Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Malawi is preparing for a pivotal presidential election that analysts say could mirror the anti-incumbent trend that swept across Africa in 2024, when voters in countries such as Senegal, Ghana, and Botswana unseated long-standing governments. President Lazarus Chakwera, seeking a second term, faces mounting pressure amid an economic crisis, widespread frustration over corruption, and a determined opposition led by 85-year-old former president Peter Mutharika. Opinion surveys suggest the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) holds a consistent lead, raising the possibility of a first-round victory. A Continental Pattern Across Africa last year, citizens punished ruling elites for economic hardship, corruption, and…

The Zambian government has signaled it will press for additional compensation from a Chinese-owned mining company following one of the country’s worst industrial spills in recent history. In February, a dam holding acidic waste from the Sino-Metals Leach Zambia copper mine collapsed, releasing millions of tonnes of toxic material into rivers that connect to the Kafue River – a vital water source for communities in northern Zambia. Vice President Mutale Nalumango told officials on Wednesday that the government’s priority was the “non-negotiable safety of citizens,” stressing that the $580,000 compensation package offered so far “may not be enough” once a…

The Burkinabe government has unveiled a major policy shift allowing all African nationals to obtain visas free of charge, marking another step in the country’s pan-African vision under Transitional President Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The decision, adopted during the weekly Council of Ministers meeting, was announced by government spokesperson Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo. Security Minister Mahamadou Sana clarified that the measure removes visa processing fees but does not equate to full visa exemption. “From now on, citizens of any African country traveling to Burkina Faso will not pay for visa fees,” Sana explained, adding that the reform aims to promote free movement…

South Sudan’s political landscape was shaken on Thursday after Justice Minister Dr. Joseph Geng Akech announced that opposition leader and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar has been formally charged with treason, crimes against humanity, and murder. The charges stem from alleged involvement in attacks by the White Army militia on government barracks in Nasir, Upper Nile State, earlier this year. Authorities say the White Army, comprised largely of armed Nuer civilians, carried out deadly raids that prompted a months-long investigation. Indictments Announced Minister Geng confirmed that a total of 21 individuals were indicted, with eight formally charged and 13…

Since its official opening in 2015, the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital in Mogadishu has become one of Somalia’s most trusted and respected medical centers, offering hope to thousands of patients every month. The hospital, whose construction began in 2012 with Turkish support, now treats around 40,000 patients monthly. People not only come from across Somalia but also from neighboring countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia. With 250 beds and state-of-the-art facilities, it is the largest Turkish overseas medical humanitarian project and a flagship of Somalia-Türkiye cooperation. Modern Care for a Fragile System The hospital is equipped with…

The Global Sumud Flotilla, a large international convoy aiming to break the blockade on Gaza, has rerouted to Tunisia’s northern port city of Bizerte due to rough seas. Organizers confirmed Thursday that the decision was made for safety reasons, with the group now set to depart for Gaza on Friday. Mohamed Amin Bennour, a steering committee member, explained that sailing directly from Sidi Bou Said near Tunis was too dangerous for smaller boats. Fellow organizer Nabil Chennoufi emphasized that the change was weather-related, not linked to security concerns, and noted that Tunisian authorities had already granted full clearance for the…

Nearly 130 people have been “summarily executed” by armed militants in Niger since March, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW). The rights group documented a series of deadly attacks, including one in June at a mosque in the western Tillabéri region, where more than 70 worshippers were shot dead during prayers. “There were bodies everywhere, one on top of the other,” recalled a woman who lost three of her sons in the attack, quoted by HRW. The surge in violence represents a major challenge for Niger’s military government, which took power after removing former President Mohamed…

A South African court has sentenced seven Chinese nationals to 20 years in prison each for running an illegal sweatshop where Malawian migrants, including children, were subjected to forced labour. The group – Kevin Tsao, Chen Hui, Qin Li, Jiaqing Zhou, Ma Biao, Dai Junying, and Zhang Zhilian – were convicted on 158 counts of human trafficking, kidnapping, and violating labour and immigration laws. The Raid and Shocking Discovery The case dates back to 2019, when authorities raided a Johannesburg factory named Beautiful City after a tip-off from an escaped worker. Inside, they found 91 Malawian nationals, among them 37…

