Nigerian Police Clash with Protesters Demanding Nnamdi Kanu's Release

Protests in Nigeria Over Nnamdi Kanu's Detention

• ⚡ Police in Abuja used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters demanding the release of separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.
• ✊ Kanu, leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is on trial for terrorism charges, including inciting violence and issuing death threats.
• ⚖️ His trial, which began in 2021, has faced numerous delays, leading to accusations of unfair detention and a sensitive issue in the southeast where the Igbo ethnic group alleges marginalization.
• 📰 An AFP journalist was arrested and had their camera damaged during the protests but was later released following intervention from the French embassy.

South Africa's ANC Reaches Settlement

• 🤝 South Africa's ANC party has reached an out-of-court settlement with Elzu Weni Investments, to whom it owed money for election campaign materials.
• 💸 The dispute had led to the freezing of several ANC bank accounts, causing what the party's treasurer general called an existential crisis and operational paralysis.
• 🔒 The settlement terms, including the figure, have been kept confidential by both parties.

Other African News Highlights

• 🇰🇪 A state funeral was held for Kenya's longtime opposition leader Ria Odinga, who died at the age of 80.
• 🇲🇱 Al-Qaeda-linked militants in Mali have imposed strict new rules, including gender segregation and mandatory veiling for women.
• 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe's President Emerson Mnangagwa's ruling party is reportedly planning to amend the constitution to extend his term until 2030.
• 🇹🇳 In Tunisia, residents of Gbis are suffering from a toxic wasteland attributed to a state-owned chemical plant, leading to health issues and protests.

Morocco Wins FIFA Under-20 World Cup

• 🏆 Morocco has won the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, defeating Argentina in the final.
• ⚽ This historic victory makes Morocco the second African nation to win the title, following Ghana in 2009.
• ⚽ The Atlas Lions secured their win with two goals from Yasier Zabiri, dominating the match against Argentina.
• 🌍 Morocco is set to host the next African Cup of Nations and co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.