Politics

Zambia: Ex-Siavonga district commissioner, Kanyama warns against ‘abuse of freedom of speech’

Published

3 weeks ago

November 19, 2023

Lovemore Kanyama, the former Siavonga district commissioner, has counselled interested parties to abstain from hate speech when voicing their opinions on social media.

Kanyama observed in a statement on Saturday, “The abuse of democracy and freedom of speech is worrying and a danger to the development of the country.”

He implored the church to remain impartial in its advice to the ruling party, pointing out that its members belonged to various political parties.

Kanyama also urged Zambians who had used social media to become public commentators to refrain from disparaging leaders and to work constructively and positively on their checks and balances.

The politician also urged the government to restore sanity to the nation, claiming that some social media posts were extremely offensive and provocative.

Since gaining independence from Britain in 1964, Zambia has served as a symbol of democratic stability and hope for the people of southern Africa, upholding freedoms, the rule of law, and citizens’ human rights.

But since 2011 when the government transitioned from a free market party to one with socialist leanings, the nation has witnessed a sharp decline in respect for citizens’ human rights and freedoms, such as the right to association, assembly, and expression.

Related Topics:Featured Lovemore Kanyama Zambia

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Politics

Seychelles declares emergency following explosion, flooding

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

Officials in the Seychelles have confirmed that a blast at an explosives store wrecked buildings and caused massive damage to an industrial zone.

The explosion has prompted the president, Wavel Ramkalawan, to declare a state of emergency on Thursday.

The president called for a minute of silence on Thursday after telling reporters that the blast rocked the island and caused flooding due to heavy rains. Three people died as a result.

National television footage showed streets strewn with uprooted trees buried in deep mud and covered in debris.

“Following an explosion at the CCCL explosives store that has caused massive damage to the Providence Industrial area and the surrounding areas and major destruction caused by flooding due to heavy rains, the President has declared a state of emergency for today, December 7th,” President Wavel Ramkalawan’s office said in a statement.

“Everyone is being asked to stay at home. All schools will be closed. Only workers in the essential services and persons travelling will be allowed free movement.”

Tourists can still use the international airport and the ferries that travel between the islands, according to the government’s official social media.

Comprising 115 islands, the Seychelles is the least populous country in Africa, home to only 100,000 people.

Politics

Mauritania: Ex-president Abdel Aziz jailed for 5 years

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

A former president of Mauritania , Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, has been found guilty, and sentenced frollowokg a trial.

He was arraigned on money laundering and “illicit enrichment” charges.

Abdel Aziz was on Tuesday sentenced to five years in prison for the offences which were said to have been committed during his decade-long reign as the leader of the West African country. He was found guilty of two of the ten charges against him by the court late on Monday, after it looked into claims of corruption and misappropriation of public funds.

However, some of Abdel Aziz’s associates who had also been on trial, including two former prime ministers, were acquitted.

The decision was described as “a political verdict targeting a man and his family” by one of his solicitors, but his conviction, according to the prosecution, was historic.

Although Abdel Aziz was succeeded in 2019 by a political ally, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, who remains president, his government however quickly came under scrutiny over actions, including deals on offshore oil projects.

Abdel Aziz’s conviction is the biggest against high profile public servants in the country. The former military leader has the option of appealing his sentence at the Supreme Court.

According to Transparency International, Mauritania scored 30 points out of 100 on the 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index. The country averaged 28.00 points from 2006 until 2022, reaching an all-time high of 31.00 Points in 2006, having hit a record low of 23.00 Points in 2010.