governance

Coup Attempt in Benin Foiled as Leader Flees A dramatic coup attempt in Benin collapsed over the weekend, leading to the escape of its orchestrator, Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri. Officials have confirmed that Tigri fled the country following the intervention of Nigerian military forces that came to support President Patrice Talon’s government during the crisis. On Sunday, a group of soldiers identifying themselves as the "Military Committee for Refoundation" (CMR) took to state television to announce a government…

M23 Rebels Seize Key City in Eastern DR Congo Amid Rising Tensions Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have reportedly entered the eastern DR Congo city of Uvira, an essential military base located near the borders of Burundi and Rwanda. This unforeseen advancement has triggered panic among residents, forcing thousands to flee in fear. Witnesses stated that the M23 forces marched in without opposition, declaring they had "liberated" the city, although local officials maintained that government troops still controlled the area. This…

Rwanda-Backed M23 Rebels Capture Strategic City in Eastern DR Congo Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have reportedly entered the eastern DR Congo city of Uvira, a crucial military base located near the borders of Burundi and Rwanda. The takeover has triggered widespread panic and forced thousands of residents to flee, raising alarms about the regional stability. Witnesses reported that the M23 rebels marched into Uvira unopposed, claiming to have "liberated" the city. However, government officials insist that their troops remain…

Nicholas Zakaria, a pioneering figure in Zimbabwe’s sungura music and a founding member of the Khiama Boys, has died. He was 66. Zakaria — widely known by his stage name "Madzibaba" — was celebrated for his deft guitar work and a voice that helped shape the rhythmic, guitar-driven sound that defines sungura. His family said he was a "talented musician and beloved member of our community" who left an indelible mark on Zimbabwean music. As one of the early members of the Khiama Boys, Zakaria performed with and influenced a…

ECOWAS Takes Action Amid Rising Security Threats in West Africa In a decisive move to address escalating security challenges and political instability in West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced a series of measures aimed at restoring order. The announcement was made by ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray during the organization's 55th session of the Mediation and Security Council. Touray cited a worrying surge in security threats and a deteriorating political landscape as the…

Malawi is facing an acute sugar shortage that has pushed traders and consumers to camp outside distribution sites overnight in hopes of securing supplies, heightening public anger and putting pressure on President Peter Mutharika’s administration to act. Traders outside the offices of the principal sugar distributor in the central town of Nkhotakota say long lines and overnight vigils have become routine as supplies run low. Some vendors accused big businesses of hoarding sugar to force an artificial shortfall that drives…

Cholera Outbreak in the DRC: A Crisis Unfolding The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is currently grappling with its worst cholera outbreak in 25 years, reporting a staggering 64,427 cases and 1,888 deaths since the year's onset. Among these, 14,818 cases involved children, leading to 340 tragic child fatalities, according to UNICEF. This health crisis has severely disrupted children's education and wellbeing, thrusting them into a world of illness while forcing them to bear witness to the suffering and loss of…

Political Accusations Against George Weah: A Closer Look A prominent Liberian broadcaster has come forward to address serious allegations against former President George Weah, describing them as politically motivated fabrications. Stanton Witherspoon, a veteran broadcaster based in the U.S., emphasized that various political commentators have tied Weah to deaths and disappearances during his presidency, but he argues that these claims lack credible evidence. Witherspoon asserted that the accusations form a coordinated…

President Peter Mutharika has announced the cancellation of almost all school-related fees in Malawi, saying the move fulfills a key campaign promise and ordering that "no public school should be requesting learners to make contributions towards the School Development Fund and any other fees, except boarding fees." The directive, disclosed in a presidential statement, is intended to reduce the financial barrier to primary and secondary education and to boost enrollment and completion rates. Malawi currently posts a primary…

Release of Abducted Schoolchildren in Niger State: A Fragile Victory Nigerian authorities announced that they have successfully secured the release of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary's Catholic boarding school in Niger state. This incident, which unfolded on November 21, saw 315 pupils and staff taken by gunmen from the co-educational facility located in north-central Nigeria. Following the chaos of the attack, around 50 students managed to escape, but the fate of another 165 children and staff remains unknown.…