By AP

Mali’s military junta wants to extend its rule for five more years, putting off the next presidential election until 2026 despite a deadline of next month set by West African regional mediators.

According to a copy of a proposal obtained by the Associated Press, a constitutional referendum would be held in 2023 and a legislative election would take place in 2025. The presidential election would be put off until 2026.

“This five-year period is appropriate to conduct the political and institutional reforms leading to the organization of general and referendum elections,” the junta’s proposal said.

The regional bloc known as ECOWAS, which has threatened to impose more sanctions if the junta fails to conduct the election by the end of February, responded to the junta’s proposal by calling for a special meeting in one week.

The current transitional government, led by the coup leader, would remain in place until January 2027, according to the document.

By CGTN Africa

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi has tested positive for COVID-19, the government announced in a statement on Monday.

“The president does not have any symptoms and will continue to receive close medical monitoring by his medical doctors,” John-Thomas Dipowe, acting permanent secretary for Government Communications, said in the statement.

While Masisi is in isolation, Vice President Slumber Tsogwane will assume the president’s responsibilities until further notice.

COVID-19 infections have risen sharply in the diamond-rich Southern African country since the detection of the Omicron variant late last year, to an average of 2,500 every three days from under 300 over the same period before Omicron.

But health officials say hospitalizations have not spiked.

Botswana has managed to fully vaccinate 71 percent of its eligible population of around 1.3 million people.

By: Christian Conteh

Gambia’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has acknowledged with immense gratitude and great sense of gratification, the exceptional achievements registered by the fine Officers and Soldiers/Ratings of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) during the year ended 2021. A message from the Army Chief has said.

Major General Yankuba Drammeh was sending an end of year 2021 goodwill message to the gallant officers and soldiers/ratings of the Gambia Armed Forces as they welcomed a new year.

“I am mindful of the fact that had it not been for your resilience, discipline, tenacity, morale, diligence, esprit de corps, focus-orientedness, commitment and determination to excel, we would not have easily achieved such a remarkable success. Allow me to re-assert that there is nothing nobler than risking your lives for your country. I have long believed that sacrifice for one’s country is the pinnacle of patriotism. Accordingly, let me hastily state that your selfless and invaluable service to our country and its citizens is indeed appreciated by Gambians and non-Gambians alike,” General Drammeh said.

He used the opportunity to challenge his men and women as they enter a New Year, to turn a new leaf of life; one that is rich with great personal qualities, high standards and optimism that are consistent with the hallmark of their noble profession; the Military.

He emphasised that they cannot afford to shirk in their sacred duty and responsibility to the Government and People of The Gambia in conscientiously discharging their prescribed constitutional mandate.

“We must strictly be guided by upholding our core values (courage, candor, integrity, loyalty and patriotism), standards and ethics that define our very existence as fine men and women in arms. If these ethical principles constitute and/or guide the very basis of our daily endeavours, we would (certainly) continue to enjoy the admiration and unreserved support of our fellow countrymen,” he reiterated.

He called on all personnel to remember in their thoughts and pray for their fallen comrades, while asking for the Almighty Allah to forgive their shortcomings and grant them the highest Heavens.

“For us who are fortunate to be alive, I pray for our continued well-being in order to serve the Nation as we look forward to greater progress in the Year 2022,” General Drammeh ended.

While summer is the time for clubs to revamp and restock, the January transfer window presents an opportunity for teams to make touch-ups, filling holes in their squad created by injury or poor performance.

The winter transfer window is often a quirky one, with the available player pool being much smaller and clubs looking to snatch players who have seen a dip in form or a falling out with their current club. There are typically fewer big-money moves in January, with clubs preferring to wait until the summer to splash the cash, but some teams feel enough pressure and panic to make big changes, especially if facing relegation.

The January transfer window can often prove to be a slow burn, and there are significant deals done late in the window. So who are the key players who could be presented with a change of scenery this winter? Here are 10 players whose names are already generating chatter.

Top 10 January transfer window targets

10. Dele Alli (Midfielder, Tottenham Hotspur)

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has garnered praise over his tenure as transfer czar at Tottenham, but Dele Alli’s situation remains a dark spot on his resume. Resisting the urge to sell for big money after a wildly successful 2016-17 season, Levy has been forced to watch as Alli’s career has completely come apart. Nowhere near the player he was as a 21-year-old England starter, Alli is now 25 and needing a change of scenery.

