Africa Freedom Network

16/04/2021

ABIDJAN, 15 April 2021 - A court in Cote d’Ivoire has condemned former warlord, Amade Oueremi, to life in prison for his role in the massacres that followed the 2010 disputed presidential election in the west African nation. No fewer than 300 people were killed in Duekoue, according to the most conservative estimaes provided by the United Nations. Rights groups say the death toll provided by the U.N....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/cote-divoire-warlord-gets-life-in-prison/

A court in Cote d’Ivoire has condemned warlord, Amade Oueremi, to life in prison for his role in the massacres following the 2010 election.

16/04/2021

KAMPALA, 15 April 2021 – Over 1,000 people considered “disappeared” in the run-up to last January’s elections were actually detained by Ugandan security forces. Uganda's internal affairs minister has told parliament in the capital, Kampala, that the people are still in detention. It is not clear why those detained were arrested and where they are currently detained. The minister did not say how many people remain in detention, although rights groups estimate that those detained may run in the thousands....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/uganda-the-disappeared-detained-by-government/

Over 1,000 people considered “disappeared” in the run-up to last January’s elections were actually detained by Ugandan security forces.

16/04/2021

JUBA, 15 April 2021 – Over seven million people in South Sudan will suffer acute food insecurity over the coming few months, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has warned. "This coming lean season 7.24 million will suffer from severe food insecurity - including 1.4 million children and young mothers who will suffer from malnutrition, and that is the situation we are responding to,” said WFP representative in South Sudan Matthew Hollingworth....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/south-sudan-over-seven-million-risk-famine/

Over seven million people in South Sudan will face acute food insecurity in the coming few months, the UN World Food Program (WFP) warns.

16/04/2021

PARIS, 15 April 2021 – Three airmen have been sentenced to life in prison by a court in Paris, France, for the killing 17 years ago in Cote d’Ivoire of nine French peacekeeping soldiers and an American aid worker. Victims were killed during what many consider a mysterious air raid on the French military base in the northern Ivoirian town of Bouake during the civil war in Cote d’Ivoire....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/cote-divoire-airmen-get-life-in-prison/

Three airmen were given life in prison for the killing 17 years ago in Cote d’Ivoire of nine French peacekeepers and an American aid worker.

15/04/2021

MAPUTO, 14 April 2021 – A 20 percent hike in the price of bread has poor households in the Mozambique gnashing their teeth in protest. Poor households in the capital, Maputo, and in the nearby city of Matola, are among the worst hit. The Mozambican Bakers’ Association also known as “Amopao” – meaning “I love bread” – in reaction to three increases in the price of wheat flour since the beginning of 2021....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/mozambique-bread-prices-up-20-percent/

A 20 percent hike in the price of bread has poor households in the Mozambique gnashing their teeth in protest.

15/04/2021

ABUJA, 14 April 2021` - Suspected Islamist militants have attacked and ransacked a police headquarters in the town of Damasak in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State. United Nations humanitarian operations in the town, which is used as a logistics hub by the world organization, have been temporarily suspended. U.N. suspension of service followed last Saturay attacks by suspected Islamist militants during which at least four people, including two soldiers, were killed....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/nigeria-islamist-militants-attack-damasak-again/

Suspected Islamist militants have attacked and ransacked a police headquarters in the town of Damasak in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State.

15/04/2021

JOHANNESBURG, 14 April 2021 – Former South African President Jacob Zuma has rejected as a “sham” a request from a court to suggest the punishment he should face if found guilty on corruption charges. It would be ridiculouts for someone wo reportedly broke the law to indicate which punishment he should endure. Last February, Zuma refused to appear before the Zondo Commission which is investigating corruption during his presidency of the country....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/south-africa-zuma-refuses-to-self-incriminate/

Ex-South African President Jacob Zuma has rejected as a “sham” a court request to suggest his own punishment if found guilty of corruption.

15/04/2021

NIAMEY, 14 April 2021 – At least 20 children have been killed in a fire at a school in the capital, Niamey, sparking outrage among parents of the victims. The children were trapped in the flames which consumed 28 of the straw-hut classrooms an 30 permament classrooms in the school in the Pays Bas district of Niamey. Most of the victims were attending nursery classes at the time in the government-run junior and pre-school school....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/niger-fire-leaves-20-schoolchildren-dead/

At least 20 children have been killed in a fire at a school in the capital, Niamey, sparking outrage among parents of the victims.

