Author: fatimah

Côte d’Ivoire has raised 220 billion CFA francs from the public securities market of the West African Monetary Union (UMOA), following a bond auction held in Dakar, according to data released on Tuesday by UMOA-Titres. The operation, which initially targeted 200 billion CFA francs, drew strong demand from investors, with total bids amounting to 419.1 billion CFA francs. This translated into an oversubscription rate of more than 209 per cent, although just over half of the offers were accepted, resulting in an absorption rate of 52.5 per cent. The issuance consisted of four instruments: 350-day Treasury Bills and Treasury Bonds…

The Togolese government has extradited former Burkinabe transitional president, Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, to Burkina Faso over his alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The extradition was officially announced by Togo’s Minister of Justice and Human Rights, also known as the Keeper of the Seals. According to the statement, the decision followed a formal request submitted on January 12, 2026, by Burkinabe judicial authorities. The request came just days after authorities in Ouagadougou revealed they had foiled an alleged plot aimed at destabilizing the current government. Damiba, who ruled Burkina Faso from January to September…

Authorities in Madagascar have detained two prominent political figures formerly aligned with ex-President Andry Rajoelina, accusing them of involvement in activities allegedly aimed at destabilizing the country through financial inducements. The detentions followed a series of judicial rulings issued on Monday, January 19, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing investigations tied to the country’s political unrest. Those concerned are Marie-Michelle Sahondrarimalala, a lawmaker elected under the former ruling coalition IRMAR and a former Minister of National Education, and retired General Richard Ravalomanana, who previously served as President of the Senate. Judicial sources confirmed that Sahondrarimalala was transferred to Avaradrano…

Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has recorded significant operational gains over the past five years, announcing the arrest of 77,792 suspects, including 128 alleged drug barons, alongside 14,225 convictions and the seizure of more than 14.8 million kilograms of illicit drugs nationwide. The figures were disclosed by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), during the 11th Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Awards and Commendation Ceremony held at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja. Addressing officers and stakeholders at the event, Marwa declared that Nigeria would no longer be a…

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) say they have regained control of the eastern city of Uvira following the withdrawal of fighters from the M23 rebel group and its allied forces. In a statement issued on Sunday, the military accused the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a rebel coalition that includes the M23, of carrying out widespread looting in the city prior to their departure. The army also alleged the involvement of foreign fighters, including Rwandan troops, claims that Kigali has consistently denied. According to the statement, 20 civilians suspected of participating in the looting have…

The Kaduna State Police Command has dismissed reports claiming that more than 100 worshippers were abducted during a church service in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, describing the claims as false and misleading. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, the State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, said the reports were being circulated by what he termed “conflict entrepreneurs” seeking to incite fear and destabilise the state. He challenged those behind the allegations to provide verifiable details, including the names and identities of the purported victims. Rabiu warned that individuals spreading unverified information could face legal consequences, stressing…

South Africa is mourning the deaths of at least 26 people killed in a wave of violence on the Cape Flats over the weekend, alongside 11 school learners who died in a road accident near Vanderbijlpark on Monday. The government confirmed that the Cape Flats incidents occurred within a 24-hour period, highlighting ongoing concerns over gang-related violence in parts of the Western Cape. The separate road crash involved a vehicle transporting learners that collided with a truck, resulting in multiple fatalities. President Cyril Ramaphosa extended condolences to the bereaved families and affected communities, describing the incidents as a tragic loss…

The Nigerian military says it has killed more than 40 Boko Haram fighters and destroyed at least 10 canoes during a two-day aerial operation in Borno State, in the country’s northeast. In a statement released on Saturday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the airstrikes were carried out on Thursday and Friday, targeting insurgent positions in the Musarram and Azir communities. According to the military, several other militants were injured during the operation. Ejodame noted that the strikes reflect renewed military pressure on armed groups that continue to exploit the region’s difficult terrain to launch…

Benin’s ruling coalition has secured overwhelming control of the National Assembly following the January 11 legislative elections, with the main opposition excluded from parliamentary representation. Provisional results released on Saturday by the National Autonomous Electoral Commission (CENA) show that only two parties met the legal threshold required to win seats. The Progressive Union for Renewal (UP- Renouveau) emerged with 41.15 percent of valid votes, while the Republican Bloc (BR) followed closely with 36.64 percent. Both parties surpassed the mandatory 20 percent threshold in each of the country’s 24 electoral districts, making them the sole beneficiaries of seat allocation. In contrast,…

Laurent Gbagbo’s African People’s Party – Ivory Coast (PPA-CI) has firmly denied reports suggesting it could join the new government currently being formed, dismissing the claims as deliberate attempts to sow confusion within the opposition. In an official statement signed by its executive chairman, Sébastien Dano Djédjé, the party condemned what it described as “manipulations” circulating in the wake of the government’s dissolution, insisting it has no intention of participating in the incoming administration. Côte d’ ivoire’s political landscape has been unsettled since President Alassane Ouattara dissolved the government on January 7, 2026, following the resignation of Prime Minister Robert…