Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla’s resignation comes amid an investigation into her role in luring South Africans to fight for Russia in war on Ukraine.
A daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma has resigned from parliament amid allegations that she lured 17 men to fight as mercenaries in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla’s resignation on Friday comes after police said she was under investigation for her alleged role in luring South Africans to Russia. The police announcement came after a group of men aged 20 to 39 ended up on the front lines of the conflict in Ukraine.
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Zuma-Sambudla had served as a member of parliament since June 2024 for uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), an opposition party created by her father in 2023 following his expulsion from South Africa’s then-governing African National Congress.
“The national officials have accepted comrade Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla’s decision to resign and support her efforts to ensure that these young South Africans are brought back safely to their families,” the MK Party’s national chairperson, Nkosinathi Nhleko, told a news conference.
MK officials said Zuma-Sambudla’s resignation was voluntary and that her departure from the National Assembly and all other public roles was effective immediately.
The MK’s Nhleko also said that the party was not involved in luring the men to Russia and that Zuma-Sambudla’s resignation was not an admission of guilt, but added that MK would help support the families of the men stranded in Ukraine.
Zuma-Sambudla was present at the news conference but did not speak, and has not publicly responded to the accusations from her half-sister.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, left, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, appears in court on charges of terrorism in Durban, South Africa, on November 11, 2025 [EPA]
South Africa’s government said earlier this month that 17 of its citizens were stuck in Ukraine’s Donbas region after being tricked into fighting for mercenary forces under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts.
Then, last weekend, police said they would investigate Zuma-Sambudla after her half-sister made a formal request for the probe into her and two other people.
According to police, an affidavit submitted by Zuma-Sambudla’s half-sister, Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube, alleged that Zuma-Sambudla and two other people tricked the South Africans into fighting by promising to provide them with security training in Russia. The identities of the other two people were unclear.
The affidavit alleges the South Africans were handed over to a Russian mercenary group and forced to fight in the conflict. It also says that eight of the 17 men were members of Zuma-Sambudla’s and Zuma-Mncube’s extended family.
South African presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told Al Jazeera that the government had received “distress calls” from the group caught up in the Ukraine war, and authorities were “working ever so quietly” at all levels “to secure their safe return”.
“But also, there is an investigation that is ongoing, that’s looking at how they were recruited, who was involved, and what were they promised?” Magwenya said.
On Thursday, Jordan became the latest country to rebuke Russia for recruiting its citizens to fight, following the killing of two Jordanian nationals.
While Jordan did not specifically reference Russia’s war on Ukraine, the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would “take all available measures” to end the further recruitment of Jordanians, and called for Moscow to terminate the contracts of its currently enlisted citizens.
Ukraine says Moscow has recruited at least 18,000 foreign fighters from 128 countries, according to figures shared by Ukrainian Brigadier General Dmytro Usov, who also said that almost 3,400 foreigners have died fighting for Russia.
Michael Appel, reporting for Al Jazeera from Johannesburg, said Zuma-Sambudla is seen as a divisive political figure in South Africa, and is already facing “serious charges” related to unrest in South Africa in 2021 that led to the deaths of hundreds of people.
She has denied any wrongdoing in that case and has pleaded not guilty to inciting violence through social media posts.
Trailblazers is an MBW interview series that turns the spotlight on music entrepreneurs with the potential to become the global business power players of tomorrow. This time, we meet Ruchir Mohan, Partner at 1916 Enterprises, and hit producer Yung Lan. Together, they head up Milan Publishing/Production Group, a JV between 1916 and Yung Lan. Trailblazers is supported by TuneCore.
When Yung Lan first connected with Ruchir Mohan a couple of years ago, it became clear quickly that they approached the business the same way: find talent early, develop them properly, and build careers that last.
That shared mindset has now materialized into Milan Publishing/Production Group (MPG), a new joint venture between Lan and 1916Enterprises, that’s already making noise across hip-hop, R&B, and country.
With over 6 billion global streams, more than 30 RIAA certifications, two Grammy nominations, and a 2024 BMI Country Award, Yung Lan (Milan Modi) has established himself as one of the most versatile producers of his generation, with a string of hits across country music and hip-hop
His credits span Fetty Wap’s Platinum RGF Island, cuts with Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Roddy Ricch, and Morgan Wallen.
