Author: Kudret

Algeria and Mali have halted all air travel between their countries, each blaming the other for rising tensions. The move, announced by both governments on Monday, follows a disagreement over a drone incident near their shared border. The conflict began on April 1, when Algeria reported that its army had shot down an armed surveillance drone. According to Algeria, the drone entered its airspace near the Saharan town of Tinzaouaten. Malian authorities disagreed, saying the wreckage was found nearly 10 kilometers inside Mali, not in Algerian territory. On Monday, Algeria’s Foreign Ministry shared radar data, which it said showed the…

Cameroon, often referred to as “Africa in miniature,” boasts a rich cultural diversity, abundant natural resources, and a growing economy. Strategically located in Central Africa, Cameroon serves as a bridge between West and Central Africa, making it an important hub for trade and commerce. The country’s economy is driven by agriculture, oil, and mining, while its vibrant cultural landscape attracts both investors and tourists. However, Cameroon faces challenges related to political stability, regional conflicts, and economic disparities. In this article, we will explore Cameroon’s economy, daily life, and safety landscape, providing a comprehensive guide for businesses, expatriates, and tourists alike.…

Rwanda began its annual 100-day remembrance of the 1994 genocide on Monday, as President Paul Kagame led solemn national observances in Kigali while tensions with international partners added a political edge to this year’s commemoration. Kagame presided over ceremonies at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where more than 250,000 victims are laid to rest. He lit the flame of remembrance and addressed a gathering of Rwandans and foreign dignitaries, marking the start of Kwibuka—a nationwide period of mourning and reflection that runs through July 4. Quiet Streets, Heavy Memories In accordance with tradition, Rwanda has entered a subdued national atmosphere. Flags…

The African Union has nominated Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé to lead a new diplomatic push aimed at easing tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and the M23 rebel group. The decision, announced Saturday, marks a fresh chapter in AU efforts to stabilize one of the continent’s most troubled regions. AU Chairperson João Lourenço, who also serves as Angola’s president, informed the Union’s leadership during a virtual session that preliminary talks with Gnassingbé had been positive. His appointment now awaits final approval from the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. Lourenço stressed the urgency of the…

Tens of thousands took to the streets of Rabat on Sunday in one of the largest pro-Palestinian rallies seen in the Moroccan capital this year. The demonstration followed the resumption of Israeli military operations in Gaza, which ended a two-month ceasefire and sparked a wave of condemnation across the region. Organised by the opposition-led Justice and Development Party coalition, the march filled Mohammed V Avenue in the heart of the city. Protesters waved Palestinian flags, chanted in unison, and beat drums as they moved past the national parliament, demanding an end to Israeli attacks and justice for Palestinians. Images of…

Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have entered into a landmark agreement to develop dry ports in both countries, in a move expected to boost cross-border trade and ease pressure on coastal terminals. Signed over the weekend in Lubumbashi, the deal commits each country to allocate land for the construction of inland port facilities, aiming to streamline cargo movement and enhance logistics connectivity across the region. Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Godious Kahyarara, said the initiative is driven by a dramatic surge in cargo volumes. Goods shipped through the port of Dar es Salaam…

Tensions rose over the weekend as Mali accused neighboring Algeria of deliberately downing one of its military drones near their shared border, prompting a coordinated diplomatic response from a trio of Sahel nations. In a televised statement on Sunday, Mali’s security minister said the country had gathered “conclusive evidence” that the drone was intentionally shot down by Algerian forces during an overnight operation between March 31 and April 1. Debris from the aircraft was reportedly recovered around 9.5 kilometres inside Malian territory. Describing the incident as a “premeditated hostile act,” the Malian government denounced what it called a violation of…

At least 30 people have died following torrential rains that hit Kinshasa over the weekend, submerging homes, crippling major roads, and laying bare the fragile infrastructure of one of Africa’s largest cities. The flooding began late Friday and continued through Saturday morning, unleashing destruction across several districts of the Congolese capital. Entire neighbourhoods, particularly those in low-lying and underserved areas, were engulfed by rapidly rising waters. “There are many wounded who have been evacuated, and for now, we are in the 30s in terms of the number of dead,” said Patricien Gongo Abakazi, Kinshasa’s provincial health minister. He confirmed that…

