Author: Kudret

Ghanaian authorities have arrested three Indian nationals suspected of operating a long-running gold smuggling syndicate, believed to have siphoned tonnes of gold out of the country over the past decade. The suspects, aged 22, 35, and 42, were taken into custody in Kumasi, where they allegedly converted a residential property into an illegal gold trading hub. Officials from GoldBod—the newly established national gold trading regulator—confirmed that the trio pleaded guilty during their arraignment and are being held until a scheduled court hearing on May 12. During the operation, law enforcement seized 4.36 kilograms of gold, 1.9 million Ghanaian cedis (approximately…

Governments across Africa are reacting cautiously to U.S. President Donald Trump’s indication this week that he may visit the continent before leaving office, as his administration moves to scale back American diplomatic and development presence in the region. Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Tuesday, Trump said he would “absolutely” consider a trip to Africa. The remarks came ahead of a political rally in Michigan commemorating his first 100 days in office. Although the statement may suggest a desire to re-engage with African leaders, it arrives amid significant concern over the direction of U.S.-Africa relations. Internal reports from…

As Rwanda marks another solemn anniversary, April 30 remains etched in memory as a day when the Genocide against the Tutsi escalated with terrifying coordination across the country, leaving thousands dead in a span of hours. In Bugesera, one of the many regions already devastated by previous attacks, desperate survivors sought refuge in dense papyrus swamps after fleeing earlier killings in surrounding hills and churches. But even these natural havens proved no match for a regime intent on extermination. Government forces used aerial reconnaissance to detect movements in the swamps. Once concentrations of Tutsi were identified, a deliberate operation was…

A national political conference in Mali has proposed that Assimi Goita, the leader of the military-led government, be appointed as president for a five-year term. This recommendation was made in a statement released on Tuesday after discussions held in the capital, Bamako. The conference, which included political leaders and various stakeholders, also suggested significant reforms to the country’s political structure. Among the key proposals were the dissolution of all existing political parties and the introduction of stricter conditions for forming new political groups. These measures are intended to reshape Mali’s political landscape, which has been under military control since Goita’s…

South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called for a strengthened partnership between the G20 and the African Union (AU), as Pretoria seeks to embed African priorities at the heart of the global economic agenda during its year-long G20 presidency. Speaking at the opening of the T20 Africa high-level dialogue in Pretoria, Mashatile emphasized the continent’s role in shaping solutions to global challenges, from economic equity to peace-building. The two-day event brings together policy experts, think tanks, and development institutions from Africa and beyond, and is convened by leading research bodies including the South African Institute of International Affairs and…

More than 200 Nigerian nationals stranded in Libya have been flown back home in a coordinated repatriation effort led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with financial backing from the European Union. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the IOM confirmed the voluntary return of 204 migrants, including 130 women, from Benghazi to Lagos. Although no specific dates were provided, the operation is part of a broader humanitarian program targeting vulnerable migrants across North Africa. “This mission was supported through the EU’s Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration programme,” the organization noted. Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi…

Nigeria’s path towards achieving a $1 trillion economy took center stage at the AMEDA 2025 conference, hosted for the first time in the country by the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc. The event, held under the theme “Shaping the Future: Financial Market Infrastructures as Catalysts for Transforming Economies,” brought together key players from Africa and the Middle East’s financial sector, including market regulators, infrastructure operators, and policy leaders. Speaking at the conference, Haruna Jalo-Waziri, the Vice Chairman of the African and Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) and CEO of CSCS, underscored Nigeria’s bold economic ambitions. “Nigeria is on an…

Burkina Faso has signaled a new phase in its effort to reclaim control over foreign-operated industrial mines, with Prime Minister Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo announcing the government’s intent to expand national authority in the sector. Speaking in a televised address late Monday, Ouédraogo reaffirmed the administration’s long-term strategy to secure a larger share of revenue from the country’s natural resources. He stated that reclaiming ownership is not a temporary measure but a sustained policy direction aimed at reshaping how mineral wealth is managed and distributed. “Our resources must benefit the nation first,” the prime minister declared, underlining that industrial mining operations—predominantly…

Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Monday hosted Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló in Kigali, where the two leaders held talks aimed at advancing cooperation between their countries. The high-level meeting focused on enhancing bilateral ties and addressing pressing regional and global developments. A statement from Rwanda’s presidency confirmed that discussions spanned “mutually beneficial sectors,” reflecting the leaders’ shared interest in deepening strategic collaboration. President Embaló’s latest visit builds on a series of diplomatic engagements with Rwanda. In March 2022, he conducted a three-day state visit, during which he toured the Kigali Special Economic Zone and oversaw the signing of three…

The foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have formally endorsed Morocco’s plan to provide the landlocked Sahel nations with access to international trade through Atlantic ports, marking a notable shift in regional dynamics and alliances. The endorsement came during an official visit to Rabat, where the ministers held talks with Morocco’s King Mohammed VI. According to Morocco’s state news agency, the meeting reflected the growing cooperation between the Kingdom and the three West African countries, which now form the Confederation of Sahel States (AES). The three nations withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) last…

Malian troops have killed 21 militants and reestablished control over the Sebabougou area in western Mali following a targeted military operation, according to an official army statement released on Monday. The army said that a series of precision airstrikes destroyed several militant bases, paving the way for ground forces to secure the area. The operation dealt a heavy blow to armed groups operating in the region, the statement added. During the sweep, soldiers recovered 21 bodies, alongside dozens of firearms, stockpiles of ammunition, vehicles, and communication equipment abandoned by the retreating fighters. Military officials confirmed that search operations are ongoing…

Cameroon and Chad have inaugurated a key infrastructure project linking the two nations, marking a pivotal moment in cross-border cooperation and regional integration. The new bridge, spanning 620 metres across the Logone River, now connects the town of Yagoua in northern Cameroon with Bongor in southwestern Chad. The project was officially launched on Monday in a ceremony attended by Cameroon’s Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute and his Chadian counterpart, Allamaye Halina. “This bridge is a bridge between two peoples,” Ngute said at the event. “It brings our communities together and builds a stronger bond between our nations.” Chad’s premier described…

At least 26 people were killed on Monday after two vehicles struck a roadside bomb in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state, residents and security sources said, highlighting the region’s persistent security challenges. The incident occurred between the towns of Rann and Gamboru Ngala, an area repeatedly affected by violence. An internal security memo from the International Safety Organization confirmed that the vehicles hit an improvised explosive device (IED), killing 26 people and injuring three others. Borno state police have yet to issue an official comment on the attack. Armed groups operating in northeastern Nigeria have long used explosive devices to target…

In early February 2025, post-heavy rains in northeastern Namibia triggered a surge of locusts, primarily in the Zambezi Region, affecting key hotspots like the Ibbu floodplains and Chobe River area. The outbreak, involving both hoppers (wingless juveniles) and fledglings (immature flyers), poses significant risks to agriculture. Heavy rainfall has fueled rapid vegetation growth, creating ideal breeding conditions. As the vegetation dries, the risk of swarming increases, potentially leading to large migratory groups. This surge is part of a larger, climate-driven pattern of erratic rainfall and shifting breeding cycles, as seen in previous outbreaks, including the devastating locust crisis in East…

In 2025, Senegal is set to lead sub-Saharan Africa with an 8.4% GDP growth, driven by new oil and gas projects, major infrastructure upgrades, and economic diversification. Key developments like the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim gas project and Sangomar oil field are boosting exports and reducing imports. Investments in roads, ports, and telecoms are improving logistics and attracting foreign investment. With a focus on agriculture, tourism, and fintech, Senegal is building a resilient, future-focused economy. Strong fiscal policies and investor confidence ensure long-term growth potential.

South Africans commemorating Freedom Day on Saturday received a message of support from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who reiterated the strong relationship between Pretoria and Moscow. In a letter sent to President Cyril Ramaphosa and made public by the Russian Embassy in South Africa on Sunday, Putin emphasized the depth of cooperation between the two countries. He cited growing partnerships in trade, economic development, science, technology, and humanitarian fields, along with their collaboration on global platforms such as last year’s BRICS Summit in Kazan. Putin expressed optimism about the future of the bilateral relationship, stating that strengthening the Russia–South Africa…