Connect with us

Politics

Sonko Conviction: UN, AU react amid unrest in Senegal 

Published

on

International bodies have added their voices to the ongoing unrest in Senegal. The United Nations and African Union on Friday called for calm following recent violent demonstrations.

The unrest follows reactions after opposition figure, Ousmane Sonko was found guilty of “corrupting young people” which consists of poaching or encouraging the debauchery of a young person under the age of 21, and sentenced to two years in prison.

The protests have also led to the death of twelve persons, and attacks on the homes of at least two of the president’s close aides.

Nine people were killed after Sonko, a popular opposition politician was sentenced to two years in prison, potentially ruling him out of the presidential elections in 2024.

Since Sonko’s arrest in 2021, approximately 30 civilians have been killed in unrest largely related to his legal ordeal.

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres condemned the violence and “urged all those involved to (…) exercise restraint”, a spokesman said.

Regional bloc, ECOWAS called on all parties to “defend the country’s laudable reputation as a bastion of peace and stability”.

In the same vein, the African Union said its commission president, Moussa Faki Mahamat, strongly condemned the violence and urged leaders to avoid acts which “tarnish the face of Senegalese democracy, of which Africa has always been proud.”

The situation has also caused reactions from rights group, Amnesty International which urged authorities to stop “arbitrary arrests” and lift restrictions on access to social networks. Others like football stars, Sadio Mane, and Serigne Mahi Ibrahim Niass have also called for calm.

Sonko was earlier in the year found guilty of libel and given a suspended two-month sentence. The sentence was later extended to six months on appeal. His legal travails are capable of threatening his ambition to run in the 2024 elections.

Politics

‘Big Brother’ Uganda to mediate between Somalia and Somaliland

Published

on

Uganda has revealed plans to play mediating role between its neighbour, Somalia and the breakaway region of Somaliland following the over three decade split between the countries.

According to a statement from the Ugandan government, President Yoweri Museveni decided to accept the position during a visit by Jama Musse Jama, a special representative from Somaliland, on Friday.

“President Museveni agreed to be the unification facilitator between Somaliland and Somalia,” it said.

Somalia and Somaliland are both inhabited basically by Somalis— with small Oromo minorities in both, and a large Swahili minority in the latter, as well as shared dominant religion and social values.

“We don’t support secession because strategically, it is wrong,” Museveni was quoted in the statement as telling the envoy.

Although Somaliland split apart from Somalia in 1991, its independence has not been widely acknowledged internationally. While Somalia has been embroiled in civil war, it has largely been quiet.

Reunification could improve the Horn of Africa nation’s ability to confront problems, such as an uprising by Islamist group, Al Shabaab.

Continue Reading

Politics

Kenya’s Ruto wants global support for Haiti

Published

on

Kenya’s President William Ruto wants the United Nations Security Council to officially support the mission to the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti.

Kenya, an East African powerhouse, is active in Haiti, and recently announced it was ready to be part of a multinational force. It committed to deploy 1,000 police officers to the country and  “accepted to positively consider leading a Multi-National Force to Haiti.”

Ruto, during his address, insisted that the Caribbean country “deserves better from the world.” “Kenya is ready to play its part in full, and join with a coalition of other nations of goodwill – and there are many— as a great friend and true sibling of Haiti,” Ruto said while addressing world leaders.

Haiti begged for assistance last year to fight off vicious gangs that had largely taken over the city of Port-au-Prince.

According to diplomats, the council might vote on a U.S.-drafted resolution endorsing the deployment of international police as early as next week.

U.N. peacekeepers were deployed to Haiti in 2004 after a rebellion led to the ouster and exile of then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Peacekeeping troops left in 2017 and were replaced by U.N. police, which left in 2019.

Haiti has been without any elected representatives since January and countries across the world have been cautious about supporting the unelected administration of Prime Minister Ariel Henry who has argued that fair elections cannot be held with the current insecurity.

Violent crimes, including kidnappings for ransom, armed robberies, and carjacking are prevalent in the country.

Continue Reading

EDITOR’S PICK

Behind the News55 mins ago

Behind the News: All the backstories to our major news this week

Over the past week, there were lots of important stories from around the African continent, and we served you some...

Politics5 hours ago

‘Big Brother’ Uganda to mediate between Somalia and Somaliland

Uganda has revealed plans to play mediating role between its neighbour, Somalia and the breakaway region of Somaliland following the...

VenturesNow6 hours ago

Nigeria’s intra-Africa trade increased by 40.8% to N1.84 trillion

Nigeria’s trade with the rest of Africa increased from N1.306 trillion in 2022 to N1.839 trillion in the first half...

Metro7 hours ago

Nigerian labour union mobilises state chapters for ‘total strike’ that will shut down nation

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it has mobilised all state chapters and affiliate unions of the...

VenturesNow17 hours ago

Somalia to secure debt relief by December— IMF

Multilateral lender, International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revealed that Somalia is on the verge of securing full debt relief from...

Sports1 day ago

Nigerian couple makes history with Paralympic qualifications

Nigerian para-table tennis players, Kayode Alabi and Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi, have made history by becoming the first African couple to qualify...

Video1 day ago

Video: UN environment chief, Munang wants climate capacity investment for African youths

In the video, the Deputy Regional Director of the African office of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Richard Munang,...

Metro1 day ago

Sudan War: Gen. Al-Burhan says he’s ready for peace talks

Sudan’s Army Chief, Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan says he is now open for peace talks that could bring the war...

Tech1 day ago

African Development Bank partners Google to transform Africa’s digital space

The African Development Bank (ADB) has teamed up with Google with the aim of advancing digital transformation in Africa. The...

Culture1 day ago

US rappers, Meek Mill, Lil Durk pay tribute to late Nigerian Afropop star, MohBad

American rappers, Meek Mill and Lil Durk have joined the hordes of celebrities worldwide who have paid tributes to late...

Trending