Month: April 2024

Kenya Airways (KQ) has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo’s army of keeping two of its workers in custody, ignoring a court’s decision to set them free.

The employees were arrested last Friday by DR Congo’s military intelligence unit for allegedly lacking proper customs documents for valuable cargo, according to reports.

Despite KQ’s explanation that they didn’t accept the cargo due to incomplete paperwork, the military detained them until Tuesday.

Although a court ordered their release on Thursday for ongoing investigations, they’re still held without communication by the military intelligence unit.

KQ also reported that their phones were confiscated during the arrest. The content of the cargo remains unknown, and DR Congo authorities haven’t commented yet.

Burkina Faso suspended the BBC and Voice of America radio stations for their coverage of a report by Human Rights Watch on a mass killing of civilians carried out by the country’s armed forces.

Burkina Faso’s communication spokesperson, Tonssira Myrian Corine Sanou, said late that Thursday that both radio stations would be suspended for two weeks, and warned other media networks to avoid reporting on the story.

According to the report published by Human Rights Watch on Thursday, the army killed some 223 civilians, including 56 children, in villages accused of cooperating with militants. The report was widely covered by the international media, including the Associated Press.

“VOA stands by its reporting about Burkina Faso and intends to continue to fully and fairly cover activities in the country,” the network said in a news article reporting on its suspension.

The BBC did not respond to a request for comment.

Ghana’s Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on Wednesday, April 24 held a significant meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, aimed at bolstering diplomatic ties between Ghana and the Vatican City.

The discussions, centered on enhancing the already positive relationship between the Holy city and Ghana. The historic encounter unfolded at the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, marking a milestone in diplomatic engagement between the two nations.

The discussions covered a range of topics, with a focus on Ghana’s political and socio-economic landscape, particularly exploring potential collaborations in education and healthcare.

This dialogue underscored Ghana’s steadfast commitment to advancing its socio-economic development and seeking partnerships with global stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.

During his visit to Italy, Dr. Bawumia also met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. These included exchanging perspectives on pressing international issues, notably the security challenges confronting West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.

Dr. Bawumia’s visit to the Vatican reaffirmed Ghana’s dedication to strengthening ties with the global community and nurturing diplomatic relations across all levels.

Over 100 prisoners have fled from a correctional facility near Nigeria’s capital following severe rain that caused damage to parts of the prison infrastructure.

Authorities report that initially, 118 inmates escaped from the Suleja Prison, with 10 individuals subsequently recaptured. A large-scale manhunt is underway to locate the remaining escapees.

Details regarding the identities of the escaped prisoners remain unclear, raising concerns about potential risks to public safety. However, a statement from the prison authorities assures collaboration with other security agencies to address the situation and urges citizens to continue their daily routines without undue alarm.

“In conjunction with sister security agencies we have so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot chase to recapture the rest,” stated Abuja’s prison authority.

The incident underscores broader challenges faced by Nigeria’s prison system, particularly the deteriorating conditions of many facilities. Built during the colonial era, prisons like Suleja have aged and become vulnerable to damage, exacerbating security risks.

This recent escape echoes a similar incident two years prior, where over 400 prisoners broke free following an attack on another Abuja-based prison. Tragically, casualties ensued, including four inmates, a security guard, and multiple assailants.

The 2022 attack, claimed by Islamist fighters, aimed to release incarcerated members, highlighting the complex security landscape in Nigeria. Since 2020, more than 5,000 inmates have escaped during various prison breaks across the country, illustrating persistent challenges in maintaining secure correctional facilities.

Talks have begun between the authorities in Niger and the US for the withdrawal of American troops stationed in two airbases in the sahelian nation.

On Tuesday both parties gave confirmation amid the decision of the Nigerien government last month to end military co-operation agreement with Washington.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary:

Through two bases in Niger, the US has over the past decade performed counter-terrorism and global security operations against ISIS and Al Qaeda in the West African region. The future of those operations have been cast into doubt but the US pentagon press secretary tried to allay fears.

Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary:

” We’ll continue to work with regional partners to address how best, to ensure that we can continue to do the kinds of things we do to not only protect our national interests but also look at the collective security of of regional partners.”

The withdrawal of US troops was seen as inevitable after the arrival of 100 Russian soldiers in the sahelian nation earlier this month. There have also been mass protests across the capital Niamey calling for the US troops to leave.

British police have arrested three individuals in connection with the deaths of five migrants, including a child, who perished while attempting to cross the treacherous Channel from France.

The incident happened when a small, overcrowded vessel carrying 112 individuals embarked on a dangerous journey across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Panic gripped the passengers as their vessel encountered distress not far from the safety of the shore.

According to reports, Rescuers managed to retrieve approximately 50 individuals from the water, with four requiring urgent medical attention. Despite the efforts of authorities, some migrants chose to remain aboard the vessel, resolute in their determination to reach British soil.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed that three men, identified as two Sudanese nationals aged 22 and 19, and a South Sudan national aged 22, were apprehended on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration and unlawfully entering the UK.

The investigation is ongoing as authorities seek to unravel the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

“This tragic incident once again demonstrates the threat to life posed by these crossings and brings into focus why it is so important to target the criminal gangs involved in organising them,” said NCA Deputy Director of Investigations Craig Turner.

“We will do all we can with partners in the UK and France to secure evidence, identify those responsible for this event, and bring them to justice.”

French police are also continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, alongside their British counterparts, the NCA said.

It added 55 people who were believed to have been on board the boat which arrived in Britain had also been identified.

More than 6,000 people have arrived in Britain this year via small, overloaded boats – usually flimsy inflatable dinghies – that risk being lashed by the waves as they try to reach British shores.

The deadly crossing on Tuesday took place just hours after the British parliament passed a bill paving the way for asylum seekers who arrive in Britain without permission to be deported to Rwanda, a policy which Prime Minister Rishi Sunak argues will deter people from making the dangerous cross-Channel journey.