Author: Kudret

South Africa’s ongoing battle against rhino poaching continues, with new figures highlighting the severe challenges faced in protecting these endangered species. Dr. Dion George, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, revealed that 103 rhinos were poached in the first quarter of 2025, underscoring the persistent threat to these iconic animals. While the losses are concerning, Dr. George pointed out that the absence of poaching in four provinces demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted anti-poaching measures. “The loss of 103 rhinos during the first three months of 2025 is a stark reminder of the persistent threat we face, but the…

In a bold move that reinforces South Africa’s influence in the global mining industry, Gold Fields has struck a deal to acquire Australia’s Gold Road Resources in a transaction valued at 3.7 billion Australian dollars (approximately $2.4 billion). The all-cash offer, announced on Monday, gives Gold Fields full ownership of the lucrative Gruyere gold mine in Western Australia—a site the South African mining giant has operated jointly with Gold Road. The revised proposal includes a 14.5% premium on Gold Road’s last closing price and was warmly received by investors, with shares of the Australian company surging by up to 12%.…

Rwanda has unveiled its revised Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (GGCRS) as part of efforts to transition the country into a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy by 2050. The new strategy, announced at a high-level policy dialogue in Kigali, aims to catalyze private sector involvement while addressing the evolving climate challenges facing the nation. The updated GGCRS, which was first introduced in 2011 and revised in 2023, emphasizes sustainable development and sets a clear roadmap for Rwanda’s green growth aspirations. A central component of the revised strategy is a detailed financing plan that seeks to mobilize both domestic and international capital…

Rwanda has acknowledged it is in the early phases of negotiations with the United States regarding the possible transfer of migrants deported from U.S. territory, according to Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe. Speaking to the national broadcaster Rwanda TV on Sunday evening, Nduhungirehe noted that while conversations are ongoing, no formal framework has been finalized. “We are in discussions with the United States,” he said. “It has not yet reached a stage where we can say exactly how things will proceed, but the talks are ongoing.” This initiative reflects Rwanda’s recent pattern of engagement with Western countries seeking to relocate migrants.…

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt has formally accepted an invitation to attend the 34th Ordinary Arab Summit and the 5th Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, both scheduled for May 17, 2025, in Baghdad. The invitation was hand-delivered in Cairo by Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, who also conveyed greetings from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani. The meeting underscored growing diplomatic engagement between the two countries, as Egypt reaffirmed its longstanding ties with Iraq. President El-Sisi welcomed the invitation and expressed his appreciation to President Abdel-Latif Rashid and Prime Minister Al Sudani. He…

M23 rebels and allied militias have taken control of Lunyasenge, a vital fishing town on the western shores of Lake Edward, following armed clashes with the Congolese army that left 17 people dead, including seven government soldiers. The Congolese military confirmed the loss of the town in a statement issued on Sunday evening, marking a significant setback in efforts to stabilize North Kivu province. “This attack is a deliberate violation of the ceasefire and the peace processes underway in Doha and Washington,” said Colonel Mak Hazukay, spokesperson for the army’s Greater North command. He warned that the army is prepared…

An inquest has been opened into a fatal road crash that claimed the lives of 15 people in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, officials confirmed on Sunday. The tragic incident occurred around midnight on Saturday along the R63 between Adelaide and Maqoma (Fort Beaufort), when a minibus taxi and a bakkie collided head-on. The minibus, a white Toyota Quantum, was travelling from Qonce (formerly King William’s Town) towards Cape Town, while the Isuzu Double Cab bakkie was heading in the opposite direction from Adelaide to Kwamaqoma. The impact of the collision was devastating, leaving the driver of the bakkie and…

Somalia has entered a new phase in its quest to harness its natural resource wealth through a strategic hydrocarbon partnership with Türkiye—an agreement hailed by officials as a major step toward economic revitalization. Dahir Shire Mohamed, Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, described the collaboration as a timely opportunity to unlock the country’s untapped energy potential. His remarks came during the İstanbul Natural Resources Summit: INRES 2025, a high-level forum that drew global policymakers, energy executives, and financial leaders. “Somalia has long possessed vast reserves of minerals and hydrocarbons,” Mohamed said. “But years of challenges have left much of…

