Ivory Coast Asks French Troops to Leave, the Latest African Country to Do So

By TOUSSAINT N’GOTTA

6:29 PM EST, December 31, 2024

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — Ivory Coast announced on Tuesday that French troops will leave the country after a decadeslong military presence, the latest African nation to downscale military ties with its former colonial power.

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara said the pullout would begin in January 2025. France has had up to 600 troops in Ivory Coast.

“We have decided on the concerted and organized withdrawal of French forces in Ivory Coast,” he said, adding that the military infantry battalion of Port Bouét that is run by the French army will be handed over to Ivorian troops.

Outtara’s announcement follows that of other leaders across West Africa, where France’s militaries are being asked to leave. Analysts have described the requests for French troops to leave Africa as part of the wider structural transformation in the region’s engagement with Paris.

France has suffered similar setbacks in several West African countries in recent years, including Chad, Niger and Burkina Faso, where French troops that have been on the ground for many years have been kicked out.

Several West African nations — including coup-hit Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger — have recently asked the French to leave. Among them are also most recently Senegal, and Chad, considered France’s most stable and loyal partner in Africa.

The downscaling of military ties comes as France has been making efforts to revive its waning political and military influence on the continent by devising a new military strategy that would sharply reduce its permanent troop presence in Africa.

France has now been kicked out of more than 70% of African countries where it had a troop presence since ending its colonial rule. The French remain only in Djibouti, with 1,500 soldiers, and Gabon, with 350 troops.

Analysts have described the developments as part of the wider structural transformation in the region’s engagement with Paris amid growing local sentiments against France, especially in coup-hit countries.

After expelling French troops, military leaders of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have moved closer to Russia, which has mercenaries deployed across the Sahel who have been accused of abuses against civilians.

However, the security situation has worsened in those countries, with increasing numbers of extremist attacks and civilian deaths from both armed groups and government forces.

Pentagon Bombs Somalia Killing Two People

By Al Mayadeen English

27 Dec 2024 11:11

The Somali government issued a statement lauding a "meticulously planned operation" that was conducted alongside "international partners" in the same district.

Two al-Shabaab militants were killed in a US airstrike in southern Somalia, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed.

The strike, which targeted the militants near Kunyo-Barow, a town located about 10 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, was conducted in coordination with the Somali federal government, AFRICOM said.

It added that the operation targeted the militants while they were patrolling in the area, emphasizing the precision of the strike.

Meanwhile, the Somali government issued a statement lauding a "meticulously planned operation" that was conducted alongside "international partners" in the same district.

That statement said the operation "has successfully eliminated the terrorist ring leader Mohamed Mire Jama, also known as Abu Abdirahman, in the Kunyo-Barow district of Lower Shabelle province."

A couple of days ago, the Somali Ministry of Defense revealed that the national military had conducted a series of successful operations in recent days, resulting in the killing of several al-Shabaab commanders and fighters.

In one major operation in the Middle Shabelle region of Hirshabelle State, Somali forces killed approximately 30 al-Shabaab militants as part of an ongoing effort to dismantle the group's presence in the area.

It is worth noting that al-Shabaab is a Somalia-based militant group linked to al-Qaeda group. It opposes the Somali government and obstructs UN humanitarian missions in the country.

In one of their most brutal attack, at least 30 Somali soldiers were killed and dozens were wounded after a suicide bomber attacked a military academy in the country's capital Mogadishu on July 22, 2023.

Al-Sharaa Holds Talks with SDF Amid Intense Clashes in Syria's North

By Al Mayadeen English

31 Dec 2024 23:49

In a statement to Al Arabiya TV on Sunday, Ahmad al-Sharaa stressed the need for national unity and proposed integrating the Kurdish-led forces into a centralized military.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria's de facto leader, held discussions on Monday with representatives from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), marking his first engagement with Kurdish commanders since his Islamist-led coalition ousted Bashar al-Assad earlier this month.

An anonymous official told AFP on Tuesday that the meeting in Damascus was "positive" and focused on setting a foundation for future dialogue.

This was "a preliminary meeting to lay the foundations for future dialogue," the official explained, adding that both parties agreed "to continue these meetings to reach future understandings."

The official also mentioned plans for "intensifying dialogue and meetings in the future."

Ongoing tensions in Northern Syria

The talks occur as the SDF, a coalition of groups backed by the US, faces ongoing clashes with Turkish-backed forces in northern Syria.

Turkey views the SDF's main component, the People's Protection Units (YPG), as closely linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group Turkey has battled for decades.

Recent weeks have seen heightened violence, with deadly skirmishes between Turkish-backed forces and the SDF.

On Tuesday, Turkish-backed fighters killed three pro-Kurdish security officers in Aleppo, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Sharaa's vision for a unified army

In a statement to Al Arabiya TV on Sunday, Sharaa stressed the need for national unity and proposed integrating the Kurdish-led forces into a centralized military.

"Weapons must be in the hands of the state alone. Whoever is armed and qualified to join the defense ministry, we will welcome them," he said.

Sharaa noted the importance of dialogue, stating, "Under these terms and conditions, we will open a negotiations dialogue with the SDF... to perhaps find an appropriate solution."

These events align with shifting alliances during Syria's transition. In recent weeks, Turkey has indirectly pressured the US to withdraw its support for Kurdish forces.

How 'Israel's' Genocide Shattered Gaza, West Bank Economies: Report

By Al Mayadeen English

31 Dec 2024 20:51

The West Bank and Gaza have been facing a year marred by economic reductions and devastation, primarily due to the Israeli aggression on both.

The head of Palestinian Statistics, Ola Awad, reviewed the economic outcomes of the key economic and social indicators for 2024, a year marked by the continuation of Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, and presented her economic predictions for 2025. 

Palestine faces an economic, social, humanitarian, environmental, health, educational, and food disaster that has led to a contraction of the productive base and distortion of its economic structure. By the end of 2024, estimates indicate an unprecedented sharp contraction in Gaza's GDP by over 82%, accompanied by a rise in the unemployment rate to 80%.

This downturn extended to the West Bank's economy, shrinking by over 19%, with unemployment rising to 35%. Overall, the Palestinian economy shrank by 28%, accompanied by an increase in the unemployment rate to 51%. 

The complete collapse of economic activities 

It is worth noting that the Palestinian economy is primarily service-based, with 65% of its structure reliant on services, while productive sectors account for only 20%. This makes the economy highly sensitive to shocks but also capable of faster recovery due to its small size.

In 2024, key reductions were observed in most economic activities compared to the previous year. 

For example, the construction sector saw a 46% decrease in activity, 38% recorded in the West Bank and 98% in Gaza, with losses valued at $332 million.

The industrial sector declined by 33% (30% in the West Bank and 90% in Gaza), valued at $1,038 million, whereas agriculture fell by 32% (17% in the West Bank and 91% in Gaza), valued at $564 million. Meanwhile, services dropped by 27% (17% in the West Bank and 81% in Gaza), valued at $6,453 million.

Economic trade 

In 2024, occupied Palestine's trade declined by 11%, with exports dropping by 13% to $2,677 million and imports falling by 11% to $9,069 million. Imports remain over three times the value of exports, highlighting a significant trade deficit.  

Gaza's share of external trade fell to less than 4% due to Israeli aggression, resulting in a severe health and food crisis as essential supplies dropped to only 5% of the required levels.  

The share of imports from "Israel" decreased from 86% in 1996 to 60% in 2024, despite their value rising from $3,184 million to $4,815 million. Palestinian exports to "Israel" also declined, dropping from 94% of total exports in 1996 to 87% in 2024, though their value increased from $730 million to $2,304 million.

