Moroccan court sentences 18 Senegalese fans to prison after AFCON final clashes

RABAT, Morocco 

A Moroccan court sentenced 19 soccer fans to up to one year in prison on Thursday for hooliganism following a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final that saw supporters attempt to storm the field.

The ruling involved 18 Senegalese nationals and one French citizen convicted of charges including damaging sporting facilities and violence.

Eleven received one-year sentences with a $550 fine, four got six months with a $218 fine, and four were sentenced to three months with a $130 fine.

One defendant fainted upon hearing the verdict, while others refused to leave the defendants' bench. Lawyers plan to appeal, calling the sentences severe.

The defendants were arrested last month after protesting a late penalty awarded to host Morocco during the final, which Senegal won 1-0.

Supporters threw chairs onto the field and battled stewards, causing over $476,000 in damage. Senegalese players briefly walked off the pitch in protest.

The case prompted diplomatic intervention, with Senegalese and French diplomats attending the hearing.

Following the match, senior officials from both nations moved to protect bilateral relations, with Senegal's prime minister visiting Morocco to sign investment agreements.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 20/02/2026

 

Uganda opposition leader's entire family fled Uganda

KAMPALA, Uganda 

Former Ugandan presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu says his family have fled Uganda. He has also spoken out against what he calls a “violent military dictatorship” in Uganda.

Kyagulanyi, who has been in “hiding” since January 15th, delivered a video message to the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy. His whereabouts were not confirmed.

He alleged that President Yoweri Museveni and the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, orchestrated widespread violence and election rigging. It was the second time that Kyagulanyi was addressing the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy.

The Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy is an annual major conference that shines a spotlight on urgent human rights situations that require global attention.

It provides a platform for human rights activists and former political prisoners to testify about their personal struggles for democracy and freedom while building an international community to take on dictators.

This year’s summit, like the previous ones, is held around the main annual session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. 

Many Ugandans expected that the NUP leader would personally attend the conference, given the suspicion that he had fled the country immediately after the January presidential and parliamentary elections.

“Uganda is a nation of 50 million people living under a violent military dictatorship for 40 years,” he charged.

It is the first time he has addressed the international community about the outcome of the recent presidential elections.

Kyagulanyi detailed the events of Uganda’s 2025 presidential campaign, describing arrests, abductions, and internet shutdowns.

He alleged that the election was so manipulated that even at the polling station where Museveni voted, he received more votes than the number of registered voters.

“The election was so rigged; even at Museveni’s polling station, he got more votes than registered voters.”

The NUP, however, did not petition the court to challenge the outcome of the election in which he emerged as the runner-up to President Museveni. Speaking about the human cost, Kyagulanyi revealed the impact on his family. He said his home was raided, his family members tortured, and his wife publicly humiliated.

“The military raided my home, tortured my family, humiliated my wife, and shared pictures on Twitter. My wife Barbie, and our children had to flee the country for fear of their lives.”

He stated that while he is in hiding, he doesn’t want to be in hiding. “It was necessary, though, so that I could stay alive. And be able to speak to you right now.”

Kyagulanyi urged the international community to impose sanctions and not recognize Museveni’s government.

He stressed that Ugandans are committed to non-violent resistance. “Ugandans are not seeking pity. We want the world to sanction Museveni, his son, and all human rights violators,” he said.

“Oppressed people cannot stay oppressed forever. With your help, we can liberate Uganda before it is too late.”

Kyagulanyi’s message comes as international observers continue to scrutinize Uganda’s elections and human rights record.

The former presidential candidate says he remains in hiding for his safety but vows to return when the time is right. He committed to non-violent means to end President Museveni’s reign in Uganda.

651 arrested in Africa-wide crackdown on online scam networks

ABUJA, Nigeria 

Police across 16 African countries have arrested more than 650 suspected cybercriminals and recovered over 4.3 million US dollars in a major international crackdown on online scams.

The operation, led by INTERPOL and known as Operation Red Card 2.0, ran from December 2025 to the end of January 2026. 

It targeted criminal networks behind online investment fraud, mobile money scams and fake loan applications that have affected thousands of victims both in Africa and beyond.

Investigators say the schemes are linked to more than 45 million dollars in global financial losses. 

