Author: kajarbi54

Nigeria has fixed February 20, 2027, as the date for its next presidential election. The country also announced a timetable for governorship and legislative elections scheduled for March 6. The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Ojo Amupitan, made the announcement on Friday, describing the forthcoming elections as a significant milestone in the country’s democratic journey. Although INEC has introduced technological tools, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), over the past decade to improve the integrity of election outcomes, the reforms have had limited success in boosting public confidence, and post-election litigation remains common. Earlier this…

Mali’s transitional government has relaunched its annual social welfare programme, distributing food kits to military personnel and vulnerable populations ahead of Ramadan and Lent. The initiative, aimed at supporting citizens during the holy season, features a significant increase in aid compared to previous years. The donations were presented at the Kati military camp and the Military Engineering unit in the capital, Bamako. A total of 800 food kits were distributed. Each kit contains 50 kilograms of millet, 50 kilograms of rice, 50 kilograms of sugar, and a 20-litre container of cooking oil. Two additional donations were made by the Transitional…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called for a reinforced global offensive against transnational organised crime, warning that the increasing sophistication of criminal networks requires stronger international law enforcement collaboration. Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, made the remarks on Friday at the graduation ceremony of NDLEA officers at the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to global cooperation in the fight against illicit drugs and transnational organised crime. Describing the ceremony as significant, Marwa noted that the course was dedicated to members of the…

The Gambia and the United Nations are charting a new course to strengthen parliamentary engagement, with particular emphasis on accountability, transparency, and citizen-centred multilateralism. A delegation led by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Seedy S.K. Njie, is participating in the 2026 IPU-United Nations Parliamentary Hearings, convened under the theme, “Parliaments and the United Nations: Better Together, Delivering for the People.” During the proceedings, Njie raised concerns about the structural, political, and operational challenges that continue to limit the effectiveness of the United Nations, particularly in delivering meaningful outcomes for African countries and for women and girls across…

Five Republican lawmakers in the United States, have accused Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining in Nigeria of financing terrorism. The allegation was contained in a bill titled Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, introduced by lawmakers Riley Moore, Chris Smith, Bill Huizenga, Brian Mast and Mario Diaz-Balart. The lawmakers alleged that extremist groups including Boko Haram and ISWAP have carried out killings, kidnappings and mass displacement since 2009, claiming that tens of thousands of Christians were killed between 2009 and 2025. Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Chris Smith, explained that the bill would…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to support police operations against escalating gang violence and organised crime in parts of the country. The directive was announced on Thursday during the State of the Nation Address delivered before a joint sitting of Parliament at Cape Town City Hall. Ramaphosa said the military would assist the South African Police Service in stabilising high-risk areas, dismantling criminal syndicates, and restoring public safety. The president described organised crime as “the most immediate threat to the nation’s democracy, society and economic development,” identifying the Western Cape…

Nigeria has secured a $62.8 million concessional loan from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, to strengthen climate-resilient school infrastructure, enhance teacher training and expand inclusive access to education. The Nigerian government disclosed this in Abuja, during celebrations marking Kuwait’s 65th National Day and 35th Liberation Day. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, said the 2025 financing agreement reflects deepening Nigeria-Kuwait ties and a shared commitment to human capital development. According to the diplomat, both countries are expanding collaboration in agriculture, food security, renewable energy, infrastructure and digital connectivity, with subnational governments also…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa’s foreign-policy independence, declaring the country’s sovereignty “non-negotiable” amid rising geopolitical tensions. Speaking during his State of the Nation Address in Cape Town, Ramaphosa said South Africa “will not be bullied by any other country,” stressing that the government would continue to defend its national interests and democratic values. He said the country remains resilient in the face of external pressure and committed to protecting the rights of its citizens. “In a world where powerful nations often assert their dominance and influence over less powerful states, our country’s commitment to sovereignty and self-determination is…

President Adama Barrow has announced that The Gambia is on course to achieve universal electricity access by the end of 2026, four years ahead of the global 2030 target. Barrow made the announcement during the inauguration of electricity access projects in Njongon, in the North Bank Region, stating that 719 communities across the country now have access to affordable electricity. Of the newly electrified communities, 209 are located in the North Bank Region and 157 in the Central River Region. The projects form part of a broader government initiative aimed at expanding reliable power supply nationwide, a move officials describe…

The Gambia government, through the National Food Security, Processing and Marketing Corporation (NFSPMC), has disbursed D1.67 billion (over $24 million) to purchase 43,524 metric tonnes of groundnuts as part of efforts to encourage local food production. The investment marks one of the country’s most significant annual commitments to rural livelihoods and national food security. Speaking on the accumulated disbursement, Senior Manager of NFSPMC, Mr Lamin Fofana, noted that the government has so far disbursed over D1.32 billion to Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (Seccos) and paid approximately D351 million to private traders for the purchase of groundnuts. According to him,…