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Eye on Africa
Regional reporting and analysis from across Africa, covering diplomacy, security, politics, business, and major developments shaping the continent.
Namibian Politician Removes ‘Hitler’ from Their Name
Namibian Politician Breaks with Controversial Past
Adolf Uunona, a prominent figure in northern Namibia, has legally removed "Hitler" from his name. This move symbolizes a departure from a legacy he never embraced.
The change reflects Uunona's desire to clarify his identity.
He has been a respected leader in the Ompundja constituency.
The decision addresses international misunderstandings and jokes.
Legacy of a Name
Uunona's name has been a subject of intrigue and misunderstanding due to its historical…
UN Raises Alarm on Trafficking and Sexual Violence Amid Sudan Crisis
Escalating Violence in Sudan: A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
The ongoing conflict in Sudan, particularly around El-Fasher, has sparked a dire humanitarian crisis characterized by widespread human rights abuses. Reports from the region underscore the severity of the situation, with women and children bearing the brunt of the violence.
Approximately 470,000 people displaced since May 2024.
Over 6 million children are internally displaced or seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
Alarming reports of trafficking,…
Somalia Joins Global Satellite Group to Boost Maritime Safety and Security
MOGADISHU — Somalia has acceded to the Convention on the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO), a step the federal government says will upgrade the country’s maritime safety, search-and-rescue capacity and technological integration across its busy coastline.
Ports and Marine Transport Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nor deposited Somalia’s instrument of accession during a meeting with International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez on the sidelines of the IMO Assembly’s 34th regular…
Tinubu Calls for Increased Efforts Following Release of Abducted Nigerian Schoolgirls
President Tinubu Commends Security Forces for Rescuing Abducted Schoolgirls
In a recent statement, President Bola Tinubu praised Nigeria's security forces for their swift action in securing the release of dozens of schoolgirls abducted in the northwestern state of Kebbi on November 17. The president emphasized that while this operation was successful, continued efforts are necessary to bring home other victims who have been taken captive across the region.
The kidnapping incident in Kebbi triggered a wave of concern,…
Court Upholds Kenyan Farmers’ Right to Share Indigenous Seeds
Kenya’s High Court on Thursday struck down parts of a decade-old seed law, clearing the way for small-scale farmers to save and share local seed varieties without fear of prosecution — a decision celebrated as a major victory for “food sovereignty” advocates and rural communities.
In a ruling delivered in Machakos, about 60 kilometers (40 miles) southeast of Nairobi, the court found provisions of the 2012 Seed and Plant Varieties Act unconstitutional. Those provisions had criminalized saving uncertified seeds and then…
Tinubu Issues Emergency Declaration Amid Rising Kidnappings
Nigeria's Push for Enhanced Security Measures Amid Rising Challenges
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has called for urgent reforms to bolster the nation's security capabilities as violence continues to threaten citizens across the country. Addressing lawmakers and security officials, Tinubu urged a comprehensive recruitment drive for the police and military, signaling a shift toward more localized and responsive security frameworks.
The President's comments come in the wake of increasing incidents of banditry and…
AIF 2025: Leaders Advocate Private Investment and Regulatory Reforms
Africa Investment Forum Market Days opened Wednesday with government leaders and development experts urging expanded private‑sector participation, innovative financing solutions and accelerated policy reforms to unlock the continent’s economic potential.
Speakers at the 2025 Africa Investment Forum (AIF) Market Days emphasized that private capital, new financing instruments and faster regulatory change are central to closing investment gaps across energy, infrastructure, agribusiness and manufacturing. Delegates described…
Sudanese Leader Asks Trump for Assistance in Resolving Crisis
Sudan’s Leader Seeks U.S. Mediation in Ongoing Conflict
Sudan's army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has called for U.S. intervention to mediate peace in the ongoing conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In a recent op-ed, Burhan emphasized the need for decisive action to end the devastating war.
Conflict began in April 2023, involving Sudan's army and RSF.
Previous peace negotiations have failed despite international efforts.
The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and massive…
NISA detains suspected al‑Shabaab militants over alleged attack plots in Mogadishu, other regions
MOGADISHU — Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has arrested 11 people accused of plotting terrorist attacks and conducting espionage against the government and civilians, the agency said Thursday, describing a covert cell disrupted in Mogadishu and across parts of Lower and Middle Shabelle.
In a statement, NISA said the suspects were allegedly in the advanced stages of planning violence and gathering intelligence to enable attacks. The arrests followed what the agency called a sophisticated,…
Liberian Speaker Issues Apology Following Journalist Jail Threat
PUL Rebukes House Speaker Over Threats to Journalists
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has issued a strongly worded rebuke of House Speaker Richard Nage Koon, who recently threatened to "jail" journalists recording proceedings prior to reaching a quorum in the legislative body. Such remarks have raised significant concerns over the treatment of press freedom in Liberia, with the PUL stating the Speaker's comments exhibit a "dangerous" mindset among some public officials and an attempt to "weaponize state power."
The union…