22 August 2022
“She drops what she holds under her arm when trying to reach for what is on the roof”
BBC Africa Live 22 August 2022. 6:53 Proverb of the day. An Amharic proverb sent by Liku in the US.
Uganda: What’s commonly known as Idi Amin’s expulsion of Uganda’s expulsion of its Asian residents, was really something broader, called “War of Economic Independence” first, later renamed “Economic War”. On the one hand, 5,655 farms, ranches, estates had been vacated by departed Asians by the end of 1972. The Departed Asians Property Custodial Board then allocated houses and business premises to Africans, with rules and procedures “created to superintend the conduct of black-run business”. Those who were found to be “in breach of various written or unwritten government regulations” saw their businesses closed and allocated to new owners. Then, in early 1975, the Economic Crimes Tribunal was created, a military court for punishing profiteers, hoarders and others who contravened the economic interests of the state. “The penalty was death by firing squad or 10 years in prison.” The targets were petty traders, market women, etc.
https://theconversation.com/idi-amins-economic-war-victimised-ugandas-africans-and-asians-alike-188841
Somalia/Ethiopia: For several reasons, the relationship between the two neighbours has soured since Hassan Sheikh Mohamud became Somali president. Most importantly, the nomination of Mukhtar Roobow Mansuur, a former Al-Shabaab commander, as Somali minister for religious affairs, has prompted the Ethiopian government to engage directly with regional Somali governments, bypassing the federal government. “This is likely to further weaken the prospects to restore a functioning Somali state.”
https://theconversation.com/alarm-bells-as-somalias-new-president-sours-relationship-with-ethiopia-188667
Nigeria: To fight ubiquitous violence and insecurity, “the federal government is mulling the idea of banning motorcycles across the country”. But in the article’s author’s view, this will not work. Most important of all, motorcycles are essential for many poor people, especially in the informal sector. Banning the bikes would impact such people badly and make them yet more vulnerable – an important factor determining their willingness to join criminal or Islamist groups. Rather than banning bikes, Nigeria should employ “a coordinated policy response” and the state should “intensify its offensive military campaigns”.
https://theconversation.com/nigeria-wants-to-ban-motorcycle-sales-to-dent-terror-attacks-why-it-wont-work-188864
Nigeria/Inflation: Consumer price inflation stood at 19.64% in July 2022 year-on-year. With “inflation (being) perhaps the biggest poverty accelerator in the economy”, there is reason for serious worry. According to World Bank estimates, 1 million more Nigerians could be pushed into poverty before 2022 will be over.
https://theconversation.com/nigerians-feel-the-pinch-as-food-prices-continue-to-spiral-there-arent-easy-solutions-188489
Congo-Kinshasa: Greenpeace Africa and seven other environmental NGOs based in the country “say they are facing threats because of their campaign against the auctioning of oil and gas blocks” – even death threats. 9 of the oil blocks up for auction threaten the ecology of the rainforest and peatlands region in the west of the country.
BBC Africa Live 22 August 2022. 11:59
Algeria: The death toll of the wildfires has risen to 43 – it could rise further. Despite over 30 fires having been put out over the weekend, others are still burning. “More than 1,000 families have been evacuated from the worst affected areas, which includes the El Tarf region near the border with Tunisia.” 13 suspected of starting fires have been arrested.
BBC Africa Live 22 August 2022. 13:48
Kenya: Scotland-registered James Finlay Kenya Ltd (JFKL), sued for damages by over 1,000 former and current employees claiming to have “suffered musculoskeletal injuries working on JFKL's tea farms in Kenya”, has been told by Scotland’s supreme civil court (the Court of Session) to stop its legal action in Kenya where JFKL had obtained a temporary injunction in July stopping workers from pursuing the case. That means that the case can go ahead in Scotland.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-62634079
South Africa: That Thursday afternoon, ten years ago, fully aware that there was a possibility of major bloodshed, the police launched its operation against the Marikana strikers – and killed 34 of them, seriously injured many others. “Considering the massive potential for loss of life, the decision to proceed was reckless and grossly irresponsible.” Yet nobody has been held accountable for this decision so far.
https://issafrica.org/iss-today/the-great-crime-of-marikana
Angola: The MPLA still controls state and society, things have not improved much under Lourenço in comparison to dos Santos, so the upcoming elections won’t be free or fair. It is likely that the MPLA will win, manipulating. However, “(t)his may cause a popular uprising that could lead to post-election violence.” There is the less probable possibility that UNITA will win – that “could lead to some conservative groups in the MPLA refusing to transfer power” and again, violence could result.
https://issafrica.org/iss-today/free-and-fair-elections-still-out-of-reach-in-angola
21 August 2022
Angola: His widow having won the court battle in Spain where José Eduardo dos Santos died in July, the body of Angola’s long-time ruler has now arrived in the country for burial. One of the deceased’s daughters “has accused current President João Lourenço of using her father's body as a campaigning tool.”
BBC Africa Latest Updates 21 August 2022. 9:21