News From Around The Motherland.

Hi there! Here are the top African news making headlines from week 36 of the year 2024.

Highlights.

• Massive Flooding In Northern Nigeria Affecting An Estimated 2 Million People
• Migrant Boat Capsizes Off The Coast Of Senegal Killing Several People.
• D. R. Congo To Execute Coup Plotters, Including Americans, a Briton, a Belgian And a Canadian.
• Cameroon's Former Prime Minister Assumes United Nations General Assembly Presidency.
• The United States Signals Support For Africa's Inclusion In The United Nations Security Council. Backs Nigeria's Bid.

HEADLINE NEWS.

Nigeria.

Failed Dam Causes Massive Flooding In Northern Nigeria Affecting An Estimated 2 Million People.

A severe flooding in Northeastern Nigeria, triggered by a dam collapse in Borno state, has killed 30 people and affected over a million. The collapse, caused by unusually high rains, led to significant damage in Maiduguri and prompted many to flee. The flooding has raised fears of wildlife, with a risk of escaped zoo animals adding to the crisis.

This disaster follows Nigeria’s worst flooding in a decade and is part of a broader pattern of severe flooding in West Africa. Authorities are still documenting the impact, with estimates suggesting up to 2 million people may have been affected. The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had predicted the floods earlierintheyear. Despite these warnings, no effective preemptive measures or flood management plans were implemented to protect lives and properties.

Guinea-Bissau.

Colossal Cocaine Seizure In Guinea-Bissau.

In what looked like an episode of Netflix's Narcos, a plane from Venezuela carrying at least 78 bales of cocaine was seized in Guinea-Bissau, marking it the largest drug bust in the country's history. The plane, reportedly registered in Mexico, had five crew members—two Mexicans, one Colombian, one Ecuadorian, and one Brazilian—who were all detained. The operation, dubbed "Operation Landing," was carried out with the assistance of the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the European Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre–Narcotics. The suspects were set to appear in court on Monday.

Guinea-Bissau, a known transit point for global drug trafficking, has struggled with weak state institutions and instability, including nine coups since its independence from Portugal in 1974. This fragility has led the UN to label the country a "narco-state." Local authorities are working to dismantle the network behind this incident, but the country’s history of political turmoil has made it a prime target for drug cartels. In early 2024, the son of Guinea-Bissau's former president was sentenced to over six years in a US court for leading an international heroin trafficking ring.

Algeria.

Algerian Elections Leave Everyone Including The President Questioning The Outcome.

Algerians anticipated a smooth election that should've secured President Abdelmadjid Tebboune a second term. Instead, the president himself questioned the vote count, and his opponents raised legal challenges alleging fraud. This unexpected controversy diverges from Algeria's tradition of tightly controlled elections, managed by the ruling elite and the military.

The constitutional court has until next week to address the appeals from Tebboune’s challengers. The outcome is uncertain, including whether vote tallies will be revised and how this will affect Tebboune’s quest for legitimacy. On election day, the National Independent Election Authority (ANIE) reported a low turnout of 26.5% by 5 p.m. But it was revised to 48% by 8 p.m., only to confirm that just 5.6 million, about 23.3%, of nearly 24 million voters participated.

Kenya.

Striking Airline Workers Call Off Strike Action in Kenya.

Kenya’s airport workers’ union called off a strike that had halted flights at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Wednesday. The strike was in response to a contract between the Kenyan government and India’s Adani Group for the airport’s modernization, including building a new runway and terminal and operating the airport for 30 years.

The decision to end the strike followed a day of negotiations between union leaders and the government. Although the union agreed to return to work, they have not accepted the Adani Group's involvement. Transport Minister Davis Chirchir assured that the government would protect Kenyan interests during the airport's upgrade. The strike had left hundreds of passengers stranded and flights grounded. This follows recent protests about a Finance Bill that rocked the country and inspired similar protests in Nigeria.

South Africa.

Three South African Men Accused Of Killing And Feeding Two Women To Pigs.

In South Africa, three men are accused of murdering two women and feeding their bodies to pigs, a case that has shocked the public. The men—farm owner Zachariah Johannes Olivier, supervisor Andrian Rudolph de Wet, and employee William Musora—appeared in court in Limpopo on Tuesday. They face charges including premeditated murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm, with Musora also charged with being in the country illegally.

