When Ruto behaves like the devil: Kenyan police fire teargas at protest over abductions

 

 A man reacts after being tear-gassed by police during the protests. (AP Photo?Andrew Kasusku)

Kenyan police fire teargas at protest over abductions

https://africabriefing.com/kenyan-police-fire-teargas-at-protest-over-abductions/ 

 By Editorial Staff 

December 30, 2024

Kenyan police clash with protesters in

 Nairobi as claims of abductions of government critics spark unrest. Okiya Omtatah among those detained

 

POLICE in Nairobi fired teargas on Monday to disperse protesters accusing authorities of orchestrating a series of unexplained abductions targeting government critics. Human rights groups report dozens of abductions in recent months, alleging the involvement of Kenya’s police and intelligence services.

Kenyan officials have denied these claims, maintaining that the government neither condones nor participates in extrajudicial killings or detentions. However, public outrage continues to mount, with the protests becoming a flashpoint for grievances against the administration.

Streets of Nairobi turn chaotic

Demonstrators gathered in downtown Nairobi, chanting slogans against President William Ruto’s government. Some marched through the streets, while others staged sit-ins, enduring the sting of teargas as riot police patrolled on horseback.

One of the most notable scenes involved opposition lawmaker Okiya Omtatah, who participated in a sit-in alongside protesters who chained themselves together in defiance of police efforts to break them apart. According to the Daily Nation, Omtatah and ten others were detained during the demonstrations.

Local police representatives, including Nairobi police commander Adamson Bungei and national police spokesperson Rosalia Onyango, have not commented on the events.

Abductions follow anti-government protests

The alleged abductions come on the heels of anti-government demonstrations that erupted in June 2024. Initially focused on opposing proposed tax increases, the protests expanded into a broader movement that transcended Kenya’s entrenched ethnic divides, posing a significant challenge to President Ruto’s administration.

Despite the government’s denials, human rights groups continue to sound the alarm. They have documented numerous cases of forced disappearances, blaming security agencies for the unlawful detentions.

Growing threat to Ruto’s government

The protests and allegations of extrajudicial actions highlight a deepening political crisis in Kenya. Critics argue that the government’s heavy-handed response risks further alienating citizens, potentially destabilising the nation.

As tensions simmer, the international community will likely watch closely, with pressure mounting on the Ruto administration to address allegations of rights violations and engage in meaningful dialogue with its critics.

This latest wave of protests underscores the growing urgency for the Kenyan government to rebuild trust and ensure accountability, particularly as citizens demand answers about the fate of those allegedly abducted.

 

 

President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Zimbabwe abolishes death penalty in bold reform 

https://africabriefing.com/zimbabwe-abolishes-death-penalty-in-bold-reform/ 

 By Editorial Staff 

January 1, 2025

Zimbabwe abolishes death penalty, becoming the 127th country to do so. President Mnangagwa calls it a step toward justice and human rights.

 

 

ZIMBABWE has officially abolished the death penalty, joining a growing list of nations committed to ending what many consider an inhumane practice. This landmark decision comes nearly 20 years after the country carried out its last execution.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by Martin Rushwaya, the chief secretary to the cabinet, who confirmed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had approved the Death Penalty Abolition Act 2024. This legislation, which successfully passed through the Senate, makes Zimbabwe the 127th country globally and the 24th in Africa to outlaw capital punishment.

‘This represents a profound shift in our justice system,’ Rushwaya stated, calling the move a reflection of Zimbabwe’s commitment to human rights and the dignity of all individuals.

A personal victory for Mnangagwa

For President Mnangagwa, this decision carries personal significance. During the 1960s Chimurenga liberation war, Mnangagwa himself faced the threat of execution under the colonial regime. His survival has shaped his lifelong opposition to capital punishment.

As he signed the decree into law, Mnangagwa reaffirmed his belief that the death penalty is a cruel and outdated punishment with no place in a modern justice system.

