The trial of former Malian prime minister, Moussa Mara, has started at the cybercrime court in the capital, Bamako.

This follows comments Mara made in July on social media after visiting detained opposition figures in jail, which led to him being charged for undermining the credibility of the state, opposing legitimate authority, and inciting public disorder.

However, he said his visits were to make sure that the flame of hope never fades, with no intentions to cause any public disorder.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has directed its affiliate unions to begin urgent mobilization and prepare for a nationwide industrial action against the Dangote Group, accusing the conglomerate of sustained anti-worker practices.
This came as the nationwide strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria PENGASSAN, against the refinery paralyzed operations at key oil and gas regulatory institutions, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court in Abuja earlier restrained PENGASSAN from embarking on its industrial action against Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE. However, PENGASSAN declared that it was not aware of the court injunction, arguing that court orders or processes were served via a court bailiff and not through social media.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has restated Nigeria’s readiness to partner with credible global investors, particularly Nigerians in the diaspora.
The President made the declaration in Lagos yesterday after separate meetings with global investment figures, describing such partnership as part of efforts to secure energy independence and deliver modern infrastructure to power prosperity across Africa.
The tips of the engagements were shared on the President’s verified X handle, stressing that his administration’s reforms are already reshaping the investment climate.

The European Union, EU has confirmed that it had reinstated sanctions against Iran, following a similar move against Iran by the United Nations.

According to a statement released by the EU presidency, the sanctions included freezing the assets of the Iranian Central Bank and other Iranian banks, as well as travel bans on certain Iranian officials.

Although, Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons, Britain, France and Germany initiated the return of sanctions on Iran at the U.N. Security Council over accusations it had violated a 2015 deal that aimed to stop it developing a nuclear bomb.

Gabon is currently awaiting election results that could prove crucial for the leadership of General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.

More than 900,000 Gabonese were called to the polls on Saturday, in the country’s first legislative and local elections since a two thousand and-twenty- three military coup toppled the Bongo dynasty.

Accordingly, voters have elected one hundred and forty-five parliament members as well as local councilors, who will in turn indirectly elect senators, mayors, and presidents of regional assemblies. Meanwhile, initial results were still pending in the early hours of Monday morning.