Unemployment rates 

Palestine suffers from high unemployment rates and regional disparities. In 2024, the unemployment rate in Palestine rose from 31% to 51%, with 35% in the West Bank and 80% in Gaza. 

Additionally, the labor force participation rate in Palestine decreased to 40% in 2024, down from 44% in 2023. In Gaza, it dropped to 36% from 40%, while in the West Bank, it fell to 43% from 47% over the same period.

Poverty and living standards

Before the onset of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, poverty rates exceeded 63%, with the poverty line in Palestine set at approximately 2,717 Israeli shekels and the extreme poverty line at 2,170 shekels.

Following the ongoing aggression, poverty has escalated to reach levels of famine and severe food insecurity. Total consumption dropped by 24% (13% in the West Bank and 80% in Gaza), directly impacting living standards and accompanied by rising unemployment rates. Most Palestinians in Gaza now face high levels of food insecurity.

Unprecedented price increases

Severe shortages of goods entering Gaza due to the Israeli aggression, combined with its repercussions on the West Bank and regional influences, have driven a sharp price increase.

Prices in Gaza surged by over 227%, while consumer prices in the West Bank rose by approximately 3%. This resulted in a 33% decline in purchasing power for Palestinians, with a 70% reduction in Gaza and 3% in the West Bank.

Checks

In 2023, check transactions in Palestine totaled $24 billion, with $1.5 billion returned due to insufficient funds.

By October 2024, check transactions had decreased to $17 billion, with $1.4 billion returned for insufficient funds. This reflects an increase in the percentage of bounced checks from 6% in 2023 to 8% in 2024. The decline in check transactions highlights a sharp economic contraction and reduced liquidity in Palestine.

Gaza economy left in 'utter ruin', 350 years needed to salvage Strip

The United Nations in October warned that Gaza's economy has been left in "utter ruin" due to the Israeli year-long war, with recovery to pre-war levels expected to take 350 years.

According to a report from the UN's trade and development arm (UNCTAD), the war that began last year has devastated Gaza's economy and infrastructure.

According to the report, the brutal strikes have resulted in "an unprecedented humanitarian, environmental and social catastrophe and propelled Gaza from de-development to utter ruin,” emphasizing that “the far-reaching repercussions will linger for years to come, and it may take decades to return Gaza to the status quo ante."

“Once a ceasefire is reached, a return to the 2007–2022 growth trend would imply that it would take Gaza 350 years just to restore GDP to its level in 2022.”

Al-Qassam Fires Rockets from Gaza at Turn of the Year

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Al-Qassam Brigades - Military Media

Marking the start of 2025, al-Qassam fighters fire a salvo of rockets at the Israeli Netivot settlement.

Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement - Hamas, announced that its fighters fired a salvo of rockets at the Israeli Netivot settlement. 

Sirens sounded in the settlement located in southern occupied Palestine as soon as the new year was ushered in. 

This comes as the Israeli regime continues its months-long genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, which has entered its 453rd day. 

Exactly a year ago al-Qassam Brigades fighters fired a salvo of rockets at central Israeli-occupied areas and city settlements. Despite the unprecedented assault on the besieged territory, Gaza's Resistance continues to cost the Israeli military casualties, while finding ways to fire rockets at occupied areas. 

Russian Troops Liberate Novoelenovka Settlement in Donetsk People's Republic

At the same time, the Russian Armed Forces hit energy facilities of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex, airfields, storage depots, command posts, and launch sites for attack drones over the day

© Alexei Konovalov/TASS

MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. Russian troops have liberated Novoolenovka in the Donetsk People's Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"Decisive actions of units of Russia’s Center battegroup have liberated the settlement of Novoolenovka in the Donetsk People's Republic," the ministry said.

At the same time, the Russian Armed Forces hit energy facilities of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex, airfields, storage depots, command posts, and launch sites for attack drones over the day.

"Operational-tactical aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops, and artillery of the troop groups of the Russian Armed Forces hit energy facilities ensuring the operation of enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine, the infrastructure of military airfields, storage depots, command posts, launch sites for attack unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as sites of manpower and military equipment concentrations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 143 districts," the ministry said.

Russian air defense systems have shot down 4 HIMARS multiple launch rockets and 65 drones of the Ukrainian Armed Forces over the past 24 hours, the ministry reported.

"Air defense systems shot down four HIMARS multiple launch rockets of the United States and 65 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles," the ministry said.

They ministry added that since the beginning of the special military operation, 650 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 38,878 unmanned aerial vehicles, 590 anti-aircraft missile systems, 20,103 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,504 multiple launch rocket systems, 20,093 field artillery pieces and mortars, 29,644 units of special military vehicles have been destroyed.

North and Dnepr battlegroups

Units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost up to 140 servicemen and 2 field ammunition depots in one day as a result of the actions of Russia’s North and Dnepr battlegroups, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"Units of Russia’s North battlegroups inflicted losses on formations of two territorial defense brigades in the area of the settlements of Kazachya Lopan, Velikiye Prokhody, and Liptsy in the Kharkov region. The enemy lost up to 65 servicemen, an armored combat vehicle, a car, a 152-mm D-20 gun, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers and an electronic warfare station," the ministry said.

According to the ministry, units of the Dnepr group of troops defeated the personnel and equipment of three territorial defense brigades in the areas of the settlements of Antonovka, Mykhailovka, and Yantarnoye in the Kherson region. The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 75 servicemen, an armored combat vehicle, four cars, and two field ammunition depots.

East battlegroup

Fighters of Russia’s East battlegroup eliminated more than 175 Ukrainian servicemen in one day, the ministry reported.

"Units of Russia’s East battlegroup continued to advance deep into the enemy's defenses, defeated formations of three mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and a territorial defense brigade in the areas of the settlements of Dneproenergiya, Bogatyr, Zelenoye Pole, and Neskuchnoye in the Donetsk People's Republic," the ministry said.

According to the ministry, two counterattacks by enemy assault groups were repelled. The Ukrainian forces lost more than 175 servicemen, three vehicles, a 152mm D-20 gun, a 155mm Paladin self-propelled artillery unit, and a 105mm M119 gun. An electronic warfare station and a field ammunition depot were also destroyed, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

West battlegroup

The losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the zone of Russia’s West battlegroup over the past 24 hours amounted to over 530 servicemen, a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, and 4 armored personnel carriers, the ministry added.

"Units of Russia’s West battlegroup improved the situation along the frontline, defeated the forces and equipment of two mechanized brigades, an assault brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, two territorial defense brigades and a brigade of the National Guard in the areas of the settlements of Dvurechnaya, Zapadnoye, Glushkovka in the Kharkov region, as well as Ivanovka, Shandrigolovo, Torskoye, Terny in the Donetsk People's Republic and Serebryanskoye forest. They repelled eight counter-attacks by armed formations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," the ministry said.

Center battlegroup

The losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the zone of Russia’s Center battlegroup amounted to up to 420 servicemen, two tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles, an armored personnel carrier, and a Snatch armored vehicle, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"Forces and equipment of three mechanized, motorized infantry, mountain assault brigades, two assault battalions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a marine brigade and an assault brigade of the Ukrainian National Police in the areas of the settlements of Dzerzhinsk, Vozdvizhenka, Dachenskoye, and Peschanoye of the Donetsk People's Republic were defeated. At the same time, 11 counter-attacks by armed formations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were repulsed," the ministry said.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the enemy lost up to 420 servicemen, two tanks, including a German Leopard, two infantry fighting vehicles, an armored personnel carrier, Snatch armored fighting vehicle, five pickup trucks, a 155mm self-propelled artillery Bogdana, two 152mm D-20 guns, a 122mm self-propelled artillery Gvozdika, three 122mm D-30 howitzers, and an electronic warfare station.

