Politics

Zimbabwe: Body of opposition activist, Masaya found after abduction

Published

1 year ago

November 14, 2023

Zimbabwe’s opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has confirmed that abducted activist, Tapfumaneyi Masaya has been found dead.

Masaya was kidnapped on Saturday after being bundled into a vehicle by unknown men while campaigning just outside Harare, in what was the second high-profile abduction in weeks of an opposition party member. Two weeks ago, armed men kidnapped, tortured, and dumped CCC lawmaker Takudzwa Ngadziore approximately 50 km north of Harare.

Political activists have been killed and disappeared from Zimbabwe for a very long time; this history dates back to the 1980s, and the ruling ZANU-PF party has frequently been accused by the opposition of torturing its activists and causing their deaths.

The party’s spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi told journalists on Tuesday that Masaya was tortured and dumped on the outskirts of Harare. His body was later moved to a mortuary at Parirenyatwa Hospital, about 5 kilometres from central Harare, where it was identified by CCC members who had been searching for him.

“We urge the police to do their work and ensure that all these abductors are promptly and effectively brought to justice,” said Mkwananzi.

Meanwhile, the police said an investigation had been launched after a body was discovered in the vicinity where the CCC said Masaya was found, but that the victim’s identity was yet to be established.

In a recent dispute with the ruling party, opposition parties had faulted the election that gave President Emmerson Mnangagwa a second term in August. Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the CCC, called the voting exercise a “gigantic fraud,” but the ruling ZANU-PF party refuted the accusations.

Related Topics:Featured Tapfumaneyi Masaya Zimbabwe

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Politics

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

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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.