Daybreak Africa - VOA Africa
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Tuesday is Inauguration Day in Senegal as newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye will take the oath of office as the country’s fifth president. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated President-elect Faye on Tuesday and commended the people of Senegal for a peaceful and inclusive election. Senegalese political analyst Ibrahima Kane, tells VOA’s James Butty, almost all leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the chairperson of the African Union Commission will attend, signaling the importance of Senegal as a model of democracy in Africa.
Sierra Leone’s main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party has requested a diplomatic dialogue with the Guinean ambassador in Sierra Leone for information on party member Abubakar Boxx Konteh. He was arrested a week ago at the Guinea airport in a joint operation with Guinean and Sierra Leonean security. Sierra Leone Information Minister Chernor Bah told VOA Boxx Konteh was arrested on suspicion of involvement with the November 26, 2023 alleged coup attempt and trafficking of the drug kush. Lansana Dumbuya, National Secretary General of the APC, tells VOA’s James Butty, the purpose of the diplomatic dialogue is to appeal to Guinea to ensure that the rights and freedom of Konteh, who is also regional coordinator of the opposition APC party, are protected.
UNICEF is urging immediate action to bolster security in hundreds of schools in Nigeria following recent abductions for ransom of dozens of students in the northern part of the country. President Bola Tinubu said his administration is poised to implement a "Safe School Policy" to keep children safe in schools countrywide. Abubakar Mohammed is a security analyst. He tells VOA's Chinedu Offor, the government lacks the political will and manpower to tackle what he calls a national security failure
On Daybreak Africa: Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland rejects a constitutional amendment passed by the federal government. Plus, Guinea’s military junta asks for an extension of the transition to civilian rule. Eswatini government denies it has been harassing the widow of slain human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko. Haiti’s surge in gang violence reaches prominent institutions in Port-au-Prince. For this and more tune to Daybreak Africa!
A spokesperson for the Eswatini Multi-Stakeholders Forum says the Eswatini government is harassing Tanele Maseko, the widow of slain human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko. Maseko, chair of the Multi-Stakeholders Forum, was killed in his home in January last year. The government has denied harassing her. Multi-stakeholders spokesperson Suvumelwano (See-Voo-Meh-Loo-Wah-Noh) Nyembe, tells VOA’s James Butty, there is no justification for the police to ask Mrs. Maseko for her phone just because she has demanded progress in the investigation into her husband’s assassination.
The spokesperson for the Eswatini government is denying that it has been harassing the widow of slain human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko. Maseko, chair of the Multi-Stakeholders Forum, was killed in his home in January last year. His widow, Tanele, has accused the government of being behind the assassination of her husband. Eswatini government spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo, tells VOA’s James Buttty, he only told the widow to prove her allegations that the government was responsible for the death of her husband.
It appears Guinea’s military junta is reneging on its promise to return the country to democratic rule at the end of 2024. Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah, appointed last month, has told the nation that the return to civilian rule will now begin in 2025. He cited the need for more time to hold a national census and preparation of an electoral list. Faya Millimono, leader of the opposition Liberal Bloc Party, says the national reception is divided between those who support the extension and those who are against. He tells VOA’s James Butty, he supports the delay because Guineans need more time to build strong institutions before holding an election.
The deputy General Secretary of Ghana’s opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) says the party will file articles of impeachment if President Nana Akufo-Addo does not indicate where he stands on the Anti-LGBTQ+bill. Passed by parliament in February, The legislation criminalizes same-sex relations and is awaiting President Akufo-Addo’s approval or disapproval. Ghanaian government officials or ruling party members did not respond to our request for comment. The Ghana Graphic Online reports that on Easter Sunday, the Most Reverend Alfred Agyenta, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, urged President Akufo-Addo to accept and assent to the bill. NDC deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande, tells VOA’s James Butty, most Ghanaians support the bill.
