governance

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…

JOHANNESBURG — The acting head of South Africa’s Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on Thursday urged residents to report suspicious behaviour in their communities — singling out neighbours who suddenly drive “flashy cars” — as the unit released findings from a probe into corruption at the Department of Home Affairs. Leonard Lekgetho said the SIU’s investigation, authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2024 after a whistleblower complaint, uncovered syndicates operating inside the visa and permit system. Evidence indicates…

Malawi has struck a landmark mineral marketing agreement with U.S.-based Traxys North America to sell graphite from the Kasiya rutile-graphite project in Lilongwe, officials said Friday, a deal that both countries view as strategically significant amid growing global demand for critical minerals. Malawian authorities hailed the arrangement as a potential boost to the country’s export earnings and industrial profile. The U.S. government classifies both rutile and graphite as essential minerals, and they are widely sought for…

Tinubu Signs Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, Sparking Mixed Reactions In a significant move to reform Nigeria's electoral framework, President Bola Tinubu has signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 into law. During the announcement, he emphasized that the primary goal of the amendments is to enhance the integrity of electoral processes, asserting that the revisions are not tailored to benefit specific political interests. "Lessons from past elections have guided our efforts to close procedural gaps and build…

Gabon Suspends Social Media Amid Rising Tensions Gabon’s media regulator has announced a sweeping suspension of all social media platforms, a drastic measure attributed to the escalating conflict and deepening societal divisions within the country. This decision reflects the government's increasing scrutiny of online content, deemed damaging to public order. In a televised statement, the High Authority for Communication highlighted several factors leading to the suspension, citing the pervasive spread of false…

Tragedy Strikes in Plateau State: Carbon Monoxide Leak Claims Lives of Miners At least 33 miners have been reported dead in Plateau State following a suspected carbon monoxide leak at a lead and zinc mine operated by Solid Unity Nigeria Ltd. The incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols within Nigeria's mining industry. The toxic gas is believed to have accumulated in poorly ventilated tunnels, leading to a catastrophic collapse of workers who were near the end of their night shift. More than 20…

Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai Detained by EFCC Amid Fraud Allegations The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of fraud during his time in office from 2015 to 2023. El-Rufai honored an invitation from the EFCC on Monday, which led to his questioning and subsequent detention. This development follows El-Rufai's recent return to Nigeria from Cairo, where reports indicate that security operatives…

IMF Conditions Leave President Chapo Facing Political Costs and Economic Uncertainty President Daniel Chapo's bid to secure a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan — a linchpin he hoped would catalyze foreign investment and stabilise the country's ailing economy — has stalled after the IMF board set strict preconditions. The fund has demanded major fiscal reforms and a devaluation of the local currency as prerequisites for any agreement, a package that analysts say will be politically fraught for Chapo's ruling Frelimo…