Investigators of Azerbaijan Airlines Crash to Release Findings within 30 Days — Official

The Kazakh Transport Ministry earlier announced that it sent flight recorders from the plane to the Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center in Brazil

© Isa Tazhenbaev/ TASS

ASTANA, December 30. /TASS/. The Kazakh government’s commission investigating the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash is set to release preliminary findings within 30 days, Kazakh Deputy Transport Minister Talgat Lastayev.

"In general, standards require preliminary or interim results of an investigation to be announced within 30 days," he said in an interview with the Kazinform news agency when asked when the commission would present its initial conclusions on the disaster.

"What is currently underway is a field stage of the investigation, meaning [collecting] fragments of the aircraft, prints at the site of the plane crash, taking casts, and all of this is brought to a specially designated hangar at the Aktau airport," said the official, who is a member of the investigation commission. "And all this is being painstakingly evaluated by experts."

The Kazakh Transport Ministry earlier announced that it sent flight recorders from the plane to the Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center in Brazil.

An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 plane headed from Baku to Grozny crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on December 25. The aircraft carried 67 people, including 62 passengers and five crew members. They were primarily citizens of Azerbaijan, as well as nationals of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. According to the latest data, 38 people, including seven Russians, lost their lives, while 29 others survived. Nine Russian survivors were taken to hospitals in Russia.

Court Issues Warrant to Detain Impeached South Korean President — Agency

According to the agency, it has not yet made a decision about its next moves regarding the president

Impeached South Korean president Yoon Seok Yeol South Korean Presidential Office via AP

Impeached South Korean president Yoon Seok Yeol

© South Korean Presidential Office via AP

SEOUL, December 31. /TASS/. A court issued a detention and search warrant for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials said.

"The office confirms that the detention and search warrant for Yoon Suk Yeol was issued on the 31st in response to a request from the office," the agency said in a statement.

According to the agency, it has not yet made a decision about its next moves regarding the president who was impeached by parliament on December 14.

"Further schedule hasn’t been determined yet," the statement said.

The Corruption Investigation Office is looking into the circumstances of the announcement of martial law by the president who has been accused of insurrection following the move. A CIO team filed for a detention warrant on December 30, a day after Yoon Suk Yeol failed to report for questioning for a third straight time. South Korean law allows prosecuting a sitting president in cases of treason or insurrection. The president’s defense lawyer insisted the agency has no authority to investigate an insurrection case.

China, Russia Move Ahead Avoiding Confrontation — Xi Jinping

According to Chinese President, mutual political trust and coordination of positions between China and Russia "regularly rise to higher levels under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries"

China's President Xi Jinping Valery Sharifulin/TASS

China's President Xi Jinping

© Valery Sharifulin/TASS

BEIJING, December 31. /TASS/. China and Russia move forward together avoiding the path of confrontation, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a New Year message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"China and Russia are always moving ahead hand in hand, following the right path, without forming alliances, without confrontation and without acting against third parties," he said, according to the Xinhua news agency.

According to Xi Jinping, mutual political trust and coordination of positions between China and Russia "regularly rise to higher levels under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries.".

Russian Air Defenses Destroyed 103 Ukrainian Drones Over Day

Ukrainian army lost up to 505 servicemen from Russia’s Battlegroup West actions

© Yuri Smityuk/TASS

MOSCOW, December 31. /TASS/. Russian air defense systems destroyed 103 Ukrainian drones over day, the Russian Defense Ministry informs.

"Air defenses shot down two Hammer guided air bombs made by France, seven HIMARS rocket projectiles of the US make, and 103 fixed-wing type unmanned aerial vehicles, including 68 outside the area of the special military operation," the ministry said.

Russian troops also delivered a strike against a military airfield, an ammunition plant, attack drone storage facilities and concentrated manpower and materiel in 138 hours, the ministry noted.

Russian Black Sea Fleet forces destroyed eight Ukrainian unmanned surface vessels over the day, the ministry added.

Ukrainian army lost up to 505 servicemen from Russia’s Battlegroup West actions

Ukrainian army units lost up to 505 servicemen as a result of operations of the Battlegroup Center, the Russian Defense Ministry informs

"The adversary lost up to 505 servicemen, a Leopard tank of German production, two M113 armored personnel carriers made by the US, five armored combat vehicles, including three Kirpi produced by Turkey, one Snatch made by the United Kingdom and one Kozak, five motor vehicles, a 152 mm Msta-B howitzer and two 122 mm D-30 howitzers," the ministry said.

As a result of actions of the Battlegroup South, "losses of the Ukrainian armed forces totaled over 290 servicemen, two infantry fighting vehicles," an armored personnel carrier, two pickup trucks and a 105-mm gun, the ministry informed.

Ukrainian army units lost "over 160 servicemen, a tank, three automobiles, a 155 mm Bogdana self-propelled artillery unit, a 122 mm D-30 howitzer and a 122 mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery unit," in the operations area of the Battlegroup East.

Ukrainian army manpower losses were more than 65 and 35 servicemen respectively in responsibility area of Russian Battlegroups Dnieper and North, the ministry added.

The Silent Genocide: South Africa and its Role in Supporting Gaza

By Karim Sharara

28 Dec 2024

Al Mayadeen English interviews Ziyaad Patel, a South African lawyer and international Human Rights advocate who is working diligently on bringing those responsible for war crimes in Gaza to justice.

In an in-depth interview with Al Mayadeen English (full interview found below), Ziyaad Patel, a South African lawyer and international human rights advocate, criticized "Israel’s" crimes in occupied Palestine. Drawing from his country’s struggle against apartheid, Patel framed the plight of Palestinians as a modern-day genocide, urging the global community to act against what he described as violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention. His work, which includes legal advocacy and the groundbreaking South African Zionist Terrorism  Probe, seeks to hold Israeli officials accountable for war crimes.

Patel’s perspective as a South African deeply informed his views: "South Africa has a moral obligation," he said. "Our history of apartheid and colonization gives us a unique lens to understand and act against the systemic oppression faced by Palestinians."

A Personal Journey: From Commercial Law to Human Rights Advocacy

Patel’s career began in commercial law, but his trajectory shifted dramatically after witnessing the horrors of the 2008-2009 war on Gaza, known in "Israel" as Operation Cast Lead. "It was horrifying to see the scale of atrocities committed against a civilian population," Patel recalled. "I thought to myself, as a lawyer, this is something I need to undertake professionally."

Inspired by resistance figures like Nelson Mandela, Patel leveraged his expertise to champion the rights of the oppressed, drawing comparisons between South Africa’s apartheid regime and "Israel’s" crimes in Palestine, pointing out the similar methods of systemic oppression. For example, discriminatory laws in apartheid South Africa, such as passing laws to further cement apartheid, and forced displacements, closely resemble Israeli policies in the West Bank, including checkpoints, land seizures, and the demolition of Palestinian homes.

"We overcame apartheid through solidarity and legal action," Patel emphasized. "These are the same tools Palestinians need."

Exposing war crimes: The South African Zionist Terrorism Corridor Probe

One of Patel’s most notable projects, the South African Zionist Terrorism Corridor Probe, investigates "Israel’s" military tactics and their impact on Palestinian civilians. The probe documents evidence of war crimes, including the use of sniper units in Gaza to target civilians.

