcement of a plan to build 1,000 homes in Region 10, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon on Friday said that the main opposition coalition APNU+AFC will hold the government accountable for delivering on the promise.
The article APNU+AFC to hold gov’t accountable on promised homes for Region 10 -Harmon appeared first on Stabroek News.
Museveni took power in 1986 and is one of Africa's longest serving presidents. He has been accused of sticking to power for a long time, allegations he squashed aside in his victory speech.
On this realisation, two Nairobi-based innovators, Ms Bente Krogmann and Mr Chris Osore, came up with the idea of a mobile app towards the end of 2019, with the ultimate goal of revolutionising customer experience and eliminating the voluminous paperwork in the insurance ecosystem, and reaching the underserved.
Together, the business partners have concocted mTek, an app that allows users to select insurance services from various underwriters such as ICEA Lion, GA Insurance, Mua Insurance, Mayfair, Madison, Resolution and AAR.
Contrary to traditional insurance cover registration that takes several days and requires too many photocopies of identity documents in paper form, registering on the app takes a maximum of 6 minutes.
He adds that the number of questions are fewer compared to those found in regular insurance registration processes, as only relevant ones are asked on the app, and that reduces the time you spent on the app, giving you time for other activities.
\"Also the payment from clients done from within the app goes to the underwriter directly which is line with the Insurance Act.\"
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday defended State security agents’ recent brutal clampdown on protesters, saying they were simply enforcing COVID-19 lockdown regulations. Mnangagwa also dismissed allegations of presiding over gross human rights violations. BY MOSES MATENGA Addressing members of the Political Actors’ Dialogue (Polad) in Harare yesterday, Mnangagwa also insisted that “contrary to social media claims”, there was no crisis in the country. “My compatriots, it is in line with enforcing these measures that some sections of society have cried foul,” Mnangagwa said. He was referring to the July 31 anti-corruption protests which were foiled by security forces, attracting the wrath of the international community. “In the wake of the arrest of some elements whose actions sought to not only incite the public to gather against the set rules, but also bordering on subversive allegations of a crisis has been made mainly in social media circles.” Mnangagwa has come under global spotlight after several countries, churches and rights groups condemned his clampdown on dissenting voices, arbitrary arrests of opposition leaders and civic society activists as well as abduction and torture of civilians. The outcry over rights violations in Zimbabwe last month prompted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to deploy envoys on a fact-finding mission to Harare. Mnangagwa has, however, repeatedly denied that there is a crisis in the country and even accused his critics of working in cahoots with the opposition in a plot to overthrow his government. The Zanu PF leader yesterday said investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and opposition leaders Jacob Ngarivhume and Job Sikhala were arrested for violating COVID-19 regulations as well as inciting despondency in the country. “I wish to unequivocally state that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe as elections were held in July 2018 and a winner was declared in terms of the country’s Constitution. All contestants were invited to join this dialogue in the national interest. The door is still open for those outside,” Mnangagwa said in a jibe directed at his main challenger MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, who has steadfastly refused to recognise his victory. Chamisa has also declined to be part of Polad, insisting on “genuine dialogue” superintended by credible observers and at a neutral venue. On the contentious land compensation issue that has triggered anxiety in the ruling Zanu PF party, Mnangagwa said: “… the land reform programme is irreversible. To this end, there is no vacillation. The current processes with regards to land issues entail the implementation of provisions of our national Constitution.”
An Angolan soldier shot and killed a teenager during an operation to enforce face-mask wearing to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the government has said.
In a statement late on Friday, the ministry described the case as \"homicide\" and that it was investigating the incident.
On May 9, a 21-year-old man was \"accidentally\" shot when police clashed with a group of people caught flouting a curfew and a ban on social gatherings in Luanda's impoverished Huambo neighbourhood.
President Joao Lourenco declared a state of emergency in March, banning public gatherings and restricting movement to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Rights groups across the continent have denounced widespread incidents of violence by security officials enforcing anti-coronavirus restrictions.
Smoke billowed out of a garage in Eldoraigne, Gauteng on Saturday as multiple vehicles caught fire. Luckily, there were no serious injuries reported.
Parts of Table Mountain are now burning - and it seems our firefighting teams in Cape Town have a monumental task on their hands for Sunday.
In a year plagued by a pandemic that has disproportionately affected African Americans, and one rife with racial strife, MSNBC has named Rashida Jones the first Black person and Black woman president of the network. Jones, who easily becomes the most prominent woman in cable news, is scheduled to step into the top role on... [Read More]
Tanzania's main opposition party says attack on its chairman is politically-motivated.
Egyptian authorities on Saturday released a journalist working for Qatar’s Al Jazeera television network who was held in pre-trial detention for more than four years, his brother and a lawyer told Reuters. Mahmoud Hussein, an Egyptian detained in December 2016 after arriving in Cairo from Doha on vacation, was held on charges of spreading false news, joining a banned group and receiving foreign funds. He was released after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt agreed in January to restore diplomatic, trade and travel ties with Qatar, severed in 2017 over allegations that Qatar supported terrorism, a charge Doha denies. A Cairo court ordered Hussein’s release with “precautionary measures”, pending investigations on Feb. 1, his brother, Nageh Hussein, and lawyer Taher Abou al-Nasr told Reuters. Abou al-Nasr said prosecutors had not appealed against the decision, as they had against a similar decision in 2019. It was not immediately clear what the release conditions were but Nageh Hussein said his brother may have to spend several hours a week in a police station. Al Jazeera Media Network welcomed the news. “No journalist should ever be subjected to what Mahmoud has suffered for the past four years for merely carrying out his profession,” the TV network said in a statement on its website. A video posted by his brother on Facebook showed relatives and neighbours receiving him with hugs, chants and drums beating in his village near Cairo. Egypt freed three Al Jazeera journalists, an Australian, an Egyptian-Canadian and an Egyptian, in 2015 after more than one year in detention pending trial. The Committee to Protect Journalists has accused Egypt of putting journalists behind bars to muzzle dissent, saying that 27 were in prison as of late 2020. Egyptian authorities say legal action has only been taken against those who break the law. - Reuters
