Author: Kudret

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading a ministerial delegation to Lesotho on Wednesday, in a move aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation and addressing shared regional priorities. The visit, which includes 15 ministers, marks a significant diplomatic engagement between the two neighbouring states. Ramaphosa is set to co-chair the second session of the South Africa–Lesotho Bi-National Commission (BNC) with Prime Minister Sam Matekane in Maseru. The commission, established to formalize strategic dialogue, last met in September 2023. A key focus of the talks will be the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, a flagship infrastructure initiative of continental importance. South Africa is…

Armed herdsmen launched a deadly assault on the Afia community in Benue State on Tuesday, killing at least 11 people and injuring several others in the latest flashpoint of Nigeria’s deepening farmer-herder crisis. The attackers stormed Afia, a rural settlement in Ukum Local Government Area, around midday, opening fire on residents and forcing others to flee into surrounding bushes. Local authorities described the violence as deliberate and systematic. “This wasn’t just another attack. It was strategic, unprovoked, and meant to push us off our land,” said Iyorkyaa Kaave, a local community leader. “They fired without warning. Eleven died on the…

In Senegal, former ministers from the administration of President Macky Sall are under investigation for their involvement in the alleged embezzlement of public funds linked to the Covid-19 relief fund. The prosecutor general at the Dakar Court of Appeal announced last Thursday that the files of five individuals, including former Ministers Moustapha Diop and Mansour Faye, have been sent to the National Assembly for further review. This move marks the beginning of what could be an impeachment process, with Diop and Faye reportedly set to be the first ministers to face potential prosecution. The allegations against the two former ministers…

Madagascar is preparing to welcome French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, April 23, for a two-day state visit aimed at bolstering the relationship between the two countries. The visit is a significant step in enhancing diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties, reflecting Madagascar’s interest in strengthening its partnership with France. This visit also comes at a crucial time, as Madagascar plays a central role in regional initiatives in the Indian Ocean. Macron’s visit follows his participation in the Indian Ocean Commission (COI) Summit on April 24, which will take place on the island of Nosy Be, located in the northern part…

Namibia’s Zambezi Region is facing a significant locust outbreak, with experts raising alarms over the potential for a second wave of infestations. The country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform confirmed the outbreak, which was first detected in early February following heavy rainfall that has since created ideal breeding conditions for the insects. Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, the executive director of the ministry, said the locusts have been observed in their hopper and fledgling stages across multiple locations, including the floodplains of Ibbu near the Chobe River and 11 constituencies in the Zambezi Region. The influx of rainfall has helped…

Ivory Coast’s presidential race took a dramatic turn Tuesday after a court ruled that opposition figure Tidjane Thiam was ineligible to appear on the electoral roll, citing his dual nationality at the time of registration. The decision, which is final and cannot be appealed, could effectively sideline one of the country’s most prominent challengers ahead of the October vote. Thiam, the former chief executive of Credit Suisse and current leader of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), had been widely seen as a serious contender against the ruling party. But the court determined that his French citizenship, held at…

The South African rand appreciated modestly on Tuesday morning, trading at 18.70 against the US dollar, marking a 0.3/percent increase from the previous day’s close. This uptick comes as markets await the release of South Africa’s composite leading business cycle indicator, which is expected at 0700 GMT. This important economic report, compiled by the central bank, includes critical data such as vehicle sales, business confidence, and money supply, all of which offer a glimpse into the future direction of Africa’s largest economy. The release of this data is closely watched by investors, who look for insights into the economic trends…

Sierra Leone is betting on its vast untapped mineral reserves to steer the country toward economic stability and long-term development, as the government accelerates exploration and processing initiatives aimed at reviving a sector once marred by conflict and mismanagement. The West African nation, still recovering from a legacy of war and commodity dependence, is home to some of the continent’s most coveted natural resources—ranging from high-grade iron ore and gold to world-class rutile and bauxite deposits. But much of this potential has remained underdeveloped, with artisanal miners dominating and formal investment lagging. Now, with improved political stability and rising global…