Once arguably worth over $100 million, Alli can now probably be had by another club for around one-third that price, if even that. Newcastle seems a possibility, with the Magpies likely willing to take gambles to avoid relegation, although a loan move to Tyneside feels like less of an outright risk. Everton and West Ham are sliding clubs in desperate need of a January improvement, and there is far less risk for relegation at Goodison Park than at Newcastle. Alli could reunite with Mauricio Pochettino at PSG, although it would be difficult for the midfielder to find playing time in Paris.

9. Dean Henderson (Goalkeeper, Manchester United)

Since impressing at Sheffield United on loan through the 2019-20 season, Dean Henderson has been stuck on the bench at Manchester United behind a resurgent David de Gea. The Spaniard looks back to his world-class best, and that is bad news for the young English international.

Still just 24 years old — very young by a goalkeeper’s standards — Henderson has understandably drawn interest and will be pushing for a way out of Old Trafford. A report in early December suggested Dutch side Ajax could be interested in a loan deal. Tottenham has also shown interest, although a summer move by Spurs would be more likely with Hugo Lloris at 35 years old and out of contract in July.

A loan move this January seems most likely, although Ralf Rangnick reportedly prefers having a bloated squad to cover any COVID-19 situations, which might not please the English keeper.

8. Sergino Dest (Defender, Barcelona)

Barcelona has to free up cash, and fast. The Catalan side is looking to register Ferran Torres and is mentioned in just about every January transfer rumor, suggesting more business could be done. And yet, the club is strapped for salary cap space. That means players will be offloaded, and Dest could be on the chopping block. It appeared for a few weeks that Dest had been dropped altogether by new manager Xavi, but the Barcelona boss squashed that speculaton citing injury instead.

Still young and coachable at 21 years old, Dest’s defensive abilities have lagged behind his already sparkling attacking proficiency, and a move to a club that could deploy him at wingback seems most ideal. That could see the U.S. international receive interest from clubs like Chelsea or Manchester City, although Bayern Munich has also been rumored after nearly landing him ahead of Barcelona. Dest is “definitely not lacking in alternatives,” according to his agent Thies Bliemeister.

A move for around $30 million seems imminent, whether it comes in January or the summer, but a winter transfer does appear more likely for the young American.

7. Kieran Trippier (Defender, Atletico Madrid)

At 31 years old, Trippier has been a regular starter for Atletico Madrid since his arrival in 2019, but things have not always been smooth in Spain. Amid heavy interest from Newcastle, it seems very likely that the England international will return to his home country this month.

Trippier seems the perfect option for Newcastle, as an experienced player who won’t cost a fortune, a solid stop-gap option for a club in dire need of defensive reinforcements. A deal for around $23 million would appear to be enough for fifth-placed Atletico Madrid to move on.

6. Raphinha (Winger, Leeds United)

Raphinha is a different category of player from others on the transfer market because Leeds United will be desperate to fend off interest for the Brazilian in January as the club battles relegation and figures to need its in-form attacker. With eight goals heading into the new year, Raphinha has made himself known on the European landscape.

Still, he could be tempted by interest from massive clubs like Liverpool and Bayern Munich, with an $80 million offer possibly enough to entice the Premier League side. Bayern would be interested should Kingsley Coman departs, while Liverpool could probably use players to replace the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah when they depart for the Africa Cup of Nations.

5. Lucas Digne (Left-back, Everton)

He should be a hot commodity this January, since he seems the perfect answer to questions raised at many clubs. At 28 years old, the French international has excelled at Everton since his arrival from Barcelona in 2018 and doesn’t seem to have a future with the Toffees after they acquired Ukrainian left back Vitaliy Mykolenko from Dynamo Kiev.

Digne has been absent from Everton’s matchday squad since early December when a reported rift between him and manager Rafa Benitez boiled over. Despite a contract that runs through the summer of 2025, Digne now represents a chance for many Premier League clubs to fill a big hole. Chief among the likely interested parties is Chelsea, who saw Ben Chilwell go down with an ACL tear. Inter Milan and Napoli are also clubs who could find themselves in the mix, according to reports in Italy.

4. Frenkie de Jong (Midfielder, Barcelona)

Like Dest, the Dutch midfielder (below) has been an unfair scapegoat for poor team performances over the past season, and his time at Barcelona feels like it’s running out. De Jong would be a popular figure around Europe, with a change of scenery potentially helping him to recapture his form with Ajax years ago.

Still just 24 years old, his contract at Barcelona doesn’t expire until 2026, so it’s entirely possible that he stays should the club not need to make space on the wage bill. But based on reports, the feeling remains that De Jong has the needed mix of expendable and gathering interest eleswhere. The player’s father said a few weeks ago that “five top European clubs have called” regarding De Jong, but did not specify which clubs were intrigued.

