₦airaland Forum

AL JAZEERA
At least four people have been killed in clashes in Ivory Coast as hundreds took to the streets following President Alassane Ouattara's decision to run for a third term this October.

Three people were killed in the central town of Daoukro in clashes between Ouattara supporters and backers of rival candidate Henri Konan Bedie, a security source and witnesses said.

On Thursday, an 18-year-old died in the southeastern town of Bonoua, 50km (30 miles) from the economic hub, Abidjan, in violence between demonstrators and security forces, said Mayor Jean-Paul Amethier.

"The police station in Bonoua has been ransacked by angry demonstrators, and the police chief and officers have taken refuge in the courtyard," local resident Herve Niamkey said.

[quote]In Abidjan, scattered groups of demonstrators built barricades and burned tyres in response to a call from the opposition and civil society groups.

"His candidacy is against the constitution - we don't want a third term," said protester Herve Seka in Anono district.

In the district of Yopougon, police fired tear gas and chased protesters down narrow streets.

Several dozen protesters gathered in Port Bouet, a seaside area of Abidjan, while heavy deployment of riot police maintained order in the upscale district of Cocody, where many politicians live, including Ouattara.

The government announced a ban on protests late on Wednesday in a communique read on state television.

Despite the violence, Ouattara's Houphouetist Rally for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) party announced he would be formally nominated as its candidate at a big rally in Abidjan on August 22.

Ouattara, 78, announced a week ago he would contest the October 31 presidential elections - a move that came after his anointed successor Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly died of a heart attack.

The announcement sparked fury among Ouattara's critics, as he has already served two terms and can only contest a third by arguing that a constitutional change entitles him to reset the clock.


https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/dead-ivory-coast-president-term-bid-200814055003004.html

Possible coup underway in Mali
Shots have been heard at an army base in Kati, just outside the capital, amid an ongoing political crisis in Mali. The situation remains unclear, but news of the gunshots quickly sparked fears of a possible coup attempt.

Tuesday August 18, 2020


Gunfire was heard at an army base near Mali's capital Bamako on Tuesday, sparking fears of a possible mutiny in the conflict-torn country.

According to nearby witnesses, soldiers fired gunshots into the air at a military base in Kati, a town 15 kilometers (nine miles) from Bamako, though it remained unclear who was firing at whom.

The Norwegian Embassy gave a clear message to its citizens: "The embassy has been notified of a mutiny in the Armed Forces and troops are on their way to Bamako. Norwegians should exercise caution and preferably stay at home until the situation is clear."

Arrests being made

Sources told DW that the leader of the coup could be Colonel Sadio Camara. DW also learned that several high-ranking politicians and officials have been arrested, including the Minister of Finance Abdoulaye Daffe and the chief of staff of the National Guard.

Meanwhile, soldiers took up arms in Kati and began arresting senior military officers.

The national radio station ORTM has been evacuated. According to ORTM employees, a column of possible putschists is said to be on its way to the station.

The French Embassy in the West African country was quick to react, urging people to stay inside their homes.

https://www.dw.com/en/possible-coup-underway-in-mali/a-54608009

Spain's scandal-plagued former King Juan Carlos, 82, HAS fled to the UAE, the royal palace confirms, following revelation he was in Abu Dhabi with his lover of 40 years
Palace confirmed that Juan Carlos travelled to UAE on Aug. 3 and remains there
Follows reports he is staying with his 'most faithful freind of the past 40 years'
That is believed to refer to glamorous Mallorcan interior designer Marta Gaya, 70
Ex-king's travel came amid graft allegations over £77m deposited in Swiss bank
By AFP and ROSS IBBETSON FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 11:20 EDT, 17 August 2020 | UPDATED: 12:42 EDT, 17 August 2020

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8635747/Spains-scandal-plagued-former-King-Juan-Carlos-82-fled-UAE-royal-palace-confirms.html?fbclid=IwAR3Cm2U1c-aONMfx2R2NUKNMFva9M9UZgBjwhcm3-5edem5nRZNvfvT9I-8

tommy589:
The useless African leaders did not formulate one action plan or sanctions to halt the crises and ensure all concerned parties abide with the UN resolution.

Zimbabwe's Mnangagwa vows to 'flush out' opponents
4 August 2020
BBC Africa

Zimbabwe's president has vowed to "flush out" his opponents as anger with his government grows over alleged corruption and economic mismanagement.

