Today’s news: summary of key events
In the world of African politics, this week has been rich in announcements and decisions. First, Rwandan President Paul Kagame confirmed his candidacy for a fourth term in next year’s presidential election. This strengthens his position as leader of the country since the end of the genocide in 1994.
Then, in Niger, the lawyer of the deposed president appealed to the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States to restore constitutional order by handing over power to the elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. This follows the coup that toppled the government in March this year.
In DR Congo, President Félix Tshisekedi pleaded before the United Nations General Assembly for an accelerated withdrawal of peacekeepers from his country, stressing that they have failed to effectively confront armed groups. He expressed the wish to see these international forces gradually withdraw from the end of 2023.
In Libya, flooding caused by Storm Daniel displaced more than 43,000 people and caused widespread destruction. The town of Derna was particularly hard hit, suffering a 24-hour communications outage. This disaster highlights the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters.
In Ethiopia, there are reports of an increase in violence, raising concern among non-governmental organizations. They demand that the mandate of UN investigators be renewed so that they can independently document war crimes in the country.
Finally, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the city of Goma is in mourning after the violent repression of a demonstration, which left nearly 60 dead according to the official toll. The victims’ families are now demanding answers as to what really happened that day.
These events show the importance of staying informed about political news in Africa. The decisions of leaders and the consequences of crises can have a significant impact on the lives of populations. It is therefore essential to closely monitor these developments to better understand the issues and challenges facing Africa.