Here are the top stories from Africa: Over 150 people died in Nigeria following a fuel tanker explosion that also left 100 injured.
Ruth Chepngetich broke the marathon world record in Chicago, while Lupita Nyong’o commented on President Ruto’s leadership amid recent protests. The Cameroonian government imposed media restrictions on coverage of President Paul Biya’s health. Gachagua, facing impeachment, pleaded not guilty on the first day of his Senate trial but missed the second day due to hospitalization.
In Mozambique, FRELIMO leads early election results with final tallies expected on October 24. Several teams, including Senegal and Egypt, have already qualified for AFCON 2025.
Check out all the top stories below:
OVER 150 DEAD IN NIGERIA AFTER FUEL TANKER EXPLOSION
A fuel tanker explosion in northern Nigeria killed over 150 people and injured 100 others who had gathered to collect fuel.
This incident occurred late Tuesday (15 Oct.) evening in Majiya village, Jigawa State, North West Nigeria.
Local police spokesperson Lawan Shiisu Adam reported that the tanker was en route from the ancient city of Kano to Yobe State when the driver lost control near Majia, situated in the Taura local government area, approximately 530 kilometers north of Abuja, resulting in the tanker overturning and leaking fuel.
Adam reported that after the tanker overturned, locals began to scoop petrol from the spill, igniting a fire that spread through the area, causing many deaths.
Wounded individuals have been taken to nearby hospitals for medical care, while the victims were laid to rest in a mass burial on Wednesday, 16 Oct.
The toll is expected to rise.
Source: U.S. News & World Report
RUTH CHEPNGETICH SMASHES MARATHON WORLD RECORD IN CHICAGO
Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich made history at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday (13 Oct.), finishing in 2:09:56 and setting a new women’s world record.
Chepngetich is the first woman to complete a marathon in under two hours and 10 minutes.
The 30-year-old finished 10th overall, with only nine men completing the race faster.
LUPITA NYONG’O WEIGHS IN ON RUTO’S LEADERSHIP + RECENT PROTESTS
Lupita Nyong’o, an Oscar-winning actress who grew up in Kenya but now lives in the US, found the government’s handling of the protests “upsetting.”
Kenyans took to the streets from June to August 2024 to protest against the Finance Bill 2024 and to call for greater government accountability.
During these protests, many lost their lives, and hundreds were injured, with police accused of using excessive force.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Lupita Nyong’o reflected on her family’s past, comparing the political landscape under President Ruto to the authoritarian regime of former President Daniel Moi.
“It is chilling to know that this government is resorting to tactics that I had thought had been left in the past,” said Nyong’o.
In its response, the government indicated that it is not appropriate to compare two “very different” administrations, adding that it “regrets any death that occurred.”
She expressed that the government’s management of the protests was “upsetting.”
“The more things change, the more they stay the same… I don’t know how this story ends.”
Source: BBC
CAMEROONIAN GOVERNMENT RESTRICTS MEDIA FROM COVERING MATTERS RELATED TO PRESIDENT PAUL BIYA’S HEALTH
The Cameroonian government has restricted the media from covering matters related to President Paul Biya’s health, amid rumours the 91-year-old is gravely ill, according to a document obtained by AFP.
Biya, at 91, is recognized as Africa’s oldest sitting President.
Biya, who has been in power for over 40 years, has not appeared in public since September 8, when he participated in a China-Africa forum in Beijing.
In a document directed to regional governors and dated October 9, Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji asserted, “The head of state is the principal institution of the republic, and discussions on his condition are a matter of national security.”
Regional governors were mandated to set up “monitoring cells” tasked with observing content across private media platforms, including social media.
GACHAGUA PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN SENATE IMPEACHMENT, MISSES SECOND DAY DUE TO HOSPITALIZATION
Kenya’s Vice President Rigathi Gachagua who is facing impeachment, pleaded not guilty on the first day of his trial.
In a hearing that took place on Wednesday (16 October 2024) pleaded not guilty to all allegations, including corruption, inciting ethnic divisions, and supporting anti-government protests.
Although Gachagua was set to attend his second day in court on Thursday, October 17, his legal team, headed by Senior Counsel Paul Muite, reported that he had fallen ill and is now receiving treatment in the hospital.
The DP was expected to testify from 2:30pm.
After today’s trial, the Senate was supposed to hold its vote.
MOZAMBIQUE ELECTION RESULTS SET FOR 24 OCTOBER WHILE FRELIMO LEADS EARLY ELECTION RESULTS
On Wednesday (16 Oct.), provisional election results showed Mozambique’s ruling party, FRELIMO, ahead in all 11 provinces.
