Author: Kudret

At least 29 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi were laid to rest on Thursday in Rwanda’s Nyaruguru District, following their recent discovery in mass graves. The burial took place in Munini sector during ceremonies marking the 31st commemoration of one of Africa’s most devastating episodes. Local residents, survivors, and national leaders gathered to honour the victims, whose remains had been hidden for decades. The event served as a reminder of the country’s continuing efforts to reckon with its past and ensure that all genocide victims are identified and given a dignified burial. Senator Pelagie Uwera, who attended…

Rwanda has secured the renewal of its partnership with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the prestigious French football club, through 2028, continuing to spotlight the country’s tourism initiative, “Visit Rwanda.” The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) confirmed the extension of this agreement on Wednesday, emphasizing its significance in raising Rwanda’s profile globally. The renewed deal aims to further enhance Rwanda’s international presence, reinforcing its standing as a growing hub for youth development, innovation, and economic opportunities. The RDB highlighted the importance of the partnership in advancing Rwanda as a key destination for tourism and investment, while also promoting the country’s role in global…

In a dramatic escalation of political tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), security forces have raided properties linked to former president Joseph Kabila, with authorities alleging his involvement in destabilizing the government. The raids, which took place this week, coincide with Kabila’s announcement of plans to return to the country, raising fears of further unrest in the already volatile eastern regions. Adam Shemisi, a spokesperson for Kabila’s wife, Marie-Olive Lembe Kabila, confirmed that the raids targeted several Kabila family properties, including the Kingakati estate, located about 80 kilometers east of the capital, Kinshasa. Shemisi stated that security forces…

Shaka Zulu rose from humble beginnings in 1787 to forge one of Southern Africa’s most formidable kingdoms. Facing exile and hardship in his youth, he honed his skills under Chief Dingiswayo and quickly distinguished himself as a courageous and strategic warrior. Revolutionizing Zulu warfare, Shaka introduced the short stabbing spear (iklwa) and the barefoot charge, increasing speed and agility on the battlefield. His signature “buffalo horn” formation enabled his troops to encircle and overwhelm larger forces, securing vital victories that expanded his influence across the region. By uniting fragmented clans through both diplomacy and decisive conquest, Shaka built a cohesive…

Nigeria has reported 127 deaths and 674 confirmed cases of Lassa fever since January 2025. The outbreak has spread to 18 states, with Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi hardest hit. Most cases are among young adults aged 21–30, with men more affected than women. The case fatality rate stands at 18.8/percent. Lassa fever spreads through contact with rodent waste or infected bodily fluids. The NCDC has launched a nationwide response to contain the outbreak, but challenges like limited healthcare access and low public awareness persist.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa will travel to Belarus in May following a formal invitation from Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, delivered by Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov during a diplomatic mission to Harare this week. The visit comes as the two countries continue to strengthen political and economic cooperation, with both governments reaffirming their commitment to strategic collaboration. High-level talks in Harare focused on the ongoing implementation of Zimbabwe’s agricultural mechanization programme, now entering its third phase with technical support from Belarus. The initiative has become a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s agricultural revival efforts and reflects the broader ambition to boost food production…

As the global community observes International Bat Appreciation Day, environmental advocates are urging urgent action to preserve Nigeria’s diverse but increasingly endangered bat species, which represent a third of all bat species found across the African continent. Nigeria is home to approximately 100 bat species, with several of them facing the looming threat of extinction. According to the 2025 IUCN Red List, key species such as the short-tailed roundleaf bat are now critically endangered. These species are under increasing pressure from human activities, including deforestation, unregulated mining, agricultural expansion, light pollution, and illegal hunting for bushmeat. “Bats are vital to…

Rwanda has made remarkable strides in its fight against poverty, with over 1.5 million people rising above the poverty line in just seven years, according to newly released national statistics. The findings, published in the Seventh Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV 7) by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), reveal that the country’s overall poverty rate dropped from 39.8/percent in 2017 to 27.4/percent in 2024. Urban areas saw poverty fall from 18.8/percent to 12.7/percent, while rural communities—where poverty has historically been more entrenched—recorded a sharper decline, from 44/percent to 31.6/percent . Speaking during the release of the…

