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☆ Laid-off Twitter Africa team ‘ghosted’ without severance pay or benefits, former employees say
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Nairobi, Kenya CNN —Former employees of Twitter Africa who were laid off as part of a global cost-cutting measure after Elon Musk’s acquisition have not received any severance pay more than seven months since leaving the company, several sources told CNN. “They literally ghosted us,” one former Twitter Africa employee told CNN. Twitter and Musk face multiple lawsuits where plaintiffs are claiming the company has failed to pay former staffers what they are owed. The plaintiff said Twitter promised senior employees severance of six months of base pay plus one week for every year of service, in addition to other benefits. “We’re exploring our options with respect to causes of action against Twitter in various jurisdictions including Ghana,” Olympio told CNN.

Persons: “, ”, Carla Olympio, Musk, Ghana’s, ” Olympio, Twitter, David Odisho Organizations: Kenya CNN —, Twitter, Elon, CNN, Ghana’s Ministry of Employment, Labor Relations, BBC Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, Twitter Africa, Accra, Africa, Ghana, San Francisco , California, Europe, North America

These themes have become a common thread in his sermons and interviews, especially since Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act was signed into law last month. Nowhere is safe for any queer person living in Uganda,” Joan Amek, co-founder of Rella Women’s Foundation, told CNN. At least 300 human rights violations against suspected homosexuals have been reported in Uganda arising from the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023, the SRT told CNN. ‘My life is hell’Nash Wash Raphael, a 30-year-old transgender man, says he was attacked on the night Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act. The Church of Uganda openly defied the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and supported the Anti-Homosexuality Act, accusing the global head of the Anglican Church of misinterpreting the Bible.

Persons: Canon John Awodi, ”, Yoweri Museveni, ” Joan Amek, didn’t, ’, “, ” Amek, Joan Amekis, Asuman Basalirwa, ‘, Nash, Raphael, Museveni, Nash Wash Raphael, Fabien Muhire, ” Raphael, couldn’t, We’ve, they’ll, Anglican Church Amek, Amek, of Canterbury, Justin Welby, Welby, Bill Organizations: Uganda CNN, Saints ’ Cathedral, CNN, Rella, Foundation, Bethlehem Feleke, SRT, Anglican Church, Anglican, of Locations: Kampala, Uganda, Rev, Bethlehem, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Africa, Ugandan

☆ French Montana shares the spotlight with his mother in revealing new documentary
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Samantha Bresnahan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

It’s about faith and family – a love story between a mother named Khadija and a son born as Karim, now known worldwide as French. “It’s based on letting people know you’re going to lose more than you’re going to win. In the new documentary "For Khadija," French Montana opens up about the sacrifices his mother, pictured here, made on behalf of her sons. Khadija kisses her son French Montana on the forehead, in an image from "For Khadija." For more, watch African Voices Changemakers on CNN International in July to see the full feature with French Montana.

Persons: Khadija, Karim, Mandon Lovette, Sean “ Diddy ” Combs, Drake, Robert De Niro, “, ”, CNN’s Larry Madowo, “ It’s, You’re, Jobs, French’s, Bryant Robinson, that’s, ” Khadija, French Montana, Max B, Swae Lee, ‘, ’, Sean, Diddy, Combs, Matt Winkelmeyer, French, Morocco that’s, Adam Levine, Africa …, …, That’s, ” CNN’s Earl Nurse Organizations: CNN, Tribeca, Bad Boy Records, Maybach Music, CNN International Locations: Montana, New York City, Morocco, America, New York’s South Bronx, Los Angeles, French, New York, Africa, Uganda, French Montana, Las Vegas, Kampala, Nigeria, Moroccan

CNN —Romania is recalling its ambassador to Kenya back to Bucharest and has apologized after its envoy in Nairobi allegedly compared a monkey to African diplomats. Documents obtained by CNN showed African diplomats formally condemning Dragos Tigau’s comments during a meeting of eastern European envoys held in April at the UN’s office in the Kenyan capital. “The African Group has joined us,” Ambassador Tigau allegedly said when a monkey appeared at a window in the conference room, according to the letter which demanded an apology. “The African Group would like to condemn in strongest terms possible the insulting, racist and degrading utterances,” wrote Chol Ajong’o, South Sudan’s ambassador to Kenya who leads African diplomats in Nairobi. CNN obtained two apology letters sent by Tigau to African diplomats four days apart.

