The Ethiopian Parliament passes a new law that limits its people’s right of free speech if it is deemed incorrect information or hate speech. “The new law defines hate speech as rhetoric that fuels discrimination “against individuals or groups based on their nationality, ethnic and religious affiliation, sex or disabilities”.” If someone creates or shares a social media post that… Read more »
Authorities say number of suspected cases increased from more than 700 to 1,708 as Nigeria grapples with epidemic.13 Feb 2020 The death toll in Nigeria from an outbreak of Lassa fever has risen to 70 as confirmed cases shot up, according to authorities. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Nigerian agency responsible for the management of disease outbreaks, said in its week… Read more »
Months before major election, Parliament passes law imposing jail terms for people whose internet posts stir unrest.24 hours ago Ethiopia‘s parliament has passed a law punishing “hate speech” and “disinformation” with hefty fines and long jail terms, despite rights groups saying it undermines free speech months before a major election. Nearly 300 legislators voted in favour of the bill on… Read more »
Far-left EFF leaders demand the country’s last apartheid-era president, FW De Klerk, be removed from Parliament.18 hours ago South Africa‘s far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) legislators have protested inside Parliament, forcing President Cyril Ramaphosa to abandon his annual state of the nation address for a while. Speaker Thandi Modise on Thursday temporarily suspended proceedings, telling the EFF leaders: “When you think you… Read more »
Demonstrators demand electoral body chief resign after the country’s top court annulled last May’s election results.7 hours ago Protesters on Thursday padlocked Malawi’s electoral commission offices in a new bid to force the panel’s chief to quit after a top court overturned last May’s presidential elections. The Constitutional Court on February 3 annulled results that declared President Peter Mutharika, who had… Read more »
A student, who is using her middle name Diana for privacy, at Kenyatta University was sexually violated by one of her professors in his office. Diana transferred late to the University after a spot opened up. She became a target for the teacher and one day was asked to see him in his office. He hurt her. Diana quickly switched… Read more »
Across Kenya, students are starting to speak out and challenge a problem they say plagues the country’s campuses. by Louise Donovan29 Jan 2020 Nairobi, Kenya – Diana perched on a brown bench in one of Nairobi University’s large lecture theatres, twisting her fingers into pretzel-like shapes. She scanned the room. To her left, students waited eagerly to hear her story. To… Read more »
The journalists work for Iwacu, one of the few remaining private media organisations in the East African nation. 23 hours ago. A court in Burundi has sentenced four journalists to two and a half years in prison for trying to undermine state security. They were arrested in October in Musigati district in western Bubanza Province while covering an incursion of rebels from… Read more »
Deadly attacks come as tensions grow between president and supporters of his predecessor Jason Burke Africa correspondent Fri 31 Jan 2020 00.00 ESTLast modified on Fri 31 Jan 2020 04.38 EST A militia group has launched a series of bloody attacks in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, plunging the country further into instability after months of violence and political tension. The Allied… Read more »
Photojournalist Paddy Dowling travelled to Senegal, a country torn apart by conflict, and discovered a new generation of empowered women living in a rapidly changing sub-Saharan climate Paddy Dowling 6 days ago According to estimates from UN agencies, the conflict in Casamance, Senegal, claimed the lives of over 5,000 people. The Movement of Democratic Forces in Casamance (MFDC) emerged in 1982… Read more »