Among the complainants for the probe are Safoudien Bester, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign - Cape Town, and the Media Review Network from South Africa.

"These sniper units have deliberately targeted journalists, medics, and even children," Patel stated. He recounted an incident during the 2018 Great March of Return, where Israeli snipers killed a paramedic attempting to treat a wounded protester. "These are not isolated actions. They are part of a systematic campaign to suppress resistance and instill fear."

Patel also detailed how the blockade on Gaza, which has been ongoing for years now, functions as a weapon of war. "The siege is not just an economic blockade—it’s a weapon of war designed to break the Palestinian population," he said. His team has collected extensive documentation on these actions, building a strong case to hold Israeli figures accountable.

South African nationals in the Israeli Occupation Forces

He also revealed concerning details about South African nationals serving in the Israeli Occupation Forces. Under South African law, it is illegal for citizens to join foreign military forces without explicit government permission, especially when those forces are involved in human rights violations or war crimes.

"South Africans serving in the IDF are complicit in the occupation and the atrocities being committed," Patel said. "This is a direct violation of our laws, and it cannot be tolerated."

Patel has been working to bring these individuals to justice, and his efforts include gathering evidence of South African IOF soldiers' involvement in military operations in Gaza and the West Bank, "We are building cases to prosecute these individuals under South Africa’s Foreign Military Assistance Act," Patel explained, further noting that "their actions violate both national and international law, and they must be held accountable."

Patel also highlighted the role of advocacy groups in pressuring the South African government to act against these violations, saying, "We need stronger enforcement of our laws to ensure that South African citizens are not complicit in international crimes."

Seeking Justice Through South African Courts

Patel’s efforts to bring cases against Israeli officials to South African Authorities exemplify his innovative approach to justice. By leveraging South Africa's implementation of the International Criminal Court Act, Patel has also worked on SA's domestication of the Rome Statute in enabling South Africa to investigate and potentially prosecute crimes committed outside its borders.

Other initiatives include the lawfare advocacy citizens Bill - IPPSRA (Implementation and Protection of Palestinian Solidarity Rights Act), as an overarching legislation intended to strengthen existing laws to isolate "Israel" through an institutionalised BDS campaign, using lawfare mechanisms to hold to account Israeli officials and South African nationals in the IOF, as well as companies with ties and interests with the Israeli regime.

"We’ve submitted detailed affidavits and evidence, including medical reports and survivor testimonies from Gaza," Patel explained. "These documents provide a clear picture of the atrocities committed and the individuals responsible."

A decision to prosecute is made by the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) of South Africa, after the conclusion of an investigation by the SAPS (South African Police Services - Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation). 

According to Patel, Unless circumstances permit otherwise of a non-prosecution by the NPA, a private prosecution may be invoked by complainants through the courts for egregious crimes perpetrated by the Israeli occupation against Palestinians.

Patel framed Israeli actions in Palestine as a clear violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention, as he discussed several key criteria that identify the war on Gaza as a genocide:

Targeting Civilian Infrastructure: This was evident in the deliberate destruction of schools, hospitals, and homes in Gaza during military operations.

Erasure of Cultural Identity: Forced evictions, land grabs, and the systematic demolition of Palestinian heritage sites are clear examples of this.

Mass Killings and Displacement: The high number of civilian casualties during Israeli offensives, coupled with the forced displacement of Palestinian families bear testament to "Israel's" violations.

Suppression of Reproductive Rights: Attacks on maternity wards and restrictions on access to healthcare, with women in particular suffering in the genocide through the restriction of much-needed medicine and healthcare.

"Genocide isn’t just about killing," Patel noted. "It’s about systematically destroying the conditions necessary for a community’s survival."

Despite these violations, Patel pointed out the many systemic challenges in holding "Israel" accountable. The International Criminal Court (ICC) faces obstacles in terms of asserting jurisdiction, particularly amid debates over Palestine’s statehood status. Additionally, the ICC’s decision to focus on crimes committed post-2014 excludes earlier atrocities, such as the 2008-2009 Gaza war and earlier crimes.

Patel also discussed the limitations of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), particularly its inability to enforce the provisional measures requiring humanitarian access to Gaza. "Ignoring ICJ orders undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent for other conflicts," he said.

The Role of Western and Arab Nations

Patel also strongly criticized Western nations, particularly the United States. "The duplicity is staggering," he said. "They veto resolutions, supply arms, and then condemn resistance movements as terrorists."

He also expressed frustration with Arab nations, accusing them of failing to act decisively. "It’s disgraceful that Arab countries have not provided meaningful support beyond empty statements," Patel said, calling for regional tribunals and military interventions to enforce ICJ rulings, emphasizing that such actions could have prevented countless civilian deaths.

Moreover, he addressed how media narratives shape perceptions of the conflict. "The West labels groups like Hamas as terrorists to justify collective punishment," he argued. "But these narratives obscure the legitimate struggle for freedom and self-determination."

He also highlighted the importance of challenging these biases through public education and grassroots activism. "An informed public is a powerful force for change," he noted.

Practical steps

Patel warned that the failure to address Israeli violations sets dangerous precedents. "If we allow this to continue, we normalize war crimes and genocide," he said.

He offered practical steps for the global community:

Adopt the Rome Statute Domestically: Patel urged nations to follow South Africa’s example and integrate the Rome Statute into domestic law.

Enhance ICJ Enforcement: He called for mechanisms to enforce ICJ rulings, potentially through regional coalitions.

Strengthen Grassroots Movements: Patel praised the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign for its global impact, saying, "BDS has shifted public discourse globally, even if governments remain complicit."

Promote Public Awareness: Patel emphasized the importance of educating global audiences about the realities of the conflict. "Public opinion can be a catalyst for change."

Hope for the future

Despite the challenges, Patel remains steadfast in his pursuit of justice. "South Africa has a unique role to play," he said. "Not only because of our history but because international law compels us to act."

He urged nations, particularly those in the Global South, to leverage their legal and diplomatic tools to hold Israel accountable. "Justice isn’t just a moral imperative," Patel concluded. "It’s a legal one."

Through initiatives like the South African Zionist Terrorism Corridor Probe, Ziyaad Patel is shedding light on the systemic oppression faced by Palestinians and challenging the global community to act. His work shows the power of legal advocacy in the fight against oppression and impunity, offering hope for a future where justice prevails.

Niger Accuses France of Financing Terrorists

By Al Mayadeen English

27 Dec 2024 18:21

Niger's interim leader also accused the former head of Nigeria's National Intelligence Agency of playing a crucial role in training and supplying the Paris-backed terrorists.

General Abdourahamane Tchiani, Niger's interim leader, has accused France of aiming to destabilize the West African country and the Sahel area by sponsoring terrorist organizations in neighboring Nigeria and Benin.

In an interview with state broadcaster RTN, Tchiani said France "has poured several billion CFA francs" into armed groups such as Boko Haram, which operates in Nigeria's Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states, as well as in Benin.

He also accused Ahmed Abubakar Rufai, the former head of Nigeria's National Intelligence Agency, of playing a crucial role in training and supplying the Paris-backed terrorists.

‘‘In Nigeria… Ahmed Abubakar Rufai… was the focal point for training, acquisition of equipment, and financing related to terrorism,” according to Tchiani.

 A statement issued by Nigerian government spokesperson Mohammed Idris Malagi on Friday detailed how “Nigeria and Niger are related by history, culture, commerce and marriage. Nigeria has never and will never be interested in the destabilization of Niger."

"We urge Tchiani and the Niger junta to stop trying to create confusion, and stop trying to drive a wedge between Nigerians and Nigeriens," he stated.

