Author: Kudret

The family of Zambia’s former president, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has confirmed that he will be laid to rest in South Africa, during a private ceremony in Johannesburg. This marks a historic first — the burial of a foreign head of state on South African soil. In a statement issued by the family, they expressed deep sorrow over their loss and extended heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of condolences received from across Africa and the world. The family noted that the decision to bury Dr. Lungu in South Africa reflects their desire for a quiet and dignified farewell. “This period…

Uganda has evacuated 42 students from Iran, as tensions in the Middle East escalate and airspace closures limit safe travel options. The group was received in Istanbul by Uganda’s ambassador to Türkiye, Nusura Tiperu, following a coordinated ground evacuation from Tehran. The students crossed the Bazargan border into Türkiye, where the Ugandan embassy had set up an emergency response center to manage the evacuation. The government confirmed the operation was organized through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with its embassy in Tehran and supported by Turkish authorities. “This is just the beginning. While we have safely received 42…

Niger’s military-led government has announced the nationalization of the Somair uranium mine, removing French energy company Orano from the strategic joint venture. The move underscores the country’s push to assert sovereignty over its natural resources amid souring diplomatic ties with France. In a statement read on national television Thursday evening, authorities declared their decision to take full control of the mine, accusing Orano of “irresponsible, illegal, and unfair” practices. The statement also pointed to the expiration of the mine’s operating agreement in December 2023 and France’s stance toward Niger since the July 2023 coup as central to the decision. “Faced…

EGYPTAIR has confirmed a firm order for six more Airbus A350-900 aircraft, reinforcing its commitment to fleet modernization and future growth. This new acquisition brings the airline’s total A350-900 orders to 16, marking another significant step in its long-term strategy to meet increasing global travel demand and support sustainable aviation goals. The announcement reflects EGYPTAIR’s intent to align its operations with emerging trends in air travel, particularly the shift toward more fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible aircraft. The additional A350-900s will allow the airline to extend its reach on long-haul routes while offering passengers improved comfort and reliability. “Our continuous investment…

In a landmark conservation effort, ten critically endangered black rhinos have been reintroduced to Mozambique’s Zinave National Park, fifty years after the species disappeared from the region. Conservationists announced the successful translocation on Thursday, describing it as a crucial step toward restoring the country’s natural heritage and securing the survival of the species in southern Africa. The operation involved relocating five male and five female rhinos from South Africa to central Mozambique, a journey that spanned approximately 48 hours by road. The Peace Parks Foundation, which played a key role in organizing the move, said the animals were carefully monitored…

Morocco has earned a prominent position in international cultural preservation efforts with its recent election as vice-president of UNESCO’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Body (STAB). This new role will be held by Azzedine Karra, a seasoned expert in underwater heritage and a longstanding figure in Morocco’s cultural diplomacy. The election was confirmed during the 16th session of STAB, convened alongside the 10th meeting of the States Parties to the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. The convention, though not widely known to the public, plays a vital role in protecting underwater archaeological sites—ranging from centuries-old shipwrecks…

The official death toll from the catastrophic floods that struck South Africa’s Eastern Cape last week has reached 92, following the discovery of two more bodies on Wednesday night. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing as communities grapple with the aftermath of one of the region’s most devastating natural disasters in recent memory. Premier Oscar Mabuyane confirmed that one of the latest victims was a teenage girl, whose body was found near the Mthatha River. Mthatha has emerged as the hardest-hit location, accounting for 68 of the total deaths. The Premier described the scene as heartbreaking and acknowledged the immense…

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially introduced four major initiatives totalling over €105 million (more than $120 million), signaling a renewed effort to bolster regional cooperation, institutional effectiveness, and economic development across West Africa. These projects, fully funded by the European Union, are strategically designed to address key development challenges within the region. The programmes will focus on four priority areas: enhancing peace and democratic governance, strengthening the institutional capacity of ECOWAS institutions, improving the competitiveness of regional trade, and advancing service sector exports in alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Speaking at…

