Author: Kudret

Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration, Badr Abdel-Atti, held key meetings on Wednesday with his counterparts from Oman and Iran—Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi—on the sidelines of the annual Oslo Forum. The discussions centered on current regional tensions and efforts to sustain diplomacy in sensitive areas such as the Iranian nuclear file. Minister Abdel-Atti reiterated Egypt’s firm position on prioritizing de-escalation across the Middle East. He stated that Egypt strongly opposes any approach that relies on military intervention to resolve conflicts, underscoring the importance of political dialogue and negotiated settlements as the only viable paths…

Ayra Starr has made African music history by becoming the first Nigerian female artist to win the Best International Act at the 2025 BET Awards—cementing her place among the continent’s most celebrated talents. Held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, the star-studded ceremony was hosted by American comedian Kevin Hart and featured nominees from across the world. Despite a strong African presence, Starr’s victory stood as the continent’s only win of the night. The Nigerian singer and songwriter triumphed over fierce competition, including fellow Nigerian artist Rema and international stars from Brazil, the UK, France, South Africa, and Eswatini.…

At least seven people have been confirmed dead in South Africa’s Eastern Cape following days of relentless storms that unleashed heavy flooding, bitter cold, and snowfall across several provinces. Emergency crews fear the toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue under challenging conditions. The Eastern Cape has borne the brunt of the extreme weather, with swollen rivers submerging roads and isolating entire communities. The South African Weather Service has issued ongoing warnings, urging the public to avoid travel as flash flooding continues to pose serious risks. In a particularly tragic incident, a minibus taxi carrying schoolchildren was swept…

Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé is facing mounting domestic and international criticism after his government forcefully suppressed protests sparked by controversial constitutional reforms that could enable him to extend his grip on power indefinitely. Demonstrations broke out late last week in the capital, Lomé, and were echoed online, with citizens expressing outrage over a newly adopted political framework. Under the revised system, Gnassingbé, who has ruled since 2005 following the death of his father, now holds the position of President of the Council of Ministers. This newly empowered role comes with no term limits and grants him the ability to be…

Ghana’s health authorities have reported a fresh surge in mpox infections, with 34 new cases confirmed on Tuesday. This development raises the cumulative number of confirmed cases in the country to 79, according to an official update from the Ghana Health Service (GHS). The GHS clarified that despite the increase in cases, there have been no fatalities linked to the virus so far. Officials attribute the recent spike to enhanced disease surveillance efforts across the country. These include intensified contact tracing operations, sustained public education campaigns, and more efficient systems for early detection and isolation of infected individuals. In a…

South African authorities have commenced the burial of dozens of unidentified bodies recovered from a disused gold mine in Stilfontein, North West province, marking a grim chapter in the country’s struggle with illegal mining. On Tuesday, the first round of pauper’s funerals was held for 30 individuals whose remains had gone unclaimed since their retrieval in January. The bodies were among 78 discovered at the site, which had been targeted as part of a government intervention against illegal mining activities. The operation, launched earlier this year, also led to the rescue of 246 survivors who had been working under hazardous…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the launch of a broad-based, citizen-led National Dialogue aimed at addressing South Africa’s mounting socioeconomic challenges and fostering a new vision for its future. The initiative, unveiled on Tuesday, seeks to rally voices from across the country to tackle deep-rooted issues such as poverty, inequality, crime, and unemployment—30 years after the nation’s transition from apartheid to democracy. “This National Dialogue is a platform for every South African—from all backgrounds and communities—to participate in shaping the next phase of our democratic journey,” Ramaphosa said in a public statement delivered through both video and text. Enduring Challenges…

Zimbabwe will enforce a complete ban on the export of lithium concentrates beginning in January 2027, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando announced on Tuesday. The move marks a significant step in the country’s broader strategy to strengthen domestic industrial capacity and capture greater value from its mineral wealth. As Africa’s largest lithium producer, Zimbabwe has been gradually tightening regulations around the export of raw and semi-processed lithium. In 2022, the government prohibited the export of unprocessed lithium ore, aiming to discourage the extraction of raw materials for processing abroad. Authorities are now extending this policy to concentrates—an intermediate…

Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, has dismissed the newly imposed U.S. travel ban on his country as largely irrelevant, arguing that it will not affect the lives or priorities of most citizens. Speaking on Tuesday via his official social media accounts, Mangue responded to the ban, stating, “The measure announced by U.S. President Donald Trump will have zero impact on our country because fewer than 50 Equatorial Guineans travel to the United States each year. The U.S. is not a key destination for our citizens.” The proclamation, signed last week by President Trump, enforces a full…

Félix Houphouët-Boigny (18 October 1905 – 7 December 1993) stands as a towering figure in the history of Ivory Coast and modern Africa. Often called Papa Houphouët or Le Vieux (“The Old Man”), he was the country’s first president and led Ivory Coast for 33 years, from its independence in 1960 until his death in 1993. His remarkable tenure made him the longest-serving African head of state during his time, and his political and economic strategies shaped the nation’s trajectory for decades. Early Life and Family Background Born as Dia Houphouët in Yamoussoukro, in the heart of the Baoulé ethnic…

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Monday issued a strong condemnation of the renewed violence in Tripoli after rival armed groups engaged in clashes during the Eid al-Adha holiday, violating an existing truce. In a formal statement, UNSMIL urged all parties to adhere to the terms of the ceasefire agreement and avoid actions that could trigger further unrest. The mission stressed the urgent need to preserve peace, particularly during a religious holiday that holds deep significance for many Libyans. “Fighting in densely populated areas often leads to civilian casualties,” UNSMIL noted, adding that provocations must be avoided…

South Africa and Mozambique are stepping up joint efforts to address long-standing congestion and security issues at one of southern Africa’s busiest land crossings. Senior officials from both countries have convened a three-day bilateral meeting at the Komatipoort border in Mpumalanga province, focusing on cross-border trade facilitation, law enforcement coordination, and infrastructure overhaul at the Lebombo Border Post. Speaking during the session, South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, acknowledged recent improvements in the processing of cargo vehicles, but warned that deep-rooted inefficiencies still threaten trade and transport between the two neighbours. “Significant work has already been…

More than 50 individuals detained during anti-government demonstrations in Togo last week have been released, while several others remain in custody as authorities continue their investigations, according to a statement from the country’s public prosecutor. The protests erupted during the night of June 5 to 6 in several parts of the capital, Lomé, prompting a forceful police response. Security forces used tear gas to disperse demonstrators, including those gathered near key government sites such as the presidential palace. The unrest followed a public appeal by well-known rapper Aamron, who urged citizens to mobilize against what he described as a growing…

The Pyramids of Giza, one of the most renowned wonders of the ancient world, have long been a bucket-list destination for millions. Each year, approximately 2.5 million visitors journey to the site with high expectations. Yet, for years, those dreams often collided with reality: heavy tourist congestion, limited infrastructure, and persistent street vendors dulled what many had hoped would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Now, a sweeping $30 million redevelopment project is reshaping the Giza Plateau into a destination that not only preserves its historic grandeur but also meets modern tourism standards. Visitors can expect a smoother, more organized visit, complete…

President Julius Maada Bio has spotlighted Sierra Leone’s growing leadership in marine conservation with the announcement of three sweeping national initiatives at the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), reinforcing the country’s commitment to safeguarding ocean health and promoting sustainable development. Delivering his remarks to global leaders and environmental advocates gathered under the framework of UN General Assembly Resolution 77/242 (2023), President Bio positioned ocean protection as a national and regional priority. His address echoed the urgency of Sustainable Development Goal 14 — “Life Below Water” — and drew a direct link between ocean sustainability and the long-term prosperity of…

Nigeria has reinforced its partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in a renewed effort to address food insecurity and strengthen the country’s agricultural systems. The initiative, built around the Food Security Emergency Loan Support Programme, is anchored by a ¥15 billion loan facility—equivalent to roughly $110 million—intended to boost domestic food production and shield rural communities from global supply disruptions. Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, met with senior JICA officials in Abuja to advance the programme’s implementation. With the rainy season now underway,…