In a troubling incident that underscores the escalating insecurity in Nigeria, retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and his wife have fallen victim to armed kidnappers in Katsina state, according to military sources. Abubakar, who previously served as a military spokesperson, was taken on Saturday while en route to a wedding. Reports indicate that his driver managed to escape, albeit with injuries. Authorities have launched operations to secure the couple's release, as armed banditry continues to plague the region, where…

In a shocking incident that has raised alarm across Mali, prominent lawyer and government critic Mountaga Tall was abducted from his home in Bamako by unidentified gunmen. A full month has passed since this brazen attack, yet the Malian authorities have remained tight-lipped regarding Tall's fate. They have not confirmed whether he is in their custody, nor have they disclosed any details about his whereabouts, legal standing, or well-being.

Trust from communities on the front lines will determine whether health officials can rein in a fast-moving Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring Uganda, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned, underscoring that public cooperation is as vital as medical expertise in crises like this. Speaking in Bunia, the outbreak’s epicentre, Tedros stressed the need to listen to local voices and promote early treatment as response teams confront the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola,…

Amid escalating tensions in Burkina Faso, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a stark warning against the suppression of student voices, emphasizing that stifling dissent will not address the nation’s deepening security and governance challenges. This alert comes on the heels of a government decision to suspend the General Union of Burkina Students (UGEB), the largest student organization in the country, signaling a troubling trend of crackdowns on civil liberties. Founded as one of Burkina Faso's longest-standing and most…

Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is bracing for what the World Health Organization (WHO) calls a "catastrophic collision of disease and conflict," as a rapidly advancing Ebola outbreak outstrips efforts to contain it in a region already scarred by armed groups, displacement and severe hunger. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the Ebola Bundibugyo virus outbreak in Ituri province is unfolding in conditions that undermine basic public health measures, with insecurity, assaults on clinics and…

Despite significant advancements, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) continue to fly under the radar of global health initiatives. To date, 61 nations have successfully eradicated at least one NTD, showcasing what sustained dedication can achieve. However, the fallout from neglecting these diseases is dire: children lose vital educational opportunities, while adults struggle to maintain employment, directly impacting household income and overall quality of life. Furthermore, stigma and discrimination thrust individuals into…

Uganda has shut its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo as officials race to contain an Ebola outbreak attributed to the Bundibugyo strain, a move that has triggered stepped-up regional surveillance and emergency health measures. The closure, effective "with immediate effect," was ordered by the national Ebola task force chaired by Vice President Jesca Alupo after a rise in infections among Ugandan health workers who had treated patients from DR Congo. All authorised entrants will be screened, and travellers from…

Brazzaville is signaling it’s set to deliver. On Sunday, African Development Bank Group President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah assessed final arrangements by joint Congolese and other technical teams gearing up to host the institution’s 61st Annual Meetings, which kick off Monday in the Congolese capital. More on the AfDB AllAfrica page.

In a troubling revelation, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has reported that around 30,000 armed Fulani militants are currently active in Nigeria, exacerbating issues of insecurity and threatening religious freedoms throughout the nation. The USCIRF's latest report, titled "Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants," characterizes these armed groups as among the most lethal non-state actors engaging in violent activities, particularly in the Middle Belt and…

With tensions simmering in South Africa and protesters demanding tougher action on immigration, Ghana has started flying home its nationals in a move aimed at heading off the threat of xenophobic violence. Ghanaian authorities began repatriating the first group of citizens from South Africa as fears grew over anti-immigrant demonstrations and the possibility of attacks on foreigners. Around 300 people were expected to depart from Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, and 800 Ghanaians have registered to return…