Cholera outbreak in Sudan,  pro-Palestine protesters in Kenya, rebels capture DRC town

Patrick Obia
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Cholera kill 35 in Sudan 

A suspected case of cholera outbreak in Sudan has claimed about 35 lives.  817 suspected cases have been reported across three Sudanese states, local media report.

The cases are reported in Gedaref, South Kordofan, and Khartoum states, privately owned al-Rakoba news website reported, citing the World Health Organization or WHO.

The United Nations last week said that months of conflict in Sudan had left millions of people at risk of cholera, dengue, measles, malaria and other diseases without sufficient containment capacities.

The WHO has also warned that the lives of over 9,000 kidney patients were in danger due to the limited number of dialysis centres in the country.

Sudan’s hospitals have been hit hard by the conflict between the army and a paramilitary force, with many stopping operations amid fighting.

The conflict has killed over 9,000 people and displaced nearly six million others, according to the United Nations.

Police arrest pro-Palestine agitators in Kenya

A handful of protesters in support of Palestine in the ongoing war with Israel have been arrested in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

BBC reports that the pro-Palestine protesters, three in number who were detained, were released on Sunday, October 22, 2023, when they gathered for a meeting. 

The trio were said to have been freed without charges after widespread criticism from far and near; including the country’s politicians,  human rights groups and others.

Kenya’s Prime Minister or MP Yusuf Hassan, however, has condemned the arrests.

The head of Amnesty International in Kenya, Irũngũ Houghton, said that the disruption of the meeting was “unlawful” and “deeply disturbing”.

It had been organised by the Kenya Palestinian Solidarity Committee after police stopped an earlier demonstration that the group had planned outside the US embassy.

The country’s President, William Ruto, had earlier expressed his government’s full support for Israel in the ongoing conflict. Joining other African leaders who are divided in the Palestine-Israel conflict.

Rebels rejuvenate fighting, recapture town in DR Congo

Reports have it that the town of Kitshanga in the North of Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been reoccupied by the M23 group.

The fighting is between pro-government forces and M23 rebels who have engaged in a gun duel since Saturday 21 October, 2023.

Several people have been taken to hospital with gunshot wounds, a local radio station reported.

“The rebels are in Kitshanga and we are trying to find a way to retake the town,” a security source told AFP News Agency.

The area has changed hands several times since the beginning of the year.

Fighting resumed three weeks ago after a six-month truce. The area was previously patrolled by an international force provided by Congo’s neighbours.

Nigerian Supreme Court begins hearing in Atiku, Obi, APM appeals election appeal

The Nigerian Supreme Court is set to hear the appeals filed by the People’s Democratic Party or PDP its presidential candidate in the February 25 presidential election, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku.

Atiku is before the court challenging the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court, or PEPC which affirmed the election of President Bola Tinubua a few weeks ago.

The country’s apex court will also hear the petitions filed by the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi as well as that of the Allied Peoples Movement, or APM, all challenging the judgment of the PEPC, News Agency of Nigeria.

The panel of Justices hearing the appeals is headed by Justice Inyang Okorowo.

Niger face sanctions as European Union agree on framework

European Union countries on Monday adopted a framework to impose sanctions on members of a junta that seized power in Niger in July.

The new framework will allow the EU to sanction individuals and entities responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Niger; undermine the constitutional order, or constitute serious violations to human rights or international humanitarian law, the EU Council said.

Reuters learned that the EU aims to mirror and strengthen any measures taken by the West African regional body Economic Community of West African States or ECOWAS.

“The EU has from the very beginning condemned the coup d’état in Niger in the strongest terms,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.

With the restrictive measures, the EU could freeze assets of targeted entities and individuals and hand them travel bans.

 

Cholera Kill 35 in Sudan

A cholera outbreak in Sudan has resulted in 35 deaths and 817 suspected cases across Gedaref, South Kordofan, and Khartoum states. The World Health Organization (WHO) and local media report heightened health risks due to ongoing conflict, including other diseases and insufficient healthcare facilities. The UN has highlighted the severe impact of months of conflict, which has affected health services and displaced millions.

Police Arrest Pro-Palestine Agitators in Kenya

Kenyan police arrested and then released three pro-Palestine protesters in Nairobi after criticism from politicians and human rights groups. The arrests were condemned, including by Kenya's Prime Minister and Amnesty International. The government previously stopped a demonstration outside the US embassy, with the President expressing support for Israel in the conflict.

Rebels Rejuvenate Fighting, Recapture Town in DR Congo

The M23 rebel group has recaptured the town of Kitshanga in DR Congo’s North Kivu province after recent fighting with pro-government forces. The conflict, resuming after a three-week truce, has resulted in several hospitalizations. The area has changed control multiple times this year.

Nigerian Supreme Court Begins Hearing in Atiku, Obi, APM Appeals Election Appeal

The Nigerian Supreme Court is hearing appeals from the People's Democratic Party, Labour Party, and Allied Peoples Movement challenging the election of President Bola Tinubu. Justice Inyang Okorowo leads the panel handling these appeals.

Niger Face Sanctions as European Union Agree on Framework

The European Union has adopted a framework to sanction members of Niger’s junta, potentially freezing assets and imposing travel bans. This framework aims to support measures by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following the July coup.

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