Over 50,000 health staff in Mozambique walk out on first day of strike – union

MAPUTO,  Mozambique 

More than 50,000 health professionals in Mozambique have joined the strike that began on Monday, the head of the Association of United and Solidarity Health Professionals (APSUSM) told Lusa, noting that talks with the government are underway.

‘Being the first day of the strike, we have almost a 70% adherence rate (…) around 50% of the professionals have joined in,’ said Anselmo Muchave.

According to the official, the strike is having ‘very good take up’ and it is expected that by Wednesday all 65,000 health professionals who are members of APSUSM will join the strike, while talks with the government, which started this morning, are ongoing.

‘Negotiations are continuing, but we are adamant that we will only return once everything has been resolved and organised, especially with regard to the difficulties that patients [face],’ Muchave said.

According to APSUSM, the health workers’ strike will last for 30 days, with workers demanding better working conditions, and the representative said that they will not give in to new government proposals to suspend it.

‘Going on strike is not a luxury, demands are not a favour. We are demanding care for the people themselves, but the people also have to stop and analyse what is happening,’ said the APSUSM president.

Mozambique’s ministry of health (MISAU said today that ‘there are no reasons’ for the strike to resume, and guaranteed that it will ‘ensure the continuity of the provision of health services toÌ the public’.

‘MISAU understands that there are no reasons for calling the aforementioned strike and reiterates that dialogue must continue to be the way to resolve the challenges in the health sector,’ reads a statement regarding the start of the strike.

The strike had been scheduled to resume on 28 March, but was suspended a day earlier following talks with the Mozambican government, which culminated in the fulfilment of some points of the demands, such as the training of health professionals, monitoring visits to hospital units and the resolution of irregularities in the payment of subsidies, APSUSM said at the time.

Almost 30 days after the suspension of the strike, Mozambican health workers have once again complained about the government’s failure to comply and the failure to carry out visits to monitor compliance with the agreements between the parties, saying that the hospitals ‘are worse off than they were at the start of the dialogue’.

‘When the strike was announced, we said loud and clear that our hospitals are seriously suffering from a lack of medical and surgical equipment and medicines. The government made a commitment to reverse this situation, but unfortunately our health facilities are worse off than they were at the start of our dialogue,’ reads the association’s document on this new strike.

At issue was a negotiation that was underway in 2023 between the Mozambican government and APSUSM, an association that covers around 65,000 professionals and which was on strike between August and November 2023 for better working conditions in the public sector.

They complain about the lack of medicines, beds and ambulances in hospitals, as well as non-disposable personal protective equipment, which is ‘forcing staff to buy out of their own pockets’.

Kenya government directs inspection of all dams ahead of compulsory evacuation

NAIROBI, Kenya

Kenya government has directed County Security and Intelligence Committees (CSICs) across the country to inspect all public and private dams and water reservoirs by 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Monday directed the committees to thereafter recommend cases where compulsory evacuation and temporary resettlement orders should be issued.

This is in the wake of Monday morning’s incident where a dam burst its banks in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County, and wiped out homes and vehicles, killing over 45 people.

The floodwaters originated from a nearby river that broke its banks in after heavy rainfall, according to the Red Cross.

The interior minister directed counties to deploy enforcement teams at road spots prone to flooding and that water has breached the bridge to prevent motorists or pedestrians from dangerous crossing.

“… arrest and prosecute offenders for attempted suicide and/or attempted murder as the facts of the case may be,” Kindiki said.

Further, the enforcement teams will bar transportation of passengers across flooded rivers or storm water by canoes or boats deemed unsafe.

“Prevent the transportation of passengers across flooded rivers or storm water by unsafe canoes or boats and arrest inexperienced and unscrupulous persons taking advantage of the prevailing situation to cash in on persons in distress,” the minister added.

Police said over 100 people were rescued and treated at Mai Mahiu health centre after the 4 a.m. dam burst incident while 32 others were referred to Naivasha sub-county hospital.

