Author: fatimah

Nigeria has received a fresh consignment of military supplies from the United States as part of renewed efforts to strengthen the country’s fight against insurgency and other security threats. The delivery was confirmed on Tuesday by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in a statement shared on social media platform X. The support comes as Nigeria continues sustained military operations against insurgent groups, armed banditry and other forms of violent crime affecting several regions of the country. According to AFRICOM, the assistance reflects a shared commitment to regional stability and underscores the longstanding defence partnership between Nigeria and the United…

The Ghanaian government has emphasized the need to strengthen consular engagement, visa processing systems, and immigration coordination with the United States as part of efforts to deepen bilateral relations between both countries. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, raised these issues on Tuesday during a meeting with Rolf Olson, the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy, in Accra. Discussions during the meeting focused on enhancing Ghana-US relations, reviewing progress achieved over the years, and exchanging views on key bilateral and regional matters. Addressing consular and immigration cooperation, Ablakwa highlighted concerns surrounding visa procedures and broader migration issues,…

Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and related security threats. The renewed partnership was discussed on Tuesday when a US AFRICOM delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, retired Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja. During the meeting, Marwa expressed appreciation for the continued support Nigeria receives from the United States and other international partners. He emphasized the importance of sustained cooperation, noting the growing…

Ghana has signalled its readiness to expand economic cooperation with Chinese investors by opening discussions on concrete investment opportunities in trade, agribusiness and industrial development. The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, made this known during a meeting with a delegation of Chinese investors led by Hua Yan at the ministry’s offices in Accra. According to the minister, the engagement builds on outcomes from recent high-level bilateral interactions between Ghana and China, including discussions held at the China-Africa Summit and President John Mahama’s official visit to China. She said the government is keen to translate these diplomatic engagements…

Across North Africa, Amazigh communities have welcomed the year 2976 with vibrant ceremonies and cultural showcases marking Yennayer, the Amazigh New Year. The occasion is celebrated with colour, music, and tradition, reflecting a heritage that has endured for generations. Yennayer is observed each year around January 12 or 13, varying slightly by region. It is a deeply meaningful event that unites families and communities in honour of Amazigh identity, history, and long-standing cultural practices passed down through centuries. Rooted in the traditions of ancient Amazigh societies, the celebration is closely tied to agricultural life. Historically, Yennayer signalled the start of…

The Otobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area, North-Central Nigeria, was attacked by armed bandits in the early hours of Tuesday morning, leaving five people dead. Among the victims was Igbabe Ochi, a former House of Assembly candidate for Otukpo-Akpa State Constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general election. The attack follows a foiled kidnapping attempt on Sunday night at Ekwu-Ora’Odaba, where community volunteer guards, led by Ocheme Jackson, successfully prevented the abduction of residents. John Anyebe, President of the Otobi Community Development Association, confirmed the attack to reporters, explaining that the assailants gained access to…

Somalia has formally ended its security and defense agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), citing concerns over actions that allegedly undermine the country’s sovereignty and political independence. The decision was announced following a meeting of Somalia’s Council of Ministers, which agreed to dissolve all existing cooperation frameworks with the UAE related to security and defense matters. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the government said the move was based on what it described as credible reports and evidence pointing to activities considered harmful to Somalia’s sovereignty, national unity, and political autonomy. As part of the decision,…

Burkina Faso’s transitional authorities have announced a cabinet reshuffle that introduces new ministers and rebrands several government departments, signaling a shift in how state action is framed and organized. The changes include both personnel updates and structural adjustments, with a number of ministries receiving new titles as part of what officials describe as a reorientation of government priorities.One of the most significant moves concerns the defense portfolio. The former Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs has been renamed the Ministry of War and Patriotic Defense, underscoring a stronger emphasis on national security. General Célestin Simporé was reappointed to the post…

A river accident in northern Mali has claimed at least 33 lives after a passenger boat sank late Friday night in the town of Diré, within the Timbuktu region. The incident took place at approximately 10:30 p.m. local time in the Medina Coura district, shortly after the vessel departed from the Bourem Sidi Amar market en route to Tonka. The boat, commonly used for transporting people and goods, overturned under circumstances that remain under investigation. Nearby residents reported hearing desperate calls for help and quickly launched a rescue response. Young volunteers and community members used small wooden boats to reach…

Morocco has taken a major step toward strengthening Africa’s digital economy with the launch of a national artificial intelligence roadmap branded “AI Made in Morocco,” signaling its ambition to compete globally in advanced technologies. The roadmap was officially unveiled on Monday in Rabat during a high-level meeting convened by Moroccan authorities. It translates the recommendations adopted at the National Conference on Artificial Intelligence into an operational framework aimed at accelerating the country’s digital transformation. Officials said Morocco’s AI strategy is built on five core pillars: technological sovereignty, public trust in digital systems, large-scale skills development, promotion of locally driven innovation,…