Author: Kudret

The number of lives lost in last week’s catastrophic floods in Nigeria’s Niger State has risen to nearly 200, state authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The disaster, triggered by intense rainfall in the Mokwa area, has also left thousands displaced and scores of others missing. According to a statement released by the state government, Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba provided the grim update while receiving mourners in his office on Monday. “The number of confirmed deaths is now close to 200,” he said. “We are also dealing with the displacement of over 3,000 people.” Garba noted that roughly 1,000 individuals remain unaccounted…

Morocco is poised to enhance its military arsenal through a planned purchase of 612 Javelin anti-tank missiles and 200 launch units from the United States, in a defense package valued at approximately $260 million. The transaction was formally disclosed in a US Federal Register notice issued on May 30. Though the sale is still subject to final approval from the US Congress, it has already secured the endorsement of the US State Department. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) initially notified Congress of the proposed sale in a letter dated March 19, addressed to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.…

Botswana is preparing to drastically reduce its economic growth forecast for 2025 to nearly zero, as the country struggles with the prolonged decline in the global diamond market. The downturn is also expected to widen the national budget deficit, underscoring the country’s economic vulnerability due to its heavy reliance on diamond exports. Speaking during a parliamentary audit committee session on Monday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Tshokologo Alex Kganetsano, acknowledged that earlier economic projections can no longer be met. “We are now compelled to review our growth expectations downward,” he said. “Preliminary analysis puts the growth figure at…

Nigeria is taking significant steps to increase its domestic milk production by importing dairy cattle from Denmark, aiming to double output within the next five years, according to Livestock Minister Idi Maiha. This move forms part of a strategic effort to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on costly dairy imports, which currently amount to around \$1.5 billion annually. Despite Nigeria’s status as one of Africa’s largest holders of cattle, the nation’s milk production remains substantially below domestic demand. Presently, Nigeria produces approximately 700,000 tonnes of milk each year, while its annual consumption reaches 1.6 million tonnes. This wide gap forces…

Ugandan security forces have ramped up their operations and placed the capital, Kampala, under heightened surveillance following a suspected bomb explosion and a swift counter-terrorism response that resulted in the killing of two armed suspects. The developments unfolded on Tuesday morning, just hours before the country’s Martyrs Day, a significant religious holiday that draws tens of thousands of pilgrims from across East Africa. The incident occurred near the Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine, a prominent Roman Catholic site in southern Kampala. Local media reported that an explosion had taken place in the vicinity, resulting in at least two fatalities. NBS Television indicated…

Human Rights Watch has revealed that the M23 armed faction, supported by Rwanda, carried out the summary execution of at least 21 civilians—likely more—in Goma, the capital city of North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), during February 22 and 23, 2025. Since seizing control of Goma on January 27, 2025, M23 forces have maintained a firm and violent hold over the city. According to multiple eyewitness accounts, on the afternoon of February 22, several pickup trucks loaded with dozens of M23 fighters arrived at various locations in Goma’s Kasika neighborhood. They proceeded to execute seven individuals…

Justice Modibo Sacko of Mali has been elected president of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR), the court confirmed on Monday via its official X account. His election marks a new phase of leadership for the continental human rights institution. The decision was made during the court’s 77th Ordinary Session held in Arusha, Tanzania, where the AfCHPR is headquartered. The session brought together the court’s 11 judges, who represent diverse legal traditions from across the continent. Sacko replaces Justice Imani Daud Aboud of Tanzania, who served two consecutive terms as president. During her most recent term, which…

Rwandan authorities have reported the successful rescue of more than 105 citizens from human trafficking networks during the period spanning June 2024 to May 2025. During a press conference held in Kigali, Thierry Murangira, spokesperson for the Rwanda Investigation Bureau, provided detailed insights into the ongoing efforts to combat trafficking. He revealed that while a significant number of victims had already been trafficked to various countries abroad, law enforcement intervened in time to prevent the departure of 57 individuals who were about to be smuggled out of Rwanda. Murangira highlighted that traffickers often collaborate with local agents who use the…

