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US places $10 million bounty for information on Somali al-Shabab leaders, finances

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The United States has placed a bounty of $10 million for information that will help trace leaders of the Somali al-Shabaab terrorist group as well as dismantling the finances of the al-Qaeda-aligned group as it steps up attacks on government forces and civilians in the Horn of Africa nation.

The US Department of State which announced the offer on Monday, said it was placing the reward for information on top al-Shabab leaders through its Rewards for Justice programme.

“Al-Shabaab is responsible for numerous terrorist attacks in Somalia, Kenya, and neighboring countries that have killed thousands of people, including US citizens,” the Department said in a statement.

“Washington is seeking information on al-Shabaab’s “Emir”, Ahmed Diriye; his second-in-command, Mahad Karate and Jehad Mostafa, an American citizen whom the State Department describes as a leader of the group’s foreign fighters and media wing and the highest-ranking terrorist with US citizenship fighting overseas.

“Somalia remains key to the stability and security in all of East Africa. The US Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to defeat al-Shabaab,” the statement reads.

The State Department has long linked Diriye to a 2020 attack on a military base in Kenya that killed one US soldier and two contractors.

The Rewards for Justice programme had previously offered up to $6m for information on Diriye, who is also known as Abu Ubaidah.

In the past few months, the al-Shabaab fighters have intensified attacks in Somalia as it has fights with government forces in different regions.

Early this month, the group carried out what was seen as the deadliest attack in years after a twin bombing at the Somali Ministry of Education killed over 500 people and wounded over 1,000 others.

The group’s renewed intense attacks came after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who took office in May, pledged an “all-out war” against the terrorists, which was followed by government troops and allied militias taking the fight to the militants and making gains against them.

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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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Tiinubu committed to easing hardship Nigerians are going through— Info Min, Idris

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Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has, once again, reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s dedication and commitment to easing the economic hardship of Nigerians as a result of the removal of fuel subsidies and other policies of the government.

Idris, who gave the assurance during a live radio programme on the Hausa service of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) titled, “Hannu Da Yawa,” said fuel subsidies primarily benefited a select few wealthy Nigerians to the detriment of the ordinary Nigerian masses.

The minister, however, emphasized that the Tinubu-led administration was working towards economic stability, even as the president had urged ministers to cut expenses by limiting official vehicles and personnel on assignments.

“President Tinubu is pointing out the need to change from the old ways of doing things in Nigeria,” Idris said.

He noted that the cost-saving measures, though seemingly small, are expected to make a significant impact.

He also stated that the recent renaming of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security reflects Tinubu’s commitment to addressing agricultural issues from multiple angles, particularly to improve food security.

On security, Idris said Tinubu’s administration has continued to acquire resources for security agencies and support personnel welfare, while consultations on establishing state police are ongoing.

Idris also urged Nigerians to responsibly use social media to portray the country positively, emphasizing collective responsibility in shaping Nigeria’s image.

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