West Africa

Coup in Guinea-Bissau: General Horta Nta Na Man Installed as Transitional President In a dramatic turn of events, Guinea-Bissau's military has officially installed General Horta Nta Na Man as the transitional president, marking the beginning of a one-year interim administration. This announcement follows a coup that saw senior military officers depose President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, halt the electoral process, and establish the "High Military Command for the Restoration of Order." The political landscape of Guinea-Bissau…

UNAIDS Warns of Deteriorating HIV Services Amid Funding Crisis Abrupt funding cuts and deteriorating human rights conditions have disrupted HIV prevention and treatment services across dozens of countries, UNAIDS has warned. In a stark report released to mark World AIDS Day, the UN agency highlighted a troubling trend: international assistance for HIV programs has sharply declined, with projections indicating that external health funding could plummet by 30-40% by 2025 compared to 2023 levels. The agency's Executive…

President Tinubu Commends Security Forces for Rescuing Abducted Schoolgirls In a recent statement, President Bola Tinubu praised Nigeria's security forces for their swift action in securing the release of dozens of schoolgirls abducted in the northwestern state of Kebbi on November 17. The president emphasized that while this operation was successful, continued efforts are necessary to bring home other victims who have been taken captive across the region. The kidnapping incident in Kebbi triggered a wave of concern,…

Nigeria's Push for Enhanced Security Measures Amid Rising Challenges Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has called for urgent reforms to bolster the nation's security capabilities as violence continues to threaten citizens across the country. Addressing lawmakers and security officials, Tinubu urged a comprehensive recruitment drive for the police and military, signaling a shift toward more localized and responsive security frameworks. The President's comments come in the wake of increasing incidents of banditry and…

PUL Rebukes House Speaker Over Threats to Journalists The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has issued a strongly worded rebuke of House Speaker Richard Nage Koon, who recently threatened to "jail" journalists recording proceedings prior to reaching a quorum in the legislative body. Such remarks have raised significant concerns over the treatment of press freedom in Liberia, with the PUL stating the Speaker's comments exhibit a "dangerous" mindset among some public officials and an attempt to "weaponize state power." The union…

African Union Condemns Guinea-Bissau Military Coup Amid Electoral Unrest The African Union (AU) has issued a strong condemnation of the November 26 military coup in Guinea-Bissau, occurring just as the nation was poised to announce the results of Sunday’s presidential election. This sudden upheaval has raised significant concerns about the stability and democratic processes in the West African nation. In a statement released shortly after the coup, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf emphasized the…

Guinea-Bissau Military Takes Control Amidst Political Turmoil In a dramatic political shift, Guinea-Bissau's military has asserted control over the nation, halting the electoral process and closing borders. This move follows recent national elections marred by unrest. Military declared control after gunfire near the presidential palace. Borders sealed and media programming suspended. General Denis N'Canha cited threats from national drug lords. Power Shift Led by Military Forces General Denis N'Canha…

Nestlé Denies Claims of High Sugar Content in African Baby Foods Nestlé has firmly denied allegations that its baby food products sold across Africa contain higher levels of added sugar compared to those marketed in Europe. This response comes in light of a report indicating that over 90% of its Cerelac baby food products available in 20 African nations reportedly contain added sugars, often exceeding levels found in similar products sold in Europe. Despite the availability of sugar-free versions in European markets, the…

Ever-increasing security challenges in Nigeria, such as the mass school abductions of hundreds of students and staff in Kebbi and Niger states, have sparked national outrage and urgent calls for action. These tragic incidents have not only highlighted the vulnerabilities of educational institutions but also raised pressing questions about the government's ability to protect its citizens. The Kebbi civil society coalition condemned the abductions as direct attacks on education, a fundamental right for all children. Their…

West Africa Media and Development Conference Kicks Off in Abuja The third edition of the West Africa Media and Development Conference (MDC 3.0) is underway in Abuja, bringing together approximately 300 journalists, policymakers, researchers, diplomats, and technology leaders from across more than a dozen African countries. In his opening remarks at the conference on Monday, Dapo Olorunyomi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and Publisher of PREMIUM TIMES,…