Author: Kudret

As Côte d’Ivoire prepares for its next presidential election, scheduled for October 25, 2025, political tensions are escalating. On Saturday, the Coalition for a Peaceful Alternation (CAP), an alliance of opposition parties, issued a formal call for dialogue with the ruling Rally of the Republicans (RDR), urging constructive engagement to prevent a deepening political crisis. At the heart of the opposition’s concerns is the potential bid for a fourth term by President Alassane Ouattara. Although he has already served three terms since taking office in May 2011, his supporters argue that the 2016 constitutional revision reset the term count, effectively…

The United Kingdom has declared its support for Morocco’s proposal to grant limited autonomy to Western Sahara while maintaining Moroccan sovereignty over the region. The announcement, made on Sunday during a joint press conference in Rabat, marks a significant shift in British foreign policy and aligns the UK with other key global powers that have endorsed Morocco’s stance. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy described Morocco’s plan as the most “credible, viable and pragmatic” path toward resolving the protracted territorial conflict. Speaking alongside Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Lammy highlighted the UK’s growing partnership with Morocco, particularly in areas of trade,…

Sierra Leone’s President Dr. Julius Maada Bio delivered a compelling keynote address at the renowned Oxford Union, renewing Africa’s long-standing demand for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and calling on the global community to support a more just and inclusive international system. The address, titled “The Common African Position on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council,” centered on the need to correct what President Bio described as a persistent injustice — Africa’s exclusion from permanent membership in one of the world’s most powerful decision-making bodies. “The Security Council remains locked in a structure that…

A tragic road accident on Saturday claimed the lives of at least 21 Nigerian athletes who were returning home after competing in the National Sports Festival. The bus they were traveling in lost control and plunged off a bridge in the Kula area, leading to one of the deadliest road incidents involving sports personnel in recent years. The vehicle, carrying 35 passengers—including athletes and officials affiliated with the Kano State Sports Commission—was en route from Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State in the southwest, to Kano State in the country’s north. The group had just concluded their participation in the…

On Saturday in Cairo, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, met with his Gambian counterpart, Mamadou Tangara, to discuss expanding and strengthening the partnership between the two countries. This high-level meeting coincided with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Egypt and Gambia, underscoring the historic and ongoing friendship. During the meeting, Minister Abdelatty emphasized Egypt’s role as one of the first nations to officially recognize Gambia following its independence in 1965. He noted this early support laid the foundation for a durable and cooperative relationship that both countries continue to…

Petros Sithole, a prominent figure within South Africa’s Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the party’s deputy chief whip in parliament, was shot and killed in Johannesburg on Saturday night. He was 68 years old. The IFP released a statement confirming Sithole’s death, revealing that he was assassinated in Katlehong, a township located southeast of Johannesburg. The assailants remain unidentified, and the circumstances surrounding the attack are still unclear. “It is with profound sadness that the IFP announces the tragic and untimely death of Honorable Khethamabala Petros Sithole,” said IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa. “He was murdered in cold blood by unknown…

The number of casualties from devastating floods in Mokwa, a town in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State, has risen to 151, local authorities reported on Saturday. The disaster followed days of relentless rainfall, which began late Wednesday and extended into Thursday, leaving a trail of destruction across the region. According to Ibrahim Hussaini, spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the floods severely impacted local infrastructure and communities. Homes were swept away, roads rendered impassable, and two major bridges collapsed. “The confirmed death toll now stands at 151. We have recorded 3,018 displaced individuals, 503 households affected, and damage…

Moroccan emergency teams have been battling persistent wildfires in the Houara Forest, located in the northern Tangier province, for the fourth consecutive day. The fires broke out on Monday, driven by extreme heat and strong winds, complicating efforts to contain the blaze. According to Osman El-Azzaoui, Regional Director of the National Agency of Water and Forests in Tangier, approximately 85 hectares (210 acres) have been affected as of Thursday afternoon. Despite the deployment of three amphibious Canadair aircraft, firefighting efforts face significant obstacles due to soaring temperatures and gusty winds that continue to hamper containment operations. “The fire suppression remains…

