These are the top stories from across Africa:
Jacob Zuma hands himself over for arrest
Former South African President, Jacob Zuma, has handed himself to the police ahead of the Tuesday midnight deadline – News Central Africa reports
According to a statement released by his foundation, Zuma made himself available to a correctional services facility in South Africa.
This is coming after the country’s constitutional court had sentenced him to a 15-month jail term for contempt of court after refusing to attend the Zondo Commission of public inquiry.
Huge diamond discovered again in Botswana
Southern African nation, Botswana, has unveiled a large and white 1,174-carat diamond stone, the second huge precious stone to be discovered in the country in a month – BBC Africa reports
The latest diamond was discovered on June 12 by Canadian Diamond firm, Lucara, and presented to the country’s cabinet in the capital Gaborone on Wednesday.
The company’s managing director Naseem Lahri told AFP news agency that this was the world’s third-largest diamond.
“This is history in the making, for us and Botswana as well,” he said.
Intelligence Chiefs call for unity against terrorism in East Africa
Intelligence Chiefs across Eastern Africa are calling for unity in the fight against terrorism and soon, rebel groups and terrorist forces would soon be neutralised across the region – Africa News reports
Claude Ibalanky Ekolomba, a senior representative of the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declared this on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at the fourth meeting of Heads of Intelligence and Security services of the DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania in Bujumbura.
“The current attacks that you are talking about are groups that are in disarray as they flee, they commit massacres on the way, so it doesn’t bother us, especially since we know that they have been uprooted from where they were positioned or based. So, in a short time, we won’t talk about it anymore,” Ekolomba said.
Zimbabwean Army Chief dies of cancer
Zimbabwe’s army commander, Lieutenant General Edzayi Chimonyo died early on Thursday, July 8, 2021, after succumbing to cancer, the presidential spokesman said – Reuters Africa reports
The army holds an outsized influence in Zimbabwean politics. In November 2017, the army stepped in to oust the late Robert Mugabe and pave way for incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The art chief who was appointed to the position after the coup had been battling cancer, George Charamba, the presidential spokesman wrote on Twitter.
ECOWAS Parliament lists dangers of cryptocurrencies, cautions against use
The ECOWAS Parliament has on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, cautioned against the use of cryptocurrencies as a means of exchange and commerce – All Africa reports
Rising from a meeting of its joint committee in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, the Parliament stated that there is a cause for concern with regards to the risk factors involved.
The meeting also highlighted the prospects of cryptocurrencies as a facilitator for investment in West Africa. The meeting had in attendance cryptocurrency experts and resource persons.
