Author: Kudret

A search operation led by South Africa’s Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) has ended in tragedy after a missing light aircraft was discovered with all three occupants confirmed dead. The plane disappeared on Sunday afternoon while flying over KwaZulu-Natal Province. Siboniso Duma, the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Transport and Human Settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, provided updates on the incident in two statements issued on Monday. According to Duma, the aircraft departed from Virginia Airport in Durban at approximately 3:00 p.m. on June 8, 2025. It was en route to an unspecified alternate location but never arrived. The last…

Tripoli has regained stability after violent confrontations erupted between rival armed groups earlier this week. The restoration of calm came after the Presidential Council’s Truce Committee intervened and deployed its conflict resolution forces across the capital. Commander Emced el-Malti of the 222nd Reserve Brigade, who also serves on the Truce Committee, confirmed to local media that their coordinated deployment was instrumental in halting the violence. These forces were dispatched to all areas affected by the clashes to prevent further escalation and restore public order. The unrest began on May 12 after the head of the Stability Support Unit, a government-affiliated…

Seven people died and one was seriously injured after a minibus overturned and plunged into a roadside canal late Sunday in Egypt’s Dakahlia Governorate, north of the capital Cairo. The crash occurred on the Naqita-Sandoub road near Mansoura city. According to preliminary findings, the vehicle veered off course when the driver lost control, striking a lamppost before crashing into the drain, state media reported. Emergency crews responded promptly, with rescue workers, ambulances, and police teams deployed to the scene. Eight passengers were recovered from the submerged vehicle and taken to Mansoura University Emergency Hospital. Seven were later declared dead from…

Tensions escalated over the weekend in Cameroon’s economic capital as security forces clashed with supporters of opposition leader Maurice Kamto. The unrest erupted on Sunday when activists from Kamto’s Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) attempted to reach the party’s regional headquarters, only to find access blocked by police. Authorities began imposing restrictions as early as Saturday, with sections of the city—particularly areas around the airport—closed off to motorcycle taxi operators. The measures were put in place amid speculation surrounding Kamto’s anticipated arrival in Douala, where he was scheduled to lead a party gathering. The heightened security presence and restrictions sparked outrage…

South Africa’s rand remained steady in early Monday trading as financial markets awaited highly anticipated trade discussions between the United States and China, scheduled for later in the day. These talks carry significant weight, with the potential to ease escalating tensions that have unsettled global economic stability. At 0621 GMT, the rand traded at 17.7450 against the U.S. dollar, maintaining a level close to where it closed on Friday. This stability reflects a cautious investor sentiment ahead of the key diplomatic engagement. In London, three senior advisers to U.S. President Donald Trump are set to engage with their Chinese counterparts…

South Africa, one of the world’s most coal-dependent economies, could suffer significant losses in export revenue and employment as global trade shifts toward low-carbon standards, a new report by Net Zero Tracker revealed on Monday. Currently, coal accounts for roughly 80% of the country’s electricity generation. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels places South Africa in a precarious position as more countries and corporations demand cleaner, environmentally responsible supply chains. Net Zero Tracker, a collaborative initiative of four non-profit organizations, said this dependency leaves the country “uniquely vulnerable” to emerging global trade policies aimed at slashing carbon emissions. According to…

The Russian private military company Wagner has ended its operations in Mali, drawing a close to more than three years of involvement in the West African nation. The announcement was made on Friday via Telegram, where the group declared that its objectives in the region had been fulfilled and that its forces would now return to Russia. “The mission is complete,” read the statement. “PMC Wagner is returning home.” Wagner claimed its forces had contributed to the creation of a “strong and disciplined army” in Mali capable of securing national territory. The group further asserted that all regional capitals had…

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced on Sunday the discovery of a number of important archaeological finds in Luxor Governorate, shedding light on both the industrial activities and burial practices of ancient Egypt. Several of the unearthed items are believed to date back to the 21st Dynasty, which ruled from 1076 BC to 944 BC. The discoveries were made by an Egyptian excavation team working in the Naga Abu Asba area within the Karnak temple complex. Among the most significant findings is a large mud-brick wall constructed during the reign of King Menkheperre, one of the monarchs of…

