Raila Odinga has lost the Africa Union Chairperson vote. The election took place earlier today at Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf won the race with 33 votes in the seventh round.
Raila Odinga had trailed him till 6th round when he dropped out of the race, leaving Djibouti's Foreign Minister to run. The third candidate was Madagascar's Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato who lost at the start of the race.
There has been mixed reactions in Kenya. In the race 49 states participated with 6 countries suspended because they were under military rule. A candidate must garner 33 votes to succeed which is a two -thirds majority. The appointment lasts four years and can be renewed.
Former Nigerian lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has raised the alarm, alleging that some European politicians have launched campaigns to criminalise the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, in a bid to destabilise the country.
According to the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, these European politicians are allegedly taking advantage of the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, to create chaos in Rwanda.
The former lawmaker questioned why Europeans had “suddenly woken up to love the DRC after failing to help the country for decades.”
In a post on his official X handle, Sani wrote: “I have noticed that some European politicians have started a serious campaign to criminalise President Kagame and destabilise Rwanda by using the problem of the DRC. They have always been looking for such an opportunity.”
He added that while Africans “must take the lead in searching for peace in the DRC, we must all collectively stand against their ulterior motives for the destruction of Rwanda.”
The United Nations had earlier reported that eastern DRC had been plunged into conflict, with M23 rebels capturing several cities.
The report stated that nearly 3,000 people have been killed so far, with a further 2,880 injured. By Ochogwu Sunday, Daily Post
Mbotela’s wife Alice, son Jimmy, and daughter Ida were among family members present at Lang’ata Cemetery on Saturday. The late legendary broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela has been laid to rest at Lang’ata Cemetery in Nairobi County.
Mbotela’s wife Alice, son Jimmy, and daughter Ida were among family members present at Lang’ata Cemetery on Saturday. Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Pasaris was among the leaders present at the event.
On Thursday, Kenyans and several leaders gathered at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi for a memorial service in his honor. Mbotela, known for his iconic “Je, huu ni ungwana?” radio segment, passed away after a long illness.
Mourners celebrated the veteran journalist, who died at the age of 84, as a hero whose legacy continues to inspire generations. They hailed his profound impact on society through his radio program, which used humor to promote courtesy and respect. Pasaris said, “Listening to stories of his incredible journey was truly heartwarming. What a remarkable man.”
Overcrowded cemetery
His burial in at the Lang’ata cemetary which is reported to be overcrowded took many by surprice with National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula proposing the establishment of a designated cemetery for national heroes.
Speaking on Thursday in Parliament, Wetangula expressed disappointment on Mbotela’s final resting place. “The country needs a heroes’ corner to bury distinguished figures like broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela,” he said.
“It is disheartening to hear that he will be laid to rest in Lang’ata Cemetery, where his grave will likely be on top of another, given how crowded the place is,” Wetang’ula said.
Mbotela was born in Freetown, Mombasa, in 1940 to James and Aida Mbotela. He was the firstborn in a family of eight children. By Sharon Resian, Capital News
The woman who said she was raped by rappers and business moguls Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2000, when she was 13, has dropped her civil lawsuit against both men. Picture: Getty
The woman who said she was raped by rappers and business moguls Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2000, when she was 13, has dropped her civil lawsuit against both men.
A federal court filing on Friday said the woman, referred to as Jane Doe to protect her identity, voluntarily withdrew the case with prejudice, which means she cannot bring it again.
Both Diddy - who is currently jailed in New York awaiting trial for multiple charges including sex trafficking - and Jay-Z have consistently denied the claims.
Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, quickly released a statement after the lawsuit was dismissed, in which he said: “Today is a victory.”
The billionaire rapper added: “The frivolous, fictitious and appalling allegations have been dismissed. This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere.”
“The fictional tale they created was laughable, if not for the seriousness of the claims. I would not wish this experience on anyone,” he concluded.
The unidentified woman, from Alabama, had accused Jay-Z and Diddy of raping her after the MTV VMA awards in New York, in 2000.
The woman claimed that she was driven to a house party by a driver hired by Diddy, where she was allegedly given a drink that made her "woozy".
The suit then claimed that Jay-Z held her down while Diddy raped her. An unnamed female celebrity was also said to have held her down.
The court document submitted by the woman's lawyers announcing the voluntary dismissal of the case did not give a reason for why it was withdrawn.
Diddy still faces dozens of sexual assault lawsuits, many of which were filed by the plaintiff's lawyer, Tony Buzbee, a Texas attorney who says his firm represents over 150 men and women, who allege sexual abuse and exploitation by Combs.
Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee holds a press conference at his office announcing the over 100 individual cases he has against Sean Diddy Combs on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 in Houston. Picture: Getty
The lawsuits allege many individuals were abused at parties hosted by Diddy in New York, California and Florida after receiving drug-laced drinks.
Lawyers for Combs said the dismissal of the lawsuit without a settlement confirmed that other lawsuits he is facing are built on falsehoods.
"For months, we have seen case after case filed by individuals hiding behind anonymity, pushed forward by an attorney more focused on media headlines than legal merit. Just like this claim, the others will fall apart because there is no truth to them," they said in a statement, adding that Combs "has never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone - man or woman, adult or minor".
When asked for a response, Mr Buzbee responded "no comment" in an email Friday night.
Statements from both rappers derisively referred to Mr Buzbee and his firm as the "1-800-lawyer", after he set up a hotline for people to make allegations against Diddy.
Jay-Z accused him of "hiding behind Jane Doe" for financial gain.
"When they quickly realise that the money grab is going to fail, they get to walk away with no repercussions," he wrote.
"The system has failed."
Jay-Z, who is married to Beyonce, with whom he has three children, previously said the claims amounted to blackmail, adding that he was heartbroken for his family.
Jay-Z and Combs are part of a generation of hip-hop titans who rose to prominence in the 2000s, emerging as wide-ranging entrepreneurs and two of the world's wealthiest rappers. By Josef Al Shemary, LBC
Amid a standing ovation from African Heads of State and Government, he bowed out, but not without acknowledging the challenges of his tenure and apologising for ‘missed opportunities.’
“Certainly, I have made mistakes and missed an opportunity to do better… I apologise if my remarks have caused any harm, individually or otherwise,” he told the leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Faki admitted he may have underestimated the weight of the role when he took office in 2017.
“I have made mistakes here and there… I wanted to do better. Perhaps I underestimated the burden,” he said, adding that he looks forward to his newfound freedom.
He further urged African leaders to embrace Pan-Africanism and prioritise the continent’s interests.
The outgoing AUC chairperson also expressed confidence in the leadership of incoming AU chairperson, Angola’s President João Lourenço.
“The quiet strength you symbolise reassures me of a chairmanship of seriousness and substance. I wish you success."
Faki assumed the AUC chairmanship in January 2017, navigating a tenure marked by rising coups and conflicts across Africa.
He departs as crises continue to unfold, including the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
Before leading the AUC, Faki served as Chad’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He is fluent in French, English, and Arabic. By Betty Njeru, The Standard
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