As Nigeria suffers the aftermath of devastating floods, here are the top stories from Africa: The UAE has sent 50 tonnes of food supplies to aid those affected by the disaster, while 281 inmates have escaped from Borno prison amidst the chaos.
So far, 269 deaths have been reported, with 640,000 people displaced and over a million impacted. The Nigerian government has warned of more flood risks in 11 states as Cameroon releases dam water. In response, the First Lady has donated N500 million to support Borno flood victims.
Check out all the top stories below:
NIGERIA FLOODS: 269 DEATHS SO FAR, 640,000 DISPLACED, OVER A MILLION PEOPLE AFFECTED
Weeks of flooding in Nigeria have resulted in 269 deaths, with over 640,000 people displaced and more than a million affected, according to the latest data from the country’s disaster management agency.
However, the death toll is expected to increase as authorities continue to work to rescue thousands of people believed to be trapped in their homes.
The heavy rains have hit 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states.
Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state and a key humanitarian center, is at the heart of the crisis, with severe flooding caused by a breach in the nearby Alau Dam.
Half of the town is underwater, leaving most residents without their belongings, many of whom were already displaced by conflict or climate change.
UAE DISPATCHES 50 TONNES OF FOOD SUPPLIES TO ASSIST PEOPLE AFFECTED BY FLOODS IN NIGERIA
Following devastating floods in Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) dispatched an aircraft this week with 50 tonnes of food supplies to help alleviate the suffering of those affected.
Nigeria has faced severe flooding due to heavy rainfall, leading to significant damage to infrastructure and the displacement of thousands.
In this context, His Excellency Salem Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, emphasized the UAE’s commitment to support countries facing humanitarian challenges.
His Excellency said: “The aid dispatched reflects the UAE’s commitment to reinforce humanitarian cooperation with the international community and support nations during crises and disasters. The initiative serves to mitigate the suffering of people affected by the floods in Nigeria, while providing them with the necessary support to overcome this challenging period.”
281 INMATES ESCAPE FROM BORNO PRISON
At least 281 inmates escaped from a prison in Nigeria’s Borno State due to heavy flooding, according to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
The inmates escaped while being moved to “a safe and secure facility,” but seven were recaptured later, said Nigerian Correctional Service spokesman Abubakar Umar in a statement on Sunday.
“As the agency responsible for inmate safekeeping, we are taking all necessary measures to ensure public safety, including evacuating inmates to safer facilities, ensuring smooth operations, and collaborating with sister security agencies to provide support and assistance to those affected,” Abubakar Umar, the NCoS spokesperson, said in a Tuesday statement reported by PREMIUM TIMES.
Mr. Umar confirmed that of the 281 missing inmates, seven have been recaptured, and the service has details on all missing inmates, including their biometrics.
At least 37 people have died from the flood in Maiduguri and about half a million others displaced.
FIRST LADY DONATES N500M TO BORNO FLOOD VICTIMS
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has donated N500 million to assist those affected by the flood disaster in Maiduguri, Borno.
Tinubu made the announcement during a condolence visit to Governor Babagana Zulum on Wednesday in Maiduguri.
Tinubu presented N500 million to the governor and offered prayers for those affected, praising the state government’s commitment and pledging ongoing support for the Renewed Hope Initiative aimed at youth and women in the state.
NIGERIA WARNS OF MORE FLOOD RISK IN 11 STATES AS CAMEROON RELEASES DAM WATER
Nigeria’s hydrological services agency has warned of possible flooding in 11 states after Cameroon announced it would begin releasing water from one of its largest dams due to recent heavy rainfall in West and Central Africa.
The warning comes as Nigeria is already facing severe floods in northeastern Borno state, where a dam overflowed due to heavy rains.
These rains have also led to flooding in Cameroon, Chad, Mali, and Niger, all part of Africa’s Sahel region, which typically receives little rainfall.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) was informed by Cameroonian authorities on Tuesday that they have begun controlled water releases from the Lagdo Dam.
This is one of several dams on the Benue River that flows into Nigeria.
UGANDA: PARLIAMENT URGES GOVERNMENT TO FIND LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO ONGOING FLOODS
Parliament has urged the government to find long-term solutions to ongoing disasters, particularly mentioning River Nyamwamba in Kasese District, which floods at least three times a year.
Lawmakers stated that it’s unacceptable for the country to face the serious impacts of floods each year when these can be prevented.
“It has become common that every month of May, June and October, River Nyamwamba bursts its banks and leaves very many people dead and property destroyed. It is not happening in Kasese alone but Rwenzori sub-region, because districts like Ntoroko, Bundibugyo, Kabarole and Bunyangabu are also affected,” said Hon. Florence Kabugho (FDC, Kasese District Woman Representative).
During the plenary session led by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa on September 18, 2024, Kabugho raised a national concern about the recent floods on September 7, 2024, which left Kasese residents wondering if the government still cares for them.
To make a move on addressing this issue, Tayebwa directed the Minister of Relief and Disaster Preparedness to present a detailed report on the government’s readiness to tackle disasters on September 25, 2024.
“The floods have killed people, destroyed houses and swept away merchandise, leaving the business community suffering. We know government has released money to desilt that river but we are not seeing what that money is being used for, the people of Kasese think that government has neglected them,” said Kabugho.
