Ex-Ivory Coast president Gbagbo launches new party, determines to stay in politics
Following Laurent Gbagbo acquittal by the International Criminal Court, he has launched a new political party and has declared to continue his stay in politics “until death “.
Gbagbo, who is a former president of Ivory Coast ruled between 2000-2011, and returned to Ivory Coast in June after being acquitted in 2019 by the Netherlands-based court on war crimes charges for his role in a civil war sparked by his refusal to concede defeat in an election. While declining comments from journalists, There a are speculations that his establishment of a new party, called the African People’s Party – Cote d’Ivoire” (PPA-CI), was a result of his intention to run in the 2025 presidential election.
Somalia’s president, prime minister agree to speed up election
Following a dispute between Somalia’s president and prime minister resolved a dispute over appointments to security bodies, allowing a stalled process to elect a new parliament and president, both political leaders have now agreed to resolve their differences, giving way for the progress of the stalled election.
The government spokesman said late on Thursday, the confrontation was resolved when the president put Roble in charge of security and organising the delayed elections. Somalia will choose a new president this month, which will in turn culminate into another indirect election process that would also select a parliament.
WHO issues plan to prevent sexual abuse after Congo scandal
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director General of the World Health Organization has vowed to ensure that the affair and the victims’ of sexual abuse would be “the catalyst for a profound transformation of WHO’s culture.” This comes after the report emerged that some 83 workers employed by WHO were involved in sexual exploitation and abuse during the country’s massive Ebola epidemic from 2018 to 2020, an independent commission said last month.
Other countries like the United States, have also shown interest, and have urged WHO to initiate a deeper external investigation demanding how the scandal was allowed to happen.
Nigeria seizes $11 million worth of amphetamine pills in shipment from Lebanon
Nigerian authorities have on Thursday seized about half a million amphetamine pills hidden in machinery at Lagos Apapa port. According to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the pills were 451,807 captagon tablets and were traced to have come from Lebanon. The NDLEA chairman, Marwa said the estimated worth was worth $11 million, or roughly 6 billion naira.
Kenya lifts COVID-19 curfew as infection rates ease, president says
Kenya authorities have on Wednesday lifted a nationwide curfew that has been in place since March 2020, According to President Uhuru Kenyatta, the lifting of the curfew is a result of a drop in infection rates, with less than 5% of tests each day proving positive.Data shows that The East African nation, which has a population of 54 million has received 7.5 million doses of vaccines so far and 4.5 million people have had at least one dose.
To ensure full Covid 19 recovery, Kenyatta promised a fill-and-finish plant for COVID-19 vaccines in Kenya by April next year. He also unveiled measures to boost the economy, including the procurement of fertiliser for farmers by the government.
Ghana president calls for tolerance as parliament considers anti-LGBT+ law
As Ghana’s parliament moves towards a vote on a controversial bill that would torally prohibit gay, bisexual or transgender, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has on Thursday reiterated the need for civil debate and tolerance.
Though Gay sex has already being criminalized and punishable with up to three years in jail in Ghana, but the new initiated bill would criminalize being LGBT+ or advocating for LGBT+ rights, and impose longer sentences. First reading of the bill already took place in August, but it is not yet clear when it will be debated by lawmakers.
Nigerian separatist leader Kanu denies terrorism charges in court hearing
Three months after a delayed trial, Nigerian separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu has on Thursday pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges in an Abuja court. The charges against Kanu were as a result of his advocacy for secession, knowingly broadcasting falsehoods about President Muhammadu Buhari, and membership of an outlawed group, which all culminated into the proscription Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organization. But Kanu, a British cum Nigerian citizen has filed charges claiming that he was illegally taken from Kenya and requested that he be repatriated to Britain.
Senegal securities apprehend traffickers, seizes 2 tonnes of cocaine off Atlantic coast
Senegalese securities has on Tuesday seized over two tonnes of pure cocaine from a ship off its Atlantic coast.
According to the statement released by the country’s Naval authorities, the 2,026 kg of cocaine was found on a ship which had five members aboard, 363 km (226 miles) off the coast by naval forces backed by air support from the French air force.
This is the second time in 2021, after authorities in neighbouring Gambia seized nearly three tonnes of cocaine in January from a shipment of industrial salt originating in Ecuador.
Guinea junta names figures from ousted administration as ministers
Guinea’s coup leaders have named their first line-up of government ministers, including a former general and three other figures who held posts under ousted president Alpha Conde.
Speaking on state TV on Thursday, spokesperson for the military junta said that former army officers Aboubacar Sidiki Camara,Bachir Diallo, Bachir Diallo were named transitional minister of defence, minister of security, and minister of environment respectively. Abdourahmane Sikhé Camara who had previously served as an adviser to the government was named Secretary General of the Government.
Central African Republic declares unilateral ceasefire in fight with rebels
President Faustin-Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic proclaimed a unilateral cease-fire against armed groups on Friday, saying he hoped it would lead to meaningful talks.
Since previous President Francois Bozize was deposed in 2013, the country has suffered periodic episodes of rebel warfare. Armed factions control significant swaths of land, and approximately a quarter of the country’s population of nearly 5 million has been displaced. On television, Touadera expressed his belief that the truce would assist protect people from violence while also allowing them access to humanitarian aid and essential amenities.
Writer, journalist, and legal researcher, Alafarika for Studies and Consultancy.