De Jong was linked with a move to Man City before his Barcelona switch, but the Citizens’ squad feels full at this point, and it’s not like they need him. Manchester United would be an interesting fit, especially given the tactics Ralf Rangnick enjoys deploying that rely on central midfielders. Arsenal has been mentioned as a possibly interested side as well, although the Gunners have a greater need at forward. Liverpool could also be a landing spot, as the Reds are struggling with age (James Milner) and injury (Thiago).

3. Dusan Vlahovic (Forward, Fiorentina)

At just 21 years old, Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic has lit Serie A on fire, understandably attracting attention around Europe. Moving from Partizan Belgrade in the summer of 2018, he scored 33 goals in 40 Serie A appearances across the 2021 calendar year, and has attracted high-profile interest.

With his contract expiring in the summer of 2023, now could be the time for Fiorentina to sell. However, the club is right in the mix for a Champions League place, sitting sixth in Serie A on 32 points, just two back of the Champions League zone, and therefore has motivation to wait until the summer.

The price tag has been pegged in media reports at a whopping $80 million or potentially higher, which will make things tough on clubs like Bayern Munich, Tottenham, Barcelona, Arsenal, and Manchester United, all of whom have been whispered to be interested. At this point nobody has come forward to take charge of the situation and the summer feels like a more realistic scenario.

2. Anthony Martial (Forward, Manchester United)

With just 202 Premier League minutes to his name this season, Anthony Martial has been public about his desire to leave Old Trafford. At 26 years old and still in his prime, Martial is under contract through the summer of 2024 but could push for a move now to find more playing time and squeeze his name back into the French national team picture.

“He explained to me he has been at Manchester United now for the last seven years and he feels it’s the right time for a change, to go somewhere else,” manager Ralf Rangnick said. “I think in a way this is understandable, I could follow his thoughts, but on the other hand, it’s also important to see the situation of the club.”

Manchester United rejected a loan bid from Sevilla as the Spanish club only offered to pay half his wages, but clearly there are conversations taking place and interest for the United forward.

Juventus has been mentioned as a possibility, as has Barcelona, with both needing attacking reinforcements. But the most intriguing option raised is Ligue 1 side Lyon. The French club sits in a disappointing 13th place in the Ligue 1 table and needs all the help it can get, possibly affording Martial a return to his boyhood club where he started as a youth player.

1. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Forward, Arsenal)

While it’s entirely possible that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stays at Arsenal past the January transfer window, that won’t stop the rumours from flying as teams hope to capitalize on his tumultous Arsenal situation.

The Gunners pulled Aubameyang’s captaincy due to a disciplinary issue, and he hasn’t made an appearance since the incident in early December. With Aubameyang leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations, it will be interesting to see how much interest he garners during the month while he’s away, potentially putting himself in the shop window with Gabon.

An ESPN report stated Arsenal will listen to offers for Aubameyang in January, with his contract expiring in the summer of 2023.

Rumors have linked him to Barcelona, but with the Catalan side spending big on Ferran Torres and reportedly close to landing Alvaro Morata, the chances that they splash for another attacking player are slim.

Everton and West Ham could both be options, while Newcastle may also find Aubameyang is just what they need to help avoid relegation.

Juventus has been mentioned as another possible destination, although a loan to Italy would be more likely than a permanent deal.

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick has warned Manchester United fans that the club is not yet considering transfer targets for the January transfer window. United’s focus is primarily on outgoings this month. Anthony Martial, Dean Henderson, Jesse Lingard and Donny van de Beek are all frustrated, while Paul Pogba is now free to speak to overseas clubs after entering the final six months of his contract.

Forwards Edinson Cavani and Juan Mata continue to be linked with exits from United, as do centre-back duo Eric Bailly and Phil Jones.

With so much to think about already, Rangnick told Sky Sports News that he is yet to discuss potential incomings at Old Trafford.

“[It’s] too early now,” he said. “The current squad is big enough, with a lot of competition in the squad.

“To speak about future players coming into the club doesn’t make sense at this stage when we have to find out which player is in which position, the best possible solution for every game.

“Right now for me, it doesn’t make sense to think about future players. My full focus is on the current squad and to find for each game the best possible formation and line-up.”

Rangnick went on to admit that figuring out a way to keep all his players happy is arguably the most important part of management.

“This is always about man management, having a good relationship with the players,” he continued. “But also be aware that you’re the one to take the decisions.

“Who is going to play, who will be substituted, who will be on the bench or possibly not even make it into the squad for the next game.”

Chelsea have to be realistic about catching up with Premier League leaders Manchester City this season, manager Thomas Tuchel said, adding that the club’s personnel issues have contributed to their dip in form.

