Author: fatimah

President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) arrived in Paris on Friday for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, following his participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos and a private visit to Brussels, according to media reports. The meeting, requested by authorities in Kinshasa, takes place as France remains one of the DRC’s key international partners, particularly in the areas of diplomacy, security and development cooperation. Discussions between the two leaders are expected to focus on bilateral relations, as well as the political and security situation in the Great Lakes region, where ongoing instability has…

The African Union (AU) has officially reinstated Guinea into the continental body, ending the country’s suspension that followed the September 5, 2021 military coup. The decision was announced after the 1,325th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), held on January 22, 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Guinea’s reinstatement follows its return to constitutional order, marked by the successful conduct of presidential elections on December 28, 2025. The country had been suspended from all AU activities after the coup that ousted former president Alpha Condé and brought Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya to power. Following a transition period of just…

Gambian President Adama Barrow has called for stronger public-private partnerships (PPPs) across Africa, describing them as essential instruments for sustainable development and viable alternatives to rising public debt. Speaking on Friday in Banjul at the 7th edition of the Financial Afrik Awards, President Barrow said PPPs are no longer optional as African economies open up to global business and seek innovative ways to finance development without overburdening public finances. Addressing delegates at the Sir Dawda Jawara International Conference Centre, the president noted that the conference theme; PPPs as an alternative to public debt, reflects the pressing economic realities facing the…

The African Union (AU) is considering lifting sanctions imposed on Guinea, signaling a possible return of the country to full participation in the continental bloc following recent political developments. The move was discussed on Thursday during the 1325th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) in Addis Ababa, where the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, presented an assessment of Guinea’s political transition. He told council members that the country had reached a critical stage in restoring constitutional governance. According to Youssouf, the adoption of a new constitution and the conduct of presidential elections in late…

The Savannah Regional Police Intelligence Department has arrested 24 Togolese nationals suspected of engaging in illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, in the West Gonja Municipality. The arrests were made on Friday after police intercepted a Kia truck with registration number BA 223-12 during a routine operation. Upon interrogation, the occupants reportedly disclosed that they were citizens of Togo en route to Tuntumba, an area identified as a hotspot for illegal mining activities. According to police sources, the suspects indicated their intention to take part in galamsey operations upon arrival at the mining community. The individuals are currently being…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has unveiled its operational objectives for 2026, emphasizing a strengthened approach to tackling substance abuse nationwide. Speaking at the agency’s annual review and planning meeting, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) urged officers to maintain momentum in the fight against illicit drugs by dismantling drug cartels and intensifying public awareness campaigns. The high-level meeting, which brought together directors, commanders, and formation heads, was aimed at setting a strong tone for the year and building on the agency’s record-breaking achievements in previous years. Brig. Gen. Marwa highlighted that 2026 would focus…

Nigeria recorded 565 deaths linked to terrorist violence in 2024, according to a new report released by the country’s National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). The report places Nigeria’s figures within a wider continental context, revealing that over 13,900 civilians were killed in more than 3,400 terrorist attacks across Africa during the same period. It further notes that approximately five million people were forcibly displaced across the Sahel and neighbouring sub-regions as a result of insecurity. The NCTC also highlighted the long-term economic toll of terrorism on the continent. Since 2007, terrorist activity has cost Africa an estimated $119 billion, with…

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has issued a bold call for Africa to pursue genuine sovereignty and self-reliance, urging the continent to reduce its long-standing dependence on external assistance and take greater control of its future. Mahama made the remarks while speaking at the Davos Convening of the Accra Reset Initiative, held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. Reflecting on Africa’s post-colonial trajectory, the president said the continent has struggled to realise its full potential in the decades following independence, remaining ensnared in cycles of conflict and multidimensional poverty. He challenged African nations to “pull themselves up by…

The United States has renewed its call on the Nigerian government to intensify efforts aimed at protecting Christians, urging stronger and more decisive action in response to ongoing security challenges. The appeal was made on Wednesday by US Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, during a high-level US-Nigeria Working Group meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. While acknowledging recent improvements, Hooker stressed the need for a more robust and sustained approach, particularly in light of continued attacks on communities, most notably in the north-east of the country. She said enhanced measures were necessary to ensure the safety of Christians…

The Algerian Senate has rejected 12 articles of a proposed law aimed at criminalising French colonial rule in Algeria between 1830 and 1962, citing concerns over policy alignment and legislative coherence. The draft bill, introduced in December last year by the National People’s Assembly (APN), faced resistance in the Council of the Nation, Algeria’s upper parliamentary chamber, where senators raised formal objections to several of its provisions. In a report issued by its Legal Affairs Committee, the Senate acknowledged the symbolic importance of the initiative but declined to adopt the text in its current form. The committee objected specifically to…