The incident brought to over 100 the number of people who have died from flooding amid heavy rains experienced in most of Kenya since March.

Voting in Togo underway after new constitutional reforms

LOMÉ, Togo

Voting got under way in legislative elections in Togo on Monday following approval of constitutional reforms by the outgoing parliament that could extend the 19-year-old rule of President Faure Gnassingbe.

Under a new chapter adopted in March introducing a parliamentary system of government, the president will be elected by parliament instead of by universal suffrage.

Details about the assembly's election of the head of state remain unclear, although under the new constitution the parliament will appoint a position described as president of the council of ministers, who will have extensive authority to manage Togo’s government affairs.

In power for nearly 20 years, Togo’s incumbent president succeeded his father Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled for almost four decades following a military coup.

Monday's vote had been pushed back twice because of a fierce backlash from some opposition parties who called the constitutional changes a political maneuver to allow Gnassingbe to extend his tenure for life.

Over four million people are registered to vote for 113 lawmakers among 2,352 candidates. Polls opened at 0700 GMT and provisional results are expected from Tuesday.

Regional elections are also taking place.

Observers say early turnout at polling stations in the capital, Lome, was scattered but the streets were calm.

Koffi Ohini, a 24-year-old farm technician who casted his ballot in Lome said he is a first-time voter.

"This is the first time I am voting, because I lived in a neighboring country before,” he said, adding, “I came out early to avoid crowds."

"I want to vote because these elections are important," Ohini said.

Monday's vote will elect 113 lawmakers and for the first time 179 regional deputies from the country's five districts who along with municipal councilors will elect a newly created Senate.

Opposition parties are contesting in the polls with hopes of gaining seats that will enable them to challenge Gnassingbe's UNIR party after they boycotted the last legislative poll and left it effectively in control of parliament.

Violent police crackdowns on political demonstrations have been routine under Gnassingbe - reelected in a 2020 landslide disputed by the opposition - as they were during his father's rule.

The 57-year-old leader has already won four elections, all contested by the opposition as flawed. He would have only been able to run one more time as president in 2025 under the previous constitution.

Several other African countries have pushed through constitutional and other legal changes in recent years allowing their presidents to extend their terms in office.

Monday's vote, initially set for April 20, was postponed twice to allow for consultations on the new constitution.

Amendments unanimously approved in a second parliamentary vote earlier this month shortened presidential terms to four years from five with a two-term limit.

This does not account for the time already spent in office, which could enable Gnassingbe to stay in power until 2033 if he is re-elected when his mandate expires in 2025. He has not yet stated his intentions.

Some opposition parties and civil society groups renewed calls for protests after the second vote, sparking small-scale demonstrations last week.

The outcome of Togo’s elections is expected to be known within the next six days.

Blinken arrives in Saudi Arabia to discuss post-war Gaza

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday, the first stop in a broader trip to the Middle East to discuss issues including the governance of Gaza once the war with Israel ends.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is welcomed by Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of Protocol Affairs Mohammed Al-Ghamdi as he visits Saudi Arabia in the latest Gaza diplomacy push, in Riyadh on April 29, 2024.

The top US diplomat heads to Israel later this week, where he is expected to press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take the concrete and tangible steps US President Joe Biden demanded this month to improve the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

In Riyadh, Blinken is expected to meet with senior Saudi leaders and hold a wider meeting with counterparts from five Arab states – Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan – to further the discussions on what governance of the Gaza Strip would look like after the war, according to a senior State Department official.

Blinken is also expected to bring together Arab countries with the European states and discuss how Europe can help the rebuilding effort of the tiny enclave, which has been reduced to a wasteland in the six-month long Israeli bombardment.

A group of European nations, including Norway, plan to recognise Palestinian statehood in conjunction with the presentation of an Arab state-backed peace plan to the United Nations.

“We can see by joining forces we can make this more meaningful. We really want to recognise the Palestinian state, but we know that is something you do once,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide told Reuters on the sidelines of a World Economic Forum meeting in Riyadh.

