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Zimbabwean Liberation War Veteran and Vocal Mnangagwa Critic Blessed Geza Passes Away

Blessed Runesu “Bombshell” Geza, an outspoken and controversial Zimbabwean war veteran who publicly pushed for the removal of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has died in a Johannesburg hospital, his family said. He was 73. The family said Geza had been hospitalized for about 10 days and died at a cardiology facility in Johannesburg. They announced his death on social media and warned the public to be wary of any solicitations for cash donations allegedly for his funeral. Once a member of the Zanu-PF Central Committee, Geza…

Tinubu Set to Embark on Nigeria’s First State Visit to the UK in 37 Years

King Charles III Invites Nigerian President to Historic State Visit In a significant diplomatic gesture, King Charles III and Queen Camilla have invited Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for a state visit, marking the first of its kind by a Nigerian leader to the United Kingdom in 37 years. The last state visit from Nigeria occurred in 1989, when then-President Gen Ibrahim Babangida met with Queen Elizabeth II. Unlike routine official trips, state visits follow a formal royal protocol and are designed to enhance diplomatic…

Namibia Commemorates Former Presidents Sam Nujoma and Hage Geingob

Windhoek — Under a sky dimmed by evening, candles flickered across Hero's Acre on Saturday as Namibians gathered at the memorial complex outside the capital to honor two of the country's foremost post‑independence leaders: Sam Nujoma and Hage Geingob. The quiet, ritualized observance drew a measured crowd to a place long shaped into a national repository of memory — an avenue where the country's liberation narrative and its later struggles to forge a modern state intersect. The ceremony, organized on the anniversary weekend…

Surviving Worshippers Released Following Nigeria Church Kidnapping Incident

The recent release of worshippers abducted in Kurmin Wali Village, located in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, marks a significant development more than two weeks after gunmen disrupted services on January 18. The incident, which initially faced denial from law enforcement, has now escalated into a stark reminder of the persistent violence affecting communities in northern Nigeria. Reports indicate that 177 individuals were taken by the armed assailants during the attack. However, some victims managed to…

Groundbreaking Africa-led HIV Vaccine Trial Launches in South Africa

Cape Town — An African-led effort to develop an HIV vaccine has launched a clinical trial at the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation in Cape Town, organizers announced, with the first participant already enrolled. The study, called BRILLIANT 011 and led by The BRILLIANT Consortium, is being conducted by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and is designed to target the strains of HIV that are circulating in Southern Africa. "The trial is...marking a major milestone in African-led HIV vaccine research. BRILLIANT…

UK Government Found Responsible for 1949 Nigerian Mine Tragedy

Court Rules: British Government Must Compensate Families of Iva Valley Mine Massacre Victims In a landmark ruling, Justice Anthony Onovo of the Enugu High Court has ordered the British government to pay U.S.$27 million in compensation to each of the families affected by the 1949 Iva Valley Mine massacre. This tragedy saw colonial forces open fire on protesting coal miners, killing 21 and injuring 51 amidst demands for better working conditions and fair wages. The civil lawsuit, spearheaded by activist Greg Onoh, sought…

Rwanda’s Kagame Denies Responsibility for Congolese Turmoil

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame firmly stated that his country should not be held accountable for the internal issues plaguing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). During a recent address at the National Umushyikirano Council in Kigali, Kagame underscored the principle that each nation must confront and resolve its own challenges. Highlighting the significance of national security, Kagame asserted that Rwanda remains committed to safeguarding its citizens, particularly against threats posed by the Democratic Forces for…

U.S. Diplomat Travels to Mali to Rebuild Relations with Sahel Nations

U.S. Diplomat Visits Mali to Revitalize Bilateral Ties Amid Regional Security Concerns The newly appointed head of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of African Affairs, Nick Checker, has embarked on a pivotal visit to Mali aimed at revitalizing bilateral cooperation between the United States and the West African nation. This visit is underscored by a commitment to establish "new foundations, mutual respect, and the absence of any form of interference," signaling a shift in diplomatic priorities. Accompanying Checker's…

Namibians Outraged After Journalist Ejected From State House

The Committee to Protect Journalists on Friday urged Namibian authorities to protect press freedom after two recent incidents it said reveal a worrying reluctance by officials to face public scrutiny. The CPJ named the expulsion of reporter Jemima Beukes from President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah’s official residence and online threats against journalist Tracy Tafirenyika as examples that threaten Namibia’s reputation for independent journalism. During a photo session outside a Cabinet meeting at State House on Feb. 2, Beukes…

Ghana’s Presidency Investigates Allegations of Cash-for-Scholarship Scams

Investigation Ordered into Alleged Bribery of Foreign Scholarship Recipients In a decisive move to address corruption, President John Mahama has mandated a "full-scale" investigation into allegations that officials are soliciting bribes from recipients of foreign scholarships. This probe has been initiated in response to claims made during a recent radio panel discussion featuring Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, the former CEO of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme. Nkansah's revelations raised serious concerns…