Kabugho urged the government to send experts to Kasese to find lasting solutions to the recurring floods that continue to impact the community.
ZIMBABWE TO CULL 200 ELEPHANTS TO FEED PEOPLE LEFT HUNGRY BY DROUGHT
Zimbabwe plans to cull 200 elephants to provide food for communities facing severe hunger following the worst drought in 40 years, driven by El Niño, according to wildlife authorities.
This comes after neighboring Namibia’s decision last month to cull 83 elephants and distribute the meat to communities affected by the drought.
The El Niño-induced drought has devastated crops in southern Africa, impacting 68 million people and leading to widespread food shortages in the region.
“We can confirm that we are planning to cull about 200 elephants across the country. We are working on modalities on how we are going to do it,” said Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks).
He stated that the elephant meat would be distributed to drought-affected communities in Zimbabwe, with the cull—the first in the country since 1988—set to occur in the Hwange, Mbire, Tsholotsho, and Chiredzi districts.
TINUBU SET TO RESHUFFLE CABINET BEFORE OCT 1, REPORT
President Bola Tinubu is preparing to reshuffle his cabinet in anticipation of the Independence celebration on October 1, according to BusinessDay Nigeria.
BusinessDay reports that Tinubu has finalized plans to reshuffle his cabinet in response to criticism regarding his administration’s handling of the economy.
The publication further states that the reshuffle is likely to affect several key ministries, including Petroleum Resources, Power, Transport, Water Resources, Environment, and Defense.
MALI, BURKINA AND NIGER TO LAUNCH NEW BIOMETRIC PASSPORTS
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will launch new biometric passports as they withdraw from a West African bloc in favor of a new Sahel alliance, following military takeovers in all three countries, announced Mali’s leader on Sunday.
In January, the three junta-led Sahel countries announced their plan to leave the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has been trying to persuade them to change their minds.
Mali’s military leader, Assimi Goita, stated on Sunday that the passport for members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is intended to “harmonize travel documents in our region.”
“In the coming days, a new biometric passport of the AES (Alliance of Sahel States) will be put into circulation with the aim of harmonizing travel documents in our common area,” Goita said during a televised address late Sunday.
Goita also mentioned plans to create a shared information channel to ensure smooth communication among the three countries.
“We will be working to put in place the infrastructure needed to strengthen the connectivity of our territories through transport, communications networks, and information technology,” he said.
On the other hand, Burkina Faso announced earlier this month that it will issue new passports without the ECOWAS logo.
ELON MUSK’S STARLINK PLANS TO LAUNCH IN SOUTH AFRICA
After its recent approval in Zimbabwe and Botswana, Elon Musk’s Starlink is in talks with the South African government to launch its services in the country.
South Africa will be the latest African nation to receive the service, which is already operational in neighboring countries such as Zambia, Eswatini, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
All this was revealed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who also expressed his desire for Musk to invest in South Africa, stating that discussions will continue.
“I have had discussions with him and have said, Elon, you become so successful and you’re investing in a variety of countries, I want you to come home and invest here,” Ramaphosa told reporters in Pretoria. “He and I are going to have a further discussion.”
If this project hits the road, Starlink will launch its satellite internet service in the country, which is likely to transform connectivity in rural areas.
JPMORGAN CEO JAMIE DIMON TO VISIT AFRICA
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon is set to visit Africa in mid-October as part of the bank’s efforts to expand on the continent, according to four sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters.
This will be his first trip there in seven years.
Dimon is expected to travel to Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Ivory Coast during his trip next month.
JPMorgan has offices in South Africa and Nigeria, where it offers investment management and commercial banking services.
During his visit, Dimon will meet with clients, government representatives, and banking leaders.
ALGERIA’S TEBBOUNE SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT FOR 2ND TERM
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune took the oath of office for a second term on Tuesday after receiving 84 percent of the votes in the recent presidential elections.
In his speech after the swearing-in ceremony, Tebboune thanked the Algerian people for their trust and outlined plans to conduct broad consultations with all stakeholders to initiate a national dialogue and create a roadmap for Algeria’s future development across various sectors.
The president pledged to fulfill campaign promises, including self-sufficiency in durum wheat by 2025, barley and corn by 2026, and expanding irrigated land by one million hectares.
Tebboune promised to create 450,000 jobs and launch 20,000 startups by the end of his term, citing Algeria’s stability as a draw for investment, with nearly 9,000 projects underway and a target of 20,000.
He also plans to enhance the industrial sector’s role in the national economy and make Algeria an industrial nation.
LATIN AMERICAN PAYMENT PROCESSOR ENTERS AFRICAN MARKET
PayRetailers, a payment processor for Latin America, has announced plans to expand into eight additional African countries: Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, and South Africa.
PayRetailers is a payment processor that links global businesses in emerging markets, like Latin America, with more than 250 payment options. It aims to give businesses access to essential local payment methods like MPESA, Airtel, and MTN, simplifying operations without requiring additional integration for existing clients.
The service has already launched in Rwanda, Zambia, Uganda, and Tanzania three months ago.
The company’s expansion supports its mission to enhance financial inclusion in underbanked areas while creating new growth opportunities for clients.
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The post Top Stories in AFRICA this week: Floods in Nigeria, Zim hungry, Elon Musk’s Starlink & more appeared first on YOMZANSI. Documenting THE CULTURE.