More than 50 lives were lost this week in a wave of coordinated assaults by unidentified gunmen across villages in central Nigeria’s Plateau State, local authorities and community leaders have confirmed. The attacks, which began on Wednesday night, swept through multiple settlements in Bokkos Local Government Area, leaving a trail of destruction. Armed assailants reportedly opened fire on civilians without provocation before setting homes ablaze. Survivors described scenes of chaos as families fled into surrounding bushes to escape the violence. Farmasum Fuddang, who heads the Bokkos Cultural Development Council Vanguard, has been leading volunteer search operations in the aftermath. “We’ve…

Amadou Bagayoko, the legendary Malian guitarist and one half of the globally celebrated duo Amadou and Mariam, has died at the age of 70 in his hometown of Bamako. Bagayoko, who rose to international prominence by merging traditional West African music with elements of rock, blues, and pop, was widely regarded as a pioneering figure in African music. His death was confirmed by Mali’s Ministry of Culture, which paid tribute to his impact both at home and abroad. “Amadou was a blind man who made his mark on the Malian and international scene,” read a statement aired on state television…

President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff measures, announced on Wednesday, are set to disrupt trade flows between the United States and Africa, analysts warn, and may hasten a shift toward China as the continent’s primary partner. Trump’s plan introduces a universal 10 percent duty on all imports into the US, alongside steeper “reciprocal” levies—ranging from 14 percent for Nigeria to 31 percent for South Africa—on nations deemed to impose unfair barriers on American goods. These additional tariffs, effective April 9, directly challenge the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the 25-year‑old framework that has underpinned duty‑free access for some 1,800 products from 32 sub‑Saharan countries.…

Musicians from Nigeria and South Africa earned nearly $59 million in Spotify royalties last year, as the global appetite for African music continued to rise. The data, released by the streaming giant, shows a transformative year for artists on the continent, driven by increased international streaming and greater inclusion in global playlists. While Spotify disbursed around $10 billion in royalties worldwide in 2024, the share claimed by African artists—though still modest—marked a significant leap. Nigeria and South Africa, the continent’s two largest markets on the platform, led the surge in earnings. According to Spotify, over 250 million playlists featured Nigerian…

The African Development Bank Group and the Lake Chad Basin Commission have signed a $10.2 million agreement to help revive the shrinking Lake Chad and support local communities. The deal was signed on March 20 in N’Djamena by Claude N’Kodia, the Bank’s interim Country Manager for Chad, and Mamman Nuhu, Executive Secretary of the Commission. Senior Chadian officials, including Deputy Minister of Finance Fatima Haram Acyl and Water and Energy General Secretary Nour Saleh Haggar, attended the event. The new project—called PARFEBALT—focuses on restoring both the ecological health and economic importance of the basin. Funding comes from the Bank’s African…

The United States is actively engaging in high-level talks to invest billions of dollars in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) critical minerals sector, while also expressing a firm interest in helping to end the violent conflict destabilizing the country’s eastern region. This development was confirmed on Thursday by Massad Boulos, senior adviser to former President Donald Trump, during a diplomatic visit to Kinshasa. Strategic Talks on Minerals and Security Boulos met with President Felix Tshisekedi to discuss a wide-ranging proposal from the Congolese government that aims to link mineral cooperation with broader security commitments. The proposal was initiated after…

M23 rebels have pulled out of Walikale, a key town in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The group says the move is a gesture of goodwill before peace talks with the Congolese government. Talks are scheduled to begin on April 9 in Doha. Since January, the M23 rebel group has taken control of several towns in eastern Congo, including two of the region’s biggest cities. The offensive has caused widespread suffering. Thousands have died, and more than a million people have been forced from their homes. Walikale sits on a main road linking four eastern provinces. It is also rich…

South Africa has made strong progress in its G20 presidency, just four months in. The country has set up 15 working groups to tackle key global issues. These efforts show South Africa’s push to promote teamwork between nations and find real solutions to today’s major challenges. The focus areas include corruption, climate change, education, women’s rights, development, and public health. A Roadmap for Global Solutions At the second G20 Sherpa meeting, held virtually on Thursday and Friday, South Africa’s G20 Sherpa Zane Dangor shared updates on the country’s efforts. He said South Africa’s progress depends on the shared support of…