Critics warn that Burundi still harshly targets opposition
Opposition leaders and human rights groups are warning that Burundi’s government has shown little if any improvement under President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who took office after the death of President Pierre Nkurunziza in 2020 with talk of reforms after years of deadly political crackdowns.
Ethiopia grants amnesty to high-profile political detainees
Ethiopia’s government has announced an amnesty for some of the country’s most high-profile political detainees, including opposition figure Jawar Mohammed and senior Tigray party officials, as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed spoke of reconciliation for Orthodox Christmas.
Uganda's leader says social media shut down ahead of polls
Bobi Wine, during a Press conference in Kampala Uganda, Tuesday, Jan.12, 2021. Wine, who insisted Tuesday that his campaign is nonviolent, urged his supporters not to be intimidated by the security forces. Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, earlier on Tuesday joined other opposition figures in criticizing widespread violence by security forces. Those deaths form a critical part of Wine’s petition to the International Criminal Court to investigate alleged acts of torture, mutilation and murder of civilian protesters by security forces. That means potential confrontations with security forces.