Lifestyle

Nigeria: Five MSF workers kidnapped a month ago freed

Maravi Post Reporter

Five Chadian, Senegalese, Franco-Ivorian, and Cameroonian employees of NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF) were released in Nigeria a month after their kidnapping by gunmen in northern Cameroon.

They were kidnapped on the night of February 24-25 in Fotokol, near the Nigerian border, a region where jihadist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa (Iswap) regularly attack civilians and soldiers.

The former hostages have been “taken to a safe place,” the NGO said in an email sent to AFP on Thursday, without revealing the circumstances of their release.

“We are happy to find our colleagues safe and sound,” said Stephen Cornish, MSF’s executive director.

The former hostages, a French-Ivorian, a Senegalese and a Chadian, as well as two Cameroonian security guards, were abducted by armed men who broke into the MSF home.

“There is no evidence to link this act to Boko Haram attacks. We don’t know if it was a simple robbery gone wrong. A safe was opened,” a Cameroonian local government official, who requested anonymity, told AFP at the time of the kidnapping.

Cameroonian authorities refer indiscriminately to Boko Haram as the Nigerian group of the same name or its breakaway Iswap branch, which has pledged allegiance to the EI. Fotokol is located near Lake Chad, a vast body of water and swampland that extends its shores into four countries: Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Nigeria. Boko Haram and Iswap have set up lairs in some of the countless islets dotted around the lake.

Jihadists

Jihadists regularly carry out attacks against the military and civilians in the four countries in this area. These attacks have increased in recent months as armed groups take advantage of their knowledge of the swampy terrain.

Iswap has consolidated its hold on these territories in recent months in the region after the death of Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, in fighting between the two rival groups.

The Boko Haram insurgency emerged in 2009 in Nigeria before spreading to neighboring countries. Since then, more than 36,000 people (mostly in Nigeria) have been killed, and 3 million have had to flee their homes, according to the UN.

Iswap, meanwhile, emerged in 2016 from a split in Boko Haram, for which it blames the killing of Muslim civilians, among other things.

In September 2019, six Cameroonian soldiers had been killed near Fotokol after Boko Haram attacked a military post. By August 2021, at least 26 Chadian soldiers had been killed in the Lake Chad region near the border with Cameroon by jihadists.

The activities of the two jihadist groups led the countries in the area to form a joint military force, the Mixed Multinational Force (MMF), which includes soldiers from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger. Six soldiers of the MMF, four Nigerians and two Nigerians, died in December 2021 in the Lake Chad Basin during a sweep that also left 22 jihadists dead, according to authorities.

Source: Africanews

Law and order, Malawi, Regional

SA woman who spent almost US$1m she got in error jailed

Maravi Post Reporter
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A South African woman has been jailed for five years by a court for spending almost $1 million (14 million rands) credited to her bank account in error.

Sibongile Mani got 14 million rands instead of 1,400 rands she was entitled to in 2017.

The money had come from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) through a payment services company, Intellimali.

Mani was at the time a student at Walter Sisulu University. She did not report the error in the payment but rather went on a shopping spree.

She was put on trial for her offence and convicted, leading to her sentencing by the court.

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Mani was found guilty of theft and was sentenced to jail on Wednesday. But her legal team said it will appeal against the conviction and sentencing, to be heard on 11 April.

According to the presiding judge Mani’s spending was inspired by “greed”, and not because of her impoverished background as her lawyers argued in court.

During the trial it was revealed that instead of reporting the error, Mani started spending the money within two hours of receiving it.

When authorities realized the error and decided to block her account, she had used nearly $70,000 in 48 places across the country in 73 days.

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According to court details she spent the money on weaves, cellphones, alcohol, bedding, gift cards and luxury goods among others.

The court said in sentencing her that it was shocking that Mani was able to spend so much money per day across the country.

The money Mani spent before her account was blocked had to be refunded by Intellimali, the company that distributed NSFAS funds, so that other students could also benefit.

5 Ways to Spend Quality Time With Your Family

Source: Africafeeds.com

Source: Africa Feeds

Malawi, Politics

Muvi pressure group demands Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance disbandment: Pushes for one party rule

Maravi Post Reporter

By Vincent Gunde

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Muvi wa Chilungamo pressure group has demanded dissolution of the Tonse Alliance for one party to lead the remaining three years to 2025 for Malawi to see direction.

The pressure group observes that Malawians in 2019 to 2020 fought hard to oust Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) from power arguing that Malawi is bleeding because of greed hence the demand for Tonse Alliance disbandment.

Juma pushes for one party rule

The grouping observes further that in 2015, Malawians got angry with President Peter Mutharika’s DPP rampant corruption with the hope that Tonse Alliance would do much better that the later.

Commander in Chief of the Pressure group who is also Pioneer of Mindset Change project, Bantu Saunders Jumah therefore has called upon President Lazarus Chakwera and his Vice Saulosi Chilima to convene a meeting at Njamba in Blantyre, Masintha in Lilongwe and Katoto freedom Park in Mzuzu to tell Malawians the truth on why the leadership is failing to run the country and apologize while renewing hope.

