Daybreak Africa - VOA Africa

On Daybreak Africa: The mausoleum where the scant remains of Democratic Republic of Congo's fiery independence hero Patrice Lumumba are interred has been vandalized, the culture ministry said Tuesday. Plus, Mozambique’s post-election violence looms high on the agenda as SADC leaders meet in Zimbabwe Wednesday. Opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” has won Somaliland’s presidential election. Anti-corruption protesters in Botswana demand action from their new government. The G20 summit has ended in Brazil. What’s in it for Africa? The wife of Ugandan opposition leader Besigye says her husband was kidnapped in Kenya and is being held in a military jail in Uganda. A look at Artificial Intelligence in action at the Africa Tech Festival. For these and more tune in to Daybreak Africa!

Botswana’s new president, President Duma Boko, has promised zero tolerance for graft in his administration. The pledge comes as scores of Botswana residents join in youth-led anti-corruption protests, urging the government to prosecute former officials accused of looting public coffers. Mqondisi Dube reports from the capital, Gaborone.

The wife of Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye says her husband was kidnapped in Kenya and is being held at a military jail in Kampala. The story broke early Wednesday morning local time, and we have not been able to reach Uganda authorities for confirmation. However, Winnie Byanyima, who is also executive director of the United Nations AIDS agency (UNAIDS) says her husband went missing on Saturday in Nairobi where he had gone to attend a book launch by Kenyan opposition leader Martha Karua. Byanyima tells VOA’s James Butty, the family is demanding to see Dr. Besigye.

An analyst says the Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders who are meeting Wednesday in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, should propose a win-win solution to the post-election crisis in Mozambique. There has been violence there since opposition parties and citizens rejected the results of the October 9 presidential election. Human rights groups say as many as 20 people have been killed. Professor Sipho Seepe, a political analyst and former Deputy Vice Chancellor for Institutional Support at the University of Zululand, tells VOA’s James Butty, that SADC should propose a government of national unity, given the many problems associated with the October 9 vote

Leaders of the world’s major economies on Tuesday concluded the annual G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Created in 1999 in response to a series of major international debt crises, the Group of 20 aims to unite world leaders around shared economic, political and health challenges. Abdi Ismail Samatar, a professor at the University of Minnesota, tells reporter Douglas Mpuga that Africa does not benefit much from such summits

Opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” has won breakaway Somaliland’s presidential election, defeating incumbent Muse Bihi Abdi. Abdirahman Irro, candidate for the Waddani (National) party captured 63.92% of the vote, compared with Bihi’s 34.81%, according to the electoral commission. A third candidate, Faysal Ali Warabe, received 0.74% of the votes. Ethiopia, Somalia, and the US embassy in Somalia were among those who congratulated the new president-elect. The international community hailed the election as “peaceful.” Musa Hassan Yousuf, chief of the Somaliland National Electoral Commission, spoke with Harun Maruf of VOA’s Horn of Africa Service

Artificial intelligence was much discussed and demonstrated at the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, South Africa earlier this month. The conference highlighted how technology is changing industries on the continent. Vicky Stark filed this report.

On Daybreak Africa: Russia vetoed a U.N. resolution Monday calling for an immediate cease-fire in the war between Sudan’s military and paramilitary forces and delivery of humanitarian aid to millions in desperate need. Plus, US criticizes Russia’s veto of a Security Council resolution on protecting civilians in Sudan. Burundi’s opposition leader says presidential clemency for about 41 percent of the country’s prison population does not include political prisoners. A call for parliamentary term limits in Zambia. Nigeria celebrates ‘Miss Universe’ success amid citizenship controversy. Anglican Church bishops in Kenya add their voice to criticisms of President Ruto’s government. Senate Republicans ready for unified control in 2025 with new leadership. For these and more tune in to Daybreak Africa!

Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye has ordered the release of about 41 percent of the country’s prison population of 13,211, those charged with minor crimes. News report says the president hopes the amnesty will enable those freed to change their behavior and contribute to the country’s development. Agathon Rwasa, leader of Burundi’s main opposition party, the National Freedom Council (CNL), tells VOA’s James Butty, the release of prisoners does not include those arrested for their political beliefs and affiliation

United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield has criticized yesterday’s veto by Russia of a Security Council resolution on protecting civilians in Sudan. The resolution supported by 14 of the 15 council members, including China, urged the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to honor their commitments to protect civilians and cease hostilities. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield said it was unconscionable for Russia to stand in the way of a resolution intended to save lives in the world’s worst humanitarian crisis

