West Africa

President Bola Tinubu has undertaken a significant reshuffle of his 45-member cabinet, introducing seven fresh faces, dismissing five officials, and assigning new roles to another ten. This strategic move is intended to bolster the effectiveness of his administration as it strives to fulfill its commitments to the Nigerian populace. The shake-up saw the departure of key figures including the ministers of education, tourism, women's affairs, and youth development. Additionally, the junior minister responsible for housing was…

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has taken a dim view of the Burkina Faso government’s recent submission to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, highlighting its glaring omissions regarding human rights abuses. Various organizations advocating for human dignity have urgently appealed for enhanced protections for civilians amidst the ongoing armed struggles. They emphasize the necessity of lifting restrictions placed on journalists, dissenters, and political opponents, while also demanding that those responsible for…

In a significant turn of events, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has decided to drop all legal allegations against Tigran Gambaryan, a senior executive at Binance Holdings. Gambaryan, who had been held in custody since April, can finally breathe a sigh of relief. According to the anti-corruption agency, the focus will now shift to advancing the ongoing money laundering case against Binance itself, as they determined that Gambaryan merely served as an employee and did not play a role in pivotal business…

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the head honcho of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in parliament, recently expressed serious concerns regarding the Speaker's decision to abruptly adjourn the assembly. He declared that the Speaker's move was misguided and hinted at his intentions to initiate a recall. This interruption by Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin came amidst a heated contention over which party rightfully holds the majority in Parliament, a matter complicated by a recent shuffle of MPs switching allegiances ahead of the…

Idris Elba has set his sights on a significant shift in his life over the next ten years — he wants to move to Africa. This isn’t just a personal endeavor; it’s a heartfelt commitment to bolster the continent's burgeoning film sector. With an eye toward progress, Elba envisions constructing film studios in two pivotal locations: Zanzibar in Tanzania and Accra in Ghana. He believes it’s high time for Africans to take charge of their own stories. “We need to reclaim our narratives,” he asserts, urging a break from the confines…

As Guinea-Bissau gears up for its forthcoming elections, a notable chill has fallen over the media landscape, prompting serious worries about the state of press freedom in the country. Many media outlets face insurmountable obstacles, particularly the hefty $5,000 licensing fees imposed by the government, which they must pay to continue broadcasting. Consequently, a significant number of radio stations have found it challenging, if not impossible, to muster the funds necessary to renew their licenses in time for the…

The Capitol Building, the heart of Liberia's legislative activities, became a hotspot for political unrest recently. This past Thursday, a faction within the Lower House attempted to unseat Speaker Fonati Koffa. However, their scheme unraveled when Koffa's loyal supporters, despite his absence abroad, intervened spectacularly, closing the Chamber doors and halting the coup attempt. Reportedly, those lawmakers who endorsed the resolution to oust the Speaker believed they were promised a hefty payday of U.S. $25,000 each.…

Kawu Sumaila has stepped into the role of Chairman for the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and is already raising crucial questions about Nigeria's level of transparency in the oil sector. Taking over this position after the untimely passing of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Sumaila shared his vision for combating the pervasive secrecy that seems to cloak the industry like a heavy fog. Historically, Nigeria’s oil industry has faced harsh scrutiny due to its lack of transparency. This sector is not just vital;…

Nigeria has taken a significant leap forward in the battle against malaria, receiving a remarkable shipment of one million doses of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, courtesy of the Gavi Alliance. This marks a pivotal moment in the nation's ongoing struggle against this deadly disease. The vaccination campaign is slated to kick off in November, focusing on the states of Kebbi and Bayelsa, both of which suffer from high rates of malaria. With this move, Nigeria finds itself among the pioneering countries globally to embrace…

Bishop Samuel J. Quire, the prominent leader of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Liberia, has recently expressed deep concerns regarding reports of several congregations pondering a split from the denomination. Their contemplation of such a move stems from the heated discussions surrounding the acceptance of same-sex marriage within the church. Quire firmly emphasized that no congregation under the Methodist banner is entitled to sever ties, highlighting that those contemplating such a decision are straying from the…