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PHOTOS: Madagascar PM urges dialogue and unity after soldiers join protesters

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Madagascar’s prime minister called for calm and unity on Saturday, hours after some soldiers joined youth protesters, escorting them as they entered Antananarivo’s May 13 Square for the first time since demonstrations began last month.

The protests, inspired by Gen Z-led movements in Kenya and Nepal, began on September 25 over water and electricity shortages but have since escalated, posing the most serious challenge to President Andry Rajoelina’s rule since his reelection in 2023.

Earlier on Saturday, some troops from the elite CAPSAT unit that helped Rajoelina seize power in a 2009 coup urged fellow soldiers to disobey orders and back the youth-led protests.

Prime Minister Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo, speaking on the state-run TVM channel late on Saturday, said the government was “fully ready to listen and engage in dialogue with all factions – youth, unions, or the military.”

Rajoelina appointed Zafisambo and a new defence and security minister after dissolving the previous government last week in response to the protests.

But the moves have failed to assuage public anger.

Videos circulating on social media on Saturday showed CAPSAT soldiers urging fellow troops to “support the people.”

A video broadcast by local media showed that dozens of soldiers left the barracks to escort thousands of protesters into May 13 Square, the scene of many political uprisings, which had been heavily guarded and off limits during the unrest.

The army’s chief of staff, General Jocelyn Rakotoson, later made a statement broadcast on local media urging citizens to “assist the security forces in restoring order through dialogue.”

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The demonstrators are demanding that Rajoelina step down, apologise to the country, and dissolve the Senate and electoral commission.

Late on Saturday, the presidency released a statement in response to what it called “the spread of false information on social media,” following widespread speculation that Rajoelina, who also has French citizenship, had fled the country.

“It is hereby made known to everyone that the President of the Republic is in the country and is overseeing the management of national affairs together with the Prime Minister, head of government,” the statement said.

At least 22 people have been killed and 100 injured in the unrest, according to the United Nations. The Malagasy government has disputed the figures, with Rajoelina saying this week that 12 people were killed in the protests. – Reuters

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Lagos CP threatens to dissolve task force if police officers violate human rights

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The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, has issued a stern warning to members of the state task force, stating that the unit risks being disbanded if found culpable of human rights violations.

Jimoh issued the warning on Saturday while addressing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja, in reaction to a viral video showing the arrest of a traffic offender.

Recall that the incident sparked widespread debate online, with some residents alleging that task force officials used excessive force.

Speaking in response to a viral video involving the arrest of a traffic offender, the police chief maintained that there was no indication of abuse in the incident, stressing that the suspect was handled in accordance with established legal procedures.

He said that the individual arrested for driving against traffic was treated in line with the law and due process.

Jimoh explained that the suspect was promptly taken before a mobile court, where the charges were read, and bail was granted.

However, the individual was later remanded after failing to meet the bail conditions.

According to him, the task force is legally empowered to enforce environmental and sanitation laws across Lagos State, noting that their activities are essential to maintaining order in a densely populated city.

The commissioner said that he had already engaged task force personnel in retraining sessions focused on respecting human rights and maintaining professionalism in the course of duty.

“I will not hesitate to dissolve the task force and bring in a new set of personnel if there is clear evidence of human rights violations, as no officer is indispensable,” he said.

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He also acknowledged the role of social media and the media in bringing such incidents to public attention, describing it as part of the responsibility of citizens to hold institutions accountable.

However, he cautioned against spreading misinformation that could undermine public trust.

Calling on residents to remain law-abiding, the police boss urged members of the public to report any misconduct to the police, assuring that all complaints would be thoroughly investigated.

He said that policing in Lagos required a balance between enforcing the law and respecting the dignity of citizens.

“Lagos has a population estimated between 20 and 25 million people, making strict adherence to laws essential to prevent disorder and chaos,” he said.

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Iran Warns UK That Allowing US To Use British Bases Is Participation In Aggression

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Iran’s foreign minister has warned the United Kingdom that Tehran considers Britain’s decision to allow the United States to use British military bases as “participation in aggression.”

Seyyed Abbas Araghchi criticised the UK’s “negative and biased” stance toward the US-Israeli assault on Iran during a call with his British counterpart.

Araghchi warned that granting America access to UK bases “will certainly be considered participation in aggression.”

However, in response to the allegation, a spokesperson of the UK Prime Minister told reporters the UK granted the United States access only “for a specific defensive and limited purpose” in response to Iran’s strikes across the Middle East.

“Our position has been crystal clear from the outset. We didn’t participate in the initial strikes, and we’re not getting drawn into the wider war,” the spokesperson said.

According to reports, the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially refused Washington’s request to use UK military bases for its attacks on Iran, with the PM considering the strikes illegal.

However, Starmer joined the defence against Iran’s retaliation after Iranian forces attacked British military assets in the Middle East.

It was reported earlier that Starmer said his country accepted a United States request to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles in storage depots or launchers.

“The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose. We have taken the decision to accept this request to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region,” Starmer said at the time.

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Tehran’s warning escalates diplomatic tensions between Iran and Britain as the conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel enters its fourth week.

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British Government Gives US Permission To Strike Iranian Missiles Sites Targeting Ships From UK Bases

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The British government authorised the United States on Friday to use military bases in Britain to strike Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a decision that prompted Iran to warn the move constitutes “participation in aggression.”

According to a British spokesperson, ministers met on Friday to discuss the war with Iran and Iran’s blocking of the Strait of Hormuz.

“They confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement said.

It was reported earlier that Iran’s foreign minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, warned the United Kingdom that Tehran considers Britain’s decision to allow America to use British military bases as “participation in aggression.”

Araghchi criticised the UK’s “negative and biased” stance toward the US-Israeli assault on Iran during a call with his British counterpart following Friday’s authorisation.

Starmer Reverses Earlier Position On Base Use
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said earlier this week Britain would not enter a war over Iran. He initially rejected an American request to use British bases for strikes on Iran, saying he needed confirmation that any military action was legal.

However, Starmer changed his stance after Iran conducted strikes on British allies across the Middle East, allowing America to use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK base in the Indian Ocean.

It was gathered that President Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked Starmer since the conflict started, complaining he was not doing enough to help America.

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On Monday, Trump said there were “some countries that greatly disappointed me” before he singled out Britain, which he said had once been considered “the Rolls-Royce of allies.”

Meanwhile, the British spokesperson’s statement on Friday called for “urgent de-escalation and a swift resolution to the war.”

The authorisation now expands Britain’s involvement in the Middle East conflict beyond defensive operations. The UK previously limited its participation to intercepting Iranian missiles and drones threatening British military assets and allies in the region.

In response to what Iran tagged “agression “ it has effectively halted oil passage through the Strait of Hormuz, sparking a global energy crisis as the waterway serves as the route for roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies.

The conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel enters its fourth week with casualties mounting on both sides.

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