City are 11 points clear of Chelsea after winning their last 11 league games in a row and are aiming to win their fourth title under manager Pep Guardiola.

“It is a winning machine. It is not only about having an advantage, it is making it an advantage. They are very good, they are relentless,” Tuchel said of City.

“They know what it takes to produce these high-point seasons over and over again. We will never stop believing or pushing but we have to be realistic.

“When you look at 2021 (last season’s league table), we are 20 points behind. You have to be careful that you are ambitious but not over-ambitious and do not to get frustrated by not catching Man City in the first half year.”

Chelsea have one win in their last four league games and host third-placed Liverpool on Sunday. They will take on City in the Premier League on Jan. 15 before facing Tottenham Hotspur at home a week later.

Tuchel’s side have lost defender Ben Chilwell to a long-term knee injury and have had Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and others sidelined by injuries and COVID-19.

“Maybe it’s a longer race than one season to catch Man City because they will not stop improving. But the huge difference at this moment is with injuries and COVID.

“I am absolutely convinced that if we are in the same place without having key players out for weeks we (would have) more points and be in the back of them.

“That’s why there’s no need to get negative, no need to lose faith. The opposite — we will stay hungry. We will not stop trying.”

Source: Reuters

Sri Lanka’s food prices rose by a record 22.1 percent in December, official figures showed Saturday, as the country struggles to finance urgent imports to tackle an acute shortage of essentials. The census and statistics department said food inflation hit an all-time high last month on a year-on-year basis since the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) was launched in 2013.

The price increases in December compared to a figure of 17.5 percent in November, the previous record, the department said. It added that overall inflation was also at a record 12.01 percent in December, the highest since the CCPI index was launched.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his New Year message expressed hope of reviving the cash-strapped economy but did not announce measures to address the crippling foreign exchange crisis.

“I am confident that the new year will provide an opportunity to further the steps taken by the government to pursue and overcome challenges and strengthen the people-centric economy,” he said.

International rating agencies have downgraded Sri Lanka and raised concerns about its ability to service its debt of $26 billion. The latest inflation figures were released a day after the government increased the price of milk powder by 12.5 percent following a similar rise in fuel prices last month.

The island’s tourism-dependent economy has been hammered by the pandemic and the government was forced to impose a broad import ban to shore up foreign exchange reserves. Supermarkets have for months been rationing milk powder, sugar, lentils and other essentials as commercial banks ran out of dollars to pay for imports.

A top agricultural official warned last month of an impending famine and asked the government to implement an orderly food rationing scheme to avoid such a scenario. He was fired within hours of making the appeal.

Food shortages have been worsened by the government’s ban on agrochemical imports, which was lifted in November after widespread crop failures and intense farmer protests. Sri Lanka had foreign reserves of just $1.58 billion at the end of November, down from $7.5 billion when Rajapaksa took office in 2019.

This week the government drew down a $1.5 billion Chinese loan and claimed reserves had nearly doubled to $3.1 billion by the end of 2021. The central bank has appealed for foreign currency — even loose change that people may have after returning from overseas trips.

Source: AFP

A major fire broke out in the South African parliament building in Cape Town on Sunday, said AFP reporters at the scene.

Firefighters were present at the building as large flames and a huge column of smoke were seen at around 0530 GMT.

“The roof has caught fire and the National Assembly building is also on fire,” a spokesman for the city’s emergency services told AFP, requesting reinforcements at the scene.

“The fire is not under control and cracks in the walls of the building have been reported,” he added.

Images seen on social media (not verified by AFP) showed a mass of flames licking through what appeared to be the roof of one of the parliament buildings.

There was no indication of what may have started the fire.

The Houses of Parliament in Cape Town consist of three sections, including the original and oldest building that was completed in 1884.

The newer additions — constructed in the 1920s and 1980s — house the National Assembly.

In April last year, a fire ravaged part of The University of Cape Town’s library housing a unique collection of African archives.

Source: AFP

Israel’s Health Ministry has approved a fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine for immunocompromised people, a step back from an original plan to administer it to everyone aged 60 and over.

Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash said at a news conference late Thursday that studies showed a fourth dose helped some immunocompromised people develop antibodies to the disease, whereas a third dose wasn’t always enough. It will be available to eligible candidates aged 18 and over who received a third dose at least four months earlier.

Last week Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced the country would become the first to offer a fourth dose on a more widespread basis, after a forecast showed that the fast-paced spread of the omicron variant would leave the population largely unprotected from infection. Israel, a country of almost 9.5 million people, is currently adding about 4,000 new cases a day.

But the ministry later said Ash hadn’t yet made a decision.

