Author: Kudret

Tunisia has recorded a substantial improvement in its global standing on the Energy Transition Index (ETI) for 2025, rising 27 spots to 62nd place out of 118 countries, according to a new report published by the World Economic Forum. This leap from its 89th position in 2024 underscores the country’s growing commitment to sustainable energy and marks it as one of the leading nations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, second only to Saudi Arabia. The ETI, a widely recognized benchmark for tracking energy transitions, evaluates countries using a dual lens: System Performance—which includes energy security, environmental…

A peaceful demonstration in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, erupted into chaos on Thursday when masked assailants armed with machetes launched a violent attack on protesters. The incident, which occurred just two months before the country’s general election on September 16, left several individuals injured, including a police officer, and resulted in damage to public property. The protest, organized by a civic group called Concerned Citizens for Credible Elections, took place in the commercial hub of Area 2. Demonstrators gathered to demand the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Judge Annabel Mtalimanja and Chief Elections Officer Andrew Mpesi, accusing both of…

Sierra Leone is set to decide on launching its next oil and gas licensing round based on the outcome of an ongoing offshore 3D seismic survey—its first in more than ten years—a senior official confirmed on Thursday. The survey, which began last month, is being conducted by GeoPartners in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Petroleum Directorate. The six-week study aims to reduce exploration risks in the country’s offshore region. Foday Mansaray, Director General of the Petroleum Directorate, stated that the collected data is currently being reprocessed in partnership with multi-client firm TGS. “We hope to present something to the market…

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights has confirmed its jurisdiction to hear a case brought by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) against Rwanda, marking a significant step toward legal scrutiny of alleged human rights violations in eastern Congo. The ruling, issued on Thursday from the court’s headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, rejected all preliminary objections raised by Rwanda, which had sought to block the case. The DRC accuses Rwanda of serious breaches of international human rights law, citing acts of aggression and support for armed rebel groups, particularly the M23, whose renewed insurgency has destabilized eastern Congo since…

The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Council of Ministers held its 52nd ordinary session on Wednesday in Windhoek, Namibia, to confront mounting trade uncertainties and a dimming global economic outlook. The high-level gathering brought together ministers from the five SACU member states—Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa—at a time of significant geopolitical and economic shifts. Opening the session, Namibia’s Minister of Finance and current chair of the SACU Council, Ericah Shafudah, emphasized the urgency of the discussions. She described the moment as critical, citing growing external challenges that demand coordinated responses. “This period poses significant challenges for SACU,” Shafudah…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed Democratic Alliance (DA) member Andrew Whitfield from his position as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, a move that underscores growing friction within South Africa’s recently formed coalition government. The announcement was made through a brief statement from the presidency on Thursday, which clarified that the removal does not signal a broader cabinet reshuffle. No reason was given for the decision to relieve Whitfield of his duties. Whitfield’s dismissal is the first high-profile removal of a Democratic Alliance figure since the ANC and DA entered a coalition arrangement following the ANC’s loss of its…

The Democratic Republic of Congo has been grappling with a nationwide cholera outbreak since May, with nearly 30,000 infections reported across the country in 2025. Initially concentrated in provinces such as North and South Kivu, Tanganyika, and Tshopo, the epidemic has now extended into parts of Kinshasa, prompting heightened concern from health officials. Data from the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) indicates that Kinshasa has recorded 136 cholera cases since January, with more than 90 emerging in recent weeks. Around 20 fatalities have been confirmed. Eleven of the city’s twenty-three health zones are currently affected. In response, Doctors Without…

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has announced new appointments to key judicial institutions in Egypt, with the changes set to take effect on July 1. Counselor Assem Ghaiesh will assume the role of president of the Court of Cassation, the highest judicial authority in the country. Ghaiesh brings a wealth of experience from various high-ranking legal positions, including membership in the Supreme Judicial Council and his previous role as head of the court of values. At the State Council, Counselor Osama Shalaby has been named its new head. Shalaby, a veteran of Egypt’s legal system, began his career in the…

