Madagascar Gen Z-led protests continue despite government dissolution

ANTANANARIVO,  Madagascar 

Protests were ongoing in Madagascar on Tuesday, a day after the dissolution of the country's government.

President Andry Rajoelina appeared on state television on Monday night to announce the exceptional decision.

He expressed his sympathy to the families of the people killed in the protests and acknowledged the failings of his administration.

“Your demands have been heard, and I apologise if there are members of the government who have not done the work that the people expected,” Rajoelina said.

But the government's dismissal was not enough to calm the anger of the protesters and their main demand remains the same: the resignation of the head of state.

"Even if he fired the members of the government, the government did nothing to us. He is the one at the head of the country, not the government — he should go, and everything will be fine in the country," one Gen Z protester told our reporter.

"We’re not afraid, even if he puts us in prison, even if he kills us — we are protesting for our country," they added.

On the side of the dismissed ministers, only one has spoken so far: Paubert Mahatante, Minister of Fisheries, who declared on his Facebook page that minister or not, he will always remain a servant of the Malagasy people.

Demonstrators took to the streets of Madagascar starting Thursday, to protest against recurrent water and power shortages.

These Gen-Z led protests are some of the largest that Madagascar has seen in years, and the most serious challenge Rajoelina has faced since his re-election in 2023. 

In response, the government has imposed a nighttime curfew in Antananarivo since Thursday and in other major cities since Friday.  

On the ground, police also repeatedly used teargas and fired rubber bullets at demonstrators.  

The United Nations said at least 22 people have been killed and more than 100 injured during the demonstrations. The Malagasy ministry of foreign affairs has disputed these figures. 

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 01/10/2025

 

South Africa's Ambassador to France found dead in a Paris hotel

JOHANNESBURG,  South Africa 

South Africa's ambassador to France has been found dead at the foot of the Hyatt Regency hotel, a high-rise tower in Porte Maillot in the west of Paris, newspapers Le Parisien and Le Figaro reported on Tuesday. 

According to French media reports, Ambassador Nkosinathi Emmanuel "Nathi" Mthethwa, 58, had been missing since Monday afternoon and is believed to have jumped from the 22nd floor of the hotel in the French capital's 17th arrondissement at around 1 pm on Tuesday.

Paris Police and the Hyatt have declined to comment. Calls to the South African Embassy have not been answered.

The ambassador had been reported missing by his wife after she received a text message from him that worried her, Le Parisien reported. His telephone was traced to the Bois de Boulogne but he remained missing.

A spokesperson at South Africa's foreign affairs department said they were "aware of unfortunate reports pertaining to Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa" and would issue a statement once there was official information. 

Mthethwa attended the 109th Anniversary of the Battle of Delville Wood in Longueval, Department de la Somme, on Saturday. 

Mthethwa was appointed South Africa's Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO in March 2024.

An anti-apartheid activist, he joined the Youth League of South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) in 1990 and was elected to its National Executive Committee in 1994, where he served as secretary until 2001.

He entered parliament in 2002 and was appointed Chief Whip of the ANC in 2008. He went on to hold a number of ministerial positions between 2008 and 2023, including Minister of Arts and Culture, adding sports to his portfolio from 2019 to 2023

Mali mining dispute proved last straw for Barrick's CEO, sources say

By Divya Rajagopal, TORONTO Canada 

Mark Bristow's handling of Barrick Mining's flagship asset in Mali proved to be the last straw for the board to initiate a change in leadership, according to four people familiar with the development.

In a surprise move, Barrick's Chairman John Thornton on Monday announced Chief Executive Bristow would step down immediately and appointed Chief Operating Officer Mark Hill as interim CEO. 

Barrick, which gave no reason for Bristow's departure, said it has initiated an executive search and will announce a permanent CEO in due course.

A discussion on replacing Bristow actually began at least six months ago as the company's situation worsened in Mali under his leadership, according to one person familiar with the board's thinking.

In the last nine months, Barrick lost control of the Loulo-Gounkoto gold mine complex in Mali, and had 3 metric tons of gold seized by the government.

The company took a $1 billion write-off and sold two of its mines in the U.S. and Canada. 

Barrick's future in Mali remains uncertain as the company's mining license comes up for renewal in February 2026, and if an agreement is not reached before then, Barrick could completely lose the asset, according to people close to the Mali government.

Neither Barrick nor Bristow responded to requests for comment on this story.

Barrick's history in Mali and Bristow are closely linked. 