Persons: Dragos Tigau’s, Tigau, “, ” Organizations: CNN —, CNN, Kenyan, African Group, ” Locations: CNN — Romania, Kenya, Bucharest, Nairobi, “, South, Romanian

☆ Thousands are trying to escape from Port Sudan. Only a few can make it
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Port Sudan, Sudan CNN —In the dark of night, the nightmare is nearly over for the lucky few gathered on the quayside in Port Sudan. Sudanese-American businessman Adil Bashir was one of just 52 evacuees who boarded the Royal Saudi Navy ship HMS Al-Diriyah on Sunday. And as fighting has driven more people out of Khartoum, Port Sudan has become a key evacuation hub. The journey from Port Sudan to Jeddah can take up to 12 hours depending on sea conditions. Saudi Royal Navy officials carry a disabled civilian to a Saudi Navy Ship, during his evacuation from Sudan to escape the conflict, Port Sudan, Sudan, April 30, 2023.

CNN —Hundreds of evacuees arrived in Saudi Arabia from Sudan as fierce fighting in the country between the army and a rival paramilitary group entered its third week, despite another attempt at a ceasefire. The situation in Sudan has deteriorated since fighting broke out on April 15, leaving hundreds dead and tens of thousands fleeing to neighboring countries. A commercial ship carrying more than 1800 evacuees arrived in the Saudi port city of Jeddah Saturday. The ship carried 20 Saudi citizens with the remainder people from various European, Asian and African countries evacuated from Sudan, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said. Iranian nationals and other nationalities arrive at Jeddah Sea Port after being evacuated from Sudan.

CNN —Police have now recovered 89 bodies from mass graves in a forest in eastern Kenya, believed to be linked to a cult that allegedly encouraged its followers to starve themselves to gain salvation, the country’s government said. His lawyer told CNN on Tuesday he was denied bail over investigation interference fears. “The court is of the opinion that he might interfere with investigations,” Nthege’s lawyer George Kariuki told CNN. Kariuki said prosecutors have been given 14 days to investigate the case, adding that Nthege has not been charged. The case has sent shockwaves through Kenya and the government has vowed tighter regulations on religious bodies and organizations.

☆ Thabo Bester: South African convicted rapist and murderer accused of faking his own death is arrested abroad
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Thabo Bester was arrested Friday in the Tanzanian border town of Arusha, having apparently fled the country, according to a media briefing by the South African Justice Minister and Minister of Police. It’s a bizarre story that has embarrassed South Africa, exposed alleged loopholes in the management of a private prison and captivated the nation with every blockbuster revelation. The 35-year-old convicted murderer was arrested with his girlfriend Dr. Nandipha Magudumana and a Mozambican national named as Zakaria Alberto. South African police minister Bheki Cele told reporters that the trio had several passports each that had not been stamped and were just 10 kilometers from crossing into Kenya. A South African delegation of police and prisons officials are in Tanzania to arrange for their deportation.

CNN —A Kenyan security guard who reportedly fell while on duty at Qatar’s Lusail Stadium has died in hospital, his family and officials have confirmed to CNN. We send our sincere condolences to his family, colleagues and friends during this difficult time.”John Njua Kibue at the Lusail Stadium. But the security guard’s family says his Qatari employer, Al Sraiya Security Services, has not explained how he fell or any of the circumstances surrounding his death. CNN has contacted Al Sraiya Security Services for comment after the guard’s death and is yet to receive a response. A WhatsApp message seen by CNN was sent to his colleagues at other World Cup stadiums soliciting for contributions.

One month since Arshad Sharif was killed, Kenyan and Pakistani authorities have not concluded their reports nor have there been any arrests in the case. “I have no faith in the Pakistani government,” his mother, Riffat Ara Alvi told CNN in a video interview. But I request all the international journalistic organizations and United Nations to investigate this killing,” his widow, Javeria Siddique told CNN. Arshad Sharif Sharif was a critic of the Pakistani military and an ally of former prime minister Imran Khan. Sharif and Khurram Ahmed left Ammodump around 8:30 p.m. local time, a detective involved in the case told CNN.

☆ Twitter Africa employees accuse Elon Musk of discrimination over severance terms
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But the staff of about a dozen were not offered severance pay, which they say is required by Ghana’s labor laws, based on their employment contracts. Several members of the team and their lawyer told CNN that there was no such negotiation on severance pay. They claim it was below what is required by law and contradicts what Musk tweeted that departing employees would receive. Twitter informed the Ghana-based employees in early November that they would be paid until their last day of employment — December 4. They are demanding 3 months’ gross salary as severance pay, repatriation expenses for non-Ghanaian staff, vesting of stock options provided in their contracts, and other benefits such as healthcare continuation that were offered to staff worldwide.

☆ Uganda to roll out trial vaccines as it scrambles to control Ebola outbreak
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Mubende, Uganda CNN —Joseph Singiringabo has lost almost everything and everyone he held dear to Ebola. An Ebola treatment unit in Mubende, Uganda. Larry Madowo/CNNHe has been involved in every Ebola outbreak in Uganda as well as in Sierra Leone in 2017. However, the country is about to roll out three trial vaccines that have been certified as safe by the World Health Organization (WHO) working group. He has now barred traditional healers and witchdoctors from taking clients during the Ebola outbreak.

