Equatorial Guinea Government Resigns
Equatorial Guinea’s government has resigned after achieving less than 10% of its objectives, according to Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue. Officials did not specify which targets were missed, while the ruling party described the move as part of a broader reorganization of government institutions.
Nigerian Court Orders Deregistration of Opposition Party
A Nigerian court has ordered the electoral commission to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ruling that they failed to meet constitutional requirements for electoral performance. The decision could complicate the opposition’s plans ahead of January’s elections, though the ADC has rejected the ruling and said it will appeal.
Mobile Industry Could Add $290 Billion to Africa’s Economy by 2030
Mobile technologies are expected to contribute $290 billion to Africa’s economy by 2030, according to a new GSMA report. The industry group says the biggest challenge is no longer network coverage but getting more people online, with 63% of Africans living within mobile broadband coverage but not using mobile internet.
Ugandan Opposition Lawyer Arrested
Ugandan opposition figure and lawyer Erias Lukwago has been arrested by security forces, according to his People’s Front for Freedom party. Lukwago represents detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye and has also sued military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who later posted on social media that he had “captured a fool and taken him to the basement.”
Former Central African Republic President Goes on Trial
A United Nations-backed court in the Central African Republic has opened the trial of former President François Bozizé, who is accused of crimes against humanity linked to abuses allegedly committed by his security forces between 2009 and 2013. Bozizé is being tried in absentia from exile in Guinea-Bissau and is the highest-ranking official ever prosecuted by the Special Criminal Court.
Nigeria Puts Hundreds More Suspected Militants on Trial
Nigeria has launched another round of mass terrorism trials, with hundreds of suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) members appearing before a federal court in Abuja. The proceedings are part of the government’s long-running strategy to combat an insurgency that has killed thousands and displaced at least two million people.