Author: kajarbi54

The Gambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Sering Modou Njie, has presented a statistical report on irregular migration from the country to Europe, covering the period from February 2017 to January 2026. Speaking before Parliament, Minister Njie referenced data from the Gambia Immigration Department, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Frontex, which provided a clear overview of trends and developments in migration patterns. The data revealed that over 33,000 Gambians reportedly reached Europe irregularly between 2015 and 2020. A sharp increase was observed between January 2025 and January 2026, particularly in the fourth quarter, when irregular migration routes experienced heightened pressure.…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a 58-year-old fugitive drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who has been on the wanted list of both the NDLEA and British authorities for over 15 years. Ilomuanya was apprehended at a location in Lagos on Monday following a well-coordinated operation by officers of the Agency’s Special Operations Unit. His arrest ends a long-awaited chase by law enforcement agencies following a trail of drug-related crimes across Nigeria and the United Kingdom, which highlight his persistent involvement in the global narcotics trade. Ilomuanya was apprehended and convicted in 2003 in the United Kingdom…

Uganda has solidified its position as Africa’s leading coffee exporter, generating over $2.2 billion in export revenue, according to figures presented at the National Trade Review Conference. The milestone highlights coffee’s continued dominance in Uganda’s export portfolio, even as other key commodities, including gold, remain major contributors to foreign exchange earnings. Officials noted that overall export revenues have grown steadily over the past five years, rising from roughly $5 billion in 2020 to $13.4 billion in 2025, reflecting increased production capacity and diversification efforts. However, the government has cautioned that escalating tensions in the Middle East could disrupt established export…

Households and traders in Bamako are grappling with a sharp rise in meat prices during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a period typically associated with higher consumption. Correspondent Sira Doumbia, during visits to several local markets, reports that many households are struggling to cope with the latest surge, which follows several successive price increases even before the start of the fasting period. Across markets in the capital, the price of a kilogram of meat now ranges between 3,400 and 5,000 CFA francs (approximately $6 to $10). Butchery by-products, traditionally considered cheaper alternatives, have also recorded notable price increases. Traders…

The Gambia’s Vice President, Muhammed B. S. Jallow has responded to questions over the government’s decision to support the women’s wing of the ruling National People’s Party  (NPP)  with a D50 million enterprise fund, stating that the initiative was not financed with public funds. Jallow made the clarification on Wednesday, while responding to questions in parliament during a question-and-answer session. The inquiry was raised by the Member for Latrikunda Sabiji, Hon. Yaya Menteng Sanyang, who asked whether any public resources, including funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or state-owned enterprises, were used to finance the initiative. “No public funds were…

Senegal’s former leader, Macky Sall, has officially  joined the race for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. The UN confirmed on Monday that Burundi has nominated Sall, who served as Senegal’s president from 2012 to 2024, for the top international post. While Sall is recognized for his accomplishments during his presidency, he has faced domestic criticism, including allegations that his government downplayed the true scale of the nation’s financial difficulties. The UN is set to select a new Secretary-General this year to succeed António Guterres, with the five-year term scheduled to start on 1 January 2027. Although the role traditionally…

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced plans to launch an anti-terrorism force with an initial deployment of 2,000 combatants to combat terrorism across the region. The decision was made last week at a days-long security meeting of military chiefs of the Economic Community of West African States in Sierra Leone. Although the idea of an anti-terrorism force has been discussed for years, the creation of the combat unit comes at a time when the region faces what experts describe as an “existential security threat.” The region has long been plagued by terrorism led by groups linked…

Ghana is expanding its agricultural industry with structured investment opportunities as part of efforts to reposition itself as a regional agricultural and industrial hub within the West African sub-region. Speaking at the Chinese Lunar New Year Gala 2026 in Accra on Tuesday, March 3, Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture, called on China to participate in the country’s ambitious agricultural transformation drive. He highlighted strong opportunities for Chinese investors in irrigation systems, farm mechanisation, agro-processing, machinery assembly and agro-industrial zones. According to him, the 2026 Budget positions the country’s agriculture sector as a key driver for industrialisation, export growth,…

Nigeria’s National Assembly on Tuesday pledged decisive legislative steps and stronger oversight to ensure the country fully benefits from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.  Opening a three-day workshop on lawmakers’ role in implementing AfCFTA and its eight protocols, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stressed that treaties alone are ineffective without deliberate domestication and sustained parliamentary scrutiny. Represented by Senator Ibrahim Khalid, he described AfCFTA as a landmark opportunity to transform Africa’s economy, urging the National Assembly to turn continental commitments into tangible national outcomes. The workshop, organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in…

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has suspended three doctors over alleged medical negligence in the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, the 21-month-old son of acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. At its 25th session in Abuja on February 17-18, the Council’s panel found Dr. Tosin Majekodunmi, Dr. Titus Ogundare, and Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh responsible for professional misconduct and imposed interim suspensions pending full disciplinary hearings. Ten other practitioners from Atlantis Paediatric Hospital were also found guilty of misconduct and referred to the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Disciplinary Tribunal for formal proceedings. The case stems from the toddler’s death on…