19 May 2021
Nigeria: Now for the judges: yesterday, a Sharia court judge was kidnapped from inside a court in Zakat village in Katsina state.
BBC Africa Live 19 May 2021. 7:44
Algeria: The Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylie (MAK) and the Rachad opposition movement, both based abroad but with members in Algeria, have been labelled “terrorist groups” by the government. Their members can now be convicted under a new law punishing Algerians for joining an organisation abroad that “damages the interests of the country”. “Rachad (righteousness) is an opposition political movement calling for peaceful regime change in Algeria. Its founders include former members of the banned Islamic Salvation Front party.”
BBC Africa Live 19 May 2021. 5:46
Senegal: The Senegalese culture of discretion, called “sutura” (a hybrid of Muslim ethical traditions and pre-Islamic social norms), often inhibits rape survivors from publicly denouncing the perpetrators and can be an obstacle to fighting gender-based violence. When Adji Sarr publicly accused opposition leader Ousmane Sonko of raping her, she went against sutura. The negative reactions she provoked shows how sutura can work against survivors.
https://theconversation.com/why-few-women-in-senegal-speak-out-about-their-rapists-160269
Somalia/Somaliland/Sharia for gender equality: The article’s author’s research “shows how women – typically small activist groups in many countries – are using Sharia to fight against oppressive practices.” Sharia is not a strict legal code but rather a broad set of ethical principles found in the Quaran, it is thus open to varying interpretations. “By interpreting theological and legal texts in less patriarchal ways, these women, as I found, are shattering age-old sexist interpretations of Sharia.”
https://theconversation.com/muslim-women-are-using-sharia-to-push-for-gender-equality-158371
Kenya: The appointment having been confirmed by the President, Lady Justice Martha Karambu Koome is now officially the Chief Justice of Kenya. The 61 year old is a renowned human rights lawyer.
BBC Africa Live 19 May 2021. 13:03
Côte d’Ivoire: 22 have been sentenced for child trafficking in the cocoa sector, 5 to 20 years in prison, the others to 5 years. Of the 6 million working in the sector, 800,000 are thought to be children.
BBC Africa Live 19 May 2021. 17:09
18 May 2021
Mozambique: Former Finance Minister Manuel Chang, arrested in South Africa at end 2018 “allegedly signed off loans that were taken out between 2013 and 2016 which pushed Mozambique into a debt crisis in what has become known as the ‘tuna bond’ scandal.” He is wanted in the US for charges of corruption and financial fraud and also by Mozambique which has now renewed its push for his extradition. South Africa's justice minister was told to decide whether to extradite Mr Chang to the US or his home country in November 2019 but apparently still has not made up his mind
BBC Africa Live 18 May 2021. 238:23
Mozambique/Tanzania: People fleeing violence in Cabo Delgado are being refused asylum in Tanzania and are being forcibly returned. According to the UNHCR, 1.500 have been turned back in May and several thousand since January 2021.
BBC Africa Live 18 May 2021. 13:10
Mali: The Malian National Workers Union (UNTM) representing teachers, gold miners, health workers and various essential services is happy with the four-day strike it started on Monday – key sectors of the economy had successfully been paralysed. And more trouble lies ahead for the government: “Several other strike notices have also been issued and the opposition movement that galvanised protests that topped former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta also intends to resume demonstrations.”
BBC Africa Live 18 May 2021. 10:11
Somaliland: The country is marking the 30th anniversary of its secession from Somalia – it is still waiting for international recognition of its independence, but has been successful in maintaining peace. The country holds parliamentary and local elections in two weeks time.
BBC Africa Live 18 May 2021. 16:00