In a key diplomatic gesture, Nigeria and Niger have reopened high-level dialogue, signalling cautious efforts to rebuild trust and cooperation following Niger’s 2023 military coup. Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar held talks in Niamey with his Nigerien counterpart, Bakary Yaou Sangare, in only the second visit by a senior Nigerian official since President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted from power. The meeting marks a renewed attempt by both sides to navigate regional turbulence and re-establish vital cross-border collaboration. “The talks were held in a climate of mutual respect and deepened understanding,” the two ministers said in a joint statement. They noted…

Malian authorities have shut the Bamako office of Canadian mining firm Barrick Gold in a dramatic escalation of a dispute over tax obligations and mining revenue control. The closure comes amid a broader standoff that began in 2023 following Mali’s introduction of a new mining code aimed at increasing state participation in the gold sector. Barrick, one of Mali’s major foreign investors, has been locked in negotiations with the government over how the legislation should be applied. Government officials this week sealed the company’s capital office and warned that the suspended Loulo-Gounkoto mine could be placed under provisional administration if…

Nigeria and South Africa have formalised a landmark agreement to collaborate on mining development, aiming to drive investment, enhance technical capacity, and deepen regional integration across Africa’s mineral-rich landscape. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Abuja by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, marks a significant step in strengthening ties under the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission. Speaking after the signing, Alake’s media aide, Segun Tomori, said the accord outlines clear collaborative objectives and timelines, setting the stage for practical cooperation in key areas of the mining…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed his decision to retain Mcebisi Jonas as the country’s new special envoy to the United States, despite revelations that Jonas previously made disparaging remarks about former US President Donald Trump. Jonas, a former deputy finance minister, was appointed to the diplomatic post earlier this week, succeeding Ebrahim Rasool. Rasool’s removal followed a diplomatic fallout triggered by comments he had made about the Trump administration. The reshuffle comes at a time when Pretoria is seeking to restore balance in its relations with Washington. The controversy surrounding Jonas stems from remarks he reportedly made after…

South Africa has strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including its repeated bombings of hospitals, describing the actions as a clear violation of international humanitarian law. The condemnation follows the Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, which was reportedly the last operational medical facility in Gaza City. The attack, which occurred on Sunday, forced the evacuation of numerous patients and has worsened Gaza’s already dire healthcare crisis. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) reaffirmed South Africa’s alignment with global condemnation of these actions. According to DIRCO, at least…

Trade ministers from across Africa have gathered in Kinshasa this week to chart a unified response to Washington’s unexpected move to impose sweeping tariffs on African imports, a decision that has unsettled several economies across the continent. The United States had earlier announced a 10/percent baseline tariff on goods from nearly all African nations, with some countries—such as Lesotho—facing rates as high as 50/percent. Although the Trump administration temporarily suspended the measure for 90 days, the brief pause has done little to ease mounting concerns among African policymakers. For over two decades, African exporters have relied on the African Growth…

Shaka Zulu remains one of the most formidable figures in Southern African history. A visionary leader and fierce military strategist, he reshaped the Zulu nation in the early 19th century, turning a small clan into a powerful kingdom. His life story is marked by determination, innovation, and a legacy that continues to provoke admiration and debate. From humble beginnings to commanding armies and transforming regional politics, Shaka’s impact on the course of African history is both profound and enduring. Formative Years Shaka was born in 1787 to Chief Senzangakhona and Nandi, a union that was initially shrouded in rejection. His…

Armed herdsmen launched a violent attack on Otobi, a community in Nigeria’s Benue State, on Tuesday evening, leaving seven people dead and more than 20 others injured. This assault marks the third such attack in the region within the month of April, highlighting the escalating violence between farmers and herders in Nigeria’s middle-belt. The attack occurred around 5:30 p.m. in Akpa district, located within the Otukpo Local Government Area, and lasted for approximately two hours. In addition to the fatalities and injuries, many homes were destroyed by fire, further displacing vulnerable residents. Kennedy Angbo, a lawmaker representing Otukpo-Akpa Constituency in…