African

Mosiuoa Lekota, the 77-year-old former leader of the Congress of the People (COPE) and a veteran of South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, has died, COPE confirmed Friday. Lekota, who stepped away from frontline politics in 2025, had been battling health problems in recent years. In a brief statement, COPE leader Teboho Loate said Lekota died “after a period of illness.” The Lekota family has asked for privacy, Loate said, and details about memorial arrangements would be announced in due course. Lekota was a former Robben…

Jeffrey Epstein's Connections with West African Elites Uncovered Newly released records from U.S. authorities have shed light on the extensive ties that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein forged with influential figures in West Africa. Noteworthy among these connections are Karim Wade, the son of former Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, and Nina Keita, the niece of Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara. According to the documents, Epstein and Karim Wade first crossed paths in 2010, quickly building a rapport.…

A new scramble for Africa is underway — not with warships or colonial flags, but with battery supply chains, green-transition targets and high-level trade delegations. Governments and corporations are hunting lithium, cobalt, graphite, manganese, platinum-group metals and rare earth elements that power electric vehicles, wind turbines and digital infrastructure. The race promises opportunity for African states; it also risks renewing old patterns of extraction without local benefit or environmental safeguards. The global…

The Trump administration is canceling humanitarian aid programs it previously identified as lifesaving, according to an internal State Department email obtained by The Atlantic, a move that could sharply reduce assistance to vulnerable populations in parts of Africa. The internal communication, made public by The Atlantic, says the new round of cuts will end all U.S. humanitarian funding in seven African countries. The report did not identify the countries by name in its initial coverage. The email marks a reversal from…

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is canceling humanitarian aid programs it previously identified as lifesaving, according to an internal State Department email obtained by The Atlantic, a move that could sharply reduce U.S. assistance to vulnerable populations abroad. The internal message, made public by The Atlantic on Tuesday, says the new round of cuts will reportedly end all U.S. humanitarian funding in seven African countries. The email characterizes the affected programs as lifesaving before notifying colleagues…

African Union, Somalia condemn deadly Zamfara attack in Nigeria; demand release of abducted women, children The African Union and Somalia on Monday condemned a deadly attack in Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara state that left at least 50 civilians dead and women and children abducted, urging the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all captives. AU expresses full solidarity with Nigeria, calls attacks grave human rights violations Somalia backs Nigeria’s efforts to pursue perpetrators and free abductees Assailants on…

Somalia launches East African Community passport, signaling push for regional mobility MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has officially begun issuing the East African Community (EAC) passport, a step the federal government cast as historic for regional integration and a boost to global mobility for Somali citizens. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said Thursday that the introduction of the EAC passport will expand opportunities in travel, trade and education while strengthening Somalia’s engagement within the regional bloc.…

Somalia cleared to issue East African Community passports, boosting regional mobility Wednesday February 18, 2026 MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has received formal approval to issue East African Community (EAC) passports, a key step in the country’s regional integration and a move officials say will ease cross-border travel for Somali citizens across the bloc. The authorization was conveyed in an official letter presented by Somalia’s ambassador to Tanzania and permanent representative to the EAC, Ilyas Ali Hassan. He handed…

AU intensifies push for ceasefires in Sudan and eastern DRC, says Commissioner Bankole Adeoye The African Union has sharpened its diplomatic drive to secure ceasefires in Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye outlining a renewed, African-led strategy to stem escalating violence and restore stability. Briefing reporters after the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, Adeoye said AU leaders reaffirmed…

AU reaffirms Somalia’s sovereignty, condemns Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The African Union reaffirmed its full support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Somalia on Sunday, issuing a sharp rebuke to what it called Israel’s unilateral recognition of North Western State of Somalia. In a joint communiqué at the close of the AU’s annual summit in Addis Ababa, member states warned that any unilateral recognition that contravenes the founding principles of the…