The South African national started Randgold Resources, which had its main assets in Mali and which was sold to Barrick in 2018.

A 2021 military coup resulted in a regime that wanted more revenue from mining. 

Barrick's refusal to adopt the country's new mining code led to the arrest of four employees last year, followed by the state seizure of its gold worth at least $300 million and the temporary takeover of its mines by Mali's military government.

Barrick's share performance in the last five years has also lagged its peers, another reason the board opted for a replacement, according to one source who was briefed on the reason for Bristow's departure.

Shares in Barrick have risen by 37% since 2020, compared to a 110% climb in shares of fellow Canadian miner Agnico Eagle. Gold prices <XAU=> roughly doubled in the past five years to record highs.

Finally, a personality clash between Thornton and Bristow also contributed to Bristow's downfall, according to a former Barrick executive who did not wish to be named, who described the relationship between the chairman and CEO as tense.

Bristow's sometimes abrasive style led some of his industry peers to call him Mercurial Mark. Bristow had a reputation for making key decisions himself and got rid of a weekly staff meeting, the executive added.

Former DR Congo president Joseph Kabila sentenced to death for treason

KINSHASA,  DR Congo 

The verdict is in for Joseph Kabila. A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday convicted the former president of treason and other charges and sentenced him to death.

The high military court in Kinshasa ruled that Kabila was guilty of treason, war crimes, conspiracy and organizing an insurrection together with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. 

It also ordered Kabila to pay $29 billion in damages to Congo, as well as $2 billion to the province of North Kivu and $2 billion to South Kivu.

The court ordered his immediate arrest.

Kabila, who has been on trial in absentia since July and whose whereabouts are unknown, was accused of treason, involvement in an insurrection movement, conspiracy, and supporting terrorism.

The prosecutor asked for the death penalty in August, a decision Kabila denounced as a political move designed to “silence the opposition.” 

The high military court in Kinshasa

The government said Kabilia had collaborated with Rwanda and the M23 rebels that seized key cities in eastern Congo in January in a lightning assault and has since occupied the cities. The former head of state, who ruled from 2001 to 2019, has denied the allegations.

In May, the country’s senate voted to repeal his immunity from prosecution, a move Kabila denounced at the time as dictatorial.

Kabila had lived outside of Congo in self-imposed exile but returned in April to Goma, one of the cities held by the rebel group. His current location is unknown.

Here are the details of Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan

WASHINGTON,  United States 

The White House has released President Donald Trump's plan to end the Israel's war on Gaza, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he supported following a meeting with Trump at the White House on Monday.

Hamas has said that it has not yet received the proposal with an official telling AFP that "we will study it and respond once we receive it". Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi told Al Jazeera that the plan "leans toward the Israeli perspective."

Below is Trump's proposal as released by the White House, which includes 20 points, ranging from how the war will be drawn to a close as well as how the enclave will be governed post-war.

1. Gaza will be a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors.

2. Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.

3. If both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed upon line to prepare for a hostage release. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal.

4. Within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned.

5. Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1700 Gazans who were detained after October 7th 2023, including all women and children detained in that context. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.

6. Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.

7. Upon acceptance of this agreement, full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip. At a minimum, aid quantities will be consistent with what was included in the January 19, 2025, agreement regarding humanitarian aid, including rehabilitation of infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage), rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries, and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads.

8. Entry of distribution and aid in the Gaza Strip will proceed without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not associated in any manner with either party. Opening the Rafah crossing in both directions will be subject to the same mechanism implemented under the January 19, 2025 agreement.

9. Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people in Gaza. This committee will be made up of qualified Palestinians and international experts, with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the "Board of Peace," which will be headed and chaired by President Donald J. Trump, with other members and heads of State to be announced, including Former Prime Minister Tony Blair. This body will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until such time as the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform program, as outlined in various proposals, including President Trump's peace plan in 2020 and the Saudi-French proposal, and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza. This body will call on best international standards to create modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment.

10. A Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza will be created by convening a panel of experts who have helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East. Many thoughtful investment proposals and exciting development ideas have been crafted by well-meaning international groups, and will be considered to synthesize the security and governance frameworks to attract and facilitate these investments that will create jobs, opportunity, and hope for future Gaza.

11. A special economic zone will be established with preferred tariff and access rates to be negotiated with participating countries.

12. No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return. We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.