Relations between Niger and France have worsened since General Tchiani launched a coup that deposed Mohamed Bazoum, the country's pro-Western government, in July 2023. This change of events has strained relations between the Sahel nation and its West African neighbors, with the exception of Burkina Faso and Mali, both of which are under military administration following coups by anti-imperialist forces.

The Economic Community of West African States threatened to use force against the coup leaders, and many of Niger's neighbors, notably Nigeria, the regional bloc's current chairman, expressed willingness to send soldiers to the Paris-backed operation.

On Wednesday, Niger's interim leader said rampant militant violence in the nation was the reason they ousted Bazoum , claiming that he had "received terrorists several times at the Presidential Palace," and detailed how these authorities acted "under the injunction of France, this same France, I say it and I repeat it, which finances terrorism in the Sahel."

The military-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger convened their first joint summit on July 7 in Niamey and have broken defense links with former allies, notably France and the United States.

Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger accuse Ukraine of backing terrorism in Sahel

Back in August, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formally urged the UN Security Council president to condemn what they described as Ukraine’s “blatant and deliberate support for international terrorism,” specifically in Africa’s Sahel region.

The request comes after recent remarks by Ukrainian officials hinting that Kiev may have supported Tuareg separatist rebels involved in deadly attacks on Malian soldiers in the northeastern village of Tinzawaten, near the Algerian border.

In a joint letter, the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger expressed shock over remarks made by Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military intelligence, who “admitted Ukraine's involvement in the cowardly, barbaric, and criminal attacks” that took place between July 24 and 26.

It added that the remarks were confirmed by Yurii Pyvovarov, Ukraine’s ambassador to Senegal.

The letter called on the Security Council to “take appropriate measures against these subversive actions which strengthen terrorist groups in Africa," adding that the official’s remarks exceed mere foreign interference, which is condemnable in its own right.

Earlier in August, the Malian interim government announced it was cutting off its diplomatic relations with Ukraine following Kiev's involvement in a recent terrorist attack that killed Malian soldiers and Russian military contractors in support of the Tuareg militants.

Ukrainian military intelligence service spokesperson (GUR) Andrey Yusov stated on national television that his agents assisted the militants with “necessary information, and not just information, which enabled a successful military operation against Russian war criminals,” pledging that “there will be more to come.”

Kenyans Protest in Nairobi for End to Abductions Targeting Government Critics

Activists and youths carry banners during protests against abductions dubbed "End Abductions" in Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024

Africa News

Kenyan protesters took to the streets of Nairobi on Monday, calling for an end to abductions targeting government critics.

Police threw tear gas at demonstrators in a bid to disperse the crowd; opposition politician Senator Okiya Omtatah and several others were arrested.

Among the hundreds who had taken to the streets of Nairobi were relatives of those who have disappeared.

Serah Njeri, the mother of an abducted blogger, said, "I am here so that my child can be released. This is my child, I ask the government to please say where he is. I would rather you kill me, here I am. Many other people are here too with me, release our children please."

The Kenyan National Commission on Human rights has voiced concerns over a growing number of government critics who are thought to have been abducted.

According to the commission, 82 people have been abducted since demonstrations against the government in June.

Rights groups accuse Kenya’s police force of being responsible; police have denied the allegations, and insist that they are looking into the disappearances.

Some protesters blamed the government.

Okiya Omtatah said, "the government of (Kenyan) President (William) Ruto stop abducting people. These actions by the government which is targeting its critics, so this regime has become rogue and we are here to demand, to call the regime back to order. To demand that the regime follows the rule of law or it vacates office."

Several social media users disappeared after sharing AI generated images of the president, viewed as offensive by backers of the government.

Over the weekend, President William Ruto insisted that the government would halt the abductions.

Mozambique Opposition Announces Break in Demonstrations Against FRELIMO

A barricade burns in Mozambique's capital, Maputo, on Tuesday 5 November 2024

Africa News

Mozambique's opposition leader said Sunday demonstrations against the outcome of the October 8 presidential election would be suspended this week to allow humanitarians and international bodies a chance to assess the state of human rights in the country.

Speaking in a Facebook broadcast on Sunday, Venancio Mondlane said he was announcing a five-day reprieve to facilitate thee entry of regional actors into Mozambique, the Club of Mozambique reported Monday.

He said a group of former heads of state in southern Africa were interested in mediating an end to the impasse.

On Sunday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa dispatced his national security advisor to Maputo amid growing unrest there.

South Africa shares a border with Mozambique and has investments in the mining, energy and construction sectors in the country.

In November, South African authorities temporarily closed the country's Lubombo border crossing with Mozambique after protestors torched vehicles on Mozambique's side of the frontier.

Mondlane who claims that the vote was rigged has vowed to install himself as President despite not being in the country.

Last week, Mozambique's top court upheld the victory of Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party albeit with a reduced margin.

More than 250 people have been killed in clashes since rallies against the election outcome began in October. Local civil society groups say most of the victims are due to gunfire from the security forces.

Anita Asmah: UN’s First African Woman Force Commander

https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-nations-ghana/posts/?feedView=all

 Africa News

The United Nations has appointed Ghana’s Major General Anita Asmah as Head of Mission and Force Commander for the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), making her the first African woman to hold this position.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced the historic appointment on December 11, 2024.

Major General Asmah’s appointment marks a significant step for gender equality in peacekeeping. Her leadership will oversee the UNDOF’s work maintaining peace in the Golan Heights, reinforcing the UN’s commitment to empowering women in leadership roles.

An alumna of Aburi Girls’ Senior High School and a graduate of the University of Ghana with degrees in Arts and Law, Major General Asmah’s career is a testament to determination and hard work. Fluent in English and French, she exemplifies excellence on both national and global stages.

This milestone highlights Ghana’s growing influence in global peacekeeping and inspires a new generation of women to aspire to leadership roles. Commodore Faustina Anokye, a former UN peacekeeping deputy commander, called it an example for Africa and urged more countries to deploy senior women to leadership positions.

Major General Asmah’s appointment paves the way for greater inclusivity in peacekeeping, signalling a brighter future for women in global leadership.

Jimmy Carter Made Eradicating Guinea Worm Disease a Top Mission

By RUSS BYNUM and SAM MEDNICK

8:49 PM EST, December 30, 2024

JARWENG, South Sudan (AP) — Nobel Prize-winning peacemaker Jimmy Carter spent nearly four decades waging war to eliminate an ancient parasite plaguing the world’s poorest people.

Rarely fatal but searingly painful and debilitating, Guinea worm disease infects people who drink water tainted with larvae that grow inside the body into worms as much as 3-feet-long. The noodle-thin parasites then burrow their way out, breaking through the skin in burning blisters.

Carter made eradicating Guinea worm a top mission of The Carter Center, the nonprofit he and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, founded after leaving the White House. The former president rallied public health experts, billionaire donors, African heads of state and thousands of volunteer villagers to work toward eliminating a human disease for only the second time in history.

“It’d be the most exciting and gratifying accomplishment of my life,” Carter told The Associated Press in 2016. Even after entering home hospice care in February 2023, aides said Carter kept asking for Guinea worm updates.

Carter died Sunday at age 100.

Thanks to the Carters’ efforts, the worms that afflicted an estimated 3.5 million people in 20 African and Asian countries when the center launched its campaign in 1986 are on the brink of extinction. Only 14 human cases were reported across four African nations in 2023, according to The Carter Center.

The World Health Organization’s target for eradication is 2030. Carter Center leaders hope to achieve it sooner.

