Gunmen assassinate Mozambique presidential candidate

The lawyer for Mozambique’s leading opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane, who ran for president in October 9 elections, was gunned down in Maputo on Saturday.

The lawyer, Elvino Dias, was killed with another candidate, Paulo Guambe, from the Podemos party backing Mondlane.

Two gunmen shot up their car while it was immobile on a road in the centre of the capital, witnesses said.

Podemos head Albino Forquilha confirmed the killings to AFP, while the national lawyers’ association expressed “deep shock” at Dias’s death.

A civil society observer group, Mais Integridade, called the “repugnant” murders an “act of intimidation” undermining democracy.

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Police said an investigation had been started but did not immediately confirm the identities of the two slain men.

The European Union issued a statement condemning the killings of Dias and Guambe and calling for a full and transparent investigation “that will bring to justice those responsible for this outrageous crime”.

“In a democracy, there is no place for politically motivated killings,” it said.

Mozambique is awaiting official nationwide results from the elections. They are due to be published on October 24.

Mondlane, who mounted a challenge to the Frelimo party that has ruled Mozambique since its independence 49 years ago, claimed victory almost immediately after polling day.

He has alleged electoral fraud as Frelimo claims to be leading in the ballot counts, and has called for demonstrations on Monday.

Gunmen assassinate Mozambique presidential candidate

Court temporarily halts Kenya Deputy President Gachangu’s impeachment

A Kenyan high court has issued a temporary suspension of the country’s Senate’s decision to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, following a petition citing “monumental constitutional issues.”

Kenya’s parliament on Friday unanimously voted to back the nomination of President William Ruto’s pick to replace his deputy Rigathi Gachagua who was sacked in a historic impeachment.

Ruto’s nominee, Kithure Kindiki, a 52-year-old academic turned political heavyweight, had been among the front-runners floated by political analysts after the Senate voted to remove Gachagua late Thursday.

The National Assembly speaker, Moses Wetangula on Friday morning announced Ruto’s choice of Kindiki.

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A few hours later, parliamentarians voted 236 in favour, with no abstention or votes opposed.

“The vote is overwhelmingly ‘yes’ and so the nomination is hereby declared passed by the house,” Wetangula said.

On Friday, Gachagua approached the court to halt the implementation of his impeachment which began on Thursday while he was on the hospital bed.

Presiding Judge Chacha Mwita ruled to temporarily pause the impeachment process pending a hearing.

The court also suspended the appointment of a new deputy president, which had already seen Kenya’s President William Ruto nominate Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki.

Judge Mwita highlighted the constitutional significance of the case, stating, “I am satisfied that the petition raises fundamental constitutional issues concerning the rule of law and human rights.”

The case is set to be reviewed on October 24, when a bench appointed by the Chief Justice will address the matter.

Court temporarily halts Kenya Deputy President Gachangu’s impeachment

At least 23 killed, dozens wounded in Sudan market airstrikes

At least 23 persons have been killed, and 40 others were injured after air strikes by the Sudanese army hit Khartoum.

Traders, shoppers, and others were among the victims of the airstrikes.

According to a Nobel Prize-nominated rescue network Emergency Response Rooms spokesman, the wounded are being treated in the hospital.

Emergency responders report that hospitals are overwhelmed by the number of injured.

The airstrikes, which occurred at the weekend, targeted the main camp occupied by paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in southern Khartoum.

It also hits the central market and a nearby residential area.

The RSF RSF have been battling the military in an 18-month civil war that has claimed up to 150,000 lives and displaced a fifth of Sudan’s population, according to UN estimates.

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Fierce fighting has escalated around Khartoum, which has been largely controlled by the RSF since Friday.

The military has also intensified airstrikes in the city’s centre and southern belt.

Several witnesses say the army is advancing towards Khartoum from nearby Omdurman, where clashes erupted on Saturday.

The Sudanese government presented the UN Security Council with what it called new evidence that the United Arab Emirates is arming and supporting the RSF and called for action against the Gulf state.

Although UAE has long denied that it is backing the RSF, the former and the Sudanese Armed Forces have been accused of committing atrocities.

“Relentless hostilities across the country have brought misery to millions of civilians, triggering the world’s fastest-growing displacement crisis,” the UN warned last month.

At least 23 killed, dozens wounded in Sudan market airstrikes