Blinkin's trip comes as Egypt was expected to host leaders of the Islamist group Hamas to discuss prospects for a ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Simba part ways with its coach after winning Union title

By Osoro Nyawangah, DAR ES SALAAM,  Tanzania 

Simba Sports club of Tanzania has officially announced the departure of its Algerian coach Abdelhak Benchikha and his two assistants Kamal Boujnane and Farid Zemit after only five months since they joined.

This development comes just one day after the Algerian won the Union Super Cup with a 1-0 win against Azam FC last night at the New Amaan Complex stadium, Zanzíbar.

According to the press release issued by the club today to the media, the coach is leaving on family reasons.

The football club reached reached a mutual agreement with the longtime  coach to terminate the contract due to family issues.

"Coach Abdelhak Benchikha has told the Simba management that his wife is ill, so he needs time to be close to her and nurse her," explains the club's statement.  

The statement stipulates that, during this transition period, the team will be managed by Coach Juma Mgunda assisted by Selemani Matola until the Board of Directors makes another decision.

Benchikha joined Simba at the end of November 2023 and signed a two-year contract on November 28 before enabling the team to reach the quarter final of the African Champions League where they were eliminated by the defending champions, Al Ahly of Egypt.

The football  giants were also eliminated in the Round of 16 of the Tanzania Football Federation Cup (TFF), a tournament now known as the CRDB Bank Federation Cup with a 6-5 penalty kick against the hosts, Mashujaa following a 1-1 draw at the Lake Tanganyika Stadium in Kigoma.

In the Premier League so far, Simba is in third place with 46 points from 21 matches, behind Azam FC with 54 points and the defending champions, Yanga with 62 points after all teams have played 24 matches.

Situation on frontline has worsened, Ukraine army chief says

KYIV, Ukraine 

Ukraine's commander-in-chief has said the situation on the frontline has worsened in the face of multiple Russian attacks.

Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukrainian forces had withdrawn from positions in the eastern Donetsk region.

Russia is trying to take advantage of its superiority in manpower and artillery before Ukrainian forces get much-needed supplies of new US weapons.

The US last week agreed a $61bn (£49bn) package of military aid for Ukraine.

But new US weapons are yet to make their way to the frontlines, where Ukrainian troops have been struggling for months with a shortage of ammunition, troops and air defences.

"The situation at the front has worsened," Gen Syrskyi said in a post on the Telegram messaging service on Sunday.

He confirmed Ukrainian forces had withdrawn from some of their positions in an area of Donetsk that had formed part of a defensive line, established after Russia captured Avdiivka in February.

Much of the fighting has been taking place around Chasiv Yar, a Kyiv-controlled stronghold which Russia has been trying to reach after seizing Avdiivka.

New defensive lines had been taken up further to the west in some areas, with Gen Syrskyi conceding the loss of territory to the advancing Russians.

Moscow had secured "tactical successes in some sectors," he said.

Gen Syrskyi added that rested Ukrainian brigades were being rotated in those areas to replace units that had suffered losses.

Russia's defence ministry earlier on Sunday reported its troops had captured the village of Novobakhmutivka, around 10 km (6 miles) north of Avdiivka.

Arsenal survive late Spurs surge to stay on course

TOTTENHAM , England 

Arsenal overcame the hurdle of a north London derby and an anxious finale to maintain momentum in the Premier League title pursuit with a vital victory 3-2 at Tottenham.

Mikel Arteta's side moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League, with second-place Manchester City, who have two games in hand, playing in the later kick-off at Nottingham Forest (16:30 BST).

The Gunners' meeting with their bitter rivals was seen as arguably the most treacherous of their remaining fixtures, but they took ruthless advantage of Spurs' defensive flaws to establish a three-goal lead by half-time.

Arsenal were then thrown off course when a dreadful clearance by goalkeeper David Raya presented Cristian Romero with a goal after 64 minutes, the nerves really jangling when Heung-min Son scored from the spot three minutes from the end of normal time after Declan Rice fouled Ben Davies.

