politics

West African Deportees Find Uncertain Futures After US Return In a swift turn of events, eleven West African nationals have returned to their home countries after being deported to Ghana by U.S. authorities. This decisive action is more than just a legal maneuver; it casts a long shadow on the ongoing conversation about human rights, immigration policies, and the fate of vulnerable individuals caught in the crossfire of international agreements. A Cautionary Tale of Deportation The group's saga began with a glimmer of…

The Blaze That Ignited Political Tensions: A Look at Weah's House Fire In the heart of Liberia’s capital, a fire that engulfed former president George Weah's home has sent shockwaves through a nation already grappling with political divisions. Although the flames are extinguished, the repercussions linger, casting a long shadow over the promise of peace and coexistence in a country that has long been haunted by the specters of past violence and instability. A Destructive Flame The Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC),…

As AGOA’s clock runs out, U.S. influence in Africa faces a test After a quarter-century as the marquee U.S. trade tool for sub-Saharan Africa, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is poised to expire on September 30 — and with Congress preoccupied and polarized, the chances of a last-minute renewal look slim. The prospect is more than a technical lapse: it is a moment that forces a choice about how Washington wants to engage with a continent where other powers are already deepening economic ties. What AGOA has…

Mnangagwa’s shake-up in Zanu-PF: a bid for control or a sign of deeper fractures? President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent overhaul of Zanu-PF’s Politburo — described by the party as a constitutional exercise to “reorganise” its leadership — has stirred fresh questions about who will ultimately succeed him and how the long-dominant party will navigate the next era. Christopher Mutsvangwa, the party spokesperson, framed the changes as stabilising: the reshuffle “led to the elevation of trusted lieutenants” and the redeployment…

The U.S. Takes a Stand Against Corruption in Nigeria In a bold move signaling its commitment to tackling global corruption, the U.S. mission in Nigeria recently announced that government officials found guilty of corruption will face a significant consequence: denial of U.S. visas. With a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the mission made clear that "fighting corruption knows no borders." This statement resonates deeply in a country where the scars of corruption run deep, casting a long shadow over…

Alaa Abdel Fattah’s pardon: a relief that raises bigger questions about Egypt’s politics President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s decision to pardon the prominent British‑Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah after six years behind bars marked an emotional turning point for a generation of Egyptians who once filled Tahrir Square with hope. But the gesture — long demanded by rights groups and the British government — offers relief more than resolution, and leaves unanswered questions about rule of law, diplomacy and the costs of…

Malawi Awaits Election Results as Tallying Continues; Calls for Calm Grow Louder Malawi is holding its breath as the Electoral Commission continues to collate votes from last week’s presidential and parliamentary elections, with preliminary figures showing former president Peter Mutharika edging ahead of incumbent Lazarus Chakwera. The slow, painstaking work of validating and consolidating tallies across the country has produced a mix of anxiety and cautious appeals for calm from political leaders and the electoral…

Shifting Sands: The Exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the ICC In an unprecedented move that echoes through the annals of international justice, the West African states of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have officially withdrawn from the International Criminal Court (ICC). This dramatic decision, announced by the military-led governments of these nations, underscores a growing sentiment in the region: a rejection of what they describe as "neocolonial repression" wielded by international bodies. The implications are…

Five Years of Silence: The Unfolding Legacy of Cameroon’s Protest Crackdown As Cameroon approaches the presidential elections scheduled for October 12, the shadows of repression linger longer than ever. This month marks five years since the violent crackdown on protests led by the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) in September 2020—an event that has left a lasting scar on the nation’s collective conscience. A Dark Chapter in Cameroon’s History The protests, which erupted in response to long-standing grievances regarding…

Cycling Through the Heart of Africa: Rwanda's Historic Championship In an exciting inaugural event for the continent, Rwanda is hosting the prestigious annual cycling championship, organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). Running from September 21 to 28 in the vibrant capital of Kigali, this championship is a significant milestone, not just for the nation but for Africa’s visibility on the global sports stage. As the "Land of a Thousand Hills" welcomes elite cyclists and fans from around the world, the event…