Rwanda Marks Kwibuka 32 as Kagame Condemns Historical Distortion

President Paul Kagame issued a stark warning against genocide denial and the rewriting of history, insisting that the record of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi is incontrovertible and not open to erasure. He dismissed narratives portraying the killings as a spontaneous eruption. Kagame noted that the historical record has been firmly established by international tribunals and Rwanda’s Gacaca court process, which generated millions of case files nationwide. He also underscored that clear warnings were available before…

Namibia’s New Deputy Ministers Draw Backlash Over Budget Costs

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s move to appoint seven new deputy ministers has drawn swift criticism from political analysts and opposition figures, who argue the decision will meaningfully inflate government spending. They describe the plan as poorly conceived, saying it places fresh strain on the national budget. Each of the seven deputies will earn N$65 000 a month — N$780 000 a year — adding nearly N$1.7 million annually to the wage bill for public office bearers. Critics also questioned whether the appointees can…

Zimbabwe to Roll Out ‘Big Five’ Banknotes, government says

Zimbabwe’s central bank says the rollout of the new ZWG notes is ready, with distribution set after banks completed the logistics and operational plans required for a "seamless" transition, according to an official statement. Central Bank Governor John Mushayavanhu said the "Big Five" series has already been deployed nationwide in volumes sufficient to meet demand, remaining within existing daily and weekly withdrawal limits, and will be introduced in phases.

Heavy Rains Kill 29, Cause Widespread Damage Across Angola

Relentless downpours have left a deadly mark on Angola, with at least 29 people killed in Luanda and Benguela provinces, the Civil Protection and Firefighters (SPCB) said. The severe storms tore through communities, toppling 114 houses in Benguela and damaging several others, while floodwaters swept away four vehicles. In Luanda, authorities reported six deaths, one person missing, and more than 33,000 residents affected as neighborhoods struggled with rising waters. The flooding inundated thousands of homes and battered…

Dozens Feared Missing After Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Libya Coast

At least two people have been confirmed dead and dozens remain unaccounted for after a migrant vessel capsized in the Mediterranean, rescuers said, as survivors and witnesses described a desperate scramble at sea. The small craft, which set off from Libya, overturned inside a search-and-rescue area that is officially the responsibility of Libyan authorities. German NGO Sea-Watch reported that two merchant ships passing nearby pulled 32 people from the water and transported them to Lampedusa, the Italian island that serves…

Cameroon Approves Return of Vice President Position in Government

After more than 40 years in power, President Paul Biya is poised to install a vice-president for the first time in his rule, following parliament’s approval of contentious constitutional changes. The move revives a position that was abolished in 1972. The amendment hands the aging leader sweeping control over the vice president’s office: Biya can appoint and dismiss the deputy at his discretion, and the vice president may exercise only those authorities the president delegates. In the event of the president’s death,…

Africa Sees Easter Travel Surge Amid Renewed Safety Calls

As Easter approaches, countries across Africa are ramping up plans for a weekend defined by faith, family, and heavy travel, with leaders using the moment to press safety and security messages nationwide. In Mozambique, immigration authorities expect close to 400,000 people to cross the nation’s borders during the Easter period—about 17,000 more than last year. To cope with the uptick, officials are tightening procedures and staffing to keep checkpoints moving smoothly. In Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has arrived in…

Mozambique Government Settles Debt to IMF in Landmark Move

Mozambique has wiped out its arrears to the International Monetary Fund, settling U.S. $630,1 million in full by month’s end after beginning the month owing the entire amount. Among 85 countries listed by the Fund, Mozambique is the only country in this situation. With the IMF arrears cleared, securing additional financing from the Fund could become easier. The country previously received about $468 million through a 2022 Extended Credit Facility programme, which was suspended in April 2025 after only partial disbursements.…

South Africa Deploys Army to Tackle Rising Crime

Troops are now on the streets as South Africa turns to its army to bolster overstretched police in a push against violent crime, from illicit mining syndicates to entrenched gang networks. Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa authorized the deployment of 2,200 soldiers to five of the country’s nine provinces hit hardest by criminal activity. Set to run for a year, the operation aims to stabilize communities battered by lawlessness, though critics argue the military is an imperfect tool for civilian policing.…

Rwanda Pushes to Expand Access to Surgical Care

Rwanda has taken a significant step to widen access to surgery with the overhaul of the surgical department at Kibungo Level Two Teaching Hospital, a project delivered through a collaboration involving the Ministry of Health, the University of Rwanda, and the medical nonprofit Operation Smile. The revamped facility includes modern operating theatres, an intensive care unit, a high-dependency unit, and dedicated training areas. Built on a hub-and-spoke model to bring services closer to communities, the approach upgrades…