African Briefs … Savimbi to be reburied on Saturday

LUANDA – Angola’s main opposition party, the former rebel movement Unita, said on Wednesday it planned to go ahead with a public funeral for its ex-leader Jonas Savimbi this weekend after a dispute with the government over the handling of his remains.

Savimbi, a charismatic, controversial warlord who fought Angola’s socialist government in a 27-year civil war, was killed in a battle against the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) government forces in February 2002. His death paved the way for a peace deal, bringing an end to one of Africa’s longest and bloodiest conflicts, which erupted after independence from Portugal in 1975. Unita had long called for the MPLA, which has governed Angola since independence, to allow his body to be exhumed, and given a “dignified” burial. The party had “decided to maintain its programme” for the burial on Saturday, Unita spokesperson Alcides Sakala Simoes told AFP.

Egypt forces, militants accused of war crimes

CAIRO – Human Rights Watch on Tuesday accused both Egyptian security forces and insurgents of committing “war crimes” in North Sinai, the scene of a bloody years-long insurgency and military crackdown. “While Egyptian military and police forces were responsible for the majority of abuses documented in the report, extremist militants have also committed horrific crimes,” the New York-based group said in a 134-page report. “Some of the abuses carried out by government forces and the militants, which this report documents, are war crimes, and their widespread and systematic nature could amount to crimes against humanity.” Egypt has for years been fighting a hardened insurgency in North Sinai, which escalated following the 2013 military ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. Since then, militants have killed hundreds of police officers and soldiers.

Ex-jail head deported to Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA – Somali security personnel have arrested the former head of an Ethiopian prison notorious for torture, and handed him back across the border, a regional official said on Monday. The government of Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed fired Hassan Ismail and other senior officials at the so-called ‘Jail Ogaden’ last year after accusing them of rights abuses. On the run since then, Hassan was caught in the Puntland region of neighbouring Somalia and handed over to Ethiopian custody, said Mohamed Olad, spokesman for Ethiopia’s Somali region. “He was arrested on suspicion of abuses of prisoners,” Mohamed said by phone. “The crimes include torture, sleep and food deprivation, as well as rape.” New York-based Human Rights Watch said in July last year, just before the prison was closed, that inmates were systematically abused for years.

– Nampa-AFP-Reuters

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.