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Uniting Against a Growing Crisis: President Boakai's Call to Action on Drug Abuse In a compelling address that resonates with the challenges faced by many nations today, President Joseph Boakai is urgently navigating the dangerous waters of drug abuse in Liberia—a crisis that has become a nationwide concern. As he unveiled new logistical support for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), including 15 new vehicles that symbolize a tactical response to the escalating drug trade, he emphasized that this issue is not solely a…

South Africa’s extension of Zimbabwean permits buys time — but not certainty South Africa’s government has quietly pushed the clock forward on a fraught and long-running migration question: officials announced an 18-month extension of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP), prolonging its validity until May 28, 2027. For tens of thousands of Zimbabweans who live and work in South Africa, the move offers temporary relief — but not a long-term answer to legal limbo, social exclusion and political friction that have animated…

EU–AU human rights talks expose a shared crisis of civic space — and an urgent test of the partnership When civil society leaders stood before officials from the African Union and the European Union in Brussels on 7 October, their message was stark and unvarnished: the basic infrastructure of civic life — independent media, watchdog organisations, protest — is under pressure on both continents. For a gathering meant to stitch together cooperation across two sprawling political orders, the warning was less an appeal than a…

Oil, identity and consent: Why Ethiopia’s Somali region is pushing back There are two ways oil can arrive in a place like Ethiopia’s Somali region: with community buy-in and a clear ledger of who benefits, or with suspicion trailing the first truck. This week, as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told lawmakers his government is ready to begin using oil from new wells in the Somali Regional State for domestic markets, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) chose the latter framing—warning that a vital moment for Ethiopia’s…

R22 billion pledge in KwaZulu‑Natal shines light on a familiar fault line: money without trust and skills When Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation toured KwaZulu‑Natal last week, it did not find the comforting sight of hoses and concrete being laid across parched riverbeds. Instead, it encountered a recurring national headache: bold budget lines and high‑profile projects undermined by doubts about capacity and governance. The committee welcomed uMngeni‑Uthukela Water’s announcement that it plans to…

French prime minister resigns hours after naming new cabinet, deepening political turmoil What happened France's newly appointed prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, abruptly resigned on Thursday morning just hours after unveiling his cabinet, throwing President Emmanuel Macron's government into fresh and immediate uncertainty. The Élysée confirmed the move in a brief statement: "Mr Sébastien Lecornu has submitted the resignation of his Government to the President of the Republic, who has accepted it." Lecornu, a close ally…

Kenya’s mediation frays as passports withdrawal exposes fragile balance in Somalia Nairobi’s attempt to broker a truce between Mogadishu and Jubaland has produced not a ceasefire but a fresh crisis — one that underlines how external actors, local strongmen and fragile federal institutions are reshaping Somalia’s political future. Hours after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud flew to Kismayo for high-stakes talks with Jubaland leader Ahmed “Madobe” Mohamed, Kenyan authorities reportedly revoked the travel documents of two…

Mustafa Omer and the Somali Region: A Debate That Mirrors Ethiopia’s Bigger Test On a breezy evening in Jigjiga, you still hear the word “isbeddel” — change — tossed around tea houses in the old quarter like a benediction and a warning. It’s the phrase that came to define Ethiopia’s Somali Region after 2018, when a feared security state gave way to an administration that promised to open space, lower voices, and put civilians at the center. Today, that promise — and the man who personified it, regional president Mustafa…

The Unseen Struggles Behind Nigeria's Economic Reforms In a nation known for its vibrant culture, rich resources, and entrepreneurial spirit, a staggering 139 million Nigerians are entangled in the grip of poverty, according to the World Bank. This alarming figure continues to haunt the country, even as optimistic economic reforms signal a potential turning point. From bustling markets in Lagos to sprawling villages in Kano, the contrast between policy advancements and the lived experiences of ordinary citizens raises…

Indirect talks open in Sharm El-Sheikh under Trump plan as Gaza war grinds on Delegations representing Hamas and Israel have begun indirect negotiations in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm El‑Sheikh aimed at ending nearly two years of war in Gaza, diplomats and officials said Monday, in a U.S.‑backed effort that has raised hopes and doubts in equal measure. Under the outline promoted by former U.S. President Donald Trump — who has waded into the role of broker with envoys including businessman Steve Witkoff and his…