Mali coup leader declares himself president after firing ex-president, PM

Col. Assimi Goita, has declared himself president of Mali BAMAKO, May 28 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — The leader of Mali’s 2020 coup, Col. Assimi Goita, has declared himself the country’s President, hours after the release of Prime Minister Moctar Ouane and President Bah Ndaw from custody.Bah N’Daw and Moctar Ouane were arrested…

Morocco joins growing list of African countries to legalize cannabis

Marijuana plantation RABAT, May 28 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — As more multinational companies are setting up cannabis farms across the world, more attention has been diverted to Africa.More countries are now decriminalizing the use of Marijuana in Africa with the latest being Morocco.Morocco is one of the world’s largest producers of cannabis…

French Pres Macron to Rwanda: We ask for your forgiveness in the 1994 genocide

President Macron delivers remarks during his visit KIGALI, May 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — In a key speech on his visit to Rwanda, French President Emmanuel Macron said he recognizes that France bears a heavy responsibility for the 1994 genocide in the central African country.Macron solemnly detailed how France had failed the…

South Sudan set to join Lake Victoria Basin Commission

Lake Victoria JUBA, May 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Sudan is set to become a party to the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), an institution of the East African Community (EAC).A bill to the effect has been tabled before the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) and is currently awaiting debate and…

Somalia to hold elections within 60 days-Gov’t says

Somali president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo MOGADISHU, May 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Somalia’s government announced that delayed elections would be held within 60 days, following months of deadlock over the vote that erupted into violence in the troubled country.In mid-April, the two-year extension mandate of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo expired on…

US arrests Bolivian ex-minister on bribery, money laundering charges

Arturo Murillo WASHINGTON, May 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A former cabinet minister in the Bolivian interim government of ex-president Jeanine Anez was arrested in the United states on bribery and money laundering charges, the US Department of Justice said. Former interior minister Arturo Murillo, 57, his ex-chief of staff Sergio Mendez,…

Dutch judges in ’emotional’ visit to MH17 plane wreckage

Members of the court view the reconstruction of the MH17 aircraft shot down in 2014 in Ukraine, at Gilze-Rijen air base, The Netherlands THE HAGUE, May 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Dutch judges visited the shrapnel-pierced wreckage of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 for the first time in an “emotionally loaded” day for…

Covid-19: Morocco vaccinates prisoners as it continues robust campaign

Authorities are looking to curb spread of the virus with the prison vaccination campaign RABAT, May 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Around 300 inmates at Al Arjat 1 prison in Sale, a city about 15 kilometers from Rabat, were given a COVID-19 vaccination on Wednesday as part of authorities’ attempts to curb the spread…

Covid-19: Argentines defy lockdown and stage protests nationwide against President Fernández

BUENOS AIRES, May 27 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Street protests against the Government were recorded in most Argentine cities, particularly around Buenos Aires’ iconic Obelisco, but also outside the Olivos presidential residence to signal the people’s disapproval of the newer restrictions on sanitary grounds. The larger anti government crowds gathered in Córdoba,…

Peruvian president calls for calm as presidential runoff draws near

LIMA, May 27 (NNN-Xinhua) — Peruvian President Francisco Sagasti called for calm in the upcoming presidential runoff on June 6 between conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori, of the right-wing Popular Force party, and her rival Pedro Castillo, of the left-wing Free Peru party. Sagasti urged “all citizens and the candidates in…