Africa – Page 39 – Prologue Journal

At Least 58 Dead in Building Fire in Johannesburg

New York Times The early-morning blaze tore through a five-story building that had become a sprawling informal settlement, officials said. The cause was not yet known. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/31/world/africa/south-africa-fire-johannesburg.html

Nigeria Arrests Dozens Over Same-Sex Wedding

New York Times A 2014 law makes such unions illegal in the country. Anyone found guilty of taking part can also face up to 10 years in prison. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/30/world/africa/nigeria-same-sex-wedding-arrests.html

Gabon Coup: Officers Say They Are Seizing Power

New York Times The televised announcement came hours after the Central African nation’s president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, was re-elected for a third term. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/30/world/africa/gabon-coup-election.html

Under Uganda Anti-LGBTQ Law, Man Is Arrested on Charge Punishable by Death

New York Times Prosecutors used the death penalty provision of a newly passed law to charge a 20-year-old man. The measure has sown widespread fear among gay Ugandans. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/29/world/africa/uganda-anti-lgbtq-law-charges.html

Zimbabwe’s Neighbors Cast Doubt on Elections That Gave Mnangagwa the Win

New York Times The main regional bloc in southern African and the African Union declined to rubber-stamped the elections and cast doubt on a vote that led to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s re-election. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/27/world/africa/zimbabwe-elections-mnangagwa.html

President Emmerson Mnangagwa Re-elected in Zimbabwe

New York Times President Emmerson Mnangagwa won another five-year term by intimidating voters and manipulating the campaign process. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/26/world/africa/zimbabwe-election-mnangagwa-wins.html

Presumed Death of Wagner Leader Puts In Doubt Group’s Future in Africa

New York Times Since Yevgeny Prigozhin’s brief mutiny in June, the Kremlin has tried to assure African clients that it was in control. But analysts suggested that without its leader, Wagner’s future was uncertain. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/25/world/africa/wagner-group-africa-prigozhin-russia.html

This Gecko’s Camouflage Is So Good, It Masqueraded as Another Species

New York Times A reptile found in Madagascar is impossible to tell apart from tree bark by day. For decades, scientists had mixed it up with a relative. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/25/science/gecko-camouflage-tree-bark.html

Zimbabwe’s Ballot Delays Force Election Into 2nd Day

New York Times Other voters in Zimbabwe had to return the next day to vote for president, and the police raided election observers. The main candidates both predicted victory. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/24/world/africa/zimbabwe-election-ballot-delays.html

What to Know About Zimbabwe’s Presidential Election

New York Times The country needs a free and fair election to escape Western sanctions. But familiar concerns about government repression and ballot rigging are dogging the vote. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/23/world/africa/zimbabwe-election-emmerson-mnangagwa.html