Metro

Death toll in Sudan’s clashes rises to 97, as over 1000 injured

Published

2 years ago

April 17, 2023

The fierce fighting between a Sudanese military division loyal to junta leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhane and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary led by his deputy, General Mohamed Hamdane Daglo, has led to the death of over 97 civilians, while more than 1,000 others have been wounded, according to the country’s doctors’ union.

The union said on Monday that the fighting which entered its third day on Sunday had continued to rage on in the capital, Khartoum, despite a temporary ceasefire called to address humanitarian needs including the evacuation of the wounded.

Sudanese local media reports that the violence which continued on Sunday, saw deserted streets of Khartoum filled with the smell of gunpowder after explosions and gunfire rang out throughout the night.

“In the morning of Monday, heavy gun battles continued between the military and paramilitary in the northern suburbs of the capital, as well as in the south of Khartoum,” one report said.

“Throughout the capital, men in fatigues, weapons in hand, were walking through streets empty of civilians, while columns of smoke have been rising since Saturday from the city center where the main institutions of power are located,” another said.

The clashes have drawn global condemnation.

The two generals behind the clashes were former allies that jointly orchestrated the October 2021 military coup that derailed Sudan’s short-lived transition to democracy. They have been at logger heads for months over plans by the government to integrate the paramilitary forces into the regular forces including the army and police.

The conflict had also prevented any political solution in the country which has been trying to organize its first elections after 30 years of military dictatorship.

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

1 hour ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

6 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.