Author: Kudret

In a shocking case of animal neglect, over 350,000 chickens have been euthanized in South Africa after a state-owned poultry company failed to provide adequate feed, leaving the birds to starve and resort to cannibalism. The crisis unfolded at multiple poultry farms operated by Daybreak Foods, a major supplier under the management of South Africa’s Public Investment Corporation (PIC), which was unable to finance necessary feed supplies. The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) was alerted to the situation on April 30, initially responding to reports of distress at one of the affected farms.…

Nigeria’s renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu, has received Gabon’s highest civilian distinction in recognition of his role in driving inclusive economic growth across the continent. In a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Libreville, Gabon’s newly sworn-in President, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, awarded Elumelu the rank of Commander in the National Order of Gabonese Merit. President Nguema, who took office just two days prior, lauded Elumelu’s consistent commitment to youth empowerment and strategic investment in Africa’s future. “Elumelu is not only an investor but a steadfast ally of Gabon’s development. His efforts through UBA and his foundation…

Health and police officials in South Africa’s Limpopo province have exhumed the remains of more than 40 individuals from two unmarked graves at the Mookgophong cemetery, in what has sparked a formal investigation into the handling of pauper burials. The operation began on Monday and is expected to conclude by the end of the week. Authorities say the bodies were buried without coffins by a private funeral parlour contracted by the Limpopo Department of Health, raising questions about possible breaches of burial protocols. Forensic teams, in coordination with law enforcement, are leading the exhumation. Access to the cemetery has been…

Gabon’s newly inaugurated President, Brice Oligui Nguema, has appointed Henri-Claude Oyima, a prominent banker and business leader, as the Minister of State for Economy, Finance, and Debt. This move comes as part of Nguema’s broader strategy to address the country’s severe liquidity shortage and boost economic recovery. Oyima, who serves as the CEO of Gabon’s largest bank, BGFI Bank, and leads the Gabonese Confederation of Businesses, will play a pivotal role in stabilizing the country’s finances, which have been under strain due to fluctuating oil prices and the nation’s reliance on the oil sector. The country has been facing financial…

As political tensions escalate in Côte d’Ivoire ahead of the October 2025 presidential election, the Coalition for Peaceful Change (CAPCI) has announced plans to convene a major meeting with religious and traditional leaders at the end of May. This move seeks to foster dialogue and promote national reconciliation in a bid to prevent potential unrest during the electoral period. In a press conference on Monday, CAPCI officials emphasized the importance of creating a peaceful and inclusive environment for the election. The coalition stressed the need for open communication across party lines to ensure a smooth and peaceful electoral process. The…

A new trial involving 22 prominent Tunisian opposition figures, including former officials and leaders from the Ennahdha party, commenced on Tuesday, intensifying concerns over the growing political repression in Tunisia. The trial, dubbed “Conspiracy Against State Security II,” comes just weeks after a mass trial sentenced nearly 40 individuals on similar charges. Among the defendants is 83-year-old Rached Ghannouchi, the head of the Islamist-affiliated Ennahdha party, who is already serving a 22-year prison sentence in a separate case linked to state security allegations. Other notable figures in the trial include former Prime Minister Youssef Chahed and Nadia Akacha, once a…

A major oil spill has been reported in the Ikata community, located in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria, resulting in widespread damage to local crops and the environment. The spill, which occurred early yesterday, involved a 14-inch pipeline operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd (RAEC). The pipeline is situated along the Okordia-Rumuekpe corridor, an area known for its oil infrastructure. RAEC, a company that reportedly acquired Shell Petroleum Development Company’s Nigerian assets in a $2.4 billion divestment deal, is under scrutiny following the spill. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) confirmed the incident in…

Twelve farmers from northern Benin are on trial after being accused of supplying fuel to armed groups operating near the country’s frontier with Burkina Faso and Niger, a development that highlights growing insecurity in the region. The men were arrested in early April in Banikoara, a rural commune in the Alibori Department, after local authorities intercepted them transporting jerrycans of fuel by motorcycle. According to the prosecution, each suspect carried between 10 and 15 litres of fuel allegedly destined for militant groups destabilising the northern border zone. All twelve defendants deny any link to insurgent networks. However, prosecutors argue that…

