Author: Kudret

Rwanda will play host to the first International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA), a landmark gathering scheduled for May 19–20, 2025, in Kigali. The high-level forum aims to reshape security cooperation on the continent through inclusive dialogue and locally grounded strategies. The conference is set to attract an influential cross-section of policymakers, security analysts, civil society leaders, and academic experts from across Africa and the international community. Discussions will tackle pressing security threats such as terrorism, cyberattacks, political volatility, and transnational criminal networks. According to organizers, the event will serve as the official launch of ISCA’s platform—an initiative dedicated to…

More than 120 endangered vultures have been killed after feeding on a poisoned elephant carcass in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, in what conservationists are calling one of the deadliest wildlife poisoning incidents in the region’s recent history. The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), which reported the massacre on Thursday, said the birds—primarily white-backed vultures, along with Cape and lappet-faced vultures—died after consuming the toxic remains of a deliberately poisoned elephant. The group warned the incident reflects a growing trend across southern Africa, where poachers increasingly deploy agricultural toxins to eliminate vultures, lions, and other scavengers. “These were not accidental deaths.…

South Africa is spearheading international efforts to strengthen healthcare systems as it hosts the third G20 Health Working Group (HWG) meeting this week, with the spotlight firmly on the global health and care workforce. The virtual two-day meeting, which began on Thursday, is part of a series of events under South Africa’s G20 presidency and brings together global health officials and policy experts to tackle the urgent challenges facing healthcare personnel worldwide. With the theme “Accelerate Health Equity, Solidarity, and Universal Coverage,” the discussions are addressing a broad agenda — from expanding investment in health education and job creation, to…

Namibia is preparing to roll out landmark legislation that would prevent foreign nationals from acquiring land, a move government officials say is aimed at correcting deep-rooted inequalities in land distribution. Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Minister Ingenesia Inge Zaamwani made the announcement while presenting her ministry’s budget before Parliament on Thursday. The proposed Land Bill, she said, will prohibit foreign citizens from owning land or receiving customary land rights anywhere in the country. “This bill is not just a legal tool — it is a social commitment,” Zaamwani said. “It aims to open the door for landless citizens, corridor…

Léopold Sédar Senghor, Senegal’s first president and a pioneering figure in the Négritude movement, left an indelible mark on Africa’s political, cultural, and intellectual landscape. Born in 1906, Senghor rose from a distinguished academic background to become a leader of the Pan-African movement. As Senegal’s president from 1960 to 1980, he championed African socialism, education, and cultural revival. Beyond politics, his legacy lives on through his advocacy for African identity and unity, shaping Senegal’s enduring commitment to peace, dialogue, and cultural heritage

Chad is grappling with a surge of refugees fleeing violence from Sudan’s Darfur region, with more than 20,000 people arriving in the country over the past two weeks, according to the United Nations. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has raised alarms over the rapid influx of Sudanese refugees crossing into eastern Chad, many of whom are women and children who have endured significant trauma. UNHCR’s representative in Chad, Magatte Guisse, described the situation as dire, noting that nearly 20,000 people have arrived within just 14 days. “This sharp increase in arrivals is a direct result of the intensifying conflict in…

Julius Malema, the leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has been denied a visa to attend a conference in the United Kingdom, a decision he deems a politically motivated attempt to silence opposition voices. Malema, a prominent critic of Western imperialism and a proponent of land nationalization in South Africa, was set to speak at the University of Cambridge’s Africa Together Conference on May 10. The conference, organized by the university’s African Society, would have offered Malema a platform to address key issues facing Africa. However, his visa application was not processed in time for the event. According…

Morocco is set to commemorate the 5th International Argan Day on May 10, with a focus on the pivotal role the argan tree plays in combating climate change and promoting sustainable development. The day, recognized by the United Nations since 2021, acknowledges the environmental and cultural significance of the tree, which has been a cornerstone of Morocco’s heritage for centuries. Argan Day aligns with the broader vision of King Mohammed VI, who is driving efforts to expand argan cultivation across the country. His ambitious plan includes the planting of argan groves across 10,000 hectares in various regions of Morocco, a…

