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A30 world news
Diaranson 4 november 2020

Qatar's emir promises Shura Council elections next year

tution, approved in a 2003 Secretary-General Antonio hosting the 2022 FIFA World
referendum, calls for the Guterres “is encouraged by Cup.
government to hold Shura the important announcement
elections and subsequently made by the emir.” Sheikh Tamim did touch on
expand the council's power the blockade that Saudi Ara-
to include the ability to dis- “We understand that prepara- bia and its regional partners
miss ministers, approve the tions are under way and that imposed on Qatar in 2017,
national budget as well as the government of Qatar will tearing apart the six-member
draft and propose legislation. take all necessary measures to Gulf Cooperation Council.
allow for inclusive, partici- The four Arab allies say the
The elections would allow patory measures,” Stephane diplomatic dispute stems
Qatari citizens to choose 30 Dujarric said. “Obviously, from Qatar’s support for ex-
members of the country’s 45- any move to give people a tremist groups in the region,
seat Shura Council, which voice in how they govern charges denied by Doha.
are now all handpicked by themselves is to be encour-
the state's rulers. The council aged.” “Despite the siege that is con-
(AP) — Qatar’s emir an- said the first-ever vote will has no substantive legislative Sheikh Tamim’s speech tinuing for more than three
nounced on Tuesday that take place in October 2021. power but advises the emir did not address the scandal years, the nation of Qatar is
the country will hold elec- He described it as “an impor- on new laws and policies. clouding state-owned long- able to strengthen its position
tions for its top advisory tant step” for the tiny energy- haul carrier Qatar Airways. in the international commu-
panel next year, a long- rich state on the Arabian Pen- Other oil-rich Persian Gulf Earlier this month, women nity," said Sheikh Tamim.
promised step that aims to insula to “develop the legisla- sheikhdoms have varying lev- aboard Qatar Airways flights In response to what he called
give the country’s citizens tive process with a wider par- els of limited representation were subjected to invasive the “double crisis" hitting
more say on how their he- ticipation of citizens.” but remain governed from vaginal exams after an aban- the wealthy OPEC mem-
reditary emirate is gov- the top by hereditary rulers. doned newborn was found ber nation, the coronavirus
erned. Last year, Sheikh Tamim or- Kuwait and Bahrain’s parlia- in an airport bathroom. The pandemic and plunging oil
dered the formation of a com- ments are elected and wield revelation, prompting the prices, Sheikh Tamim sought
In a speech before the na- mittee to organize elections relatively more influence. government to refer airport to assure the council that the
tional legislative body, known for the Islamic-style council, officials to prosecutors last country's critical energy sec-
as the Shura Council, Sheikh but never announced a date At the United Nations, week, comes as Qatar tries to tor has suffered only “mini-
Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for the vote. Qatar's consti- the spokesman said U.N. boost its image abroad before mal detriments.”

Extremists kill 12, kidnap others in Nigeria, residents say

(AP) — Insurgents have killed at least 12 peo- outrage. girls as part of their violent campaign to establish
ple and abducted nine women and young girls strict Islamic rule in northeast Nigeria.
in Nigeria’s troubled northeast, residents said “The attackers killed men and went away with
Tuesday. women and young girls,” Uba Kolo, a member of Both groups are also involved in abducting high-
the local Civilian Joint Task Force vigilante group, profile people like aid workers for money. They are
The incident occurred Sunday morning at Taku- told The Associated Press. known to execute hostages when demands are not
lashi village, less than 20 kilometers (12 miles) met.
from Chibok in Borno state. That's where Boko The military has yet to comment on the attack. Nigeria's army has for more than a decade battled
Haram extremists abducted 276 schoolgirls from Boko Haram and a breakaway faction, the Islamic in vain to quell the insurgency.
their dormitories in 2014, causing international State West Africa Province, have been abducting

Uganda police arrest Bobi Wine after presidential nomination

(AP) — Ugandan police on Tues- home was the scene of skirmishes be- their alleged roles in violence, it said. areas.
day again arrested Bobi Wine, a tween his supporters and police who Authorities frequently accuse Wine “We now enter the most critical phase
popular singer and opposition fired tear gas into the compound, ac- of planning rallies that could disrupt of our liberation struggle!” Wine
presidential hopeful, shortly after cording to Joel Ssenyonyi, a spokes- public order, which he denies. tweeted after having his candidacy
he was successfully certified as a man for Wine’s People Power move- certified.
candidate in next year's election. ment. Critics say President Yoweri Musev-
eni, in power since 1986, increasingly The election is expected to be a two-
Wine, who is bidding to unseat Ugan- “There are running battles,” Ssen- depends on the armed forces to as- horse race between Wine and Musev-
da’s long-time leader, was dragged yonyi said from the scene. "It’s quite sert his authority. Museveni, who was eni. The electoral commission has
from his car by police. The local NBS chaotic.” nominated as a candidate on Monday, not fixed a date for the polls.
Television, reporting from the scene, said afterward that his government
said the singer, whose real name is Ugandan police said in a statement would not tolerate the activities of Wine and other opposition leaders
Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, was put into that Wine was forcibly removed from enemies he did not name who are al- have been frequently arrested in re-
a police van amid violent scuffles be- his vehicle because authorities feared legedly plotting chaos. cent years, sometimes detained with-
tween police and his supporters. he had “plans of holding illegal pro- in their own homes by police citing
cessions” into Kampala following “There's nobody who is going to dis- a need to prevent crimes from being
He was returned to his house later his certification. Another presiden- turb here. Whoever tries will regret. committed.
Tuesday on the outskirts of Kampala, tial candidate, Patrick Amuriat of the Because for us, we don't play," the
the capital. opposition Forum for Democratic president said. “The (ruling party) Those actions have reinforced a view
“The authority I have is the same au- Change, was similarly arrested. fought to bring peace in this country. among some Ugandans that the po-
thority you have,” he told a cheering “Plans have been put in place to ef- Nobody has more guns than us. But lice serve at the behest of Museveni,
crowd of his supporters. “Don't give fectively address groups that decide to we don't scare people.” who has rebuffed repeated calls to re-
up. Those who have cameras, use act unlawfully,” the police statement tire peacefully.
them. Those who have lips, use them. said. Wine, 38, has captured the imagi-
Those who have hands, use them. nation of many Ugandans with his This East African country has never
Those who have legs, use them." At least three security personnel and persistent calls for the 76-year-old witnessed a peaceful transfer of pow-
four civilians were injured in clash- Museveni to retire. He is especially er since independence from British
Earlier, the dusty area outside his es, and 49 people were arrested over popular with poor people in urban colonial rule in 1962.