The most important in this week’s headlines out of and concerning Africa, for those who need help catching up.
This week brings news of an airline expansion, a political resignation, and voters in Guinea head to the polls.
africaboundadventures.com Ethiopian Airlines is looking to expand by buying more planes and offering more flights to the US.
- Ethiopian Airlines Looking to Expand
Ethiopian Airlines — Africa’s largest airline — is looking to expand. They plan to buy 20 Boeing 777’s, and are looking to offer more flights to the United States. A plan to open a hub in New York City is being seriously considered, and other cities are being looked at as well.
The airline currently has hubs in Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. As for the Boeing jetliners which the airline chose over Airbus, Ethiopian plans to increase their total number of aircraft to 150 planes by 2025. They currently have a total of 76 planes.
2. Electoral Commission Chief Steps Down
Abbott Apollinaire Malu-Malu, the Electoral Commission Chief of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has resigned from his position. According to the official statement, the resignation is due to health issues. Mr. Malu-Malu’s resignation comes as the country prepares for next year’s elections, and has raised concerns that President Kabila plans to postpone the elections in an attempt to hold on to power.
3. Despite Tensions, Guinea Holds Election
Millions of people in Guinea have cast their votes in the country’s presidential election. Incumbent President Alpha Conde is one of eight candidates running in the election. Guinea is currently rife with political and social tensions, and the country was severely affected by this year’s Ebola outbreak.
There is worry that the elections will not be fair, and pre-election violence has so far resulted in three deaths. However, President Conde and his challengers have encouraged citizens to turn up to vote, and urged them to be calm and peaceful. The results of the election will be announced this week.
