Former South African president Jacob Zuma will face a criminal investigation after he left proceedings of a corruption inquiry without obtain permission. Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo who serves a presiding judge in the inquiry said, “The summons directing Mr Zuma to attend and remain in attendance was at the time of his departure from…
Ugandan security forces have killed forty one people over two days in operations to quell protests triggered by the controversial arrest of presidential candidate Bobi Wine as the government scuttled to send military troops in armored vehicles to rein in on growing peaceful protests. In a statement, police added that 65 people had been injured…
African nations recorded the worst governance performance in 2019 for the first time in nearly a decade due to a widening deterioration in human rights, security, and rule of law, a survey published by the Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) indicates. IIAG is the most comprehensive survey of its kind on the continent rating…
Time flies everywhere in the world. But not in Western Sahara’s de facto capital, Tifariti. As European colonization in the African continent crumbled in the mid to late 20th century, it brought about euphoria and optimism of a splendid future of self-governance. That was similarly the case in Western Sahara, a country larger in size…
Ethiopia’s 12-day old conflict has entered a new front after Tigray forces fired rockets at the airport in Eritrea’s capital Asmara on Saturday evening. Tigrayan leader Debretsion Gebremichael told reporters that “Fighting is still continuing on several fronts” in Ethiopia as regional diplomats confirmed the cross border attack that saw two of the rockets fired…
Ethiopia’s government has laid down conditions for peace talks with Tigray, even as Eritrea’s government declined allegations that it had sent its troops to fight alongside Ethiopia’s federal army in the restive region. Redwan Hussein, Ethiopia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs and spokesperson for the newly established State of Emergency task force for the Tigray…
Ethiopia’s ongoing war in the Tigray region has killed hundreds of civilians, and at least 800 troops despite assurances by Prime Minister Abiy that his nation would not slide into civil war. Sources report that the figures could be twice as high with most of the casualties sustained on the Tigray community side. The conflict…
Sudan has closed parts of its border with Ethiopia with the government wary of violence spilling over. State news agency SUNA reported that the decision was made due to the ongoing heavy fighting in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched a military invasion. SUNA also reported that the local government in…
Less than two years have passed since Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for what the awarding committee said was his efforts to promote peace in the region. Fast forward and how things can change. Abiy’s government is no longer engaging in peace projects to end regional conflicts but rather…
Trump’s rhetoric versus Biden’s policies. If ever words could summarize a story. The most powerful country in the world is heading to the polls in an election that pits the incumbent President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joseph Biden, who served under Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama – the first head of state with African…
After a contested election victory that leading opposition candidate described as a travesty and the United States said was marred by widespread irregularities, Tanzania’s President John Pombe Magufuli has vowed to bury the hatchet and work with his rivals for the good of the country. The once peaceful country that is among a handful in…
Even before the euphoria in Sudan had settled down following the country’s removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, protests began as citizens came into reckoning with the entirety of the deal. Not only had Sudan agreed to pay $335 million as compensation to the victims of the U.S. Embassy bombings in…
President John Pombe Magufuli is a no nonsense man. That doesn’t need to be said again. Through his no non-sense administration, he has steered what was once a resource rich but sluggish economy to a level where it is challenging the region’s economic powerhouses. Picture this. Before Magufuli was sworn in 2015 to begin his…
Seychelles opposition leader Wavel Ramkalawan has won the country’s presidential poll, marking the first time an opposition candidate has won the presidency since 1977. The electoral commission announced that Ramkalawan, a former Anglican priest, garnered 54.9% of the vote while President Danny Faure captured 43.5%. The win was slightly unexpected as Ramkalawan, at his sixth…
Former Burundian president Pierre Buyoyoa has been sentenced to life in prison by Burundi’s top court for the murder of another president who defeated him in elections in 1993. The death of Melchior Ndadaye who had defeated Buyoya to become Burundi’s first freely elected president plunged the country into a 10-year civil war that killed…
Sudan’s central bank has transferred the compensation the nation agreed to pay U.S. victims of militant attacks and their families, allowing for the lifting of sanctions. Sudan agreed to make the payment of $335 million, as part of a deal with the United States to get the country removed from its list of state sponsors…
Ghana has officially become the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve the Millennium Development Goal 1, which is the target of halving extreme poverty. The success stories don’t end there though. According to a report from the Ministry of Finance, the country became a middle income economy in June, and with an economic freedom…
They’ve been here before. Nothing has changed. On September 25, an announcement was made in Togo that would, in any other country, send shockwaves both within and outside. The Prime Minister Selom Klassou and his government tendered their resignation, paving the way for a new team to take over. Then another announcement came on September…
In his fourth trip as head of state, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera chose to travel to neighboring Tanzania and boost trade ties as he embarks on sweeping changes aimed at lifting the economy. For years, Malawi and Tanzania have been major trading partners, though relations between the two nations are not rosy. A border dispute…
Israeli Spyder missile system in action. Courtesy: Financial Times Nile dilemma as Ethiopia’s Arms Trade with Israel troubles rivals Egypt Ethiopia’s installation of Israeli made air defense systems at the Grand Renaissance Dam and the increasing arms trade between both nations is triggering serious concerns in Egypt. Egypt is hugely dependent on the River Nile…