13. Hamas and other factions agree to not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form. All military, terror, and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, will be destroyed and not rebuilt. There will be a process of demilitarization of Gaza under the supervision of independent monitors, which will include placing weapons permanently beyond use through an agreed process of decommissioning, and supported by an internationally funded buy back and reintegration program all verified by the independent monitors. New Gaza will be fully committed to building a prosperous economy and to peaceful coexistence with their neighbors.

14. A guarantee will be provided by regional partners to ensure that Hamas, and the factions, comply with their obligations and that New Gaza poses no threat to its neighbors or its people.

15. The United States will work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) to immediately deploy in Gaza. The ISF will train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza, and will consult with Jordan and Egypt who have extensive experience in this field. This force will be the long-term internal security solution. The ISF will work with Israel and Egypt to help secure border areas, along with newly trained Palestinian police forces. It is critical to prevent munitions from entering Gaza and to facilitate the rapid and secure flow of goods to rebuild and revitalize Gaza. A deconfliction mechanism will be agreed upon by the parties.

16. Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. As the ISF establishes control and stability, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw based on standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization that will be agreed upon between the IDF, ISF, the guarantors, and the Unites States, with the objective of a secure Gaza that no longer poses a threat to Israel, Egypt, or its citizens. Practically, the IDF will progressively hand over the Gaza territory it occupies to the ISF according to an agreement they will make with the transitional authority until they are withdrawn completely from Gaza, save for a security perimeter presence that will remain until Gaza is properly secure from any resurgent terror threat.

17. In the event Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, the above, including the scaled-up aid operation, will proceed in the terror-free areas handed over from the IDF to the ISF.

18. An interfaith dialogue process will be established based on the values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence to try and change mindsets and narratives of Palestinians and Israelis by emphasizing the benefits that can be derived from peace.

19. While Gaza re-development advances and when the PA reform program is faithfully carried out, the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, which we recognize as the aspiration of the Palestinian people.

20. The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence.

Trump admin releases Gaza peace plan to end Israel's war on Gaza

WASHINGTON, United States 

United States President,  Donald Trump, said on Monday that Washington was "very close" to securing peace in Israel's war on Gaza during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Things that have been going on for hundreds of years and thousands of years we're going to, at least we're at a minimum very, very close and I think we're beyond very close and I want to thank Bibi for really getting in there and doing a job," he told reporters, referring to Netanyahu by a nickname.

The 20-point peace plan for Gaza released on Monday proposes an end to Israel's war on Gaza and the return of all Israeli captives, living and dead, within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting the agreement.

If both sides agree to the proposal, "the war will immediately end," according to the plan. Israeli forces will withdraw to agreed upon lines to prepare for the hostage release. Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 Palestinians from Gaza who were detained after the start of the war on October 7, 2023, the plan said.

During the press conference Trump reiterated his support for Israel's war on the enclave: "Israel would have my full backing to finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas but I hope that we're going to have a deal for peace and if Hamas rejects the deal, which is always possible, they're the only one left. Everyone else has accepted it but I have a feeling that we're going to have a positive answer."

Trump also made comments on the Palestinian Authority, which is included in the 20-point plan as taking over the administration of Gaza after it conducts a series of reforms. Trump said that "there are many Palestinians who wish to live in peace."

"I challenge the Palestinians to take responsibility for their destiny, because that's what we're giving them," he continued, adding, "if the Palestinian Authority does not complete the reforms that I laid out ... they'll have only themselves to blame."

Following Trump's announcement, Netanyahu went on to express his support for the plan, saying: "I support your plan to end the war in Gaza, which achieves our war aims. It will bring back to Israel all our hostages, dismantle Hamas' military capabilities, end its political rule, and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel."

Immediately following the announcement Hamas said that it had yet to receive the proposal, although an official privy to the talks later told AFP that mediators Qatar and Egypt had handed the group the plan.

Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypt's intelligence head Hassan Mahmoud Rashad "just met with Hamas negotiators and shared the 20-point plan. The Hamas negotiators said they would review it in good faith and provide a response," the source said.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which is also fighting against Israel in Gaza alongside Hamas, slammed the proposal, calling it "a recipe for continued aggression against the Palestinian people. Through this, Israel is attempting - via the United States - to impose what it could not achieve through war." 

"Therefore, we consider the American-Israeli declaration a formula for igniting the region," it added.

The Palestinian Authority, however, said that it "welcomes the sincere and determined efforts of President Donald J Trump to end the war on Gaza, and affirms its confidence in his ability to find a path toward peace".