In Zambia, a leading Pan African governance activist is calling for a constitutional amendment that sets term limits for members of parliament. Sikwindi Situla says the move will broaden the political space for other citizens to participate in governance. His suggestion has generated a debate across the country. VOA's Peter Clottey reached Situla for more about his call for parliamentary term limits

Anglican Church bishops in Kenya have added their voice to criticisms of President William Ruto’s government. Last week, Roman Catholic bishops in Kenya criticized the government for what they called unexplained killings, abductions, and disappearances in the country, especially the murder of women. Some supporters of the government urged the bishops to focus on ministering to the flock and not to dabble into politics. In a statement on Monday, the Anglican bishops said it was their duty to take a second look at the morality of Kenya’s democracy and jumpstart civil engagement to bring about accountability. The Right Reverand Professor David Kodia, the Anglican Bishop of Bondo, tells VOA’s James Butty, the church represents Kenyans, some of whom cannot afford a meal a day or who are paying taxes but do not see the value of their taxes

Nigerians are celebrating the success of beauty pageant competitor Chidimma Adetshina at the Miss Universe contest in Mexico Saturday. Adetshina fell just short of the title, being named first runner up, but was still crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania. Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja, Nigeria

At least 13 people were killed and others kidnapped in eastern Congo by extremist rebels linked to the Islamic State group, local authorities said Saturday. Plus, voters in Gabon overwhelmingly approved a new constitution, authorities said Sunday, more than one year after mutinous soldiers overthrew the country’s longtime president and seized power in the oil-rich Central African nation. A Gabonese activist will explain why he voted ‘no’ in the weekend constitutional referendum. Senegalese await results from Sunday’s parliamentary election. World marks Cervical Cancer Action Day with the disease threatening vulnerable groups. The two sides in Liberia’s divided parliament debate the outcome of an ECOWAS mediation. South African police set up a taskforce to rescue trapped illegal miner. U.S. House speaker says Trump’s Cabinet picks will shake up the status quo. For these and more tune in to Daybreak Africa!

Voters in Gabon overwhelmingly approved a new constitution, authorities said Sunday, more than one year after mutinous soldiers overthrew the country’s longtime president and seized power in the oil-rich Central African nation. Over 91% of voters approved the new constitution in a referendum held on Saturday, Gabon’s Interior Minister Hermann Immongault said in a statement read on state television. Turnout was an estimated 53.5%, he added. General Brice Oliqui Nguema, who overthrew President Ali Bongo Ondimba last year, urged voters to approve the new constitution to pave the way to democratic rule. Gabonese rights and democracy activist Franck Jocktane explain to VOA’s James Butty, why he voted ‘no’ for the new constitution.

There is now light at the end of the tunnel for an estimated 4,000 illegal miners who have refused to resurface from an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, Northwest province of South Africa. The minister of Police Senzo Mnchunu has set up a task team that includes mine rescue experts to start getting the miners out. Thuso Khumalo reports from Johannesburg

Senegalese are awaiting results from Sunday’s parliamentary election. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s Pastef Party is hoping to secure most of the 165-member national assembly. Senegalese political analyst Ibrahima Kane tells VOA’s James Butty, voting went well, without any incidents and that the trend is pointing to Pastef winning a majority.

More than 85 percent of cervical cancer cases and deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, and the World Health Organization says the disease burdens the most vulnerable groups. As the world marked the fourth anniversary of the launch of the global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem on Sunday, the WHO says the disease is still the fourth most common cancer in women globally. Maureen Ojiambo reports.

It appears the Economic Community of West African States parliamentary delegation to resolve the impasse in the Liberian House of Representative was unsuccessful. The delegation said over the weekend that the parties were not able to arrive at a favorable conclusion. But it promised to remain fully engaged with the parties. A group of lawmakers claiming to be the majority in the House have accused Speaker J. Fonati Koffa of conflict of interest and want him removed. The Speaker has refused to step down. Representative Foday Edward Fahnbulleh, chair of the Good Governance and Reform Committee and a member of the majority calling for Speaker Koffa’s removal, tells James Butty, ECOWAS delegation understood the majority’s position.

A member of the minority bloc in Liberia’s parliamentary impasse says he thinks the majority has shown disrespect to the Economic Community of West African States parliamentary mediation delegation. For weeks now, a group of lawmakers claiming to be the majority in the House of Representatives have been calling for Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s removal for alleged conflict of interest. Eugene JM Kollie, member of the minority bloc, which supports Speaker Koffa, tells VOA’s James Butty, removing the speaker must follow the constitution and the rules of the House of Representatives