Author: Kudret

At least 138 people have died from Lassa fever across Nigeria since the start of 2025, as the country faces another wave of infections driven by persistent hotspots and gaps in public health awareness. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on Thursday confirmed 717 laboratory-verified cases nationwide. The virus, which causes a potentially fatal hemorrhagic illness, has now spread to 18 states — with southern Ondo and northern Bauchi and Taraba recording the highest burden. These three states account for over 70 percent of all confirmed infections, according to the NCDC, which flagged these zones as “consistent…

Algeria will serve as the host nation for the 44th Annual General Meeting and Housing Symposium of the Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB), set to take place from July 15 to 17, 2025, in the capital city of Algiers. The event, which will be held at the Hotel El Aurassi, is expected to draw high-level delegations from across the continent, including government ministers, central bank officials, investors, and urban development experts. The focus will be on tackling Africa’s affordable housing deficit and strengthening strategies for sustainable urban development. Under the theme “Housing Sector Financial Sustainability Amid Global Turbulence: Opportunities and…

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has embarked on official working visits to Botswana and Zambia, aiming to deepen bilateral cooperation and strengthen long-standing ties across key sectors such as trade, infrastructure, and energy. Her first stop is Botswana, where she is holding talks with President Duma Boko. The meeting is set to focus on enhancing economic collaboration between the two Southern African nations. Discussions will cover a wide range of areas, including infrastructure development, trade facilitation mechanisms, and opportunities for energy sector integration. Botswana and Namibia enjoy robust diplomatic relations shaped by shared regional priorities, mutual socio-economic interests, and a history of…

Tidjane Thiam was officially re-elected on Wednesday as president of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), the country’s main opposition party, after running unopposed in a vote held across 45 polling stations nationwide. The election comes amid ongoing legal challenges questioning his eligibility for party leadership and casts a shadow over his presidential ambitions. Thiam’s uncontested victory follows his recent resignation from the post, a calculated move to counter a legal challenge brought by Valérie Yapo, a party activist. Yapo has contested Thiam’s original December 2023 election, arguing that he held French nationality at the time, rendering him ineligible…

The Egyptian government has officially approved five new petroleum concession agreements with international oil and gas companies, securing investments exceeding $221 million, the Cabinet announced on Wednesday. The deals were inked by the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) in partnership with global energy firms. These agreements aim to accelerate exploration and production activities in vital hydrocarbon regions including the Western Desert, the Gulf of Suez, and offshore areas in the Mediterranean Sea. According to an official government statement, the contracts involve a minimum investment of around $221.23 million, with upfront non-refundable signature…

South Africa’s rand showed early signs of recovery against the U.S. dollar on Thursday following confirmation from the presidency that President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet U.S. President Donald Trump next week. The announcement has injected renewed optimism in currency markets after days of speculation over the high-profile diplomatic engagement. By 0622 GMT, the rand traded at 18.22 to the dollar, marking a 0.3% gain from its previous close. Analysts attribute the uptick to investor hopes that the upcoming May 21 meeting in Washington will help mend and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations, which has been tense since…

A gecko species that had not been seen in more than 30 years has been rediscovered in one of South Africa’s most inaccessible natural landscapes, bringing clarity to a mystery that has puzzled conservationists for decades. Two field researchers from the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) located the Blyde Rondavel flat gecko during a challenging expedition into the Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga Province. The reptile, first documented in 1991, had since disappeared from scientific records, with some experts questioning whether it ever existed as a distinct species. “It was one of those conservation puzzles that never stopped bothering me,” said…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will travel to the United States next week for a working visit focused on restoring diplomatic ties and defending South Africa’s policy positions amid growing friction with Washington. The visit will include a key meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on May 21 at the White House, the presidency announced on Wednesday evening. According to the statement, the two leaders will discuss bilateral cooperation, regional developments, and global matters of mutual concern. Pretoria views the engagement as a strategic moment to recalibrate its relationship with the United States, which has faced significant setbacks since Trump’s…

An aircraft involved in a rhino monitoring operation crashed near a village in southern Chad early Wednesday, claiming the lives of both people on board, according to a statement from the country’s Civil Aviation Authority. The incident occurred around 5:00 a.m. GMT during a surveillance flight over the Zakouma region, an area known for its significant wildlife populations. The aircraft—a Savannah S model—was operated by African Parks Network, a non-profit conservation group that works closely with the Chadian government to protect endangered species and manage national parks. On board were a South African pilot and an official from Chad’s Ministry…

