Author: fatimah

Malian authorities have banned the circulation, sale, and distribution of the French-language magazine Jeune Afrique across the country, accusing the publication of spreading what they describe as false and destabilising information. The decision was announced on Friday by Mali’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, Major General Abdoulaye Maïga. Authorities said the ban follows recent articles touching on disruptions to fuel supplies and content they claim amounts to an “apology for terrorism.” In an official document dated January 6 and made public by the government, the authorities accused the magazine of publishing misleading and unbalanced reports related to Mali’s constitution,…

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has taken a commanding lead in preliminary results released on Friday by the country’s Electoral Commission. Partial tallies from nearly half of polling stations show Museveni securing 76.25 percent of the vote. His closest rival, opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, widely known as Bobi Wine, trails with 19.85 percent, while the remaining votes are divided among six other candidates. After casting his ballot on Thursday, Museveni told reporters he expected to win by a wide margin, predicting an outcome of around 80 percent “if there is no cheating.” The 81-year-old leader has ruled Uganda for more…

Nigeria on January 15 observed Armed Forces Remembrance Day, with President Bola Tinubu reaffirming his administration’s commitment to supporting the country’s military personnel and honouring those who have died in service. In a statement personally signed on Thursday, President Tinubu paid tribute to the men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation. He described their courage and dedication as the foundation of Nigeria’s peace and sovereignty. The president also acknowledged the families of fallen service members, expressing solidarity with them and assuring that their sacrifices would never be forgotten by…

Severe flooding triggered by relentless heavy rainfall has killed at least 10 people in northeastern South Africa, authorities have confirmed. The extreme weather has also forced the temporary closure of Kruger National Park, one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. The floods followed warnings issued by South Africa’s meteorological services, which had forecast intense rainfall across several regions. The impact has extended beyond South Africa’s borders, with neighbouring Mozambique also placed on high alert as rising waters submerged roads and homes. Officials say flooding has claimed a total of 19 lives since November, highlighting the growing toll of extreme…

Côte d’Ivoire has unveiled a collection of cultural artefacts returned from Germany, placing them on public display at the country’s national museum decades after they were removed during academic research expeditions. The objects were originally collected by German ethnologist Hans Himmelheber, who conducted extensive fieldwork across Côte d’Ivoire between the 1930s and 1970s. During his travels, Himmelheber acquired both ritual and everyday items while also documenting local communities through photography and film. Almost 100 artefacts, alongside approximately 15,000 photographs and more than a dozen films, have now been repatriated to Côte d’Ivoire. The returned materials represent the cultural heritage of…

The Nigeria government has allocated N7.46 billion to enhance safety standards and operational efficiency across the country’s aviation sector, signalling renewed investment in technology, workforce development, and institutional reform. Details contained in the 2026 Appropriation Bill show that the allocation, overseen by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, will support the modernisation of internal systems, including automation of administrative processes, digital registry services, library upgrades, and improved performance management tools. Planned initiatives include the deployment of a hybrid audio-visual conferencing system, digitisation of ministry libraries, enterprise content management solutions, and the creation of a centralised statistical database to strengthen…

The African Union has urged the United States Senate to approve a three-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA, following its overwhelming passage by the U.S. House of Representatives. In a statement, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, welcomed the strong bipartisan support shown by lawmakers in the House, describing it as a reflection of the United States’ enduring commitment to strengthening trade, investment, and shared prosperity with African economies. He noted that for more than two decades, AGOA has served as a cornerstone of U.S.-Africa economic relations, supporting industrialisation, job creation,…

President Paul Biya has ordered measures to restore security following a terrorist attack on Wednesday in Cameroon’s Northwest region which left at least 14 people killed, half of them children. The deadly attacks occurred in the village of Guidado. Governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique told public broadcaster CRTV that the attack took place in the morning, by a terrorist group against civilians resulted in the deaths of 14 people, among them one man, six women, and seven children aged two to 11 He added that fourteen people were evacuated to nearby hospitals in Ndu and Nkambe to receive first aid. Sources…

Polling stations across Uganda are experiencing high voter turnout as citizens cast their ballots in a tense presidential election. The results will determine whether President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for nearly four decades, will extend his rule or hand over leadership to a new president. The election is taking place amid an internet shutdown and delays in the delivery of voting materials at some polling stations. President Museveni, 81, is facing seven challengers, including Robert Kyagulanyi, a popular musician-turned-politician known as Bobi Wine, who has campaigned on a platform of political change. Voters are also selecting more…

The United States has announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 26 African countries, along with several nations across Asia, Europe, North America, the Caribbean, South America, and Oceania. The move, announced on Wednesday, is part of President Donald Trump’s latest immigration restrictions affecting foreigners seeking permanent residence in the United States. A spokesperson for the US State Department confirmed that immigrant visa processing has been paused for a total of 75 countries. According to the department, the suspension will take effect on January 21 and will remain indefinite while consular officers review how visa applicants are…