Author: Kudret

As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reached the two-year mark of his tenure on Thursday, he reaffirmed his commitment to the economic reforms that have defined his administration—policies that, while praised by international lenders, have led to the most severe cost-of-living crisis Nigeria has faced in decades. Tinubu assumed office in May 2023 and immediately launched a bold reform agenda aimed at addressing long-standing structural challenges in Africa’s most populous nation. His administration moved quickly to end costly fuel subsidies and liberalize the naira, steps the government and international financial institutions deemed essential to stabilize Nigeria’s fragile public finances. However, these…

Rwanda and Kazakhstan have entered a new chapter in their bilateral relations after signing multiple cooperation agreements spanning key sectors such as critical minerals, digital technology, agriculture, education, and finance. The accords were formalised during Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s official visit to Kazakhstan, where he held a high-level meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The two heads of state underscored a mutual desire to expand cooperation between the African and Central Asian nations. “Our partnership is rooted in mutual respect and a shared vision for growth,” President Kagame said during a joint press briefing following the closed-door talks. “We are committed…

Morocco has taken a significant step toward deepening its economic partnership with Spain by signing four major investment agreements with leading Catalan companies. The deals, valued at MAD 500 million (approximately $50 million), are expected to generate over 700 direct employment opportunities in key industrial zones across Tangier, Tetouan, and Kenitra. Catalan Investment Expands into Key Moroccan Cities These new projects will span a diverse range of sectors, including automotive manufacturing, industrial waste recovery, packaging, and construction materials—areas where Morocco is positioning itself as a regional leader. The agreements not only reflect confidence in Morocco’s economic framework but also demonstrate…

French multinational TotalEnergies announced on Thursday its agreement to sell its 12.5% interest in the Bonga offshore oilfield located in Nigerian waters to Shell, the operator of the field, in a deal valued at $510 million. With this acquisition, Shell will increase its ownership share in the Bonga oilfield to 67.5%, reinforcing its strategic focus on offshore oil production in Nigeria. This move comes after Shell divested its Nigerian onshore assets, which were sold to Renaissance, a consortium made up of four Nigerian companies alongside an international energy group, marking a shift in Shell’s asset portfolio within the country. In…

In a ruling that has gripped and horrified South Africa, a court on Thursday sentenced Racquel Smith to life imprisonment for the trafficking and kidnapping of her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin, who has been missing since February 2024. The case, marked by emotional testimony and community outrage, ended with Smith and two accomplices being found guilty and sentenced for their roles in the crime. Delivering the judgment, Judge Nathan Erasmus condemned Smith’s actions, sentencing her, along with her boyfriend and a mutual friend, to life terms for human trafficking. Each of the three also received a concurrent 10-year sentence for kidnapping.…

On Wednesday, a Guinean appeals court maintained a two-year prison sentence against Aliou Bah, a leading opposition figure, for insulting General Mamadi Doumbouya, the country’s military leader, according to his legal team. Bah, who heads the Liberal Democratic Movement (Model), has been in detention since December following his initial conviction in January. Despite prosecutors requesting a five-year sentence, the court upheld the original two-year term, said Bah’s lawyer, Hady Galissa. The appeal hearing began in March, during which Bah denied the charges. The charges against Bah relate to comments he made at political rallies where he urged Guinean religious leaders…

On Tuesday, a high-level meeting took place in Cairo between Egypt’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Ahmed Khalifa, and his Italian counterpart, Luciano Portolano, aimed at reinforcing the military cooperation between the two nations. This gathering marks a continued effort to strengthen bilateral defense relations amid evolving regional security dynamics. During the discussions, both leaders explored avenues to broaden their collaboration across various military domains, including training, intelligence sharing, joint exercises, and technological exchange. The dialogue reflected a shared commitment to enhance operational coordination and capacity building between the Egyptian and Italian armed forces. Chief of Staff Ahmed…

Senegal launched a nationwide political dialogue on Wednesday, bringing together a broad range of stakeholders to collectively reflect on key reforms aimed at reinforcing democratic principles and aligning governance with the deeper aspirations of its citizens. The dialogue, set to continue until June 4, is being held at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Center in Diamniadio, located about 30 kilometers from the capital, Dakar. The venue serves as a symbolic space for inclusive engagement, as the government seeks to create an open and structured forum where voices from across society can contribute to the nation’s political evolution. Opening the forum,…

