As we wrap up the week, here are the top stories from Africa: The FCCPC has given traders in Nigeria one month to reduce prices, while Kenya’s main airport was brought to a standstill due to a workers’ strike.
In Nigeria, severe flooding has displaced residents, with prison inmates and zoo animals reportedly escaping. In Uganda, the alleged killer of an Olympic runner has died, and in Liberia, 47 inmates escaped from a maximum-security prison.
Algeria’s President Tebboune secured a second term, the Democratic Republic of Congo received its first Mpox vaccines, and U.S. President Biden extended sanctions on Ethiopia for another year.
Check out all the top stories below:
FCCPC GIVES TRADERS ONE MONTH TO CUT PRICES
Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has given traders and market stakeholders one month to lower exploitative prices on goods.
This major move was announced by the newly appointed FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Tunji Bello, during a one-day meeting on exploitative pricing held Thursday in Abuja.
Mr. Bello emphasized that the Commission will begin enforcement actions after the moratorium, noting that the meeting aimed to tackle the increasing trend of unreasonable pricing and harmful market practices, while stating, “Our approach today is not punitive. I, therefore, call on all stakeholders to embrace the spirit of patriotism and cooperation.”
The FCCPC found a Ninja fruit blender priced at $89 in Texas being sold for N944,999 in Lagos, with Mr. Bello noting that “such unethical practices, including price fixing, pose a threat to the stability of the economy.”
Under Section 155 of the FCCPC Act, violators face heavy fines and imprisonment, as Mr. Bello explained, “This is intended to deter all parties involved in such illicit activities.”
PRESIDENCY DEFENDS JOE AJAERO’S ARREST + DENIES HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE ALLEGATIONS
At a recent London conference, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) accused the Nigerian government of human rights abuses, but the government firmly denied the allegations, calling them unfounded and based on misinformation.
The controversy escalated when Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), was blocked from traveling abroad.
The Nigerian government explained that Ajaero had ignored a law enforcement agency’s invitation during an investigation, with government spokesperson Bayo Onanuga stating, “No one is above the law in Nigeria,” and stressing the seriousness of Ajaero’s actions.
Ajaero was arrested by the Department of State Service (DSS) early Monday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to the United Kingdom, and released on bail later that same night.
KENYA’S MAIN AIRPORT BROUGHT TO STANDSTILL AMID WORKERS’ STRIKE
Hundreds of passengers were left stranded after staff at Kenya’s main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) went on strike over a planned buyout by India’s Adani Group
This led to flights being grounded.
Workers at the airport are against the proposed deal for the Adani Group to lease Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for 30 years, citing concerns over job security and control of the facility.
Government officials defended the proposal, explaining that the airport is overcrowded and requires private investment to upgrade, with the company planning to invest in a second runway and renovate existing facilities.
The strike began on Tuesday and continued into Wednesday.
RWANDA, ETHIOPIA, AND UGANDA AIRLINES ADVISE GUESTS ON THEIR FLIGHTS AMID KENYA STRIKE
Meanwhile, Rwandair, Ethiopian, and Ugandan Airlines advised their passengers to await updates on their flights as air travel in and out of Nairobi was brought to a standstill.
Rwandair announced immediate cancellations, while Uganda Airlines issued a statement warning of “possible delays and disruptions in its regional flight schedule.”
Ethiopian Airlines said it was “closely monitoring the situation and working to minimise the impact on our passengers.”
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) also issued a Notice to Airmen (Notam), warning of ongoing flight disruptions for departures and arrivals and advising pilots to expect delays.
NIGERIA FLOODS: RESIDENTS DISPLACED, PRISON INMATES AND ZOO ANIMALS ESCAPE
Thousands of Maiduguri residents were displaced after the Alau Dam collapsed on Tuesday, leaving many homeless.
Residents were urged to evacuate their homes near Sanda Kyarimi Park after snakes and crocodiles escaped into the floodwaters when part of the zoo’s fence collapsed, according to reports from locals.
The Nigerian Correctional Service is working to address the severe flooding that impacted its facilities, particularly the Medium Security Custodial Centre, where over 200 inmates escaped due to the rising waters.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has extended his condolences to the people of Borno State.
ALLEGED KILLER OF UGANDAN OLYMPIC RUNNER DIES
The ex-boyfriend (Dickson Ndiema) accused of setting Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei on fire, resulting in her death, has died this week from injuries he sustained during the attack.
