International
Buhari satisfied with 2023 general elections
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed satisfaction in London with the conduct of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria considering the turnout of voters and the generally peaceful atmosphere under which it took place. He added that the country learnt lessons which would make subsequent polls even better.
The President stated this while addressing his colleagues at the Commonwealth Leaders Summit as part of the major events leading to the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as King of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Commonwealth.
The theme of the event focused on the future of the Commonwealth as a body and the role of the Youth.
According to the President, “these elections saw a remarkable turnout of voters and proof that Nigeria’s democracy is maturing. Despite some pockets of violence, we have demonstrated that a government can be elected peacefully and fairly.
“Lessons have been learnt and moving forward, we hope to perform even better. Based on this, I am delighted to note that we have taken another step towards deepening our democracy with peaceful, transparent and credible outcomes. Though we are aware that challenges still exist, we are committed to working towards a greater participation of all Nigerians in the democratic process, including those in the diaspora.”
While thanking the Commonwealth for sending a team to witness the conduct of the elections, he noted that the elections were generally free and fair, and the mood of the Nation after the announcement of the winners so far shows that democracy in Nigeria is maturing and can only get better.
President Buhari highlighted the key role Nigerian youths played during the elections as well as in support of national development, attributing a great part of this youth participation in the General Elections to the assent of ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Bill signed into law by his Administration in 2018.
He announced that Nigeria would also host the Commonwealth Youth and Students Summit for African Region, with the theme, ‘Making Change Happen’ in Abuja from May 9-11, this year.
The Nigerian leader used the opportunity to bid farewell to his colleagues, expressing joy at shared aspirations and values within the period:
“As I come before you today, I am also mindful that this would be my last official engagement with His Majesty The King and some of you as I leave office on 29 May 2023. I, therefore, feel both humble and grateful for this extraordinary and significantly important moment.
“Over the years, I have worked cordially with the leaders of Commonwealth to achieve the values and principles of the Commonwealth which are shared by its members – the aspirations of the Commonwealth family which include positioning it to be a strong and respected voice in the world and improving the lives of all its citizens are being vigorously pursued,” he said.
International
Death toll in South Africa bar shooting rises to 18, police say
The motive for the attack was not clear but the area is reportedly gripped by rivalry between gangs involved in illicit mining for gold.
• Forensic officers and the army at the scene of a mass shooting at a bar in Wedela township, 27 September, 2026 AP Photo
The death toll from a mass shooting at a South African tavern has risen to 18 after one person died in hospital, police said on Monday, announcing at least two of the dead were Lesotho nationals.
The shooting west of Johannesburg late on Saturday was part of a bloody weekend in the crime-weary country, with 10 people killed in another mass shooting in Cape Town on Sunday.
Eight gunmen armed with assault rifles stormed the bar in the semi-rural township of Wedela, around 80 kilometres from central Johannesburg, and killed13 men and four women, police said.
“One more victim has died in hospital, bringing the total number of deceased to 18,” they said.
“Only four of the deceased have been identified, two South Africans and two Lesotho nationals.”
The motive for the attack was not clear but the area is reportedly gripped by rivalry between gangs involved in illicit mining for gold.
Thousands of unregistered miners operate in abandoned mining shafts in South Africa, many coming from across southern Africa, including the kingdom of Lesotho which is within South Africa.
International
Congo military plane crash kills 13, including three officers
“All those on board died; 12 were burned beyond recognition, while the pilot’s lifeless body was found outside the aircraft.”
Thirteen people including three army officers were killed on Friday when a military plane crashed in Democratic Republic of Congo, an official said.
Reuters reported that the plane was travelling to the capital, Kinshasa, from the southwestern city of Kikwit when it experienced a technical problem and attempted to land in Kenge, in Kwango province, said Remy Saki Bokinda, the Kwango vice governor.
“With no landing strip available in Kenge, the plane crashed into a residential plot,” he said.
The passengers included General Likulia Bakumi, the army’s auditor general, as well as a major, a captain and other military personnel and civilians, Bokinda said.
“All those on board died; 12 were burned beyond recognition, while the pilot’s lifeless body was found outside the aircraft,” he said.
Congo’s aviation accident investigation authority is launching a probe of the crash, a government statement said.
Congo’s army suffered significant setbacks last year at the hands of Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 rebels who seized large swathes of the east.
International
At UN, 80 countries demand reopening of Hormuz, condemn Iran, Houthi attacks
“Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to threaten international security and navigational rights and freedoms,” said a joint statement read out by Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani at the United Nations.
• UN General Assembly
Some 80 countries at the ongoing 81st United Nations General Assembly on Thursday demanded the urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and condemned Iran and its Houthi allies for attacks in the region and disruption to international trade and energy security.
“Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to threaten international security and navigational rights and freedoms,” said a joint statement read out by Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani at the United Nations.
“We also strongly condemn the Houthis’ decision to resume conflict in Yemen, their continuous strikes on Saudi Arabia, and their reckless attacks in the Red Sea,” the statement said.
The statement’s backers included Gulf Arab states and major Western powers.
It added that the Houthis’ advance towards Bab el-Mandeb Strait would also only heighten risks to international shipping, maritime security and global trade.
Both Iran and the Houthis frame their actions as defensive.
Credit: REUTERS
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