Author: Kudret

South Africa’s rand strengthened on Wednesday morning, lifted by a softer dollar as global markets reacted to lingering trade tensions between the United States and China. At the same time, investors are closely monitoring internal political discussions that could shape the country’s fiscal path. By 0757 GMT, the rand was trading at 18.9425 against the U.S. dollar, marking a 0.4/percent gain. The greenback fell around 0.7/percent against a basket of major currencies, as traders digested the ongoing uncertainty triggered by U.S. tariff policy. Although no fresh developments emerged overnight, the persistent trade standoff between Washington and Beijing—South Africa’s key trading…

Africa’s artistic legacy is undergoing a global renaissance. Once misrepresented or overlooked, the continent’s creative heritage is now taking center stage in major museums, academic discussions, and modern design studios across the world. At the heart of this resurgence are five landmark artworks that have shaped, challenged, and redefined artistic expression far beyond Africa’s borders. From ancient stone carvings to a rediscovered portrait that captivated international markets, these pieces offer more than aesthetic value—they tell stories of identity, innovation, and influence that continue to echo across centuries. The Stone Birds of Great Zimbabwe: Sculpted Sovereignty Discovered among the ruins of…

Crude oil prices declined for the second consecutive month, reflecting market unease triggered by recent U.S. trade measures and a slowing global demand outlook. According to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), its Reference Basket (ORB) of crudes averaged $74.00 per barrel in March, down 3.7/percent from February. The drop in oil prices coincides with the economic ripple effects of newly announced U.S. tariffs, which have contributed to a more cautious global consumption outlook. OPEC has now trimmed its 2025 oil demand growth forecast to 1.3 million barrels per day (mb/d), citing fresh data from the first quarter…

The death toll from Nigeria’s ongoing Lassa fever outbreak has climbed to 127 since January, according to data released Tuesday by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The country has confirmed 674 infections from a pool of 4,025 suspected cases recorded since the beginning of the year. The hemorrhagic virus, endemic to parts of West Africa, has now spread to 18 of Nigeria’s 36 states, with the southern states of Ondo and Edo, alongside Bauchi in the north, accounting for more than 70 percent of the confirmed cases. Health authorities report a case fatality rate of 18.8/percent—slightly…

In a country where apartheid sought to erase identity and suppress resistance, one voice emerged to reawaken the soul of an oppressed people. Steve Biko, the visionary founder of the Black Consciousness Movement, was more than an activist—he was a beacon of psychological and political liberation. Though his life was tragically cut short at just 30, his ideas and courage continue to fuel South Africa’s long march toward freedom. A Youth Shaped by Oppression Born on December 18, 1946, in Tarkastad, Eastern Cape, Bantu Stephen Biko was raised in the segregated township of Ginsberg, near King William’s Town. Early hardship…

Ghana and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached a staff-level agreement on the fourth review of the country’s $3 billion loan programme, paving the way for an additional $370 million disbursement, subject to approval by the IMF’s Executive Board. The agreement is a significant step in Ghana’s efforts to stabilize its economy, which has faced severe challenges in recent years. Known for its exports of gold, oil, and cocoa, Ghana has been grappling with an economic crisis, with its key sectors under pressure. Despite these struggles, the country is gradually recovering, with the IMF loan programme playing a crucial…

UNICEF has issued a stark warning to the global community, urging immediate intervention to address the deteriorating situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where ongoing violence between government forces and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group has escalated, further endangering millions of lives. The organization stresses that without swift political engagement and substantial financial support, the crisis will only deepen, threatening both immediate and long-term stability in the region. In a recent interview with Anadolu, James Elder, UNICEF spokesperson, highlighted the urgency of the situation, emphasizing that the combination of armed conflict and a deadly Mpox…

South Africa, under its year-long presidency of the Group of 20 (G20), has convened a key international meeting in Somerset West, Western Cape, aimed at shaping global development priorities through a distinctly inclusive and sustainable lens. The second session of the G20’s Development Working Group (DWG) began on Monday, drawing participants from member states, invited nations, and global institutions. The three-day summit—set to close on Wednesday—centres on strengthening cooperative frameworks that address economic inequality, sustainability, and long-term resilience, especially for developing nations. According to South Africa’s Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, the gathering is a critical platform for tackling…

