Author: Kudret

The United States is working to broker a historic peace deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, with plans to sign the agreement at the White House in two months. Alongside the peace accord, the U.S. is seeking to finalize substantial mineral investment deals, expected to inject billions of dollars into mining and infrastructure projects across the region. Massad Boulos, senior advisor for Africa to President Donald Trump, confirmed the initiative during an interview in Doha. According to Boulos, the signing ceremony will involve a dual agreement: one for Congo, which is poised for significant investment due…

Kenyan authorities have released new details into the assassination of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Were, who was gunned down on April 30 in Nairobi. Surveillance footage obtained by homicide detectives has shed light on the final minutes before the fatal attack and the possible identity of the gunman. The legislator was killed near the City Mortuary roundabout along Ngong Road after a motorcycle-borne assailant shot him at close range. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has confirmed that Were was struck by four bullets—one shattered his car window while others hit his chest and arm. According to police investigations,…

The fatal shooting of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were on April 30 has sent shockwaves across Kenya, triggering a national reflection on the country’s dark legacy of political assassinations. Were, a vocal legislator serving his second term, was gunned down in broad daylight along Nairobi’s busy Ngong Road, reigniting fears over the security of public officials. According to police, assailants riding a motorcycle intercepted his vehicle before opening fire, fatally injuring him on the spot. No arrests had been made by Thursday, and investigations are ongoing. Trail of Blood: A History of Political Killings in Kenya Kenya’s post-independence…

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have launched emergency measures in North Kivu Province following an outbreak of anthrax that has killed one person and left 16 others suspected to be infected. The outbreak, centered in four health zones near Lake Edward along the Ugandan border, has raised alarm in both countries. Uganda’s western Kabale district has also reported seven suspected human cases, linking the two outbreaks across the porous border. The DRC Ministry of Health, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), is conducting epidemiological investigations and reinforcing surveillance to trace the source and halt…

Resolute Mining has secured a $150 million deal to acquire two key gold assets in Côte d’Ivoire from AngloGold Ashanti, strengthening its operational footprint in West Africa and targeting a significant boost in gold output. The binding agreement covers the acquisition of the Doropo and ABC gold projects. Payment will be made in three instalments: $25 million upon completion, $50 million after 18 months, and a final $75 million after 30 months. The transaction also includes a 2% net smelter return royalty and performance-based milestone payments linked to the ABC Project. In a parallel move, Resolute will transfer its Guinean…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered a judicial inquiry into allegations that successive governments may have obstructed the prosecution of apartheid-era crimes, in a move aimed at addressing decades of frustration among victims’ families. The presidency announced the decision on Wednesday, stating the inquiry will determine whether any attempts were made to delay or derail investigations into politically motivated killings and disappearances committed under the apartheid regime. “This is about uncovering the truth and closing a painful chapter,” the presidency said in a statement, referencing long-standing accusations that elements within post-apartheid administrations shielded those responsible for human rights abuses.…

South African police have launched a human trafficking investigation following the discovery of 44 Ethiopian men locked inside a residential property in the affluent suburb of Parkmore, Sandton, on Thursday morning. According to police, the men were found after private security personnel patrolling the area responded to cries for help coming from the house. Upon notifying law enforcement, officers arrived at the scene and uncovered the group confined in what appears to be a case of smuggling or trafficking. Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo, spokesperson for the Gauteng police, confirmed the incident and provided initial details. “We found 44 males who are…

Senegal is set to present its ambitious energy agenda to a global audience as the country’s Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines, Birame Soulèye Diop, confirms his attendance at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies. His participation underscores Senegal’s growing stature in the oil, gas, and renewables sectors, backed by a renewed legal and policy framework aimed at accelerating investment. Following its debut as an oil-producing nation in 2024, Senegal has quickly gained traction in the industry. The Sangomar offshore oil field, operated by Australia’s Woodside Energy, exceeded production forecasts by delivering 16.9 million barrels in its…