Mohan joined 1916 Enterprises in 2023 and was recently promoted from Director of Publishing/Management to Partner at the entertainment group led by Founder/CEO Jonathan Gordon. In his new role at 1916, Mohan is spearheading the launch of the company’s Management & Services Division, while continuing to focus on select publishing clients as well.
Together, the duo of Mohan and Yung Lan will co-lead the new MPG JV with a focus on publishing, artist development, and cross-genre creative strategy with 1916.
MPG has already resulted in a wave of impactful signings. The roster includes Grammy-nominated songwriter James Maddocks, who contributed to multiple tracks on Morgan Wallen’s latest album, I’m the Problem, including Hot 100 Top 10 smash Superman. The album debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200.
Other MPG signings include genre-shifting producer Felipe Spain and rising songwriter NoaBrown. The partnership has already yielded high-profile placements with Lil Durk, Lil Baby, Saweetie, Kevin Gates, Hulvey, and OhGeesy.
“I’ve always advocated for early talent over the last decade of my career – with development and mentorship being a true passion of mine,” Lan tells MBW. “1916 and Ruchir’s commitment to the same aligns with that mindset, making this a special partnership.”
“I’ve always advocated for early talent over the last decade of my career – with development and mentorship being a true passion of mine.”
Yung Lan
The venture is also backed by significant wins on the business side. As MBW reported in August, Yung Lan recently completed a seven-figure catalog deal with GoldState, the US-based music rights company that raised $500 million earlier this year. Yung Lan’s deal with Goldstate was brokered by Ruchir Mohan.
“It gave me the ability to reset and approach the next chapter with intention,” said Yung Lan of the deal. “I’ve worked nonstop for years, and the sale allowed me to reinvest in myself, my team, and the future of MPG.
“Lan is as versatile, committed and accomplished as an executive as he is a producer,” added Mohan. “We’re honored and excited to help turn the chapter in the next page of his legacy as a producer and executive.”
Here, in a joint interview with MBW, Yung Lan and Ruchir Mohan discuss the origins of their partnership, their approach to cross-genre A&R, the recent catalog sale, and their ambitions for MPG in 2026 and beyond…
How did the partnership between the two of you come together, and what was the vision behind launching Milan Publishing/Production Group?
Yung Lan: I’ve known Ruchir for a couple of years, and it was clear early on that we approached the business in a similar way. I’ve spent a long time mentoring and developing talent, and I wanted a partner who understood the bigger picture and could help scale that work. Once we started speaking seriously, the vision aligned quickly.
“Once we started speaking seriously, the vision aligned quickly.”
Yung Lan
Ruchir Mohan: I’ve been a fan of Lan’s for years. When the opportunity to work together came up, I connected immediately with his commitment to developing, educating, and platforming producers, writers, and artists. His experience, paired with 1916’s executive and creative network, made the partnership feel both natural and purposeful.
What made now the right time to expand into this executive and entrepreneurial role with a publishing and production venture?
YL: I’ve built my career across several genres and creative communities, and the way music is blending right now is more dynamic than ever. It felt like the right moment to take everything I’ve learned and apply it on a larger scale.
I wanted to build something that supports creatives working across styles the same way I have.
Milan Publishing/Production Group spans hip-hop, R&B, and country. How do you approach A&R and talent development across such different genres, and what’s the strategic thinking behind that cross-genre approach?
YL: My approach starts with being open and accessible. I believe in giving new creatives opportunities and connecting them with the right collaborators. That means spending real time in the studio and understanding each person’s strengths.
Strategically, working across genres lets us build well-rounded careers. It gives our roster more flexibility, more opportunities, and a wider creative network. No two clients are the same, so we tailor our process to each individual.
Ruchir, what does 1916 bring to the table in this joint venture, and how does MPG fit into 1916’s broader vision?
RM: 1916 brings operational strength and a wide creative network. Our goal has always been to build partnerships that elevate and amplify creatives in meaningful ways. MPG is a key part of that mission. It allows us to support talent beyond traditional management and create long-term opportunities for producers and writers.
One of the JV’s first signings was GRAMMY-nominated songwriter James Maddocks, who’s had major success with Morgan Wallen. How did that signing come together, and what stood out about him?
