Across the 54 Countries in Africa, these are the 5 top stories you may have missed:
Benin Election: Patrice Talon retains power
Beninese President Patrice Talon has been re-elected with 86% votes in the just concluded presidential election in Benin Republic – Africa News reports
According to provisional results announced Tuesday, 13th April, by the Electoral Commission, the president obtained a majority of the votes cast.
“The duo Patrice Talon and Mariam Talata (vice-presidential candidate at his side) obtained in the first round the majority of votes cast,” said Geneviève Boko Nadjo, the vice-president of the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA).
South Africa suspends J&J Vaccine over clotting concerns
The South African government on Tuesday, 13th April, suspended the rollout of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine over concerns of blood clot risks reported by the United States – eNCA reports
“We have determined to voluntarily suspend our rollout until the causal relationship between the development of clots and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is sufficiently interrogated,” Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced in an online press briefing.
Leader of Mali’s rebel alliance dies from gunshot wounds
The leader of Mali’s rebel alliance group has died from gunshot wounds sustained in an attack by some unidentified gunmen outside his home on Tuesday, 13th April – Reuters Africa reports
Sidi Brahim Ould Sidati, president of the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), was shot in the country’s capital, Bamako on Tuesday morning, CMA spokesman Almou Ag Mohamed said.
Compaoré to be charged over Sankara murder
Former President of Burkina Faso, Blaise Compaoré, has been charged with the murder of Thomas Sankara, the man who he ousted in 1987 – BBC Africa reports
Compaoré was forced into exile in 2014 after attempting to manipulate the laws in extending his rule. A warrant for his arrest was issued in 2015.
A military tribunal on Tuesday, 13th April, indicted him for “attack on state security, complicity in murder and concealment of corpse”.
Rwanda tops lists of IMF Debt Relief
Countries in the East African region led by Rwanda and Tanzania are gaining heavy benefits from over $142.7 million in debt relief from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – All Africa reports
Rwanda leads the region in the countries that experience the highest debt relief at $71.23 million, followed by Tanzania at $26.43 million. Burundi is third at $25.42 million, while Ethiopia follows at $19.71 million, latest figures from IMF shows.
