OZATP Summary

ADDIS ABABA/ GENEVA- Ethiopia’s military accused World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Thursday of supporting and trying to procure arms and diplomatic backing for Tigray state’s dominant political party, which is fighting federal troops. ADDIS ABABA- The leader of rebel forces in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region said on Thursday…

Troops fan out in Uganda capital as “war-like” unrest follows opposition leader’s arrest

KAMPALA (Reuters) – Youths burned tyres and blockaded streets in Uganda’s capital Kampala on Thursday and soldiers fanned out across the city with armoured vehicles, in a show of force a day after the arrest of an opposition presidential candidate triggered deadly unrest.

Ethiopia accuses WHO head Tedros of backing Tigray rebels

ADDIS ABABA/GENEVA (Reuters) – Ethiopia’s military accused World Health Organization (WHO) head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Thursday of supporting and trying to procure arms and diplomatic backing for Tigray state’s dominant political party, which is fighting federal troops.

Leader of Ethiopia’s rebel Tigray forces says Axum town ‘with us’

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – The leader of rebel forces in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region said on Thursday that the town of Axum remained in their hands though another locality, Shire, had fallen to federal troops seeking to close in on the state capital Mekelle.

Nigeria should sanction CNN for report on shooting of protesters -minister

ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria should sanction CNN for the U.S. news organisation’s report that the country’s military shot and killed protesters demonstrating against police brutality, a minister said on Thursday.

Ethiopian govt says rebels have committed “atrocities” during two-week Tigray conflict

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Ethiopia’s government on Thursday said rebels have committed “serious crimes” after conflict broke out this month in the northern Tigray region, as U.S. President-elect Joe Biden’s foreign policy adviser called for greater protection of civilians.

Zuma loses bid to have judge in S.African graft inquiry step down

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo rejected on Thursday an application by former President Jacob Zuma for him to recuse himself from an inquiry into state corruption.

Three dead and 34 injured in protests against arrest of Uganda’s Bobi Wine

KAMPALA (Reuters) – Three people died and at least 34 were injured, including with gun shot wounds, in protests that erupted after police arrested Ugandan presidential candidate and pop star Bobi Wine on Wednesday, Ugandan police and the Red Cross said.

Coronavirus cases in Africa surpass the 2 million mark –Reuters tally

(Reuters) – Total coronavirus cases in Africa surpassed the 2 million mark on Wednesday despite the slow addition of reported infections compared to other regions around the world.

Leading Egyptian rights group says two members arrested

CAIRO (Reuters) – A prominent Egyptian rights group said security agents arrested a senior member of its staff on Wednesday, three days its administrative manager was detained under charges including joining a terrorist group.

Ethiopian troops push for northern capital as rebels promise ‘hell’

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Ethiopia predicted swift victory but defiant northern rebels promised them “hell” on Wednesday in a two-week war threatening the vast country’s unity and further destabilising the Horn of Africa.