The incident reportedly began when two women, Locadia Ndlovu and Maria Makgatho, trespassed onto the farm in August to collect potentially expired goods dumped by a dairy truck. They were shot and killed, while a man with them managed to escape and alert the authorities. Police later discovered the women’s bodies in a pigsty. The case has sparked protests outside the court, with political parties demanding no bail and severe penalties for the accused. The South African Human Rights Commission has urged against vigilante actions.

Senegal.

Migrant Boat Capsizes Off The Coast Of Senegal Killing Several People.

At least 26 people have died after a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Senegal. Over 100 people were on board the wooden vessel when it sank just 4km into its journey. The boat had departed from Mbour, south of Dakar, bound for Spain's Canary Islands. So far, four survivors have been rescued, and search efforts continue. Distraught relatives are anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones.

In recent years, more West African migrants, mostly young men fleeing poverty and conflict, have chosen the dangerous Atlantic route to the Canary Islands. Nearly 30,000 migrants have arrived there this year. The surge has pushed Spain's prime minister to visit Senegal and other West African countries for crisis talks, following a $227m EU deal with Mauritania to boost border security.

D. R. Congo.

D. R. Congo To Execute Coup Plotters.

Congo lifted its nearly two-decade moratorium on the death penalty in March, aiming to remove "traitors" from the army. However, no executions have taken place. On May 19, a coup attempt unfolded in Kinshasa as armed men attacked the homes of key officials, including President Tshisekedi. Security forces stopped the attack, and the leader, Malanga, was killed after resisting arrest.

The accused include three Americans, a Belgian, a Briton and a Canadian national. Despite Congo's vast mineral wealth, conflict and corruption remain widespread. President Tshisekedi, re-elected last December, continues to face challenges, especially in the violence-ridden eastern region. Efforts like ceasefires and foreign troop deployments have not yet secured lasting peace.

Egypt.

Tensions Escalate With Ethiopia as Egypt Backs Somalia Peace Mission.

Tensions between Ethiopia and Egypt have escalated as Egypt strengthens ties with Somalia, offering security support to replace the African Union mission set to end. Egypt’s increased presence near Ethiopia raises concerns in Addis Ababa, which accused Cairo of destabilizing the region. Ethiopia warned that it "cannot stand idle" amid these developments.

These tensions build on years of strain, primarily over Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Egypt fears will reduce its Nile water supply. Additionally, Ethiopia's agreement with Somaliland to access the Red Sea has further complicated its relations with Egypt and Somalia, adding to the already delicate regional dynamics.

Comoros Islands.

President Azali Assoumani Survives Knife Attack. Suspect Found Dead In Police Cell A Day After.

The president of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, was slightly injured in a knife attack on Friday while attending a funeral for a religious leader. The attacker, identified as 24-year-old soldier Ahmed Abdou, was arrested on the spot by security forces. A civilian who tried to protect the president was also injured. Assoumani's injuries were minor, and he has since returned home.

However, the situation took a grim turn when Abdou was found dead in his police cell the following day. Authorities stated he was discovered "unresponsive" and declared dead, prompting an investigation into the motive for the attack and the circumstances surrounding Abdou’s death in custody.

South Sudan.

South Sudan Delays December Elections By 2 Years, A Second Time.

South Sudan has postponed its elections, originally set for December 2024, by two years, citing the need to finalize key processes such as conducting a census, drafting a permanent constitution, and registering political parties. The elections are now scheduled for December 22, 2026. This marks the second time the country has delayed elections and extended its transitional period, which began in 2020.

The decision follows recommendations from electoral and security institutions, with the National Election Commission citing delays in voter registration due to funding shortages. However, the postponement has raised concerns, with some warning that further delays could increase the risk of violence in the fragile nation, which continues to face economic crises and the aftermath of civil war.

French War Ship Lands In Ivory Coast, Spark Fears In Rebellious Sahel States.

One of France's largest warships, Le Tonnerre, landed in Ivory Coast's commercial capital, Abidjan last week. The 22,000-ton Mistral-class vessel brought 300 troops, 60 vehicles, and two helicopters for a mission targeting illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. French forces will join Ivorian counterparts in joint training, with the French benefiting from local expertise.

This deployment comes amid growing naval cooperation between France, Ivory Coast, Morocco, and Senegal to address regional maritime security threats. However, the arrival of the French warship has raised concerns in West African nations that have severed ties with France after a series of military coups. Earlier this year, Burkina Faso’s military leader accused Ivory Coast of collaborating with French interests in an attempt to destabilize his country, adding tension to the region’s geopolitical landscape.

WORLD HEADLINES.

Cameroon's Former Prime Minister Assumes United Nations General Assembly Presidency.

