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The protesters want Prayut's resignation, a rewrite of the military-scripted constitution, and for the government to 'stop harassing' political opponents [Diego Azubel/EPA] Thailand’s parliament has begun a special session called to address tensions as pro-democracy protests draw students and other demonstrators into the streets almost daily, demanding the prime minister’s resignation and reforms to the ultra-powerful monarchy. A former military chief who staged the 2014 coup, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has faced increasing pressure in recent weeks by the protesters, who regard his premiership as illegitimate. Prayuth last week recalled parliament – which was in recess – to discuss how to reduce tensions. k As Speaker of the House Chuan Leekpai began the session on Monday, only 450 of the total of 731 members of both houses had signed in for the meeting. The protesters want Prayuth’s resignation, a rewrite of the military-scripted constitution, and for the government

  President Muhammadu Buhari has asked parents and guardians not to encourage their children and wards to partake in the nationwide looting, destruction of property.  “Families must turn back children who bring home unaccounted goods, in the same way, wives must ask their husbands to return looted items brought home,” the President said. This statement is coming just as the judicial panel of inquiry set up by the Lagos State Government and other states start sitting on Monday to look into the pillage that ensued following a rather abrupt halt to the #EndSARS protests across the country. President Buhari in a statement on Sunday expressed his full support and optimism that it will assist the nation to give justice to peaceful protesters who lost their lives, security men who were murdered, and property owners whose assets were vandalized and looted. The President, who said he had all along avoided going into a debate about the Lekki Toll Gate incidents until all the facts are establishe

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has said that Nigerians killed before, during, and after the #EndSARS protests must get justice. The Speaker, who sympathised with Nigerians from all parts of the country as a result of the killings, said the unity of the country remains non-negotiable. Speaking when he paid a visit to sympathise with the governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, the Speaker said the destruction caused by the protests was a very sad event that should not occur again in the history of Nigeria. The Speaker and his delegation also paid a visit to the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, whose historical palace was destroyed during the wave of violence that engulfed the state. The delegation equally met with the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Accompanied by some members of the House, Gbajabiamila, at the Lagos House Marina, expressed sadness over the wanton destruction of property an

It was the 11th straight weekend of mass protests since a disputed election in August [Stringer/Reuters] 25 Oct 2020 Belarusian police have used stun grenades against protesters as more than 100,000 people marched in the capital Minsk demanding President Alexander Lukashenko resign. The police action came hours before the expiration of an ultimatum set by the opposition: Lukashenko must resign by midnight or face a national strike. KEEP READING Belarus opposition movement wins Sakharov Prize for human rights Women of Belarus: A fearless cry for change Tens of thousands march in Belarus despite police threat to fire Protesters carrying the red-and-white flags of the Belarusian opposition movement scattered on Sunday as loud bangs and flashes lit up the city’s streets after nightfall, videos showed. Explosions and white smoke filled residential areas as people hid behind vehicles and ran from police, the videos, shared online by reputable news organisations, showed. Law enforcement confi