Legal and Judicial Affairs

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…

From Power to Peril: The Stunning Fall of Joseph Kabila In a shocking turn of events, the once-mighty Joseph Kabila, who ruled the Democratic Republic of the Congo for almost two decades, has been sentenced to death in absentia by a military court. This unprecedented ruling has ignited a firestorm of debates both within the country and around the globe, raising questions about accountability and justice in a nation long plagued by cycles of violence and corruption. A Legacy of Controversy Joseph Kabila’s presidency, which…

MSF Suspends Medical Services in Northern Mozambique as Violence Surges Mozambique’s conflict-scarred Cabo Delgado province has seen a sharp escalation in violence that has forced Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to suspend operations at a key district hospital, the international medical charity said Friday. The halt in services comes after weeks of armed incursions that have killed civilians, driven thousands from their homes and severed access to lifesaving health care in an already fragile region. Immediate disruptions…

Turnabout in U.S. Visa Policy: A New Chapter for Ghana In a significant diplomatic shift, the Ghanaian government joyously announced the reversal of U.S. visa restrictions, a decision hailed as a triumph for relations between the two nations. Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa shared the news on X (formerly Twitter) during the bustling backdrop of the United Nations General Assembly, marking a pivotal moment in Ghana's international standing. A Step Toward Enhanced Mobility "Ghanaians can now be eligible for five-year…

Namibia sends troops and helicopters as fire devours a third of Etosha National Park Wind-driven flames have ripped through roughly one-third of Etosha National Park, one of southern Africa’s most important wildlife reserves, prompting Namibia to deploy helicopters and hundreds of additional troops to bolster firefighting efforts. The blaze — believed to have started at a charcoal production site outside the park — has killed wildlife, shredded grazing and breeding ground, and prompted sharp criticism of the government’s…

Struggle for Justice in Guinea: Remembering the Stadium Massacre Sixteen years after the tragic events of the 2009 stadium massacre in Guinea, where security forces brutally killed at least 156 people and perpetrated sexual violence against over 100 women during an opposition rally, the quest for justice remains fraught with challenges. Despite the passage of time, the echoes of that fateful day are still felt deeply through the lives of survivors and the broader fight for accountability in a country governed by military…

Guineans Embrace New Constitution: A Step Towards Elections Amidst Military Rule In a historic turn of events, Guinea has taken a significant step toward establishing a new political landscape, as citizens reportedly rallied in overwhelming support of a new Constitution. With more than 89% of ballots cast in favor of the proposed changes, Guineans have expressed their desire for a democratic reboot, paving the way for forthcoming elections in a nation grappling with the aftermath of a military coup. A Vote for Change in a…

Tragedy Strikes Ethiopian Marathon Community with the Loss of Shewarge Alene The sun was just beginning to rise over Addis Ababa, casting a warm golden hue across the training fields, when the news spread like wildfire through the running community. Shewarge Alene, a celebrated Ethiopian marathon runner, tragically passed away after falling ill during a training session. She was only 30 years old. Alene had built a reputation as a formidable competitor, participating in 27 marathons since her debut in 2011. Her most recent…

Nicolas Sarkozy Sentenced to Five Years in Landmark Libyan Funding Case PARIS — A French court on Thursday handed former president Nicolas Sarkozy a five-year prison sentence after finding him guilty of criminal conspiracy in a case tied to millions of euros of illicit funds allegedly originating from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Judge Nathalie Gavarino said prosecutors proved that Sarkozy allowed aides to approach Libyan officials for financial backing during his successful 2007 presidential bid. At the same…

A threatened lifeline: Harare’s fight to save Lake Chivero For residents of Harare, Lake Chivero is more than a body of water on a map. It is the city’s primary source of drinking water, a place where families once picnicked, where anglers made a living and where the surrounding wetlands buffered floods. Today, people who live along the Upper Manyame Catchment speak of algae-streaked shores, foul odours after rains and an uneasy sense that a vital lifeline is slipping away. At the launch this month of the Save Lake Chivero…