By : Lloyd Mahachi Mali’s ruling military junta has appointed a new prime minister, General Abdoulaye Maïga, further consolidating power in the hands of the military. This move comes after the dismissal of civilian Prime Minister Choguel Maïga, who openly criticized the regime for delaying presidential elections originally scheduled for 2024. General Maïga, 43, has held key roles under the junta, including minister of territorial administration and government spokesperson. Analysts believe his close ties to military leader General Assimi Goïta played a significant role in his selection. This appointment places all three branches of Mali’s transitional government under military control.…
Author: JOSEY AGENCY
By : Lloyd Mahachi Renowned Malian singer Rokia Traore is facing extradition to Belgium following Italy’s court decision, stemming from a child custody dispute. Her lawyer claims that the procedure is unjust, citing contradictions in the Belgian court’s handling of the case. This is not the first time Traore has faced arrest over this dispute; she was previously detained in France in 2020 under similar circumstances. Traore’s case has sparked concerns about international child custody disputes and extradition procedures. The dispute revolves around Traore’s daughter, who currently lives with her mother in Mali. The Belgian father, Traore’s estranged former partner,…
By : Lloyd Mahachi The International Criminal Court (ICC) has sentenced Al-Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud, a former Islamic police chief in Timbuktu, Mali, to 10 years in prison. He was found guilty of war crimes committed during the 2012 occupation of the city by the al-Qaeda-linked Ansar Dine group. Al-Hassan, 47, was accused of leading a “reign of terror” in Timbuktu. He oversaw public amputations, organized brutal floggings, including of children, and was involved in torture. The ICC recognized that these actions caused significant harm to victims and their families. Presiding judge Kimberly Prost described the…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Kizza Besigye, Uganda’s main opposition leader, has been taken to a military court in Kampala after being allegedly kidnapped from Nairobi, Kenya. This shocking event has raised concerns about the safety of opposition leaders in Uganda. Besigye, 68, was brought to the General Court Martial in handcuffs and under heavy military escort. Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, reported that he was kidnapped on Saturday while attending a book launch in Nairobi. She demanded his immediate release, stating that he is being held in a military jail without justification. Byanyima, who is the executive director of UNAIDS, expressed…
By : Lloyd Mahachi South Sudan is facing a very serious food problem that affects millions of people. Almost 60% of the population, about 7.7 million people, will not have enough food next year. Many children, over 2 million, are at risk of not getting enough nutrients, which can lead to serious health problems. Floods and war have made it hard for people to grow and get food, causing widespread hunger. The United Nations looked at the situation and said it was very bad. Starting in April, 57% of people will be in danger because they don’t have enough food.…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Somaliland has officially welcomed a new president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, following a highly contested presidential election held on November 13, 2024. Abdullahi, the opposition leader of the Waddani party, secured a decisive victory with 63.92% of the votes. Incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi garnered 34.81% of the votes, marking the end of his tenure. Somaliland’s 33-year quest for international recognition made this election particularly significant. Both Abdullahi and Bihi Abdi campaigned on platforms promising to strengthen democracy, boost economic growth, and secure global recognition. The region has maintained its own government, currency, and security structures despite…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Ghana has taken the top spot in U.S. visa overstays for 2023. This means that more people from Ghana stayed in the United States longer than they were allowed. Ghana’s overstay rate is now 7.50%, which is higher than Nigeria’s 7.14%. Many factors contribute to this issue, including economic struggles, the appeal of opportunities in the U.S., and challenges with the visa application process. In 2023, Ghana issued 25,454 visas for business, tourism, or visiting family and friends. Unfortunately, 1,910 Ghanaians stayed longer than allowed. Nigeria, on the other hand, issued 84,051 visas, with 6,000 Nigerians…
By : Lloyd Mahachi A Hong Kong court has sentenced prominent pro-democracy leaders, including Joshua Wong and Benny Tai, to jail terms ranging from four to ten years for subversion. This verdict is part of the largest use of China’s national security law, imposed on Hong Kong after the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Wong, a well-known activist, received more than four years, while Tai, a former law professor, got the longest sentence of ten years. This decision has significant implications for Hong Kong’s democratic future. Joshua Wong has been a key figure in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, rising to international prominence…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Gabon has made a big move towards becoming a democracy. Most of its citizens voted for a new constitution, with 92% saying yes. This is a crucial step towards transitioning from military rule to civilian rule. The country’s electoral body released the provisional results. The new constitution is important because it sets the stage for elections in 2025. This will happen after a national dialogue in April 2024. Gabon’s military leaders were under pressure from other countries to make a plan for transitioning to democracy. Now, they have taken a big step forward. General Brice Oligui…
By : Lloyd Mahachi A tragic building collapse occurred in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital, resulting in the loss of at least 13 lives. The four-storey building, situated in the bustling Kariakoo market, suddenly came down on Saturday morning around 9 a.m., sending shockwaves through the community. The building, which housed various businesses and residential units, was a fixture in the vibrant market area. The rescue efforts were swift and decisive, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan announcing that over 80 people were rescued from the rubble. Many were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical attention, with 26 still receiving…