Central Africa

In a dramatic turn of events, Augustin Matata Ponyo, the former Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been handed a ten-year sentence of forced labor for his role in the embezzlement of approximately $245 million in public funds. Joining him in this legal debacle is Deogratias Mutombo, the former governor of the central bank, who has received a five-year sentence. The echoes of this case reverberate through the halls of Congolese politics, raising questions about accountability and governance. The…

Agathe Habyarimana, now an 82-year-old widow, was once at the heart of a tumultuous chapter in Rwandan history as the spouse of former President Juvénal Habyarimana. Recently, she evaded judicial proceedings in France when investigating magistrates concluded there was not enough evidence to implicate her in the harrowing events of the 1994 genocide. After her husband’s assassination ignited a cataclysm of violence, Habyarimana fled Rwanda, receiving assistance from French authorities. This period, marked by chaos and loss,…

In a significant development for international relations, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently delivered a ruling concerning the islands of Mbanie, Conga, and Cocoteros. These tiny, sparsely populated landmasses now officially rest under the sovereignty of Equatorial Guinea, a resolution that puts a close to a territorial disagreement that has lasted for decades with Gabon. While these islands may seem inconsequential at first glance, they lie in waters believed to be rich in oil and gas reserves, a detail that…

In a significant turn of events, former President Ali Bongo and his family have arrived in Luanda, the vibrant capital of Angola, following their recent release from Gabonese authorities. This marks a pivotal moment for the Bongo family, who have endured tumultuous times since a coup deposed Ali Bongo and reshaping the political landscape of Gabon. The aftermath of the coup, which took place in August 2023, saw tragic repercussions for many. Among those affected were Sylvia and Noureddin Bongo, Ali's wife and son, who…

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has sounded the alarm: a staggering number of individuals in West and Central Africa are grappling with unprecedented levels of hunger. Amidst a backdrop of armed conflict, widespread displacement, economic turmoil, and relentless extreme weather, the region teeters perilously on the edge of a humanitarian crisis. From June to August alone, over 36 million individuals faced challenges in meeting even their most basic food requirements. Alarmingly, projections indicate that this figure could…

Koyo Kouoh, the esteemed CEO and Chief Curator of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town, has sadly passed away at the age of 57 in Switzerland. The museum has confirmed this tragic news, temporarily closing its doors and halting all programming to honor her remarkable contributions. A Cameroonian-born visionary, Kouoh made profound impacts on the realm of contemporary African art. With a keen eye and an unwavering commitment to showcasing diverse narratives, her influence reverberated not…

After months of stalemate and escalating humanitarian crises, a glimmer of hope emerges in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Yet, our optimism must be tempered by the lessons of the past. How many times have we seen initiatives crumble, leaving communities in despair? As Paul-Simon Handy, East Africa Regional Director for the Institute of Security Studies, astutely observes, faltering African interventions have inadvertently paved the way for global actors to step into a role of greater influence. It was under the…

In a surprising revelation, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue recently took to X to discuss the U.S. government's proposal to deport African migrants to Equatorial Guinea. While no binding agreement has emerged from these discussions, Mangue's statement raises many questions and concerns in his home country. "What does it mean for our nation to accept these migrants?" This is a sentiment echoed by numerous Equatorial Guineans who worry about the implications of such a decision. Anxieties loom large, particularly…

Rwanda finds itself at the beginning of negotiations with the Trump administration regarding the acceptance of migrants deported from the United States. This revelation comes from the country's Foreign Affairs Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, whose words carry a weight of diplomacy. In the backdrop of these discussions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio articulated a rather stark view, declaring that Washington is "actively searching" for nations prepared to welcome "some of the most despicable human beings."…

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has taken a significant step by formally requesting the Senate to revoke the immunity of former president Joseph Kabila. Accusations against Kabila are grave; he stands accused of providing support to the M23 rebel group, a faction long entangled in conflict within the eastern regions of the country. President Félix Tshisekedi has leveled serious charges, describing Kabila's actions as a preparation for "an insurrection." This isn’t just political rhetoric; it…