MIXED REACTION: UGANDA’S
ANTI-LGBTQ LAW

Uganda has been in the crosshairs of the US before for its laws against homosexuality, in particular, the Anti-Homosexuality Act passed in 2014. However, the current legislation, approved by parliament in March 2023, goes even further - with punishments such as life imprisonment and the death penalty for same-sex acts. It also criminalises promoting and financing of LGBTQ+ events, and punishes those who try to engage in homosexual activity.

Homosexuality is illegal in 32 African countries. At the other end of the spectrum is South Africa, which allows same-sex marriage and has strong laws against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Some African nations, like Botswana and Gabon, have recently legalised homosexuality, while others, such as Chad and Senegal, are trying to implement stricter laws.

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DARFUR 2.0?
FEARS AS
SUDAN SPIRALS

Sudan’s deadly power struggle is spilling over from its central battleground - Khartoum - into the western region of Darfur, with devastating consequences. The fighting there has claimed hundreds of lives, and is threatening to reignite an old, genocidal conflict. Some 90,000 people have already fled into neighbouring Chad, as witnesses report the targeted destruction of markets, medical facilities and power infrastructure. The war for control of Sudan is being waged by the Sudanese army versus the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which were largely formed out of Arab militias accused of war crimes against non-Arab Africans in Darfur. Nationwide, over 1,800 people have reportedly been killed.

Many see the ‘civil’ war as a proxy conflict, with powerful backers on both sides - the UAE is rooting for the RSF, and Egypt for the military, while Russia’s Wagner mercenary group is accused of pumping weapons in, and the West of pulling strings behind the scenes.

LAVROV'S KENYA VISIT

Russia's foreign minister is the latest high-profile visitor on a wooing mission to Africa. He landed in Nairobi on Monday and held discussions with various government officials, including President Ruto. Topics ranged from the Black Sea grain initiative and the huge potential for Kenya-Russia trade, to Africa's inclusion in the UN Security Council.

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'ARM SUDAN CIVILIANS'

Darfur’s governor is calling for civilians to be armed as the Sudan war spills into the country’s western region.
There are reports of killings and rampant looting.
Sudan’s Army is fighting the RSF paramilitary group made up of militias previously accused of war crimes in Darfur. And it’s feared the current conflict will re-ignite volatile ethnic tensions there.
However, there's concern arming everyone will make the crisis worse, although others disagree.

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African News Wrap:
May, 2023

Another month has gone and summer is upon us. Here’s a round up of some of the biggest news stories from Africa this May.

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Warning: Ukraine War
Could Embroil Africa

Africa risks being sucked into the Ukraine conflict if it takes sides. That’s the warning from Burundi’s foreign minister who says dialogue with both Kiev and Moscow is the best hope for peace. Albert Nshingiro made the warning during the visit of his Russian counterpart.

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Quit Bias ICC

South Africa's firebrand opposition leader, Julius Malema, has renewed calls for the country to quit the International Criminal Court. He says the organisation is blatantly biased against non-Western countries. Similar accusations have been made by sections of the country's ruling alliance, which points out that the ICC mostly targets African leaders.

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Fatal Racism In Tunisia

Inciting racial hatred has deadly consequences. Attacks on Black African migrants in Tunisia have spiked since the country’s president spread the conspiracy that they seek to transform its demographics and are to blame for crime. And now a Beninese man has been stabbed to death in a vicious gang attack on a migrant house in Tunisia’s second city. How many more people need to be hurt or killed before the authorities get their act together and rein in the monster President Saied has unleashed?

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Rest In Power, Mama Aidoo

Aidoo was also committed to improving education for young Africans - becoming Ghana’s education minister in 1982. She resigned after a year and a half, after failing to push through universally free schooling. She was then hired by Zimbabwe to develop school curriculums.

As an academic, she held posts at a number of American and Ghanaian institutions. In 2000, she set up the Mbaasem Foundation, which supports African women writers.

Though she may be gone, the African giantess will be fondly remembered by many that learnt at her feet. She helped us see our own importance and reminded us of African responsibilities in ensuring our survival.

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MADARAKA:
KENYA TAKES
BACK POWER

‘Madaraka’ is Swahili for power - and on this day, Kenyans took theirs back from the colonial regime. Self-governance was a key milestone on the difficult road to independence. African Stream’s Brenda Mwai looks back at the drama that lead up to it. Happy Madakara Day!

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Brave Mau Mau
Versus Colonial Brits


Branded as savages by the colonial British, Kenya’s Mau Mau rebels were brutally - savagely - repressed by them. In fact, they were brave Africans standing up for their rights. Although they sometimes resorted to violence, it pales in comparison with the violence that was inflicted on them by the unjust regime they sought to remove. Their bravery played a decisive role in attaining Kenya’s independence.

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Lavrov Swings At US Envoy In Pretoria

Ahead of a visit to Cape Town for a BRICS ministerial summit, Russia’s foreign minister warned the U.S. ambassador in South Africa to “mind his own business.”

Sergey Lavrov was responding to a question from a journalist in Mozambique about Reuben Brigety’s stunning recent claim that Pretoria had shipped weapons to Russia.

The allegation sparked outrage, with South Africa’s foreign minister summoning Brigety for a dressing-down, after which, Naledi Pandor says, he “apologised unreservedly.”

South Africa’s refusal to take sides in Russia’s war has irked Washington. Lavrov also used his reply to take a swipe at Western arms shipments to Ukraine.

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ANTI-APARTHEID SONG
BACK IN THE DOCK

There’s another attempt to get a popular apartheid-era song banned.
A right-wing lobby group claims “Kill the Boer” incites hatred towards Whites and wants it outlawed.
But South African politician, Julius Malema, says he’ll fight to keep singing his version of the song.

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