Category Archives: África

Burkina Faso: Ex-president Compaoré to be tried in Sankara murder case

África, África Ocidental, Burkina Faso, Crise Política

Via: Africa News

Burkina Faso’s former president Blaise Compaoré, now in exile in Ivory Coast, will stand trial for the assassination of his predecessor Thomas Sankara, a pan-African icon, during the 1987 coup in which he took power, lawyers told AFP on Tuesday. The case was referred Tuesday to the military court in Ouagadougou, after the confirmation of charges against the main defendants, including Blaise Compaoré, 34 years after the death of the “father of the revolution” Burkinabé, according to defence lawyers and civil parties. After Gilbert Diendere – his former right-hand man was prosecuted for complicity in murder, handling corpses and attack on state security. The former president was ousted from power by a popular uprising on October 31 2014.

Read more here

Côte d’Ivoire president says Gbagbo ‘free to return’ after ICC acquittal

África, África Ocidental, Costa do Marfim

Via: CGTN Africa

Côte d’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara on Wednesday (07/04) declared that his predecessor Laurent Gbagbo was welcome to return home after being finally acquitted of crimes against humanity during a civil war that pitted them against each other a decade ago. Ouattara said Gbagbo and his former right-hand man Charles Ble Goude were “free to return to Cote d’Ivoire when they want”. He made the remarks a week after the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed that both were in the clear over the devastating post-electoral violence that rocked the West African nation in 2010-11. “Arrangements will be made so that Laurent Gbagbo can enjoy, in accordance with the laws in place, the advantages and allowances available to former presidents”, Ouattara told a cabinet ministers meeting in Abidjan.

Read more here

South Africa government intensifying vaccine rollout amid third wave fears

África, África do Sul, Coronavírus, Plano de Vacinação

Via: SABC News

South Africa: The Eastern Cape government is intensifying its vaccination rollout plan with the opening of the ninth vaccination site in the province at the Cecilia Makhiwane Hospital in Mdantsane. The site is opening amid fears of a looming third wave. More than 20 000 Eastern Cape healthcare workers have been vaccinated, but concerns about the slow pace of the rollout and the high demand versus the available doses have been raised. Cecilia Makhiwane is the third vaccination site in the Buffalo City Metro, a former COVID-19 hotspot in the Eastern Cape. Cecilia Makiwane is also one of three referral hospitals in the province. The health department also unveiled a fleet of 50 ambulances to augment the current fleet to strengthen its capacity.

Read more here