Renamo fighters start disarming as part of Mozambique peace deal

MAPUTO, July 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mozambique’s main opposition party and former rebel movement Renamo began disarming members of its armed wing as part of a prospective peace deal that will see the fighters re-integrated into the country’s armed forces. In a symbolic ceremony attended by Renamo leader Ossufo Momade, government…

Canada miner apologises for violating Guatemala protesters’ rights

MONTREAL, July 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) –: A Canadian mining firm has apologised after reaching an agreement with demonstrators shot and wounded while protesting the company’s Guatemalan gold and silver mine, according to statements from both sides. The agreement marks the first time that foreign complainants have received restitution for a human…

Indian President begins West African tour in Benin

COTONOU, July 31 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Benin and India strengthened their bilateral ties during President Ram Nath Kovind’s official visit to this West African country on Monday.After a meeting with his Beninese counterpart, Patrice Talon, several agreements were signed, including a visa waiver agreement and deals on telemedicine and education. “I want…

Three South African pupils die of suspected food poisoning; 10 others hospitalised

PRETORIA, July 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three pupils have died of suspected food poisoning at a school in South Africa’s eastern province of Mpumalanga, officials say.According to South Africa’s Soweten newspaper, after students at Nelson Ngobeni Primary School complained about stomach pains on Monday afternoon and started to vomit, they were…

Morocco: King Mohammed grants royal pardon to thousands of prisoners, protesters

RABAT, July 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has granted royal pardons to thousands of prisoners across the country, including to some involved in protests that rocked the North African country in 2016 and 2017.The demonstrations – sparked by a fishmonger who was crushed to death by a rubbish…

South Africa resumes beef exports to China after foot and mouth outbreak

PRETORIA, July 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa has resumed beef exports to China after an outbreak of the highly contagious foot and mouth disease (FMD) in January halted trade, officials said. The ban on exports of products from cloven hoofed animals to China was officially lifted on July 23, Chinese…

Sudan military rulers say El-Obeid killings unacceptable, demand accountability

KHARTOUM, July 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The head of Sudan’s ruling military council said on Tuesday there must be immediate accountability over an incident in which at least four school children were shot dead on Monday, according to state news agency SUNA. “What happened in El-Obeid is a regrettable and upsetting…

Senegal to crack down on huge plastic waste by enforcing law

DAKAR, July 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tired of seeing Senegal’s seascapes spoiled by ever-growing mounds of cheap plastic bags, authorities plan to crack down on polluters by imposing fines and further restricting plastic use. The West African country, whose beaches on the Atlantic attract tourists from all over the world, is…

Nigeria bans local Shi’ite group IMN after deadly protests

MUHAMMADU BUHARI,NIGERIAN PRESIDENT ABUJA, July 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria’s government has banned a Shiite group whose followers have been holding protests to demand the release of their detained leader, accusing the group of inciting violence. At least 20 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria have been killed over the…

US: Nearly 1,000 migrant children taken from parents by Trump admin last year

LOS ANGELES, July 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nearly 1,000 migrant children have been separated from their families at the US-Mexico border in the last year despite a judge’s order for President Donald Trump’s administration to stop the practice, a top rights group said. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said in…