14/04/2021

N’DJAMENA, 13 April 2021 - Military officials in Chad say rebels on Sunday attacked an area near the country’s northern border as Chadians cast votes in the nation’s latest presidential election. "Steps have been taken to neutralize” the attack, a defense ministry spokesperson told reporters late Monday. The attack occurred at Zouarke, located about 620 miles (1,000km) north of the capital, “N’Djamena....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/chad-soldiers-pushback-a-rebel-attack/

Military officials in Chad say rebels on Sunday attacked near the country’s northern border as Chadians cast votes in a presidential ballot.

14/04/2021

ADDIS ABABA, 13 April 2021 – The Ethiopian government claims it has addressed “all of the concerns” raised by Nile River downstream countries Egypt and Sudan. The $4 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as the mega dam is known formally is being built on one of the tributaries of the Nile River. " has addressed all of the concerns of on as they’re technical,” a tweet on the official Twitter handle of the Ethiopian ministry of foreign affairs read in part....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/ethiopia-addis-downplays-conerns-over-gerd/

The Ethiopian government claims it has addressed “all of the concerns” over its mega dam raised by Nile downstream countries Egypt and Sudan.

14/04/2021

MAPUTO, 13 April 2021 - The government of Mozambique says it needs $114 million for the socio-economic reconstruction of the northern town of Palma, in Cabo Delgado province. Palma was invaded, overran and briefly occupied by Islamist militants of al-Shabab. Dozens of people were killed during the raid, including eleven foreigners who were beheaded and a “significant” number of militants who were killed in counter operations by the army to retake the town....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/mozambique-114-million-needed-to-rebuild-palma/

The government of Mozambique says it needs $114 million for the socio-economic reconstruction of Palma, in northern Cabo Delgado province.

14/04/2021

MONROVIA, 13 April 2021 – Liberia has suspended a senior male officer in the country’s south-eastern region after he allegedly assaulted a female colleague. Pictures of the assaulted female officer have gone viral on social media, showing an officer with facial injuries. The female officer reportedly had her nose stitched after it was broken duing the assault. An investigation has been opened into the incident and the senior officer has been transferred to the capital, Monrovia, where he is expected to face disciplinary action....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/liberia-senior-officer-suspended-for-assault/

Liberia has suspended a senior male officer in the country’s south-eastern region after he allegedly assaulted a female colleague.

14/04/2021

ACCRA, 13 April 2021 - Social media giant, Twitter, has announced that it will open its Africa head quarters in the Ghanaian capital, Accra. The announcement Monday follows successful remote meetings last week between Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo. Both Dorsey and Akufo-Addo confirmed the decision on their twitter handles on Monday. The west African nation proved more attractive in the end to Twitter than four other countries who were under consideration until last week – Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/ghana-twitter-to-open-africa-offices/

Social media giant, Twitter, has announced that it will open its Africa head quarters in the Ghanaian capital, Accra.

14/04/2021

MOGADISHU, 13 April 2021 – The lower house of parliament in Somalia has voted to extend for two years the term of President Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmaajo”. The upper chamber of parliament must approve the bill for it to become law. Already the opposition and some of the most important Somali regional states have rejected the extension, insisting for elections to hold....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/somalia-presidential-term-extended/

The lower house of parliament in Somalia has voted to extend for two years the term of President Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmajo”.

14/04/2021

ABUJA, 12 April 2021 – Governors of Nigeria’s south-eastern states have announced plans to create a joint force to tackle insecurity. The force, to be named Ebube Agu – the Igbor expression for “Incredible Tigers” – will coordinate security operations, share intelligence and mount joint patrols, among others. States participating in the force include Imo where more than 15 police officers were killed in two attacks on police stations and on a prison....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/nigeria-joint-force-to-fight-boko-haram/

Governors of Nigeria’s south-eastern states have announced plans to create a joint force to tackle insecurity.

14/04/2021

ALGIERS, 12 April 2021 - Algeria will start producing Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in September 2021, according to officials at the country’s pharmaceutical industry ministry. "We will be ready to produce an Algerian vaccine in September,” Lotfi Benbahmed, Algeria’s pharmaceutical industry minister told state radio. "Algeria will have its share and responsibility in the vaccination of the African populations,” Benbahmed added....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/algeria-manufacturing-russias-sputnik-v/

Algeria will start producing Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in September 2021, according to the pharmaceutical industry ministry.

14/04/2021

NAIROBI, 12 April 2021 - Kenya has exempted tax on a donation of HIV drugs that have been at the centre of a three-month-long stalemate, causing an acute shortage of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs). A tax dispute between the Kenyan government and donors who import antiretroviral drugs is to blame for the shortage which started two months ago. Over the period, many public hospitals say they have found themselves rationing the drugs in order to stretch their limited and dwingling supply....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/kenya-tax-exemption-for-hiv-drugs/

Kenya has exempted tax on a donation of HIV drugs ending a three-month stalemate at the heart of an acute shortage of anti-retroviral drugs.

