governance

U.S. sends second batch of deportees to Eswatini amid legal challenges and diplomatic push The United States quietly flew a second group of 10 people to Eswatini this week, Eswatini government officials confirmed, deepening a controversial pattern of repatriations to African countries under the Trump administration’s hard-line immigration agenda. The detainees—reported to include nationals from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen and Cuba—are being held at Matsapha Maximum Security Correctional Centre near Manzini as authorities…

South African activists held by Israel after Gaza aid attempt are “in good health and high spirits,” Pretoria says South Africa’s foreign ministry on Wednesday said a group of its citizens detained by Israeli authorities after attempting to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip are “in good health and high spirits,” and that efforts to secure their safe return are “advancing steadily.” The detained activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla — a civil society initiative that sought to reach Gaza by sea amid a protracted…

South Africa’s Ambassador to France Found Dead in Paris; Family Seeks Answers South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, was found dead outside a Paris hotel on Sept. 30, 2025, about 24 hours after his wife reported him missing, authorities and family members reported. The circumstances surrounding his death remained unclear, and the ambassador’s family has demanded answers amid confusion over how his mobile phone came to be discovered far from his body. Immediate facts and family concern The swift reporting of…

Chad's Constitutional Shift: A Step Toward Authoritarianism? In a move many are interpreting as a step away from democracy, lawmakers in Chad have swiftly approved a proposal enabling the president to serve indefinitely. The recent vote, which alters the country's constitution, extends the presidential term from five to seven years, with the possibility of unlimited renewals. Critics view this as a serious threat, echoing fears of increasing authoritarianism in a region already grappling with governance challenges. A…

The Unseen Struggle: Ghana's Witchcraft Accusation Survivors Make Their Voices Heard In the heart of Ghana, a silent crisis unfolds—one that reveals the ugly underbelly of superstition and stigma, where a simple accusation can dismantle lives. Survivors of witchcraft accusations have stepped into the spotlight, calling on Parliament to urgently pass the Anti-Witchcraft Accusation Bill. Their plea is not just for protection but for a restoration of dignity that has been stripped away through discrimination and violence. A…

Building Dreams or Wasting Resources? The Debate Over the $10 Million Presidential Villa in Lofa County In a quiet corner of Liberia's Lofa County, where the green hills meet the sky, an unexpected controversy is simmering. The construction of a lavish presidential villa—touted to cost a staggering $10 million—has ignited a storm of public debate about transparency, priorities, and the essence of governance. This issue rose to prominence after civil society activist Eddie Jarwolo, known for his outspoken nature, took to…

Echoes of Dissent: The Rising Tide of Political Oppression in Mali The sun hung low over the bustling streets of Bamako, casting a warm glow on a city grappling with the shadows of repression. Former Prime Minister Moussa Mara stood before a somber court, his fate teetering on the edge of a judicial gavel. As the judges denied his bail application, the chilling message resonated beyond the courtroom walls: dissent in Mali will not be tolerated under the military junta that has ruled with an iron fist since 2021. A Voice…

Two killed as Morocco’s Gen Z protests expose a generational fault line When word spread on TikTok and Discord that young people across Morocco would converge on town squares and police stations to demand better schools, clinics and jobs, it felt like an experiment in 21st-century dissent — decentralized, fast and anonymous. What unfolded over a few days was far more combustible. In Lqliaa, near the port city of Safi, police opened fire on a crowd trying to “storm” a police station, killing two people, authorities say. The…

South African ambassador to France found dead in Paris; circumstances unclear What is known South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, was found dead outside a Paris hotel on Sept. 30, about 24 hours after his wife reported him missing, according to a brief notice shared with reporters. Beyond the basic facts of the discovery and the missing-person report, few official details have been released and the cause of death has not been made public. The sudden death of a senior diplomat in a major capital raises…

A Cautious Celebration: Nigeria's 65th Independence Anniversary Approaches As Nigeria gears up for its 65th independence anniversary on October 1, a palpable tension simmers beneath the surface of anticipation. The government, led by President Bola Tinubu, has publicly committed to commemorating this momentous occasion with "dignity and enthusiasm." Yet, the absence of the traditional parade—a cornerstone of the festivities—sends a clear signal that this year’s independence day will be anything but a typical celebration.…