Africa

Minister ‘accidentally’ impregnates deputy

Published

11 months ago

May 21, 2023

Tony Mwaba Kazadi, the Minister of Education for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is alleged to have impregnated his Deputy Minister, Aminata Namasia.

In his defense, Kazadi claims that the pregnancy was accidental.

According to The Heritage Times, the two ministers are both married and are said to have been involved in an extramarital affair with each other.

The affair was brought to light by a DRC journalist named Lungila John, who shared the details on Twitter. The revelation of the affair and the pregnancy has sparked a scandal in the DRC and quickly spread across social media, going viral.

However, earlier this month, Namasia dismissed the allegations.

“Beyond my official and public duties, I have a personal life that deserves respect from everyone. It is a right guaranteed to all Congolese citizens by our Constitution. Tarnishing my reputation should not be tolerated. In fact, it could not only harm my own commitments but also the reputation of my married male colleagues and their families,” Namasia was quoted as saying by Fox Times.

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“As we approach the upcoming elections scheduled for December this year, political critics are welcome to challenge my political opinions and actions instead of resorting to tactics that aim to defame me.”

It is unclear what the future holds for Kazadi and Namasia. Both politicians haven’t commented on the recent allegations. The DRC government has not yet commented on the situation, and it is possible that both ministers could be fired.

Background

Sama Lukonde, the DRC Prime Minister, appointed Namasia as education minister on April 12, 2021. She joined Tony Mwaba Kazadi who was appointed two months earlier, in February.

Namasia is a lawyer by training, and she has worked in the education sector for many years. She is a member of the DRC’s ruling party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD).

At 25, Namisa was the youngest member elected to parliament. She was appointed as a Deputy Minister at the age of 28 in 2021. She is 30.

Kazadi is a businessman and politician. He is also a member of the PPRD. He has served in various government positions, including Minister of State for Planning and Development.

The DRC is a country in Central Africa. It is the second-largest country in Africa by area, and it has a population of over 80 million people.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is scheduled to hold elections in December of this year. In the previous elections held in December 2018, the incumbent, Félix Tshisekedi, emerged as the winner with a total of 7 million votes, which accounted for 38 percent of the overall vote.

He secured victory over his opponents Martin Fayulu and Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, who respectively received 6.4 million and 4.4 million votes.

A total of 38.5 million people registered to vote; however, only 13.3 million individuals actually participated in the voting process. While the elections are set to take place on December 20, 2023, the presidential swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for January 20, 2024.

Related Topics:Deputy Minister Tony Mwaba Kazadi

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Navy helicopters collide mid-air, 10 dead

Published

3 days ago

April 23, 2024

Trends Admin

Navy helicopters collide mid-air, 10 dead

Ten people have died after two navy helicopters collided in mid-air during a military rehearsal for a Royal Malaysian Navy parade.

One of the choppers clipped the rotor of the other before the two crashed into the ground, footage published on local media show.

The incident took place at 09:30 local time (02:30 BST) in the Malaysian town of Lumut, which is home to a navy base.

There are no known survivors.

“All victims were confirmed dead on site and the remains were sent to the [Lumut] Military Hospital for identification,” said the Royal Malaysian Navy.

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It added that it will form a committee to investigate the cause of the incident.

One of the helicopters, a HOM M503-3 with seven people on board, is believed to have crashed onto a running track.

The other, a Fennec M502-6 carrying the other three victims, crashed into a swimming pool nearby.

The state’s fire and rescue department said it was alerted to the incident at 09:50 local time (01:50 GMT).

In March, a Malaysian coast guard helicopter crashed into the sea off Malaysia’s Angsa Island during a training flight.

The pilot, co-pilot and two passengers on board were found and rescued by fishermen.

Navy helicopters collide mid-air, 10 dead

BBC

Africa

League of African Ambassadors congratulates Senegal’s President-elect, Bassirou Faye

Published

4 weeks ago

March 30, 2024

Trends Admin

Bassirou Faye

League of African Ambassadors congratulates Senegal’s President-elect, Bassirou Faye

The League of African Ambassadors, a coalition of African diplomats, extends its heartfelt congratulations to Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his historic election as the President-elect of the Republic of Senegal.

In a statement released today and signed by the President of the group, Amb. Nwannebuike Eze Ominyi, the League heralded Faye’s triumph as a significant milestone for democracy not only in West Africa but across the entire continent.

Faye’s victory underscores the resilience of democratic values and processes in Senegal.

Ominyi emphasized the transformative nature of Faye’s ascent to power, characterizing it as a generational shift in Senegal’s political landscape. He urged Faye to swiftly address the pressing social and economic challenges confronting the nation, underscoring the importance of prioritizing the well-being of Senegal’s citizens.

Faye’s remarkable victory comes a mere 10 days after his release from prison, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to democratic principles. Despite facing formidable obstacles, Faye’s courage, determination, and unwavering dedication to the democratic cause propelled him to triumph.

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The League lauded Faye’s tireless efforts to deepen democracy in Senegal and his ability to unite diverse segments of society. His extensive political experience and commitment to national development have garnered widespread support, particularly among the country’s youth.

“Faye’s years of political activism and democratic advocacy have earned him the trust and admiration of the Senegalese people,” Ominyi remarked. “His leadership will undoubtedly serve as a beacon of inspiration for other African leaders, guiding them towards inclusive governance and sustainable development.”

As Senegal charts a course towards economic recovery and political stability, Faye’s leadership promises to set a precedent for excellence and progress. The League of African Ambassadors and High Commissioners stands ready to support President-elect Bassirou Faye in his efforts to build a prosperous and inclusive Senegal.

About the League of African Ambassadors and High Commissioners:

The League of African Ambassadors and High Commissioners is a prominent non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting democracy, peace, and development across the African continent. Comprising distinguished diplomats and leaders, the League advocates for inclusive governance and socioeconomic progress in Africa.

League of African Ambassadors congratulates Senegal’s President-elect, Bassirou Faye

Africa

How Mali army killed 13 civilians in drone strikes – Amnesty

Published

4 weeks ago

March 28, 2024

Trends Admin

How Mali army killed 13 civilians in drone strikes – Amnesty

Mali’s army has killed at least 13 civilians, including seven children aged between two and 17, in drone strikes in the north of the country, Amnesty International said Wednesday.

One man told the London-based rights group he had lost his wife and six of his children in the night-time air raid on the area of Amasrakad on March 17.

The army had described the two strikes as “having contributed to neutralising many terrorists”, Amnesty said, but that claim was refuted by the accounts of seven survivors and witnesses.

A first strike hit a pick-up truck, then a second struck a makeshift shelter where residents had sought refuge, killing nine people instantly, Amnesty said.

Three more people died of their wounds and a woman discovered later that her unborn foetus had died.

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“It is unconscionable that whole families could be killed by drone strikes, without any accountability or justice,” said Amnesty’s Samira Daoud.

“Authorities in Mali must ensure an effective and independent investigation into the killings of these civilians.”

Mali has since 2012 been ravaged by different jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, as well as by self-declared self-defence forces and bandits.

The country has been under military rule since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, with the security situation compounded by a profound humanitarian and political crisis.

Amnesty says the army has intensified military operations against Al-Qaeda, IS and former rebel groups since mid-2023, regularly conducting drone strikes.

It said an increase in military operations in the regions of Kidal and Gao over the last few months had pushed many people to flee to Amasrakad.