Here are the top stories from Africa: The Lebombo border has been temporarily closed due to ongoing protests in Mozambique, which are reportedly costing South Africa’s economy R10 million a day.
In Tanzania, Janabi has been appointed as the new WHO Africa regional director, while John Mahama has been elected as Ghana’s next president. The World Bank has revised Kenya’s 2024 growth forecast down to 4.7%.
Meanwhile, Sony has removed music by Davido, Wizkid, and others from Boomplay over unpaid royalties. Mozambique’s 340ml is set to reunite for a South Africa tour in March 2025, and President Akufo-Addo has named members of the government Transition Team.
Check out all the top stories below:
LEBOMBO BORDER TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO ONGOING MOZAMBIQUE PROTESTS
The Lebombo Border Post in Mpumalanga is temporarily closed due to unrest in Mozambique.
The Border Management Authority (BMA) advises travelers to use the Mananga border as an alternative, though it remains unsuitable for cargo trucks due to protests targeting commercial goods in Boane.
This is amid ongoing nationwide demonstrations that started on October 21.
MOZAMBIQUE ELECTION PROTESTS COST SA ECONOMY R10M A DAY
Post-election violence in Mozambique is costing South Africa up to R10 million daily in disrupted trade, according to the Road Freight Association (RFA).
The association urged Mozambique to resolve its ongoing civil unrest, cautioning that halted operations at the Port of Maputo are causing significant financial losses to the South African economy each day.
CEO Gavin Kelly urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene and help restore peace to the region.
“We need a Statesman to explain to Mozambique that our country is suffering – and that there needs to be a resolve to agree on the way forward – and whilst that is happening, the corridor to the Port of Maputo needs to be secured. At all costs and by any means,” said Kelly in a statement.
Venâncio Mondlane, Mozambique’s opposition leader, has disputed the outcome of the October elections, where Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo claimed a decisive 71% majority. Although the electoral commission denies any wrongdoing, international observers raised concerns over irregularities, particularly in the counting process.
This led to the Lebombo Border Post in Mpumalanga being temporarily closed.
MOROCCO TO CO-HOST 2030 WORLD CUP
FIFA has announced that Morocco will host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, a move set to elevate Africa’s international profile and drive economic growth through tourism and investment.
The joint bid will feature the tournament’s opening three matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, honoring the centenary with a ceremony that “recognizes Uruguay’s role as the host and winner of the 1930 edition.”
“This is a unique opportunity to accelerate national economic growth, create jobs, and boost the country’s tourism,” said Fouzi Lekjaa, head of Morocco’s 2030 World Cup Committee.
FIFA Congress gave final approval to the 2030 World Cup bid and Saudi Arabia’s 2034 bid during its meeting on December 11.
TANZANIA ANNOUNCES JANABI AS NEW WHO AFRICA REGIONAL DIRECTOR
On Tuesday (10 Dec.), Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced that the country will put forward Mohamed Janabi as its candidate for WHO Regional Director for Africa.
Janabi, the executive director of Muhimbili National Hospital and presidential health advisor, replaces the late WHO Regional Director for Africa-elect Faustine Ndugulile, who died on November 7 in India during medical treatment.
UGANDA STEPS UP SECURITY AHEAD OF FESTIVE SEASON
To ensure peace and safety during Christmas and New Year celebrations, Uganda has deployed joint security forces across Kampala and major towns, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke announced on Tuesday (10 Dec.).
“Uganda is one of the countries at the front of fighting global terrorism. Our country faces threats from terrorist organizations,” he said.
“We have put our personnel on a high level of alert to detect crime and avert potential threats,” Rusoke said. “We equally urge the population to team up with security forces in ensuring safe neighborhoods.”
Uganda faces ongoing security threats from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group linked to the Islamic State operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and al-Shabab militants from Somalia. The ADF continues to launch attacks in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, while al-Shabab has warned Uganda to withdraw its peacekeeping troops from Somalia, citing the deadly 2010 twin bombings in Kampala that killed 80 people.
JOHN MAHAMA ELECTED AS GHANA’S NEXT PRESIDENT
John Mahama, the opposition candidate in Ghana, has been declared the winner of the presidential election with 56% of the vote, defeating Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who secured 41%, the Electoral Commission announced on Monday (09 Dec.).
He will be inaugurated as President of Ghana on 7 January 2025.
Mahamudu Bawumia has acknowledged his loss in the election, solidifying the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s return to leadership after eight years under the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The NDC also claimed victory in the parliamentary polls. John Mahama, 66, a former president from 2012 to 2017, has committed to revitalizing the economy and strengthening anti-corruption initiatives.
WORLD BANK CUTS KENYA’S 2024 GROWTH FORECAST TO 4.7%
Kenya’s economic growth for 2024 has been revised down by the World Bank, from 5% to 4.7%.
The downgrade comes as the country faces fiscal pressures, including weak tax revenues, high debt repayment costs, flooding, and earlier anti-government protests.
However, the World Bank suggested that if Kenya addresses these fiscal challenges, growth could improve to 5.1% in the medium term.
