Africa News and Discussions

Post Reply
User avatar
caltrek
Posts: 6509
Joined: Mon May 17, 2021 1:17 pm

Re: Africa News and Discussions

Post by caltrek »

Ex-hotel Driver Sentenced to 14 years for Complicity in Rwanda Genocide
by Molly Quell
December 17, 2021

https://www.courthousenews.com/ex-hotel ... -genocide/

Introduction:
PARIS (Courthouse News) — The month-long trial of a former hotel chauffeur charged with crimes relating to the Rwandan genocide came to an end on Thursday evening, nearly a decade after the investigation first began.

Claude Muhayimana was given a 14-year jail sentence by the Assize Court in Paris for complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity. The court found that he used his job as a hotel driver to transport Hutu militiamen to the sites of massacres of ethnic minority Tutsis during the violent conflict in 1994.

Muhayimana, a Hutu, was married to a Tutsi woman, has denied the charges, claiming he was forced to make trips at gunpoint. The investigation into his actions revealed he also hid members of aided members of the ethnic group in escaping at his own peril.

He is the fourth and lowest-ranking Rwandan to face genocide charges before a court in France. Muhayimana became a French national after leaving Rwanda in the late 1990s and France's legal system allows for universal jurisdiction to prosecute crimes against humanity.
Image
Rwanda
Don't mourn, organize.

-Joe Hill
User avatar
caltrek
Posts: 6509
Joined: Mon May 17, 2021 1:17 pm

Re: Africa News and Discussions

Post by caltrek »

On TV in Ghana, Portland’s Pious Ali Urges Compassionate Leadership
December 15, 2021

https://www.amjamboafrica.com/portlands ... hanian-tv/
(Amjambo Africa) While visiting Ghana recently, Pious Ali took time for a TV interview, hosted by Trust TV. The topic was his journey from private citizen to well-respected elected official. Ali, the first African-born Muslim American to be elected to public office in Maine, spoke about leadership, and his firm belief that elected officials should serve the people. He was first elected to the Portland Board of Public Education in 2013, and then to the Portland City Council in 2016. He is Chair of the Housing and Economic Development Committee and a member of the Legislative/Nominating Committee. He is currently the longest-serving member on the Council. His term expires in 2022.

Don't mourn, organize.

-Joe Hill
User avatar
caltrek
Posts: 6509
Joined: Mon May 17, 2021 1:17 pm

Re: Africa News and Discussions

Post by caltrek »

The Planet is Not a Dumping Ground
by Jim Hightower
December 15, 2021

https://otherwords.org/the-planet-is-no ... ng-ground/

Introduction:
(Other Words) In a world that’s clogged and choking with a massive overdose of plastic trash, you’ll be heartened to learn that governments and industries are teaming up to respond forcefully to this planetary crisis.

Unfortunately, their response has been to engage in a global race to make more plastic stuff — and to force poor countries to become dumping grounds for plastic garbage.

Leading this Kafkaesque greedfest are such infamous plunderers and polluters as Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Shell, and other petrochemical profiteers. With fossil fuel profits crashing, the giants are rushing to convert more of their over-supply of oil into plastic.

But where to send the monstrous volumes of waste that will result? The industry’s chief lobbyist outfit, the American Chemistry Council, looked around last year and suddenly shouted: “Eureka, there’s Africa!”

In particular, they’re targeting Kenya to become “a plastics hub” for global trade in waste. However, Kenyans have an influential community of environmental activists who’ve enacted some of the world’s toughest bans on plastic pollution.
Don't mourn, organize.

-Joe Hill
weatheriscool
Posts: 12954
Joined: Sun May 16, 2021 6:16 pm

Re: Africa News and Discussions

Post by weatheriscool »

Thousands of protesters in Sudan call for transition to civilian rule
Source: France 24
Waving flags, beating drums, dancing and chanting, crowds marched on the streets of Khartoum despite a heavy deployment of security forces -- who later fired tear gas canisters to break them up.

