Africa

The Bongos on Trial: A Nation Grapples with Legacy and Accountability In a courtroom echoing with tension and significant societal implications, the wife and son of former Gabonese President Ali Bongo, along with eleven close associates, have entered the dock, facing a litany of serious charges, including treason, corruption, and the embezzlement of public funds. This unfolding legal drama has captured the attention not only of Gabonese citizens but also of the international community, as it brings to the forefront urgent…

A new citadel of memory rises beside the Great Pyramid Just a short walk from the ancient silhouette of Khufu, a modern glass-and-stone landmark opened its doors to the public this week: the Grand Egyptian Museum, known simply as GEM. With room for some 100,000 objects spanning roughly 7,000 years of history, the complex is being presented not only as the world’s largest archaeological museum but as a statement of national pride and a fresh engine for tourism. The building’s broad terraces and sunlit atrium create a…

Zimbabwean opposition figure Job Sikhala detained in South Africa; party blame and questions about evidence When Job Sikhala, a senior opposition politician from Zimbabwe, was arrested in South Africa this week after police say they found blasting cartridges and capped fuse connectors in his vehicle, supporters and fellow opposition figures immediately cried foul. Sikhala — who has accused Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu PF of orchestrating the incident — now faces an uncertain legal fight in a country that has long been a refuge…

The Tragic Death of Mariam Cisse: A Social Media Star’s Call for Stability in a Turbulent Mali In the heart of Mali’s tumultuous northern region, a young woman’s vibrant life has been extinguished, leaving behind a wake of grief and outrage. Mariam Cisse, a digital content creator known for her passionate support of the military, was brutally abducted and executed by armed assailants, shocking a nation already reeling from a decade of insecurity and violence. A Voice for the People Only in her 20s, Cisse had garnered over…

The Fragile Peace in Eastern DR Congo: Voices from the Ground In the lush, green hills of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the echo of gunfire and the palpable tension in the air create a stark contrast to the paper agreements made months prior. Residents in towns like Goma and Bukavu, once bustling with life, are now haunted by a pervasive uncertainty. The much-publicized peace agreements inked in Doha, Qatar, in June—which involved intricate negotiations among international powers—were meant to restore…

Tunisia’s treatment of migrants and the EU’s quiet deal: a test of values For three years, human rights researchers listened to stories that should have set off alarms across Mediterranean capitals: men and women beaten and detained without charge, people stripped of their documents and pushed toward unsafe borders, and Black migrants singled out for abuse. The accounts, collected from 120 refugees and migrants from nearly 20 countries, form the backbone of a new Amnesty International report that accuses Tunisia of…

After years of silence, Mozambique’s gas dream restarts — but who will pick up the tab? When French energy major TotalEnergies announced it had lifted the force majeure on its liquefied natural gas project off Mozambique’s northern coast, the message was outwardly simple: long-dormant gas operations in the Rovuma Basin are ready to resume. The subtext, however, is far murkier. The four-and-a-half-year pause — driven by an insurgency that convulsed Cabo Delgado — has transformed what was a marquee energy project into a…

markdown Sudan on the Brink: A Fragile Hope for Peace Amidst a Storm of Conflict The dust of conflict in Sudan, which has by now swept across the nation like an unrelenting storm since April 2023, sees a flicker of hope with the latest move from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). On a tense Thursday, the RSF announced acceptance of a U.S.-proposed humanitarian ceasefire, lighting a tentative pathway toward respite for a weary nation. "In response to the aspirations and interests of the Sudanese people, the…

Sudan on the Brink: A Nation’s Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds Amidst the towering difficulties faced by millions, Sudan is tottering on the brink of collapse, now noted as the focal point of the world's most dire displacement crisis. The call for urgent international intervention has never been more pressing, echoing through the corridors of global agencies. A Crisis in Figures Statistics alone are staggering: Over 30 million people in Sudan require humanitarian aid. Across borders, 4.3 million are displaced, a testimony to…

El-Fasher's Desperate Exodus: A Humanitarian Crisis in North Darfur In the heart of North Darfur’s turmoil, the city of El-Fasher finds itself once again engulfed in chaos, compelling thousands to flee as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) push further into urban territories. This escalation has left a humanitarian crisis in its wake, with the UNHCR voicing urgent appeals for intervention. Renewed Instability For a city already battered by over 500 days of siege and conflict, El-Fasher’s most recent upheaval symbolizes…