标签： Africa

Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, widely known as Ali Kushayb, has been found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The verdict marks a historic moment as Kushayb becomes the first individual to be tried by the ICC for atrocities committed in Darfur, Sudan, over two decades ago. Kushayb led the Janjaweed, a government-backed militia notorious for its brutal campaign in Darfur, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and widespread devastation. The conflict, which spanned from 2003 to 2020, is regarded as one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent history. During the trial, survivors recounted harrowing experiences of village burnings, mass executions, sexual violence, and torture, all orchestrated under Kushayb’s leadership. The ICC judges convicted him on 27 counts, focusing on attacks carried out between 2003 and 2004. Despite Kushayb’s defense of mistaken identity, the court found overwhelming evidence of his pivotal role in the atrocities. The verdict has brought a sense of justice to Darfuris, many of whom waited outside the court in The Hague, Netherlands, to witness the ruling. However, the legacy of the Janjaweed persists, as many of its members have transitioned into the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group now embroiled in Sudan’s ongoing civil war. The RSF has been accused by the UK, US, and human rights organizations of continuing ethnic cleansing against non-Arab communities in Darfur. Kushayb’s sentencing will be determined at a later date, but his conviction underscores the ICC’s commitment to holding perpetrators of grave crimes accountable.

In a contentious move, a group of 10 migrants deported from the United States arrived in the African nation of Eswatini early Monday, according to local authorities. This marks the latest wave of deportations under a controversial program initiated by the Trump administration, which has struck largely undisclosed agreements with at least five African nations to accept migrants under its third-country deportation initiative. Rights groups and activists have vehemently opposed the program, citing concerns over due process and humane treatment.

Morocco has witnessed an unprecedented wave of youth-led protests for the eighth consecutive day, as thousands of young demonstrators took to the streets across the nation to demand significant improvements in public health and education services. The protests, organized by the online collective GenZ 212, have challenged the perception of Moroccan youth as politically apathetic and have highlighted growing discontent with social inequalities and corruption. The group, which operates primarily on the web platform Discord, has mobilized its 180,000 members to stage peaceful rallies in 14 cities, including Tetouan, Casablanca, and Rabat. Demonstrators have been chanting slogans such as ‘The people want an end to corruption’ and ‘Freedom, dignity, and social justice,’ reflecting their broader demands for systemic reforms. The protests gained momentum following reports of the deaths of eight pregnant women at a public hospital in Agadir, which activists cite as evidence of the healthcare system’s failures. While the gatherings have been largely peaceful, isolated incidents of violence have occurred, including a confrontation in the village of Lqliaa that resulted in three fatalities. GenZ 212 has emphasized its commitment to nonviolence and continues to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, whose term ends next year. The protests mark a significant shift in Morocco’s political landscape, as young people take a more active role in advocating for change.

A daring assault by seven al-Shabab militants on a high-security prison in Mogadishu, Somalia, culminated in the death of all attackers, according to the Somali government. The incident unfolded on Saturday evening at Godka Jilicow, a detention facility housing al-Shabab militants, located near the presidential palace in the heart of the capital. The attack began with a massive explosion and intense gunfire, drawing immediate attention to the area. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility, stating they had freed ‘all Muslim prisoners’ and inflicted significant casualties on the guards. The militants reportedly disguised themselves as soldiers to gain access to the prison, as reported by the government-run news agency Sonna Live. While the government did not disclose the number of security personnel killed, it expressed condolences to the families of ‘the fallen heroes.’ The attack raises serious questions about the effectiveness of security measures in one of Mogadishu’s most heavily guarded areas. Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated group, has been waging a violent insurgency against the Somali government for nearly two decades. The incident occurred hours after the government reopened key roads in Mogadishu, citing improved safety conditions. This attack underscores the persistent threat posed by al-Shabab and the challenges faced by Somali security forces in maintaining stability.