That meant recently returning to Jarweng, in a remote area of South Sudan in northeastern Africa. The village of 500 people hadn’t seen Guinea worm infections since 2014, until Nyingong Aguek and her two sons drank swampy water while traveling in 2022. A fourth person also got infected.

“Having the worm pulled out is more painful than giving birth,” said Aguek, pointing to scars where four worms emerged from her left leg.

The center’s staff and volunteers walked house-to-house distributing water filters and teaching people to inspect dogs, which can also carry the parasite.

“If someone’s hurt, The Carter Center will help,” said villager Mathew Manyiel, listening to a training session while checking his dog for symptoms.

An audacious plan

In the mid-1980s, global health agencies were otherwise occupied and heads of state largely overlooked the illness afflicting millions of their citizens. Carter was still defining the center’s mission when public health experts who had served in his administration approached him with a plan to eliminate the disease.

Only a few years had passed since the WHO declared in 1979 that smallpox was the first human disease to be eradicated worldwide. Guinea worm, the experts told Carter, could become the second.

“President Carter, with a political background, was able to do far more in global health than we could do alone,” said Dr. William Foege, who led the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s smallpox eradication program and the CDC itself before becoming The Carter Center’s first executive director.

Those who worked closely with Carter suspect Guinea worm’s toll on poor African farmers resonated with the former president, who lived as a boy in a Georgia farmhouse without electricity or running water.

“Nobody was doing anything about it, and it was such a spectacularly awful disease,” said Dr. Donald Hopkins, an architect of the campaign who led the center’s health programs until 2015. “He could sympathize with all of these farmers being too crippled from Guinea worm disease to work.”

Eliminating other diseases

There’s no vaccine that prevents Guinea worm infections or medicine that gets rid of the parasites. Treatment has changed little since ancient Greece. Emerging worms are gently wound around a stick as they’re slowly pulled through the skin. Removing an entire worm without breaking it can take weeks.

So instead of scientific breakthroughs, this campaign has relied on persuading millions of people to change basic behaviors.

Workers from the center and host governments trained volunteers to teach neighbors to filter water through cloth screens, removing tiny fleas that carry the larvae. Villagers learned to watch for and report new cases — often for rewards of $100 or more. Infected people and dogs had to be prevented from tainting water sources.

The goal was to break the worm’s life cycle — and therefore eliminate the parasite itself — in each endemic community, eventually exterminating Guinea worm altogether.

The campaign became a model for confronting a broader range of neglected tropical diseases afflicting impoverished people with limited access to clean water, sanitation and health care. Expanding its public health mission, the center has supplied training, equipment and medicines that helped 22 countries eliminate at least one disease within their borders.

Mali became the latest in May 2023 when the WHO confirmed it had ended trachoma, a blinding eye infection. Haiti and the Dominican Republic are working to eliminate malaria and mosquito-borne lymphatic filariasis by 2030. Countries in Africa and the Americas are pursuing an end to river blindness by 2035.

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A personal mission

Having a former U.S. president lead the charge brought big advantages to a nonprofit that relied on private donors to fund its initiatives.

Carter’s fundraising enabled the center to pour $500 million into fighting Guinea worm. He persuaded manufacturers to donate larvicide as well as nylon cloth and specially made drinking straws to filter water. His visits to afflicted villages often attracted news coverage, raising awareness globally.

“He went to so many of the localities where people were afflicted,” said Dr. William Brieger, a professor of international health at Johns Hopkins University who spent 25 years in Africa. “The kind of attention that was drawn to him for getting on the ground and highlighting the plight of individual people who were suffering, I think that made an important difference.”

Carter first saw the disease up close in 1988 while visiting a village in Ghana where nearly 350 people had worms poking through their skin. He approached a young woman who appeared to be cradling a baby in her arm.

“But there was no baby,” Carter wrote in his 2014 book “A Call to Action.” “Instead she was holding her right breast, which was almost a foot long and had a worm emerging from the nipple.”

Carter used his status to sway other leaders to play larger roles. Some heads of state got competitive, spurred by the center’s charts and newsletters that showed which countries were making progress and which lagged behind.

Worms in a war zone

In 1995, Carter intervened when a civil war in southern Sudan made it too dangerous for workers to reach hundreds of hotspots. The ceasefire he negotiated enabled the center and others to distribute 200,000 water filters and discover more endemic villages.

Carter’s efforts not only stopped transmissions in much of what became South Sudan, but also built trust across communities that resulted in a “significant peace dividend,” said Makoy Samuel Yibi, the young nation’s Guinea worm eradication director.

Pakistan in 1993 became the first endemic country to eliminate human cases. India soon followed. By 1997, the disease was no longer found in Asia. By 2003, cases reported worldwide were down to 32,000 — a 99% decline in less than two decades.

Some setbacks frustrated Carter. Visiting a hospital packed with suffering children and adults amid a 2007 resurgence in Ghana, Carter suggested publicly that the disease should perhaps be renamed “Ghana worm.”

“Ghana was deeply embarrassed,” Hopkins said.

Ghana ended transmission within three more years. Even more inspiring: Nigeria, which once had the most cases in the world, reached zero infections in 2009.

“That was a thunderclap,” Hopkins said. “It was important throughout Africa, throughout the global campaign.”

To the last worm

Even after being diagnosed with brain cancer, Carter remained focused: “I’d like the last Guinea worm to die before I do,” he told reporters in 2015.

Despite dwindling cases, total success has proven elusive.

Historic flooding and years of civil war have displaced millions of people who lack clean drinking water across central Africa. Of the 13 total cases reported in 2023, nine occurred in Chad, where infections in dogs have made the worms harder to eliminate.

“These are the most challenging places on planet Earth to operate in,” said Adam Weiss, who has directed the campaign since 2018. “You need eyes and ears on the ground every single day.”

The campaign still relies on about 30,000 volunteers spread among roughly 9,000 villages. Staying vigilant can be difficult now that cases are so rare, Weiss said.

“I would still like to think we will beat the timeline,” Weiss said of the 2030 eradication goal. “The Carter Center is committed to this, obviously, no matter what.”

___

This story has been updated to show there were 14 human Guinea worm cases reported across four African nations in 2023, according to The Carter Center.

—-

Bynum reported from Savannah, Georgia.

Politician Among Protesters Arrested in Kenya While Calling for an End to Alleged Abductions

By EVELYNE MUSAMBI

8:48 AM EST, December 30, 2024

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — An opposition politician and several other protesters were arrested in Kenya on Monday during street demonstrations calling for an end to alleged abductions, that recently targeted young government critics.

Senator Okiya Omtatah had joined hundreds of protesters who sat down on the streets of the capital, Nairobi while chanting that police should free seven people abducted this month.

Police hurled tear gas canisters at the protesters and when Omtatah and several others did not disperse and held on to a long chain, they were arrested.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights on Thursday raised concern over a growing number of alleged kidnappings of government critics, saying that the total number of such cases stands at 82 since the anti-government protests in June.

President William Ruto on Saturday said the government would stop the abductions so that young people live in peace.

Rights groups allege the country’s police force is behind such kidnappings, but police have denied involvement and have said that they are investigating the disappearances.

Senator Omtatah on Monday filed a case at the High Court in Nairobi seeking to compel the government to free seven youths, accusing the police of abducting them.

“If they have committed a crime, let them be prosecuted and presented in court to defend themselves,” he said.

Young protesters said they were in solidarity with those abducted while going about their daily lives.

“We are existing at a time where we have to live in fear,” a protester, Orpah Thabiti said.

