Representing the SADC
CNN — Police have now recovered 89 bodies from mass graves in a forest in eastern Kenya, believed to be linked to a cult that allegedly encouraged its followers to starve themselves to gain salvation, the country’s government said. Kithure Kindiki, the Kenyan interior minister, said three people were found alive and rescued on Tuesday. … Read More “‘Weak and traumatized’ survivors found as 89 bodies recovered in Kenya starvation cult case | CNN” »
CNN — Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni does not oppose a controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill and plans to finalize it next week, Uganda’s ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), said on Thursday. “President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has congratulated the members of parliament for their stand on homosexuality and agreed to assent to the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 … Read More “Uganda’s President Museveni to return anti-LGBTQ+ bill to parliament | CNN” »
CNN — A group of leading global scientists and academics have signed an open letter urging Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to veto a hardline bill criminalizing homosexuality in the country. The bill outlaws identifying as LGBTQ+, and suggests life sentences for convicted homosexuals as well as the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality,” a sweeping term … Read More “Global scientists urge Uganda’s president to veto anti-LGBTQ bill | 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” »
Chilobwe, Malawi CNN — Tropical Cyclone Freddy has killed at least 326 people after it ripped through southern Malawi, the country’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs told CNN Thursday. The resulting devastation has left survivors trapped and fighting for survival. Chilobwe, one of the hardest-hit areas, is a township near the city of Blantyre. Located … Read More “Cyclone Freddy survivors dig with bare hands for victims as death toll reaches 326 | CNN” »
CNN — Eritrea has punished the family members of thousands of alleged draft evaders during a conscription drive intended to bolster its military campaign in neighboring Ethiopia, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday. Women as old as 71 were arbitrarily detained and expelled from their homes as the authorities sought to locate their missing relatives, … Read More “Eritrea persecuted relatives of military draft dodgers, rights group says | CNN” »
Editor’s Note: Joyce M. Davis, outreach and opinion editor for PennLive and The Patriot-News, is the president and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She is a veteran journalist and author who has lived and worked around the globe, working for National Public Radio, Knight Ridder Newspapers in Washington, DC, and Radio … Read More “Opinion: How Russia outmaneuvered the US in Africa | CNN” »
