EAST AFRICA

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebels, known for their ties to Rwanda, have declared a ceasefire in the eastern regions of the country. This agreement will remain in effect until peace negotiations, facilitated by Qatar, are brought to a close. It’s a significant development in the ongoing conflict that has claimed an estimated 7,000 lives since M23 escalated its military campaign in January. In a joint statement, representatives from both factions characterized their recent discussions as "frank and…

The Trump administration is resolutely committed to employing every available diplomatic and economic measure to foster peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This assertion came from Senior Africa Advisor Massad Boulos during a recent online briefing. It followed his tour of four significant nations in the region, a journey that reflects the U.S.'s increasing engagement with Africa amidst multifaceted challenges. During these discussions, Boulos engaged with regional leaders to address the pressing issue…

Ritual killings remain a distressing and recurring tragedy across various regions of Africa. In particular, children fall prey to these heinous acts, vulnerable and defenseless against those who exploit their innocence. Emmanuel Sarpong Owusu, a researcher and lecturer at Aberystwyth University, sheds light on this grim phenomenon by asserting that the unfortunate belief in the potency of children’s body parts fuels these crimes. In his 2022 study, Owusu unearthed startling statistics: over fifty percent of ritual murder…

In a recent disaster that underscores the perilous interplay between weather and life, four individuals tragically lost their lives in Rwanda. Their stories, likely filled with dreams and daily routines, were abruptly extinguished by deadly flooding and landslides that swept through the country, leaving behind a trail of devastation. As per the report released by the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management, the catastrophic event also ravaged over 70 hectares of crops, threatening the livelihoods of countless families.…

Over a decade ago, nations within the Great Lakes region united under a mineral certification scheme, aimed at curtailing the illegal exploitation of vital minerals. This endeavor was not merely bureaucratic; it sought to usher in a new era of transparency and accountability in a region often marred by strife. Yet, experts now caution that the promised progress has been minimal, leaving the specter of conflict still looming over these resource-rich lands. During a recent congregation at the International Conference on the…

On April 8, former President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo made a significant announcement: after six years of relative silence and one year spent in exile, he would be returning to his homeland. This decision comes in the wake of an increasingly dire security situation in eastern Congo, a region that has struggled with violence and instability for decades. Reflecting on his time away, Kabila explained that he had opted to suspend his studies in South Africa in March, pivoting his focus to the mounting…

Devastating torrential rains have unleashed a torrent of destruction in Kinshasa, claiming the lives of at least 33 individuals, as confirmed by local reports. This number may sadly rise, with authorities still assessing the situation. The heart of Kinshasa has been particularly vulnerable, with neighborhoods like Mont-Ngafula, Ngaliema, Barumbu, Limete, Matete, and Masina bearing the brunt of the deluge. Each of these areas presents a different story of loss, resilience, and community struggle, painting a vivid picture of…

On April 7, Rwanda solemnly observed the 31st anniversary of the 1994 genocide—a cataclysmic event that claimed the lives of approximately 800,000 people, predominantly from the Tutsi ethnic group, at the hands of Hutu militias. This year, the United Nations has formally recognized April 7 as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This designation marks the beginning of a hundred days steeped in remembrance, culminating in Liberation Day on July 4. It is a time for collective grief,…

In a fervent appeal to his fellow leaders across the African continent, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has spotlighted the imperative of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into Africa’s roadmap for the future. He emphasized that the stakes for Africa are monumental, warning that if strategic measures are not implemented, the continent risks falling further behind in an era defined by technological advancement. Kagame articulated a compelling vision during a recent summit, asserting that Africa "urgently" requires…

The recent recovery of 258 victims from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, as reported by Ibuka, the genocide survivors' association, has cast a somber shadow over Ngoma Sector in Huye District. This initiative to unearth long-buried truths began a fortnight ago, specifically in Matyazo Cell, Kamucuzi Village, where the harrowing discovery of four bodies was made within an abandoned pit latrine. Such sites, once commonplace due to the heinous acts that took place there, bear witness to unspeakable tragedies. The unearthed…