Other opposition groups raised accusations of fraud, and one party called for a strike.
FRELIMO party has led Mozambique since 1975 and faces ongoing accusations of electoral fraud, which it denies.
The final election results are set to be announced on 24 October 2024.
EXTRA 600 KENYAN POLICE TO JOIN A U.N.-BACKED MISSION IN HAITI
Kenya’s police chief recently announced that 600 more police officers are set to join a U.N.-supported mission aimed at addressing severe gang violence in Haiti, with deployment expected in early November.
President William Ruto committed to sending more officers after his meeting with Haiti’s interim Prime Minister Garry Conille, during which both leaders urged the international community to increase its support.
“A contingent of 600 officers will soon join the Kenyan police already stationed in Haiti after completing pre-deployment training.” said Kenya’s Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
“Once this training is complete, the officers will be ready for departure early next month,” he said at a media briefing alongside Conille in Nairobi.
The East African nation is spearheading a multinational mission to address the escalating violence in the crime-stricken Caribbean country and has already deployed 400 police officers. Addressing worries over salary delays for personnel in Haiti, Kanja stated, “The payment issue has been sorted out, and the officers are happy.”
On Friday (12 Oct.), Ruto called on the international community to “urgently” support the mission, which has faced persistent funding shortages.
KENYA RELOCATING 50 ELEPHANTS TO A LARGER RESERVE
Kenya is relocating 50 elephants to a new habitat due to overcrowding in the Mwea National Reserve.
The overcrowding has led some elephants to wander into surrounding communities and disrupt local ecosystems.
The most recent national wildlife survey found 156 elephants in Mwea, which is over three times the reserve’s intended capacity.
Wildlife specialists spent two weeks moving elephants from the 42-square-kilometer Mwea reserve to the more spacious Aberdare National Park.
They used helicopters to sedate the elephants, secure their legs, and transport them in a truck for the four-hour journey.
The elephants, fitted with GPS collars for tracking their movements and adaptation over the next two years, are set to complete their relocation this week.
HEAT STRESS TO HIT PARTS OF AFRICA
The Climate Prediction and Applications Center (ICPAC) indicated that rising temperatures will lead to higher heat stress in several nations in the Horn of Africa.
ICPAC’s recent forecast highlighted that heat stress is expected to affect a minimum of six countries.
“Cautionary heat stress levels are expected in most parts of Sudan, South Sudan, and parts of Eritrea and Ethiopia, central to southern Somalia and north-western and eastern Kenya,” ICPAC said.
Temperatures are projected to rise to 38 degrees Celsius in certain affected countries, with ICPAC forecasting above-average heat across much of the Greater Horn of Africa in the weeks ahead.
9 CHOLERA CASES REPORTED IN GHANA
Ghana’s health authorities announced late Monday (14 Oct.) that nine cases of cholera have been confirmed in the southeastern Greater Accra Region.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) confirmed that the Ada East and Ada West districts reported positive cholera test results from patient samples.
The first case emerged at a healthcare facility, presenting symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain after attending a funeral in the Ada East District.
“As of Oct. 11, there were nine confirmed cases in both the Ada East and West districts, with precautions put in place to contain the outbreak,” the statement said.
“Contact identification, tracing and follow-ups are all underway, including daily active community case searches,” it added.
Meanwhile, the GHS urged the public to follow strict hygiene practices and ensure they eat properly cooked meals to reduce the risk of infections.
KENYA CONFIRMS FIRST MPOX DEATH, AS ZIM RECORDS FIRST TWO NEW CASES
Kenya confirmed its first mpox death on Monday (14 Oct.), bringing the total number of cases to 13, according to Mary Muthoni, principal secretary in the Ministry of Health.
Muthoni noted that eight patients have fully recovered and been discharged, while four are still being treated in hospitals, adding that the deceased had an existing health condition.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe has confirmed two mpox cases linked to travelers from South Africa and Tanzania.
Zimbabwe’s Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora stated that both cases are stable, no longer infectious, and are being cared for at home, noting, “Both cases are in isolation at home and are receiving appropriate care.”
SENEGAL, DR CONGO, ANGOLA, EGYPT, AND MORE QUALIFY FOR 2025 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
The road to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, will continue with upcoming matches in November.
So far, the teams qualified for AFCON 25 include hosts Morocco, Senegal, DR Congo, Angola, Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon, and Burkina Faso.
The final two matchdays (Matchday 5 & 6) of the Afcon qualifiers will take place during the November international break (11-19 November), completing the schedule by November 19.
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