The United States is facilitating a major peace and investment initiative between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, aimed at ending years of conflict in eastern Congo and boosting regional economic development. On April 25, both countries signed a Declaration of Principles in Washington, committing to draft a comprehensive peace agreement by May 2, 2025. A follow-up meeting, scheduled for mid-May, will bring together U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the foreign ministers of DRC and Rwanda to finalize the accord. The agreement outlines mutual commitments to respect territorial sovereignty, halt support for armed groups, coordinate on…

The ninth edition of the Aswan International Women Film Festival (AIWFF) opened on Friday evening with a star-studded red-carpet ceremony, marking the beginning of a week-long celebration of women in cinema. Held annually, the festival continues to draw attention to the pressing issues surrounding women’s rights, gender equality, and the role of women in the arts. The event, which attracts filmmakers, critics, and artists from across Egypt and around the world, offers a platform for showcasing films that tackle women’s causes and stories through powerful storytelling. Running until May 7, this year’s festival features 55 films from over 30 countries,…

A Tunisian court has sentenced former Prime Minister Ali Larayedh to 34 years behind bars over accusations that he enabled the departure of individuals from Tunisia to Syria during that country’s civil war. Larayedh, a senior figure in the Ennahdha party, has rejected the ruling and denied any involvement in facilitating such movements. During his court appearance on Friday, Larayedh stated, “I was neither supportive, nor complicit, nor indifferent to acts of violence,” emphasizing that he had always opposed such conduct. He and members of his political party have condemned the charges as part of a broader effort to sideline…

On December 3, 1967, medical history was rewritten in Cape Town when Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first successful human heart transplant. The procedure not only captivated global attention but also marked a turning point in the field of cardiac surgery. Born in Beaufort West, South Africa, Barnard’s journey was fueled by personal tragedy and an unwavering drive to save lives. From pioneering techniques in pediatric surgery to experimenting with innovative transplant methods, Barnard constantly pushed the boundaries of what was medically possible. Beyond the operating room, Barnard became a vocal critic of apartheid, an advocate for child health,…

Brice Oligui Nguema, the military leader who dismantled decades of dynastic rule in Gabon, will be officially sworn in as president on Saturday, marking the end of a lengthy political transition and the beginning of a new era in Libreville. The former general, who took power following the August 2023 coup that removed Ali Bongo from office, cemented his leadership with a commanding electoral win last month, capturing nearly 95% of the vote. Saturday’s inauguration is set to take place at the Angondjé Stadium, just outside the capital, and will be the largest public ceremony of its kind in Gabonese…

Burkina Faso is set to host one of the continent’s most prominent defense and security gatherings as the second edition of the Synergy of Safety, Security and Defense (SYSDEF) exhibition takes place in Ouagadougou from May 8 to 10, 2025. Top-tier defense manufacturers from across the globe, with a notable delegation from Türkiye, will be attending the three-day event. Turkish firms including Raff Military Textile, Aselsan, ASFAT, Baykar, Havelsan, MKE, Nurol, Otokar, Roketsan, and Sarsılmaz are expected to showcase cutting-edge technology and equipment. First launched in 2023, SYSDEF has rapidly evolved into a strategic platform for the defense and civil…

Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is witnessing a troubling trend as farmers return to their land, only to find it now under rebel control. This return to the war-torn region is being met with an array of challenges, as years of violence and ongoing instability continue to disrupt the lives of local communities. The M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda, has made unprecedented territorial advances in the North and South Kivu provinces over the past several months. This offensive has displaced 1.2 million people, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). However, despite the risks, an estimated 1.8…

Malawi’s health authorities have confirmed the country’s sixth case of Mpox, intensifying concerns about the local transmission of the virus within Lilongwe, the capital city, where all the confirmed cases have been reported. The Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) revealed in a report on May 1 that the most recent patient is an 18-year-old male student from the Tumbwe area in Lilongwe’s Area 36. The student sought treatment at Bwaila Hospital on April 30 after experiencing typical symptoms of Mpox, including fever, fatigue, shortness of breath, and a skin rash. Laboratory tests later confirmed the presence of the virus.…