YL: I used one of James’ loops years ago, and he reached out after hearing the record. His melodic instincts were strong from the start. I began working with him when he was 16 because I believed in his potential, and over time he proved he could operate at a high level. Bringing him into the JV was a natural next step.
What are you looking for when you’re signing talent to MPG?
RM: We look for clarity and commitment. Someone doesn’t need to have every detail figured out, but they should know who they are creatively and be willing to grow. Work ethic is a major factor.
We also value how someone collaborates. The environment Lan and I have built thrives when people bring drive, humility, and a desire to be part of a team.
You’ve secured high-profile placements with Lil Durk, Lil Baby, Saweetie, Kevin Gates, and others. What’s in the pipeline for 2026?
YL: We have a strong slate of records lined up across rap, R&B, and country. Some collaborations are new pairings that I think will surprise people, and others are with rising artists we’ve been building with for some time.
We’re also leaning heavily into internal collaboration within MPG. When our creators consistently work together, the music improves and the opportunities grow. You’ll see that reflected next year.
RM: On our side, we’re also excited about the infrastructural changes underway. We’ve been expanding the team at MPG and 1916, which allows us to give each client more focused, dedicated support. The goal is to build a system where creative wins are matched with strong day-to-day care and thoughtful long-term planning. We’re in a great place to deliver that in 2026.
Mentorship and development have been themes throughout your career. What does your development process look like for emerging talent?
YL: My process is hands-on. We spend time in the studio identifying strengths, refining ideas, and building consistency. I focus on the fundamentals: melody, structure, and understanding what makes a record connect.
I also teach the business side early. Understanding ownership, splits, and how the industry works is essential for a long career.
Is there enough artist development in the music business today?
YL: Not in a meaningful way. The industry often prioritizes quick results, but true development takes patience. The artists and creatives who last are the ones who take the time to build real skills. That’s why MPG puts development at the center — it gives people the space to grow properly.
You recently completed a seven-figure catalog sale for Yung Lan’s work with Goldstate. What drove that decision, and how does it play into long-term strategy?
RM: It came down to long-term planning. Lan has a deep catalog, and the timing made sense to realize its value while creating flexibility for the future. We helped evaluate his earnings history, and his personal and professional goals. It wasn’t about stepping back from the work — it was about moving into the next phase with more options.
Ruchir, you were recently promoted to Partner at 1916. What’s on your to-do list for 2026, and how is 1916 positioned today?
RM: My priorities for 2026 are to scale with intention. MPG is a major focus, and so is expanding our publishing and creative capabilities. I’m spending a lot of time on new partnerships, supporting our internal team, and building opportunities where clients can create real equity.
1916 is in a strong position. We’ve grown without losing the hands-on approach that defines us. Our aim is to support talent through their full career, not just around isolated moments.
What does success look like to you?
YL: Success is having the freedom to create the work you want, with the people you respect, and to do it on your own terms; while also remaining true to yourself. If the people around me can reach that same level of freedom and stability, that’s real success.
RM: Success, to me, is seeing the people we work with grow in a sustainable way. Deals and accolades matter, but they’re not the whole story. If we can build systems that support long-term careers, that’s success.
If you could change one thing about the music business today, what would it be?
RM: I would push for stronger business education among musicians. A lot of talented people enter the industry without a clear understanding of ownership, contracts, or how their work generates revenue. When creatives have that foundation early, they make better decisions and set themselves up for sustainable careers. The overall ecosystem would be healthier if education were treated as a core part of development.
YL: I’d like to see the industry move away from short-term thinking. Quick wins and viral moments get most of the attention, but they don’t build longevity. When teams plan with intention and focus on real development, the results last longer. That’s the kind of environment I want to see more of.
Trailblazers is supported by TuneCore. TuneCore provides self-releasing artists with technology and services across distribution, publishing administration, and a range of promotional services. TuneCore is part of Believe.Music Business Worldwide
The Trump administration is halting all asylum decisions in the wake of the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington DC, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) director Joseph Edlow has said.
On Friday, in a post on X, Edlow said the pause would be in place “until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible”.
The announcement comes hours after President Donald Trump pledged to “permanently pause migration” to the US from all “third world countries”.
