Author: Abdihakim Kalale

The military, calling itself the “High Command for the Restoration of Order,” said the takeover was necessary to “preserve stability” as rival candidates traded victory claims before official results were released. The transitional period is expected to last one year, according to local media. Uncertainty over Embaló’s whereabouts Embaló, speaking briefly to international media late Wednesday, said he had been “removed from office.” His location remained unclear on Thursday, and the army has not confirmed whether he is in custody. Witnesses reported heavy gunfire near the electoral commission, the presidential compound and other strategic points in Bissau shortly before the…

In a televised address, Tinubu said the Nigeria Police Force will recruit 20,000 additional officers, raising its operational strength to 50,000, and announced that National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps will be converted into training centres. He also directed the withdrawal of officers from VIP protection duties for redeployment to frontline communities after accelerated retraining. The president granted the Department of State Services (DSS) approval to deploy trained forest guards and hire more staff to clear armed groups operating from remote forest areas. “There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” Tinubu said, urging coordinated national action…

In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump said South Africa declined to address what he described as “human rights abuses against Afrikaners and other white minorities,” repeating claims the South African government has long rejected as “factually incorrect.” Trump said the US will halt “all payments and subsidies to South Africa, effective immediately.” The South African presidency called Trump’s remarks “regrettable,” stressing that the country is a full member of the G20 “in its own name and right.” Pretoria said it would not accept insults questioning its legitimacy on global platforms. South Africa confirmed that the G20 presidency…

Army officers in Guinea-Bissau said Wednesday they have seized power and taken control of state institutions, a day before the release of results from a closely contested presidential election. In a televised statement, a group calling itself the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order said it had suspended the electoral process “until further notice” and ordered the closure of all land, air and sea borders, as well as the imposition of a night-time curfew. The announcement came hours after heavy gunfire was reported near the election commission headquarters, the presidential palace and the Interior Ministry in the capital,…

EU Ambassador Giuseppe Perrone held talks on Monday with UGTT Secretary-General Noureddine Taboubi, praising the union’s historic role in winning the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize and reaffirming the bloc’s commitment to cooperating with Tunisian civil society. In a statement, the presidency said Saied delivered a “strongly worded protest” and accused the ambassador of acting “outside official diplomatic channels.” The move comes amid escalating tensions between the government and civil society organisations. Tunisian authorities have suspended the activities of several groups, including Democratic Women, Nawaat Journalists and the Economic and Social Forum, drawing criticism from international rights bodies. Amnesty International recently…

The country first confirmed the outbreak on Nov. 14, reporting three deaths three days later. The Ethiopian Press Agency, citing a statement from the Ministry of Health, said 11 cases have so far been detected, with six fatalities, while five patients remain under medical care. Health officials said 349 individuals who had contact with confirmed cases were placed under monitoring, and 119 have been released after completing the required surveillance period. Marburg virus, part of the same family as Ebola, typically begins with severe headaches and can progress to internal and external bleeding. Previous outbreaks in Africa have recorded fatality…

Zakharova said Moscow’s position “remains unchanged,” emphasizing that terrorism is a global challenge requiring coordinated responses with the international community, UN bodies and the African Union. “Russia is prepared to continue providing the necessary assistance to its Nigerian partners,” she said, noting that Nigeria’s armed forces and security agencies have accumulated “significant experience in effectively countering terrorist threats.” She said civilians — particularly women and children — continue to bear the brunt of attacks carried out by armed groups targeting communities, government institutions and security personnel. Nigeria continues to grapple with violence from groups such as Boko Haram, which has…

The decision comes as opposition groups and activists had called for nationwide gatherings on Dec. 9 to protest the killings that occurred after the vote. The opposition alleges that hundreds were killed in the crackdown. The government has not released an official death toll and has established a commission of inquiry to investigate the incidents. President Samia Suluhu Hassan won the election with 98% of the vote, a result the opposition described as a “mockery of democracy.” Two leading opposition figures — Tundu Lissu, detained on treason charges he denies, and Luhaga Mpina, whose candidacy was rejected on technical grounds…