Ghana has ordered all foreign actors to withdraw from its artisanal gold trading market by the end of April, marking a bold restructuring of its lucrative gold sector aimed at tightening oversight, boosting revenue, and combating widespread smuggling. In a statement released Monday, a newly established government agency known as the Gold Board—or GoldBod—announced it will now serve as the sole legal authority for buying, selling, assaying, and exporting gold from small-scale and artisanal sources. All previously held licenses by both local and foreign companies under the old export framework are now void. Under the new rules, foreign companies must…

Severe flooding has swept through multiple regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, claiming at least 72 lives and displacing over 5,000 people, as confirmed by the Ministry of Health on Monday. The capital, Kinshasa, is among the worst affected, with 11 health zones reporting widespread destruction following relentless downpours. In addition to Kinshasa’s mounting toll, eastern provinces such as Tanganyika and South Kivu have recorded extensive damage to homes, roads, and public infrastructure. Local authorities are racing to assess the scale of humanitarian needs as communities remain submerged and isolated. Emergency shelters have been set up across Kinshasa,…

Hassan al-Turabi (1932–2016) remains one of the most complex and controversial figures in modern Sudanese history. A scholar, ideologue, and political strategist, he masterminded Sudan’s transformation into an Islamist state while cultivating alliances with transnational Islamic movements. His legacy is a study in contradictions: a man who championed progressive interpretations of Islam yet oversaw a regime marked by brutality, and an intellectual who advocated democracy while engineering authoritarian rule. This article traces al-Turabi’s life, ideology, and enduring impact on Sudan and the broader Muslim world. Early Life and Intellectual Formation Born on 1 February 1932 in Kassala, eastern Sudan, Hassan…

A South African court has begun proceedings to revisit the circumstances surrounding the 1967 death of Chief Albert Luthuli, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former leader of the banned African National Congress (ANC), following longstanding calls from his family and activists who have questioned the official account. The move comes nearly sixty years after Luthuli was said to have died in an accident—allegedly struck by a train while walking along a railway line near his home in what is now KwaZulu-Natal province. The original inquest ruled out foul play, attributing no criminal responsibility to anyone involved. But the narrative…

At least eight people were confirmed dead after a commercial bus hit a landmine along the Maiduguri-Damboa road in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, on Saturday morning. The explosion, which occurred in an area frequently targeted by Boko Haram militants, also left several others severely injured. Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state stated that seven of the injured victims were rushed to a hospital in Maiduguri and are currently in the intensive care unit, while 14 others sustained minor injuries. The state government has pledged to cover all medical expenses for those affected by the explosion. Local vigilante, who was present…

Algeria has ordered 12 French diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, a decision linked to the recent arrest of three Algerians in France, the French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed on Monday. The expulsion has heightened already tense relations between the two nations. The diplomats targeted in the expulsion order include officials from France’s interior ministry, a source within the French government revealed. The move follows the indictment of three Algerian nationals in connection with the abduction of Amir Boukhors, an Algerian influencer, in a Paris suburb in April 2024. France’s Response Reacting to the expulsion order, Minister…

At least nine separatist fighters have been killed in violent clashes with government forces in Cameroon’s Northwest region, according to security sources. On Saturday, separatists launched an assault on a military outpost, but the attack was swiftly repelled by Cameroonian troops. Four separatist fighters were killed in the clash, while several others were left injured, a military official disclosed on the condition of anonymity. The day before, on Friday, government forces ambushed a group of separatists in the region, killing five fighters in the process, the same official confirmed. In response to the military’s actions, separatist leaders announced on social…

Fierce fighting between Congolese forces and M23 rebels reached the city of Goma over the weekend, marking the most significant escalation in the area since the rebel group captured parts of the city earlier this year. Local residents reported intense gunfire and explosions that shook the eastern Congolese city before dawn on Saturday. A statement from the Congolese government late Saturday said at least 52 people had been killed in and around Goma. The figure, however, could not be independently verified. “We were asleep when the gunshots started. It wasn’t just rifles—we heard what sounded like rocket launchers,” one resident…