On Thursday, Trump announced that a US National Guard member had died from her injuries after Wednesday’s shooting, for which an Afghan national has been blamed.
Officers at the USCIS, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, were instructed to refrain from approving, denying or closing asylum applications received by the agency for all nationalities, according to reporting by CBS News, the BBC’s US partner.
According to guidance seen by CBS, officers could continue to work asylum application and review cases up to the point of making a decision.
“Once you’ve reached decision entry, stop and hold,” the directive said.
There are still few details available about both Friday’s directive and Trump’s earlier remarks.
Trump did not name which countries might be affected by his plan. Such a move could face legal challenges and has already prompted pushback from UN agencies.
Both announcements followed Wednesday’s fatal attack, and represent a further toughening of the Trump administration’s stance towards migrants during his second presidency.
Among other moves, Trump has sought to enact mass deportations of migrants who entered the US illegally, to drastically cut the annual number of refugee admissions, and to end automatic citizenship rights that currently apply to nearly anyone born on US territory.
In the wake of Wednesday’s shooting, Trump promised to remove from the US any foreigner “from any country who does not belong here”. The same day, the US suspended processing all immigration requests from Afghans, saying the decision was made pending a review of “security and vetting protocols”.
Then on Thursday, the USCIS said it would re-examine green cards issued to individuals who had migrated to the US from 19 countries. The agency did not explicitly mention Wednesday’s attack.
When asked by the BBC which countries were on the list, the USCIS pointed to a June proclamation by the White House that included Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia and Venezuela. There were no further details about what the re-examination would look like.
Trump’s strongly worded two-part post on Thursday night went further still, pledging to “end all federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens”.
The US president wrote in a Truth Social post that this would “allow the US system to fully recover” from policies that had eroded the “gains and living conditions” of many Americans.
Watch: Trump announces death of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom
‘Third-world countries’
In the post, the president also blamed refugees for causing the “social dysfunction in America” and vowed to remove “anyone who is not a net asset” to the US.
The post, which Trump introduced as a “Happy Thanksgiving salutation”, was filled with anti-immigrant language.
He said that “hundreds of thousands of refugees from Somalia were completely taking over the once great State of Minnesota” and took particular aim at the state’s Democratic lawmakers.
“I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover,” the president wrote.
The phrase “third world” is a term that was used in the past to describe poorer, developing nations.
The president had already imposed a travel ban on nationals of Afghanistan – and 11 other countries, primarily in Africa and Asia – earlier this year. Another travel ban targeting a number of majority-Muslim countries was enacted during his first term.
The UN responded to Trump’s words by urging his administration to observe international agreements regarding asylum seekers.
“We expect all countries, including the United States, to honour their commitments under the 1953 Refugee Convention,” the deputy spokesperson for the UN secretary general told Reuters.
The Trump response amounted to a “scapegoating” of migrants in the US, argued Jeremy McKinney, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Speaking to the BBC World Service’s Newsday programme before Trump’s latest comments, Mr McKinney highlighted that the attacker’s motive was not known.
“These types of issues – they don’t know skin colour, they don’t know nationality,” he said. “When a person becomes radicalised or is suffering some type of mental illness, that person can come from any background.”
Suspect in DC shooting is Afghan
The flurry of announcements come after officials said that the suspect in the Washington DC shooting, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had come to the US in 2021.
He travelled under a programme that offered special immigration protections to Afghans who had worked with US forces in the wake of the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Mr Lakanwal previously worked alongside the CIA, the agency’s current director has said.
He helped guard US forces at Kabul airport as thousands scrambled to escape Afghanistan before the Taliban took power, a former military commander who served alongside him told the BBC.
The father of five had been recruited to Unit 03 of the Kandahar Strike Force, nine years earlier.
His unit was known locally as Scorpion Forces, operating initially under the CIA but eventually for the Afghan intelligence department known as the National Directorate of Security.
Mr Lakanwal was a GPS tracker specialist, the former commander told the BBC, describing him as a “sporty and jolly character”.
Mr Lakanwal would have been vetted by the US both at the time the he started his work alongside the CIA, and when he ultimately travelled to the US, according to a senior US official who spoke to CNN.