Four social media users went missing after they shared AI-generated images of President Ruto that were deemed offensive by government supporters.

The rights commission had warned that Kenya was heading back to the “dark days” of the disappearance of government critics. The abduction and torture of the opposition were common under the administration of the late President Daniel Moi.

23 Congolese Soldiers Face the Death Penalty or Prison for Alleged Desertion or Other Crimes

By JEAN-YVES KAMALE

10:13 AM EST, December 30, 2024

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — At least 23 Congolese soldiers are facing the death penalty or 10 to 20 years in prison following their arraignment on Monday for alleged rape, desertion and other crimes amid the fighting in the country’s conflict-battered east, according to Congo’s army.

The soldiers were brought before a military court in Butembo territory in North Kivu province, according to army spokesman Lt. Col. MaK Hazukay. Security forces have been fighting more than 120 rebel groups in the mineral-rich region for years.

Congo lifted a more than 20-year moratorium on the death penalty in March, a decision criticized by rights activists. In May, eight soldiers were sentenced to death for fleeing the battlefield, and in July, 25 soldiers were convicted of similar offences. None of them is known to have been executed.

Ten of the soldiers arraigned on Monday are being prosecuted for desertion, which carries the death penalty, while others face charges of misusing military weapons, disobedience, robbery and rape, the army spokesman told The Associated Press.

Eastern Congo, bordering Rwanda and Uganda, has long struggled with armed violence as rebels fight for power, land and mineral resources, while others try to defend their communities.

Among the most active rebel groups in the region is the M23, which the United Nations and Congo’s government say is supported with weapons and troops by Rwanda. Rwanda has denied involvement in the conflict that has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with more than 7 million people displaced.

Meanwhile, six people were killed Sunday night in an attack by the Islamic State group-linked Allied Democratic Forces in the eastern Beni territory, according to Kambale Jean-de-Dieu Kibwana, the deputy mayor.

The attacks in the region have intensified, locals have said, with frequent clashes recorded between rebels and Congolese forces. Many people in the area have been displaced multiple times.

___

Associated Press journalist Justin Kabumba contributed from Goma, Congo.

At Least 66 People Die After a Truck Plunges into a River in Southern Ethiopia

By SAMUEL GETACHEW

7:25 AM EST, December 30, 2024

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — At least 66 people have died after a truck plunged into a river in southern Ethiopia, a hospital director said Monday.

The accident took place Sunday when an old, overcrowded truck that was contracted by wedding guests fell off the Gelan Bridge, where villagers said traffic crashes have happened before.

The medical director at Bona General Hospital in the southern Sidama region, Lemma Lagide, told The Associated Press on Monday that 64 people died on site and two others at the hospital.

He said those patients in need of more sophisticated critical care were transferred to a bigger hospital in Hawassa.

Delays in rescue efforts in the remote village were blamed for the high number of casualties. Villagers said they tried to save people from the raging river only with sticks.

A villager, Serak Boko, told AP that moments before the accident, music was blasting out of the truck and people dressed in suits were dancing and waving.

It is common for people in rural Ethiopia to hire trucks instead of buses to transport them to social events like weddings because they are more affordable and carry many people. Most of those on the truck were men because they are culturally required to escort the bride from her home to the groom’s house.

“The area always has regular accidents around the river as it is poorly constructed,” said resident Fasil Atara, referring to the road lacking bumps and warnings.

With desolate infrastructure and overcrowded public transportation, Ethiopia has had similar accidents in the past. In August, 38 people died after a bus rolled over in Amhara region.

A Butterfly Collector in Africa with More Than 4.2 Million Seeks to Share Them for the Future

By MAGDALENE MWANIKI

6:34 AM EST, December 30, 2024

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — What began as a childhood hobby more than six decades ago has led to what might be Africa’s largest butterfly collection in a suburb of Kenya’s capital.

Steve Collins, 74, was born and raised in western Kenya. By the age of 5, he was fascinated by butterflies and started building a collection that has grown to more than 4.2 million, representing hundreds of species.

“My parents encouraged us to look for butterflies after visiting the Congo and were gifted a trapping net by some friends,” Collins said. “By the time I was 15 years old, I was already visiting other countries like Nigeria to study more about butterflies.”

During his 20-year career as an agronomist, Collins dedicated his free time to research. He established the African Butterfly Research Institute in 1997.

Now, running out of space and time, he hopes to hand it over to the next generation.

On his 1.5 acres (0.6 hectare) of land, hundreds of indigenous trees and flowering bushes form a well-knit forest. Hundreds of butterflies dance from one flower to another, at times landing on Collins’ hand.

His collection is private, although it was initially open to the public when he ran it as an education center between 1998 and 2003.

Collins has 1.2 million butterflies from across Africa delicately pinned in frames and stored in rows of shelves, with another 3 million in envelopes.

“They need to be kept in dark spaces,” he said. “The form of storage also ensures the dried butterflies are not eaten by other insects, parasites and predators. We also ensure we apply insecticides once a year to keep them safe.”

Julian Bayliss, an ecologist specializing in Africa and a visiting professor at Oxford Brookes University, said he has collected butterflies for Collins over two decades.

“There is a large part of that collection that is completely irreplaceable because a large part of Africa’s habitat is being destroyed,” Bayliss said.

Africa is vulnerable to climate change, with periods of prolonged drought and serious flooding destroying forests and other butterfly habitats.

Bayliss suggested digitizing the collection to make it accessible worldwide.

Whoever takes it over “needs to be an institution that is well-founded, well-funded and secure,” he said.

Scott Miller, an entomologist at the Smithsonian Institution, met Collins almost 30 years ago. He said such collections provide critical information that could show environmental changes over 60 years.

“These physical specimens, you can actually keep going back to them to get new layers of information as you learn more or you get a different technology or you get different questions,” he said.

Collins is concerned that soon he will no longer be able to sustain his research. He said his most prized butterfly costs $8,000 — which he keeps from sight, concerned about possible theft — and hopes to sell the collection to an individual or research institution.

The costs of running his institute are high. An annual budget posted in 2009 on the Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa website was $200,000.

Collins estimates that the specimens and other assets are worth $8 million.

“This has been my hobby for decades, and I can’t put a price on what I have done so far. I’m currently seeking to ensure the species are in safe hands when I’m out of this world,” he said.

___

Associated Press journalist Khaled Kazziha in Nairobi, Kenya, contributed to this report.

Chad Votes in Parliamentary Election

Africa News and AP

Chadians voted Sunday in a parliamentary and regional election that will end a three-year transitional period from military rule but which the main opposition is boycotting after accusing authorities of not overseeing a credible electoral process.

The parliamentary election is the first in more than a decade in Chad and comes months after the junta leader, Mahamat Idriss Deby, won a disputed presidential vote that was meant to return democracy. Deby took power in 2021 following the death of his father and longtime president Idriss Deby Itno, who spent three decades in power.

The oil-exporting country of 18 million people had not had a free and fair transfer of power since it became independent from France in 1960. The elections this year are the first in junta-led countries in Africa’s Sahel region to hold a promised but delayed return to democracy.

At least 8 million voters are registered to elect 188 legislators in the Central African nation’s new National Assembly. Representatives at the provincial and municipal levels will also be elected. Results are expected in about two weeks.

More than 10 opposition parties are boycotting the vote, including the main Transformers party, whose candidate, Succes Masra, came second in the presidential election.

The party has criticized the parliamentary election, as well as the presidential vote that many observers were banned from, as a “charade” and a ploy for Deby to remain in power to continue a “dynasty."

