With Russia shunned, Botswana's president seeks top spot in diamond trade

Botswana, the world’s second-largest diamond producer, is seeking a more prominent role in the industry as No. 1 player Russia faces international outrage following its invasion of Ukraine. The southern African nation is vying to host a permanent new headquarters and secretariat for the Kimberley Process, which seeks to combat trade in the gems from conflict areas, part of the government’s effort to turn the country into a global industry hub.
#botswana #ukraine #kimberleyprocess

Tanzania president, freed opposition leader vow to 'build trust'

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and opposition leader Freeman Mbowe pledged to heal rifts and buttress democracy as they met hours after Mbowe was freed from jail in a surprise move. Mbowe, chairman of the Chadema party, was arrested last July to face terrorism charges in a case his supporters said was politically motivated and aimed at crushing dissent.
#tanzania #samiasuluhuhassan #chademaparty

Woman sits on key court in Egypt first

Radwa Helmi made history on Saturday as the first woman judge to sit on the bench of Egypt's State Council, a top court in the Arab country. Helmi, making her appearance in a Cairo courthouse, was among 98 women appointed last year to join the council, one of Egypt's main judicial bodies, following a decision by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
#egypt #radwahelmi #abdelfattahalsisi

Tunisia sentences 16 to death over 2016 attacks

A Tunisian court sentenced 16 people to death in the first judgments against jihadists involved in 2016 attacks near the Libyan border that left scores dead, media reported Saturday. A total of 96 people stand accused in the trial relating to the March 2016 events that saw the town of Ben Guerdane become the stage of a bloody battle as members of the Islamic State group's Libya branch staged a series of deadly attacks.
#tunisia #libya

'We are sitting ducks': Africans students see no way out of besieged Ukraine

Cut off by Russian forces and surrounded by the sounds of battle, Adamu Rabiu sleeps in his clothes, shoes laced, ready to flee if he can. The young Nigerian is among hundreds of students, many of them Africans, stuck in the eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy and desperate to escape. "We don't know how many days this situation will last," the 23-year-old medical student told reporters by telephone. "It's scary. There is no solution to get out. It is worse to stay."
#russia #ukraine #adamurabiu

UN vote on Russia complicates things - Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe says the historic United Nations (UN) vote denouncing Russia's invasion of Ukraine "further complicates the situation". The UN's General Assembly voted to reprimand Russia and diplomatically cut ties with the East European country on Wednesday.
#zimbabwe #russia #ukraine

Mozambique's ex-energy chief Tonela appointed as finance minister

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi appointed former energy minister Max Tonela as his new finance minister, replacing Adriano Maleiane, who was removed from the post on March 2.
#mozambique #filipenyusi #adrianomaleiane

US extends sanctions on Zimbabwe because it's a threat to its foreign policy

The United States (US) has extended its sanctions on Zimbabwe, a month after the European Union (EU) did the same. In a statement, US President Joe Biden said this was done because Zimbabwe's gross human rights and democratic principles disregard are a threat to the US' foreign policy.
#unitedstates #zimbabwe #usforeignpolicy

SADC sets up counter-terrorism centre in Tanzania

The fight against insurgency in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, received a timely boost from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which now has a Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre (RCTC) in Tanzania.
#sadc #cabodelgado #mozambique

Ancient artefacts stolen from Ethiopia's Tigray region being auctioned online as war rages on

The government of the Tigray region in Ethiopia says it will approach the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) to help stop the illicit trade in its historical artefacts and memorabilia.
#tigray #tigraygovernment #unesco