Southern Africa

U.S. sends second batch of deportees to Eswatini amid legal challenges and diplomatic push The United States quietly flew a second group of 10 people to Eswatini this week, Eswatini government officials confirmed, deepening a controversial pattern of repatriations to African countries under the Trump administration’s hard-line immigration agenda. The detainees—reported to include nationals from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen and Cuba—are being held at Matsapha Maximum Security Correctional Centre near Manzini as authorities…

South African activists held by Israel after Gaza aid attempt are “in good health and high spirits,” Pretoria says South Africa’s foreign ministry on Wednesday said a group of its citizens detained by Israeli authorities after attempting to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip are “in good health and high spirits,” and that efforts to secure their safe return are “advancing steadily.” The detained activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla — a civil society initiative that sought to reach Gaza by sea amid a protracted…

South Africa’s Ambassador to France Found Dead in Paris; Family Seeks Answers South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, was found dead outside a Paris hotel on Sept. 30, 2025, about 24 hours after his wife reported him missing, authorities and family members reported. The circumstances surrounding his death remained unclear, and the ambassador’s family has demanded answers amid confusion over how his mobile phone came to be discovered far from his body. Immediate facts and family concern The swift reporting of…

The Untimely Death of Nathi Mthethwa: A Complex Legacy In the heart of Paris, beneath the shadow of promise and tragedy, the body of Nkosinathi Emmanuel "Nathi" Mthethwa was discovered outside his hotel. The South African ambassador to France and former cabinet minister was found lifeless after the window to his high-rise room had been forcibly opened. He was 58 years old. A Diplomatic Journey Interrupted Mthethwa had just begun his role as ambassador in December 2023, serving as South Africa's envoy to one of its key…

Flotilla Bound for Gaza Intercepted at Sea; African Leaders Demand Release of Detainees Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla of roughly 40 vessels on Wednesday that had been sailing for weeks toward the besieged Gaza Strip, detaining scores of activists and prompting urgent diplomatic protests from African leaders whose citizens were aboard. Among those taken into custody was Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, the grandson of former South African president Nelson Mandela, an emblematic figure whose presence underscored the…

Namibia’s children exposed: online life and the quiet rise of digital harm Snapshot of a hidden crisis A new study has lifted the lid on a worrying trend in Namibia: an estimated 20,000 children are exposed to online sexual exploitation and abuse every year, according to research published by the Disrupting Harm project. The study, which maps technology‑facilitated abuse of children, also finds that roughly 80 percent of Namibians aged 12 to 17 use the internet — primarily for schoolwork and social media — creating both…

Building Dreams or Wasting Resources? The Debate Over the $10 Million Presidential Villa in Lofa County In a quiet corner of Liberia's Lofa County, where the green hills meet the sky, an unexpected controversy is simmering. The construction of a lavish presidential villa—touted to cost a staggering $10 million—has ignited a storm of public debate about transparency, priorities, and the essence of governance. This issue rose to prominence after civil society activist Eddie Jarwolo, known for his outspoken nature, took to…

South African ambassador to France found dead in Paris; circumstances unclear What is known South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, was found dead outside a Paris hotel on Sept. 30, about 24 hours after his wife reported him missing, according to a brief notice shared with reporters. Beyond the basic facts of the discovery and the missing-person report, few official details have been released and the cause of death has not been made public. The sudden death of a senior diplomat in a major capital raises…

From Power to Peril: The Stunning Fall of Joseph Kabila In a shocking turn of events, the once-mighty Joseph Kabila, who ruled the Democratic Republic of the Congo for almost two decades, has been sentenced to death in absentia by a military court. This unprecedented ruling has ignited a firestorm of debates both within the country and around the globe, raising questions about accountability and justice in a nation long plagued by cycles of violence and corruption. A Legacy of Controversy Joseph Kabila’s presidency, which…

As AGOA Faces Expiration, What Lies Ahead for U.S.-Africa Trade Relations? The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a landmark piece of legislation designed to bolster trade between the United States and sub-Saharan African countries, is at a crossroads. Enacted in 2000 under President Bill Clinton, AGOA has been a beacon for economic development and trade for nearly 23 years. However, as its expiration looms, the ramifications are profound, extending beyond mere policy discussions into the realms of economic…