South Africa’s private sector showed signs of levelling off in April, following four consecutive months of contraction, as new orders increased and supply chains began to recover. According to the latest data from S&P Global, the country’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbed to 50.0 in April from 48.3 in March. A score of 50 marks the threshold between growth and contraction, making this the first neutral reading since November last year. The index reflects modest but broad-based improvements in key areas such as output, employment, and new business. For the first time in five months, new orders showed an uptick,…

A delegation of nearly 100 military officials from 40 African nations has arrived in China for a 10-day visit, marking a significant step in strengthening military ties between China and the African continent. The delegation, which includes officers from countries such as Egypt, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Kenya, is set to participate in various exchange activities aimed at fostering greater cooperation in defense and security. The visit, which began on Monday and will run through May 15, will see the officials touring several Chinese cities, including Beijing, Changsha, and Shaoshan in Hunan province. The officials will engage in discussions and observe…

Medical services in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been thrown into disarray as resident doctors began a three-day warning strike on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. The industrial action was triggered by the abrupt termination of 127 healthcare workers by the FCT Civil Service Commission on Friday, sparking outrage across the medical community. Leading the protest, Dr. George Ebong, President of the Association of Resident Doctors, decried the mass sackings as both “inhumane and illegal.” He accused the Commission of failing to follow appropriate procedures and described the decision as a blatant violation of labor rights. According to Dr. Ebong,…

In a rare moment of levity amid diplomatic duties, foreign ambassadors in Zimbabwe took off their ties and put on aprons as they competed in the second annual #AmbassadorsCookOff—a culinary contest that turned traditional diplomacy on its head. The event, organized by Zimbabwe’s online food collective TeamFulo, invited diplomats to prepare a staple village meal: free-range chicken with rice in peanut butter sauce. The competition, held last month, challenged participants not only to cook but to immerse themselves in local culture, cuisine, and community traditions. The winning dish came from Dutch Ambassador Margret Verwijk, whose presentation and culinary flair resonated…

Dozens of passengers are feared dead after a long-distance bus overturned and burst into flames following a collision along a busy highway in central Uganda on Monday evening. The accident occurred around 5 p.m. local time at Makindu trading center, along the Kisoga–Nyenga route. The bus, which was traveling from Kampala to Soroti, reportedly collided with a boda boda motorcycle before veering off the road, overturning, and catching fire. “The vehicle lost control after the impact, overturned, and was engulfed in flames. Several lives were lost,” said Michael Kananura, spokesperson for Uganda’s Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety. He added…

A groundbreaking discovery along Libya’s eastern coastline has unveiled the remains of an ancient sea lighthouse, providing a rare glimpse into the country’s maritime history. The discovery, made by a Libyan-international archaeological team, was announced on Monday by the Libyan News Agency. The lighthouse, believed to date back to the Greek or Roman era, highlights the strategic significance of Tobruk as a major port in antiquity. Excavations revealed portions of a circular stone structure and tower foundations, suggesting that the lighthouse once stood as a towering guidepost for ancient sailors navigating the Mediterranean waters. Alongside the lighthouse remains, the team…

A mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has arrived in Egypt to begin the fifth review of the North African country’s $8 billion economic reform programme, a critical step in unlocking further financial assistance amid ongoing economic turbulence. The team is scheduled to remain in Cairo until May 16 as it evaluates the progress Egypt has made since the last assessment in March. The visit comes under a 46-month loan agreement initially approved in 2022 and expanded in the wake of the conflict in Gaza. Funding Released, But Staff Report Withheld In March, the IMF’s Executive Board concluded its…

Léopold Sédar Senghor, one of Africa’s most revered intellectuals and statesmen, remains a towering figure in Senegal’s history and the broader Pan-African movement. Born on October 9, 1906, in Joal, a coastal village in Senegal, Senghor rose to become the nation’s first president (1960–1980), a pioneering poet of the Négritude movement, and a global advocate for African cultural identity. His legacy endures as a blend of political leadership, philosophical innovation, and literary brilliance. Early Life and Education Senghor was born into a wealthy Serer family with ancestral ties to Senegal’s pre-colonial aristocracy. At age eight, he began his education at…