Since 1960, more than 200,000 Nigerian military personnel, police officers, and civilians have served in 41 peacekeeping missions under the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This figure was revealed by UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed M. Malick Fall, during a ceremony in Abuja. The event, held at the UN House, marked 77 years of international peace operations and celebrated 65 years of Nigeria’s active contribution to global peacekeeping. Under the theme “Fit for the Future, Building Better Together,” the commemoration also reflected on the UN’s 80th anniversary,…

Regional leaders and international envoys have renewed urgent appeals for the cessation of armed conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as the humanitarian and security situation continue to deteriorate. The call was issued at the 12th High-Level Meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework, convened Wednesday in Entebbe, Uganda. In a joint communique released at the summit’s conclusion, heads of state and high-ranking officials demanded that all armed groups operating in eastern DRC halt hostilities unconditionally. They also called on foreign fighters to disarm voluntarily and prepare for repatriation, framing…

Fifty years ago, on May 28, 1975, fifteen West African nations came together in Lagos to form the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The vision was to promote economic cooperation, unity, and freedom of movement across borders. The founding initiative was driven by leaders like Togolese President Gnassingbé Eyadéma and Nigeria’s then-head of state, General Yakubu Gowon. Liberia’s President William Tubman was chosen as the bloc’s first leader. The Lagos Treaty, which marked the birth of ECOWAS, aimed to ease trade and strengthen ties among the member states. By 1990, the region had taken a further step by…

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has vowed to intensify efforts to recover stolen public assets, describing the campaign as essential to restoring trust in governance and delivering justice to the people. Speaking on Tuesday through Nadungu Gagare, the Permanent Secretary for Political and Economic Affairs, Tinubu addressed delegates at the opening of the National Summit on Asset Recovery in Abuja. He called asset recovery a “moral duty” and a “national necessity,” framing the effort as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s anti-corruption strategy. “Returning stolen funds to the public is more than legal retribution—it is a matter of justice, restitution, and national…

Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, a distinguished oncology nurse specialist from Ghana, has been honored with the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award. The accolade, accompanied by a $250,000 prize, recognizes her exceptional leadership in transforming cancer care through nurse training and mentorship across Africa. Oti, who leads a prominent oncology nurse training program at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, has dedicated over twenty years to addressing disparities in cancer treatment on the continent. Her work centers on strengthening nursing capacity, advocating for systemic healthcare reforms, and fostering policies that support equitable cancer care. Speaking at the award ceremony in…

The speaker of Libya’s eastern-based parliament, Aguila Saleh, has called for the urgent formation of a unified interim government to lead the country toward long-overdue national elections, intensifying a bitter power struggle with the Tripoli-based administration. Addressing lawmakers in Benghazi on Tuesday, Saleh underscored the need to consolidate Libya’s fragmented institutions and warned that failure to do so could deepen instability and threaten national unity. He argued that only a single government—recognized across political and geographic divides—can deliver credible elections and a way out of the country’s prolonged crisis. “The only path forward is elections. But they cannot happen without…

As the African Development Bank (AfDB) enters a new chapter, outgoing President Akinwumi A. Adesina has applauded Tunisia’s enduring and strategic partnership with the institution, describing the collaboration as a model for regional cooperation. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the AfDB’s Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Adesina highlighted Tunisia’s contribution to the Bank’s vision through projects spanning energy, pharmaceutical infrastructure, and agricultural technology. He noted that Tunisia’s previous role as host of the Bank’s headquarters is emblematic of a long-standing relationship rooted in shared development goals. “Tunisia’s cooperation with the Bank goes beyond funding—it’s about innovation, trust,…

More than 1,200 people lost their lives and over a million others were forced from their homes as extreme flooding devastated Nigeria in 2024, the country’s emergency authorities confirmed this week. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that at least 1,231 people were killed and more than 1.2 million displaced following months of relentless rains that inundated 34 of Nigeria’s 36 states. Zubaida Umar, Director-General of NEMA, addressed the scale of the disaster during a national sensitization campaign in southeastern Imo State. She revealed that over 5.2 million people were affected nationwide, with at least 16,469 injured and more…