Across the 54 Countries in Africa, these are the 5 top stories you may have missed:
Tanzania: President John Magufuli confirmed dead
John Magufuli, Tanzanian President has been confirmed dead from a heart condition – The Guardian reports
Samia Shulu, the Vice President gave the details of the president in an address on state television Wednesday, 17th March, after days of uncertainty over his health and whereabouts.
“It is with deep regret that I inform you that today on the 17th of March, 2021 at 6 pm we lost our brave leader, the President of the Republic of Tanzania, John Pombe Magufuli,” she said.
Kenya upholds female genital mutation ban
Kenya’s High Court has voted to uphold the ban placed on female genital mutilation on Tuesday, 16th March, after a petition was filed by a female doctor to legalise it – Africa News reports
The East African nation had outlawed the practice in 2011.
“The implication of this is that FGM/C cannot be rendered lawful because the person on whom the act was performed consented to that act. No person can license another to perform a crime,” said Lady Justice Achode.
Zimbabwe: Biti, Madzimure, Chikwinya expelled from parliament
MDC Alliance MPs Tendai Biti, Willias Madzimure and Settlement Chikwinya with three other party legislators have been recalled from their position in parliament by their former party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) – All Africa reports
The shocking announcement was made Wednesday, 18th March, by National Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda.
UN Blames South Sudan’s Politicians and Military over communal violence
The United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) has alleged that South Sudan’s political and military leaders of fuelling inter-communal violence leading to the death of hundreds of locals – News Central Africa reports
According to reports, at least 700 South Sudanese have died between January and June 2020. The office of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in its report urged the government to hold some of its politicians and military responsible for procuring and distributing arms to local militias.
Cape Town’s famous Fugard Theatre closes permanently
Fugard Theatre, a popular theatre in the South African city of Cape Town has announced that it will permanently be closed after reopening recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic – BBC Africa reports
“We are not persuaded that it will be COVID safe or financially viable to reopen as a theatre in the foreseeable future,” Eric Abraham, the founder of The Fugard Theatre, said in a statement on Tuesday.