Cameroon's former Prime Minister Philemon Yang assumed the presidency of the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, calling for global unity to tackle challenges like climate change, poverty, and armed conflicts. Yang, who led Cameroon from 2009 to 2019, emphasized the need for international cooperation to address these issues and pledged to focus on "unity in diversity" during his one-year term.

He stressed that peace and security will be central to his presidency, urging the assembly to prioritize resolving conflicts in Gaza, Haiti, Ukraine, and the Great Lakes region of Africa. Outgoing President Dennis Francis reminded the U.N. of its foundational goal to uphold international peace and security.

The U.N. Security Council Extend Sanctions On Warring Sudan.

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously extended sanctions on Sudan until September 2025. The resolution maintains measures such as asset freezes, travel bans, and an arms embargo, aimed at curbing arms flow into Darfur and targeting individuals or entities destabilizing Sudan.

Robert A. Wood of the U.S. emphasized that these sanctions are crucial for ending the conflict and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Meanwhile, Sudan’s representative accused the UAE of supporting militias committing war crimes in Darfur. In response, the UAE’s Mohamed Abushahab dismissed these claims as false and an attempt to distract from the Sudanese Armed Forces' failures.

President Xi Jinping Outlines $50.7 Billion Backed Three-Year Action Plan For China-Africa Cooperation.

At the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled a three-year action plan to strengthen ties with Africa. The plan includes initiatives for trade, industrial cooperation, connectivity, healthcare, rural revitalization, and security, with China committing $50.7 billion to support these efforts.

Xi described the relationship between China and Africa as the best in history and proposed elevating it to a strategic level. He emphasized that China and Africa, comprising one-third of the world’s population, must advance modernization together to achieve global progress. The summit highlights China’s ongoing efforts to expand its influence in Africa amid growing tensions with the U.S. and other Western nations.

The United States Signals Support For Africa's Inclusion In The United Nations Security Council.

The United States has thrown its support behind creating two permanent seats for Africa on the U.N. Security Council and one rotating seat for small island developing states while backing Nigeria's bid. This move, announced by US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, aims to push forward long-discussed reforms. However, many doubt whether US backing will be enough to spur real change, as past efforts to reform the Council have stalled.

The UN Security Council's legitimacy is questioned, with Secretary-General António Guterres calling for reform to reflect the modern world. Africa has been pushing for permanent representation to correct historical imbalances. While the US proposal is seen as a positive step, it falls short of Africa's demands, especially regarding veto power. Adding permanent seats requires approval from two-thirds of the UN General Assembly and the current permanent members, making the path to reform uncertain.

China Urges Unity And Corporation in BRICS Alliance.

At the 14th BRICS security meeting in St. Petersburg, Wang Yi addressed criticism of the organization, emphasizing the need to respect each other’s core interests and safeguard sovereignty, security, and development. The conference precedes the BRICS summit in Kazan next month, where leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, are expected to attend.

The BRICS alliance, founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010, has recently expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE. Saudi Arabia is considering joining, while Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Malaysia have applied.

African Personality Of The Week

Rebecca Cheptegei

Rebecca Cheptegei (22 February 1991 – 5 September 2024) was a Ugandan long-distance and marathon runner, national record holder and former world champion in mountain running. Representing Uganda in multiple international events, including the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, she built a remarkable athletic career, participating in the World Cross Country Championships, Mountain and Trail Running Championships, and World Athletics Championships. Cheptegei was also a member of the Uganda People's Defence Force, where she served as a sergeant. Tragically, she was killed in September 2024 by her former partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, during a violent attack related to a land dispute in Kenya.

Cheptegei's death, caused by severe burns following the attack, reignited discussions on gender-based violence in Kenya, where she became the third athlete to be killed in such circumstances since 2021. Her passing was met with widespread mourning and calls for justice, with a funeral procession held in her honour in Eldoret, followed by her burial in Bukwo, Uganda. In memory of her legacy, Paris committed to naming a sports venue after her, and other tributes were planned in both Uganda and Kenya. The Ugandan government also pledged financial support to her children, highlighting the impact of her loss.

We invite you to explore sponsorship opportunities or get in touch with us. Reaching out to admin@prominentgreen.com.

Your engagement is highly valued, and we look forward to hearing from you with enthusiasm!

Thank you for reading.

Unlock a world of knowledge and stay ahead of the curve by subscribing to our engaging weekly newsletter.

If this was forwarded to you, don't miss out on the latest and most important headlines in Africa. Subscribe now, share your thoughts in the comments, and spread the knowledge