Author: kajarbi54

Senegal’s parliament on Wednesday approved a controversial amendment that doubles the maximum prison sentence for same-sex relations to 10 years, introducing one of the region’s strictest anti-LGBTQ+ measures. The government-backed bill was passed overwhelmingly, with 135 lawmakers voting in favor, none opposing, and three abstaining. The law now awaits the president’s signature to come into effect. The legislation targets what the penal code defines as “acts against nature,” raising the previous maximum sentence from five years to a decade. It also increases fines for promoting homosexuality from 1.5 million CFA francs ($2,676) to 10 million CFA francs ($17,700), while prohibiting…

The Gambia’s Minister of Finance, Seedy Keita, said the country generated D747.3 million from mining activities between 2021 and 2025. The minister disclosed this on Wednesday, while responding to a question from Hon. Alhagie Mbowe, the National Assembly member for Upper Saloum. Mbowe asked the minister to provide details of revenue generated from the mining sector between 2021 and 2025, including the institutions involved, contributions made to host communities, and taxes paid by mining companies. In his response, Keita said revenues generated from the sector during the period amounted to over D747 Million . Mbowe also requested information on contributions…

The Gambia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmad Lamin Samateh, says the country recorded 130 maternal deaths between January and December 2025, according to health facility statistics. The minister disclosed this on Wednesday, during a question-and-answer session at the National Assembly. Samateh was responding to a question from the member for Janjanbureh, Omar Jammeh, who asked the ministry to provide statistics on the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) per 100,000 live births in The Gambia between 2014 and 2025. According to the minister, the 130 maternal deaths were recorded out of 80,720 live births in health facilities across the country. “This translates…

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a nationwide warning as temperatures soar across much of the country, raising concerns about heat-related health risks. In an advisory posted on its social media platform X , NiMet said residents in north-central Nigeria and inland areas of the southern states are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. The agency noted that a combination of high temperatures, humidity, poor ventilation, dehydration, heavy clothing, and excessive physical exertion can trigger heat stress. NiMet urged citizens to stay hydrated, remain in ventilated or air-conditioned spaces, and use hats, sunshades, or sunscreen when outdoors. The advisory also…

Tanzanian businessman Rostam Azizi has pledged to safeguard editorial independence at Nation Media Group after agreeing to acquire a controlling 54.08 percent stake in East Africa’s largest independent media organisation. Speaking at a press briefing at Serena Hotel Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya, Azizi said the future of journalism in East Africa depends on reducing media houses’ financial dependence on government advertising. “The greatest threat to a free press in East Africa today is not just censorship; it is the balance sheet,” Azizi said. “For too long, major media houses have survived largely on government advertising. When the state is your…

A French humanitarian working for the United Nations children’s agency (UNICEF) has been killed in the eastern Congolese city of Goma, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed Wednesday, urging respect for international humanitarian law. “A French humanitarian from UNICEF has lost her life in Goma,” Macron wrote on X. “I call for respect for humanitarian law and for all personnel on the ground committed to saving lives.” Goma, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s North Kivu province, has been under the control of M23 rebels – backed by Rwanda – since they seized the city from government forces…

Uganda has rejected findings from a United Nations inquiry alleging that its troops assisted South Sudan in conducting airstrikes that left civilians dead and severely injured last year. According to a report by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, coordinated attacks involving South Sudan and Uganda allegedly struck civilian areas, largely affecting Nuer communities in regions linked to the opposition. Uganda’s defence ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the report was incomplete, adding that its troops in South Sudan had instead helped prevent fighting and stop atrocities against civilians. “Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF)…

Nigeria has begun evacuating its citizens from Iran, with officials escorting nationals across the border into Armenia as the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran continues to escalate. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) disclosed in a post on their X account that Nigerians willing to leave the country are being safely escorted across the border. The commission explained that Nigerian officials are already stationed at the border to assist citizens fleeing the conflict, noting that no Nigerian casualties have so far been reported. The commission did not, however, provide details on the total number of Nigerians…

Nigeria has launched a $500 million Sustainable Power and Irrigation (SPIN) project as part of efforts to stabilise the economy and position the country for a new growth trajectory capable of creating jobs and boosting prosperity. The project, launched in the nation’s capital, Abuja, is supported by the World Bank. During the launch, Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, commended the initiative, stating that it aligns with the nation’s development agenda. He added that the project is expected to modernise irrigation infrastructure, expand year-round farming, and strengthen Nigeria’s resilience to food security and climate challenges. In…

A special select committee of The Gambia’s National Assembly has recommended that criminal investigations be launched into former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubacarr M. Tambadou over his role in the management and disposal of assets recovered from former President Yahya Jammeh. The parliamentary inquiry, which examined the handling of public assets identified by the Janneh Commission, concluded that Tambadou presided over “systematic and deliberate violations of the Public Finance Act 2014.” The committee urged the executive to initiate investigations through the police under the supervision of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Tambadou is alleged to have abused his…