Africa this week
AU accuses the UK of ‘colonialism’ over refusal to cede Chagos Islands to Mauritius
The AU has demanded for the UK to end its “continued colonial administration” following the latter’s failure to cede control of an overseas territory to Mauritius. The UK ignored a six-month UN deadline to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
The UK refuses to acknowledge Mauritius’ claim to sovereignty and insists on its ownership of the islands, one of which is home to a US military airbase.
The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) stated:
"The UK has no doubt as to our sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), which has been under continuous British sovereignty since 1814…Mauritius has never held sovereignty over the BIOT and the UK does not recognise its claim."
Mauritius insists on its ownership of the islands stating that it had been forced to trade it for independence in 1965.
Twenty-seven dead in plane crash in eastern DRC
At least 27 people are reported to have died in a plane crash in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The small passenger plane crashed in a residential area in Mapendo killing 27 persons including 9 people from the same family.
The plane was carrying 17 passengers and two crew members.
Uganda launches its first mobile phone assembly and manufacturing plant
Uganda has launched its first mobile phone assembly and manufacturing plant in Namanye, Kampala. The plant is run by Chinese firm ENGO Holdings and will produce SIMI-branded items. Smartphone are expected to retail at $54.
Courtesy: Patience Atuhaire
South African Airways call off strike
South African Airways have signed a wage deal with trade unions to end an eight-day strike. The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration said the two sides had agreed to a wage increase of nearly 6%.
The strike resulted in hundreds of cancelled flights with the airline reported to have lost more than $3.5 million per day.
Scores die after heavy rainfall in Kenya
At least 56 people are reported to have died in landslides caused by caused by torrential rain in Kenya's West Pokot region on Saturday, 23rd November, with over thirty other persons declared missing. Experts say that the heavy rains will continue and could cause more disaster in landslide-prone areas.
The Kenyan authorities say that the government is issuing early warnings and deploying emergency operations to areas of high risk.