President Bola Tinubu has directed Nigeria’s security agencies to urgently track down and prosecute those responsible for a brutal attack in Benue State that claimed more than 150 lives over the weekend. The order comes amid intensifying public outrage and opposition criticism over what many perceive as a sluggish and inadequate federal response to the country’s deepening security crisis. The president visited Benue State on Wednesday in a bid to offer support and restore confidence in the federal government’s commitment to security. Speaking in Makurdi, the state capital, Tinubu assured local leaders and residents that justice would be served. “We…

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have reached a preliminary peace agreement aimed at halting the protracted conflict in eastern DRC, a region plagued by violence for decades. The accord, initialed this week in Washington, is expected to be officially signed on June 27. Brokered with support from the United States and Qatar, the deal expands on a prior declaration signed in April and outlines commitments to respect each nation’s territorial integrity while ceasing hostilities in the troubled border region. According to a joint statement released by the two governments and their mediators, the accord emerged after three days…

Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, emphasized the importance of diplomatic dialogue as the only effective means to ease escalating tensions in the Middle East, during a phone conversation held Wednesday with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. Abdelatty warned that without immediate political intervention, the situation risks spiraling into widespread chaos with far-reaching implications for regional stability. Abdelatty highlighted that a comprehensive and sustainable resolution—particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear program—can only be achieved through a ceasefire followed by a return to the negotiating table. He cautioned that military escalation would further destabilize an already fragile region and urged all stakeholders to prioritize…

Nigeria is set to enforce a new set of regulations requiring oil producers to obtain an export permit, vessel clearance, and a unique identification number to enable real-time monitoring of crude oil shipments. The government says the revised framework is intended to address persistent issues such as oil theft and under-reporting at export terminals, which have significantly impacted national revenue. This marks a departure from the previous process, which only required producers to notify customs for export permits. According to a spokesperson for the national oil regulator, the updated rules represent a move toward a more transparent, accountable, and efficient…

Namibia has appealed to fellow Commonwealth nations to lend their support to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), positioning the pact as a crucial step toward deeper regional integration and stronger participation in global commerce. Speaking at the inauguration of the Commonwealth Business Summit in Windhoek on Wednesday, Namibia’s Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, emphasized that unified backing from the Commonwealth could significantly enhance Africa’s ability to trade within its own borders, attract long-term investment, and accelerate the continent’s industrial development. “Africa must increase intra-continental trade, expand industrial capacity, and build an environment that draws sustainable…

South Africa’s Gauteng Province is ramping up its public health interventions following a sharp rise in measles cases this year. The provincial health department confirmed on Wednesday that the number of laboratory-verified infections has reached 181 since January, sparking targeted vaccination efforts in the most affected regions. According to Motalatale Modiba, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Health, the outbreak is particularly severe in hotspot zones such as Mamelodi and Winterveld within the Tshwane municipality, which have reported 35 and 10 cases, respectively. These areas remain under close surveillance, with health officials actively tracing contacts and providing medical support. The…

The South African rand posted a mild gain in early trade on Wednesday, with market participants closely watching both domestic economic indicators and the outcome of a crucial U.S. Federal Reserve meeting expected later in the day. As of 0637 GMT, the rand was trading at 17.9350 against the U.S. dollar, strengthening by approximately 0.6% from Tuesday’s close. The improvement comes after a sharp fall of more than 1% the previous day, when escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East — particularly between Israel and Iran — spurred a flight to safer assets. This global shift in sentiment weighed heavily…

Egypt’s economic ties with the world’s leading industrial powers deepened in 2024, with trade between Cairo and the Group of Seven (G7) nations surging to nearly $30 billion, according to official figures from Egypt’s statistics agency. Data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) shows total trade with G7 countries reached $29.7 billion, a 14.2% rise from the previous year’s $26 billion. The increase was driven by steady growth in both exports and foreign investment. Italy Tops Egypt’s G7 Export List Egyptian exports to G7 markets rose to $9.5 billion, up from $8.6 billion in 2023—marking a…