Officers had earlier blocked bridges connecting the capital to suburbs, cut phone lines and restricted the internet ahead of the planned protests.

At least 48 people have died in crackdowns during weeks of protests, according to the independent Doctors' Committee, and Khartoum's state governor has warned that security forces "will deal with those who break the law and create chaos".

Demonstrators converged on the presidential palace in Khartoum, the headquarters of the military government in control since General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan seized power on October 25.
Read more: https://www.france24.com/en/africa/2021 ... ilian-rule
weatheriscool
Posts: 12954
Joined: Sun May 16, 2021 6:16 pm

Re: Africa News and Discussions

Post by weatheriscool »

Firefighters battle new blaze at South African parliament, suspect charged with arson
Source: Reuters
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) -A new blaze broke out on Monday at the complex housing the two chambers of South Africa’s national parliament in Cape Town, one day after a devastating fire swept through the buildings.

“The fire and rescue service confirms that the fire at parliament has flared up. The void beneath the roof sheeting of the National Assembly is on fire,” a spokesman for the city’s fire services said on Monday afternoon.

Police have charged a 49-year-old man with arson and other offences including theft and he was expected to appear in court on Tuesday.

National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said the arson, if confirmed, would represent an attack on the country’s democracy.
Read more: https://www.metro.us/firefighters-battle-new-blaze/
User avatar
caltrek
Posts: 6509
Joined: Mon May 17, 2021 1:17 pm

Re: Africa News and Discussions

Post by caltrek »

Ethiopia Announces Pardons for High-profile Political Prisoners
January 7, 2022

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/7 ... -prisoners

Introduction:
(Al Jazeera) The Ethiopian government has announced it would pardon and release some of the country’s most high-profile political detainees, including opposition figure Jawar Mohammed and senior Tigray party officials.

The announcement on Friday came after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed issued a statement calling for “national reconciliation” as Ethiopia celebrated Orthodox Christmas.

It listed several leading members of the TPLF (Tigray People’s Liberation Front), whose forces have been locked in a brutal conflict with government forces in northern Ethiopia since November 2020, as well as prominent opposition leaders from the Oromo and Amhara ethnic groups.

It was not immediately clear how many of those granted amnesty had yet been freed.

It was the most dramatic move yet by the government after the country’s deadly Tigray war entered a new phase in late December, when Tigray forces retreated into their region amid a military offensive and Ethiopian forces said they would not advance further there.
Don't mourn, organize.

-Joe Hill
User avatar
caltrek
Posts: 6509
Joined: Mon May 17, 2021 1:17 pm

Re: Africa News and Discussions

Post by caltrek »

Mali’s Junta Deplores New Sanctions Imposed by Regional Bloc
January 10, 2022

https://www.courthousenews.com/malis-ju ... onal-bloc/

Introduction:
BAMAKO, Mali (AP via Courthouse News) — Mali's ruling junta on Monday condemned the new economic sanctions imposed by West African regional leaders after the coup leader announced a plan to delay new elections by four years.

The new measures stepping up pressure on Col. Assimi Goita include the immediate freezing of Mali's assets held in the regional central bank. Flights from the 14 other countries in the regional bloc known as ECOWAS also have been halted.

West African leaders who met Sunday in Ghana's capital also said they had activated the ECOWAS standby military force, hinting at the threat of military intervention if the junta in Mali continues to defy international calls for democratic elections.

Appearing on a late-night news flash on state TV, a spokesman for Mali's government said it learned of the decision with "stupefaction."

"The government of Mali energetically condemns these illegal and illegitimate sanctions," said Col. Abdoulaye Maiga, spokesman for the transitional government headed by Goita, the coup leader.
Image
Mali
Don't mourn, organize.

