00:06The spectre of a new civil war is looming over Ethiopia, as fighting intensifies once again between federal forces and
00:13Tigrayan troops.
00:16Niger is taking back control of its uranium sector, hoping to boost economic returns and create jobs for young people.
00:24And a case that made headlines across the DRC, the murder in Kinshasa of Congolese businessman Vali Amisi.
00:31More than five months later, his family is demanding answers.
00:36Hello and welcome to Africa News Today.
00:39In Ethiopia, fears of a new civil war are growing as fighting between federal forces and Tigrayan troops intensifies.
00:46Nearly 150,000 people have already fled the north of the country.
00:50The army is accusing neighboring countries of interference.
00:54Fighting in the north of Ethiopia continued to rage over the weekend, raising fears of a new humanitarian crisis in
01:02an already troubled region.
01:04Heavy clashes have resumed between the Tigray People's Liberation Front and the federal government since Wednesday.
01:11The TPLF has seized airports and launched attacks into the neighboring Ethiopian states of Afar and Amhara, leading to displacements
01:19of populations.
01:21The region is already facing devastating human rights and humanitarian crises.
01:28As we know, in neighboring Sudan, we are talking about the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world.
01:33Now, obviously, with an uptick in fighting in Ethiopia, we see the risk to civilians spreading at a time where
01:44diplomatic attention and scrutiny of the situation has reduced, given the broader dynamics and catastrophe throughout the region as well.
01:56So this is really a crisis which was foretold.
02:02And there have been months of escalating tensions, fighting, force recruitment in Tigray and tensions between the federal government and
02:13the Tigrayan forces and party.
02:16On Sunday, the headquarters of key rebel outlet Tigray TV were hit by a drone in the Tigrayan capital.
02:23The same day, Ethiopia's army commander accused Eritrea and Sudan of backing armed groups fighting federal troops in the north
02:30of the country.
02:34A climate of fear is gripping South Africa following a wave of shootings.
02:38The latest left at least 17 people dead in Wedela, southwest of Johannesburg this weekend.
02:44Residents are still in shock and recounting their trauma, while others fear another attack.
02:50Fear is growing in South African townships after a series of deadly shootings, with residents calling for stronger security measures
02:59as violence increasingly reaches their homes and communities.
03:03There were some shootings there and there between, as they've said, between Samazama gangs.
03:13So now that it involves community members, and as a result of that, over 17 people and even more have
03:24died.
03:25This has never happened here. So I feel very sad and traumatized.
03:30We heard the shooting and now am left traumatized, especially since I have health issues of the heart.
03:37I wanted to go out of the house to go look for my daughter who was outside.
03:42Luckily, I saw her jump in the fence returning from her partner's house.
03:46I'd like to say that the government should now intervene here in our community and deploy the military for three
03:53months.
03:53Maybe things can get better because now these people are killing their children.
03:58Police have deployed specialized units and soldiers to the scene.
04:03As investigators search for those responsible, no arrests have been announced in the Wadela attack.
04:10Niger wants to regain control of its uranium sector.
04:13After years of tension surrounding several mining projects, the country is now seeking to attract new investment and revive production.
04:21Niger is seeking to revive its uranium industry and attracts new investment after increasing its stake in Maduela uranium project
04:30in the north of the country.
04:31Under a new mining agreement signed last week, the Nigerian state now holds a 40% stake in the project
04:38while Australian company Atomic Eagle remains 60%.
04:41The deal comes as Niger seeks a greater share of revenues from its mineral resources and looks to diversify its
04:48international partners.
04:49It is an encouraging indication that major international institutions continue to assess investment opportunities in Niger's uranium sector.
05:00Atomic Eagle will similarly be seeking to attract international investment and financing to the development of Maduela.
05:07The move follows a separate agreement with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation for financing up to $440.2
05:15million for the DASA uranium project developed by Global Atomic in Niger.
05:20I don't think we can talk about economic sovereignty at the moment.
05:25What we can talk about is control over raw materials.
05:28That means we should decide who works with us.
05:31Before, it wasn't like this.
05:32Niger could have a partner in uranium or elsewhere other than France.
05:39Atomic Eagle says it now wants to accelerate preparations for the project and secure the financing needed for construction,
05:46with the aim of reaching construction readiness in around two years.
05:53It is a case that shocked the DRC.
05:56The murder last April of Congolese businessman Vali Amisi at a hotel in Kinshasa.
06:02Nearly five months later, and despite the arrest of the main suspect, the investigation appears to have stalled.
06:08Vali Amisi's family is now demanding answers and calling for a trial.
06:13In the DRC, the case of Vali Amisi continues to stir strong emotions in Kinshasa.
06:19The young entrepreneur based in South Africa was found dead in April in a hotel in the Congolese capital.
06:25Since the arrest in Brazzaville of the main suspect, Benny Mukena, the request for his extradition to the DRC has
06:32been stalled.
06:35Benny Mukena, the alleged killer, was arrested in Congo Brazzaville.
06:39Seeing him on August 3rd in Brazzaville at the General Police Hospital was a small consolation for the family and
06:47for the entire Congolese people.
06:48What we want is for him to be tried and for justice to be served, for Vali Asimi.
06:54Today, I speak on behalf of my family, the Congolese people and the African people.
06:59We are plunged into absolute anxiety.
07:14Several people have been arrested in the DRC, but the main suspect now in Brazzaville, his extradition remains stalled.
07:22The family's lawyer is demanding answers.
07:28We don't understand. Why is the case stalled? We don't understand.
07:32And we are asking ourselves, who is obstructing this case?
07:35Who benefits from the crime? Who has an interest in preventing the truth from coming out?
07:39These are the questions the family is asking.
07:46For the family, it's also about reassuring the Congolese diaspora and investors.
07:53Bring justice to Vali Asimi.
07:56Today, there is a call, and that call is the call of Vali Asimi.
08:02Answer his call, Mr President. The people have been abandoned.
08:06The people want answers about this case.
08:10All we ask for is a little transparency and official communication
08:14so that the family can be reassured that everything is being done to extradite Mr. Benny Mukena.
08:23The family continues to campaign for justice for Vali Asimi.
08:31And as we do every week, here are some of the key events to watch in the coming days.
08:35In Uganda, the Kingdom of Turo is set to crown its new king.
08:40Television presenter Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I succeeds King Oyo,
08:44who died at the age of 34 amid tensions surrounding the succession.
08:51In Togo, closer ties with Russia are becoming official,
08:55as the capital Lome hosts the first meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission,
09:00overseeing the partnership agreement between the two countries.
09:03Scientific research and trade will be high on the agenda.
09:10In South Africa, a nationwide strike is expected.
09:13Activist group March & March has announced a day of mass demonstrations against illegal immigration,
09:19as well as to raise awareness about gender-based violence following the recent murders of 12 women.
09:26Central African Republic's Faustin Arkansh Tuadera will visit the Vatican for talks with the Pope.
09:31For the first time, the President will meet Leo XIV,
09:35as the Holy Siege continues its active diplomatic engagement in the Central African Republic.
09:42That's all for this edition of Africa News Today.
09:45Join us again next week for a new edition.
09:47In the meantime, the news continues on Africa News and on africanews.com.
09:52And I'll see.
09:53I'll see.
09:53I'll see.
09:55I'll see.
09:58I'll see.