12/04/2021

PORTO NOVO, 11 April 2021 – Observers say voter turnout was low in Benin’s presidential election Sunday, held amidst calls by the opposition for a boycott. Two people were killed and six others suffered gunshot wounds during protests staged in the run-up to Sunday’s ballot to decry President Patrice Tallon breaking his pledge to serve only for one term. Streets were quiet and “ghosted” in most opposition strongholds across the country, according to news reports....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/benin-incumbent-tallon-favored-to-win-new-term/

PORTO NOVO, 11 April 2021 – Observers say voter turnout was low in Benin’s presidential election Sunday, held amidst calls by the opposition for a boycott. Two people were killed and six others suffered gunshot wounds during protests staged in the run-up to Sunday’s ballot to decry President P...

12/04/2021

N’DJAMENA, 11 April 2021 – President Idriss Itno Deby of Chad is expected to win a record sixth term after Sunday’s presidential ballot. Deby, who came to power in a military coup in 1990, is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders. The country’s most prominent opposition leaders quit the race, alleging attacks by security forces, threats on their lives and fears that the ballot will not be free, fair or transparent....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/chad-deby-predicted-to-easily-win-reelection/

President Idriss Itno Deby of Chad is expected to win a record sixth term after Sunday’s presidential ballot.

11/04/2021

JUBA, 9 April 2021 - Over 2,000 trucks ferrying food items and other merchandise from Uganda to South Sudan have been stranded a full week at the Elegu border on the Ugandan side. Ugandan truckers are refusing to drive into South Sudan unless their security is guaranteed, preferably through the provision of armed escorts. Fears of insecurity have grown ever since five Ugandan truckers were killed in an ambush on the road to the South Sudanese capital, Juba....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/south-sudan-uganda-trucks-stranded-at-border/

Over 2,000 trucks ferrying goods from Uganda to South Sudan have been stranded a full week at the Elegu border on the Ugandan side.

11/04/2021

NAIROBI, 11 Aprul 2021 - Nokia announced Tuesday that it is powering East Africa’s first 5G commercial services with Safaricom, Kenya's leading telecoms operator. 5G capabilities will change a lot of things in unimaginable ways for people and enterprises, playing a key role towards fulfilling our vision to transform lives,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom, promising to “provide world-class broadband services to our customers”....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/kenya-east-africas-first-5g-services/

Nokia announced Tuesday that it is powering East Africa’s first 5G commercial services with Safaricom, Kenya's leading telecoms operator.

11/04/2021

GABORONE, 11 April 2021 – Botswana’s health ministry has further restricted eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to only citizens aged over 75, blaming supply shortages. Younger people had, apparently, jumped to the front of the line after taking advantage of their IT skills to secure a spot through online bookings. Priority will henceforth be given only to the elderly now that we have only few doses remaining, the director of health services at Bostwana's ministry of health, Dr....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/botswana-elderly-prioritized-for-covid-19-vaccines/

Botswana’s health ministry has further restricted eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to only those aged over 75, blaming supply shortages.

11/04/2021

KAMPALA, 11 April 2021 – Uganda and Egypt have agreed to share intelligence as tensions escalate over the upcoming filling and long-term management of Ethiopia’s mega dam on the Nile River. Uganda’s army said the deal was reached Wednesday between senior military officials from both countries. “The fact that Uganda and Egypt share the Nile, co-operation between the two countries is inevitable because what affects Ugandans will in one way or another affect Egypt,” the statement said, citing the head of the Egyptian delegation, Major General Sameh Saber El-Degwi....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/uganda-egypt-cooperating-on-the-nile-mega-dam/

Uganda and Egypt have agreed to share intelligence as tensions escalate over the filling and management of Ethiopia’s mega dam on the Nile.

11/04/2021

ADDIS ABABA, 11 April 2021 - The African Union (AU) has dropped plans to procure COVID-19 vaccines from the Serum Institute of India, citing supply concerns. Indian restrictions on exports have complicated things for Africa, according to Dr. John Nkengasong, the head of Africa’s Centers for Disease Control (Africa CDC). Africa needs to find reliable supplies of the vaccines if the continent is to effectively implement inoculation programs, Dr....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/africa-au-drops-serum-institute-of-india/

The African Union (AU) has dropped plans to procure COVID-19 vaccines from the Serum Institute of India, citing supply concerns.