Egypt’s energy landscape is witnessing renewed momentum following the discovery of 40 new oil and gas fields, revealed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. Between July 2024 and May 2025, a total of 75 wells were drilled across the country, with 69 undergoing full evaluation, resulting in confirmed commercial finds. Minister of Petroleum Karim Badawi said the discoveries represent an estimated 42 million barrels of oil and condensates and around 1.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The announcement reinforces Cairo’s strategy to enhance domestic production capacity while attracting long-term investment in the hydrocarbons sector. The Mediterranean Sea…

Tunisia has repatriated nearly 3,400 undocumented migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa since the beginning of 2025, according to a statement from National Guard spokesperson Houcemeddine Jbabli. The large-scale returns are part of an ongoing initiative coordinated with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to facilitate voluntary departures from the country. Speaking during an interview with state-run Radio Sfax on Thursday, Jbabli detailed the structure of the current program, confirming that two voluntary return flights are arranged each week. These flights are aimed at assisting migrants who choose to return to their home countries after residing irregularly in Tunisia. Jbabli also noted…

Côte d’Ivoire has launched a national Agricultural Commodities Exchange (BMPA), establishing a formal platform where farmers and investors—both domestic and international—can negotiate prices for key agricultural products. The BMPA, developed with technical support from the Regional Stock Exchange (BRVM), debuted on Wednesday with a focus on cashew nuts, kola nuts, and corn. The platform aims to serve as a pricing reference point for commercial contracts and enhance transparency in agricultural trade. Officials say the initiative is designed to attract greater investment and improve financing across the agricultural value chain, particularly for smallholder farmers who often face limited access to capital…

Morocco’s lemon industry brought in $2.7 million in revenue during the first half of the 2024-2025 agricultural season, as reported by East Fruit, an outlet specializing in fruit and vegetable market analysis. This figure reflects the country’s expanding role in the global citrus trade despite ongoing environmental pressures. Between October and March, Morocco exported 6,100 metric tons of lemons, marking the strongest export volume for this six-month period since the 2020-2021 season. That season had followed four consecutive years of reduced lemon exports, primarily caused by unfavorable weather patterns, including irregular rainfall and temperature extremes. East Fruit emphasized the significance…

South Africa is preparing to host the first-ever Global Ministerial Meeting dedicated to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), marking a significant milestone in international efforts to support this vital sector. The announcement was made on Thursday by Stella Ndabeni, the country’s Minister of Small Business Development. In a press briefing held in Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital, Minister Ndabeni revealed that the event is scheduled for July 22 to 24 in Johannesburg, the nation’s largest city and primary economic center. She emphasized that this gathering is designed to provide a prominent platform for raising the profile and concerns of SMEs…

Uganda has announced plans to borrow €500 million (roughly $568 million) from a group of international lenders to finance infrastructure development, according to Finance Minister Matia Kasaija. The funding will be used to support key projects aimed at enhancing the country’s transportation, energy, and public works sectors. The loan package, approved by Uganda’s parliament on Thursday, comes despite strong objections from opposition legislators. Critics warned that the new borrowing would further strain the nation’s already swelling debt obligations. However, the government defended the move, arguing that infrastructure investment is essential for long-term economic growth. Of the total amount, €270 million…

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has revealed plans to establish a new continental initiative designed to support and expand Africa’s carbon market ecosystem. The move is part of broader efforts to attract more climate finance to the region, which continues to bear the brunt of climate-related disasters despite contributing minimally to global emissions. The proposed Africa Carbon Support Facility, currently in the conceptual stage, was introduced during the bank’s annual meetings in Abidjan on Thursday. According to senior AfDB officials, the facility will consist of two strategic components aimed at unlocking the continent’s carbon trading potential and positioning it as…

At least 21 people lost their lives on Thursday following heavy rainfall that caused severe flooding in two communities in north-central Nigeria’s Niger State. More than 10 individuals remain missing as search and rescue efforts continue. The head of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Hussaini, reported that about 50 homes were submerged when floodwaters overwhelmed the area. Entire families were affected as rising waters swept through residential zones, leaving destruction in their wake. “Twenty-one bodies have so far been recovered in the incident, while over 10 persons are still missing as the search and rescue operation continues,” Hussaini…