It was all so different when Arsenal went ahead after 15 minutes as the recalled Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg glanced Bukayo Saka's corner into his own net, the England forward crowning a sweeping counter-attack with a smooth finish for the second after 27 minutes.

Spurs, who saw Micky van de Ven's goal ruled out for a marginal offside with the score 1-0, were infuriated as they claimed Leandro Trossard had fouled Dejan Kulusevski before Saka scored, and were even more frustrated when the unmarked Kai Havertz headed in Arsenal's third from another corner seven minutes before the break.

Arsenal were then content to see out the victory, only for Raya to give Spurs hope by sending a clearance straight to Romero.

An unlikely comeback seemed on when Son scored from the spot but Arteta's side were able to close out the game, denting their arch-rivals' hopes of a top-four finish.

Spurs remain in fifth place in the Premier League, seven points behind Aston Villa with two games in hand.

South Africa marks Freedom Day ahead of tough general election

PRETORIA,  South Africa 

South Africa marked Freedom Day on Saturday. The day on which, 30 years ago, millions of South Africans braved long queues to vote in the country’s first democratic elections, ending decades of white minority rule.

"The weight of centuries of oppression was no longer holding us down,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa in a speech marking the day, “On that day, as a united people, we stood tall as South Africans".

The election 30 years ago was won by his African National Congress (ANC) party which has been in power ever since.

But any sense of celebration on the momentous anniversary was set against a growing discontent with the government of the ruling party.

The party's image has been hurt by widespread accusations of corruption and its inability to effectively tackle pressing issues including crime, inequality, poor service delivery, and unemployment, which remain staggeringly high.

In his speech marking Freedom Day at the Union Buildings in South Africa’s administrative capital, Pretoria, Ramaphosa touted the country’s achievements under his party’s leadership.

"We have built houses, clinics, hospitals, roads, and constructed bridges, dams, and many other facilities. We have brought electricity, water, and sanitation to millions of South African homes," he said.

But polls suggest support for the ANC is at an all time low, falling to around 40 per cent compared to 62 per cent in 1994.

Analysts predict that the party is likely to see it lose its parliamentary majority for the first time in the elections due to take place on 29 May, forcing it into a coalition.

Esperance and Sundowns secure Club World Cup slots

CAIRO, Egypt 

Tunisian football giants, Esperance and South African club Mamelodi Sundowns secured their places at next year's FIFA Club World Cup (Mundial de Clubes FIFA 25™) after the semi-finals matches of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League were played on Friday.

Esperance and Sundowns completed the list of qualifiers from Africa to play at the inaugural Mundial de Clubes FIFA 25™ (FIFA Club World Cup 2025), becoming the third and fourth CAF teams to book their tickets.

The Tunisian side completed a 2-0 aggregate victory over Sundowns on Friday night to set up a mouthwatering two-legged final showdown with the all-conquering Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

Esperance's progress to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final means they are guaranteed at least a place at the new 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in the United States next June and July via the ranking pathway.

However, they still have the opportunity to qualify as African champions by defeating Al Ahly over the two legs on 18 and 25 May.

Sundowns may have fallen short in their bid to reach the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final, but their performances over the past four years have ensured they too will participate at the inaugural edition of the revamped global club event.

The competition will feature four representatives from CAF, with Al Ahly and Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca having already booked their spots as winners of the Champions League in 2021, 2023 and 2022 respectively.

Even if Esperance fail to overcome Al Ahly in the final, the Tunisian side will still take up one of the two remaining CAF berths courtesy of their ranking over recent campaigns.

Sundowns, meanwhile, complete the African quartet despite their semi-final exit, gaining entry via the ranking pathway as one of the continent's most successful sides over the past four seasons.

The new-look FIFA Club World Cup aims to determine a legitimate world champion by featuring the elite teams from each confederation in a summer showpiece.