The decision to press ahead with the fourth dose drew criticism from some medical experts, including the country’s public health chief, Sharon Alroy-Preis. She protested at a meeting of government officials and medical experts that a trial at the country’s leading hospital hadn’t yet been carried out, according to Army Radio.

That trial has since begun.

Israel’s handling of the coronavirus has been studied by other countries, because of its early administration of vaccines and boosters and comprehensive digital health data. It was the first country to offer boosters to much of its population after the delta variant sent infections soaring.

Source: Bloomberg

Pope Francis used his New Year’s message on Saturday to issue a clarion call for an end to violence against women, saying it was insulting to God.

Francis, 85, celebrated a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on the day the Roman Catholic Church marks both the solemnity of Holy Mary Mother of God as well as its annual World Day of Peace, reports Reuters.

Francis appeared to be in good form on Saturday following an unexplained incident on New Year’s Eve where he attended a service but at the last minute did not preside over it as he had been expected to.

At the start of the Mass on Saturday, he walked the entire length of the central aisle of basilica, as opposed to Friday night, when he emerged from a side entrance close to the altar and watched from the sidelines.

Francis suffers from a sciatica condition that causes pain in the legs, and sometimes a flare up prevents him from standing for long periods.

Francis wove his New Year’s homily around the themes of motherhood and women – saying it was they who kept together the threads of life – and used it to make one of his strongest calls yet for an end to violence against them.

“And since mothers bestow life, and women keep the world (together), let us all make greater efforts to promote mothers and to protect women,” Francis said.

“How much violence is directed against women! Enough! To hurt a woman is to insult God, who from a woman took on our humanity.”

During an Italian television programme last month, Francis told a woman who had been beaten by her ex-husband that men who commit violence against women engage in something that is “almost satanic”.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began nearly two years ago, Francis has several times spoken out against domestic violence, which has increased in many countries since lockdowns left many women trapped with their abusers.

Public participation at the Mass was lower than in some past years because of COVID restrictions. Italy, which surrounds Vatican City, reported a record 144,243 coronavirus related cases on Friday and has recently imposed new measures such as an obligation to wear masks outdoors.

In the text of his Message for the World Day of Peace, issued last month, Francis said nations should divert money spent on armaments to invest in education, and decried growing military costs at the expense of social services.

The annual peace message is sent to heads of state and international organisations, and the pope gives a signed copy to leaders who make official visits to him at the Vatican during the upcoming year.

President Adama Barrow on Friday pardoned 21 prisoners in the exercise of his powers of the prerogative of mercy vested upon him by the constitution.

The pardon was made following the recommendations by the Prerogative of Mercy Committee, State House said in a statement.

Among those pardoned are sixteen Gambians, one of whom is a female, three Senegalese men, a female Bissau Guinean and a Guinean man.

“As per Section 82(2) of the 1997 Constitution, the Prerogative of Mercy Committee consists of the Attorney General who chairs the Committee with other members from the Department of Social Welfare, the Supreme Islamic Council and the Gambian Christian Council.

“President Barrow seizes this opportunity to urge Gambians and residents of The Gambia to promote peace and be law abiding. He wishes all a happy and prosperous 2022,” State House added.

Surrounded by soldiers and with Guinea’s flag draped around his shoulders, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya appeared on state television hours after leading a coup in September.

“Guinea is beautiful,” he told his co-patriots, using a crude analogy to describe what would be his vision for the future of his country. “We no longer need to rape her. We need to make love to her, that’s all.”

Doumbouya’s elite Special Forces had earlier stormed the presidential palace and detained Alpha Conde, the country’s first democratically elected president whose election victory in 2010 was once seen as a new beginning after decades of authoritarian rule. But the 83-year-old’s time at the helm of the West African country ended dramatically, with a video showing him sitting on a dusty sofa, barefoot with his printed shirt buttons open and surrounded by heavily armed guards.

Guinea’s September 5 coup was neither the first nor the last power grab this year in sub-Saharan Africa. There had been four successful military takeovers across the continent, up from one last year.

Most recently, Sudan’s military detained the country’s civilian leaders and seized power in October, about a month after authorities said they had thwarted an attempted coup they blamed on plotters loyal to former ruler Omar al-Bashir. In May, Malian soldiers had their second coup in the space of 10 months. This came weeks after General Mahamat Idriss Deby immediately seized power in Chad by suspending the constitution and dissolving the parliament following the death of his father on the battlefield.

Soldiers as saviours?

In the second part of the 20th century, military coups in Africa were used as a common means of changing the political order in the wake of decolonization. Between 1960 and 2000, the overall number of coups and coup attempts stood at an average of four per year, according to a study by Jonathan Powell, an associate professor at the University of Central Florida, and Clayton Thyne, a professor at the University of Kentucky.