Jumah has since asked Chakwera and Chilima to choose the country and not the Alliance saying there is need for strong political decision in running state affairs.

“If the country was under one President and one Party, Malawi would have moved forward, there is infighting and sabotaging one another in the Alliance, hence a great need to disband the Alliance for one Party to go alone,” said Jumah.

Jumah said the Tonse Alliance government has proved it all that ending corruption in Malawi campaign by political parties, has become a passport to woo votes from the electorate saying this had made the citizens lack ownership responsibility of their country.

Law and order, Malawi

Former Malawi Attorney General Kalekeni Kaphale arrested for contravening road traffic rules

Maravi Post Reporter

By Chrissy Nkumba

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Police in Lilongwe are keeping in custody the Former Attorney General (AG) Kalekeni Kaphale.

Lilongwe police station Public Relations Officer Hastings Chigalu has confirmed the arrested saying that Kaphale was arrested yesterday for violating road traffic regulations and insulting a police officer on duty and is being kept at area 3 police.

He served as Attorney General from 2014-2017 and he was reappointed from 2019.

Lifestyle

Ethiopia: Hundreds repatriated from Saudi Arabia after ‘painful ordeal’

Maravi Post Reporter

Hundreds of Ethiopians arrived back in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, the first contingent of some 100,000 nationals to be repatriated from Saudi Arabia over the coming months.

Around 900 returnees, including many mothers with young children, landed at Addis Ababa International Airport throughout the day, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.

“It is estimated that about 750,000 Ethiopians currently reside in the Kingdom (of Saudi Arabia) with about 450,000 likely to have travelled to the country through irregular means and will need help to return home,” the IOM said in a statement.

Human rights organisations have for several years denounced the detention conditions of Ethiopian migrants in Saudi Arabia.

“We were crying daily,” said Jemila Shafi, 29, one of the returnees from Saudi Arabia.

She said that they were given one loaf of bread and a pot of cooked rice to be shared between 300 people.

“Even 400 people were living in one room and we couldn’t see the sun light,” she added.

Most of the women returnees were dressed in black abaya robes, traditional in Saudi Arabia, some with their faces covered by a niqab.

The Ethiopian foreign ministry has said it will repatriate about 100,000 of its citizens from Saudi Arabia over the next seven to 11 months, under an agreement recently signed between the two countries.

Wednesday’s returnees “were assisted and registered by IOM staff and offered, among others, food, temporary accommodation, medical help and counselling services,” the UN migration agency said in its statement.

“These are our citizens,” said Hana Yeshingus, a representative of the Ethiopian ministry of Women and Children. “Our citizens have come back home” after going through a very painful time, she added.

The IOM stressed that “meeting the needs of the 100,000 returnees is going to be an enormous challenge for the government, IOM, and partners”.

Over the last four years Saudi Arabia “has returned nearly 352,000 Ethiopians back home,” it added.

Source: Africanews

Regional

What the Global Oil Crisis means for Africa

Maravi Post Reporter

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Energy experts say the growing oil crisis across the globe is a wake-up call for the African continent to be become less dependent on foreign oil supplies.

The cost of fuel has risen sharply, with Brent crude oil hitting a 14-year high in recent weeks. It remains firmly above $100 per barrel at the time of publication.

With the military conflict in Ukraine, concerns have arisen around the world’s ability to meet its energy needs. The United States and the United Kingdom have banned Russian oil imports, with the European Union under pressure to follow suit.

“Nobody really anticipated needing to grow significantly,” Vicki Hollub, chief executive of Occidental Petroleum said during a recent conference in Texas. “That’s the challenge now. If you didn’t plan for growth, you’re not going to be able to achieve growth today.”

Regardless of the outcome, the squeeze is being felt across the globe. Some governments have decided to subsidise their citizens’ energy bills, or to reduce the cost of public transport, as has been the case in New Zealand.

What about Africa?

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“African countries are re-evaluating their energy mix options,” says Paul Sinclair, vice president of energy for Africa Oil Week (Africa-OilWeek.com/Home), the continent’s leading energy conference.

“There are untapped oil and gas reserves in Africa which we believe should be developed with good carbon management strategies. Oil and gas offer solutions to regional and international energy demand” says Sinclair.

“Whilst the world transitions to low carbon it is imperative that Africa develop its upstream capabilities alongside renewable energy solutions which will result in a win-win for all”.

Sinclair says African countries are re-thinking their approach to energy.

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“I expect we will see a major shift in policies in many countries to address their energy needs, amidst this crisis, when heads of state, ministers, business leaders and stakeholders gather at Africa Oil Week 2022 in Cape Town, October 3rd – 7th.”

Sinclair says Africa’s energy requirements need to factor in the economic imperatives of the continent.

