Politics

Uganda legislature defies critics, passes strict anti-LGBTQ law

Published

2 years ago

May 2, 2023

The legislature in Uganda has completed the passage of a law against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or queer persons.

The bill was passed weeks after Yoweri Museveni met with the lawmakers from his National Resistance Movement party, and is scheduled to begin law at 2 p.m. (1100 GMT) at the presidential palace.

The legislation included some of the strict measures passed in March, which was widely criticized by the international community, including the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, and big businesses.

The death penalty for so-called aggravated homosexuality and a 20-year sentence for “promoting” homosexuality is still included in the new bill’s provisions, which activists warn may criminalize any support for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people.

The speaker of the House, Anita Among, after a voice vote that followed less than a half-hour of debate, urged lawmakers to remain defiant in the face of international criticism, describing the bill as needed to protect Uganda’s children.

“Let’s protect Ugandans, let’s protect our values, our virtues. We have a culture to protect,” Among said. “The Western world will not come and rule Uganda.”

The law was changed to state that it is not illegal to simply identify as a member of the LGBTQ community. It also changed a law that required gay activities to be reported, so that it only did so when a child was present.

Politics

Mozambique’s top court affirms governing party’s victory in recent election

Published

10 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The highest court in Mozambique affirmed Monday that the incumbent Frelimo party won the October election, sparking widespread demonstrations from opposition parties who claim the vote was manipulated.

Fears of fresh bloodshed have been raised in the nation already shaken by weeks of fatal protests after Mozambique’s top electoral court mostly confirmed the results of the country’s contentious October elections, reinforcing the Frelimo party’s decades-long hold on power.

The final decision on the election process rests with the Constitutional Council. Mozambique, a nation of over 35 million people in Southern Africa that Frelimo has ruled since 1975, is expected to see more protests in response to its judgement.

Mozambique operates a framework of a semi-presidential representative democratic republic in a multi-party system. The president of Mozambique serves as both the head of state and the head of government.

The government exercises executive power. The administration and the Assembly of the Republic have the authority to enact laws.

Politics

Alliance of Sahel States opposes ECOWAS disengagement schedule

Published

11 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) withdrawal timeline has been rejected by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which is made up of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

The AES claims that the ECOWAS is attempting to destabilise their newly formed organisation.

During a meeting last week in Abuja, Nigeria, the regional organisation announced a six-month withdrawal period to give the three nations time to change their minds after their official departure date at the end of January 2025.

However, this decision is “nothing more than yet another attempt by the French and its auxiliaries to continue planning and carrying out destabilising actions against the AES,” according to the heads of state of the AES.

“This unilateral decision is not binding on the ESA countries,” the statement continues. Before the conference, they stated that their choice to leave the organisation was “irreversible.”

According to the president of the Ecowas Commission, this will be a “transition period” that ends on “July 29, 2025” to “keep the doors of Ecowas open.”

The three nations accused the bloc of neglecting to assist them in resolving their domestic security challenges and of imposing “inhumane and irresponsible” sanctions related to the coup.

The three nations that were involved in the coup have mostly rejected ECOWAS’ attempts to undo their withdrawal. They are creating their alliance and have begun thinking about how to issue travel passports independently of ECOWAS.

It is anticipated that they will finish giving their one-year notice of departure in January.

Visa-free travel to other ECOWAS members is a significant perk of membership, and it is unclear how this would alter after the three nations exit the group.