On a positive note, the report praised Kenya for lowering inflation, growing its foreign exchange reserves, and stabilizing its currency. At 4.7%, Kenya’s growth still outpaces the sub-Saharan African average of 3%.
SONY PULLS DAVIDO, WIZKID, AND OTHERS’ MUSIC FROM BOOMPLAY OVER UNPAID ROYALTIES
Sony Music has reportedly removed its catalog from Boomplay, a Chinese music streaming service that focuses on African users, citing years of unpaid royalties, five years into their licensing agreement.
According to Billboard, Sony removed its catalog from Boomplay on Monday, December 9.
The music publication further reports that Sony’s removal includes music from Afrobeats artists such as Davido, Wizkid, Tems, and Lojay, as well as content distributed by The Orchard and AWAL, and highlights that other labels are also owed royalties by Boomplay.
“Several other prominent labels and distributors also confirmed to Billboard on Monday that they have not received recent royalty payments from the service. Additionally, a monthly payment report released by distributor Symphonic on Dec. 2 notes that payments from Boomplay are excluded from April 2023 through September 2024 due to delays in receiving statements and/or payments from these partners.” Billboard reports.
The announcement follows last month’s disclosure that Boomplay CEO Phil Choi is leaving the company after six years to join Warner Music Group.
SOUTH SUDAN ROLLS OUT VACCINATION FOR 150,000 PEOPLE AMID CHOLERA OUTBREAK
In response to a cholera outbreak since October, South Sudan and UN agencies announced plans to vaccinate 150,000 people in northern Renk County, Upper Nile State.
Renk County, a major entry point for Sudanese refugees into South Sudan, reported its first cholera case on October 28.
Since then, the outbreak has infected 2,555 people and caused 32 deaths, according to WHO and South Sudan’s Ministry of Health.
Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng announced that an additional one million vaccine doses will be distributed to protect vulnerable groups nationwide, including in Juba.
MOZAMBIQUE’S 340ML REUNITES FOR SOUTH AFRICA TOUR IN MARCH 2025
The iconic Mozambican band 340ml is reuniting for a special, one-time South African tour taking place in March 2025.
Presented by Ratanang Agency, the tour will showcase the band’s unique mix of jazz, funk, and Afrobeat rhythms, starting in Johannesburg on 15 March and concluding in Cape Town on 16 March 2025.
General Access tickets are priced at R395, R150 for children under 13, and free for children under 5 years, while VIP Access costs R650. Tickets go on sale Friday, 13th December 2024 via Howler.
PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO APPOINTS GOVERNMENT TRANSITION TEAM MEMBERS
President Nana Akufo-Addo has appointed members to represent the Government in the Transition Team, as outlined by the Presidential (Transition) Act, 2012 (Act 845).
Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the Presidency, confirmed the appointments in a statement issued on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
The Government of Ghana has announced that the Transition Team will facilitate a seamless transfer of executive power.
The team, which will officially be inaugurated on December 11, 2024, will be co-chaired by the President and President-elect, with Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare stepping in as Acting Co-Chairperson when needed.
The team members include:
- Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare – Chief of Staff
- Godfred Yeboah Dame – Attorney-General
- Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu – Minister for Presidential Affairs
- Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam – Minister for Finance
- Hon. Henry Quartey – Minister for the Interior
- Hon. Dominic Nitiwul – Minister for Defence
- Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey – Minister for Foreign Affairs
- Hon. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah – Minister for Local Government
- Hon. Albert Kan Dapaah – Minister for National Security
- Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darkoh – Head of the Civil Service
- Dr. Nana Ato Arthur – Head of the Local Government Service
- Ambassador Mercy Debrah-Karikari – Secretary to the Cabinet
- Mr. Edward Asomani – National Security Coordinator
To further guide the transition, Rt. Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, former Speaker of Parliament, joins the Advisory Council chaired by Rt. Alban Bagbin, current Speaker of Parliament.
UGANDA MILITARY COURT ADJOURNS BESIGYE TRIAL TO JAN 2025
A Ugandan military court has postponed the trial of opposition leader Kizza Besigye to next year after his lead lawyer was barred from practicing in the country.
Besigye, 68, who was allegedly taken from Nairobi, Kenya, last month while attending a book launch hosted by politician Martha Karua, faces charges of possessing weapons and other military offenses.
He is being tried alongside fellow opposition figure Hajji Lutale Kamulegeya, who was also arrested in Nairobi.
The General Court Martial in Kampala has postponed the hearing to January 7, 2025, after a request by the defence team.
175 KILLED, OTHERS INJURED IN SUDAN STRIKES
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), engaged in a prolonged 20-month conflict with Sudanese forces, are believed to be behind the attack.
An airstrike on Monday struck a crowded market in Kabkabiya, North Darfur, killing over 100 civilians, including women and children.
In a separate incident, 22 passengers on a bus died after a single shell strike.
Meanwhile, in another clash, at least 65 people were killed and over 100 injured in Omdurman, an area held by the military.
source: Africanews
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