On Daybreak Africa: Former South African President Jacob Zuma is disqualified from contesting the May 29 elections because of his previous criminal record.. A bus accident kills forty-five people in South Africa Thursday. Togolese protest against a new parliament-approved constitution. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu establishes a task force to deal with economic challenges facing the country. a Kenyan health care business is using portable, low-cost ultrasound systems to give expecting mothers
Forty-five people were killed Thursday in South Africa when a bus plunged off a bridge and fell more than 150 feet. South African officials said only one passenger, an 8-year-old girl, survived the crash. Reuters News Agency says the bus was traveling from Botswana to an annual Easter festival at a church in Moria, in South Africa's northern province of Limpopo. From Johannesburg reporter Thuso Khumalo has the story
A member of a Togolese diaspora coalition is calling on citizens living abroad to turn out in large numbers on April 20 and vote out members of parliament who approved a new constitution without first holding a referendum. According to the Associated Press (AP), the new constitution approved this week gives parliament the power to choose the president without election. It also increases presidential terms from five to six years. This makes it likely that President Faure Gnassingbe would be re-elected when his mandate expires in 2025. Brigitte Akouvi Ameganvi, a member of the Board of Synergie-Togo, a Togolese diaspora organization in Europe, tells VOA’s James Butty, President Gnassingbe should not approve the new constitution because it infringes on the right of all citizens to choose their president
On Daybreak Africa: The latest provisional results in Senegal’s election show opposition candidate Diomaye Faye with an insurmountable lead. Plus, South Africa's ruling ANC files a new court application to stop the opposition MK from using its name. Officials say it’s too soon to know the economic impact from the collapse of a key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. South Sudan says it will reopen schools on April second. A petition is calling for a global convention on crimes against humanity. Malawi charity provides hope for elderly citizens, Including those accused of being witches.
South Sudan authorities say they will reopen schools on April second after closing for nearly a week due to the serious health hazard to students posed by extreme heat. Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng tells VOA’s James Butty, the country has never witnessed such temperatures as high as 113 degrees Fahrenheit
A relative of Abubakar Boxx Konteh, a Sierra Leonean arrested last Saturday in Guinea, is calling for him to be accorded due process according to international law. The Sierra Leone government says Konteh was arrested in a joint operation with Guinean security in Guinea for his role in the failed coup attempt on November 26, 2023. Ahmed Sesay, a family member of Konteh, tells VOA’s James Butty, Konteh’s arrest may be part of a witch hunt because he is also regional coordinator of main opposition All People’s Congress party.
Senegalese opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye is on the verge of being declared winner of the March 24 presidential election. The latest provisional results from 100 percent of polling stations show Faye has won 54.28 percent of the votes. His nearest competitor, Amadou Ba, received 35.79 percent of the votes. Senegalese political analyst Ibrahima Kane tells VOA’s James Butty, the results are a referendum on President Macky Sall who did almost everything to derail the elections.
Three hundred and five human rights organizations and individuals have signed a petition calling for a global convention on crimes against humanity. They want the countries to use this year’s 79th Session of the UN General Assembly to move the draft Articles on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity forward. Elise Keppler, Executive Director of the Global Justice Center which works to advance gender equality using international law, tells VOA’s James Butty, a treaty on crimes against humanity would close the gap that exists in the current international framework on mass atrocities as well as clarifying the duties of states to prevent such crimes.
On Daybreak Africa: South Africa’s ruling ANC loses its attempt to have a court remove a newly formed party from the May 29 election ballot. Plus, UNICEF says climate change is creating a ‘dire situation’ for 45 million African children. The U.S. discusses humanitarian assistance to Chad, and Ethiopia. South Sudan’s opposition parties criticize new election Laws.. Sierra Leone and Guinean security forces arrest an APC opposition member for involvement in last November’s alleged coup. A major bridge in the busy port city of Baltimore, Maryland, collapses after a container ship crashes into it. For this and more tune to Daybreak Africa!
Sierra Leone says it conducted a joint operation with Guinean security that led to the arrest of Abubakar Boxx Konteh at the Guinea airport while attempting to flee to Senegal. Information Minister Chernor Bah says Konteh, a Sierra Leonean, was arrested on March 23rd on suspicion of providing material support in the planning, execution, and escape of the perpetrators of the failed coup on November 26, 2023. Former President Ernest Bai Koroma was also charged with treason and other offenses for his role in the incident. He was temporarily relocated to Nigeria in exchange for dropping treason charges against him. Information Minister Bah, tells VOA’s James Butty, Konteh is also suspected to of involvement in the trade of the drug kush in Sierra Leone
In South Africa, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) lost in court yesterday in its attempt to remove the newly formed uMkhonto we Sizwe party, or MK, from the May 29 election ballot. The ANC challenged the MK’s use of the name and a logo that is similar to that of the ANC’s now-disbanded military wing founded by Nelson Mandela. Former President Jacob Zuma has agreed to be the candidate of the MK. Professor Sipho Seepe, a political analyst and former Deputy Vice Chancellor for Institutional Support at the University of Zululand, tells VOA’s James Butty, t the ruling means the ANC could lose more votes on May 29.