10/04/2021

ADDIS ABABA, 10 April 2021 – Ethiopian military officials have rejected allegations that their soldiers were involved in the massacre of 15 unarmed men in the country's northern Tigray region. The men were seen on video gone viral on social media rounding up and escorting the unarmed civilians to the spot where they were executed at point-blank range. Victims were then pushed over the edge of a cliff into the valley below with some of the soldiers involved in the extrajudicial executions insisting on documenting the kilings on video....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/ethiopia-military-denies-involvement-in-massacre/

Ethiopian military officials have denied allegations that their soldiers perpetrated the massacre of 15 unarmed men in the Tigray region.

10/04/2021

PALMA, 10 April 2021 – The bodies of 12 people likely foreigners have been found beheaded in a hotel besieged by Islamist militants in the northern Mozambican town of Palma. In footage broadcast by Mozambican television, Pedro da Silva, a local police commander, says he presumes the victims were foreginers because they were white. Da Silva showed journalists from Mozambican television a spot where the 12 bodies were buried....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/mozambique-twelve-foreigners-beheaded/

The bodies of 12 people likely foreigners have been found beheaded in a hotel besieged by Islamist militants in the Mozambican town of Palma.

10/04/2021

KINSHASA, 10 April 2021 - African Union-mediated talks between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan over the Ethiopian mega dam on the Nile River have collaped, according to Sudan’s independent newspaper Al-Intibaba. The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), Felix Tshishekedi, who holds the rotating presidency of the African Union (AU) was hosting the talks in the Congolese capital, Kinshasa....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/ethiopia-talks-over-nile-mega-dam-collapse/

African Union-mediated talks between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan over the Ethiopian mega dam on the Nile have collaped, reports Al-Intibaba.

10/04/2021

LAGOS, 10 April 2021 - The Nigerian economy is in danger of being paralyzed with workers in many vital sectors contemplating or actively pursuing strikes. On Tuesday, workers in the court system, lecturers at polytechnics and some civil servants all started industrial action. Some doctors have continued the strike which is demanding better benefits for the increased risk of working on the frontlines during a pandemic....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/nigeria-strikes-threaten-to-paralyze-economy/

The Nigerian economy is in danger of being paralyzed with workers in many vital sectors contemplating or actively pursuing strikes.

10/04/2021

KIGALI, 10 April 2021 – The Rwandan government has welcomed a court ruling rejecting a request for early release by convict genocide mastermind Theoneste Bagosora. Judge Carmel Agius, President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), ruled that the 79-year-old Bagosora will remain behind bars. “The extremely high gravity of Bagosora’s crimes weighs very heavily against his early release,” Judge Carmel Agius said in handing down the ruling....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/rwanda-no-release-for-genocidaire-bagosora/

KIGALI, 10 April 2021 – The Rwandan government has welcomed a court ruling rejecting a request for early release by convict genocide mastermind Theoneste Bagosora. Judge Carmel Agius, President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), ruled that the 79-year-old Bagos...

10/04/2021

NAIROBI, 10 April 2021 – Kenyan members of parliament (MPs) are pushing the government of President Uhuru Kenyatta to embrace austerity programs and focus on rescuing the struggling economy. The east Afrrican nation’s economuy contracted to 0.6 percent in 2020, down from 5.4 percent in 2019. Kenya’s economy is projected to grow by 1.3 percent in 2021. MPs want the Kenyan government to curb spending, reduce borrowing and defer new projects in favor of providing much-needed stimulus spending needed to save the country’s struggling economy....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/kenya-mps-call-for-austerity-measures/

09/04/2021

NAIROBI, 9 April 2021 - A $2.3 billion Good Friday loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sparked a storm of protest from Kenyans online. The IMF said the loan will support Kenya’s pandemic response and economic reform program, but Kenyan citizens on social media platforms are decrying the lender of last resort for showoing no regard for the country’s ballooning debt burden....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/kenya-imf-told-to-stop-giving-loans/

A $2.3 billion Good Friday loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sparked a storm of protest from Kenyans online.

09/04/2021

KAMPALA, 9 April 2021 - Ugandan Police have rescued 29 Burundian girls from a human-trafficking racket in Uganda, arresting five suspected traffickers in the process. The Burundian girls were rescued while in transit to other countries for the s*x trade, a Ugandan police spokesperson, Charles Twiine told the New China News Agency, Xinhua. “We have rescued them and we have them here” at the criminal investigation directorate (CID), Twiine told reporters in a telephone interview....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/burundi-ugandan-human-trafficking-racket-busted/

Ugandan Police have rescued 29 Burundian girls from a human-trafficking racket in Uganda, arresting five suspected traffickers in the process.

