politics

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.

Tanzania and Rwanda have moved to tighten ties, with Presidents Samia Suluhu Hassan and Paul Kagame vowing to expand cooperation that prioritizes trade facilitation, infrastructure links, and broader regional integration. The initiative is intended to speed up Rwanda’s transit logistics through the Port of Dar es Salaam, a lifeline that handles about 70% of the landlocked country’s imports and exports—some 1.6 million tonnes of cargo each year. President Samia said Tanzania is ready to deepen relations by dismantling…

Zimbabwe will overhaul its assessment regime in 2027, compelling every school to use a single national examinations framework. Under the plan, all learners will be required to sit tests set by the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC). Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo said the reform targets the country’s entrenched dual track. For years, many of Zimbabwe’s elite private institutions have focused almost exclusively on Cambridge Assessment International Education, sidelining ZIMSEC. The new…

Somalia’s economy is entering 2026 with improving reform momentum, but growth plans remain tightly linked to political decisions, security funding, and the stability of external support. International assessments point to a central theme for 2026: when politics disrupts institutions and public finance, it can slow investment, weaken revenues, and reduce social spending—affecting household demand and jobs. This explainer reviews what major official forecasts say about 2026, and why political…

Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sharply condemned the recent expulsion of Representative Yekeh Kolubah from the House of Representatives, characterizing the action as a serious infringement on free expression. She emphasized the importance of upholding the Liberian Constitution, calling on lawmakers to adhere to the rule of law, which she highlighted as vital for "good governance." This contentious expulsion stemmed from allegations against Kolubah, including breach of duty, official misconduct, and a violation…

The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation has sounded the alarm over a widening wealth gap across the continent, warning that economic gains are increasingly captured by a small elite while large numbers of workers grapple with rising living costs and shrinking opportunities.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said at least 17 Sudanese refugees have drowned after a boat sank in the Mediterranean, in one of the latest deadly attempts to reach Europe. The craft reportedly held 33 people; authorities have confirmed seven survivors and listed nine others as missing. Since the 2023 outbreak of war in Sudan, over 500,000 Sudanese have crossed into Libya in search of safety. Experts caution that for many migrants, Libya functions less as a destination than as a "waiting room" before attempting the hazardous…

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…