This week’s news was marked by several important events in Africa. First, Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced his candidacy for a fourth term in next year’s presidential election. Kagame, who has ruled the country since the end of the 1994 genocide, is considered one of the most influential leaders in the Great Lakes region.
Then, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Félix Tshisekedi pleaded for an “accelerated” withdrawal of peacekeepers from his country, regretting their inability to confront armed groups. Tshisekedi also faced a violent crackdown during an attempted protest in Goma, in the east of the country, which left nearly 60 civilians dead. The victims’ families are now demanding justice and answers about what really happened.
In Libya, flooding caused by Storm Daniel displaced more than 43,000 people and devastated the town of Derna. Communications were restored after a 24-hour outage, but the situation remains critical for many Libyans.
In Niger, the lawyer of the deposed president seized the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States to request the restoration of constitutional order and the handing over of power to the elected president. The coup in Niger has raised concerns about political stability in the region.
In Ethiopia, violence continues to intensify, prompting several NGOs to call for the renewal of the mandate of UN investigators responsible for documenting war crimes in the country.
Finally, in Sudan, obtaining a passport has become an additional ordeal for those seeking to escape war or continue interrupted studies. Hundreds of Sudanese queue for days at passport offices hoping to obtain the documents they need to leave.
In summary, this week in Africa was marked by candidacy announcements, violence, natural disasters and administrative challenges. These events highlight the challenges facing many countries on the continent and the need for lasting solutions to ensure the stability and well-being of the population.
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