Four African sides at the Club World Cup

- Wydad (Morocco)

- Al Ahly (Egypt)

- Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

- Esperance Tunis (Tunisia)

Simba majestically beats Azam FC to scoop Tanzania's union championship

By Osoro Nyawangah, Zanzibar Tanzania 

The Tanzania's football giants, Simba SC, has won the Union Cup after a 1-0 victory against Azam FC in the Final game this night at the New Amaan Complex stadium in Zanzíbar.

The union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar occurred on April 26, 1964 and became the beginning of the United Republic of Tanzania.    

Kudos to the lone goal scorer, the Simba's midfielder, Babacar Sarr, in the 77th minute finishing off a direct shootball shot by the twin midfielder, Fabrice Ngoma, after the Cameroonian striker, Willy Onana was brought down just outside the box.

It was a tough game where each team attacked its rival in turn while Azam seemed to own the game. 

The Simba who were playing with great caution,  had several chances to end the game in the first half but failed due to the dullness of their forward line.  

Onana had two open chances to score goals for Simba but he lacked focus while Azam's defenders aborted all Simba's traps.  

Azam, who holds second place in the Tanzanian premier league, has been tormenting Simba every time the two teams meet.  

However, luck was not on their side tonight, where they found themselves falling short while Simba were crowned champions of the union cup for the sixth time. 

Simba  reached the final stage of the tournament with a 2-0 victory against KVZ while Azam punished KMKM 5-2.

With the victory, Simba was presented with a trophy, fifty million shillings in cash while their players were presented with gold medals.  

Azam, who have emerged as the second winners, have been awarded thirty million shillings in cash and bronze medals.  

The official guest at the final was the President of Zanzibar, Hussein Mwinyi.

This is the second title for Simba SC this season after they started with the Community Shield title when they beat their hometown team, Yanga last August in Tanga City.

Pentagon to 'rush' Patriot missiles to Ukraine

WASHINGTON,  US

The Pentagon says it will "rush" Patriot air defence missiles and artillery ammunition to Ukraine as part of its new military aid package.

The US will utilise $6bn (£4.8bn) for this purpose, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin revealed on Friday.

However, Patriot systems for launching the missiles will not be sent.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Patriots were "urgently" needed to face a growing Russian air threat and "can and should save lives right now".

A source confirmed to the BBC that the $6bn was part of a $60bn aid package signed into law by US President Joe Biden on Wednesday, which also includes $1bn in more immediate aid.

Mr Austin told a news conference that the US was committing to its largest security assistance package to date and would "move immediately" to get the supplies to Ukraine.

These would include air defence munitions, counter-drone systems and artillery ammunition but not Patriot missile systems.

"It's not just Patriots that they [the Ukrainians] need, they need other types of systems and interceptors as well," Mr Austin said. "I would caution us all in terms of making Patriot the silver bullet."

He added that he was confident that more of the missile systems would be made available for Kyiv soon. Conversations were ongoing with European partners, he said, to deliver additional capabilities.

The Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Brown, said the assistance should eliminate the Ukrainians' need to ration shells on the frontline.

Some of the latest funding would also go to building up Ukraine's own defence industry, so that it can start manufacturing more of the ammunition it desperately needs.

Mr Austin said Russia had already increased domestic production of artillery ammunition and other weapons - as well as being propped up by supplies from Iran and North Korea.

"Understand what's at stake for Ukraine, for Europe, and for the United States," he said. "If Putin prevails in Ukraine - Europe would face a security threat it hasn't seen in a lifetime. Russia will not stop in Ukraine."

Asked whether the US aid would protect Ukrainian forces, Mr Austin said that the commitment was "material, real, and substantial" although "not instantaneous".

"It's going to take some time to get it in there and distribute. The Ukrainians were able to hold - with this capability, they can do a lot better."

The defence secretary's words came as Ukraine warned on Friday that Russia was ramping up attacks on its railways ahead of a fresh offensive.

A Ukrainian security source told the AFP news agency that Moscow wanted to damage Ukrainian railway infrastructure to "paralyse deliveries and movement of military cargo".

Ukraine said Russia had carried out another massive air attack on Friday night. Authorities in Kharkiv said one person had been killed and a hospital damaged. Energy facilities in three regions were attacked, Energy Minister German Galushchenko said.

