12/12/2025
[ IN THIS WEEK'S IBA LEGALBRIEF AFRICA ]
The vast minerals wealth of the DRC was central to the deal – brokered by the US in Washington, to secure peace in the region, as Africa's rich resources come under increasing focus of the Trump administration. As part of its middleman role in the DRC, Rwanda peace process – now under threat again – President Donald Trump said the US had signed agreements with both countries to access critical, rare-earth minerals, which are central in battery production.
After a two-year inquiry, Kenya's Parliament has accused British soldiers of decades of sexual abuse, killings, human rights violations and environmental destruction while training in the country. The report detailed harrowing testimony from communities in Laikipia and Samburu counties, near the military training bases. It accused the troops of continued ethical breaches, rights violations and environmental negligence, as well as employment and labour concerns.
In a regressive step, Burkina Faso’s military-led government has taken a step toward reinstating the death penalty, adopting a new penal code that once again allows capital punishment for crimes including treason, terrorism and espionage. The revised penal code also criminalises the ‘promotion of homosexual practices and similar acts’.
Left-wing Cameroonian opposition figure Anicet Ekane has died in detention, five weeks after he was arrested. Ekane’s (74) party has accused the authorities of denying him access to his medication – a charge the government has denied.
In Zambia, blogger and influencer Ethel Chisono Edwards has been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for posting hate speech on social media targeting President Hakainde Hichilema. The dual Zambian-US citizen, living in the US, was arrested at Zambia's main airport three months ago after arriving to attend her grandmother's funeral.
Also in Zambia, the High Court has dismissed the application by Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited to throw out the constitutional case brought by 176 residents of Kalusale and Chambishi, clearing the way for a hearing of the $80bn petition relating to the catastrophic collapse of multiple tailings dams in February.
And Switzerland’s federal prosecutor has filed charges against the failed bank Credit Suisse and its new owner, UBS, over the long-running ‘tuna bonds’ loan scandal that crashed Mozambique’s economy nearly a decade ago.
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