As violent clashes grip Libya’s capital, UNICEF has issued a stark warning that nearly half a million children could be caught in the crossfire, with hospitals and residential areas turning into active conflict zones. Fighting erupted on Monday night between rival factions loyal to Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah and the powerful Stability Support Apparatus (SSA), a militia aligned with the UN-backed Presidency Council. Among those involved was the 444 Brigade, one of Tripoli’s most prominent armed groups. The flare-up followed reports of the alleged death of SSA commander Abdul Ghani al-Kikli, known locally as “Ghaniwa,” though this has not been…

Namibia will add 93 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity by the 2025/2026 financial year in a strategic push to reduce dependence on electricity imports and drive down costs, the country’s electricity regulator announced on Tuesday. Electricity Control Board (ECB) CEO Robert Kahimise said the new capacity will significantly strengthen domestic power generation, helping to cushion Namibia from persistent regional supply shortfalls. “About 93 MW is expected to be commissioned during the 2025/2026 period,” Kahimise said during a press briefing in the capital, Windhoek. “This will support increased local generation, limit our reliance on imports, and contribute to lowering the…

A rare blue diamond unearthed from South Africa’s renowned Cullinan mine has sold for $21.5 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva. Known as “The Mediterranean Blue,” the 10.3-carat gem, graded as fancy vivid blue, exceeded its $20 million estimate following an intense bidding war. The auction began at 9 million Swiss francs ($10.8 million) and concluded with a final sale to an anonymous U.S. collector for 17.9 million Swiss francs ($21.5 million), Sotheby’s confirmed. Unveiled earlier this year, the Mediterranean Blue quickly drew industry attention and was showcased last month in Abu Dhabi alongside a curated collection of high-value…

Burkina Faso’s Ambassador to Iran, Mohammad Kabura, met with Maulvi Fazl Mohammad Haqqani, Afghanistan’s acting ambassador, in Tehran to discuss expanding cooperation between the two nations. This meeting is part of Burkina Faso’s efforts to diversify its trade and diplomatic relations. According to a statement from the Afghan embassy, the discussions centered on strengthening ties in key sectors such as trade, agriculture, mining, and vocational training. Both sides agreed to facilitate visits by private sector delegations to further enhance trade relations between Burkina Faso and Afghanistan. This diplomatic encounter follows a visit to Niger by the Commander General of Iran’s…

The Ugandan government has introduced a bill in Parliament that would permit military courts to prosecute civilians under specific circumstances, despite a recent Supreme Court ruling declaring such practices unconstitutional. The move has raised concerns among critics, who accuse the government of seeking to undermine judicial independence and further clamp down on political opposition. Presented by Minister of Defence Jacob Marksons Oboth, the “Uganda People’s Defence Forces Bill, 2025” was referred to a parliamentary committee for review on Tuesday. Under the proposed law, civilians could face trial in military courts if found in unlawful possession of weapons or equipment typically…

At least five Nigerian soldiers were killed in separate but coordinated attacks on army bases in Borno State early Tuesday, security sources and local officials confirmed. The assaults come less than 24 hours after another deadly incident involving troops in the region. The attacks occurred in Dikwa and Kala Balge districts, both located in northeastern Borno, an area that has faced over a decade of violent insurgency. Soldiers from the 24 Task Force Brigade in Dikwa reported that militants deployed two drones to monitor the base before launching an assault around 1 a.m. Troops from the 153 Battalion, stationed nearby…

Rwanda has taken center stage in Africa’s push to overhaul its aviation industry, hosting a high-level summit aimed at expanding access to air travel, enhancing safety standards, and deepening regional collaboration. More than 400 aviation stakeholders, including airline executives, government officials, and industry experts from across Africa and beyond, have gathered in Kigali for the 13th Aviation Stakeholders Convention and the 2nd African Aviation Safety and Operations Summit. The three-day event is being held under the theme “Sustainability, Collaborate, Innovate and Strengthening Safety Culture in Africa.” Organized by the Government of Rwanda in partnership with the African Airlines Association (AFRAA),…