Author: fatimah

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…

The Somali government have welcomed the strengthening of bilateral relations with Turkey as both parties on Wednesday the “Protocol of the first meeting of the Turkey-Somalia Joint Labour Commission”, as well as the 2026-2027 action plan. The agreement, signed on Wednesday, officially brings the joint labour framework into force and marks a new phase in cooperation between the two countries. Turkey’s Minister of Labour and Social Security, Vedat Işıkhan, and Somalia’s Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Salim Alio Ibro, met in Ankara on Tuesday to revitalise a memorandum of understanding signed in 2016 between the two nations. The ministers…

Sudanese authorities are celebrating the recovery of more than 570 antiquities stolen from the National Museum during the country’s prolonged conflict. The artefacts were displayed during a ceremony in Port Sudan, marking a major milestone in efforts to safeguard Sudan’s cultural heritage and historical identity. Graham Abdel Qader, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Information, and Tourism and head of the National Committee for the Protection of Sudanese Culture and Antiquities, described the recovery as a “major national achievement.” He highlighted that the artefacts span from prehistoric times to the modern era, emphasizing that their return is part of a…

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ordered all licensed network providers to temporarily suspend public access to internet and mobile services ahead of the general elections scheduled for Thursday, 15 January 2026. The directive, issued less than 48 hours before the elections, was announced by UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo and follows recommendations from the Inter-Agency Security Committee. All public internet traffic – including social media, web browsing, video streaming, messaging services, and personal email – will be affected. The suspension covers mobile internet, fiber optics, leased lines, fixed wireless access, microwave radio links, and satellite internet services. Exemptions have…

Dozens of Nigerien transport operators have had their licenses revoked for refusing to deliver fuel to neighboring Mali, where convoys face, where convoys face potential attacks by jihadist groups. Transport Minister Abdourahamane Amadou confirmed the move in a statement dated 6 January. The decision comes amid ongoing security threats in northern Mali, where fuel tankers on major highways have been targeted by militants, causing severe fuel shortages. Mali, which relies heavily on fuel imports, had signed a deal with Niger in July to supply 85 million litres of fuel over six months to its vast northern desert region. Last November,…

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met with a senior adviser to US President Donald Trump on Wednesday in Cairo to discuss the ongoing situation in Sudan and broader regional issues. During the meeting, President Sisi emphasized Egypt’s firm support for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, rejecting any attempts that could undermine its security or stability. He also reaffirmed Egypt’s backing of regional and international efforts to restore peace in the country. Describing the cooperation between Egypt and Sudan’s national security services as “organic,” Sisi stated that Egypt would not tolerate any threats that could destabilize Sudan and the wider region.…

Guinea-Bissau’s Transitional Parliament has adopted a revised draft of the country’s constitution, marking the first constitutional overhaul since the last amendment in 1995.The revised text, approved on Tuesday, reshapes the balance of power within the state by reinforcing the authority of the President of the Republic while preserving the country’s semi-presidential system of governance. Under the new framework, the government remains politically accountable to both the President and the legislature, now officially renamed the National Assembly. Parliament retains key oversight tools, including the ability to pass motions of confidence or censure, ensuring continued legislative scrutiny of the executive. The revision…