Rwanda's Kagame Names Justin Nsengiyumva as New Prime Minister
Nsengiyumva replaces Edouard Ngirente, who was in the role for eight years.
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Associated Press
27 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Myanmar's military government enacts a tough new electoral law ahead of year-end vote
BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar's military government has enacted a new electoral law that imposes punishments of up to the death penalty for anyone who opposes or disrupts the elections it has promised to hold at the end of this year. The new law was published Wednesday in the state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper. It comes as the country continues to suffer from the turmoil that followed the army's seizure of power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, which triggered widespread popular opposition. The military sought to justify its seizure of power by claiming massive fraud took place in the 2020 election, though independent observers did not find major irregularities. After peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations were put down with lethal force, many opponents of military rule took up arms. Large parts of Myanmar are now embroiled in conflict. The ruling military had said after its takeover that an election was its primary goal but repeatedly pushed back the date. The plan for a general election is widely seen as an attempt to normalize the military's seizure of power through the ballot box and deliver a result that ensures that the generals retain control. The new law, signed by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the military government, says anyone who orates, speaks, organizes, incites, protests or distributes letters to disrupt any part of the electoral process shall be punished with three to 10 years imprisonment, as well as a fine. It also says that anyone who threatens, obstructs, abuses or severely hurts any personnel of the election commission, candidates or voters could be sentenced to three years to life in prison. It says whoever destroys or damages any equipment or materials used in elections, including ballot papers, or any related building or structure, could get five years to life in prison. 'If the action results in the death of a person, each person involved shall be sentenced to death,' the law says. Security committees will be formed to monitor the activities of internal and international organizations that may threaten security during the election period, it says. Critics have said the military-planned election will be neither free nor fair because there is no free media and most of the leaders of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party have been arrested. The country's current security situation also poses a serious challenge to holding elections, with the military believed to control less than half the country. However, the military-appointed state election commission said in June that it would hold the elections in 267 of the total 330 townships, depending on the security situation. The National Unity Government, Myanmar's main opposition organization, and the powerful ethnic armed groups that have been fighting the central government for greater autonomy have said they would try to prevent the election. Padoh Saw Taw Nee, spokesperson for the Karen National Union, the main ethnic Karen fighting force battling Myanmar's army in the southeast, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the new law showed the military is tenacious in trying to hold the 'illegal and sham' election. 'We will continue with our own methods and plans regarding that election matter,' he said.
News24
28 minutes ago
- News24
Taiwan weighs SA chip curb after Pretoria mission downgrade
Taiwan is considering imposing restrictions on semiconductor chip exports to SA after Pretoria officially downgraded its mission last week.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Tanzania's ban on foreigners operating small businesses sparks Kenyan backlash
Tanzania has barred foreign nationals from owning and operating mainly small-scale businesses, sparking concern and a backlash from neighbouring Kenya. The new directive prohibits them from 15 sectors including mobile money transfers, tour guiding, small-scale mining, on-farm crop buying, beauty salons, curio shops and establishing radio and TV operations. Trade Minister Selemani Jafo explained that foreigners had increasingly become involved in the informal sector and areas better filled by Tanzanians. Locally the move has generally been welcomed amid growing concerns that foreigners, including Chinese nationals, have been encroaching on smaller trades. Last year, traders at Dar es Salaam's bustling Kariakoo shopping district went on strike to protest against aggressive taxation and unfair competition from Chinese traders. "We've welcomed this decision because it protects the livelihoods of Tanzanian traders," Severine Mushi, the head of Kariakoo traders' association, told the Citizen newspaper. Violators risk fines, six months in jail and loss of visas and work permits. Jafo added that he hoped the ban, announced on Monday, would also encourage foreigners to invest in large-scale businesses. But it has been met with anger in Kenya, with some arguing that it violates East African Community (EAC) agreements that guarantee free movement of people and trade among its eight member states. Kenyan president apologises to Tanzania over deportation row Why Samia's hesitant reforms are fuelling Tanzanian political anger National Assembly Trade Committee chairman Bernard Shinali warned the move could trigger reciprocal restrictions, Kenya's Daily Nation reported. "There are many Tanzanians working in our mining sites too," the newspaper quoted him as saying. "It is clear that Tanzanians have gone too far and we should cut links with them." Shinali said Kenya's parliament would summon the trade minister to shed more light on the matter. Veteran Kenyan hotelier Mohammed Hersi also questioned Tanzania's move to restrict occupations for foreigners. "Sometimes, it is important to focus on the bigger picture… Protectionism will never help a country to thrive," he said on X. Many other Kenyans have also raised concern on social media, describing Tanzania's policy move as a big challenge to regional integration. "Tanzanians are doing all manner of small businesses in Kenya without any hindrance. It's clear Tanzania has never been serious in making the EAC work," one person posted on X. Tanzania and Kenya have experienced periodic political and economic tensions. Tanzania's implementation of protective tariffs and import bans has in the past drawn criticism from its regional partners. In May, Kenya's Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi said that about 250,000 Kenyans lived, worked or did business in Tanzania, something he noted as he emphasised the need to preserve cordial relations. He was addressing diplomatic tensions surrounding Tanzania's treatment of Kenyans who had gone to Dar es Salaam to observe the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Several of them were deported while prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, along with Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire, went missing and were later reported to have been tortured and sexually mistreated. Tanzania is due to hold general elections in October, with the ruling CCM party expected to retain power. You may also be interested in: Are East African governments uniting to silence dissent? Could this be the end of the road for Tanzania's great survivor? WATCH: Forced to beg - Tanzania's trafficked kids Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Focus on Africa This Is Africa
