Tag Archives: politics

Zambian president invokes state of emergency Lusaka, Zambia | AFP |  Zambian President Edgar Lungu invoked a state of emergency on Wednesday after a series of apparent arson attacks, in a move likely to trigger fresh accusations of government authoritarianism. Several fires, including one that burnt down the main market …

Kenya’s main candidates pull out of televised election debate Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Both Kenya’s leading presidential contenders have pulled out of two planned televised debates ahead of the August 8 election, their parties said Wednesday. President Uhuru Kenyatta withdrew first, followed by his main rival Raila Odinga. The first …

Stella Nyanzi speaks out as strict new official dress code sparks anger in Uganda Kampala, Uganda | AFP |  Ugandan public servants on Wednesday hit out at a list of strict new rules forbidding them from showing cleavage, having long nails, dyed hair or wearing skirts above the knee. But …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza and his ruling party have moved the country toward violent dictatorship, rights groups said Tuesday in a report that slams the international community for inaction. A “purge” of ethnic Tutsis from the army, a crackdown on opposition and media and a …

Luanda, Angola | AFP | Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos returned to Spain on Monday for a “private visit”, officials said, five weeks after a monthlong trip to the country when he underwent medical tests. Dos Santos, 74, has been dogged by reports of poor health, with his daughter Isabel …

Versailles, France | AFP |  President Emmanuel Macron on Monday promised a “profound transformation” of French politics, proposing to slash by a third the number of MPs, and telling lawmakers he would call a referendum if they do not agree. In his first address to members of the National Assembly …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP |  The EU warned Monday of possible violence in Kenya’s elections as it deployed observers ahead of the August 8 poll pitting President Uhuru Kenyatta against his longtime rival Raila Odinga. The European Union said the threat of poll clashes which pushed Kenya to the brink …

Singapore, Singapore | AFP | Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday strongly rejected as “baseless” claims from his siblings of abuse of power and nepotism as he faced parliament over a political drama that has shocked tightly-controlled Singapore. The leader was seeking to draw a line under an escalating feud …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT REPORTER| Former Democratic Party (DP) President John Ssebaana Kizito is dead. He was born in 1934. Ssebaana, also a former Uganda cabinet minister, Mayor of Kampala and a leading businessman, died at Nakasero Hospital on Monday. “Rest in Peace President Emeritus Dr. John Ssebaana Kizito. …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South African President Jacob Zuma, who has been weakened by growing criticism from within the ruling ANC party, will face a vote of no confidence in parliament on August 8, officials announced Sunday. Opposition parties have pushed for the vote to be held in …