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Hundreds of Al-Shabaab militants killed in fresh operations – Somali government says

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The Somali government has confirmed that its soldiers killed over 350 al-Shabaab militants and injured dozens in renewed offensives backed by international partners and local clan militias in different operations in the country’s turbulent south and central regions.

According to Somali officials in a statement on Saturday, the Somali National Army carried out operations in Hiiraan in Hirshabelle State, Mudug in Galmudug State and lower Jubba region in Jubaland State.

Also at a news conference in Mogadishu, Somalia’s Deputy Information Minister, Abdirahman Yusuf Adala, said in one area of Hirshabelle, more than 200 al-Shabab militants were killed by soldiers.

“The Somali National Army, with the help of the local clan forces and international partners, killed over 200 al-Shabab terrorists in the Iji area alone, about 23 kilometers from the Mahaday district in the Middle Shabelle region on Thursday.”

“Also, the joint forces recovered weapons and supplies of medicine and foodstuff from the militants,” Adala said.

“Four militant commanders were killed and a number of others with injuries were taken into custody.”

“In the Mudug of central Galmudug state, in the town of Bacadweyne, more than 70 militants were killed in three days of fighting between al-Shabab and government soldiers backed by armed residents.”

“In another operation in Af’ad village between Jalalaqsi and Bulobarde in the neighboring Hiran region on Wednesday, at least 70 militants were killed.”

“A large number of armed militants crossed the Shabelle River and dug trenches in the Af’ad area.”

“The joint forces responding to the militants’ movement launched military operations in which 72 militants were killed, and weapons were seized.”

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The Nigerian government has officially withdrawn the treason charges it entered against some minors who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protest that spread across the country from August 1 to the 10th.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