标签： Africa

In a revealing press briefing on the White House lawn Friday, President Donald Trump asserted that his decision to withhold military action against Iran was entirely self-determined, contradicting reports of intensive diplomatic lobbying by Middle Eastern allies. The president specifically denied that conversations with Arab or Israeli officials influenced his calculus, stating emphatically: “Nobody convinced me, I convinced myself.”

Trump identified a singular development as having substantial impact on his decision-making process: Iran’s cancellation of planned executions of protestors. The president claimed Tehran had scheduled “800 hangings” that were subsequently called off, though he provided no evidence to substantiate this specific figure.

The context for these statements stems from widespread anti-government demonstrations that have engulfed Iran since late December. What began as economic protests in Tehran’s bazaar has evolved into a broad movement challenging the country’s clerical establishment that has governed since the 1979 revolution. According to human rights organizations, security forces have killed thousands of participants in the unrest, with estimates ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 fatalities.

This disclosure comes amid reports of frantic diplomatic efforts led by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman aimed at persuading the Trump administration to exercise restraint. Throughout the two-week crisis, the president had repeatedly threatened military intervention to support Iranian protestors, creating heightened tensions in the region.

The developments have prompted international responses, with New Zealand and Slovakia temporarily closing their embassies in Tehran and withdrawing diplomatic staff, reflecting growing concerns about regional stability and security conditions in Iran.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has secured a seventh electoral victory, extending his four-decade rule for another five-year term following Thursday’s contentious presidential election. According to official results from Uganda’s electoral commission, the 81-year-old incumbent captured 72% of the vote, while his primary challenger, former pop star turned opposition leader Bobi Wine, garnered 25%.

Wine, whose legal name is Robert Kyagulanyi, immediately denounced the outcome as fraudulent, urging citizens to engage in peaceful demonstrations against what he characterized as ‘fabricated results.’ The 43-year-old opposition leader reported that at least 21 fatalities had occurred during electoral violence, though authorities have only confirmed seven deaths.

The election process was overshadowed by an unprecedented nationwide internet shutdown implemented since Tuesday, severely hampering information verification capabilities. Government officials defended the digital blackout as a necessary measure to combat misinformation, electoral fraud, and potential incitement to violence. However, the United Nations human rights office condemned the internet suspension as ‘deeply concerning,’ while Wine demanded immediate restoration of digital connectivity.

Museveni first assumed power in 1986 as a rebel leader and has since maintained control through a series of electoral victories that opposition groups and international observers have frequently questioned. The latest electoral process has drawn heightened scrutiny due to the combination of violence allegations, communication restrictions, and disputed results that characterize Uganda’s political landscape.

In a significant diplomatic development, former U.S. President Donald Trump has formally offered to reactivate American mediation efforts between Egypt and Ethiopia concerning the contentious Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project on the Nile River. The proposal came through an official letter to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, publicly shared by the White House on social media platforms.

The communication emerges against the backdrop of longstanding tensions between the two African nations regarding water allocation from the Nile, which represents approximately 97% of Egypt’s freshwater supply. President Sisi has repeatedly characterized the Ethiopian hydroelectric project as an existential threat to his nation’s water security.

Trump’s letter explicitly stated: “I am ready to restart US mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia to responsibly resolve the question of ‘The Nile Water Sharing’ once and for all.” He further emphasized that “no state in this region should unilaterally control the precious resources of the Nile and disadvantage its neighbours in the process,” positioning the GERD dispute as a priority matter for his potential administration.

The proposed framework envisions a negotiated settlement that would ensure predictable water supplies for downstream nations Egypt and Sudan, while simultaneously allowing Ethiopia to either sell or distribute electricity generated from the $4 billion infrastructure project. The GERD, Africa’s largest hydropower initiative inaugurated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in September, promises to more than double Ethiopia’s current electricity capacity upon completion.

Historical context reveals this isn’t Trump’s first intervention in the matter. During his previous term, he sparked controversy by suggesting Egypt might resort to military action against the dam, remarks that prompted diplomatic summons from both nations and heightened regional tensions. Previous mediation attempts involving the United States, World Bank, Russia, United Arab Emirates, and African Union have consistently failed to produce a lasting resolution over the past decade.

The dam has evolved into a powerful symbol of national pride and development aspiration in Ethiopia, while simultaneously representing a water security crisis in Egypt. Trump’s relationship with President Sisi, a former general who assumed power in 2013 and has since governed with authoritarian measures, has remained notably warm throughout both leaders’ political careers.

Egypt and Sudan have expressed approval of former President Donald Trump’s proposal to restart American mediation efforts concerning the contentious Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River. The diplomatic overture comes amid ongoing tensions between the Nile Basin nations over Africa’s largest hydroelectric project.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi acknowledged Trump’s engagement with what Cairo considers a matter of national survival, stating his country remains committed to “serious and constructive cooperation with the Nile Basin countries, based on the principles of international law.” Simultaneously, Sudan’s military leader Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan characterized Trump’s initiative as a positive step toward achieving sustainable solutions that protect all parties’ rights.