Global and regional impact

With this decision, Zimbabwe becomes a beacon for the abolitionist movement in Africa. Lucia Masuka, executive director of Amnesty International Zimbabwe, hailed the decision as a ‘beacon of hope.’

‘This is not just great progress for Zimbabwe,’ Masuka said in a statement. ‘It’s also a major milestone for the global pursuit to end the ultimate cruel, inhumane, and degrading punishment.’

The Southern African nation joins other African countries, such as South Africa, Rwanda, and Angola, in abolishing capital punishment. Amnesty International reports that 24 African nations have fully eliminated the death penalty, reflecting a growing trend across the continent.

Death row and justice reform

Zimbabwe currently has around 60 inmates on death row. Under the new law, these prisoners will have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment. The government has pledged to ensure that their transition aligns with international human rights standards.

This move has also reignited conversations about broader justice reforms in Zimbabwe. Legal experts and human rights advocates see the abolition of the death penalty as a stepping stone toward addressing other issues in the country’s judicial system, such as prison overcrowding and access to fair trials.

A symbol of change

The abolition of the death penalty marks a significant step in Zimbabwe’s efforts to align itself with global human rights standards. Advocates see this as more than a policy change; it is a declaration of Zimbabwe’s intent to foster a justice system rooted in dignity and rehabilitation rather than retribution.

The global abolitionist movement continues to gain momentum, with Zimbabwe’s decision adding to the growing consensus that the death penalty has no place in a modern society. For Mnangagwa and his government, this historic reform is a powerful symbol of progress and a hopeful sign for the nation’s future.

When Esau Hunts for melanated Jacob: Sex tourism: The Gambia is fed up with UK grandmothers hunting for toy boys

 

 A relationship with a wealthy Western mature woman is seen as a financial opportunity for these young men

Sex tourism: The Gambia is fed up with UK grandmothers hunting for toy boys

https://africabriefing.com/sex-tourism-the-gambia-is-fed-up-with-uk-grandmothers-hunting-for-toy-boys/ 

By Editorial Staff 

September 19, 

2022Updated:October 14, 2024

 SINCE the 1990s, The Gambia has become a preferred destination for European women seeking sexual pleasure with available African ‘toy’ boys. It all started when international travel agencies from the UK introduced cheap package tours to this tiny West African country. After more than 30 years of receiving thousands of middle-aged women that arrived with this sex tourism intention, the Gambia government is tired of these UK women. Now, the former British colony is seeking to attract ‘quality’ visitors as the authorities work to change its reputation as a sex tourism destination.

 

‘What we want is quality tourists. Tourists that come to enjoy the country and the culture, but not tourists that come just for sex,’ Abubacarr Camara, the director of the Gambia Tourism Board told UK’s The Sun newspaper earlier this month.

 

With high unemployment rates and low wages in the Gambia, which has a population of 2.5million, a relationship with a wealthy Western mature woman is seen as a financial opportunity for these young men.

Known as ‘bumsters’, a term used to describe impoverished young Gambian men who target Western women, they can have their relationships with mature ladies arranged online. Others scour the white-sand beaches looking for older women who also come from Holland, Sweden and Germany to meet them. As The Sun reported, the ‘Senegambia strip’ near the capital city, Banjul, has become a hub for lonely British pensioners.

 

The Gambia government has sought to focus on the Gambia’s wildlife and cultural attractions – the country has more than 300 species of tropical bird and two Unesco World Heritage sites – to boost its ‘quality’ tourism. However, Lamin Fatty, national coordinator at the Child Protection Alliance, told The Daily Telegraph: ‘The High Commission has shown some engagement. But it’s not only about engagement, we also need financial and technical assistance.’

This summer, the Gambia’s tourist officials have visited the UK. They met with British Airways and tour operators in a bid to increase flights between London and Banjul and attract younger and wealthier tourists who are looking for a higher-class winter holiday.

Tourism is the fastest growing sector in the Gambian economy and accounts for around 20 per cent of GDP.