Masra briefly served as prime minister earlier this year after returning from exile before he resigned to run for president. On Saturday, he alleged that results of the vote would be tampered with and told voters, “It is better to stay at home.”

The opposition Group of the Cooperation of Political Actors (GCAP), which also called for the election boycott, continues to dispute Deby’s presidential win. “Presenting candidates in these elections that are lost in advance is to endorse a forced power which seeks to be legitimate,” spokesman Max Kemkoye said.

Sunday's election comes at a critical period for Chad, which is battling several security challenges from Boko Haram militant attacks in the Lake Chad region to the break in decades long military ties with France, its key ally.

Mahamat Oumar Adam, a Chadian political scientist, said the main issue at stake in the election is not losing the country's democracy to a prolonged transition. That transition began in 2021, and featured a national dialogue in 2022, a constitutional referendum in 2023 and this year’s presidential election.

“This is the last stage of the process of exiting the transition (but) the shortcoming is related to the lack of opposition in this election,” Adam said.

Residents in Sudan Grapple with Effects of Climate Change as Well as Conflict

Women who fled war in Sudan and requested anonymity because they feared retribution after reporting sexual exploitation, walk in a refugee camp in Adre, Chad.

Africa News

Residents in war-torn Sudan, where the conflict is approaching its two-year anniversary, are also grappling with the effects of climate change.

Among them is peace and climate activist Nisreen Elsaim, who was driven from her home that was situated in an area affected by the violence as well as flooding.

“The morning of Saturday, 15th of April 2023 was a very normal morning until we heard a very big explosion to the point that our whole house was shaking. And then, unfortunately, these explosions and sounds never stopped. And basically, until now, it's over 600 days since the war started in Sudan. We stayed in our house for three weeks, and then we started getting out of running out of food and water and electricity. And then moving out was a must,” Elsaim says.

According to Elsaim, those hit the hardest by climate change were the most vulnerable, including the millions displaced by the fighting.

“The war in Sudan caused more than 12 million refugees and IDPs,” Elsaim notes.

“The biggest number of IDPs were concentrated in these states where it was flooded. The total area that was flooded is bigger than Germany in its size and definitely had a lot of the camps inside of it. Currently, Sudan is living the biggest humanitarian crisis ever,'' she adds.

She's calling for more humanitarian aid, and for aid to be adapted to withstand the effects of extreme weather.

“We must consider climate change when we are planning for humanitarian interventions. Making climate sensitive humanitarian is not a privilege right now. It's a key and it's a must, basically. Otherwise, all of our humanitarian efforts will just flood with the water,'' Elsaim insists.

With regular droughts and significant variations in rainfall, Sudan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, according to the UN.

The conflict between the Sudanese Army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces broke out in April 2023; since then, at least 20,000 have been killed.

At Least 85 People Killed in Plane Crash in South Korea — Agency

There were 175 passengers and six crew members on board the plane

© AP Photo/Ed Wray, Archive

SEOUL, December 29. /TASS/. At least 85 have been killed in a plane crash at Muan International Airport in South Korea’s South Jeolla Province, the Yonhap news agency reports.

There were 175 passengers and six crew members on board the plane.

The plane, en route from Bangkok, veered off the runway and collided with a fence during landing. According to emergency officials, the aircraft’s landing gears failed due to a birdstrike.

Meanwhile, the News1 agency reports that two people have been rescued alive so far. Rescuers are carrying out a rescue operation in the tail section of the aircraft. Efforts continue to extinguish a fire caused by the crash.

News has been updated (6:30; 7:29 Moscow time) - updated number of victims.

Russian Forces Liberate DPR’s Novotroitskoye — Top Brass

The battlegroup East has eliminated up to 170 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the military emphasized

© Alexei Konovalov/TASS

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. The Russian armed forces have liberated the settlement of Novotroitskoye in the Donetsk People's Republic, the Defense Ministry said.

"The battlegroup Center has liberated the settlement of Novotroitskoye in the Donetsk People's Republic as a result of successful offensive actions," the statement said.

According to the ministry, Russian servicemen have hit the infrastructure of Ukrainian military airfields and a drone launch site.

TASS has compiled the main information on the special military operation progress over the past 24 hours.

Battlegroup West

Russia’s battlegroup West has eliminated up to 420 Ukrainian servicemen and destroyed four field ammunition depots over the past 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said.

"The enemy losses amounted to up to 420 servicemen, an armored personnel carrier, six vehicles, a 155 mm UK-made Braveheart howitzer and a 152 mm D-20 gun. The Anklav-N electronic warfare station and four field ammunition depots were destroyed," the statement stressed.

Battlegroup South

The battlegroup South has taken more favorable positions and eliminated up to 220 Ukrainian servicemen, the ministry pointed out.

"The battlegroup South has occupied more favorable positions and defeated Ukrainian troops near the settlements of Dalneye, Minkovka, Ostrovskoye, Yantranoye, Razliv, Chasov Yar and Kurakhovo of the Donetsk People's Republic. Russian servicemen repelled two enemy counterattacks. Ukraine lost up to 220 servicemen," the statement said.

The Ukrainian armed forces also lost a tank, a pickup truck, a UK-made 155 mm FH-70 howitzer, a US-made 105 mm M119 gun and an electronic warfare station, the ministry added.

Battlegroups North, Dnepr

Russia’s battlegroups North and Dnepr have eliminated up to 110 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the Defense Ministry emphasized.

According to it, the battlegroup North wiped out up to 40 enemy servicemen, while the battlegroup Dnepr wiped out up to 70.

In addition, the enemy lost three vehicles, four artillery guns, an ammunition depot, two electronic warfare stations, as well as a Squire reconnaissance radar made in the Netherlands.

Battlegroup East

The battlegroup East has eliminated up to 170 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the military emphasized.

"The Ukrainian losses amounted to up to 170 servicemen, a tank, three vehicles, a US-made 155 mm Paladin howitzer, a 152 mm Akatsiya howitzer and a 152 mm D-20 gun," the ministry said, adding that Russian servicemen also repelled two enemy counterattacks near the settlements of Rovnopol and Zelenoye Polye in the Donetsk People's Republic.

Special military operation progress

Russian air defenses have shot down 61 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over the past 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said.

According to the ministry, a total of 650 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 38,813 drones, 590 anti-aircraft missile systems, 20,083 tanks and other armored fighting vehicles, 1,504 multiple rocket launchers, 20,073 field artillery and mortar guns, as well as 29,621 units of special military vehicles have already been destroyed since the start of the special military operation.

Baku Demands Moscow Admit Guilt, Punish Those Responsible for AZAL Plane Crash

Russian, Azerbaijani presidents hold telephone conversation on Aktau plane crash

© Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

BAKU, December 29. /TASS/. The Azerbaijani authorities have handed over to the Russian side the demands on admitting guilt for the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane near Kazakhstan's Aktau, punishing those responsible for the incident and paying compensation, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with the state-run AzTV channel.

"We have clearly communicated our demands to the Russian side, they were handed over already on December 27. What were they? First, the Russian side should apologize to Azerbaijan. Second, to admit its guilt. Thirdly, to punish the guilty, to hold them criminally responsible and to pay compensation both to the state and to the injured passengers and crew members. These are our conditions. The first of them was fulfilled yesterday. I hope that the rest of our demands will also be met," Aliyev said.

Russian, Azerbaijani presidents hold telephone conversation on Aktau plane crash

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev have continued to discuss the situation surrounding the plane crash near Kazakhstan's Aktau by phone, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"In today’s telephone conversation, Putin and Aliyev continued to discuss various issues related to the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane," he pointed out.