A devastating tragedy occurred near Abidjan, Ivory Coast, when a boat capsized during a church outing on a lagoon, resulting in the deaths of 12 children and teenagers. The tragic incident took place on Monday night, prompting immediate action from local authorities. Sports Minister Adje Silas Metch confirmed the disaster on Tuesday, stating that 12 bodies had been recovered from the water and were being transported to the morgue. He added that the victims were children and adolescents, with one of the deceased being a young person who was not part of the church group but had joined the boat…

Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Monday hosted Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe in Kigali for high-level talks focused on the deepening crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its growing implications for regional stability. The meeting, held at Village Urugwiro, brought together the two leaders to assess the state of regional peace efforts. According to the Rwandan presidency, discussions explored “progress of ongoing regional processes aimed at securing sustainable peace in the Great Lakes Region.” President Gnassingbe recently took over as the African Union’s official mediator in the DR Congo conflict, succeeding Angola’s President Joao Lourenço, now the AU…

Chinua Achebe, often referred to as the father of African literature, remains one of the continent’s most revered figures in the world of writing. A visionary whose words reshaped global narratives on colonialism, identity, and African culture, Achebe’s legacy continues to influence generations of writers and intellectuals. His works, primarily focused on the impact of British colonialism on indigenous African societies, gave a voice to a continent too often misrepresented in Western literature. Early Life and Academic Journey Born in Ogidi, southeastern Nigeria, on November 16, 1930, Achebe’s early exposure to both traditional Igbo culture and Western education would become…

In a rare and strategic show of cooperation, Egypt has welcomed Chinese fighter jets and early warning systems for the joint air exercises dubbed Eagles of Civilisation 2025, signalling a shift in Cairo’s military alignment amid growing tensions with the West. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of China deployed its J-10C fighter aircraft, accompanied by the KJ-500 airborne early warning and control systems, marking the first time this high-tech fleet has operated beyond Chinese borders. The exercises come at a time when Egypt is under increased pressure from Western powers over its stance on the Gaza crisis and…

Angola’s cholera outbreak has spread to 17 out of the country’s 21 provinces, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Monday. Since the outbreak began in January 2025, Angola has registered over 14,000 confirmed cholera cases and 505 deaths, with young people particularly affected—half of the cases involve individuals under the age of 20. In response to the escalating crisis, the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the WHO and other international partners, has launched an immediate and comprehensive response. Key measures include the deployment of rapid response teams to the most affected regions, specialized training for health personnel, and…

Minna International Airport in Nigeria’s north-central region will launch scheduled commercial passenger flights on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, ending more than four decades without regular airline service. Recently renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, the facility has undergone substantial upgrades and will begin operations through a new partnership between the Niger State government and Overland Airways Limited. The initiative is being driven by New Niger Aviation (NNA), a Special Purpose Vehicle established to revitalize the state’s aviation infrastructure. “This is more than a flight path—it’s a gateway to economic opportunity,” said Alhaji Liman Katamba Kutigi, Chief Operating Officer of NNA.…

The remains of 4,209 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi were reburied Monday at the Murambi Genocide Memorial in Southern Rwanda, as the country intensifies efforts to consolidate and protect its genocide memorial sites. The reburial, which followed the relocation of remains from Nyamigina village, marks a significant phase in Rwanda’s ongoing memorial preservation plan. Murambi now holds over 50,000 victims, making it one of the nation’s largest and most symbolic genocide remembrance sites. Government officials, survivors, and community members gathered for the ceremony, which doubled as a commemorative event. Jean Damascene Bizimana, Minister of National Unity and…

Burkina Faso has been rocked by a series of high-profile arrests within its military ranks, including the detention of key officers linked to investigations into past political unrest. Among those arrested is Frédéric Ouédraogo, the former head of the military justice battalion, who had been overseeing the inquiry into the October 2023 shooting death of Commander Ismaël Touhogobou. Touhogobou had been under suspicion for his alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt, and military prosecutors had previously stated that the operation leading to his arrest “did not go as planned.” Also detained was Captain Elysée Tassembedo, the highly regarded commander…