Africa: Press Review of Francophone Africa on August 29th, 2023

Uganda: Towards the First Death Penalty under Anti-Homosexuality Law

According to an indictment consulted by Reuters, a 20-year-old man accused and charged on August 18 for aggravated homosexuality after engaging in “illegal sexual intercourse” with a 41-year-old man, faces the death penalty. Although the indictment does not specify why this is considered aggravated, according to the British news agency, the information has sparked numerous reactions on social media.

Supporters of stricter African legislation against homosexuality applaud the Ugandan authorities’ determination to stay the course despite strong opposition from Western powers that the measure faced at the time of its adoption. Three months later, the anti-homosexuality law could thus bring back the application of the death penalty in the country. (Source: Fratmat.info)

Gabon: Opposition Demands the Real Election Results

According to the Gabonese opposition, incumbent President Ali Bongo Ondimba must accept the sovereign choice of the people after the August 26 elections. In Gabon, the wait for the results continues, more than 48 hours after last Saturday’s presidential, legislative, and local elections. The election was marked by numerous irregularities, including the late opening of some polling stations.

There is now great pressure on the Gabonese Electoral Center to announce the results. According to our sources, the vote counting has ended since Sunday, and we are awaiting the announcement of the results. However, Geoffroy Foumboula, a member of an NGO that monitors the electoral process, fears that manipulations may be taking place in the polling stations. (Source: DW)

Niger – 41 Officers Appointed to Head Ministries of the Interior Departments

The government, meeting in a council of ministers on Thursday, August 24, 2023, chaired by Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani, appointed 41 new prefects to head the departments of Niger. The new heads of departments are all from the Defense and Security Forces (FDS). According to the Council of Ministers’ release, these appointments are justified by the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland’s (Cnsp) desire to prevent and better address the defense and security issues in these areas facing armed banditry and terrorism. (Source: aniamey.com)

Algiers Accord on Mali – Armed Groups Invited to Return to the Negotiation Table

The Minister of Reconciliation, Peace, and National Cohesion, in charge of the peace and national reconciliation agreement, in a statement released on Monday, August 28, 2023, invites the brothers of the signatory movements of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali to return to the negotiation table in the peace process to overcome the current challenges through dialogue. According to the minister’s statement, the government remains committed to the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali and the ceasefire agreement of May 23, 2014. (Source: abamako.com)

Central African Republic: How Red Cross Reunites Displaced Families

In the Central African Republic, the 2013 military-political crisis has disrupted the lives of many families. Thousands of people have fled the conflict to seek refuge in other provinces or neighboring countries. Ten years later, some individuals try to find their loved ones but in vain. Many of them turn to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This is the case for Ibrahim, who was reunited with his son Ousmane after seven years of separation. (Source: Rfi)

DR Congo: 2023 Presidential Election – Tshisekedi Designated Candidate of the Ruling Party

Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was designated as a candidate for the 2023 presidential election by the congress of the “Union for Democracy and Social Progress” (UDPS) in Kinshasa on Saturday, according to the Acp news agency. “We have come here to endorse the resolution taken in the city of Kisantu, which designated Felix Tshisekedi as the presidential candidate. That is why there are no ballot boxes here for an internal vote or competition,” said Augustin Kabuya, Secretary-General of the UDPS, in front of the congress delegates. “The mandate of Mr. Felix Antoine Tshisekedi as the president of the UDPS/Tshisekedi is renewed for five years.

Chad: Martial Tone of Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno Displeases Some

The statements made by Mahamat Deby Itno a few days ago are causing controversy in Chad. During his recent visit to the North, the transitional president of Chad delivered a martial speech after the resumption of hostilities with two rebel groups. He asserts that they have the choice: peace or war. These statements have sparked criticism over the fact that the authorities want to work towards reconciliation while maintaining a warlike discourse. (Source: DW)

Guinea: Inaccessibility of “Guineematin” Website – HAC Receives a Complaint…

The High Authority for Communication (HAC) was seized on Monday, August 28, 2023, by a complaint against unknown parties for “internet service interruption in the Republic of Guinea of the Guineematin.com website.” The media regulatory body in Guinea was alerted by the Executive Bureau of Aguipel, of which the concerned media is a member. “Following a meeting of the Aguipel Executive Bureau, I am writing to file a complaint against unknown parties for the thirteen-day interruption of internet services in the Republic of Guinea of the Guineematin.com website, a member of our Association,” reads the complaint addressed to Boubacar Yacine Diallo, President of HAC. (Source: africaguinee.com)