However, as calls for democratic reforms and constitutionalism grew with the new century, military coups decreased to two per year until 2019.

Now, however, they seem to be making a comeback – prompting United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier this year to decry what he dubbed “an epidemic of coup d’etats”.

The recent surge in the militarisation of politics, analysts say, is influenced by a mix of external drivers, including the increasing and diverse number of international actors who are active in the continent prioritising their interests, and internal factors, such as widespread public frustration against corruption, insecurity and poor governance.

The Guinean coup took place after widespread dissatisfaction and protests against Conde’s largely unpopular move to scrap the presidential two-term limit. Hence, Colonel Doumbouya justified the power grab by claiming poverty and endemic corruption compelled his special forces to intervene.

“The personalisation of political life is over. We will no longer entrust politics to one man. We will entrust it to the people,” he said at the time.

For Powell, this militarisation comes amid “an increasing crisis” of legitimacy for rulers. “When leaders like Alpha Conde toy with constitutions, term limits and the electoral process, it increases public support for the armed forces to ‘do something,” he added.

Ryan Cummings, the director of consulting firm Signal Risk, agreed.

“The militaries assume the position of saviour and use civic discontent as a means of legitimising their unconstitutional power grabs,” Cummings told Al Jazeera.

‘Toothless’ response

Likewise in Mali, the two military coups took place against the backdrop of popular nationwide protests against President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, whose government was accused of corruption, nepotism and failing to tackle the country’s worsening security crisis.

In Mali and Sudan, military leaders used similar tactics to capture power. The Malian putschists led by Colonel Assimi Goita initially agreed to form a military-civilian mixed transitional council following the first coup in August 2020, promising to hand over power to civilian rule at the end of the transition.

But last May, Goita imprisoned and then removed the civilian president and prime minister of the transitional council, following a cabinet reshuffle that saw two military members replaced with civilian politicians. Meanwhile, the military’s promise to hold elections by February is increasingly looking unlikely to materialise.

Sudan’s General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan seized power on October 25 and detained Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok with whom he initially agreed to run the country. Although nationwide protests and Western condemnation forced him to reinstate Hamdok, the military remains the main actor in Sudan’s fragile politics.

The African Union (AU) and the regional bodies such as The Economic Community of West African States or ECOWAS in West Africa suspended the countries where coups had taken place – except Chad – in a bid to force military rulers to negotiate with civilian leaders. But such moves have had limited effect.

Cummings said African and Western institutions have been “relatively toothless” in their responses to the recent power grabs.

“They have been generally favouring a dialogue process between the leadership and aggrieved domestic stakeholders than to enact punitive measures against the transgressing leadership,” Cummings added. “This ensures that democratic consolidation does not take place organically within these states which, in turn, allows the military to exploit these democratic deficits.”

Hindering democratic governance in Africa

Powell said the lack of concrete and unified international condemnation and the growing number of international actors who have shown willingness to work with the military governments, encourage more unconstitutional power grabs by military officials who know they will not face severe consequences or regional and global isolation.

China, the continent’s largest trading partner, has a no-interference policy on the domestic affairs of African countries, as long as they are committed to long-term economic ties. This is seen favourably by many across the continent, with more African leaders wooed by China’s economic success on the global stage becoming increasingly convinced their countries should leave Western prescriptions for good governance and economic growth.

Russia, on the other hand, had been expanding its influence politically and militarily across the continent.

Moscow has been stretching its muscles by backing putschist leaders like Mali’s Goita and Sudan’s al-Burhan and running online disinformation campaigns to spread a positive image of the Kremlin and capitalise on rising anti-French sentiments in Francophone Africa. Meanwhile, the Kremlin-linked Wagner Group has reportedly deployed mercenaries in conflict-ridden countries including the Central African Republic, Mali and Libya. The Russian government denies any links to the shadowy private security company.

“For Russia and China, the relationship is the priority, not an interest in democracy,” Powell said. “As they increase their influence, it has begun to mimic the Cold War, when a loss of support from the West didn’t alarm potential coup plotters because they could quickly win support from the Soviet Union.”

The first visible crack in the clear regional and international stance that forged against the military coup in the new millennium was the 2013 Egyptian coup. The Western world, led by the United States who denied calling the military takeover a coup, embraced General-turned-President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s military government, which has also been a darling for Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and China.

A similar trend was followed with the 2017 Zimbabwean coup that ended the 40-year rule of Robert Mugabe who was forced to resign by the military. Happy to see Mugabe go, the US and European countries ignored that his resignation had come through a barrel of a gun.

