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Central African Republic journalist on the run after open letter to President

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A prominent journalist and government critic in Central African Republic, Ben Wilson Ngassan, has reportedly gone on the run after threats to his life following an open letter he addressed to President Faustin Archange Touadera, accusing him of being “obsessed with power.”

According to media sources in the country, Ngassan went into hiding three days after he sent the letter to President Touadera at the end of a national dialogue many described as a “sham.”

At the dialogue, among many things, it was resolved that the country’s constitution would be amended to enable the President stand for election for a third term, which brought widespread condemnation from the opposition and the media.

Ben Ngassan

Ben Ngassan

Ngassan was said to have gone into hiding when he discovered that he was being tracked by a certain Thierry Lebene, alias 12 Powers, reputed to be a hitman for the CAR President.

“Near where I live in reclusion, two black vehicles with tinted glasses and no number plates have been patrolling the area,” the embattled journalist said in a statement released from his hideout on Wednesday night.

“According to neighbours, this is strange because the vehicles are not owned by residents of the area and the said vehicles had not been seen in the vicinity in the past.

“For precautionary reasons, I am going to change my hideout while waiting to know more about the vehicles. I want to make it clear of the perpetual security danger facing me.

“Being the young man that I am and assisted by another youth of the same generation like me, I am not really secure. I however continue to hang on to a high moral in spite of all. This is a red alert.

“Since March 27, 2022, I have been the target of threats and intimidation by militia of the regime. My life is in danger,” Ngassan wrote.

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Kenya’s Ruto wants global support for Haiti

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Kenya’s President William Ruto wants the United Nations Security Council to officially support the mission to the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti.

Kenya, an East African powerhouse, is active in Haiti, and recently announced it was ready to be part of a multinational force. It committed to deploy 1,000 police officers to the country and  “accepted to positively consider leading a Multi-National Force to Haiti.”

Ruto, during his address, insisted that the Caribbean country “deserves better from the world.” “Kenya is ready to play its part in full, and join with a coalition of other nations of goodwill – and there are many— as a great friend and true sibling of Haiti,” Ruto said while addressing world leaders.

Haiti begged for assistance last year to fight off vicious gangs that had largely taken over the city of Port-au-Prince.

According to diplomats, the council might vote on a U.S.-drafted resolution endorsing the deployment of international police as early as next week.

U.N. peacekeepers were deployed to Haiti in 2004 after a rebellion led to the ouster and exile of then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Peacekeeping troops left in 2017 and were replaced by U.N. police, which left in 2019.

Haiti has been without any elected representatives since January and countries across the world have been cautious about supporting the unelected administration of Prime Minister Ariel Henry who has argued that fair elections cannot be held with the current insecurity.

Violent crimes, including kidnappings for ransom, armed robberies, and carjacking are prevalent in the country.

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Sudan: One country, two UNGA addresses, as armed factions stake claim

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The ongoing civil war in Sudan played out on the global scene at the United Nations General Assembly as heads of rival military factions gave competing addresses at the world meeting on Thursday.

Clashes between the army under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s transitional government’s Sovereign Council, and army troops loyal to General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the council’s deputy leader who controls the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have led to the destruction of facilities.

The conflict, which broke out in Khartoum in mid-April and extended to other regions of the country, including the western area of Darfur, displacing more than 5 million people and posing a threat to the region’s stability, was blamed on both sides.

Army chief, al-Burhan urged the international community to label the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as a terrorist organisation and to take action against its financiers outside of Sudan’s borders while speaking from the stage at UN headquarters in New York.

On the other hand, RSF leader, Dagalo, known as Hemedti, in a rare video recording from an undisclosed location, said that his forces were fully prepared for a ceasefire and comprehensive political talks to end the conflict. Hemedti has primarily communicated recently through audio messages, and his whereabouts have been a subject of conjecture.

“Today we renew our commitment to the peaceful process to put a halt to this war,” Hemedti said. “The RSF are fully prepared for a ceasefire throughout Sudan to allow the passage of humanitarian aid … and to start serious and comprehensive political talks.”

Repeated declarations of a ceasefire by both the army and the RSF, as well as claims that they are looking for a resolution to the war have not been able to halt the carnage and the worsening of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

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