While across the border, a Ukrainian drone attack on an oil refinery in the Russian region of Krasnodar appeared to have caused a large explosion, though local authorities denied significant damage. Authorities said they had shot down some 68 Ukrainian drones over Russia.

Nine African migrants buried in secular ceremony in Brazil

BELEM CITY, Brazil 

The bodies of nine African migrants found on a boat off the northern coast of Brazil were buried Thursday (Apr. 25) during a secular ceremony in the city of Belem.

The ceremony was organized by groups involved in the recovery of the bodies. The U.N. Refugee Agency, the Red Cross and the International Organization for Migration, as well as Brazilian police, navy and civil defense agencies, were among those groups.

Authorities said the manner of the burial would allow for subsequent exhumations in case families of the deceased were located and wished to transfer the bodies back to their home countries.

The 9 corpses likely Mauritanian and Malian migrants were found by Brazilian fishermen, on April 13, on a boat adrift.

The roughly 12-meter vessel was carrying 25 raincoats and 27 mobile phones, suggesting the original number of passengers was significantly higher.

This also implies that people of other nationalities may have been among the deceased, local officials have said.

Brazilian officials believe the boat had departed Mauritania after Jan. 17. Its passengers most likely aimed to enter Europe via Spain’s Canary Islands.

Brazil’s criminology institute in the capital Brasilia is carrying out forensic examinations of the remains, and the Federal Police say they are in contact with Interpol and foreign organizations to provide eventual results.

An Associated Press investigation published last year revealed that in 2021 at least seven boats from northwest Africa were found in the Caribbean and Brazil.

All carried dead bodies, like the vessel found in Para.

So far, none of the victims have been identified.

Tanzania celebrates 60 years of union

By Osoro Nyawangah,  MWANZA Tanzania 

Tanzania is celebrating today the 60th anniversary of the union of the former Republic of Tanganyika and the People's Republic of Zanzibar, which is said to be a symbol of efforts to unite the African continent after the colonial period.

The celebrations officially presided over by the President, Samia Hassan,  at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in the commercial city of Dar es Salaam,  was witnessed with various leaders from eastern,  central and southern Africa. 

In her message to Tanzanians, the president noted that all six presidents who ruled the country since independence,  have contributed to the success achieved. 

"I wish you all the best as we celebrate 60 Years of our Union.  This is the value of all of us, the result of the work of every Tanzanian from our founders until now.  We have built a strong house of Tanzania on the basis of humanity, brotherhood and socialism of Africa step by step, under each phase of leadership." She said.

The President emphasized that only gift the country can give to the founders of this Union is to protect and live their great vision.  

"We are all witnesses to the great strides we have made in the past 60 years. We have every reason to continue to be proud of and protect this unique Union that was born of our own decision."  

In developing it, she said the country have to implement the philosophy of reconciliation, tolerance, reform and rebuilding the country in order to maintain peace and stability, an important pillar for the prosperity and strength of the Nation.

The union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar occurred on April 26, 1964 and became the beginning of the United Republic of Tanzania.  

Until that date there were two independent states of the Republic of Tanganyika and the People's Republic of Zanzibar which entered into a union agreement in 1964 and established the United Republic of Tanzania.

In recent years, politicians especially from the opposition side have been pushing for the reform of the structure of the union founded by the first leader of Tanganyika, Julius Nyerere and the first president of Zanzibar, Abeid Amani Karume

The Union Agreement was signed by the former President of Tanganyika, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and the former President of Zanzibar, Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, on April 22, 1964 in Zanzibar.  

The agreement was confirmed by the Tanganyika Parliament and the Revolutionary Council of Zanzibar on April 26, 1964.

On April 27, 1964, the leaders of both countries met at the Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam and exchanged the Documents of Union.

The name "United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar" was later changed, on October 28, 1964, to the United Republic of Tanzania through the Law of the United Republic, Law number 61 of 1964.