09/04/2021

WASHINGTON, DC, 9 April 2021 - The U.S. Congress is set to approve $650 billion in global reserve of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) held by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). SDF provides temporary financial relief to low-income countries, especially African countries, and the approval will support efforts by the global lender to help put African economies back on the path to recovery after being baldy hit by the coronavirus pandemic....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/africa-usa-to-issue-650-billion-in-sdrs/

The U.S. Congress is set to approve $650 billion in global reserve of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) held by the International Monetary Fund.

09/04/2021

KONSHISHA, 9 April 2021 – Eleven army personnel, including a commander, who were declared missing after an ambush in the central state of Benue, have been found dead. The mortal remains of the soldiers – some of them charred – were found in Konshisha area of Benue state. A spokesperson for the Nigerian military described the slaying of the soldiers as a “heinous crime”....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/nigeria-bodies-of-eleven-slain-soldiers-found/

Eleven army personnel, including a commander, who were declared missing after an ambush in the central state of Benue, have been found dead.

09/04/2021

DJIBOUTI CITY, 9 April 2021 – President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh of Djibouti is running Friday for re-election to a historic fifth term at the helm of the Horn of Africa nation. The victory of the 73-year-old Omar Guelleh, fondly known as IOG, is considered a foregone conclusion. His only opponent is a political newcomer, Zakaria Ismail Farah, with traditional opposition parties boycotting the ballot....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/djibouti-omar-guelleh-seeks-fifth-term-in-power/

President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh of Djibouti is running Friday for re-election to a historic fifth term at the helm of the Horn of Africa nation.

08/04/2021

EL GENEINA, 8 April 2021 - The death toll in the inter-ethnic clashes in Sudan’s Western Darfur region has risen to 132, according to an update Thursday by authorities. The number of people known to have died during the last several days of clashes has risen to 132, according to Mohamed Abdallah Douma, the governor of the region. The death toll is up from 87 dead provided late Wednesday by doctors....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/sudan-death-toll-of-clashes-rises-to-132/

The death toll in the inter-ethnic clashes in Sudan’s Western Darfur region has risen to 132, according to an update Thursday by authorities.

08/04/2021

EL GENEINA, 8 April 2021 - Five days of inter-ethnic clashes have left 87 people dead and close to 200 other injured in Sudan’s West Darfur region, according to doctors. Medical staff struggling to attend to the wounded have been attacked and are among some of the dead, according to a doctor in the city of El Geneina. There is no electricity in the city’s hospital, making it complicated for doctors to attend to the injured....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/sudan-eighty-seven-killed-in-fresch-clashes/

Five days of inter-ethnic clashes have left 87 people dead and close to 200 other injured in Sudan’s West Darfur region, according to doctors.

08/04/2021

LONDON, 8 April 2021 – The United Kingdom has suspended aid funding to the international charity, Oxfam after fresh allegations of s*xual exploitation against its staff in DR Congo. Two Oxfam workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo were suspended last week for their suspected roles in s*xual exploitation and bullying. Oxfam had only been allowed to start applying for aid funds from the UK in March 2021 following a three-year ban after it was accused in 2018 for a cover-up of s*xual exploitation by its staff in Haiti....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/dr-congo-uk-government-suspends-oxfam/

The UK has suspended aid funding to the charity, Oxfam after fresh allegations of s*xual exploitation against its staff in DR Congo.

08/04/2021

NAIROBI, 8 April 2021 – The Kenyan government is ringing alarm bells to decry what Nairobi describes as potential coronavirus “vaccine apartheid”. The accusation comes after the government of the United Kingdom (UK) announced a travel ban for all travelers originating from or transiting through Kenya. Kenya joined 17 other African countries who are already on the “Red List” of 39 countries worldwide, listed as such because they are considered high risk regions, and banned from traveling to the UK.....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/kenya-alarm-bells-decry-vaccine-apartheid/

The Kenyan government is ringing alarm bells to decry what Nairobi describes as potential coronavirus “vaccine apartheid”.

08/04/2021

NAIROBI, 7 April 2021 - At least 15 people have been killed and 20 others injured in a road accident along the Mombasa-Malindi road in Kenya’s coastal region, according to news reports. The early morning accident on Wednesday was a head-on collision involving two passenger buses. The drivers of both buses were among those who died on the spot. Social media video shot on the scene of the accidents hows badly mangled vehicles, with badly shaken survivors and rescue workers working frantically to load the injured and the dead onto vehicles taking them to nearby hospitals....

https://africafreedomnetwork.com/kenya-fifteen-killed-in-road-accident/

At least 15 people were killed and 20 injured in a road accident along the Mombasa-Malindi road in Kenya’s coastal region, news reports say.