Over the past week, there were lots of important stories from around the African continent, and we served you some of the most topical ones.
Here is a rundown of the backstories to some of the biggest news in Africa that we covered during the week:
1. Nigeria, so rich, yet so poor: The sad tale of Africa’s sleeping giant
A few years ago, Nigeria was regarded as the giant of Africa in terms of the wealth deposits in the country and the potentials of becoming one of the richest countries in the world.
Apart from its vast human and capital resources, statistics have also revealed that Nigeria has well over 300 mineral resources deposited in every part of the country that could make the most populous black nation in the world one that others will look up to.
Many Nigerians have, over the years lamented the plundering of the Nigerian economy by successive administrations and thieving politicians who loot the country’s wealth and leave the nation in a very dire situation.
The latest to add his voice to the situation is the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria’s 2013 general elections, Peter Obi, who, during the week, lamented the dwindling economy, hardship and poverty that Nigerians have been made to wallow in, especially since the coming of President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023.
The current administration has inadvertently plunged the nation into unbearable economic crisis with a majority of the masses finding it difficult to make ends meet.
Obi who expressed his disappointment at what the country is going through, emphasized that Nigeria
has no reason to be poor due to rich natural resources Nigeria is blessed with in every part of the country.
Obi made the assertion during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Nuhu Bamali, at his palace in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, bemoaned what he described as a waste of the vast arable lands in the country, especially in the North.
“Nigeria has nothing to do with poverty if those of us who are political leaders including my humble self had decided to serve the country faithfully,” the former Anambra State governor said while addressing the gathering.
“God created us with a lot of resources, and if those resources are properly put in place, we will pull most poor people out of poverty.
“The way things are in our country today requires that all of us must get involved in one way or the other.
“Because if we do, Nigeria will not have anything to do with poverty. I will always say this anytime I have the opportunity because Nigeria is one of the countries in the world that is blessed with everything that is required.
“The current socioeconomic instability in the country requires that all citizens and leaders come together and see how the situation could be salvaged,” he stressed.
2. ‘Never again!’ as Rwanda commemorates genocide’s 30th anniversary
Sunday, April 7, was a day of sober reflection for the eastern African nation of Rwanda as it marked the 30th years the devastating genocide that claimed more than 800,000 people, largely from the Tutsi ethnic group and moderate Hutus, in what has been described as one of the bloodiest massacres of the 20th century.
The killing spree in the tiny country lasted 100 days from April to July 1994 before the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) rebel militia led by incumbent President Paul Kagame took the capital Kigali.
The genocide victims were shot, beaten or hacked to death in killings fuelled by vicious anti-Tutsi propaganda broadcast on TV and radio, with at least 250,000 women raped and sexually assaulted, according to UN figures.
But before then, the country had witnessed one of the worst cases of intra-nation violence which was was triggered by the assassination of Hutu President Juvenal Habyarimana on the night of April 6, when his plane was shot down over Kigali, which triggered the rampage by the Hutu extremists led military and the Interahamwe militia made up largely of Hutus.
However, the 30th anniversary of the genocide which was celebrated with solemn tributes to the victims, also saw a collective resolve that never again will the country experience such a devastating episode.
Since coming into power, Kagame has done everything to keep the country together and take away the memory of the genocide and aid its healing process.
Part of the measures instituted by the Kagame administration include no mention of ethnic groups on Rwandan ID cards, while secondary school students learn about the genocide as part of a tightly controlled curriculum.
Today, Rwanda had found its footing and has become one of the fastest developing countries in Africa with the western world falling over itself to do business with the country.
Since the end of the genocide and the assumption of office by Kagame, the president has pulled a tight string and every year, he keeps emphasising that there would never be a repeat of the sad incident that took the country to the brink.
3. One week, one trouble for Hichilema as alliance in popularity challenge
The outgone week saw another testament of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema’s one week, one trouble after the coalition, the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA), challenged to test his popularity by conducting early presidential elections.