The union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar has existed due to various reasons such as the existence of close and historical relations between Tanganyika and Zanzibar in various fields such as blood relations, trade, culture, language and close political relations especially between TANU parties  and ASP.

Also, the desire to have an African Union, especially starting with the East African Federation.  

Even before the independence of Tanganyika, Mwalimu Nyerere along with other leaders who were fighting for freedom in the African region had the expectation of having an African Union; the dream is yet to be seen. 

Mwalimu Nyerere personally preferred the existence of the African Union starting with the regional federations.

Basically, there are various reasons that led to this union such as the histories of the two countries, the proximity of these two countries, social interaction, commercial cooperation, effective and long-term political cooperation between TANU and ASP.

Zimbabwe President reshuffles cabinet

HARARE, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday reshuffled his cabinet, eight months after he appointed a new cabinet following his re-election in August last year.

Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya announced the cabinet reshuffle in a statement on Wednesday and said the re-assignments and appointments took effect immediately.

Mnangagwa reassigned Winston Chitando as head of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, removing him from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works where he has been replaced by Daniel Garwe, the former minister of National Housing and Social Amenities.

Zhemu Soda, former Mines and Mining Development minister, is now the new minister for National Housing and Social Amenities.

Mnangagwa also appointed Musa Ncube as deputy minister of National Housing and Social Amenities and Headman Moyo as deputy minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs.

He moved Yeukai Simbanegavi from deputy minister of National Housing and Social Amenities to deputy minister of Energy and Power Development.

World Bank suspends Tanzania tourism funding after claims of killings and evictions

WASHINGTON, US

The World Bank has suspended financing intended to develop tourism in southern Tanzania after allegations of killings, rape and forced evictions.

The bank began investigating last year after being accused of enabling abuses around Ruaha national park, which was due to double in size as part of a World Bank-supported programme.

“The World Bank is deeply concerned about the allegations of abuse and injustice related to the Resilient Natural Resources Management for Tourism and Growth (Regrow) project in Tanzania,” said a World Bank spokesperson.

“We have recently received information that suggests breaches of our policies in the implementation of the Regrow project. We have therefore decided to suspend further disbursement of funds with immediate effect.”

Tanzania was due to receive a further $50m, having already received $100m of the funding. Developments include building roads, viewing areas and visitor centres, and investing in wildlife monitoring and increased security.

This blog reported in January 2023 that the US-based think-tank the Oakland Institute had documented a range of abuses by Tanzanian rangers against villagers accused of encroaching on the national park, including the killing of cattle herders and fishers, the confiscation of livestock and the rape of women.

The Oakland Institute welcomed the “long overdue” decision, which came a year after the World Bank was first informed of potential violations of its own policies on safeguarding in April 2023.

Anuradha Mittal, the thinktank’s executive director, said: “It sends a resounding message to the Tanzanian government that there are consequences for its rampant rights abuses taking place across the country to boost tourism. The days of impunity are finally coming to an end.”

The Oakland Institute said that despite the World Bank announcing an investigation, the Tanzanian government moved forward in October with plans to redraw the boundaries of the national park, which would result in 21,000 people facing eviction.

The institute said their research shows other abuses have also continued, including the killing of a 21-year-old cattle herder in October and seizure and sale of thousands of cattle this year.

“The government’s plan to expand the park cannot go forward against the will of local communities, who will lose everything from such an expansion,” said Mittal. “In addition to preventing forced evictions, the bank must focus on how to remedy the harms caused to the villagers who have lost loved ones to ranger violence or had their lives devastated by livelihood restrictions.”

The Tanzanian government had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.

Africa Union warns of rising terrorism threats in Africa

ABUJA, Nigeria

African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat has expressed serious concern about the escalating challenges of terrorism and violent extremism affecting the African continent.

"Terrorism and violent extremism are the biggest evils of our time -- spreading to all the five regions of Africa," the AU Commission chief told a high-level meeting on counter-terrorism in the Nigerian capital of Abuja on Monday, according to an AU statement.

