current events

The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Finance is refuting claims made by the World Bank regarding alleged undisclosed expenditures and the misallocation of federal revenue. Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, has characterized these allegations as a misunderstanding of the situation. He emphasized that media narratives indicating a substantial portion of federal earnings is being improperly channeled are not only incorrect but also misleading. This clarification comes as the ministry addresses interpretations of the…

Princess Kasune Zulu — once a child bride and later one of Zambia’s first public figures to reveal her HIV status in the late 1990s — is now driving a sweeping shift in criminal justice. Her ministry has spearheaded a law that makes sexual offences non-bailable, placing her at the forefront of a landmark legal overhaul. Under the reform, all sexual offences are now non-bailable. With the passage of the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act No. 4 of 2026, suspects accused of grave crimes in Zambia — including child…

Burundi’s presidency says Media and Communication Minister Gabby Bugaga died in an accident, releasing fresh information about the circumstances of his death. The former journalist was discovered lifeless in his car on the outskirts of Bujumbura, a development that has prompted colleagues and observers to seek greater clarity about the incident. In a post on X, President Evariste Ndayishimiye said he was "deeply saddened" by the reports, while commending the minister’s "diligence and dedication" to his role and the nation.

In a move that has sparked widespread outcry, activist and opposition figure Zainab Sheriff was sentenced to four years in prison for incitement. Known not only for her political stance but also as a model and musician, Sheriff was arrested in February after she voiced her criticisms regarding alleged electoral fraud at a political event. The contentious results of the 2023 general elections have ignited fierce debate, with numerous opposition leaders challenging the legitimacy of the polls that allowed President Julius…

Squeezed by budget shortfalls, shifting battlefields, and emerging security risks, the United Nations peacekeeping mission is buckling under intensifying pressure, with mounting struggles to shield civilians and uphold stability. Yet UN official Jean-Pierre Lacroix emphasized that these deployments remain essential instruments for helping nations transition from war to durable peace. Over the past year, peacekeeping missions have confronted "significant financial challenges," Lacroix said, triggering contingency steps that…

On a visit to Cameroon's troubled northwest, Pope Leo XIV delivered a forceful rebuke to foreign profiteers, accusing them of siphoning Africa’s wealth and deepening the continent’s hardships. Speaking in Bamenda, the epicentre of the country’s long-running Anglophone separatist crisis, he urged Cameroon’s government to confront corruption so that peace can take root. The pontiff said domestic failings are being compounded by outside actors who, “in the name of profit,” continue to seize Africa’s resources to “exploit and…

At least 18 people were killed when a commuter omnibus erupted in flames and exploded on the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Highway, authorities confirmed. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the deadly incident occurred between Chipangali and the Gwanda tollgate. Officials added that more information will be released as investigations progress. The cause of the blaze and subsequent explosion remains undetermined, and it is still unclear how many passengers were on board. The Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road, a key artery linking…

A shocking new survey highlights a distressing trend in Liberia: a staggering 90% of women reportedly use antibiotics monthly to address their menstrual issues. This revelation has alarmed health experts, who label the findings "frightening" and express deep concern about the potential for escalating antibiotic resistance within the nation. Antibiotic misuse has long been a significant issue plaguing Liberia's healthcare system. Health officials are increasingly worried that the very medications essential for treating…

Malawi’s opposition leader Simplex Chithyola Banda says his arrest marks a “deeply instructive chapter” in his life—one that has tested but not shaken his resolve. Addressing reporters after securing bail, the usually combative politician struck a notably restrained tone and urged Malawians to pray for the country. Banda was detained on allegations of abuse of office tied to a contentious fertilizer-for-soya exchange arrangement involving the Romanian company East Bridge Estates. The saga has gripped public attention,…

The African Development Bank Group is set to convene its 2026 Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, from May 25 to 29. The event will focus on the theme: "Mobilising Africa's Development Financing at Scale in a Fragmented World." For further details, visit the AfDB section on AllAfrica.