Author: kajarbi54

South Africa has announced plans to withdraw its troops from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), ending a military presence that has lasted for 27 years. The decision was disclosed by President Cyril Ramaphosa following a telephone conversation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on January 12, according to a statement from the South African presidency. The government said the move is driven by the need to “consolidate and realign the resources” of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Pretoria will work closely with the United Nations to determine the timelines and operational details…

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday received a high-level delegation from the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) as both countries seek to strengthen ongoing security cooperation. The U.S. delegation, led by AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson, was received at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, according to the presidency. The meeting forms part of broader bilateral efforts to address persistent insecurity in some of Nigeria’s most volatile regions, particularly in the north and west of the country. The engagement comes months after U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), following Christmas Day airstrikes on…

The Ghanaian government has ordered the immediate recall of its High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mohammed Ahmed, over allegations of electoral malpractice during a parliamentary primary election in Ghana. The directive was announced in a statement issued by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of Government Communications and spokesperson to the President. According to the statement, the recall takes immediate effect, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructed to initiate the necessary diplomatic and administrative procedures. The Presidency noted that although allegations were made against several candidates who contested the primaries, Ahmed was the only serving public officer among them, prompting the government’s…

Mali’s Council of Ministers on Friday approved legislation establishing the Malian Mining Heritage Company, a state-owned entity designed to consolidate and manage the government’s interests in mining companies operating across the country. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting held at the Koulouba Palace under the chairmanship of the Head of State. The newly created company, known as SOPAMIM SA, is structured as a public limited company wholly owned by the Malian State. Authorities said the move is part of broader reforms under Mali’s Mining Code. The law expands state participation in mining ventures and provides for the creation…

The Nigerian Senate will hold an emergency plenary session Tuesday to revisit the Electoral Act Amendment Bill following widespread backlash over its rejection of real-time electronic transmission of election results. Lawmakers retained a provision allowing electronic transmission only after votes are counted and announced at polling units. They also rejected a proposed 10-year ban on vote buyers, maintaining existing penalties. The Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), has threatened protests and a possible boycott of the 2027 general elections, citing concerns over transparency. The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), introduced the Bimodal Voter Accrediation System, (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal,…

Egypt and Somalia have held high-level talks aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation on regional security. The discussions took place during a closed-door meeting in Cairo on Sunday between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. According to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, President Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s firm support for Somalia’s unity, security, and territorial integrity, warning against any actions that could threaten the country’s stability or sovereignty. He also emphasized that moves undermining a state’s security or sovereignty constitute violations of the UN Charter. In response, President Mohamud highlighted “the fraternal relations”…

Nigeria has reopened the Tsamiya Border Corridor in Kebbi State, North-West Nigeria, restoring a major agricultural trade route with neighbouring Benin Republic after nearly seven years of closure. President Bola Tinubu, approved the reopening of the corridor, which was shut in 2019 by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, as part of efforts to curb widespread smuggling and protect domestic agricultural production. The corridor located in Bagudo Local Government Area and linked to Segbana in Benin Republic, has long served as a critical outlet for agricultural exports into West Africa.  Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, said…

The Auditor General of The Gambia’s National Audit Office (NAO), Cherno Sowe, has recommended the removal of outstanding imprest amounting to more than D7.284 million from the government’s financial statements. Mr. Sowe made the recommendation in a management letter on the 2024 audited accounts of the Government of The Gambia. Addressing the audit issue under Outstanding Commitments, the Auditor General described the inclusion of outstanding imprest in the Statement of Outstanding Commitments as inappropriate. He cited Regulation 26(17) of the Financial Regulations, 2016, which states: “A Vote Controller shall record in the vote charge book the commitment of funds when…

In 48 hours behind closed doors, seven senators decided that 200 million Nigerians don’t deserve to know if their votes were counted. Here’s what that decision costs – and why it proves Africa needs one electoral system, not 55 fragmented ones. The Room Where It Happened On January 29, 2026, the Nigerian Senate formally began deliberations on the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026, marking a significant move toward reforming the country’s electoral system. Inside a closed-door session at Nigeria’s National Assembly, seven men are deciding the fate of 200 million people’s right to transparent elections. The names matter:…

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has visited Kwara State following a deadly attack in Woro village, Kaiama Local Government Area, as renewed violence in neighbouring Benue State has left at least 13 people dead, highlighting growing security concerns in the country’s north-central region. Shettima arrived in Kwara on Saturday on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assess the situation and convey the federal government’s condolences to affected families. The earlier attack in Woro reportedly claimed the lives of at least 75 residents. According to a statement by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the president instructed the vice president…