Rwanda has formally announced its withdrawal from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), citing what it described as deliberate political interference by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and complicity from certain member states. The decision was disclosed on Saturday at the close of the 26th ordinary ECCAS summit, held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Rwandan Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente represented Kigali at the gathering, which ended with a significant diplomatic rupture. In a statement issued by Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the government accused ECCAS of straying from its founding mandate. Rwanda claimed that…

Mohammed Uwais, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria and a pivotal figure in the country’s return to civilian rule, has died at the age of 89. Widely regarded as one of the nation’s most esteemed jurists, Uwais played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s post-military democratic era. Appointed Chief Justice in 1995, Uwais served until 2006, overseeing the judiciary during one of the most critical phases in Nigeria’s modern history. His tenure included the 1999 democratic transition that marked the end of nearly two decades of military dictatorship. It was Uwais who administered the oath of office to President Olusegun…

Gabon has announced its decision to terminate a nearly two-decade-old fisheries partnership with the European Union, citing concerns over fairness, economic returns, and the sustainability of its marine resources. The move represents a major policy shift aimed at asserting greater national control over the country’s natural assets. Signed in 2007, the agreement granted European vessels permission to operate in Gabonese waters in exchange for financial compensation to support Gabon’s fisheries sector. While the deal was initially seen as a mutually beneficial arrangement, Gabonese authorities now argue that the partnership has disproportionately favored the EU. President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema criticized…

In a significant shift in foreign policy, Ghana has formally expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan regarding Western Sahara, describing it as “the only realistic and sustainable basis” for resolving the long-standing conflict. The announcement followed a high-level diplomatic meeting on Thursday between Ghana’s Foreign Minister and Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita. This development marks a major departure from Ghana’s previous stance. Since 1979, Accra had recognized and supported the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), aligning itself with the aspirations of the Polisario Front. However, this position began to change in early 2024. On January 6 — just…

The Mission 300 initiative, a collaborative effort led by the African Development Bank Group and World Bank Group, continues to gain ground as additional African countries commit to expanding electricity access. The campaign aims to connect 300 million people across the continent to power by 2030. During a recent meeting held in London, five more countries—Burundi, Ghana, Mozambique, Togo, and Zimbabwe—unveiled their national energy compacts. These documents outline specific goals and reforms each country will pursue to support the broader objective of Mission 300. Discussions at the event focused on unlocking greater private sector investment to drive energy access initiatives…

Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Health has confirmed a cholera outbreak in Vridi Akobrakre, a coastal village on the southern outskirts of the capital, Abidjan. The outbreak has so far infected 45 people and resulted in seven deaths. Professor Kouadio Daniel Ekra, Director General of the National Institute of Public Hygiene, addressed the media on Thursday, assuring the public that the situation has been brought under control. “We have gone four consecutive days without recording any new infections,” he said, adding that this is a positive sign that the outbreak has been contained. All of the reported deaths occurred within the…

Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo arrived in Malawi on Thursday, June 5, 2025, beginning a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between the two southern African neighbors. According to a statement released by Malawi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Chapo touched down at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe at 9:00 a.m. and is scheduled to depart on Friday, June 6, at 2:10 p.m. The visit is part of ongoing efforts to mark and reinforce 50 years of enduring friendship and cooperation between Malawi and Mozambique. Over the decades, the two countries have maintained close political and…

The South African rand weakened in early trading on Thursday as investors prepared for the release of the country’s first-quarter current account data, a key indicator of the nation’s external economic balance. By 0551 GMT, the rand traded at 17.8425 against the US dollar, declining about 0.2% from Wednesday’s closing levels. Market participants are awaiting the South African Reserve Bank’s report due at 0900 GMT, which analysts predict will reveal a widening current account deficit. According to a Reuters survey, economists forecast the deficit will widen to 0.9% of gross domestic product, up from the 0.4% shortfall reported in the…