Bill Gates has committed to directing a major portion of his $200 billion fortune toward development efforts across Africa, with a strong emphasis on healthcare, education, and economic growth. The announcement came during a keynote address delivered at the African Union’s Nelson Mandela room, where Gates spoke to an audience of government officials, health experts, civil society leaders, and international diplomats. In his speech, Gates revealed that over the next two decades, his entire personal wealth would be allocated to philanthropic efforts—with Africa set to receive the largest share. “I’ve recently committed to giving away all of my fortune in…

The World Travel, Trade and Taste 2025 Expo wrapped up with a lasting impression not through flashy marketing or political speeches, but through the rich aroma of Ugandan coffee that filled the room. Uganda’s High Commissioner to Canada, Allan Kajik, took a hands-on role in the closing ceremony by personally serving freshly brewed coffee to attendees. His approach combined warmth and strategy, as he rolled up his sleeves, engaged with guests directly, and offered them not just a drink, but an experience deeply rooted in Uganda’s culture and identity. More than simply handing out cups, Kajik presented visitors with wristbands…

Fifty-five West African migrants were intercepted by Guinea-Bissau’s coastguard on Sunday while attempting to cross the Atlantic to reach Spain, the country’s interior ministry confirmed. The group was stopped near an island in the Cacheu region, close to Guinea-Bissau’s border with Senegal. According to Jose Becuque, the coastguard officer who led the operation, those on board included 41 men—one of whom was a boy around 10 years old—and 14 women. All were nationals of Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and Guinea. Guinea-Bissau’s 200-kilometre stretch of Atlantic coastline has become a departure hub for many seeking to reach Europe through the Spanish Canary Islands.…

At least nine people lost their lives on Saturday after a bomb exploded at a local bus park in Mairari village, Guzamala district of Borno State, northeastern Nigeria. The attack is believed to have been carried out by armed groups that have intensified assaults across the region in recent months. Abdulkarim Lawan, the area’s representative and speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, said the device was planted at the transport station where villagers had gathered, waiting to board commercial vehicles. He confirmed that the explosion occurred as passengers were preparing to leave the area, killing nine people on…

Liberia’s public health authorities have reported 69 active cases of Mpox across the country, with no associated fatalities as of May 31, 2025. The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) confirmed the figures following laboratory testing by the National Reference Laboratory. In response, NPHIL and the Mpox National Incident Management System (IMS) have issued a public health advisory to contain the outbreak and prevent cross-border transmission. Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director-General of NPHIL and Chair of the Mpox IMS, noted the presence of both Clade IIa and Clade IIb strains of the virus circulating in Liberia. “These variants are…

Gabon has unveiled plans to cease the export of raw manganese by 2029, a strategic move aimed at fostering domestic industrialization and reducing its historical dependence on unprocessed mineral exports. The policy shift, announced by government officials, is part of a broader economic transformation agenda intended to harness greater value from the country’s abundant natural resources. Manganese is one of Gabon’s primary export commodities, alongside oil and timber, and plays a critical role in the country’s revenue stream. Currently ranked as the world’s second-largest producer of the mineral, Gabon sees this transition as an opportunity to reposition itself not just…

Sharm El Sheikh has achieved a historic environmental milestone by becoming Egypt’s first city—and only the fourth in the Arab world—to join the ICLEI Global Network of Sustainable Cities. This development reinforces Egypt’s growing role in global sustainability efforts and highlights Sharm El Sheikh’s emergence as a regional leader in eco-friendly urban transformation. Coinciding with its induction into the network, the city launched its official sustainability platform, www.greensharm.org. The website serves as a digital hub, offering detailed insights into the city’s green initiatives, environmental progress, and community-led projects. It also acts as a resource for visitors, providing updated information on…

Algeria will raise its crude oil production by an additional 9,000 barrels per day beginning in July, the Ministry of Energy announced on Saturday. The decision is part of the country’s broader strategy to adapt to shifting global energy demands and to enhance the efficiency of its petroleum sector. According to the ministry, the production increase is aimed at addressing the anticipated surge in demand for crude oil and petroleum products during the peak summer season. The adjustment will also support the country’s objective of maximizing output from recently developed oil fields, improving the utilization of national hydrocarbon resources in…