Politics

Sudan shuts down internet, imposes lockdown Khartoum on October 25 coup anniversary

Published

2 years ago

October 25, 2022

The Sudanese military authorities have shut down internet services as well as imposing a total lockdown on the capital, Khartoum, as the country marks the anniversary of the October 25 coup that toppled the transitional government of Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok.

The announcement which was contained in a government bulletin released on Tuesday, also declared a declared an official holiday in all government and private institutions while the authorities deployed reinforcements from the army and police in the central Khartoum area.

The measure was to forestall planned processions against military rule which the country has been facing every week since October 25 last year.

According to a human rights watchdog in the country, Net Blocks, most parts of the capital began experiencing internet disruption very early on Tuesday before the announcement was even made.

“Confirmed: Live metrics show a nation-scale internet disruption in Sudan.

“The incident comes amid planned pro-democracy protests on the first anniversary of the 25 Oct 2021 military coup that seized power from the transitional government,” the watchdog tweeted.

In a statement, the watchdog said the military authorities also closed all roads leading to the Presidential Palace and the General Command of the Army, the headquarters of the military.

“The authorities also announced the closure of all Nile bridges linking the central Khartoum area with the rest of the cities of the state, except for the Soba and Halfaya bridges,” it added.

In the statement published by state-owned news agency, the Khartoum State Security Committee, said it was keen “to protect the participants in peaceful processions and marches that express the will of the youth,” but noted that “the security services is working to save the lives and property of citizens.”

Sudan has been faced with a series of political crises since the coup as the country has not had a formal government with the current military junta led by Lt-Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, facing almost a daily dose of protests by youths and civil society groups opposed to the coup.

His bid to re-form a transitional government have fallen through as civilian movements reject any role for the military in the transitional government with only one demand which is for him to quit and the country returned to democratic rule.

In his first address after the coup, Al-Burhan had promised to “form a government of independent technocrats, achieve the requirements of justice and transition, and form a constitution-drafting commission.”

He also pledged to form an electoral commission, a council of the high judiciary, a constitutional court, and a parliament, and set the end of the month following the coup, last November.

But he has neither fulfilled nor kept to any of the promises he made, which had led to the political and economic situation in the country deteriorating while security has gone out of control in a number of states.

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Politics

Botswana’s new president wants swift resolution of De Beers diamond deal

Published

4 days ago

November 2, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Duma Boko, the recently elected president of Botswana, stated on Friday that he hoped to wrap up negotiations for a new sales agreement with the multinational diamond mining conglomerate, De Beers, as quickly as possible.

“The relationship with De Beers could have been damaged by the way the negotiations were handled,” President Boko said in a televised statement from Gaborone, Botswana’s capital. “The first thing that needs to be done is to engage the other party”.

The government’s portion of diamonds from the Debswana joint venture will progressively rise to 50% over the following ten years, according to a new diamond sales agreement reached last year by De Beers, a division of Anglo American.

Currently, De Beers purchases 75% of the production from Debswana Diamond Company, which is jointly controlled by Botswana and De Beers.

The agreement has not yet been signed, even though the Botswana government and the departing president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, praised its benefits Beers was “thinking about walking away, not signing at all… (a) very dangerous position to be in as a country,” according to Boko.

According to Boko, his new government wishes to communicate with De Beers to comprehend its issues.

“A proper negotiation involves compromise, where you get a bit of what you wanted, the other person gets a bit,” Boko said. “Then…you have a durable, sustainable agreement.”

As part of a larger reorganisation of its extensive operations, Anglo is developing a strategy to sell out De Beers. In July, Masisi stated that the Botswana government might increase its 15% stake in De Beers.A decline in worldwide demand has severely impacted diamond prices, just like it has for other luxury items. De Beers has been providing contracted clients with flexibility and limiting supply.

Politics

President Maisi concedes as Botswana’s ruling party loses 58-year reign

Published

5 days ago

November 1, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Following preliminary results showing his party lost its legislative majority by a landslide in this week’s election, Botswana’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, announced his party’s defeat on Friday, ending nearly 60 years in power.

The opposition coalition, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), held a sizable lead with over half of the constituencies reporting, placing its leader, attorney Duma Boko, in a strong position to win the presidency.

According to analysts, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has controlled the small southern African nation since gaining independence from Britain in 1966, was overthrown by growing socioeconomic dissatisfaction, especially among young people.

Botswana has always relied heavily on its diamond industry for revenue, but this year’s economic growth was severely hampered by a decline in the world diamond market, and unemployment increased to 28%.

According to results from 41 of the 61 constituencies up for election, the UDC had gained 26 seats in parliament, while the BDP had only three, according to state television. The president is chosen by the members of parliament.

Boko, who hasn’t made any public statements since the outcome, ran on a platform of increasing social grants and the minimum wage.

“Although I wanted to stay on as your president, I respect the will of the people and I congratulate the president-elect. I will step aside and I will support the new administration,” Masisi said at a press conference.

Small groups of supporters of the opposition celebrated in the streets of Gaborone, the capital, on Friday morning, which was peaceful.

“I did not ever think I would witness this change in my life,” said 23-year-old student Mpho Mogorosi. “The BDP had stayed too long in power and I am proud to be part of the people that removed them for a better Botswana.”

After South Africa’s African National Congress lost its legislative majority after 30 years in power and was compelled to form a coalition government, the BDP became the second long-ruling party in southern Africa to lose at the polls this year.

Later this month, elections will be held in neighbouring Namibia, where the SWAPO party, which has ruled since 1990, is anticipated to face fierce opposition.

“The outcome of Botswana’s elections should serve as a warning to long-time ruling parties across southern Africa and beyond that without economic progress and employment opportunities, political dominance will falter,” said Zaynab Hoosen, an Africa analyst at Pangea-Risk.