The coalition threw the challenge to Hichilema after the police declined its request to organise a public rally citing security concerns.
In a response, the alliance which believed they were denied what is constitutionally their fundamental rights, said if Hichilema thought he was popular with the masses, he should test such popularity by calling for an early election.
Reacting to the denial, the coalition, in a statement by its Chairman, Sakwiba Sikota, said it was not surprised at the response of the Zambian Police force which is controlled by the ruling UPND.
The alliance however, said it would not relent in its task of liberating the Zambian people from this repressive UPND regime.
The UKA also accused President Hichilema and the UPND of violating the rights of Zambians who don’t support their ineffective and short-lived government.
This new faceoff is one among a series of attacks and accusation levelled at Hichilema by opposition figures over his running of the government.
The Zambian President has come in for severe criticism with his style of leadership which is typical of the kind of politics being played by most African leaders who, more often than not, tend to change once they get into office.
Hichilema on his part, has not acted differently as he has also shown that his government is not different from what is obtained in most African nations.
while assuring that the UPND government could not stop the people’s movement.
4. Nigeria’s northern elders group pass vote of no confidence on President Tinubu
The current situation in Nigeria where the masses are reeling in unbearable hardship and poverty and a result of the policies of President Bola Tinubu, has forced a group of elders from the Northern region to pass a vote of no confidence in him.
The group of eminent political leaders and leaders of thought under the aegies of the Northern Elders Forum during the week, said it regretted campaigning for Tinubu and getting the people of the region to vote for him in the 2023 presidential election.
The Elders Forum, in a statement, said they deeply regret voting for Tinubu and vowed not to repeat mistake in 2027 which is the next general election cycle.
The eminent group of elders, in the statement issued by its spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said it is disappointment with the Tinubu administration, and would prioritize unity and consensus in selecting a candidate for the highest office in the land.
“The North made a mistake in voting Bola Tinubu to the presidency in 2023, and it is unlikely that they will repeat the same error in the future,” the Forum said.
“The North have learned from their past misstep and will strive to select a candidate who can unite the country and govern in the best interests of all Nigerians.
“Moving forward, the North will be more cautious in selecting a candidate for the presidency. They will prioritize someone who is seen as more inclusive, less controversial, and more aligned with the interests of all regions of the country.
“The mistake of supporting Tinubu in 2023 has taught them the importance of unity and consensus in selecting a candidate for the highest office in the land,” Suleiman reiterated.
The import of the threat by the Northern eldets is another clear sign of the disenchantment ordinary Nigerians have felt for President Tinubu despite his constant assurances that all his policies are meant to revamp the country’s economy and make life better for the people.
A vote of no confidence coming from elders of a region that accounts for the highest number of votes in Nigeria would definitely spell doom for the President in the next election and only a change of fortunes in the lives of the people can buck a change.
5. 10 years of schoolgirls’ abduction: Still no end in sight
Ten years ago, when the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents struck the Government Girls’ Secondary School in Chibok in Borno State and abducted 276 female students all in their early teens, many Nigerians did not believe that till now many of the girls will still be in captivity.
The government of then President Goodluck Jonathan promised to rescue the girls but a year later when it left power, they could not rescue all the girls.
Then came the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari and another round of promises rented the air. With his background as an accomplished Army General, it was a given that in no time, the girls would be rescued and reunited with their families.
But 10 years have gone by and about 89 of the victims are still missing. Many of them have been rescued, some have managed to escape while reports indicate that many of them have been married off to the terrorists and have become mothers.
And as Nigeria marks the 10th year commemoration of the abduction of the schoolgirls, there is no end in sight yet for the release of about 89 of the girls still remaining in captivity.
On this 10th year commemoration of their being in captivity, Nigerians are looking forward to the day the remaining girls, especially the poster girl of the abductees, Leah Sharibu, will be free and join up with their families and loved ones.
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