-Joe Hill
User avatar
caltrek
Posts: 6509
Joined: Mon May 17, 2021 1:17 pm

Re: Africa News and Discussions

Post by caltrek »

Ugandan Fintech Asaak Raises $30 Million to Support Acquisition of Motorbikes, Smartphones by Taxi Operators
by Annie Njanja
January 17, 2022

https://techcrunch.com/2022/01/17/ugand ... operators/

Introduction:
(TechCrunch) Asaak, a Ugandan asset financing startup, has secured $30 million in pre-Series A equity and debt funding. The round saw the participation of new and existing investors including Resolute Ventures, Social Capital, HOF Capital, Founders Factory Africa, End Poverty Make Trillions, Decentralized VC and a number of angel investors.

Asaak offers motorbike financing to operators, who are often locked out by formal banking institutions due to stringent security requirements comprising income history and regular account activity.

The startup works with a number of partners including mobility and e-commerce platforms to make motorcycle ownership easier for the riders– who earn a living by operating motorcycle taxis (bodaboda), a popular mode of transport across Africa, and especially in major cities like Kampala.

Through Asaak, bodaboda operators are now able to own the motorcycles they ride, compared to previously when most of them were either employed by bike owners, or were renting or leasing the motorcycles.

“Asaak is unlocking mobility-based work, which literally moves the economy forward and creates upward mobility for these individuals. Bodaboda riders are the lifeblood of Africa, moving people and cargo from home to school to work. They just need access to motorcycles which leads them to better income opportunities and makes them able to provide for their families,” Asaak co-founder and chief business officer Dylan Terrill told TechCrunch.
Don't mourn, organize.

-Joe Hill
User avatar
caltrek
Posts: 6509
Joined: Mon May 17, 2021 1:17 pm

Re: Africa News and Discussions

Post by caltrek »

Ghanian Fintech Float Raises $17 Million Seed to Power Cash Flow for Commerce in Africa
by Tage Kene-Okafor
January 17, 2022

https://techcrunch.com/2022/01/17/ghana ... in-africa/

Introduction:
Cash flow is a major pain point for small businesses in Africa. Long payment cycles, which can take 30-90 days after services or products have been rendered, and little or no capital, of which research says 85% of African small and medium businesses are subject to, are the main culprits of cash flow issues.

Many startups are solving these problems for African SMBs in one form or another, and the demand for their services has seen Ghanaian startup Float pick up a significant round of funding. The fintech which provides credit lines for businesses has raised $17 million, funding that it will be using to bolster its offerings and expand geographically.

The seed round was a mix of $7 million equity and $10 million debt. While Cauris provided debt financing, Tiger Global and JAM Fund, the investment firm of Tinder co-founder Justin Mateen co-led the equity bit. Other VC firms involved in the equity round include Kinfolk, Soma Capital, Ingressive Capital and Magic Fund.

A couple of angel investors also took part: Y Combinator CEO Michael Seibel, Sandy Kory of Horizon Partners, Ramp founders Karim Atiyeh and Eric Glyman, Gregory Rockson of mPharma and Dutchie founders Zach Lipson and Ross Lipson.
Last edited by caltrek on Wed Apr 13, 2022 11:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Don't mourn, organize.

-Joe Hill
weatheriscool
Posts: 12954
Joined: Sun May 16, 2021 6:16 pm

Re: Africa News and Discussions

Post by weatheriscool »

Dozens feared dead after immense explosion rocks western Ghana
Source: The Guardian

Dozens of people are feared dead after a truck carrying mining explosives collided with a motorcycle in western Ghana, sparking an explosion that has left hundreds of buildings destroyed.

The accident happened around noon in Apiate, near the mining city of Bogoso, 300km (180 miles) west of the West African country’s capital, Accra.
...
At least 57 who were injured had been taken to local hospitals, emergency officials said. Dr Joseph Darko, working at Apiate hospital, told AFP that five of the casualties had been taken there, “including a five-year-old child who is in a life-threatening condition”.

More than 500 buildings had been destroyed, said Seji Saji Amedonu, deputy director general of the National Disaster Management Organisation.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/ ... ng-vehicle
Post Reply