Ivory Coast’s Constitutional Council has surprised many by approving the candidacy of former First Lady Simone Gbagbo, 76, for the upcoming 25 October presidential election. The decision puts her in direct competition with President Alassane Ouattara, 83, who has ruled since 2011 and is seeking a fourth term. Disqualifications Spark Tension Several high-profile figures have been barred from contesting, including former President Laurent Gbagbo, Simone’s ex-husband, ex-Prime Minister Pascal Affi N’Guessan, and ex-Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam. Thiam condemned his exclusion as “an act of democratic vandalism”, accusing Ouattara’s government of orchestrating a one-sided contest. Ouattara originally faced a two-term…

The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), currently en route to Gaza, claimed on Tuesday that one of its main vessels, the Family Boat, was struck by a drone while anchored off Tunisia’s coast. Tunisian officials, however, rejected the allegation, attributing the fire onboard to an accident. Conflicting Accounts In a statement, the flotilla said the boat was hit by an aerial object in Tunisian waters near Sidi Bou Said, igniting a blaze. Shared footage appeared to show something dropping onto the vessel from above before a flash of fire broke out. “All passengers and crew are safe,” the GSF emphasized, adding…

Ethiopia has officially inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydro-electric project, a national undertaking that has taken 14 years to complete and united Ethiopians across political and ethnic divides. A National Symbol Stretching 1.78 km across the Blue Nile and standing 145 meters high, the GERD is built with over 11 million cubic meters of concrete. Its vast reservoir, named Lake Nigat (“dawn” in Amharic), is already a powerful symbol of national achievement and independence. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who led the inauguration, hailed the project as “a turning point for Ethiopia’s future,” emphasizing that it will…

The Republic of the Congo has sealed a landmark $23 billion hydrocarbon agreement with Chinese energy company Wing Wah, aimed at significantly raising oil production and boosting local content in the sector. Deal Highlights The agreement covers the Banga Kayo, Holmoni, and Cayo permits, with Congo targeting a rise in national oil output to 200,000 barrels per day by 2030. By 2050, cumulative production from these sites is expected to surpass 1.3 billion barrels. The pact was signed in August by Congo’s Minister of Hydrocarbons Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Minister of State Jean-Jacques Bouya, and Wing Wah President General Xiao Lianping.…

The United Nations has accused Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing crimes against humanity during their prolonged siege of el-Fasher, the last major army stronghold in Darfur. Alleged Atrocities According to the UN Fact-Finding Mission, the RSF has carried out murder, rape, torture, sexual slavery, forced displacement, and persecution targeting communities on ethnic, gender, and political grounds. The report further highlights the use of starvation as a weapon of war, describing it as a possible crime of extermination. UN investigators said both the RSF and Sudan’s army have deliberately targeted civilians. Strategies cited include summary executions, arbitrary detention, denial…

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced that mpox remains a continental public health emergency, warning that removing the designation too soon could undermine response efforts. After reviewing the outbreak situation on September 2, the Emergency Consultative Group advising the Africa CDC recommended keeping the Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) in place. The experts noted that, although confirmed cases have dropped by over 50% in recent weeks, new surges have been reported in Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Zambia, and Tanzania. Fresh introductions of the virus were also documented in Malawi, Ethiopia, Senegal, Togo, Gambia,…

The World Bank has projected that Niger will be Africa’s fastest-growing economy in 2025, with an estimated GDP growth rate of 14.4%, the highest in the country’s history. This marks a sharp rise compared to the previous record of 8.9% achieved in 2024. Key Drivers of Growth The surge is being driven by three major factors:• Mining revenues – boosted after the state took control of major operations, allowing profits to reflect international price standards.• Oil production – which has quadrupled in just over two years.• Agricultural expansion – with large-scale development projects strengthening food and export capacity. By contrast,…

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced that more than 15 Boko Haram fighters were killed in targeted airstrikes on a forest enclave west of Zuwa in the Sambisa area. According to NAF spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame, the strikes were carried out on Wednesday under Operation Hadin Kai, following days of intelligence gathering and surveillance. “The operation was aimed at hideouts sheltering fighters and commanders linked to recent attacks around Bitta,” Ejodame said. Hideouts and Structures Destroyed The air raids destroyed key facilities used by the insurgents, crippling their capacity to coordinate operations. The NAF described the mission as a “devastating…