International Organizations and Africa

In a landmark decision, the United Nations General Assembly has formally acknowledged the enslavement of Africans during the transatlantic slave trade as an unparalleled crime against humanity. Proposed by Ghana, the resolution not only recognizes this profound injustice but also encourages member states to contemplate issuing apologies for their roles in the slave trade and to contribute to a reparations fund. Notably, the resolution does not specify a financial amount. It passed with a significant majority, garnering 123…

In a dramatic turn of events, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is under scrutiny following its recent decision to revoke Senegal's hosting rights for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a mere 58 days after the tournament concluded. Leading the charge for accountability, the Guinean Football Federation (FGF) has formally requested that CAF apply uniform disciplinary measures, drawing attention to a pivotal moment in AFCON history: the contentious 1976 match between Morocco and Guinea. In that encounter,…

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has announced an investigation into the March 6 missile attack on a Ghanaian peacekeeping base in Lebanon. This move comes in response to a formal complaint lodged by the Ghanaian government, which is demanding a thorough inquiry into the strike that injured four soldiers amidst the escalating conflict involving Israel, Iran, and the United States. The wounded peacekeepers received immediate medical treatment at a facility within the base before being evacuated to the UN Mission's…

Nigeria to Host Intra-African Trade Fair 2027, Building on Past Success The Federal Republic of Nigeria has officially signed the hosting agreement for the fifth Intra-African Trade Fair 2027 (IATF2027), taking over the baton from Algeria, which successfully hosted the fourth edition that recorded an impressive US$49.94 billion in trade and investment deals. The agreement signing ceremony took place in Lagos, the designated 'host city', highlighting Nigeria's commitment to enhancing intra-African trade. This event was…

Macky Sall Nominated by Burundi for UN Secretary-General Position Former Senegalese President Macky Sall has received a formal nomination from Burundi to succeed UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term is set to conclude in 2026. This nomination comes at a time when the composition of the UN Security Council is particularly favorable for Sall, as it currently includes three African nations: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Somalia. Supporters of Sall have highlighted his commitment to advocacy…

Belgian Authorities Arrest Leaders Linked to Cameroon War Crimes Belgian prosecutors have announced the arrest of three individuals as part of a probe into possible crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Cameroon due to the country's secessionist rebellion. The arrests underscore the expanding international efforts to address human rights violations associated with the conflict. The suspects are believed to be leaders of the Ambazonia Defence Forces (ADF), a militia advocating for the independence of…

The World Health Organization announced that Libya has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, a milestone that clears the country of a disease long linked to poverty and limited access to hygiene and eye care. The validation makes Libya the 28th country worldwide and the eighth in its region to reach this specific target for trachoma, the WHO said. Trachoma is an infectious eye disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It spreads through contact with infected eye discharge on hands, clothing or by…

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…

Ghana to Propose UN Resolution Declaring Slave Trade as Crime Against Humanity President John Mahama has announced that Ghana will submit a resolution to the United Nations General Assembly designating the African slave trade as "the most serious crime against humanity." This bold move comes at a pivotal time, as discussions surrounding historical injustices and reparations gain momentum on the international stage. Speaking at the conclusion of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Mahama emphasized that the UN…

Criticism Mounts Over Hepatitis B Vaccine Study in Guinea-Bissau A now-halted plan to test various hepatitis B vaccine schedules on newborns in Guinea-Bissau has drawn strong criticism from the World Health Organization (WHO), which labeled the study "unethical." The U.S. health department, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., had funded a trial involving 14,000 babies. This controversial study aimed to compare two groups: one received the proven birth-dose vaccine immediately, while the other was scheduled to receive the shot…