Dias, considered the main challenger, said his team already collected data showing he won in the first round, claiming he led in almost all regions. He also alleged attempts to interfere with the vote-counting process. Dias is backed by former Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira, who was barred from running this year. Meanwhile, Embaló’s campaign spokesman Oscar Barbosa told reporters in Bissau that the president had also won and that “there would be no runoff.” The electoral commission warned all candidates, political actors and the media against announcing results ahead of the official declaration, expected by Thursday. About 1.1 million…

The Gambian presidency said Bakary was received “on humanitarian grounds and on a temporary basis,” noting that the escalation of political tension in Cameroon prompted the decision. “Gambia is working with regional partners, including Nigeria, to support a peaceful and negotiated resolution to the post-election situation in Cameroon,” the statement read. Bakary left the country days after large-scale demonstrations erupted over official results showing President Paul Biya securing a new five-year mandate with 53.7% of the vote. Bakary, who finished second with 35.2%, rejected the outcome, calling it “a shameful constitutional coup” and urging nationwide peaceful protests. Authorities reported at…

The United Arab Emirates on Saturday announced a $1 billion initiative to support the expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure and AI-enabled public services across African countries, positioning technology as a driver of development on the continent. UAE Minister of State Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri unveiled the “AI for Development Initiative” during the G20 leaders’ summit in Johannesburg, saying the programme will prioritise sectors including education, healthcare and climate resilience. “We consider AI not just as a future industry but a cornerstone of humanity’s future,” Al Hajeri said, noting the UAE’s commitment to advancing responsible and inclusive innovation. The UAE…

South Africa, the first African nation to chair the G20, said the text reflected months of negotiations and broad alignment among member states. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told reporters the declaration “cannot be renegotiated,” noting there was “overwhelming consensus” throughout the year. Washington accused Pretoria of using its G20 presidency for political ends and criticised the adoption of a declaration drafted without U.S. participation. The White House said President Donald Trump’s administration had objected to several provisions and would seek to “restore legitimacy” when it assumes the rotating presidency next year. Argentina later withdrew from the final endorsement, citing concerns…

Demonstrators, many dressed in black, carried banners reading “Enough repression” and “The streets belong to the people,” accusing authorities of restricting freedoms and consolidating one-man rule. Protesters also chanted slogans demanding the fall of the government. The rally brought together civil society organizations, activists and opposition parties across the political spectrum, marking a rare display of unity in a country facing deep economic hardship, rising living costs and mounting political tensions. Opposition groups, journalists and rights advocates allege that Saied has increasingly relied on the security forces and judiciary to silence critics. They point to a wave of arrests, prosecutions,…

Embalo is competing against 11 challengers, including Fernando Dias, widely viewed as his strongest opponent. Dias has the backing of influential political figures, including leaders of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), although the party was excluded from fielding its own candidates after missing a paperwork deadline. Analysts expect a tight contest, with a runoff likely if no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote. Nearly 1 million citizens — almost half of the country’s population — are registered to participate. Guinea-Bissau has experienced repeated coups since independence, and concerns over political tensions,…

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said Saturday that a verification exercise confirmed 315 people were taken during Friday’s raid, including 303 students and 12 teachers. The figure also includes 88 students who were seized as they attempted to flee. “We are working with the government and security agencies to see that our children are rescued and brought back safely,” CAN state chairman Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna said. The Niger State government earlier said the school had ignored instructions to suspend boarding activities due to intelligence warnings about possible attacks, a claim CAN disputed. Friday’s abduction is the third in…

Despite the controversy, 42 countries and international institutions have confirmed participation at the high-level talks taking place November 22–23 at Johannesburg’s Nasrec Expo Centre. U.S. President Trump has refused to attend and claimed — without evidence — that South Africa mistreats its white minority. Washington’s absence comes even as the U.S. is expected to assume the rotating G20 presidency from South Africa at the end of the month. Pretoria says it will proceed with a symbolic handover even if the chair remains empty. Diplomatic friction ahead of the summit President Cyril Ramaphosa said the U.S. had reached out privately to…