Meanwhile, France, whose engagement with African countries has overwhelmingly been based on military and security, continues to pursue its traditional strongman-favouring strategy.

President Emmanuel Macron endorsed the Chadian coup and called late President Idriss Deby, who led 30 years of repressive rule, a “loyal and courageous friend’’.

Idayat Hassan, the director of the Abuja-based think-tank Centre for Democracy and Development, said even though some celebrate the departure of unpopular leaders, coups are not usually good news.

“The inability of democracy to deliver public goods and security to the people is now leading citizens to embrace coup in search of hope. The coup leaders will not necessarily bring the desired hope to the people”, Hassan told Al Jazeera.

“There is hope [among supporters] that the junta which assumes power will set the foundations for a democratic reset in authoritarian states. This often does not prove to be the case”, Cummings added. 25 minutes 15 seconds25:15

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA

By: Amara Thoronka

One of the oldest existing political parties in Africa and current ruling party in Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) has in a two-day national delegate conference elected its leader and presidential candidate for 2023 presidential election and national officials.

The SLPP was founded on 27^th April 1951 [exactly 10 years before Sierra Leone gained independence from United Kingdom on 27^th April 1961] making it one of Africa’s oldest existing political parties.

The country’s president, Brigadier (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio was elected national leader of the party and also presidential candidate for the 2023 general election. This is the third time the former military general is holding the flag of the party. He was the party’s flagbearer in the 20212 and 2018 presidential elections. He lost the 2012 election to former president Ernest Bai Koroma but won the one in 2018.

Speaking shortly after his unanimous third-time endorsement by the party, the former military head of state turned democratically elected President of Sierra Leone said:

“Thanks for making me your flagbearer again. Nobody knows the All Peoples Congress [referring to the main opposition] better than I do. I have beaten them before and I will beat them again.”

He called on all party members to keep the peace as he promised them victory in the next general election.

Incumbent chairman, Dr. Prince Alex Harding was reelected administrative head of the SLPP. Alpha Mohamed Kallon is now the Deputy Chairman of the party. Lawyer Umaru Napoleon Koroma, the country’s Deputy Minister of Justice, maintains his position as Secretary General, being deputized by Robert Charkanda. The Organizing Secretary is Musa Moigua who is deputized by Alhassan Balogun George.

The nation’s Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Lahai Lawrence Leema still maintains his capacity as the party’s Publicity Secretary. The new women’s leader is Hawa foray whose deputy is Rosamond Mattia. Augustine J.J. Tommy was elected Internal Auditor while Francess Virginia Anderson and Martha Concilia Kanagbo were elected Financial Secretary and Treasurer respectively.

The party’s young generation leader (youths leader) is Ing. Kallon while Imam Sheriff and Mr. Kallon were elected national imam and chaplain respectively. Lawyer Kowa is the national legal adviser of the party.

Some of the elections, like the one for national women’s leader was done before the two-day national delegates conference held in Bo District, second administrative district of Sierra Leone.

By: Christian Conteh

The Gambia’s Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC) has recommended that a special international court be set up outside of The Gambia to try Ex-President Yahya Jammeh and others.

This is in direct response to a three-year investigation that confirms the former Gambian Leader was at the centre of most rapes, torture and murder during his tenure in office.

The commission recommended, “prosecuting Yahya Jammeh and his co-perpetrators in an international tribunal in West Africa, outside of Gambia, under either the African Union or the ECOWAS regional group”, a statement from the commission read.

According to the commission’s findings Jammeh who came to power in a 1994 coup, and his henchmen, including a personal hit squad known as the Junglas, were responsible for 44 specific crimes against journalists, ex-soldiers, political opponents and civilians.

These include the killing of journalist Deyda Hydara in 2004, seven civilians in 2000 and 59 West African migrants in 2005. He also was responsible for the rape or sexual abuse of three women, according to the commission.

The report which was officially released by the Justice Ministry on Friday, December 24^th confirmed Jammeh’s involvement in the said crimes following a string of testimonies from hundreds of witnesses. Some of Jammeh’s co-perpetrators also made self-confessions.

“Over a period of 22 years, starting from July 22, 1994, Yahya Jammeh and… co-perpetrators committed very serious crimes against the people of The Gambia,” a statement from the commission said.

In line with the TRRC Act amnesty may be granted to those who during the TRRC inquiry confessed to wrongdoing and expressed remorse.

“In line with Section 19(1) of the TRRC Act any adversely mentioned individual who has previously appeared before the Commission and made a full disclosure of his or her involvement in human rights violations and abuses and has expressed remorse is hereby granted a period of 14 days to apply to the Commission for amnesty,” a statement from the office of Gambia’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice read.

