In a shocking development, Spanish National Police have apprehended 19 individuals linked to a harrowing migrant boat incident that resulted in multiple deaths and acts of torture. The vessel, which departed from Senegal en route to the Canary Islands, was carrying over 300 passengers, including individuals from Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau. However, only 248 survivors were rescued on August 24, with dozens reported missing. Authorities suspect that some victims were accused of witchcraft following a series of misfortunes during the journey, such as engine failure, severe weather, and food shortages. Survivors recounted horrific tales of fellow passengers attacking and abusing others, with some being thrown overboard alive. One male passenger succumbed to severe illness after being hospitalized. The suspects, now in pretrial detention, face charges including homicide, assault, torture, and facilitating irregular immigration. This incident underscores the perilous nature of irregular migration routes into Europe, with Spain being a primary entry point. While nearly 47,000 migrants reached the Canary Islands in 2024, marking a record high, this year has seen a significant decline in numbers, according to the Spanish Interior Ministry.
标签： Africa
非洲
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African manufacturers in last-ditch bid to extend US trade programme
African manufacturers are intensifying efforts to secure a temporary extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a pivotal trade initiative set to expire at the end of September. Pankaj Bedi, chairman of United Aryan, a Kenyan apparel company supplying major U.S. retailers like Target and Walmart, revealed that delegations from Kenya and four other AGOA beneficiary nations recently visited Washington to lobby for a one- to two-year extension. The program, established in 2000 under President Bill Clinton, grants duty-free access to the U.S. market for thousands of African products, fostering economic development and job creation across sectors such as textiles, automotive, and mining. However, the aggressive tariff policies of former President Donald Trump have cast uncertainty over its renewal. Despite bipartisan support, last year’s attempt to extend AGOA for 16 years failed to reach a Congressional vote. Bedi emphasized that without an extension, manufacturers face steep tariff hikes, potentially leading to mass layoffs and a shift in U.S. reliance back to Asian manufacturers, particularly China. The White House has yet to publicly endorse an extension, leaving the future of AGOA in limbo.
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Uganda to cut public spending, domestic borrowing in 2026/27 FY
Uganda has unveiled plans to reduce its overall spending by 4.1% in the 2026/27 financial year, according to a Ministry of Finance document released on Wednesday. The East African nation projects its public expenditure for the 12 months starting July 2026 at 69.4 trillion Ugandan shillings ($19.9 billion), a decrease from 72.4 trillion shillings in the previous fiscal year. The government also aims to cut domestic debt issuance by 21.1%, lowering it to 9 trillion shillings, to manage interest payments and maintain sustainable debt levels. Key priorities for the upcoming fiscal year include completing the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) to initiate crude oil production, advancing mineral quantification for iron ore, gold, and copper deposits, and continuing the development of a refinery and the standard gauge railway project. These measures reflect Uganda’s strategic focus on infrastructure development while ensuring fiscal discipline.
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South African inflation surprise makes Thursday’s rate decision a close call
In a surprising turn of events, South Africa’s inflation rate for August 2024 fell to 3.3%, undershooting the 3.6% forecast by economists. This decline, attributed to softer fuel and food prices, has sparked speculation that the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) might implement another interest rate cut during its upcoming policy meeting on Thursday. The SARB has already reduced rates three times this year, with the latest cut in July, when it set a new inflation target of 3%. Prior to the release of the inflation data, the consensus was that the central bank would maintain the repo rate at 7%. However, the unexpected drop in inflation, coupled with falling bond yields and a stronger rand, has led some analysts to predict a 25 basis point cut. Razia Khan, chief economist for Africa and the Middle East at Standard Chartered, described the inflation release as a ‘game changer,’ suggesting that the September meeting could be pivotal. While some analysts remain cautious, citing potential price shocks from recent tariffs imposed by the U.S. on South African exports, others argue that a flagging economy provides additional justification for easing monetary policy. The SARB has acknowledged that the impact of these tariffs on growth and inflation could be modest, but this has yet to be reflected in official data. The central bank’s decision will be closely watched as it seeks to balance inflation control with economic stimulation.
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Sudanese network of volunteer aid groups wins Norwegian human rights award
In the midst of Sudan’s escalating humanitarian crisis, a network of community-driven initiatives known as the Emergency Response Rooms has been recognized for its extraordinary efforts to alleviate suffering. On September 17, 2024, the Norwegian Rafto Foundation awarded its annual prize to this grassroots organization, praising its commitment to preserving the fundamental right to life. The Emergency Response Rooms, which emerged during the civil war that erupted in 2023, have been instrumental in providing essential services such as food, water, and medical supplies to those displaced by the conflict. Comprising thousands of volunteers, the network operates in areas beyond the reach of international aid, often at great personal risk. The Rafto Foundation highlighted their innovative, community-driven approach as a beacon of hope in a country grappling with widespread famine and displacement. The Sudanese army’s ongoing conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has exacerbated the crisis, leading the United Nations to label it the world’s worst humanitarian disaster. Despite these challenges, the Emergency Response Rooms continue to sustain basic services and uphold human dignity, offering a glimmer of hope for Sudan’s future. The Rafto Prize, which includes a diploma and $20,000 in prize money, has previously been awarded to notable figures who later received the Nobel Peace Prize, raising speculation about the network’s potential for further recognition.
