Author: Amnewsworld

Sudanese pro-democracy demonstrators celebrated Saturday the Muslim feast of sacrifice in the streets of Khartoum and its suburbs, between barricades and graffiti, to protest against the military regime in place. The morning prayer for Eid al-Adha, which marks the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) began Saturday in the streets of the capital and its suburbs, as demonstrators began their second week of protests and sit-ins. An imam borrowed the microphone, usually used to chant protest slogans, to deliver his sermon. The demonstrators intend to continue their protest movement and force the head of the army, Abdel Fattah al-Burhane…

A mass shooting at a tavern in Johannesburg’s Soweto township has killed 14 people and left three others in critical condition, according to police. Police say they are investigating reports that a group of men arrived in a minibus taxi and opened fire on some of the patrons at the bar late Saturday night. Police were on Sunday morning removing bodies of the deceased and investigating what had led to the mass shooting. The three critically injured and one other person wounded have been taken to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. The number of cartridges found on the scene indicated it…

Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo has defended his decision to seek help from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), saying it was necessary to “restore public finances” after the twin shocks of the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The decision has sparked an outcry in Ghana, which is in the throes of a severe economic crisis, with critics accusing President Akufo-Addo of reneging on his initial decision not to call on the IMF after saying a new tax would boost the economy. IMF officials are in Ghana to help “restore macroeconomic stability, preserve debt sustainability and promote inclusive and sustainable…

A year after the worst unrest to hit South Africa in decades, only 50 people have been convicted over the violence, with the suspected masterminds and thousands of others still awaiting trial, the defence minister said Friday. More than 350 people were killed during almost ten days of rioting that followed the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma last July. “(Authorities) continue to work around the clock investigating the crimes that were committed and building cases against those who were arrested,” Defense Minister Thandi Modise said. https://twitter.com/amnewsworld/status/1545717805982617600?s=20&t=xTZX5hnRTCqLQ3kCld-Qjw The perceived lack of progress in bringing the perpetrators to justice has been…

In Burkina Faso, a group of lawyers representing the civil parties in the case of former assassinated leader Thomas Sankara on Friday demanded the execution of an arrest warrant against the return ex-leader Blaise Compaore. The Collective is indignant at what it describes as a “defiance of justice” and calls on the judicial and political authorities to assume their responsibilities. “The coup plotters, the pseudo reconcilers, are simply trying to kill the rule of law and democracy in Burkina. Take the other convicts, my friend Diendéré, he is serving his sentence! It must be said with dignity. But why is…

Supporters of Roc Marc Kabore staged a protest at the former President’s residence to prevent him from attending a meeting of Burkina Faso’s former heads of state in Ougadougou on Friday. Called by army ruler Sandaogo Damiba to ‘accelerate national reconciliation’, the function only had two former Presidents out of five; Blaise Compaore and Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo. “This morning we were preparing for the meeting when I found the situation outside the door. There were people who were mobilized and demanding not to do this (not attend the meeting). It’s true that the CRS (police) have come. It’s hard to see…

One million pilgrims from across the globe amassed on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca to perform the initial rites of the hajj, marking the largest Islamic pilgrimage since the coronavirus pandemic upended the event — a key pillar of Islam. The hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime duty for all Muslims physically and financially able to make the journey. Pilgrims spend several days carrying out a series of rituals intended to bring them closer to God, walking the path traversed by Prophet Muhammad some 1,400 years ago. That includes praying around the cube-shaped Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam.…

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have agreed to a “de-escalation process” following weeks of rising tensions over rebel fighting in eastern DRC, the Congolese presidency said Wednesday after mediated talks. But the talks mediator, Angolan President Joao Lourenco, went further announcing a “ceasefire” — although giving no details. Violence has flared between is the Congolese army and the M23 rebels and is ongoing. The DRC has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the M23, a charge the small central African country always denied. “I am pleased to announce that we have had positive results, in our view, in that…

Animal markets in Sudan’s capital Khartoum are teeming with livestock, just days before Muslims mark Eid al Adha or the feast of sacrifice. But the celebration comes at a time many in the country are struggling to make ends meet and there are not many buyers. “The market was stagnant, but the demand and mobility [have] increased a little a few days before Eid. The prices were more reasonable last year, but the increase in prices of feed, fuel prices and transport costs, and the scarcity of animals drove the prices up this year,” said Abdulmunim Nur, a cattle breeder.…

French forces in the Sahel will switch operating mode after they leave Mali, acting more “in support” of local forces rather than substituting for them, their commander says. After nearly a decade fighting militants in Mali, France is pulling its troops out of the country after falling out with its military junta. President Emmanuel Macron announced the withdrawal in February, saying Operation Barkhane would continue elsewhere in the Sahel but in a smaller and reconfigured form. In an interview with AFP and Radio France Internationale (RFI), Barkhane commander General Laurent Michon said the force now had less than 2,000 men…