“According to the United Nations, an estimated 490 million people live below the poverty line and less than half of African countries have experienced inclusive growth in over twenty years,” says Sinclair. “By adding an energy crisis to the mix, I have little doubt that we will see a strategic review in this sector.”

However, oil and gas are not the only options for Africa. The Green Energy Africa Summit, also in Cape Town October 3rd – 7th, will be delivered alongside Africa Oil Week to ensure the overall energy mix is addressed from nation to nation. The events together will allow delegates to get a 360-degree view of the sector during a time of disruption.

Only 18 of Africa’s 55 nations currently produce oil, led by Nigeria, Angola, Algeria and Egypt. Together, they produce less than 10% of the world’s output.

“When you study the numbers, you can see that Africa has no choice in the current circumstances to increase its energy security,” says Sinclair.

This is already happening. South Africa has been exploring potential gas deposits off its coastline, while the Gambia is looking to license two oil-exploration sites in coming months.

Mozambique and Tanzania have reportedly discovered crude oil, while exploration has been undertaken in some other African countries, such as Chad, Sudan, and Namibia.

Approximately 2 400 hydrocarbon deposits have been discovered in Africa, 700 of them large enough for significant exploration.

“2022 will be a significant year in the African energy sector” predicts Sinclair. “The continent knows it needs to expand its production of hydrocarbons and renewable energy production if its economies are to remain competitive. We expect this will be an area of high investment,” he says.

How Nigeria can become leading oil and gas supplier to European market

Source: Africa Feeds

Development

MACOHA trains 60 on entrepreneurship skills

Maravi Post Reporter

By Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Council for the Handicapped (MACOHA) has trained 60 persons with disability skills on how to be economically independent.

MANASO, Public relations Officer Harriet Kachimanga said the skills offered including tailoring, bicycle Mechanic,carpentry and welding.

Persons with disabilities on skills training

Kachimanga said the organisation program of flag week was channeled in Karonga vocation training college.

She said their is need of lobbying for more funds to help more persons with disability

The flag week was commemorated under a theme 50 years g empowering the inline with 50 years cerebration of its existence.

In his remarks one of the trainees, Bernard Mhango said the program will help him to find things for his own easily as he will be able to work and get paid.

Law and order, Malawi

Former spy agency boss Kalilani, ex-IT state house chief Chingwalungwalu apply for case discharge

Maravi Post Reporter

By Chrissy Nkumba

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Chief Resident Magistrate Court in Lilongwe will on Monday, April 4, 2022 hear an application by the former National Intelligence Service Chief Kenani Kalilani and Former ICT chief at state house Chancy Chingwalungwalu to have their case discharged.

Kalilani and Chingwalungwalu applied for the discharge of the case last year after seeing no progress in the prosecution of the case by the state.

Chingwalungwalu wants the case be dismissed

Kalilani and Chingwalungwalu were arrested in 2020, last appeared in court in December that year where then- Chief Resident Magistrate Viva Nyimba ordered the state to serve the defence with disclosure within 14 days.

The state reportedly did not comply with the directive.

The Malawi Police Services in Lilongwe on Saturday, July 25, 2020 arrested former director of National Intelligence Services, Kenam Kalilani and former State House chief ICT officer Chancy Chingwalungwalu for allegedly stealing government intelligence computer system.

Development

AFIDEP lobbies more funds on family planning

Maravi Post Reporter

By Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is lobbing for more funds of family planning to control the countries population.

Head of AFIDEP, Nyovani Madise said this on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 during one day training at parliament.

Madise said the country population needs to be controlled to meet the budget and goals of 2023 with the inclusion of Members of Parliaments (MPs) with knowledge on how to control the population.

In her remarks Second Deputy,Speaker Aisha Adams said the training came in a time that members will be able to scrutinized the just passed budget with the knowledge that they have gain.

Chairperson for Budget and finance Committee,Gladys Ganda said the training will help members to come up with the budget inline with the upcoming population.

Ganda said population growth is so alarming and need to be controlled by the decision makers.

District News, Law and order

Dowa man jailed seven years for defilement

Maravi Post Reporter

By Thandie Chadzandiyani

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Dowa First Grade Magistrate’s has sentenced a 22-year-old Chrispin Liwoni to seven years in prison for sexually abusing and impregnating a 14-year-old girl.

On Tuesday through state prosecutor Regina Namakhwa heard that the convict, Chrispin Liwoni, began sexually abusing the child in November 2020 when the victim was 14 years old.

He later impregnated the victim and now she has a nine months old baby boy.

Appearing before court, Liwoni pleaded guilty to a charge of defilement contrary to Section 138 of the Penal Code.

State prosecutor Namakhwa pleaded with the court to mete out a stiff punishment to the offender, saying cases of defilement are rampant in the area hence the need to deter others from committing the crime.

Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Amran Phiri agreed with the state’s submission and sentenced the convict to 84 months’ imprisonment with hard labour.

Liwoni, comes from Pukulu Village, Traditional Authority (T.A) Chiwere in Dowa District.

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