March, 2021 - The African Mirror

Mar

2021

‘Digital authoritarianism’ threatens basic rights in Africa

NITA BHALLA FROM internet shutdowns and online surveillance to social media taxes and arrests for anti-government posts, "digital authoritarianism" is a threat to basic freedoms and rights in many African countries, researchers said yesterday. A study by the African Digital Rights Network (ADRN) focusing on 10 countries found governments used a plethora of measures over the last two decades to stifle people's ability to organise, voice opinions and participate in governance online. "Our research shows online civic spaces are being closed through various repressive actions, including unwarranted arrests, unwarranted surveillance and various forms of intimidation," said Juliet Nanfuka from the…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigerian schoolgirls recounts kidnap ordeal

NEWS

AFOLABI SOTUNDE and SEUN SANNI GUNMEN have freed all 279 girls kidnapped last week from a boarding school in northwest Nigeria, and victims told of how their abductors had beaten and threatened to shoot them during a forced march into captivity. Dozens of girls in Muslim veils sat in a hall in a state government building before being taken for medical checks. A few parents arrived, and one father wept with joy after seeing his daughter. Farida Lawali, 15, told how she and the other girls had been taken to a forest by the kidnappers. "They carried the sick ones…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Love Island South Africa’s ‘too white’ online backlash

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER POPULAR reality show Love Island made its long-anticipated African debut to a very disappointed South African audience, mainly for its lack of diversity. The first African version of the UK hit reality series premiered on the M-net channel on Dstv with the first group of cast mates being white dominated, with only 3 black contestants introduced in the first episode. The show is also hosted by Leandie Du Randt, a white actress, and narrated by Warren Robertson, who was heavily criticised for his script on social media. https://twitter.com/LoveIsland_SA/status/1366099554081341443?s=20 Love Island is a competition aimed at 10 singles…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

A queen’s loving tribute to her late king

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER KHUSELA Diko has paid a loving tribute to her late husband, Nkosi Madzikane Thandisizwe Diko of AmaBacha, who was buried yesterday KwaBacha in the Eastern Cape. In a letter read at his funeral, Khusela described her farewell message to her husband, who died a week ago, as the most difficult letter she has had to write. Nkosi Diko, 43, died while in the middle of a controversy regarding an R125-million personal protective equipment tender that was awarded to his company but later cancelled. Diko died after he denied any wrongdoing. After the allegations emerged, Khusela was placed…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigerian villagers seek safety in Niger

NEWS

ONLY a few days into 2021, gunmen attacked Rambadawa, in northern Nigeria, to loot the village and steal cattle. "I was on my way home when I came face to face with the bandits," says Abdoulaye. "They said: ‘If you move, you're dead!' I barely moved a foot and they shot me in the leg." Abdoulaye fell to the ground, but somehow managed to reach a house to hide out. When the attackers left, two villagers were dead. Aisha, Abdoulaye's heavily pregnant sister-in-law, was at home when she heard gunshots. "They were firing in all directions, people were fleeing for…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Violence and insecurity affecting Nigeria

NEWS

LIBBY GEORGE GUNMEN have freed all 279 girls who were kidnapped from a boarding school in northwest Nigeria on Friday, officials have said. It was the second such abduction in just over a week and the third since December in Nigeria's north, where a surge in armed militancy has led to a widespread breakdown of security. There is growing public anger over the violence, prompting President Muhammadu Buhari to replace his military high command in late January. Following are details of the unrest affecting different regions. ARMED GANGS, NORTHWEST/NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA Armed gangs that rob and kidnap for ransom, commonly described…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Morocco’s tiff with Germany

NEWS

MOROCCO has told government departments to cease cooperation and contacts with Germany's embassy in the North African kingdom due in part to Berlin's stance over Western Sahara, a senior Moroccan diplomat said yesterday. A foreign ministry document, seen by Reuters, cited "deep disagreements" in asking all ministries and government bodies to abstain from any contact with the embassy and German aid and political organisations, without offering further details. The senior diplomat cited Germany's reaction to the U.S. decision in December to recognise Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, as well as its decision not to invite Morocco to an international meeting…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Measures for DRC, Guinea travellers

NEWS

DAVID SHEPARDSON THE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will impose new public health requirements for U.S. visitors who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or Guinea because of concerns about Ebola, the agency said on Monday. Starting this week, the U.S. government will require travelers from DRC and Guinea to fly into six U.S. airports. Airlines will collect and transmit passenger information to the CDC for public health follow-up for all passengers boarding a flight to the United States who were in DRC or Guinea within the previous 21 days. Recently, less than…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Festival gives Sudanese film lovers drive-in cinema

COVID-19

SUDANESE moviegoers are enjoying what organisers are saying is their first drive-in cinema after a festival showcasing the country's resurgent, post-uprising film scene moved outdoors this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. About 100 vehicles gathered in a Khartoum parking lot across from giant screens showing Sudanese and European films on Friday, the start of a week-long festival organized by the British Council. "We're watching films from our cars, and that's something that has never happened before in Sudan," said Asmaa, among festival attendees sitting inside, next to, and on top of their cars for the nighttime screenings. Once heavily…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

142 countries to get 237 million doses

COVID-19

SOME 237 million doses of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine are expected to be delivered to 142 countries by the end of May through the COVAX facility, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, told a news conference that vaccine deliveries were planned on Tuesday to Angola, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria. Ghana's president Nana Akufo-Addo said his West African country, which has begun its innoculation campaign with COVAX doses, aimed to vaccinate 20 million people by the end of 2021.