As we wrap up the week, here are the key stories from Africa. President Mnangagwa’s appointment of his son as Deputy Finance Minister in Zimbabwe’s new cabinet has stirred controversy.
On a brighter note, Emirates Airlines has resumed flights to Nigeria, lifting its visa ban. Meanwhile, AFCON 2023 qualifications are set, but Libya faces a tragic death toll of 5,200 from floods, and Morocco mourns over 2,000 lives lost in an earthquake.
Finally, tributes are pouring in for the late Nigerian rapper Mohbad, with a police investigation underway.
Dive in below for a quick read on the full details of these top stories:
MNANGAGWA APPOINTS SON AS DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTER IN NEW CABINET
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently appointed his 35-year-old son, Kudakwashe Mnangagwa, as the deputy minister of finance and economic development in a new cabinet.
This cabinet appointment took place on Monday, September 11, 2023, marking Kudakwashe Mnangagwa’s first role as a legislator.
Adding to the occasion, Tongai Mafidhi Mnangagwa, a nephew of President Mnangagwa, secured his position as the deputy minister of tourism and hospitality.
EMIRATES AIRLINES RESUMES FLIGHTS TO NIGERIA AND LIFTS VISA BAN
On Monday, 11 September 2023 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, leading to Emirates Airlines resuming flights to Nigeria and lifting the visa ban on Nigerian travelers.
Their meeting in Abu Dhabi encompassed discussions on Emirates Airlines, visa matters, and fresh investments in Africa’s largest economy, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent plea for swift resolution.
The UAE stopped issuing visas to Nigerians last year after Dubai’s Emirates suspended flights due to an inability to recoup capital from Nigeria. Etihad Airlines had also stopped flights to Nigeria.
AFCON 2023: LIST OF ALL QUALIFIED NATIONS
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire will feature all 24 participating nations, each having successfully concluded their qualification.
The tournament is set to kick off in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on January 13, 2024, with the Official Final Draw preceding it, scheduled for October 12, 2023, in Abidjan.
Here are the Qualified Nations in alphabetical order:
- Cote d’Ivoire (hosts)
- Algeria
- Angola
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Congo DR
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- The Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Tunisia
- Zambia
FLOODS IN LIBYA: SO FAR, 5,200 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED DEAD
A storm system called Storm Daniel brought heavy rain to parts of the central and eastern Mediterranean on September 9th and 10th, causing severe flooding and a tragic loss of life in Libya.
At least 5,200 people have been confirmed dead.
Derna, Mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi expressed concerns that the death toll could rise to 18,000-20,000 due to extensive damage.
The intense rainfall from the storm led to the collapse of two dams south of Derna, causing widespread flooding that also impacted Greece, Turkey, and Bulgaria, resulting in significant damage to entire neighborhoods.
This is a developing story…
MOROCCO EARTHQUAKE KILLS MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE
Morocco was hit by a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8. on the evening of Friday, 08 September 2023, killing at least 2,901 people (confirmed death toll at the time of writing this article).
The natural disaster occurred in the country’s High Atlas mountain range, shaking the region at a relatively shallow depth of 18.5 kilometers (11.4 miles). The epicenter of the earthquake was situated about 72 kilometers (44.7 miles) southwest of Marrakech, a city known for its rich history and popularity as a tourist destination.
Tragically, the earthquake has killed at least 2,901 individuals, with 5,530 people having sustained injuries.
TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR NIGERIAN RAPPER MOHBAD, DEAD AT 27—Police to investigate
Nigerian rapper and singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known as Mohbad, was confirmed to have passed away on Tuesday, 12 September 2023, at the age of 27.
In an Instagram statement, his family shared the sad news, expressing that Mohbad, born Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, was ‘finally at peace’. In the same breath, the family asked for privacy during this challenging time.
The statement read: ‘It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Promise Oladimeji Aloba PK/A Mohbad (Imole) today, the 12th of September, 2023.
‘Mohbad was light until the very end, and as we mourn the loss of the brightness he carried, the family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time. Imole is finally at peace.’
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has pledged to conduct an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the passing of Mohbad.
In a statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday:
The Nigeria Police Force is committed to a comprehensive investigation into this matter, as the Lagos State Commissioner of Police has been tasked to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death. Rest assured, updates will be provided as investigations unfold.
We encourage family members or close associates with valuable information to approach the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to assist in this process.
In the meantime, we kindly request that individuals refrain from making statements or engaging in activities that could jeopardize the ongoing investigation.
Your trust and support are deeply valued.
POWER RESTORED AFTER NATIONWIDE BLACKOUT IN NIGERIA
A nationwide power outage lasting approximately 10 hours occurred in Nigeria due to a fire-induced collapse of the country’s electrical grid, as reported by authorities and electricity distribution companies.
This incident marks one of several grid collapses in recent years, affecting all 36 states and the capital city of Abuja before power was gradually restored across most regions of the country.
A grid failure occurred early Thursday, triggered by a fire at one of the country’s power plants, causing ‘sharp drops in frequency,’ according to Adebayo Adebulu, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“The fire has been fully arrested, and over half of the connections are now up and the rest will be fully restored in no time,” Adebulu said Thursday afternoon.
TEMS NAMED IN TIME100 NEXT 2023 LIST
Tems, the Nigerian singer, has achieved recognition by being included in TIME magazine’s prestigious list of the top 100 individuals for the year 2023.
Introduced in 2019, Time100 Next serves as an extension of Time magazine’s Time 100 franchise, spotlighting 100 emerging trailblazers across diverse fields, complementing the magazine’s recognition of influential figures from around the globe.
Tems joins the ranks of fellow pop stars, such as Davido, who were recognized on the list in 2021.
Share your thoughts on this article and join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.
