Rebels kill civilians accused of sabotage in Cameroon
Not less than two civilians accused of spying for the army have been killed by armed separatists in Cameroon.
The yet-to-be-identified civilians were said to have been executed at close range by the armed-wielding rebels.
A local administrator in Guzang village in the north-west of Cameroon said investigations were underway.
This follows the release of a video which showed two men sitting on a road and then being shot dead at close range.
According to the BBC, the rebels have been fighting in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon since 2017 and have left many dead and more than 800,000 people displaced.
Human rights groups have condemned government troops and separatists for killings, rapes, torture and burning of homes and schools in the war zone region.
Ivory Coast president sacks prime minister
The president of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, has fired the country’s prime minister, Patrick Achi.
President Alassane Ouattara also dissolved his government, the presidency’s secretary general Aboudramane Cisse said on Friday.
No reason was provided for the unexpected move.
“The president expresses his gratitude to Prime Minister Patrick Achi and to all members of the government for their commitment to serving the nation over the past years,” her said
They will remain in temporary charge until a new prime minister and government are appointed, Reuters gathered.
It is not uncommon for presidents in Ivory Coast to make drastic, unexpected changes to their governments.
Achi tabled his resignation and that of his government in April 2023 after Ouattara announced plans to cut ministerial positions to slim down the size of his cabinet.
The prime minister was re-appointed a week later, however.
Restrictions in Zimbabwe as cholera kills many
Death toll continues to rise as dozens of persons have been confirmed dead due to a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe.
At least not less than 100 Zimbabweans are suspected to have died in the past few days, thereby prompting the government’s restrictions.
The measures include suspending some social gatherings and restricting the number of people allowed to attend funerals in areas affected by the outbreak, which include many districts across the country and parts of the capital, Harare. Other measures BBC learned include shaking hands and the serving of food at funerals have also been banned.
The country’s health ministry had on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, announced 100 suspected cholera deaths, 30 of which had been confirmed through laboratory tests.
The authorities also confirmed 905 cholera cases out of more than 4,600 suspected cases.
Zimbabwe is prone to frequent cholera outbreaks.
One of its worst outbreaks between 2008 and 2009 killed more than 4,200 people and infected nearly 100,000 others.
In August, the United Nations Children’s Agency UNICEF attributed the outbreaks to poor sanitation infrastructure, unstable water supply, regular sewer bursts and poor waste management amid a rapid growth in the country’s urban population.
Algeria moves to reduce bedbug spread from France
The government of Algeria has moved swiftly to tighten health measures at its border to control the spread of bedbugs from France.
Recently, bedbugs have been said to have spread across various African countries, a gesture Algeria tends to prevent through tight health measures across its borders.
The health ministry in the North African country said it was introducing “health monitoring and disinfecting of aircraft, ships, and vehicles at entry points”.
It comes amid concern that the blood-sucking insects could come into Algeria due to the high number of people who travel from France, BBC reports.
The ministry, however, said no bedbug infestations had been reported in the country while urging vigilance.
Neighbouring Morocco has already announced measures to limit the risk of bed bugs spreading into its territory.
The bedbug infestation in Paris and other cities in France has been raising concerns, with questions about health and safety during next year’s Olympic Games.
Anti-gay protesters call for sacking of Kenya judges
Following the controversies and some Kenyan judges that overturned anti-same-sex laws in the country, anti-gay protesters have staged a protest demanding the immediate sacking of the judges.
On Friday, October 6, the anti-gay protesters and other activists marched down outside the Supreme Court in Nairobi, the Country’s capital, with placards carrying different inscriptions.
Several civil society and religious groups are expressing anger at a recent ruling which allows gay and lesbian organisations to register in the country.
Some demonstrators are holding placards calling for the Supreme Court judges to resign, BBC reports.
Ten years ago a government-funded body refused to register an LGBTQ rights organisation, arguing that it promoted same-sex behaviour in a country where gay sex is illegal.
However, judges this year overturned that decision.
Kenya’s President William Ruto has urged religious leaders to promote what he refers to as traditional values.
Cameroon: Armed separatists killed two civilians accused of spying for the army in Guzang village in north-west Cameroon. The killings were captured in a video, sparking an investigation by local authorities. The separatist conflict in English-speaking regions of Cameroon since 2017 has resulted in many deaths and over 800,000 displaced. Human rights groups denounce atrocities committed by both government troops and rebels.
Ivory Coast: President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast has dismissed Prime Minister Patrick Achi and dissolved the government without providing a reason. The outgoing government will continue in a temporary capacity until new appointments are made. This is a not uncommon move in Ivory Coast politics, with Achi having resigned and been re-appointed previously in 2023 amid cabinet reduction plans.
Zimbabwe: In response to a cholera outbreak that has killed at least 100 people, Zimbabwe's government has imposed restrictions including limits on social gatherings and funeral attendees. Health officials reported 905 confirmed cases out of over 4,600 suspected cases. The country's recurrent cholera outbreaks, exacerbated by poor infrastructure, have previously resulted in significant fatalities.
Algeria: Algeria is implementing strict border health measures to prevent the spread of bedbugs from France, including monitoring and disinfecting transport coming from the country. No infestations have been reported in Algeria yet, but authorities remain vigilant. Nearby Morocco is also taking precautionary steps, amidst bedbug concerns in Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games.
Kenya: Anti-gay protests erupted in Nairobi following a Supreme Court ruling allowing LGBTQ organizations to register. Demonstrators demanded the resignation of the judges involved, with civil society and religious groups expressing outrage. Kenya's President William Ruto supports the promotion of traditional values, amidst ongoing debates on LGBTQ rights in the country.
