Legal and Judicial Affairs

In a stark warning about the state of Liberia's democracy, former President George M. Weah has leveled serious accusations against President Joseph Boakai's administration, claiming it is systematically undermining the rule of law. In a recent meeting with Nicola Clase, Chair of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission, Weah outlined a series of alleged violations perpetrated by the current government. Among these, he pointed to an outright disregard for Supreme Court rulings, incidents of police brutality, and what he…

Mali's military leader, Assimi Goïta, has stepped into the role of defense minister following the death of Sadio Camara, who was killed in a suspected suicide bombing amidst a spate of coordinated assaults. Goïta is poised to take over the defense portfolio in the wake of this tragic event. The nation is grappling with a severe security crisis, more than a week after a coalition of jihadists and separatist insurgents launched extensive attacks across the country. This operation, spearheaded by the Azawad Liberation Front…

Nigerian authorities have announced that their recent discussions with Thamsanqa Mseleku, South Africa's High Commissioner to Nigeria, aimed to "officially express the Nigerian Government's deep concerns" regarding the reported "mistreatment of Nigerian nationals and their enterprises" amidst anti-immigrant demonstrations occurring in South Africa.

Echoing through the streets of Johannesburg and Pretoria, wave after wave of self-styled civic groups has marched in recent years with near-identical grievances. The banners and leaders may rotate, and the slogans get a fresh coat of paint, yet the refrain rarely shifts. From Operation Dudula to the more recent Put South Africans First, along with the Fiyela Movement, the All Truck Drivers Foundation, and several predecessors, the pattern endures. The labels evolve; the message persists, writes Jan Bornman for Our City News…

In a decisive move, Russia has asserted that its forces will maintain their presence in Mali, continuing to support the military government amid escalating tensions with Tuareg separatists demanding their withdrawal. This announcement follows recent surprise attacks that led to the pullout of Russian troops from the strategically significant town of Kidal. Once a hub of military operations, Kidal saw the Russian Africa Corps paramilitary unit retreat after insurgent strikes propelled a swift change in control. The town had…

Amnesty International has launched a scathing indictment against the Nigerian government, asserting that officials have failed to safeguard Fulani pastoralists detained in Kwara State. The organization alleges that a staggering 150 individuals—predominantly children—succumbed to dire conditions within a military-managed facility where displaced persons endured lengthy incarceration. According to the report, these tragic deaths occurred among roughly 1,500 Fulani individuals, including men, women, and children, who were…

In a significant development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has permitted a prosecution witness to testify under protective conditions during the trial of a retired army general and five co-defendants accused of orchestrating a failed coup against President Bola Tinubu. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the ruling following requests from the prosecution, which highlighted the necessity of such measures for security reasons as the proceedings unfold. The federal government has brought forth 13 charges, including treason,…

In a decisive move to bolster national security, Burkina Faso's Council of Ministers approved a draft law on April 24 aiming to establish a military reserve comprising 100,000 personnel by 2026. Defense Minister Célestin Simporé emphasized the initiative as a means to engage citizens actively in safeguarding the nation, stating it would "embed Patriotic Defense within a logic of citizen participation." The government has long relied on a significant number of civilian volunteers known as the Volunteers for the Defense of…

In a shocking incident, eight children are still unaccounted for following an armed assault on an unregistered orphanage in Kogi State. Kingsley Fanwo, the state's information commissioner, reported that 15 children were successfully rescued thanks to a "prompt and coordinated response" from security forces. While no group has officially claimed responsibility for this violent act, security officials suggest that a functional Boko Haram cell operates within the region, citing a history of violent incidents there. Fanwo…

A quarrel over access to a water well has spiraled into deadly interethnic violence in eastern Chad, leaving at least 42 people dead and 10 others injured. Such clashes, often rooted in farmer-herder tensions over scarce resources, are a recurring challenge across the country. Authorities said a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Limane Mahamat was dispatched to the area and that the situation is now under control. Conflicts over water and grazing land have become more frequent in Chad, with extreme weather…