Category: Rest of Africa

<p class="align--justify">President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday authorised the deployment of 2,828 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to maintain security on Wednesday as the country's more than 27 million voters decide which party or coalition will lead them in the future.</p>

But Washington did not directly stay away from commenting on the polls won by junta leader Mahamat Deby Itno, even though violent scenes punctuated the electioneering period.

Masra, a staunch opponent of the junta, which seized power in April 2021, was appointed prime minister of the transitional government in January, four months ahead of the poll, in a move to appease the opposition.

Deby, who seized power the day rebels killed his father, President Idriss Deby, in 2021 and declared himself interim leader, won 61 percent of the vote, well ahead of second-placed candidate Succes Masra with 18.54 percent, the council said.

The Federal Criminal Court found Ousman Sonko guilty on several counts of intentional homicide, torture and false imprisonment.

About 6 million people in rural areas and 1.7 million in urban areas will require assistance, according to the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (Zimlac).

According to the election body, Deby garnered 61.03 percent of the votes cast, beating nine other candidates who were seeking to occupy the country’s topmost office. The vote puts Deby comfortably over the 50 percent needed to avoid a run off.

President Cyril Ramaphosa offered his condolences to the families of the deceased and called for an investigation.

The conflicts between 1989 and 2003 saw widespread atrocities including massacres, rape, and the use of child soldiers. A Truth and Reconciliation Committee later called for a special court to be set up to try those allegedly responsible.

In his opening remarks, Senator Cardin called on external actors to stop arming the belligerents in Sudan and called for a diplomatic solution to the conflict there.