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Fresh clashes erupt in DRC despite de-escalation pact with Rwanda

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The United Nations Refugees Agency has reported fresh clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo despite a de-escalation treaty signed by President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame on Wednesday.

The UN agency in a statement on Friday, said clashes broke out in eastern DRC on Thursday between the country’s military and the M23 rebels a day after a bilateral agreement to de-escalate diplomatic tensions over the rebellion.

Kagame and Tshisekedi had met in Luanda, Angola, on Wednesday and agreed on a plan which included an immediate cessation of hostilities and the retreat of M23 fighters from Congo but a day later, fresh clashes were reported in the region.

Spokesman for the M23 rebel, Willy Ngoma, while reacting to the Luanda agreement, described it as “an illusion”, saying “only the M23 can sign the ceasefire with the government.”

According to the UN, the fresh clashes took place around the localities of Kanyabusoro and Kazuba in Rutshuru territory in East DRC, which pushed residents to flee their homes in their hundreds.

The Refugees agency said hours after the agreement, there was an exchange of fire after Congolese troops attacked a rebel position around Kanyabusoro.

The two countries have been engaged in a series of accusations and counter-accusations with the DRC accusing Rwanda of giving support to the Tutsi dominated M23 group, an accusation Kigali has vehemently denied.

On its part, Kigali has also accused Kinshasa of its military giving support to an armed group intent on overthrowing the Kagame administration.

Metro

Following backlash, Nigerian govt withdraws treason charges against minors

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The Nigerian government has officially withdrawn the treason charges it entered against some minors who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protest that spread across the country from August 1 to the 10th.

The nation was thrown into shock on Friday when the Nigeria Police presented 76 protesters at the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges bordering on treason. Among the suspects were four minors who slumped before they could be arraigned before the court.

This caused serious uproar in the country with Nigerians condemning the government and calling for the unconditional release of the kids and the dismissal of the charges against them.

The decision to withdraw the charges against the underage accused came following a directive by President Bola Tinubu who ordered the immediate withdrawal of the charges and an in-depth investigation into what led to the arrest and detention of the minors.

Tinubu had also ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN) to officially take over the case file as well as review the cases following public outcry that came with the arraignment of the minors.

The charges were finally withdrawn on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja through an application for discontinuance filled by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar, on behalf of the AGF.

According to Abubakar, the discontinuance application was based on provisions of sections 174(1), (b) and (c) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015.

The DPPF also applied for further proceedings to be conducted without the presence of the minors in the courtroom, in line with provisions of Section 266(b) of the ACJA, 2015, and Section 1 of the Childs’ Rights Act.

In response, human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Fanala (SAN), who stood in for the accused as well as other defence lawyers in the matter, did not oppose the applications which promoted the judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, to strike out the charges, while the four affected minors were also delisted from the charge sheet.

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Zambia: President Hichilema urges traditional leaders to invoke rainmaking powers amid drought

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Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, has called on traditional leaders to call upon their rainmaking powers by praying for rain as the nation continues to face the menace of drought.

Hichilema, who made the plea while speaking during the Shikaumpa traditional ceremony of the Ila people in Namwala on Sunday, expressed hope for divine intervention and sufficient rains.

“We pray that this year, God will give us rains, sufficient rains, so we can grow more food, so we can take care of the things, the assets that we keep,” the President stated.

He noted that he was informed of certain chiefs known for their rainmaking abilities, including Senior Chief Mwamba of Northern Province, Chief Sailunga of North-Western Province and Mwami Monze from the Southern Province and urged them to use their powers to invoke rain, adding that the chiefs should continue their prayers for rain, believing that “God will hear our cry.”

The President also encouraged not only the chiefs but also the churches and the entire nation to join in prayers for rain.

“All of us, the churches, everybody, we must pray for rains so that we can take care of God’s people properly,” he said.

The head of state further urged farmers to intensify efforts at planting crops and maximizing their harvest for national food security once the rain comes.

The drought in Zambia in recent
seasons have left 84 districts severely impacted, leading to food shortages and a worsening electricity deficit due to low water levels.

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