REBELS TO WITHDRAW FROM KEY DR CONGO TOWN 'AFTER US REQUEST'. (PHOTO)

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 Rebels to withdraw from key DR Congo town 'after US request' The M23 rebel group has said it would withdraw from the eastern DR Congo town of Uvira at the request of the US administration, which had criticised seizure of the town last week as a threat to mediation efforts. The rebels entered Uvira, on the border with Burundi, less than a week after the presidents of Congo and Rwanda met with US President Donald Trump in Washington and affirmed their commitment to a peace deal known as the Washington Accords. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday that Rwanda's actions in eastern Congo violated the Washington Accords and vowed to "take action to ensure promises made to the President are kept." A report by a United Nations group of experts in July said Rwanda exercised command and control over the rebels. Rwanda denies supporting M23 and has blamed Congolese and Burundian forces for the renewed fighting. Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Allia...

ZAMBIA PARLIAMENT PASSES DISPUTED BILL TO CHANGE ELECTION LAWS. (PHOTO).


 Zambia parliament passes disputed bill to change election laws


Zambia's parliament overwhelmingly passed on Monday a bill to modify constitutional provisions related to elections.


The opposition claims it will bolster President Hakainde Hichilema at next year's polls, but the government rejects the assertions, with President Hichilema stating that the changes are proposed in good faith for the long-term benefits to the Zambian people.


Opposition politicians, civil society and church groups had lobbied against Bill 7, saying it was rushed through parliament and will promote Hichilema and his UPND party at the August 2026 vote, AFP reported.


The bill amends 13 articles in the constitution of the copper-rich Southern African nation, notably increasing the number of parliamentary seats from 156 to 226; reserving 35 seats for women, youth and disabled people; and ending a limit of two five-year terms for mayors.


'Covenant with Zambian people'


"This is a covenant with the Zambian people to promote fairness," Justice Minister Princess Kasune said after the 131-2 vote, which means the bill now only needs Hichilema's signature to be enacted.


Lawmaker Francis Kapyanga from the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) said he would not "legitimise an illegality."


Political tensions in the nation of 22 million people have been illustrated by a standoff over the burial of Hichilema's predecessor Edgar Lungu, who died in hospital in neighbouring South Africa in June.


Lungu's family has refused to repatriate his body for burial because Hichilema wanted to preside over the funeral.


'Tested' national unity


Reacting to the passing of Bill 7, Lungu family spokesperson and PF presidential hopeful Makebi Zulu said on social media, "The struggle for democracy and respect for the rule of law begins in earnest today."


Hichilema – who will be standing for the second of a constitutionally limited two five-year terms – admitted the bill had "tested" national unity but said the outcome of the parliament's vote must be respected.

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