Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Ghana on Wednesday deported three Israeli nationals in a reciprocal action after accusing authorities in Tel Aviv of subjecting Ghanaian travelers to “ill-treatment” and carrying out the “unjustified deportation” of three Ghanaian citizens, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. Accra said it had been “compelled to retaliate” following the treatment of its nationals at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. “The Government of Ghana will continue to safeguard the dignity of its nationals and also that of other nationals,” the ministry said. The Israeli Embassy’s acting head in Accra was summoned, as the ambassador was outside the country. Both sides agreed to…

Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have sentenced Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, to 20 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Sudan’s Darfur region. Abd-Al-Rahman was convicted in October on 27 counts, including murder, torture, rape and other atrocities carried out by the Janjaweed militias more than two decades ago. Presiding judge Joanna Korner said the court found that Abd-Al-Rahman not only ordered crimes but also personally took part in them. The judges rejected defence arguments that he had limited authority and imposed a single 20-year sentence, which is…

According to the UN humanitarian coordinator, the clashes between Congolese government forces and M23 rebels took place between Dec. 2 and Dec. 7, involving heavy weapons and shelling in populated areas. The violence affected several territories in South Kivu province, including Uvira, Walungu, Mwenga, Shabunda, Kabare, Fizi and Kalehe, and has forced the displacement of more than 200,000 people since Dec. 2. Thousands of others have fled into neighboring Burundi and Rwanda. The latest crisis hit a region already hosting around 1.2 million internally displaced persons, according to the UN. UN humanitarian coordinator Bruno Lemarquis expressed deep concern over the…

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Ethiopia next week, marking the first trip by an Indian premier to the Horn of Africa nation in more than a decade, according to a report by WION News. Modi is scheduled to arrive in Addis Ababa on 16 December for a two-day visit as part of a three-nation tour that includes Jordan (15–16 December) and Oman (17–18 December). The last Indian prime minister to visit Ethiopia was Manmohan Singh in 2011. During his stay, Modi will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The two leaders last met on…

The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) has warned that it will neutralize any aircraft that violates its airspace following what it described as an incursion by a Nigerian military aircraft. In an official statement, the AES said a Nigerian Air Force C-130 made an unauthorized emergency landing in Burkina Faso. An investigation by Burkinabe authorities concluded that the landing was not cleared in advance. The bloc condemned the incident “in the strongest terms,” calling it an unfriendly act and accusing Nigeria of disregarding international civil and military aviation rules. The AES said its air defense authorities are now authorized to…

The students were abducted on November 21 when armed attackers stormed the school in Agwara Local Government Area, according to government and church officials. The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora earlier reported that at least 303 students were missing, along with members of staff. In a statement issued by presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu welcomed the students’ safe return and praised security agencies and Niger State Governor Umar Bago for their role in the rescue. “We must account for all the victims,” the president said, urging security forces to intensify efforts to free the remaining students and teachers still being held.…

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has introduced new export conditions for cobalt, tightening state control over the strategic mineral as global demand for electric vehicle batteries grows. Under a government circular reviewed by Reuters, cobalt exporters are now required to:• Obtain a Quota Verification Certificate (AVQ) before shipping• Pre-pay a 10% mining royalty within 48 hours of receiving an invoice• Submit to joint sampling, weighing and sealing of export lots• Undergo physical inspections by multiple state agencies These rules took immediate effect following a joint directive issued on November 26 by the ministries of mines and finance. Congo, which…

ECOWAS orders troop deployment to Benin after failed coup attempt The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has ordered the deployment of a regional standby force to Benin following an attempted military coup, the bloc said on Sunday. According to an ECOWAS statement, the force will include troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Ghana, and is intended to help Benin’s government and military preserve constitutional order and territorial integrity. Nigeria has already begun providing military support. President Bola Tinubu’s spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said Nigerian Air Force fighter jets were deployed after two formal requests from Benin. The…

African nations have begun unveiling provisional squads for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off in Morocco on 21 December and runs until 18 January 2026, as teams prepare for the continent’s flagship football tournament. Defending champions Ivory Coast will aim to retain their title after defeating Nigeria 2–1 in the last final. Each of the 24 qualified teams is allowed to register up to 28 players, with the final squad submission deadline set for 11 December, while clubs must release players by 15 December. So far, several countries have published full or partial lists: Angola named…

A group of Beninese soldiers announced on Sunday that they had removed President Patrice Talon from power and appointed Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri to head a new body called the “Military Committee for Refoundation.” The announcement was made on state television. In a separate statement, the French Embassy in Benin said gunfire had been reported at Camp Guezo, a military base located near the presidential residence in the capital. The embassy urged French nationals to remain indoors until the security situation becomes clearer. Patrice Talon, a former businessman, has served as president of Benin since 2016 and was re-elected in…

At least 11 people, including a three-year-old boy, were killed on Saturday after gunmen opened fire at an illegal bar in Pretoria, South African police said. The shooting took place in the Saulsville township, where 14 others were wounded. Police launched a manhunt for three unidentified suspects. Authorities did not specify whether the attack took place inside or outside the establishment, commonly known locally as a “shebeen.” “Three minors are among those deceased, which include 3- and 12-year-old boys and a 16-year-old female,” the South African Police Service said in a statement. South Africa faces persistently high violent-crime levels, recording…

At least 79 civilians, including 43 children, were killed in a drone strike carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in South Kordofan, Sudanese authorities announced on Friday. In a statement, the South Kordofan state government said the attack struck the city of Kalogi on Thursday, firing four missiles into a kindergarten, a hospital, and densely populated residential areas. Four women were also among the victims, with 38 people injured. Authorities described the strike as a “heinous crime,” accusing the RSF and its allied Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North (SPLM-N) of targeting civilians. The government initially reported eight deaths —…

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda on Thursday signed what has been described as a “historic” US-brokered peace and economic agreement, aiming to halt decades of armed conflict in eastern DR Congo and reset relations between the two neighbours. US President Donald Trump, who hosted Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the White House for the signing ceremony, said the deal marks the beginning of “a new era of harmony and cooperation.” “Today, we commit to stopping decades of violence and bloodshed,” Trump said before the signing. When asked about the withdrawal of foreign forces…

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced plans to provide $1.78 billion in financing to Namibia over the coming years, supporting major transport, energy and water projects as part of its 2025–2030 country strategy, the bank said on Wednesday. An AfDB spokesperson told reporters that the financial package — consisting mainly of loans with a grant component — aims to bolster Namibia’s economic transformation and infrastructure expansion. The total amount may be adjusted after a mid-term review of the strategy period. The bank did not specify which projects will be financed but said the focus aligns with Namibia’s priority sectors.…

The Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council (EIASC) has donated more than 200 million birr worth of medicines and medical equipment to public health institutions across the country, the Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday. According to the Ministry, EIASC President Sheikh Haji Ibrahim Tufa handed over the supplies to State Minister of Health Frehiwot Abebe. Frehiwot described religious institutions as “key partners in the health sector” and called on medical facilities to ensure that the donated items “are used for their intended purpose.” The Ministry said the latest assistance was secured from the U.S.-based charity Muslim Aid America and coordinated…

Turkiye plans to launch offshore oil drilling activities off the coast of Somalia in 2026 after completing ongoing seismic studies in the region, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters, Bayraktar noted that Türkiye’s Oruc Reis seismic research vessel conducted a 3D seismic survey in three designated zones last year, each covering around 5,000 square kilometers. “We completed seismic operations this year, and most likely 2026 will be a drilling year for us in Somalia’s offshore region,” he said, adding that an official announcement is expected in January once the survey results are finalized.…