In a major political development in Africa over the past week South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma was released from prison due to a remission of non-violent offenders approved by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Meanwhile, key Indian Ocean Region (IOR) state of Kenya made it to the headlines after it offered to lead a multinational force to help Haiti restore order. In the other IOR state of Tanzania at least 61 percent of Tanzania’s population is happy with the government’s overall governance of the economy. Tanzania political and economic stability is key to regional stability. Meanwhile, Mozambique along with Portugal, Angola, Brazil and Cabo Verde, have submitted their proposals for the extension of the continental shelf, which, if accepted, will represent an increase in the resources available to these states.
South Africa’s Ramaphosa pardons predecessor Zuma, other offenders
Al Jazeera | 12th August 2023
South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma has been released from prison due to a remission of non-violent offenders approved by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola has said. In the latest twist arising from a sentence for contempt of court, Zuma was ordered to report back to jail, arriving at 6am (04:00 GMT) at a detention facility in the eastern town of Estcourt, the prison service said. There, he was “admitted into the system” – only to be let go in just over an hour, under a “remission process” to ease overcrowding in prison, according to the national commissioner of correctional services, Makgothi Thobakgale.
Scepticism, uncertainty, hope: Haitians react to possible Kenya-led mission
Al Jazeera | 4th August 2023
Haitians have expressed scepticism over Kenya’s offer to lead a multinational force to help the Caribbean nation respond to months of surging gang violence, questioning whether another international mission would bring more harm than good. Many people in Haiti said the sexual abuse and a devastating cholera outbreak that have accompanied foreign forces in past decades fail to inspire much trust – but they also said ongoing bloodshed in their country leaves them with few other options.
63 percent of Tanzanians happy with govt performance on economy
The Citizen | 11th August 2023
At least 61 percent of Tanzania’s population is happy with the government’s overall governance of the economy, a new survey has shown. The Afrobarometer report by the Policy Research for Development (Repoa), however, shows that Tanzanians are concerned with rising prices and youth employment. President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s economic reforms, which are centred on attracting investments, give Tanzanians hope that the government is serious about boosting economic growth and creating jobs.
Five Portuguese-speaking countries in race to extend continental shelf, Mozambique included
Club of Mozambique | 11th August 2023
Five Portuguese-speaking countries, Mozambique, Portugal, Angola, Brazil and Cabo Verde, have submitted their proposals for the extension of the continental shelf, which, if accepted, will represent an increase in the resources available to these states, according to the chairperson of the evaluation commission. Hydrographer Aldino Campos said in an interview with UN News that this is “a matter of great importance for the Portuguese-speaking countries”, all of which are bathed by the sea.