At least ten people died and dozens were injured on Wednesday, June 25, when an electrical transformer exploded at Barthélémy Boganda High School in Bangui during the national baccalaureate examinations. The explosion triggered a panic among approximately 5,300 candidates sitting for the exam. The blast occurred around 1:30 p.m., sending smoke from the transformer in the western part of the school compound. As the smoke spread, students rushed to evacuate the exam hall, resulting in a stampede due to narrow exits and overcrowding. One student, his face bloodied, described how chaos erupted during a history and geography paper. As students…

In a bold political move, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Cameroon’s former Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, has officially entered the presidential race, announcing his candidacy barely a day after resigning from government and publicly distancing himself from President Paul Biya, with whom he had long been closely associated. Tchiroma made the announcement through a comprehensive 24-page document titled “Letter to Cameroonians.” The letter, widely circulated on social media, marks a significant shift in the political landscape and signals Tchiroma’s departure from a regime he once staunchly defended. The former minister begins by paying tribute to what he calls “the founding…

Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Türkiye’s state-owned oil company, Türkiye Petrolleri Anonim Ortaklığı (TPAO), to advance offshore energy exploration, the NOC confirmed on Wednesday. The agreement outlines plans to conduct comprehensive geological and geophysical assessments across four offshore blocks. This initiative aims to identify untapped hydrocarbon reserves in Libyan waters, potentially opening new avenues for oil and gas production. In addition to the planned studies, the two companies discussed implementing a two-dimensional seismic survey covering a distance of 10,000 kilometers. The data collected from this survey will be analyzed and processed within…

The South African rand made a slight advance in early trade on Thursday, as markets looked ahead to upcoming economic data releases from the central bank and the national statistics agency. By 0610 GMT, the rand was trading at 17.72 against the U.S. dollar, showing a marginal increase of 0.1% from the previous day’s close. At 0800 GMT, the South African Reserve Bank is expected to publish its quarterly bulletin, offering updates on foreign direct investment and portfolio flows for the first quarter of the year. Shortly after, at 0930 GMT, Statistics South Africa will release May’s Producer Price Index…

Mozambique today celebrates five decades of independence, marking a profound moment of national reflection on a journey shaped by courage, sacrifice, and resilience. On June 25, 1975, Mozambique officially declared its independence from Portugal, following centuries of colonial rule and an armed liberation struggle led by the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO). The milestone anniversary provides an opportunity not only to honor the past but also to reaffirm hopes for a peaceful and prosperous future. Honoring a Long History Mozambique’s story under foreign rule began over 480 years ago, when Portuguese explorers first arrived along its coastline. The strategic location of…

An ambush by armed bandits on a military base near Kwanan Dutse in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State left around 20 soldiers dead on Tuesday morning. According to a security source based in neighbouring Shiroro LGA, who received updates from colleagues, the assailants launched a surprise attack on the army camp, leading to a deadly shootout. Several other soldiers were reportedly injured during the confrontation, and the remains of those killed have been taken to a hospital. Neither the Nigerian Army nor the state government has released an official statement on the incident. At the time of reporting,…

Egypt’s Ministry of Local Development and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have formalized a joint executive action plan designed to embed child welfare and protection at the core of national and local development strategies across all governorates. The agreement was signed in the presence of Minister of Local Development Manal Awad and UNICEF Representative in Egypt Natalia Winder Rossi. Their meeting served as a platform to assess current areas of cooperation and align priorities between UNICEF’s mandate and the Ministry’s initiatives, particularly those outlined in Egypt’s 2024–2027 governmental work plan. Minister Awad reaffirmed the Ministry’s strong commitment to enhancing…

Burundi has officially launched the first phase of a $320 million hydropower project aimed at expanding access to electricity in the power-deficient Central African nation. The milestone was marked on Wednesday with the commissioning of the Jiji hydropower plant, one of two facilities under the ambitious project backed by several major international lenders, including the European Investment Bank (EIB), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank, and the European Union (EU). The project represents a major stride for a country where energy remains a critical challenge. Currently, only about 6% of Burundi’s population of 13 million have reliable access…