Ndiema died from respiratory failure caused by severe airway burns and sepsis at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
According to MTRH CEO Dr. Philip Kirwa, Ndiema passed away at 6:30 p.m. on Monday after being admitted for severe burns from a domestic violence incident.
From our last report, Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei died from burns sustained during an alleged attack by her ex-boyfriend, who doused her in petrol and set her on fire at her home in Western Kenya.
#ENDBADGOVERNANCE PROTESTERS CHARGED WITH TREASON
Nigerian authorities have charged 10 protesters, arrested during the August 2024 protests, with treason, a crime that carries the potential for the death penalty.
Protesters took to the streets as thousands rallied against the rising cost of living.
They appeared in court facing six charges, including treason, mutiny, and incitement against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a ruling on Wednesday, Judge Emeka Nwite granted each defendant bail of N10 million, requiring one surety with property of equal value in Abuja.
As part of the bail conditions, the judge ordered the sureties to submit their passports to the court, with no additional conditions attached.
47 INMATES ESCAPE FROM MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON IN LIBERIA
Forty-seven inmates have escaped from a maximum security prison in Margibi County, Liberia, a rural area east of the capital, Monrovia, the justice ministry announced on Monday.
The ministry stated that initial investigations indicated the inmates escaped over the weekend due to a breach in the prison’s security system.
“The Ministry of Justice is deeply concerned about this incident and is taking all necessary measures to ensure the recapture of the escaped inmates,” it said in a statement.
The ministry deployed additional officers to aid in the search and urged the public to stay calm and report any leads. It also called on the escaped inmates to surrender to the nearest police station or prison authorities to avoid further charges.
ALGERIA’S PRESIDENT TEBBOUNE WINS SECOND TERM
Algerian authorities announced President Abdulmadjid Tebboune as the clear winner of Saturday, 7th September election.
Preliminary results showed Tebboune winning 95% of the votes, while Abdelaali Hassani Cherif received 3% and Youcef Aouchiche 2%, with a 48% voter turnout.
Tebboune came into power in 2019, with his 2024 re-election promising to raise unemployment benefits, pensions, and expand public housing programs, all of which were also improved during his first term.
AT LEAST 48 KILLED IN NIGERIAN FUEL TRUCK EXPLOSION
At least 48 people were killed on Sunday when a fuel tanker exploded after colliding with another vehicle in north-central Nigeria, according to the state’s disaster management agency.
The State Emergency Management Agency in Niger state reported that the fuel tanker collided with a truck carrying passengers and cattle, with several other vehicles also involved in the accident.
The agency’s spokesperson, Hussaini Ibrahim, confirmed the death toll at 48, adding that officials were still working to clear the scene of the incident.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO RECEIVES FIRST MPOX VACCINES
On Friday (6th Sep), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced the arrival of the first shipment of 99,100 doses of the JYNNEOS mpox vaccine in the DRC, with additional 100,900 doses arriving on Saturday.
This shipment is set to kick off a crucial vaccination campaign to combat the growing epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has reported over 4,901 confirmed mpox cases and more than 629 deaths since the beginning of 2024.
Meanwhile, The World Health Organization (WHO) delivered 14 metric tons of medical supplies and equipment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to aid in infection prevention, control, and case management efforts in response to the ongoing mpox outbreak.
The shipment includes personal protective equipment, tents, treatments, and other medical supplies, enough to support clinical care for 16,800 people over three months.
It was sent from the WHO Emergency Preparedness Hub in Nairobi, Kenya.
A team of vaccine experts is also being sent to the DRC to assist with vaccine planning and distribution.
BIDEN EXTENDS ETHIOPIA SANCTIONS FOR ANOTHER YEAR
The United States has renewed an executive order that allows broad sanctions against those involved in the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia. The order, originally signed on September 17, 2021, was set to expire on September 17, 2024.
On Thursday, Biden stated that “the situation in and in relation to northern Ethiopia, which has been marked by activities that threaten the peace, security, and stability of Ethiopia and the greater Horn of Africa region,” still presents an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy.
“Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14046 with respect to Ethiopia,” Biden said.
Three years ago, Biden authorized sanctions against Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Tigray officials involved in the conflict, aimed at ending the violence harming Ethiopians.
In May 2021, the U.S. imposed visa and economic restrictions on some officials from Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Although a peace deal was signed in November 2022 between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), fighting resumed in Amhara less than a year later due to tensions over the government’s efforts to disband Fano insurgent groups.
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