Legal and Judicial Affairs

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…

Tragedy Strikes Nigeria: The Loss of a Talented Voice In a shocking incident that has sent ripples of grief across Nigeria, the beloved television anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu was tragically killed during an armed robbery at her home in Abuja. The circumstances surrounding her death, filled with both horror and heroism, have left a nation grappling with the growing concerns over safety and security. Former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed his heartfelt condolences, acknowledging Maduagwu's vibrant career and the…

Flotilla Bound for Gaza Intercepted at Sea; African Leaders Demand Release of Detainees Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla of roughly 40 vessels on Wednesday that had been sailing for weeks toward the besieged Gaza Strip, detaining scores of activists and prompting urgent diplomatic protests from African leaders whose citizens were aboard. Among those taken into custody was Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, the grandson of former South African president Nelson Mandela, an emblematic figure whose presence underscored the…

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…

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…

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…