The $5 billion GERD project, inaugurated by Ethiopia last fall, represents a monumental infrastructure development with the capacity to generate over 5,000 megawatts of electricity—effectively doubling Ethiopia’s power generation capabilities. However, downstream nations Egypt and Sudan view the dam’s operation as potentially catastrophic to their water security.

Egypt, whose 110 million population depends overwhelmingly on Nile waters, fears the dam could significantly reduce water flow, threatening agricultural sustainability and other vital sectors. Sudan has emphasized the need for coordinated reservoir management to prevent adverse effects on its own dams.

The core disagreement revolves around establishing binding agreements regarding the dam’s filling procedures, water release protocols during droughts, and dispute resolution mechanisms. Previous U.S.-mediated negotiations initiated during Trump’s presidency stalled in 2020 when Ethiopia withdrew from talks, though discussions continued under African Union auspices without resolution.

Ethiopia maintains that the dam is crucial for national development, noting that most of its population lacks reliable electricity access. As of this reporting, Ethiopian officials had not publicly responded to Trump’s renewed mediation offer.

Uganda’s political landscape remains fraught with tension as authorities and opposition figures offer conflicting narratives regarding the whereabouts and status of presidential challenger Bobi Wine. The National Unity Platform (NUP) party leader’s residence in Kampala has become the epicenter of a deepening crisis, with police asserting controlled access due to security concerns while Wine’s family alleges his abduction by helicopter.

The electoral commission’s latest figures indicate a substantial lead for incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, showing 72% of counted votes against Wine’s 24% with 94% of polling stations reporting. These results emerge against the backdrop of a nationwide internet blackout implemented earlier this week, severely hampering information verification and communication capabilities.

Police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke categorically denied abduction allegations during a Saturday press briefing, characterizing family claims as “untrue” and “unfounded.” He explained that security measures around Wine’s property were necessary to prevent gatherings that could potentially incite violence or destabilize national security.

Contradictory accounts emerged from Wine’s son, Solomon Kampala, who initially reported both parents’ seizure before later asserting his father had “escaped” while his mother remained under house arrest. These developments occurred alongside reports of opposition supporter fatalities in Butambala and documented instances of security forces employing tear gas and warning shots to disperse gatherings.

Technical difficulties plagued Thursday’s electoral process, with voting delays of up to four hours reported at numerous stations due to malfunctioning biometric verification systems and delayed ballot box deliveries. Electoral chief Simon Byabakama maintained that vote counting proceeded unaffected by communication restrictions, with final results expected by Saturday afternoon.

The campaign period preceding this election witnessed significant violence and allegations of suppression against opposition activities. Museveni, seeking an unprecedented seventh term after initially assuming power in 1986, positions himself as Uganda’s sole guarantor of stability. Meanwhile, Wine—a former pop star representing the country’s substantial youth demographic—has campaigned on anti-corruption platforms and sweeping reform promises.

Uganda’s Communications Commission justified internet suspension as necessary to prevent misinformation, fraud, and violence incitement, though the United Nations human rights office condemned this measure as “deeply worrying.”

Ugandan authorities have officially refuted claims regarding the detention of prominent opposition figure Bobi Wine during the highly charged electoral period. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke characterized reports of the arrest as “deceitful and inciteful” while confirming that security measures had been implemented around the opposition leader’s residence to prevent potential violence incitement.

The general elections conducted on Thursday occurred under extraordinary circumstances, featuring a nationwide internet blackout extending into its fourth day and substantial military deployment across the country. Isolated incidents of violence emerged as citizens protested parliamentary election outcomes in various regions.

Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, aged 81 and pursuing an unprecedented seventh term, maintains a commanding lead in provisional results with over 70% of counted votes. His primary challenger, musician-turned-politician Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (popularly known as Bobi Wine), has secured approximately 20% of the vote according to initial tallies. Wine has vehemently dismissed these results as “fabricated” and urged his supporters to disregard the announced figures.

Electoral officials are constitutionally mandated to announce final presidential results by Saturday’s conclusion. The electoral commission chairperson confirmed plans to meet this deadline despite operational challenges that plagued the voting process, including delayed delivery of materials to polling stations and technical failures of biometric verification systems.

President Museveni endorsed the commission’s decision to utilize paper-based voter registration records as an alternative to malfunctioning digital systems. However, Wine’s campaign has alleged systematic electoral manipulation, citing instances of “massive ballot stuffing” and the abduction of party polling agents to create unfair advantages for the ruling party.

The election period has been marked by intense security presence, with opposition figures reporting constant surveillance and harassment of supporters. Wine notably campaigned wearing protective gear including a flak jacket and helmet due to security concerns. Uganda continues to await the final election announcement while maintaining its historical pattern of never experiencing peaceful presidential power transition since gaining independence six decades ago.