NEWS - The African Mirror

Nov

12

2020

Kenya’s president saves fig tree from Chinese-funded highway

NEWS

KENYA’S President Uhuru Kenyatta has issued a decree to save a much-loved century-old fig tree from being cut down to make way for a Chinese-funded highway in the capital Nairobi. The presidential decree described the tree, the height of a four-storey building, as a "beacon of Kenya's cultural and ecological heritage." The fig tree is considered sacred among Kenya's most populous ethnic group, the Kikuyu. Motorcycle riders sit in the shade provided by the iconic, century-old fig tree during a protest to save it from being cut down to pave way for a Chinese-funded highway, in Westlands district of Nairobi,…

Nov

12

2020

By The African Mirror

Thousands flee Ethiopia conflict, anti-Tigray protests planned

NEWS

GIULIA PARAVICINI ETHIOPIAN refugees were flooding into Sudan as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's federal troops battled well-armed local forces in Tigray and protests against the northern region's leaders were planned elsewhere. With outsiders barred and communications down, it was hard to know how Abiy's week-long offensive against regional rulers the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) was progressing. But security sources and state media have spoken of hundreds of deaths in the mountainous state of more than 5 million people, where federal warplanes have been pounding arms and fuel depots as soldiers fight on the ground. Both sides have claimed successes,…

Nov

12

2020

By The African Mirror

South Africa eases restrictions on international travel, alcohol sales

NEWS

SOUTH Africa will open up travel to all countries in an effort to boost the tourism and hospitality sectors, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced, despite having the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the continent. Africa's most advanced economy, which has recorded more than 740,000 COVID-19 cases and over 20,000 deaths, has seen infections rise since it eased lockdown restrictions in September to their lowest levels. Ramaphosa, in a televised national address, said normal trading hours of alcohol would be restored too, after sales were restricted on weekends in an effort to reduce pressure on hospitals due to alcohol-related…

Nov

11

2020

By The African Mirror

South Africa opens its borders to international travel, cautions of new COVID-19 surge

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH Africa is to open its borders to international travelers, relax restrictions on alcohol sales but warned of a resurgence of COVID-19. SA president Cyril Ramaphosa, in an address to the nation, said international travel would be subject to strict COVID-19 protocols. He said the state of national disaster, declared in response to COVID-19, has been extended to January 15. He also announced that South Africa would embark on five days of mourning - November 25 to 29 - for those who died of COVID-19 and gender-based violence. Ramaphosa said while South African has made impressive progress…

Nov

11

2020

By The African Mirror

U.N. urges Mozambique to investigate reported massacres, beheadings

NEWS

THE United Nations has called on Mozambique to investigate reports that militants had massacred villagers and beheaded women and children in a restive northern region. As many as 50 people have died in recent days in attacks by fighters linked to Islamic State, local media including Mediafax and The Pinnacle News have reported. Violence had surged this year in Cabo Delgado - a province that borders Tanzania and is the site of a multi-billion dollar natural gas project - alarming governments across southern Africa. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres called for an investigation in a statement late on Tuesday. UN Secretary-General…

Nov

11

2020

By The African Mirror

UN rights chief disturbed by ‘intimidation’ of opposition in Tanzania

NEWS

THE U.N. human rights chief is disturbed by reports of "intimidation and harassment" of the opposition in Tanzania following a disputed election that the incumbent president won with 84% of the vote. President John Magufuli was declared the winner of the October 28 vote but the main opposition parties have alleged fraud. The opposition called for protests against the results but the police foiled their attempts last week and arrested their leaders, before later releasing them on bail. Police said the demonstrations were illegal and were meant to cause violence in the East African country. Tundu Lissu, who was Magufuli's…

Nov

11

2020

By The African Mirror

Former Mali president Toure, democratic icon toppled in coup, dies at 72

NEWS

TIEMOKO DIALLO FORMER Malian president Amadou Toumani Toure, who won acclaim as a champion of democracy before being toppled by a military coup in 2012, has died at the age of 72, an aide said on Tuesday. Toure's life in many ways symbolised the stop-start nature of democracy in Mali, where his successor, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, was overthrown in another coup this August. Widely known by his initials ATT, Toure led an army coup in 1991 against military ruler Moussa Traore, who had violently suppressed anti-government protests. Toure organised democratic elections the following year and handed over power to a…

Nov

11

2020

By The African Mirror

Explosion rocks Ethiopia as Tigray conflict worsens, refugees flee to Sudan

NEWS

AN explosion under a bridge in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa injured one man on Wednesday, a federal police spokesman said. There was no indication the blast was related to the conflict in the northern Tigray region were federal troops are fighting forces loyal to local leaders. The man lost a leg, the spokesman told Reuters. Refugees have fled to Sudan and the African Union appealed for a ceasefire in a north Ethiopian region where Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is waging a military offensive against local leaders defiant of his authority. About 2,500 Ethiopians have escaped across the border to Sudan…

Nov

11

2020

By The African Mirror

Islamist militants behead more than 50 people in Mozambique

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER IN one of the most gruesome killings, Islamic militants have attacked a village in northern Mozambique, beheaded more than 50 people, chopped up the bodies of victims and set their homes alight. According to reports, the victims were rounded up and taken to a football field where they were killed. Their dismembered bodies were found scattered across a forest not far from the field. According to the BBC, the militants' gunmen chanted 'Allahu Akbar' as they raided a village and abducted some of its women, while others slaughtered victims in nearby Muatide. The attack is the latest…

Nov

10

2020

By The African Mirror

ANC secretary-general won’t step down in the face of criminal charges

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule, who is expected to appear in court on Friday to face criminal charges, has not been asked to stand down from his powerful position in the party that governs South Africa. A warrant of arrest was issued against Magashule yesterday in connection with the controversial R255-million asbestos project that was awarded when he was Premier of the Free State The ANC’s most senior leadership structure - the Top Six - met on an urgent basis to consider the issuance of the warrant for the arrest of Magashule. The ANC said Magashule briefed the…