However, this does not apply to crimes against humanity.

“In line with Section 19(3) amnesty shall not apply to acts which form part of a crime against humanity.”

By AFP

Mali’s army said eight soldiers died during an attack in a western area of the Sahel nation where jihadist forces operate, doubling the previous toll.

In an update late Thursday, Mali’s Armed Forces (FAMA) said Wednesday’s attack also saw seven soldiers wounded and two military vehicles destroyed but added that 31 assailants were killed, without identifying their group.

When it first reported the attack, the army said four soldiers had died and around a dozen were wounded when a “unit in the Nara region was the target of a sophisticated attack combining IED (Improvised Explosive Devices) and heavy weapons.”

In its latest statement, the army said “on the side of the assailants, 31 bodies were discovered” Thursday morning, along with weapons and munitions.

The army has not said who carried out the attack.

It also said that Wednesday night saw troops attacked at Sikasso in the far south while the Hombori military camp in the central Mopti area came under shelling. No casualties were recorded in the two incidents.

Mali is the epicenter of a jihadist insurgency that began in the north in 2012 and has spread to neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso.

Thousands of people across the region have died and around two million have been displaced by the conflict.

Despite the presence of French and UN troops, the conflict spread to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.

France intervened in 2013 and now has roughly 5,000 troops in the region, but plans to lower that number to 2,500-3,000 by 2023.

The spiral of violence has continued despite the coup that brought the military to power in Bamako in 2020.

UDP commando Momodou Sabally has vowed he will never give up fighting for an end to President Adama Barrow’s rule and has called on UDP supporters never to retreat.

In his latest address to UDP supporters, Sabally who is renowned for being UDP leader Ousainou Darboe’s most trusted aide said: “Let no one lose hope and let no one retreat. Let’s be patient and be ready to fight. Even God’s prophets used to have setbacks in their battles but they are always patient and Allah gives them victory.

“Let those who are not with Adama Barrow and his squirrel crew know they are on the side of truth and victory will end up theirs.

“I Momodou Sabally will never give up. I will continue to devise strategies to ensure we remove Adama Barrow and his government, in peace and within the confines of the law.”

South Africa lifted a midnight to 4 a.m. curfew on movement with immediate effect as it believes the country has passed the peak of its fourth COVID-19 wave driven by the Omicron variant, a cabinet statement said on Thursday.

South Africa, which is currently at the lowest of its five-stage COVID-19 alert levels, made the changes based on the trajectory of the pandemic, levels of vaccination in the country and available capacity in the health sector.

Besides lifting the restrictions on public movement, government said gatherings will be restricted to no more than 1,000 people indoors, and no more than 2,000 people outdoors.

It also ruled that alcohol shops with licenses to operate beyond 11 p.m. (2100GMT) may revert back to full license conditions, a welcome boon for traders and business hard hit by the pandemic and looking to recover during the festive season.

“While the Omicron variant is highly transmissible, there has been lower rates of hospitalisation than in previous waves. This means that the country has a spare capacity for admission of patients even for routine health services,” the cabinet said.

Source: Reuters

Thousands of people received a surprise gift on Christmas Day this year when European bank Santander accidentally deposited £130 million ($176 million) across 75,000 transactions.

The mistake happened when payments from 2,000 business accounts in the U.K. were processed twice, meaning some employees saw their wages double, while suppliers also got more than they were expecting.

The bank said the duplicate payments were caused by a “scheduling issue” that has now been rectified.

It is now trying to recuperate the mistaken payments, many of which have gone into bank accounts operated by rival banks.

“We’re sorry that due to a technical issue, some payments from our corporate clients were incorrectly duplicated on the recipients’ accounts,” a Santander spokesperson told CNBC.

“None of our clients were at any point left out of pocket as a result and we will be working hard with many banks across the UK to recover the duplicated transactions over the coming days.”

Reports suggest the incident may have dampened the spirits of some payroll staff on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

“It ruined my holiday period because I thought I’d paid out hundreds of thousands in error — I thought I had done something wrong,” one payroll manager reportedly told the BBC. “I thought it was just me and that I was going to get in trouble at work.”

The payroll manager added that Santander hasn’t shared how businesses should explain the second payment to staff or provided any information about how it should be repaid, according to the report.

Santander said the process for recovering the funds is an industry process known as the “bank error recovery process.” It added that it has started to work with other banks in accordance with the process and that these banks will look to recover the accidental payments from their customer’s accounts.

It said it also has the ability to recover the funds directly from people’s accounts.

Source: CNBC