Author: kajarbi54

The ECOWAS Parliament is advocating stronger positioning of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to deepen regional integration and boost economic growth among member states. This was a key highlight at the official opening of its First Extraordinary Session held in Abuja, Nigeria. The session is being convened under the theme: “Deepening Regional Integration Through the African Continental Free Trade Area: Opportunities and Challenges.” The operationalisation of the AfCFTA was presented as a historic opportunity to reposition the region within the global trading system, while serving as a renewed platform to consolidate decades of regional cooperation and strengthen intra-community…

Mali is adopting a new strategic approach to strengthen its fight against illicit drug trafficking nationwide with the inauguration of five new commissions. The commissions were established under the Interministerial Mission for the Coordination of the Fight Against Drugs (MILD), reinforcing the Sahelian nation’s efforts to address the growing scourge of drug trafficking and abuse. The restructuring aims to enhance coordination and ensure the mission can effectively carry out its mandate. The inauguration ceremony was chaired by the Secretary General of the Ministry, Oumar Sogoba, alongside the Chief of Staff, Seydou M. Doumbia; the Permanent Secretary of MILD, Colonel Ismaël…

The Commissioner General of Prisons has announced the death of three people following a shooting incident at Kiboga Prison on Monday, February 23, 2026. According to a press release issued after the incident, the deceased have been identified as Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Hope Catherine, who was serving as Deputy Officer in Charge, Principal Officer I Akishuri Bright, described as third in command, and Ms Ayebare Sarah, spouse of the Officer in Charge. The incident occurred at about 6:30am on Monday when a prison warder, Anguyo Moses, allegedly opened fire on his supervisors, fatally shooting them. Following the incident, the…

The government of Sudan has strongly condemned Uganda following a meeting between Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and paramilitary leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, describing the engagement as a move that undermines regional stability during Sudan’s ongoing war. In a statement released Sunday, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said Uganda’s reception of Dagalo, commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), amounted to a disregard for alleged atrocities committed during the conflict. The meeting took place at the presidential palace in Entebbe. Khartoum argued that hosting the RSF leader contradicted principles of good neighbourly relations at a time when civilians continue to suffer from escalating…

The African Union has strongly condemned a recent attack in Zamfara State, in northwestern Nigeria, describing it as a “heinous act of terrorism.” The attack, which occurred on February 21, left more than 50 civilians dead and several women and children abducted. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, issued the condemnation in a statement on behalf of the continental body and called for coordinated collective action to protect civilian populations. “The AU calls for the immediate, safe, and unconditional release of all abducted women and children and urges strengthened, coordinated, and collective action to protect civilian…

The South African government has received its first shipment of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines as part of efforts to protect the country’s livestock industry. Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen accepted the consignment last week. The vaccines were sourced from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina. Approximately one million high-potency doses have arrived, marking the start of a broader nationwide rollout. An additional five million doses are expected in March. Steenhuisen said the programme forms part of the Department of Agriculture’s new 10-year eradication strategy, which aims to vaccinate the country’s national herd of more than 14 million cattle and restore what he…

Severe flooding has left more than 2,500 households homeless in the central-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo after two major rivers burst their banks, inundating several villages. Jean-Claude Ngoy, head of civil society in Punia Territory, said heavy rainfall in Maniema Province in recent days caused the Congo River and the Ulindi River to overflow, displacing hundreds of residents in the villages of Kasera, Tubila, and Ulindi. Speaking to reporters, Ngoy said at least 2,533 households were affected after floodwaters submerged homes and destroyed property. The flooding also caused significant damage to infrastructure, including schools, health facilities, and sources of…

Nigeria has secured a $6.2 million arbitration victory against European Dynamics UK Ltd, an international technology contractor, following a dispute with the Bureau of Public Procurement, (BPP), over a stalled national e-Procurement project. Despite prior talks of settling outside court, the bureau pursued arbitration, maintaining that payment must correspond to demonstrable results and contractual obligations. Central to the case was the User Acceptance Test, (UAT), which revealed significant functional deficiencies in the system. The tribunal upheld Nigeria’s position that the contractor was responsible for remedying these faults at no additional cost and that formal delivery could only occur once the…

The Namibia government says it is adopting a multi-sectoral approach to strengthen efforts against drug and substance abuse. The renewed initiative follows growing concerns that the town of Rehoboth has become a hotspot for drug-related activities. Rehoboth Mayor Jacky Khariseb, who disclosed this in an interview, said the government is working closely with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders as part of a coordinated strategy to address the escalating problem. According to the mayor, a dedicated committee meets monthly to review crime statistics, analyse trends, and coordinate responses to criminal activities in the town. He added that the Rehoboth Town…

Africa is often portrayed as impoverished, underdeveloped, and perpetually struggling; a narrative that has persisted for decades despite the continent’s vast natural wealth and global contributions. A closer look reveals a striking paradox. Africa is rich in resources, still, the wealth it generates from these resources rarely translates into broad-based development. As Dr David Okoror, Security and Governance Strategist at the International Institute for Security and Governance Studies in Nigeria, observed in an interview with Kajarbi54: “Africa is not poor. Africa is wealthy – but it is badly governed, poorly protected, and strategically exploited. Although Africa’s problem is not foreign…