A childhood friend told the New York Times that Mr Lakanwal had experienced mental health issues after his work with his unit.
Mr Lakanwal later applied for asylum in 2024. His application was granted earlier this year, reportedly after Trump returned to power.
But Mr Lakanwal’s request for a green card, which is tied to the asylum grant, is pending, a Homeland Security official told CBS.
The suspect was arrested after the attack and was said to be not co-operating with authorities. Trump described the incident as an “act of terror”.
He said the following day that one of the two members of the National Guard who were shot had died.
Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old from West Virginia, was working in the city as part of Trump’s deployment of National Guard members to crack down on crime.
She had volunteered to work in DC over the US Thanksgiving holiday, Attorney General Pam Bondi said.
The second National Guard member, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, was said by Trump to be “fighting for his life”.
FBI: Suspect had relationship with ‘partner forces’ in Afghanistan
Follow the twists and turns of Trump’s second term with North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher’s weekly US Politics Unspun newsletter. Readers in the UK can sign up here. Those outside the UK can sign up here.
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While Roberto Duran faced a plethora of elite operators throughout his extraordinary 119-fight career, there was one man, in particular, who separated himself as a remarkably durable opponent.
First, he lost a 15-round unanimous decision to the former up at middleweight, then dropped back down to 154lbs and suffered a second-round stoppage defeat to Hearns.
Those losses arrived in 1983 and ’84 respectively, though Duran had previously been handed blemishes against Sugar Ray Leonard, Wilfred Benitez and Kirkland Laing during that same decade.
Duran had produced a tremendous performance outpoint Leonard in their first welterweight encounter, but ultimately lost their immediate rematch via an eighth-round stoppage.
Many regard this as the most trialling period of the Panamanian’s career, given he was campaigning out of his more natural weight class and often came up against stiff opposition.
Oddly enough, though, it was actually down at lightweight – his most prosperous habitat – where Duran encountered one of his toughest opponent.
While speaking with ESNEWS, the former four-division world champion reveals that Ken Buchanan, who he faced in 1972, was perhaps his most gritty dance partner.
“All fighters are tough, and one of the toughest was Ken Buchanan … the toughest fight of my career was Buchanan because I had a trip, it was 15 rounds and it was his title.”
Scotland’s Buchanan entered their 1972 clash as the WBA world champion, and a sizeable favourite, before ultimately suffering a 13th-round stoppage defeat to ‘Hands of Stone’.
Much of their contest, however, was stained with controversy, as Duran, for all of his talent and doggedness, would frustrate his opponent with a series of head butts and low blows.
The Wagoneer S marks a bold leap for Jeep as the brand’s first full-electric model for US buyers. Jeep doesn’t seem shy about it. Its greatest downsides are not electric, but are problems it shares with Wagoneer models on the whole.
At a glance
Not an adventure Jeep, but a luxury one instead
Good real-world returns for range and charging
Solid design overall and good drive appeal on the road
One of the most subtle but telling design changes for the Wagoneer S versus the other Wagoneer models is up front. The iconic seven-slot grille is illuminated, signaling that this isn’t your grandfather’s Wagoneer. The overall silhouette is more aerodynamic and sleek than the traditional boxy SUV shape. You get curves, a lower roofline, and flush door handles – all hints that Jeep wanted this SUV to play in a more contemporary, perhaps even upscale EV-crossover sandbox.
These are all signs that point towards the true purpose of the Wagoneer S and its other Wagoneer model siblings. This isn’t an off-road, mud-bogging, mountain-climbing SUV. It’s a luxury drive that happens to say “Jeep” on it. Well-balanced on the road, cushioned in every way, and definitely not what one would call “rugged.” One doesn’t buy this Jeep for adventure. At least, not adventure in the dirt. This is a bougie Jeep.
The interior of the Wagoneer S is well-designed and extremely comfortable, with screens that aren’t competing for attention
Jeep
Under the skin, the Wagoneer S packs serious EV hardware: two electric motors, all-wheel drive, and a substantial 94-kWh battery. And there’s a 600-hp upgrade trim with lightning performance: 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in about 3.4 seconds, with a quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds at 123 mph (198 km/h). Because the way to sell an EV, we Americans seem to think, is to make it really quick and boast about those numbers.
