Media tycoon arrested over Cameroon journalist’s death

Amedia tycoon in Cameroon has been arrested in connection with the killing of the prominent radio journalist, Martinez Zogo.

The businessman Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, the owner of L’Anecdote media group, was arrested just before dawn.

Zogo was abducted three weeks ago outside a police station in Yaoundé. His body was found heavily mutilated five days later.

The authorities announced last week that they had made several arrests in connection with the killing.

Three years ago another Cameroonian journalist, Samuel Wazizi, disappeared then died in state detention and an investigation into his death was not made public.

Cameroon ranks 118th out of 180 countries on the Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders.

“Although Cameroon has one of the richest media landscapes in Africa, it is one of the continent’s most dangerous countries for journalists, who operate in a hostile and precarious environment,” says the watchdog.

Rose Adao, a member of the Pentecostal Church, said she wants the leaders of South Sudan to repent and carry out the message of peace brought by Pope Francis.

Elisabeth Mayak Thomas, 20, was among the volunteers in preparations to host the Pope. She said she expected the leaders to “implement the peace agreement and reconcile our people”.

Peacekeeper killed in attack on UN helicopter in DR Congo

AUnited Nations peacekeeper from South Africa was killed and another wounded in an attack on their helicopter in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday.

The UN mission in the country, Monusco, said the helicopter came under fire in the afternoon while heading to Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, where it managed to land.

It said another peacekeeper was wounded in the attack.

“Monusco strongly condemns this cowardly attack against an aircraft bearing the United Nations emblem,” it said in a statement.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) also confirmed the attack.

“An Oryx helicopter came under fire in Goma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Sunday February 5, 2023,” it said in a statement

.“The SANDF is in the process of informing family members of the soldiers who were involved.”

Media tycoon arrested over Cameroon

journalist’s death

A media tycoon in Cameroon has been arrested in connection with the killing of the prominent radio journalist, Martinez Zogo.

The businessman Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, the owner of L’Anecdote media group, was arrested just before dawn.

Zogo was abducted three weeks ago outside a police station in Yaoundé. His body was found heavily mutilated five days later.

The authorities announced last week that they had made several arrests in connection with the killing.

Three years ago another Cameroonian journalist, Samuel Wazizi, disappeared then died in state detention and an investigation into his death was not made public.

Cameroon ranks 118th out of 180 countries on the Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders.

“Although Cameroon has one of the richest media landscapes in Africa, it is one of the continent’s most dangerous countries for journalists, who operate in a hostile and precarious environment,” says the watchdog.

Russia’s Lavrov to meet junta leader in Mali visit

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to arrive in Mali’s capital, Bamako, on Monday for his second trip to Africa in two weeks.

Mali’s foreign ministry said Mr Lavrov will hold a meeting with junta leader, Col Assimi Goïta, and other officials during the two-day visit.

The Yerewolo movement, which advocates for closer ties between Mali and Russia, welcomed Mr Lavrov’s visit and called for the installation of a Russian military base in the northern Gao Region, aBamako website reports.

Mr Lavrov was expected to visit Mali during his trip to the continent in January, but instead toured South Africa, Angola, Eswatini and Eritrea.

Russia’s influence in Mali has steadily increased since the deployment of Wagner Group mercenaries in December 2021.

Mr Lavrov said France had created a security void by withdrawing its troops from the Sahel nation, which Mali had asked Russia to help fill.

Israeli envoy to Zambia mugged in Lusaka

Israel’s ambassador to Zambia, Ofra Farhi, was mugged in front of her bodyguards on a street in the capital Lusaka last week, with robbers taking her diplomatic passport and mobile phone.

Local media said Ms Farhi was crossing a busy street on Friday when a car pulled up alongside her and the occupants grabbed her bag, which had an unspecified amount of cash.

She was treated at a local clinic and continued on to her scheduled meetings with local officials.

The ambassador said in a statement that though it is the kind of incident that can happen anywhere in the country, “Zambia is very safe and peaceful “and “very friendly to Israel”.

Zambian Foreign Minister Stanley Kakubo called Ms Farhi to reassure her of security.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen termed the incident as an example of the kind of dangers that diplomatic staff face “to serve the country”.

Besides Zambia, Ms Farhi also represents Israel in Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Millions vote in Ethiopia referendum for new region

Millions of voters in southern Ethiopia are casting their ballots on Monday in a referendum to establish a new regional state.

This is the third such referendum - all in the country’s south - held in the past four years.

Previous votes saw the formation of Sidama and South-Western Ethiopia regions.

More than three million people are registered to vote in this election - which will be held in six sub-regional administrative units (zones) and five districts that have been part of the Southern Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities and People’s (SNNP) region.

The new region is to be called Southern Ethiopia region, if it gets a yes vote.

Protests amid Ethiopia’s Orthodox church split row

Followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church begin three days of protests on Monday as tensions with the authorities continue to grow.

At least three people were killed and multiple others wounded over the weekend in Shashemene town, in Oromia region, after security forces fired shots into a church, according to reports by media outlets linked to the church.

Clashes were reported in others areas in Oromia with the church claiming mass arrests of its followers in some areas in the region.

Last week, the church’s highest body, the synod, ordered its adherents to wear black as a sign of protest during the church’s Fast of Nineveh event starting on Monday.

It came after the church accused the government of aiding breakaway clergy from Oromia region - who appointed bishops without the synod’s knowledge.

The breakaway clergy said they had “overwhelming” support in Oromia. BBC