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 30/09/2025

 

Madagascar President dissolves government amid deadly protests

ANTANANARIVO,  Madagascar 

Madagascar President, Andry Rajoelina, dissolved his government on Monday in response to escalating, youth-led protests over severe water and electricity shortages, a crisis the United Nations reports has left at least 22 people dead and over 100 injured in the most significant challenge to his authority in years.

The protests, now in their third day, were ignited by widespread anger over rolling blackouts and water shortages that can last for over 12 hours.

The demonstrations have grown into the largest the Indian Ocean island has seen in years, inspired by successful "Gen Z" movements in Kenya and Nepal.

In a televised address, a conciliatory President Rajoelina stated, "I comprehend the anger, the sorrow, and the challenges... I have heard the call, felt the pain."

He apologized if officials had failed their duties and promised support for businesses affected by looting.

The UN Human Rights Office confirmed that casualties resulted from security forces' actions as well as widespread violence and looting by unrelated gangs.

However, Madagascar's foreign ministry rejected the UN's figures, dismissing them as based on "rumors or misinformation."

On Monday, police used tear gas to disperse protesters who had gathered at a university and attempted to march toward the city center, following the imposition of a dusk-to-dawn curfew last week.

The Malagasy youth have consciously adopted tactics from abroad, waving a protest flag similar to one used in Nepal—where demonstrations recently toppled a prime minister—and employing online organizing strategies seen in Kenya's anti-tax protests.

This marks a new chapter of digital-native activism in the country.

The unrest represents the most serious challenge for Rajoelina, a former coup leader who first seized power in 2009 and was re-elected in a contentious 2023 vote.

His decision to dissolve the government is a direct attempt to quell the fury and reassert control.

Presidential campaign kicks off in Uganda ahead of January 2026 general election

KAMPALA, Uganda 

Uganda’s presidential campaign officially kicked off on Monday ahead of an election that is likely to be a showdown between incumbent President Yoweri Museveni and his main rival Bobi Wine, in a repeat of the 2021 election.

Bobi Wine in a campaign rally in Jinja today

The country’s electoral commission released an official campaign schedule for all eight presidential candidates to organise their rallies across the country while avoiding location clashes.

The commission last week cleared both President Museveni and Bobi Wine to enter the race.

At 81 years old, Museveni seeks re-election under the banner of his National Resistance Movement, after nearly 40 years at the helm of Uganda.

In 2017, lawmakers removed a constitutional age limit on the presidency, leaving room for Museveni to run for as long as he wishes.

In a press conference last week, he highlighted his achievements and vowed to invest in education, infrastructure and health.

But critics have denounced his government's human rights abuses and suppression of political opponents.

Facing him, Bobi Wine embodies a hope for change. The singer-turned-politician received 35% of the votes in the last presidential election in 2021, finishing in second place.

Wine alleged his victory was stolen through widespread ballot stuffing and other malpractices. Electoral authorities denied the allegations.

The Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission,Mariam Fauzat Wangadya called on Monday for "peaceful," "free" and "fair" elections.

"Political leaders must refrain from inflammatory rhetoric. Security agencies must act with professionalism. Citizens must exercise their rights with respect and tolerance," she said in an address.

Uganda’s general election will be held on 12 January 2026.

Seychelles to hold rerun presidential election as no candidate secures 50%

VICTORIA, Seychelles

With no outright winner in Seychelles’ presidential election, the country will hold a rerun vote between the two main contenders, the electoral authority said Sunday.

Opposition figure Patrick Herminie received 48.8% of the vote, while the incumbent, Wavel Ramkalawan, garnered 46.4%, according to official results. A candidate needs to win more than 50% of the vote to be declared the winner.

The date for the rerun election is yet to be announced.

Herminie represents the United Seychelles party, which dominated politics for decades in the country before losing power five years go. It was the governing party from 1977 to 2020.

Trying to prevent United Seychelles from returning to power, Ramkalawan seeks a second term as the leader of Africa’s smallest country. 

His governing Linyon Demokratik Seselwa party campaigned on economic recovery, social development and environmental sustainability.

Early voting began on Thursday, but most people voted on Saturday.

Opposition figure Patrick Herminie (R) received 48.8% of the vote, while the incumbent, Wavel Ramkalawan (L), garnered 46.4%, according to official results.

The 115-island archipelago in the Indian Ocean has become synonymous with luxury and environmental travel, which has bumped Seychelles to the top of the list of Africa’s richest countries by gross domestic product per capita, according to the World Bank.