Author: Kudret

Efforts to identify victims of the devastating floods that struck South Africa’s Eastern Cape province earlier this week remain ongoing, with authorities confirming that only 21 of the 78 deceased have been formally identified as of Friday. The deadly floods were triggered by heavy rainfall in the early hours of Tuesday, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life. Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, said the identification process has been significantly slowed by a lack of proper documentation among family members attempting to claim their loved ones’ bodies. “To identify the deceased, you must first…

President Bola Tinubu has firmly rejected allegations that his administration is steering Nigeria towards a one-party political structure, amid rising concerns over the defection of several opposition figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Addressing federal lawmakers on Democracy Day, Tinubu asserted his commitment to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy, stating unequivocally: “At no time in the past, nor any instance in the present, and no future juncture shall I view the notion of a one-party state as good for Nigeria.” His remarks came as opposition leaders raised alarms over what they describe as the systematic weakening of political alternatives. In…

Chad is rapidly approaching a humanitarian tipping point, with over 1.5 million people urgently needing access to safe drinking water amid growing shortages and a massive influx of refugees fleeing conflict in neighboring Sudan. Francois Batalingaya, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Chad, delivered a stark warning from Geneva this week. He revealed that many vulnerable populations are surviving on just 5 liters of water per day — far below the internationally recognized minimum of 15 liters needed to maintain health and hygiene. The dire situation is worsened by overcrowded refugee camps and poor sanitation, raising fears of…

Egypt has issued a sharp rebuke of Israel’s recent military action against Iran, warning that the escalation poses a serious threat to regional peace and could destabilize the broader Middle East. In an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cairo described the June 13 airstrikes as a “flagrant breach of international law and the UN Charter.” The statement expressed Egypt’s “deep concern” over what it called a reckless act that “could ignite a wider conflict across the region.” “Military solutions will not secure peace for any country, including Israel,” the ministry stressed, urging all parties to pursue…

Nigeria is set to convene a major international summit aimed at transforming its infrastructure landscape through strengthened partnerships with the private sector. The 2025 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Summit, organised by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), will take place from June 17 to 18 in Abuja. The event will bring together senior government officials, international investors, development partners, and key private sector players for two days of in-depth engagement. Carrying the theme “Unlocking Nigeria’s Potential: The Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the summit is designed as a platform to explore innovative financing models, facilitate project…

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has commenced the second and final stage of withdrawing its regional peacekeeping forces from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), signaling the conclusion of a mission aimed at stabilizing one of the most volatile regions on the continent. The phased withdrawal involves troops deployed under the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC), who have been operating in conflict-affected areas such as Goma and Sake. According to a statement released Thursday by the SADC secretariat, personnel and their remaining operational equipment will exit the DRC via Tanzania before…

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke on Thursday in a phone conversation centered on mounting instability across the Middle East, with a strong focus on halting the war in Gaza. According to a statement released by the Egyptian presidency, al-Sisi detailed Egypt’s mediation efforts to reach an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. He emphasized the need for stronger international pressure to stop the military offensive and prevent further humanitarian suffering. Al-Sisi also reaffirmed Egypt’s categorical rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians, reiterating Cairo’s stance on the two-state solution and the urgency of expanding international recognition…

Governments across Africa have united in mourning after the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing all 242 passengers and crew on board. The flight was en route to London and carried passengers of various nationalities. The African Union Commission led the continent’s response, with Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf extending condolences to India and all affected nations. “We stand in solidarity with the people of India in this moment of deep sorrow,” he said in a statement from Addis Ababa, affirming the AU’s support for grieving families around…

Félix Houphouët-Boigny (1905–1993) was the first President of Côte d’Ivoire and a key architect of the nation’s independence. Originally a medical assistant and tribal chief, he rose to political prominence in the 1940s, serving in the French parliament and founding the African Agricultural Union to defend farmers’ rights. He led Ivory Coast to independence in 1960 and ruled for 33 years, overseeing an era of economic growth known as the “Ivorian Miracle.” A master of diplomacy, he maintained close ties with France, promoted regional stability, and built the world’s largest church in his hometown of Yamoussoukro. Though criticized for autocratic…