A new electoral regulation in South Sudan has received harsh criticism from opposition parties that see the move as a way to lock them out of the forthcoming general election that will be a first for the world’s youngest nation. Sheila Ponnie Reports from South Sudan
The United Nations children’s fund says there is a “dire situation” in several eastern and southern African countries, where at least 45 million children are dealing with severe food insecurity made worse by climate change. Columbus Mavhunga reports from Zimbabwe’s capital, where the government says it will not rush to declare a national disaster although drought is ravaging all districts.
A senior U.S. official says the United States is extending more than 47 million dollars in humanitarian assistance for the emergency response in Sudan and neighboring countries, including Chad and South Sudan. From the Kenyan capital Nairobi, Reuben Kyama report
On Daybreak Africa: Senegal celebrates as opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye wins Sunday’s presidential election. Plus, civil society groups in South Sudan do not believe the country will hold presidential elections this year. Two political parties endorse Rwandan President Kagame. A look at the importance of developing new cures for Tuberculosis to drastically reduce treatment time. Somalia’s largest telecommunications company rolls out the latest high-speed internet despite security and political challenges. For this and more tune to Daybreak Africa!
Civil society groups in South Sudan are calling on the country’s Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity to address outstanding issues and restore public confidence in the transitional process. Among the topics identified at a meeting last week were security, constitution-making, and elections. Galdino Ochama Ojok, Chairperson of the South Sudan Civil Society Forum, tells VOA’s James Butty, South Sudan is not ready to hold an inclusive, free, fair, credible, and peaceful election next December.
An analyst says results from Sunday’s Senegal elections and last year’s elections in Liberia have rekindled hope in democracy in these countries and hopefully the whole of West Africa. Opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye defeated ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba, whom Faye asked to graciously concede defeat. President-elect Faye and opposition leader Ousmane Sonko were both released from jail a week before Sunday’s vote. Senegalese political analyst Ibrahima Kane tells VOA’s James Butty, the election felt like a second Independence Day as Senegalese were celebrating late into the night on Monday.
On Daybreak Africa: Vote counting is under way as Senegalese voters finally cast their ballots in the delayed presidential elections. Plus, Somalia’s largest telecoms company rolls out the latest high-speed internet. Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera declares a State of Disaster in 23 districts that are in dire need of food aid. A Ugandan activist faces threats after what many describe as a successful online campaign against corruption and misuse of public funds. For this and more tune to Daybreak Africa!
Zambia’s information minister says President Hakainde Hichilema’s government will continue to respect the freedoms of speech and press because these are entrenched in the constitution. This, after some opposition politicians accused the government of planning to introduce amendments to the Information Broadcasting Authority Act. The changes would punish perceived political opponents who use social media to disseminate their views. Information Minister Cornelius Mweetwa, tells VOA’s James Butty, the proposed amendments are about regulating the licensing of broadcasting via the internet. He says the changes are being suggested by ordinary citizens, not the government.
Somalia’s largest telecommunications company has rolled out the latest high-speed internet in a country where private businesses are booming despite security and political challenges. Hormuud Company said the fifth-generation network, or 5G, is available in over 20 cities and towns including the capital Mogadishu where the launch took place on Thursday. The President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the launch and praised the country’s private sector -driven economy. On the line to Mogadishu, Yasin Hassan, the head of Hormuud Corporate Communications, spoke to VOA’s Harun Maruf
In addition to the insecurity and food crisis faced by people displaced by war in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, they are also threatened by carbon dioxide from volcanic matter, commonly known as Mazuku, in camps west of the city of Goma. More than 10 displaced people have already died from asphyxiation by these substances, reports the Goma Volcano Observatory. Zanem Nety Zaidi reports from Goma.
An online protest movement is being credited for exposing corruption in Uganda. Among others, posts on Uganda's National Assembly purport to reveal details about abuse of public resources, nepotism in staff recruitment and even collusion between civil servants and lawmakers on oversight committees. The online protest movement, which has generated a national conversation, has been hailed by anti-corruption activists for its ability to name and shame specific individuals before an attentive audience. Dr Jimmy Spire Ssentongo, a Ugandan professor, columnist, author, and editorial cartoonist is leading the exhibition. He tells VOA’s Douglas Mpuga, that although he is worried about his safety after receiving threats, the campaign has been largely successful in creating awareness