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Search for ancient Egyptian gold bracelet missing from Cairo museum
Egyptian authorities have initiated a comprehensive search for a priceless 3,000-year-old bracelet that has gone missing from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The bracelet, a rare gold band embellished with spherical lapis lazuli beads, dates back to the reign of King Amenemope, a pharaoh of the 21st Dynasty who ruled from 993 to 984 BC. The artifact vanished from the museum’s restoration laboratory, prompting immediate action from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The case has been handed over to the police, and an image of the bracelet has been distributed to all Egyptian airports, seaports, and land border crossings to prevent any smuggling attempts. A specialized committee has also been formed to conduct a thorough inventory and review of all artifacts in the restoration laboratory. The ministry delayed announcing the disappearance to facilitate the investigation, though it did not specify when the bracelet was last seen. According to the Egyptian newspaper Al-Misri al-Yawm, the disappearance was discovered recently as museum staff were preparing to ship dozens of artifacts to Rome for an upcoming exhibition. The Egyptian Museum, the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East, houses over 170,000 artifacts, including Amenemope’s gilded wooden funerary mask. This incident occurs just six weeks before the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which will showcase the treasures from King Tutankhamun’s tomb.
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Trucks set ablaze as militants block key Senegal-Mali trade route
Mali’s military government is grappling with a severe crisis as Islamist militants intensify their blockade on major highways, disrupting vital supply chains and threatening the nation’s economic stability. Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga acknowledged the gravity of the situation, pledging to bolster security on affected routes. The blockade, orchestrated by al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), has particularly targeted fuel supplies, raising fears of widespread economic paralysis.
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Chebet focused on ‘crazy dream’ of historic double in Tokyo
Beatrice Chebet, the Kenyan long-distance sensation, has etched her name in the annals of athletics history by securing her first World Championship title in the 10,000m event in Tokyo. Despite an illustrious career that boasts two Olympic gold medals, a Commonwealth Games title, and two World Cross Country crowns, Chebet had never stood atop the podium at the World Championships until now. Her victory on the opening day of the competition marks a significant milestone in her career.
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Gunmen kill 22 after shooting at baptism ceremony in Niger – reports
In a brutal assault on a village in western Niger, gunmen on motorbikes killed 22 people, most of whom were attending a baptism ceremony. The attack occurred in the Tillabéri region, which borders Mali and Burkina Faso, areas plagued by jihadist insurgency. According to a local resident, 15 individuals were killed at the ceremony, while seven others were slain as the assailants moved to another location. Maikoul Zodi, a civil rights activist, described the incident on social media as an act of terror that disrupted a moment of celebration. Niger’s military government, which has been grappling with jihadist violence linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State, confirmed the attack but has yet to release official casualty figures. Local media outlet Elmaestro TV reported the incident as a ‘gruesome death toll of 22 innocent people cowardly killed without reason or justification.’ The Tillabéri region has become a hotspot for jihadist activity, with Human Rights Watch recently documenting a surge in attacks since March, resulting in over 127 deaths and widespread destruction of property. The group criticized authorities for failing to respond effectively to warnings and pleas for help from villagers. Just last week, 14 Nigerien soldiers were killed in an ambush in the same region, underscoring the escalating violence. Access restrictions and fear of reprisals often make it challenging to verify casualty numbers independently. Mr. Zodi has called on the government to prioritize civilian safety, urging stronger state presence in vulnerable areas. Niger, along with its neighbors Burkina Faso and Mali, has been under military rule since coups in recent years. These nations have expelled French and U.S. forces previously involved in counterterrorism efforts and have since formed an alliance, seeking support from Russia and Turkey. Despite these measures, the violence persists, raising questions about the effectiveness of current strategies.
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Ex-Arsenal star Thomas Partey denies rape charges
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has entered a plea of not guilty to multiple charges of rape and sexual assault during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court. The Ghanaian footballer, now playing for Spanish club Villareal, faces five counts of rape and one charge of sexual assault involving three women. The alleged incidents occurred between 2021 and 2022, during his tenure with the Premier League club. Partey, 32, was charged just four days after his contract with Arsenal expired at the end of June. The court granted him bail pending his trial, which is scheduled to commence on November 2, 2024. During the hearing, Partey confirmed his identity and denied all charges. His bail conditions permit him to continue his football career but require him to notify authorities of any international travel 24 hours in advance and prohibit contact with the complainants. Partey’s appearance in court coincided with his presence in England for a Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur, where he came on as a substitute in a 1-0 defeat for Villareal. The case has drawn significant attention due to Partey’s high-profile career and the serious nature of the allegations.