☆ Twitter layoffs in India, Africa could weaken the company in its biggest growth markets
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Diksha Madhok | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Twitter laid off thousands of employees across the company on Friday, including staff in India and Africa. Under siege in critical marketsEven before the layoffs, Twitter was going through a tough time in both India and Africa. Tech experts now fear that the company will find it even harder to navigate new laws in emerging markets. Twitter does not share user numbers, but according to India, the platform has 17.5 million users in the country. “Content moderation has to be specific to geography,” said Vivan Sharan, partner at Delhi-based tech policy consulting firm Koan Advisory Group.

Ramon Abbas, known to his millions of Instagram followers as Ray Hushpuppi, pleaded guilty in April last year to conspiracy to engage in money laundering. On social media, where Abbas had posted videos of himself tossing wads of cash like confetti, he referred to himself as a real estate developer. His social media account was a treasure trove of information for investigatorsFederal investigators have described Abbas as a prolific money launderer who leveraged his social media platform to gain notoriety and brag about his wealth. In a 2020 affidavit, federal officials detailed how his social media accounts provided details needed to confirm his identity. Even Abbas’ Instagram birthday party photos helped the investigation.

Desperate to survive, many locals fleeing raging floods which have wrecked their homes and livelihoods are also forced to depend on floodwater for sustenance. A child is pictured doing her dishes in floodwater in Odi, in Nigeria's southern Bayelsa State, on Tuesday. Aniso Handy has remained in his house in Odi, in Nigeria's Bayelsa State. Displacing the living and the deadIn Bayelsa’s capital Yenagoa, located 28 kilometers (17 miles) from Odi, floods have displaced not just the living but also the dead. Flooding in Nigeria's Bayelsa state has forced people to wade through waiste-high water.

☆ Video: Hundreds killed and more than 1.4 million displaced by floods in Nigeria
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

More than 1.4 million people have been displaced and about 500 people have died in some of the worst floodings southern Nigeria has seen in a decade, the country's humanitarian ministry has said. CNN's Larry Madowo reports.

☆ Video: How Uganda is fighting to contain another Ebola outbreak
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-06 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

Uganda is fighting its second Ebola outbreak since 2019 - but with new tactics learned during the Covid-19 pandemic. CNN's Larry Madowo reports.

☆ Rwanda genocide: Félicien Kabuga's trial opens in The Hague
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —The trial of one of the last fugitives accused of broadcasting hateful propaganda and arming militias in the 1994 Rwanda genocide has opened at a United Nations court in The Hague. Before opening statements, judges said 87-year-old Félicien Kabuga had refused to attend but ruled that the trial would go ahead. He is being tried before the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) for what prosecutors say is his “substantial” contributions to the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. His lawyers have previously argued that he was too ill to be tried but judges and court-appointed doctors disagreed. His indictment says he is charged with “genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, and persecution on political grounds, extermination, and murder as crimes against humanity, committed in Rwanda in 1994.”

☆ Nyege Nyege festival: Uganda dance music festival cleared to go ahead
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-07 | by ( Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The Nyege Nyege festival will now take place next week but under “strict guidelines,” according to Ugandan Prime Minister Robina Nabbanja, quoted in local media reports. “The event (Nyege Nyege) will go on but under strict guidelines. Though ‘nyege nyege’ can be loosely translated to urge in Luganda, the country’s official language, it also means horny in Swahili, which is commonly spoken in the region. But outside the house, she doubled down on her opposition to Nyege Nyege taking place. The charge of “promoting” homosexuality has been leveled against Nyege Nyege before and led to a short-lived cancelation of its last event in 2019.

CNN —Kenya’s Supreme Court on Monday upheld results declaring William Ruto winner of last month’s presidential elections. However, the Supreme Court unanimously rejected his claims and decided the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) held a credible election last month. We commend Raila Odinga and other candidates for abiding by the Supreme Court ruling. It was Odinga’s fifth time running and his third time challenging his loss in presidential elections through the Supreme Court, having filed a case after the last two elections in 2013 and 2017. But the Supreme court said the commission needed “far-reaching reforms” due to major dysfunction and governance failures.

☆ Kenya elections 2022: Harrassed and abused, Kenya's female politicians struggle to get elected
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-06 | by ( Larry Madowo | Bethlehem Feleke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Lamu, Kenya (CNN) Just before sunset, Umra Omar boards a speedboat that will take her around the historic Lamu channel for meetings with voters. She is among a record number of women running for office in Kenya's August 9 general election. She says she is running for office as a natural progression after seven years of providing "band-aid solutions" for poor healthcare. 'Kenya is ready for women at all levels'If opposition leader Raila Odinga wins, Kenya could have its first female deputy president in 64-year-old Martha Karua. So that question is in itself discriminatory," the former Kenyan justice minister tells CNN.

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