Range and EV convenience round out the positives, especially after I spent time in the real world with the Wagoneer S. The EPA-rated range sits at 294 miles (473 km), which is surprisingly close to reality. I road-tripped with a full battery, driving down into Colorado and halfway up a mountain and back again on one charge. A total of 250-odd miles (402 km) of driving and I returned with about 15% of the battery still charged.
It was a smooth cruise with a well-done interior, great sound system, and robust but not in-your-face driver assist. Once back home, I learned that charging is fairly robust. DC fast charging can top the battery from 20-80% in about 23 minutes and Level 2 overnight charging is practical for daily use. My own 50A charger showed the Wagoneer S taking 41 amps up until about 85% charge before slowing down to accommodate battery heat. That’s impressive.
The passenger-side screen in the Wagoneer S, while useful, is also an annoyance for the driver in low-light and nighttime driving
Jeep
Inside, the Wagoneer S tries to deliver on a more premium, borderline luxurious promise. There are nicely padded surfaces, stitched door panels, a decent layout of bins and cubbies, and design cues that hint at modern comfort. The Wagoneer S has an ambitious infotainment stack that provides Chrysler’s latest Uconnect system and a host of connectivity options. In terms of daily practicality, the cargo space is competitive and useful in its shape. The frunk has a handful of cubic feet, which is mostly just practical for storing the charging cord.
Overall drive quality is floaty and somewhat disconnected, but not terribly so. The Wagoneer S has a solid feel to it and a smooth execution in both acceleration and deceleration. The multi-terrain select option seems a little pointless unless there’s severe weather. I am personally not a fan of Stellantis’ love of the passenger-side infotainment screen. That added connection has its usefulness, of course, but it’s highly reflective – usually right into the driver’s face, and especially in low light or night driving. I found it’s better to leave the screen active than turn it off, to help mitigate the reflections.
Were it not for the 360-degree camera system, visibility in the Wagoneer S would be another sore spot. Thick A-pillars and large mirror housings create sizable blind spots, and the wraparound rear-roof pillar and small rear window reduce rear visibility. And there’s no rear wiper?
The Jeep Wagoneer S is a good foray into the battery electric market
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
The Wagoneer S straddles two identities, and neither is served perfectly. As a Jeep, one might expect off-road capability, ruggedness, and go-anywhere versatility. Instead, with its lowered stance, aerodynamic tweaks, narrow tires, and suspension tuning, this S-model feels more at home on freeway on-ramps than dirt tracks. As a luxury EV crossover, it aims high, but certain touches don’t quite make it that far, hitting the premium level, but not quite making lux.
In short: the Wagoneer S is ambitious, and in many respects valiant. It’s a first effort at reimagining Jeep for the electric age. It’s a bit like your favorite boot-legged bourbon: potent, characterful, imperfect; but, with enough charm to make you take another sip.
Pricing for the Jeep Wagoneer S begins at US$65,200.
new video loaded: Video Shows Israeli Forces Killing Militants Who Appeared to Surrender
Israeli security forces on Thursday killed two militants in the West Bank after they appeared to surrender, according to footage of the episode. The Israeli authorities said they were investigating.
General Horta Inta-A appoints new prime minister amid growing condemnation of military coup in West African nation.
Guinea-Bissau’s new military ruler has moved to consolidate power days after a coup deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo.
In a decree on Friday, General Horta Inta-A announced the appointment of Finance Minister Ilidio Vieira Te as the West African country’s new prime minister.
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The people of Guinea-Bissau “expect a lot” of their new leaders, Inta-A told Te during a brief swearing-in ceremony, saying he hoped the new military government and the prime minister would “continue to work hand-in-hand”.
Te previously served in his government and as the campaign director for Embalo’s party in last Sunday’s presidential election.
Friday’s announcement comes just days after military officers said they had taken “total control” of the country during a televised address on the eve of the expected release of provisional election results.
Embalo had been seeking re-election against his main challenger, Fernando Dias. Both candidates had declared victory in advance of the results, which have still not been released.
Regional and world leaders have condemned the military coup, one of several in Guinea-Bissau since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974.