During the eight-week operation, authorities identified at least 1,247 victims and seized over 2,300 electronic devices used to carry out the scams. 

More than 1,400 malicious websites, servers and internet addresses were also shut down.

Several arrests were made in connection with high-yield investment scams that tricked victims into putting money into fake opportunities using social media platforms and messaging apps.

In many cases, fraudsters used fabricated testimonials and false account dashboards to convince victims their investments were growing, before blocking any attempts to withdraw funds.

In Côte d’Ivoire, police dismantled a mobile loan fraud network that targeted vulnerable users through deceptive apps offering quick loans. 

Victims were often charged hidden fees or subjected to harassment, while their personal and financial data was illegally collected.

Authorities in Nigeria also arrested members of a cybercrime group accused of gaining access to a major telecom company’s internal system using stolen staff login details. 

The suspects allegedly siphoned off airtime and data bundles which were then resold for profit.

INTERPOL officials say the operation highlights the growing scale of organised cybercrime and the need for stronger international cooperation to tackle fraud networks that operate across borders. 

Investigations are ongoing in several countries involved in the operation.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 19/02/2026

 

South Sudan President signs cybercrime, audit and wildlife bills into law

JUBA, South Sudan 

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has signed into law three bills, including the Cybercrime and Computer Misuse Act 2026, state media reported Wednesday.

The other laws assented to are the Southern Sudan Audit Chamber (Amendment) Act 2026 and the Wildlife Conservation and Protected Areas Act 2026.

In November 2025, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly passed the cybercrime legislation with amendments.

The government says the law is intended to address online crimes and curb harmful content on social media, including hate speech.

The act criminalizes offenses such as unauthorized data transmission, hacking, espionage, cyberterrorism and economic sabotage. 

It also outlaws the creation of fake websites and social media accounts, the publication of false information and indecent content, online impersonation and gender-based harassment.

Under the legislation, minor offenses are punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 1 million South Sudanese pounds.

The law also provides for the establishment of a national cybercrime department within the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. The unit was previously under the National Communication Authority.

Despite government assurances, civil society groups and rights advocates raised concerns when the bill was passed in November, warning it could be used to restrict freedom of expression.

Information Minister Ateny Wek Ateny said the act would strengthen the detection, prevention, investigation and prosecution of computer-related crimes.

Suspected carbon-monoxide leak kills 37 miners in Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria 

At least 37 miners have died in a suspected carbon-monoxide leak at a lead and zinc mine in central Nigeria's Plateau state, witnesses have told our Correspondent.

The tragedy is believed to have happened just before sunrise at a site outside the town of Wase run by the mining company Solid Unity Nigeria Ltd.

Toxic gas is believed to have built up underground in poorly ventilated tunnels, causing the workers to collapse just before the end of their night shift.

They were discovered by those reporting to work in the morning - more than 20 other miners were rescued and rushed to hospital for treatment.

Security personnel have sealed off the mine, which is about 200km (124 miles) south-east of the state capital of Jos, as investigations get under way to find out the cause of the leak.

State officials are yet to visit the area and response efforts have reportedly been slow because of security concerns - armed criminal gangs, known locally as "bandits", have been active there in recent years.

Safiyanu Haruna, one of the miners who found the bodies at the start of his shift, told the reporter that some of the miners who were underground survived and were taken to a hospital in Wase for treatment.

According to Haruna, the incident occurred at around 06:30 local time (05:30 GMT).

He said the miners had just finished performing their early morning Muslim prayers and had returned underground to finish their shift.

"It was carbon-monoxide gas that leaked and killed them," he said.

"There was no rescue for them at the time because those who were coming for the morning shift had yet to arrive," he added.

The victims, believed to be men aged between 20 and 40, were buried shortly afterwards in accordance with local tradition. 

The news has devastated the mainly Muslim community.

Mining disasters occur relatively frequently in Nigeria.

Less than two years ago, dozens of gold miners died after being trapped underground when a pit collapsed in neighbouring Niger state.

Officials believe that incident was caused by torrential rains which had softened the soil.

The tragedy is likely to renew concerns over safety standards in Nigeria's mining sector.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 18/02/2026