“What’s Going On” Tallies Notable News Headlines From Across The Continent — The Good, The Bad, And The Horrible — As A Way Of Ensuring That We All Become A More Sagacious African Generation. With This Column, We’re Hoping To Disseminate The Latest Happenings In Our Socio-Political Climate From Across The Continent, Whilst Starting A Conversation About What’s Important For Us To All Discuss. From Political Affairs To Socio-Economic Issues, ‘What’s Going On’ Will Discuss Just That.
Violent clashes between police and protesters in Somaliland
Last Friday, clashes between the law enforcement and protesters broke out in the Somaliland region. According to Al Jazeera, the dispute was over an alleged attempt to delay the presidential elections, which resulted in police opening fire on the protesters in the area.
Earlier in the week, hundreds of people took to the streets in the capital, Hargeisa and the cities of Burao and Erigavo after negotiations between the government and opposition parties broke down, with the latter accusing the authorities of seeking to delay the election. Protesters carried placards saying “Hold the election on 13th November 2022” and chanted anti-government slogans. The president’s current term ends in November but the opposition suspects Abdi wants to delay that election and accuse him of seeking an extension of his term through “Guurti”, a council of elders that acts as the de facto parliament in Somaliland.
The deputy commander of the Somaliland police, Abdi Hassan Mire stated that dozens of security personnel were injured during the clashes with protesters who were armed with knives, catapults and clubs. Reports also state that some carried weapons and fired bullets. None of the current news reports state whether those that were killed were civilians or the police force. Following the clashes, Ibrahim Abdi Haji, the head of operations in Somaliland Police told reporter that 5 people were killed and 100 more injured. He also stated that 100 people were arrested in connection to the clashes and they will be charged to court soon.
Kenya Declares William Samoei Arap Ruto As President Elect
For the past few months. Kenyans have been debating their next president. Yesterday, the country officially announced that the voting process had ended despite last-minute objections from election agents for Raila Odinga. Despite this, the head of the electoral commission said that William Ruto had won the election with 50.49% of the vote.
The IEBC chairman Mr. Wafula Chebukati announced Mr. Ruto had fulfilled the constitutional requirements after garnering 7,176,141 votes representing 50.49% of the total votes cast, and he achieved the minimum number of 39 out of 47 counties at the 25% margin. According to reports, Kenya’s 2022 elections have been the most transparent elections as the Electorate commission provided a public link to the presidential forms from each voting center in the country. This enabled the citizens of the country to count and tally the results.
International observers stated the 2022 elections had the lowest turnout in 15 years as 65% of the 22.12 million registered voters turned up to cast their ballot. Areas such as central Kenya which has the largest population in the country recorded the lowest turnout. The drop in numbers was largely blamed on lack of voter education, and low interest by the youth as they have reduced trust and confidence in the political system, poverty, and youth unemployment.
Four out of the seven commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) disowned the yet-to-be-released results of the August 9th presidential election. Addressing the media from a Nairobi hotel on Monday, the four commissioners led by IEBC Vice Chair Juliana Cherera, said the last phase of the electoral process which is the verification of results was not transparent . She reminded Kenyans to stay peaceful during this period and urged those not satisfied with the results to petition to the Supreme Court.
Seasonal Torrential Rains Causes Destruction in Sudan
Floods triggered by seasonal torrential rains in Sudan have reportedly killed more than 50 people and inundated over 8,170 homes since the rainy season started. Sudan’s rainy season usually starts in June and lasts until September, with floods peaking in August and September. Last year, flooding and heavy rains killed more than 80 people and swamped tens of thousands of houses across the country.
Now, Residents of Makaylab village in the River Nile province are trapped by flood water. The whole village is flooded and most farms are ruined. More residents living around believe that the flood water surrounding the area is affecting their health and due to the flood, many are left sick with no medical aid present. The flooding and heavy rainfall inundated 16 government facilities and around 40 stores, damaging at least 540 acres of agricultural land across the country. It has also been reported that at least 25 people have been injured so far this year, according to the country’s state-run SUNA news agency.