Faki referred to the scourge of terrorism in Africa as "a form of metastasis", as he highlighted the concerning situations in the Horn of Africa, the Great Lakes Region, the Sahel, and parts of Northern Africa.

Data from the African Center for the Study and Research on Terrorism at the AU indicated a substantial increase in both the frequency and lethal nature of terrorist attacks in 2023.

According to the center, an average of eight terrorism incidents and 44 fatalities occurred daily in Africa during the course of 2023, compared to a lower average of four attacks and 18 victims per day between 2017 and 2021.

Faki said the stark situation "underscores our collective and urgent need to re-evaluate our counter-terrorism strategies to effectively address our vulnerabilities and shortcomings in the face of this growing phenomenon."

He further stressed that AU members must translate their anti-terrorism commitments into actions so as to fully realize the continental vision articulated at the Malabo Summit on terrorism back in 2022.

Faki called on African countries to introduce innovative approaches and concerted efforts in the fight against terrorism.

"However, we cannot understand that elsewhere in the world, coalitions to fight against terrorism were established and that similar efforts are not made in, at least, one of the five regions in Africa, where the destructive phenomenon is ravaging human lives, infrastructures and institutions," he said. 

Arsenal blew Chelsea 5-0 to provide major statement about their title credentials

LONDON, England

Arsenal provided a major statement about their title credentials as they thrashed Chelsea 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Kai Havertz and Ben White scored twice each in a rampant second-half performance from Mikel Arteta's side after Leandro Trossard had struck an early opener in an end-to-end first period.

The emphatic victory, coming just three days after they bounced back from losses to Aston Villa and Bayern Munich with a 2-0 win at Wolves, gives Arsenal a three-point cushion on Liverpool in second and puts them four clear of champions Manchester City in third.

The title-race spotlight now turns to Liverpool, who face Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park, live on Sky Sports on Wednesday, before City play the first of their two games in hand away to Brighton, also live on Sky Sports on Thursday.

For Chelsea, meanwhile, the chastening defeat, the club's heaviest in a London derby since 1986, following an FA Cup semi-final loss to City at Wembley on Saturday, dents their hopes of salvaging a European spot from a bitterly disappointing season.

Before Arsenal's devastating second-half display, there was a more evenly-matched first period, despite Trossard converting a smart diagonal finish from Declan Rice's pass in the fourth minute for his 10th Premier League goal of the campaign.

The Gunners created a succession of chances to add to their lead, with Trossard seeing a deflected effort fortuitously hit Djordje Petrovic after the Chelsea goalkeeper had saved brilliantly from Havertz, but as the hosts spurned opportunities, Chelsea grew in confidence.

Mauricio Pochettino's side were able to find the gaps they needed to play through the uncharacteristically open hosts and had chances to equalise, hitting the post when Nicolas Jackson's cut-back bounced off Gabriel, almost outfoxing David Raya.

Arteta cut a frustrated figure on the touchline during that opening period but he was able to plug the holes in his midfield at half-time and Arsenal quickly took the game away from Chelsea, significantly boosting their already superior goal difference in the process.

White added the second only seven minutes after the break, finishing coolly following a corner after Rice's shot had bounced into his path off Thomas Partey, and the third arrived only five minutes after that as Havertz held off Marc Cucurella to lift a cool finish over Petrovic from the excellent Martin Odegaard's ball in behind.

A party atmosphere had gripped the Emirates Stadium at that point and Chelsea's collapse continued when Havertz collected a Bukayo Saka pass and capitalised on more passive defending from the visitors to send a low finish into the net off the post to compound the misery of his former side.

Arsenal continued to pour forward, with White further delighting the home fans when his first-time, volleyed cross sailed over Petrovic and into the net. His sheepish celebration suggested he did not mean it. Not that it really mattered to the hosts.

They could have added to their lead after that, amassing a total of 27 shots as Chelsea continued to wilt, powerless to stop an Arsenal machine which looks increasingly capable of securing the club's first Premier League title in two decades.