Nigeria has officially cleared its outstanding debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to stabilize its economy and restructure its finances. This development has removed Nigeria from the IMF’s list of debtor nations, which includes 91 countries collectively owing over $117.7 billion as of May 6, 2025. The news comes after a series of successful debt repayments by Nigeria, with the country steadily reducing its balance over the past year. According to data from analytics firm StatiSense, Nigeria’s debt stood at $1.61 billion in July 2023. By January 2024, the debt had…

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is currently in Moscow to participate in Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The event is set to feature a grand military parade in Moscow’s Red Square, where 29 international leaders, including Sisi, will be in attendance. The presence of President Sisi, alongside leaders from across Africa, including nations such as Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Equatorial Guinea, underscores the growing role of African leaders in global diplomacy. The Kremlin’s invitation to African heads of state highlights the importance of Africa in Russia’s…

Heidelberg Materials, the world’s second-largest cement producer, has credited surging demand across African markets for its stronger-than-expected performance in the first quarter of the 2025 financial year, underlining the continent’s rising influence in the global construction industry. The German multinational reported a 1.3% increase in its result from current operations (RCO), reaching €235 million ($266 million), comfortably beating analyst expectations of €207 million. The company pointed to Africa’s dynamic infrastructure landscape as a key growth engine. “Africa continues to show encouraging growth momentum,” said CEO Dominik von Achten in a statement. “Despite political and economic uncertainties and challenging weather conditions…

Mozambique is embarking on a landmark energy venture with the construction of its first-ever oil refinery, a move poised to transform the country’s fuel production capacity and bolster its position in regional energy trade. President Daniel Chapo made the announcement on Wednesday at the opening of the 11th Mozambique Mining and Energy Conference and Exhibition in Maputo, describing the project as a national game-changer. The refinery, to be completed within two years, will produce up to 200,000 barrels of fuel per day, including gasoline, diesel, naphtha, and aviation-grade Jet A1. “This is a strategic investment that strengthens our position in…

Nigerian troops successfully thwarted a planned Boko Haram assault in the Gwoza area of Borno State on Wednesday, killing eight militants during a targeted operation. The military action, part of a broader counterinsurgency campaign in the country’s northeast, highlights ongoing efforts to suppress terrorist activities that have destabilized the region for over a decade. The operation was carried out under the directive of Operation Hadin Kai, a joint military task force dedicated to combating insurgency in northeastern Nigeria. In a written statement, the operation’s commander, Major General Reuben Kovangiya, confirmed that troops responded swiftly after detecting an attempted infiltration by…

In the latest chapter of escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), M23 rebel forces have seized control of Luhwindja, a key mining town in the southeastern region of South Kivu province. The assault, which unfolded on Tuesday, marks a significant territorial gain for the rebel group, already accused of destabilizing the region with the support of external forces. Fighting erupted at approximately 10 a.m. and continued well into the night, with the M23 engaging in intense clashes against a local militia known as Wazalendo. Comprising citizens who volunteer to assist the Congolese army, the Wazalendo group…

South Africa’s main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has launched a legal bid to overturn recently enacted amendments to the country’s labor laws, describing the legislation as unconstitutional and harmful to investor confidence. The party filed its court application on Tuesday, targeting the Employment Equity Amendment Act, which came into force in January. The law grants the labor minister authority to set binding numerical targets for the employment of Black South Africans, women, and people with disabilities in sectors deemed to have failed on transformation benchmarks. The DA, which forms part of the country’s unity government, argues the law…

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has annulled 701 official travel documents—including Diplomatic and Service passports—in a nationwide crackdown aimed at restoring accountability in the issuance and use of government-authorised passports. In a statement released on Tuesday, the ministry confirmed that 341 Diplomatic and 360 Service passports have been officially voided and placed on a stop-list. The affected passports, no longer valid for international travel, were not returned despite repeated public notices earlier this year. The cancellation follows formal directives issued on January 15 and March 10, 2025, which called on former officeholders and other beneficiaries to return the travel documents…