Nigerian authorities have arrested a British citizen, identified as a former member of the UK Armed Forces Reserves, over suspected involvement in arms smuggling activities linked to the country’s volatile Niger Delta region. The suspect was apprehended at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos as he prepared to board a flight to the United Kingdom. Local sources say the man, reportedly of Nigerian heritage, is under investigation for attempting to procure illegal weapons intended for use in areas affected by militant unrest. Initial speculation in Nigerian media suggested the suspect was a serving British army officer. However, the British High…

Burkina Faso’s transitional leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has praised citizens and pan-African supporters for their unwavering patriotism and solidarity with his government’s anti-imperialist stance. In a statement released on Tuesday, Traoré expressed gratitude to “peace-loving, freedom-loving patriots and pan-Africanists” across the country for supporting his administration’s push for a sovereign Burkina Faso and a reimagined Africa, free from external control. “Our commitment and vision for a new Burkina Faso and a new Africa, free from imperialism and neo-colonialism, is shared by many of our people,” Traoré declared. His remarks followed a series of public demonstrations and civil actions in various…

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, reiterated the country’s steadfast commitment to contributing to a more inclusive and equitable global order during his speech at the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Wednesday. Addressing a range of global issues, Tuggar highlighted Nigeria’s readiness to work within the BRICS framework to address pressing challenges such as climate change, economic instability, and technological disruptions. In his keynote address, Tuggar underscored Nigeria’s support for BRICS’ push for systemic reforms aimed at realigning international governance structures with the realities of today’s world. He emphasized the bloc’s role in advancing a…

The African Union (AU) has officially reinstated Gabon as a full member following a review of the country’s political transition, which has been deemed successful. The decision, announced by the AU’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) on Wednesday, marks the end of the country’s suspension, which was imposed after last year’s military coup. At its 1,277th meeting, the PSC assessed Gabon’s progress toward restoring constitutional order. Chairperson Rebecca Amuge Otengo confirmed that the political transition, which followed the August 2023 coup, had been largely successful and met the AU’s expectations for stability and governance. In her statement, Otengo highlighted the…

Uganda has officially been admitted as a BRICS partner state, marking a significant milestone in the country’s diplomatic and economic trajectory. This development aligns Uganda with one of the world’s most influential blocs, composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, as the East African nation seeks to boost its global standing and engage in new avenues for economic growth and sustainable development. Foreign Affairs Minister Jeje Odongo shared the announcement at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he emphasized the importance of the partnership. “Uganda has long enjoyed warm relations with BRICS member…

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has begun relocating hundreds of disarmed Congolese army and police personnel, along with their families, from the eastern city of Goma to the capital, Kinshasa, amid continued instability in the region. The evacuees had been sheltered at a United Nations military base in Goma, located in the conflict-torn North Kivu province. According to the ICRC, the transfer is being carried out in stages over several days, with Congolese authorities set to take over upon their arrival in the capital. The operation was launched following a joint request from the Congolese Ministry of…

Christiaan Neethling Barnard (8 November 1922 – 2 September 2001) was a pioneering South African cardiac surgeon, globally renowned for performing the world’s first successful human-to-human heart transplant. This groundbreaking procedure, conducted on 3 December 1967, marked a monumental leap in medical science and solidified Barnard’s place as a leader in the field of cardiac surgery. Born in Beaufort West, Cape Province, Barnard’s early life was shaped by a combination of personal tragedy and inspiration from his religious upbringing. The loss of his younger brother to a heart condition and the stillbirth of a sister left a lasting impact on…

South Africa’s Ministry of Finance has scheduled the release of a revised national budget for May 21, signaling a renewed commitment to public debt stabilization amid prolonged coalition tensions. The announcement comes after months of internal disputes within the Government of National Unity, which have delayed key fiscal decisions and shaken market confidence. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana confirmed the revised budget will include updated projections for revenue, spending, and economic growth following the collapse of a proposed value-added tax (VAT) increase. That proposal, which aimed to raise VAT from 15% to 17%, exposed deep divisions within the coalition and was…