African

Mthunzi Gxashe, a close aide and son-in-law to Archbishop Desmond Tutu who served as the clergyman’s spiritual companion during his retirement, has died in Johannesburg, his family and associates said. Gxashe was widely regarded at home and abroad for his long association with Tutu, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and moral voice of South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement. In retirement years, Gxashe was described by those around Tutu as a constant presence — helping to manage daily affairs, offering spiritual support and…

At least 11 people, including a 3-year-old child, a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, were killed and 14 others wounded when gunmen stormed an illegal shebeen in Saulsville township, west of Pretoria, police said Friday. Police said at least three attackers entered the unlicensed drinking venue and opened fire on a group of people. No arrests have been made and the motive remains unknown, authorities said. “Illegal and unlicensed liquor outlets are a major hotspot for mass shootings,” police spokesperson Brig.…

PRETORIA, South Africa — Gunmen stormed an illegal drinking venue in a township west of Pretoria on Saturday evening, killing 12 people — including a three-year-old boy — and wounding many others in one of a string of recent mass shootings that have shaken the country, police said. Police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe said 25 people were shot in the attack at a shebeen in Saulsville township, about 18 kilometres west of Pretoria. Ten victims died at the scene and two more died after being taken to hospital; 14 people were…

LUANDA, Angola — European leaders descended on Luanda this week for the EU-African Union summit with a clear, urgent goal: secure access to Africa’s critical minerals and shore up fragile supply chains as global geopolitical tensions rise. "Africa and Europe are partners of choice, bound by common interests and priorities and shared values," EU Council President António Costa wrote on social media as the summit began. "In a turbulent world, our commitment to build a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future — and to…

Nestlé Denies Claims of High Sugar Content in African Baby Foods Nestlé has firmly denied allegations that its baby food products sold across Africa contain higher levels of added sugar compared to those marketed in Europe. This response comes in light of a report indicating that over 90% of its Cerelac baby food products available in 20 African nations reportedly contain added sugars, often exceeding levels found in similar products sold in Europe. Despite the availability of sugar-free versions in European markets, the…

A Somali businessman was shot dead inside his shop in Philippi, Cape Town, on Friday night, underscoring a rise in violent attacks targeting Somali traders in South Africa. The victim was identified by local sources as Mahmoud Abdi Osman. Osman was killed when armed assailants entered his store and opened fire, according to people familiar with the incident. Philippi is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous areas for Somali business owners, who have been repeatedly targeted in robberies and shootings. South African…

EACJ lifts injunction, reinstates Somalia’s nine EALA delegates after months-long dispute NAIROBI, Kenya — The East African Court of Justice has reinstated nine Somali delegates to the East African Legislative Assembly, ending months of suspension tied to allegations that their selection in Mogadishu was flawed and politically influenced. The Arusha-based court on Friday lifted an injunction imposed earlier this year after a group of Somali academics and politicians challenged the delegates’ election. The petitioners alleged…

East Africa’s integration at a crossroads as landlocked states push for ocean access NAIROBI — Tensions over access to the sea are testing the fragile architecture of East African integration, exposing a fault line between landlocked ambitions and coastal sovereignty that could reshape politics, security and commerce across the region. Recent months have seen a flurry of diplomatic rivalries and public statements — from Ethiopia’s short‑lived overture to North Western State of Somalia to Uganda’s president declaring a…

African Cinema: A Resurgence of Culture and Identity African cinema has always been a rich tapestry, woven together with the threads of diverse stories and vibrant cultural expressions. Recently, however, this medium has witnessed an extraordinary renaissance, one that not only highlights the unique narratives of the continent but also asserts its place on the global stage. Central to this movement is the Film Africa festival, an event that serves as a crucial bridge connecting African filmmakers to international audiences.…

Somalia’s first EALA delegation: A cautious leap into East Africa’s political mainstream MOGADISHU — When Somalia’s joint parliament rose from a long morning of debate this week to elect nine lawmakers to the East African Legislative Assembly, it closed a chapter that began soon after the clan-based conflicts of the 1990s and the long, halting restoration of a central state. The vote marked the first time Somali legislators will sit in the EALA chamber in Arusha alongside delegates from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda,…