The African Union announced on Friday it was suspending Guinea-Bissau “with immediate effect”, shortly after the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) froze Guinea-Bissau out of “all decision-making bodies”.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the military’s “unacceptable violation of democratic principles” while the European Union urged “a swift return to the constitutional order and the resumption of the electoral process”.
The prime minister of Senegal, where Embalo has taken refuge since the coup, condemned the putsch as a “sham” and called for the electoral process to be allowed to continue.
“The [electoral] commission must be able to declare the winner,” Ousmane Sonko told lawmakers on Friday.
Dias, the opposition candidate, told the AFP news agency on Thursday that he believed he had beaten Embalo in Sunday’s presidential election. He alleged that Embalo had “organised” the power grab to prevent him from taking office.
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who was in Guinea-Bissau during the coup as the head of a West African elections observer group, also accused Embalo of staging a “ceremonial coup” to stay in power.
“A military doesn’t take over governments and allow the sitting president that they overthrew to address press conferences and announce that he has been arrested,” Jonathan told reporters.
Te, left, and Inta-A shake hands during the new prime minister’s swearing-in ceremony in Bissau [AFP]
Calm returns to capital
UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on Friday that at least 18 people, including government officers, magistrates and opposition politicians, had been arbitrarily detained during the coup, and most were still being held incommunicado.
“I am deeply alarmed by reports of human rights violations in Guinea-Bissau following the coup, including arbitrary arrests and detentions of Government officials and opposition leaders, as well as threats against and intimidation of media houses and journalists,” Turk said in a statement.
He called for the immediate release of all those detained, as well as for the return of constitutional order.
“The military authorities must ensure they fully respect everyone’s fundamental freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly,” Turk added.
Meanwhile, calm returned to the capital, Bissau, on Friday as the new military rulers lifted an overnight curfew that had been imposed during the coup.
People and vehicles were circulating through Bissau’s streets after army checkpoints were lifted. The main stock exchange and markets in outlying districts, as well as commercial banks, have also reopened.
“I resumed my work because if I stay home, I will have nothing to eat,” Boubacar Embalo, a 25-year-old street vendor, told the news agency AFP.
Airbus SE cautioned that a large portion of its active A320 jetliner family fleet will require a software fix after a recent incident involving a Jetblue Airways Corp. airliner revealed that “intense solar radiation” could risk corrupting data that’s critical to maintaining functioning flight controls.
The company said a significant number of its A320 fleet, encompassing about 6,000 jets in total, may be impacted by the required fix, according to a statement sent by the European planemaker on Friday.
“Airbus acknowledges these recommendations will lead to operational disruptions to passengers and customers,” the company said.
The advisory follows an incident on Oct. 30 involving a Jetblue aircraft that was flying from Cancun to Newark, New Jersey, that suffered a computer glitch that resulted in a sudden, unexpected downward pitch without pilot input. Nobody was injured, and the jet diverted to Tampa, Florida. A later investigation uncovered that one of the plane’s elevator-aileron computers — known as ELAC 2 — had malfunctioned.
The finding risks becoming a significant headache for Airbus, given the A320 family is the company’s by far most widely flown aircraft. According to people familiar with the situation, most of the jets can receive an uncomplicated update from the cockpit with minimal downtime.
But about 1,000 older jets will need an actual hardware upgrade and will have to be grounded for the duration of the maintenance, said the people, asking not to be identified discussing non-public findings.
The manufacturer, based in Toulouse in southern France, said it’s requesting a so-called Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) to implement the fixes, and that the AOT will be reflected in an emergency directive by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, the region’s regulator.
Airbus declined to comment on the details and the duration of the maintenance measures. The EASA directive will likely contain more information on the exact fix and the extent of the upgrades.
The A320 is the competing aircraft to Boeing Co. 737 model, and the two jetliner families are the workhorses of the civil aviation industry. Airbus has already had to contend with engine issues on its newer A320neo jets, involving those built by Pratt & Whitney, that have forced hundreds of jets to be taken out of service temporarily for maintenance.
The A320 is flown using so-called fly-by-wire system, which rely on electronic inputs rather than hydraulic mechanisms. The ELAC system, which stands for Elevator Aileron Computers, helps manage critical flight parameters such as stabilizer trip and ensures the aircraft remains within its prescribed flight envelope by preventing excessive or accidental inputs.
