governance

HARARE — A group of public health physicians urged Harare and Washington on Thursday to resume negotiations after the collapse of a proposed $367 million bilateral health agreement that health experts say would have strengthened Zimbabwe's fragile health system. The proposed package, officials and health specialists said, was aimed at bolstering priority programs including HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, tuberculosis control, malaria response, maternal and child health services and disease outbreak preparedness. Its…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana warned in his 2026 Budget speech that poorly run municipalities face the prospect of having national funds reduced if they fail to "clean up their act," signalling a shift by the national government from "oversight" to "active structural intervention" to stabilise local government finances. Godongwana told Parliament the move is aimed at improving the financial health of municipalities, many of which have long struggled with rising debt, weak revenue collection, and uneven service delivery.…

Attack on Peter Obi's Motorcade Raises Security Concerns in Edo State The motorcade of former presidential candidate Peter Obi was attacked by unknown gunmen in Edo State, escalating concerns regarding political violence as the country approaches crucial elections. According to a statement released by his media team, the incident occurred while Obi was en route to a meeting with the former chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). "We unequivocally confirm the attack and assure all supporters worldwide that…

Malawi launches fresh investigation into Chikangawa military plane crash that killed former Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others in June 2024, citing gaps in earlier probes. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango on Tuesday announced a new, comprehensive review of the Chikangawa crash after a government audit found previous inquiries did not provide clear, conclusive explanations for the accident. The minister said a government review of earlier findings — including the national…

Nigeria Denies Ransom Payments to Boko Haram for School Abductions The Nigerian government has categorically rejected claims that it paid a significant ransom to the Islamist group Boko Haram in connection to the abduction of more than 200 pupils and staff from St. Mary's School in Papiri in November 2024. Information Minister Mohammed Idris described the allegations, which emerged from a report by AFP citing unnamed intelligence sources, as "false and baseless reporting," asserting that such claims undermine the…

Political Tensions Rise Over Proposed Criminal Procedure Law in Liberia The political landscape in Liberia is experiencing turbulent shifts as the Secretary General of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Jefferson Koijee, has publicly denounced the proposed amendment to the country's criminal procedure law. Koijee asserts that the changes are a strategic maneuver aimed at targeting former President George Weah. Koijee's concerns revolve around the perceived increase in discretionary powers granted to prosecutors,…

More than 150 lawmakers were absent at the start of official proceedings in the Malawi Parliament, lawmakers and observers reported, raising fresh concerns about attendance at sittings where national laws, budgets and policies are debated and approved. The First Deputy Speaker called the widespread absence "very saddening" and warned that members who continue to miss sittings without permission face sanctions, including the withdrawal of parliamentary allowances. Authorities said the pattern undermines the House’s…

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…

Chad Closes Eastern Border Amid Escalating Sudanese Conflict Chad has closed its eastern border with Sudan in response to escalating violence in the border town of al-Tina, as Sudan's ongoing civil war inches closer to its territory. The closure, announced by the Chadian government, comes amid heavy fighting involving Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and local militia groups. The government justified this decision as a critical measure to thwart repeated incursions by armed Sudanese groups and to safeguard civilian…