Attempts by "a few rogue Zimbabweans" to destabilise the country in "league with foreign detractors" would be overcome, Emmerson Mnangagwa added.

More than 20 people have been arrested since last week when an anti-government protest was blocked, lawyers say.
(...)
What exactly did the president say?
In a televised address on Tuesday, Mr Mnangagwa condemned the "machinations of destructive, terrorist opposition groupings".

"Those who promote hate and disharmony will never win. The bad apples that have attempted to divide our people and to weaken our systems will be flushed out. Good shall triumph over evil," he said.

Mr Mnangagwa added that his government had faced many hurdles since taking office following the ousting of long-time leader Robert Mugabe in 2017, but it would remain resolute.

"We will defeat the attack and stop the bleeding of our economy. We will overcome attempts at the destabilisation of our society," he said.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53642492

Ivory Coast ruling party could field Ouattara for third term
July 10, 2020
By Africanews

Leaders from Ivory Coast’s ruling party agreed at a closed-door meeting late Wednesday to press President Alassane Ouattara to seek a third term in October’s presidential election.

This follows the sudden death of Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, two sources said on condition of anonymity. “All options are on the table, including a new candidacy for President Ouattara,” AFP reports the ruling party’s executive director, Adama Bictogo, as saying.

Ouattara announced in March that he would not stand for re-election after 10 years in office and designated his closest ally prime minister Gon Coulibaly, as the RHDP party’s candidate.

Gon Coulibaly’s death on Wednesday, less than a week after he returned to Ivory Coast from an extended medical leave in France for heart issues, left the RHDP scrambling to choose a replacement.

A formal leadership meeting is in the works ahead of the July 31 candidate submission deadline.
https://www.africanews.com/2020/07/10/ivory-coast-ruling-party-could-field-ouattara-for-third-term//

madamgrace:
The Vice President of Ivory Coast, Daniel Kablan Duncan has resigned from his position.

The Presidency confirmed Duncan’s resignation on Monday.



A statement by President Alassane Ouattara’s Secretary-General, Patrick Achi said Duncan resigned on personal grounds.

According to Achi: “The President of the Republic proceeded on Wednesday, July 8, to the signing of a decree terminating the functions of Daniel Kablan Duncan as vice president of the Republic.

“After several talks, the last of which took place on Tuesday, July 7, President Alassane Ouattara took note of this resignation and proceeded to sign the decree terminating Daniel Kablan Duncan.”

Duncan had previously served as Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire from 1993-1999 under Henri Konan Bedié and again from 2012-2017 under the current president, Ouattara.


https://www.inform.ng/post/breaking-presidency-accepts-vice-presidents-resignation

meobizy:
I thought he was one the people who normally incite violence on foreign nationals.

Hong Kong Activist Nathan Law Says He Has Fled Abroad Amid Beijing-Backed Crackdown
July 2, 20207:04 PM ET
NPR

Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law says he has fled the city following the enactment of a new Beijing-sponsored crackdown on free expression, telling NPR that the new national security legislation amounts to a "complete destruction" of Hong Kong's autonomy.

Hours after testifying online to a U.S. congressional hearing about the new law — which comes after a year of anti-Beijing protests and is aimed at punishing acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion — Law announced in a Facebook post late Wednesday that he had fled.

"Hi this is Nathan. I have already left Hong Kong and continue the advocacy work on the international level. Based on risk assessment, I shall not reveal too much about my personal whereabouts and situation now," he said, according to a translation published in the South China Morning Post.

The new law drafted by Beijing for Hong Kong was passed on Tuesday by China's top legislative body, the National People's Congress Standing Committee, and quickly adopted by Hong Kong.
https://www.npr.org/2020/07/02/886931216/hong-kong-activist-nathan-law-says-he-has-fled-abroad-amid-beijing-backed-crackd

Golan007:
They must be related to Igbos somehow.

Their masquerades below:

July 1, 2020
BBC
Hong Kong: Dozens held as 'anti-protest' law kicks in on handover anniversary


Dozens of people have been arrested in Hong Kong, including a man carrying a pro-independence flag, after a new "anti-protest" law imposed by Beijing came into effect, officials say.

Police have used pepper spray to disperse some protesters gathered to mark 23 years since British rule ended.

The national security law targets secession, subversion and terrorism with punishments up to life in prison.

Critics say it stops some freedoms meant to be guaranteed by China.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-53244862