East Africa

Somali forces arrest suspect said to be planting landmines in border town Beled Hawo, Somalia — Security forces in Somalia’s Gedo region say they have detained a man accused of attempting to lay two landmines along a busy route in the border district of Beled Hawo, averting what officials believe could have been a deadly attack on civilians and military convoys. The late-night arrest on Tuesday, confirmed by the Somali National Army’s media unit, came during a targeted operation as patrols swept through the district’s main…

Towards Peace: A Fragile Ceasefire Agreement in the Congo In a development that offers a glimmer of hope amidst ongoing turbulence, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have reached an agreement to establish a joint ceasefire monitoring body. The announcement, made through social media statements from both entities, marks a crucial step forward, emerging from protracted negotiations in the opulent surroundings of Doha, Qatar. This agreement, however, arrives…

Zimbabwe police warn protesters will face “the full wrath of the law” after ex-Zanu PF veteran calls for nationwide demonstrations Harare — Zimbabwean authorities warned on Monday that any illegal gatherings would be met with force after a prominent war veteran and former Zanu PF committee member urged citizens to take to the streets to denounce President Emmerson Mnangagwa and alleged corruption among his inner circle. The government, meanwhile, announced a one-off $150 “Special Presidential Bonus” aimed at soothing…

Madagascar's New Dawn: Youth Uprising and Military Coup Shape the Nation's Future In the early hours of a fresh Malagasy day, Colonel Michael Randrianirina stood before the country's High Constitutional Court, marking the end of a swift and decisive power shift. After a whirlwind coup that sent its ousted president into hiding, Randrianirina was sworn in as Madagascar's new leader, leaving the island nation and its 30 million inhabitants at a crossroads. A Nation in Turmoil Madagascar, renowned for its unique biodiversity…

Somalia’s government swats down ‘New Jubaland’ talk — but the rumor reveals deeper strains Somalia’s federal government has moved to tamp down rising chatter about a breakaway “New Jubaland” in the country’s southwest, a rumor that ricocheted through community meetings and WhatsApp groups long before officials stepped in. The denial is clear. The politics behind it are anything but. What the deputy minister said In an interview with the Somali outlet Arlaadi Media, Deputy Interior Minister Sadad Aliyow dismissed claims…

Zimbabwe’s ruling party fractures: treason charge exposes a widening succession battle President Emmerson Mnangagwa has accused his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, of incitement and treason after Chiwenga reportedly circulated a dossier to the Zanu PF politburo alleging party capture and corruption. The confrontation — played out through a newly appointed legal affairs secretary and a thick, contested memo — marks a striking public rupture inside the movement that has governed Zimbabwe for more than four decades. What…

The End of an Era: Remembering Raila Odinga, “Baba” of Kenyan Politics In a poignant moment for Kenya and beyond, the longtime opposition leader, Raila Odinga, passed away at the age of 80. His death, confirmed by party officials and Indian media, marks the close of a significant chapter in the nation's political history. Known endearingly as "Baba" (Father), Odinga leaves behind a legacy interwoven with the tumultuous yet transformative journey of Kenyan democracy. A Legacy of Resilience and Reform For over three…

Somalia elects nine EALA lawmakers, taking its full seat in East Africa’s regional house Somalia’s parliament has elected nine lawmakers to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), a procedural step with outsized symbolism. Less than a year after joining the East African Community (EAC), Mogadishu now has a voice in the bloc’s lawmaking chamber in Arusha, Tanzania — where rules on trade, movement, and regional cooperation are hammered out. The joint sitting of both Houses at Villa Hargeisa in Mogadishu capped months…

Raila Odinga, Kenya’s tenacious opposition leader and former prime minister, dies at 80 NAIROBI — Raila Odinga, the combative and charismatic politician who embodied Kenya’s long, bruising fight for multiparty democracy and remained the country’s most formidable opposition voice for decades, has died at the age of 80, a person in his office told Reuters on Wednesday. Immediate details were scarce. Indian daily Mathrubhumi reported that Odinga had been receiving treatment in the southern city of Kochi and suffered a cardiac…

Dozens killed as overloaded bus plunges off Limpopo highway near busy Beitbridge border At least 43 people died and dozens more were injured after an overloaded long-distance bus veered off South Africa’s N1 highway and ran into an embankment early Friday near Makhado in Limpopo, roughly 100 kilometres from the Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe, officials said. The bus was travelling to Harare after departing from Port Elizabeth, picking up passengers at stops along the route. Authorities initially recorded 91 people…