Metro

Pan-African lawyers seek release of detained South Sudanese activist

Published

2 years ago

March 4, 2023

A group of African lawyers, under the aegies of “Pan-African Lawyers Union,” has called for the immediate release of a South Sudanese rights activist, Morris Mabior, who was allegedly arrested by security forces last month from his family’s home in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.

The Union, on Friday, filed a complaint against the Kenyan and South Sudanese governments in connection with the disappearance of Mabior.

According to the Union, the family of Mabior believes he was forcibly deported to South Sudan, where he was an outspoken critic of official abuses and corruption.

The Chief Executive Officer of the lawyers’ body, Donald Deya, while addressing journalists in Nairobi, said the union filed a complaint at the East African Court of Justice for the “unlawful abduction and rendition of the South Sudanese refugee.”

“So for us, what we are going for is a court order for the same that he be produced immediately and be medically examined and that he be released and if not, he should be immediately charged if there is any offense of which they are holding him, immediately be charged in a court of law where his rights will be able to be protected,” Deya said.

Mabior was allegedly seized from his home in Nairobi on February 4 by men dressed in Kenya’s police uniform.

His sister-in-law, Ajak Mayen, said Mabior was targeted because he criticized the South Sudanese security sector and bad governance.

“He was talking about human rights violations and all these corruption cases, especially how the national security is running their affairs, the disappearances of people, the assassinations and all the corruption,” Mayen said.

“He started mentioning names and you know we don’t have that freedom of expression. So, if you expose someone in power, they will immediately come after you.”

Mabior’s disappearance has also been condemned by local
and international human rights organizations, while urging the authorities of both Kenya and South Sudan to immediately release him.

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Metro

Nigeria ranks 7th with international students’ enrolment in US

Published

2 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A report released by the United States Embassy in Abuja has reveals that Nigeria is currently ranked seventh on the list of countries with international students enrolment in U.S. colleges and universities.

The report which was released on Tuesday, puts international students enrollment this year at a record-breaking 1,126,690, with Nigerian students’ enrolment rising to 20,029 students in 2023/2024.

The report titled, “2024 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange” indicated a 13.5 percent increase from the previous year, placing Nigeria as Africa’s leading source of international students and 7th globally.

The Open Doors Report is an annual publication of the Institute of International Education (IIE) in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

“This milestone aligns with the 75th anniversary of the Open Doors Report, the leading benchmark for international educational exchange in the United States,” the report said.

“Notably, Nigeria with 20,029 students, reinforces its position as the top sending country from Africa and the seventh largest globally.

“Nigerian students bring a wealth of diversity, perspectives, and academic excellence to U.S. universities, enriching the educational experience for all students.

“Nigerian scholars are known for their strong academic backgrounds and commitment to advanced education, with over 55% pursuing graduate-level studies in the United States.

“The growth in Nigerian students choosing to study in the U.S. reflects both the strong U.S. commitment to high-quality education and the growing interest of Nigerian scholars in international academic experiences.

“It also highlights the importance of people-to-people connections that deepen understanding and strengthen bonds between Nigeria and the United States.”

Metro

Catholic bishops in Zambia decry ‘shrinking democratic space’, hounding of opposition parties

Published

22 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has decried what it describes as a shrinking and deteriorating democratic environment, marked by the arrests and prolonged detention of opposition leaders.

In a letter signed and issued by all 11 Catholic Bishops in Zambia in Lusaka on Sunday, the clerics lamented that at least six opposition leaders were currently facing charges linked to their political activities, highlighting what they termed as a significant restriction of democratic freedoms.

“We are gravely concerned by the shrinking democratic space in the country. For example, about six or more opposition leaders are facing the law simply because of their participation in political activism,” the letter stated.

The Catholic Bishops called on the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) to ensure fairness in the political landscape.

“We urge the government to tolerate divergent views and promote democracy in the country,” they said.

The Bishops also condemned the prolonged detention of political figures, journalists, and other individuals without trial, asserting that such practices undermine democratic principles.

“Of concern is the detention of individuals, journalists, and opposition political leaders for expressing their views on governance issues,” the letter read.

The pastoral letter also criticized the UPND government for its use of derogatory language against the Church, referencing UPND Secretary-General Batuke Imenda’s labelling of Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda as “Lucifer.”

“The Church expected Mr. Imenda to apologize for his remarks, as they were not only an insult to Archbishop Banda but to the entire Catholic Church,” the Bishops emphasized.

The letter further condemned the deployment of police officers to the Cathedral of the Child Jesus, viewing it as a form of intimidation.