Representing the SADC
CNN — A once powerful member of the former Sudanese government wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity has been freed from prison in the capital Khartoum. Ahmed Haroun was the head of the ruling National Congress Party and among dozens of Sudanese officials who were arrested in … Read More “Former Sudanese minister Ahmed Haroun wanted on war crimes charges freed from Khartoum prison | CNN” »
CNN — Ten members from the same family, including seven women and three men, were killed by gunmen Friday in the city of Pietermaritzburg, in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province of South Africa, police said Friday. “According to initial police reports, unknown gunmen stormed a Pietermaritzburg homestead and ambushed the family,” the South African Ministry of Police said in a statement … Read More “10 members of same family killed in South Africa mass shooting | CNN” »
CNN — Gunfire, explosions and overhead fighter jets were heard across Sudan’s capital Khartoum on Tuesday, as gunmen reportedly stormed the homes of people working for the United Nations and other international organizations, amid conflicting reports of an agreed ceasefire in the country. Fighting between the country’s armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces … Read More “Ceasefire crumbles amid chaos in Sudan as death toll reaches 270 | CNN” »
CNN — South African prosecutors have dropped a murder charge against Zolile Sekeleni, the father of the girlfriend of high-profile convicted murderer Thabo Bester, who is accused of escaping from a South African prison after faking his own death in a fire, officials told CNN Monday. Sekeleni’s daughter, Nandipha Magudumana, a prominent medical doctor and … Read More “Murder charge dropped against co-defendant in case of killer accused of faking his own death in South Africa | CNN” »
CNN — South Africa’s parole board is hearing early release submissions Friday for disgraced Paralympian Oscar Pistorius, who was jailed for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius was approved for parole consideration after serving more than half of his 13-year sentence. But Steenkamp’s parents are opposed to an early release, their lawyer Tania Koen … Read More “Reeva Steenkamp’s parents oppose early release for Oscar Pistorius as hearing starts | CNN” »
CNN — Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the Hollywood film “Hotel Rwanda,” was released from prison in Rwanda after his prison sentence was commuted Friday by the country’s President Paul Kagame. US senior administration officials told reporters Friday that Rusesabagina, who is a US legal permanent resident, had been transferred to the residence of the Qatari … Read More “‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero to be freed after 25-year terrorism sentence commuted | CNN” »
CNN — Ugandan lawmakers on Tuesday approved some of the world’s harshest anti-gay laws, making some crimes punishable by death and imposing up to 20 years in prison for people identifying as LGBTQ+. The new legislation constitutes a further crackdown on LGBTQ+ people in a country where same-sex relations were already illegal – punishable by … Read More “Uganda parliament passes bill criminalizing identifying as LGBTQ, imposes death penalty for some offenses | CNN” »
CNN — The United Nations and United States on Wednesday added to international outrage over a hardline bill passed by Ugandan lawmakers that criminalizes simply identifying as LGBTQ+, prescribes a life sentence for convicted homosexuals and a death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality.” The UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights asked Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni not … Read More “UN and US join chorus of condemnation against Uganda’s hardline anti-LGBT bill | CNN” »
Nairobi, Kenya CNN — Kenyan opposition leader and former prime minister Raila Odinga has called for weekly nationwide protests against the high cost of living, in a brief address to demonstrators flanking his motorcade in Nairobi Monday. Moments before, police fired tear gas and water cannons at his car as they blocked his supporters from entering … Read More “Kenya opposition leader calls for weekly protests after being tear-gassed by police | CNN” »
Lagos, Nigeria CNN — Nigerians began voting on Saturday in delayed governorship polls, weeks after a controversial and disputed presidential election – amid reports of electoral violence and voter disenfranchisement. A party official was shot and killed in Lagos Saturday during the elections for Nigeria’s new state governors. “From all over Lagos we are getting … Read More “Nigerians vote in governorship polls as ruling party scrambles to regain lost ground in key states | CNN” »