Royal Air Maroc is preparing for a significant upgrade to its fleet, with plans underway to secure a large aircraft order from Boeing and a smaller, yet strategic, deal with Airbus. This development marks a potential turning point in the airline’s procurement strategy, long dominated by its reliance on Boeing. The national carrier is reportedly close to finalizing an agreement with Boeing for the purchase of several jets, including the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner. These additions are intended to bolster Royal Air Maroc’s existing fleet, which has traditionally comprised almost exclusively Boeing aircraft. Alongside this major order, the airline…

Liberia has launched a National Steering Committee to oversee the planning of its first-ever Annual Liberia Diaspora National Conference to be held in Washington, DC in 2025, marking a major push to reconnect with its global diaspora. The announcement, made by the Office of Diaspora Affairs under the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, signals a significant step in President Joseph N. Boakai’s broader effort to include overseas Liberians in the country’s development framework. The conference will be a cornerstone event under the government’s Diaspora Strategic Plan (2024–2027), part of the wider Arrest Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID). Erasmus T.…

The Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), which has dominated the country’s political landscape for decades, has sounded the alarm over what it describes as rising threats of violence and political instability ahead of October’s presidential election. In a strongly worded statement issued Wednesday, Jean Nkuete, Secretary-General of the CPDM’s Central Committee, accused certain opposition figures of promoting dangerous rhetoric that could incite public disorder. “There are increasingly vocal calls from political leaders for a sacrificial and deadly uprising,” Nkuete said, warning that such discourse posed a threat to national cohesion. The CPDM, led by long-serving President Paul Biya, stated that…

Burkina Faso has completed the transfer of five gold mining assets to its state-owned mining entity, marking a significant step in the government’s campaign to reclaim greater control over the nation’s mineral wealth. The formal handover was confirmed in a decree issued late Wednesday, finalizing a nationalization process that began in August 2023. This transfer is part of a broader strategy adopted by the Burkinabe government to assert sovereignty over strategic resources. The country revised its mining code last year, aligning with similar moves by its Sahelian neighbors, Mali and Niger. To spearhead these efforts, authorities established the Société de…

South Africa’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, under the leadership of former President Jacob Zuma, has firmly rejected support for the Polisario Front and instead thrown its weight behind Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara. This move marks a significant departure from the stance of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), which has long supported the Algerian-backed Polisario group. The MK Party, which emerged as a major political player after securing 58 parliamentary seats, outlined its position in a detailed 17-page statement titled “South Africa & Morocco: A Strategic Partnership for African Unity, Economic Emancipation and Territorial Integrity.” The party, founded…

Burundi’s ruling party, the CNDD-FDD, has claimed total control of the National Assembly following parliamentary elections marred by allegations of widespread fraud, voter intimidation, and the exclusion of key opposition voices. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced on Wednesday that the CNDD-FDD secured 96.51 percent of the vote in the June 6 poll, earning all 100 seats in the legislature. No other party crossed the 2 percent threshold required for parliamentary representation. “These results reflect the will of the people,” said CENI president Prosper Ntahorwamiye during a live broadcast. The Constitutional Council is expected to issue final confirmation on…

Tunisia and Italy have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening military cooperation, with a renewed focus on joint training, operational coordination, and regional development. Tunisian Defense Minister Khaled Sehili hosted Italian Army Chief of Staff Carmine Masiello in the capital on Wednesday, where both officials underscored the growing importance of bilateral defense ties. Talks centered on expanding collaboration in military training, joint exercises, medical support, hydrography, and development efforts, particularly in Tunisia’s southern regions. Sehili described the Tunisian-Italian relationship as one built on mutual trust and a shared vision for regional peace and stability. He acknowledged Italy’s ongoing support for development…