Former Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz’s sentence for abuse of office and unlawful enrichment has been raised from five to fifteen years in prison by Mauritania’s appeal court. Abdel Aziz, who rose to power in a 2008 coup, appealed his original sentence after being convicted two years ago of abusing his position to accumulate wealth. The court upheld Aziz’s asset seizure and revoked his civic privileges. However, Abdel Aziz remained emotionless despite the decision.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb made his first visit to Kenya, where the two nations inked agreements on political consultations, peace mediation, and conflict resolution. Finland’s competence in education, technology, renewable energy, and climate action complements Kenya’s development goals. The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to the Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement, which went into effect in July 2024. President Stubb also complimented Kenya’s global leadership in peacekeeping and conflict resolution, and he called for increased economic cooperation.
At least seven individuals were killed by overnight flooding in Mogadishu, Somalia, this week. The storm, which began Friday night and lasted almost ten hours, destroyed nine homes and damaged six major roadways. More than 220 households were relocated, and hundreds more lost their houses. The Horn of Africa is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions, and extreme weather events are growing increasingly common and severe. According to a recent UN estimate, flash floods in Somalia have harmed more than 45,000 people since mid-April.
A drone attack by Sudanese Special Forces (RSF) has led to a cut in power supply in the Sudanese capital and neighboring areas. The RSF has targeted three power plants in Omdurman and Port Sudan, resulting in prolonged blackouts and damage to water supply. The attacks have hampered the country’s infrastructure and compromised the safety of government officials and humanitarian organizations.
Uganda’s lawmakers have accepted the government’s proposed budget for the fiscal year 2025/26, which includes a budget of 72.4 trillion Ugandan shillings ($20 billion) for the July to June period. The budget is expected to prioritize agro-industrialization, tourism, and minerals, notably petroleum. Finance Minister Matia Kasaija is due to deliver the budget to parliament on June 12 and provide additional specifics.
Succes Masra, Chad’s former prime minister and opposition leader, was arrested by security authorities this week, sparking fears about the country’s diminishing political space. Masra, a vehement opponent of President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s junta, was chosen in January 2024 to satisfy the opposition. He declared victory in the state election and accused electoral fraud prior to the official announcement. Masra resigned as prime minister before Deby was sworn in, and legal action against him may increase these worries.
Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), a West African al Qaeda offshoot, has launched an attack on a military post in northern Burkina Faso, killing many troops and dozens of civilians. The strike also hit a police station and a market in the south. The insecurity in the junta-led country is escalating, as the attack has raised concerns about the country’s future.
Morocco is experiencing its most severe measles outbreak in years, with over 25,000 probable cases and 184 deaths since late 2023. The outbreak, which originated in the Souss-Massa area, has spread to all 12 regions, with over 70% of cases involving youngsters under the age of 18. To fight the spread, Morocco’s health ministry launched a statewide vaccination drive that included all children and encouraged adults to be inoculated. However, new illnesses remain, particularly in border areas, and the World Health Organization worries that Morocco’s traffic hub may exacerbate regional transmission.
Former Gabonese president Ali Bongo and his family have been exiled in Angola, marking the end of 19 months in captivity in Libreville. Following a military coup in August 2023, Bongo and his family were released from prison and transferred to house arrest. The move was agreed upon by Angolan president João Lourenço and Gabon’s new president, Oligui Nguema, during his visit to Gabon.
South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile has encouraged South African white farmers not to leave the nation for the United States, citing fears about safety and criminality. He emphasized the necessity for the government to collaborate with farmers to address their issues. Following charges of “genocide” against white farmers in South Africa, a meeting between President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to be held on May 21. This comes after the United States accepted 59 white South Africans as refugees this week.
