The military leader of Gabon, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema arrived Yaoundé on Wednesday, asking central African states to lift economic sanctions on his country ahead of the 2025 elections. Draped in his mantle as transitional president, Gabon’s new strong man will meet President Paul Biya face-to-face on Wednesday afternoon. When Nguema overthrew President Ali Bongo Ondimba in an August 30 coup, economic sanctions were imposed on the country by CEMAC, the six-nation Central Africa Economic and Monetary Community, which condemned the unconstitutional power shift. Yaoundé also condemned the coup which put an end to the reign of the Bongo,…
Author: Abdulateef Ahmed
Abdulateef Ahmed
Digital News Editor | Research Lead Abdulateef is a self-driven Researcher renowned for his exceptional editorial skills. He is a literary bon vivant with a keen interest in greener energy, macroeconomics, big data, efficient systems, Africa's political economy, aviation, and pan-African dialogues. His innovative thinking extends even into his dreams, where he crafts solutions,in his sleep, to nonexistent problems.
President Julius Maada Bio joined a host of mourners and sympathisers to honour the departed heroes of the failed coup attempt that occurred on November 26, 2023. The ceremony commemorated the valiant actions of 18 officers who stood firm in the face-off against the assailants. Their courageous stand against the looming threat of anarchy and tyranny ultimately resulted in the ultimate sacrifice for the nation. Acknowledging their dedication and unwavering commitment to defending the nation’s constitution, President Bio lauded the fallen officers as guardians of peace, defenders of democracy, and symbols of the nation’s resolute spirit. Their selflessness and unyielding…
Hundreds of angry protesters stormed Nigeria’s National Assembly premises in Abuja, on Wednesday, over the bombing error against innocent citizens by a military drone on Sunday. For over two hours, the protesters stood in front of the National Assembly demanding justice for victims of the bombing. They asked the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, to either live up to his duties or resign. Nearly 90 villagers of Tudun Biri in Rigasa District of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State were killed when a drone of the Nigerian Army bombed a gathering of residents who were celebrating Maulud Sunday night.…
Kenya’s Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o has been charged with forgery and conspiracy to defraud. Nyakang’o was arrested in Mombasa Tuesday in connection with a complaint made against her in 2016. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions approved the charges in a letter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations on November 30. She however denied the allegations and was released on a Sh500,000 cash bail or a Sh2 million bond. The hearing has been set for Wednesday December 13, 2023. She along with 10 other persons, was charged with operating a SACCO without a Licence, forgery and uttering…
Among the nutritional challenges persisting as significant barriers to Africa’s growth and development are issues with undernourishment, micronutrient deficiencies, food Insecurity, limited dietary diversity, rural-urban disparities, the impact of processed food, and limited nutrition education among others. However, beyond the conventional dialogues on the nutritional landscape, debates and discussions are forging new paths toward better nutrition on the continent. The New Frontiers of Nutrition initiative stands at the forefront, transcending boundaries to convene a collective of esteemed experts, policymakers, academics, and leaders within the food industry. This coalition aims not only to dissect the prevailing obstacles but also to illuminate…
Nigeria’s Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi disclosed on Monday in Niger State, that the Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a total of 366 convictions in the prosecution of Boko Haram terrorists that was conducted in 2017. The AGF added that 896 accused persons were discharged for lack of evidence while 61 other cases were subsequently adjourned for further hearing. Fagbemi spoke on Monday at the commencement of the trial for the fourth phase of the arrested suspected terrorists in Niger state, North central Nigeria. He said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this special event marking…
Security forces in Sierra Leone have arrested Amadu Koita, a bodyguard of former president Ernest Bai Koroma, in connection with last month’s attempted coup. Koita – a government critic and retired soldier was apprehended on Monday with two police officers said to have kept him in hiding, Sierra Leone’s Information Minister Chernor Bah said on Tuesday. According to him, Mr Koita “was at the top of the wanted list”. Armed assailants stormed a strategic armoury and several prisons in the capital Freetown on November 26, freeing almost 2,000 inmates. The army stated that the violence claimed 19 lives, including 13…
The United States has announced a new visa restriction policy for officials in Zimbabwe and expanded a visa restriction policy on Ugandan officials to include those it believes are responsible for undermining democracy and repressing marginalised groups in Uganda. While announcing the ban, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cited, among others, the marginalisation of groups like the LGBT community in Uganda and civil society promoters in Zimbabwe. Blinken’s statements did not name any official. Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ law carries the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality,” an offence that includes transmitting HIV through gay sex. In June, the U.S. State Department…
Libya’s Anti-Drug and Psychotropic Substance Agency in collaboration with the police has arrested a member of a drug trafficking gang, operating in both western and eastern Libya, the Ministry of Interior reports. The ministry displayed the seized stash of the illicit substance on Sunday, adding that the suspect was caught with about 123.5 kilograms of cannabis. It however did not mention the location of the arrest. The security agencies have commenced legal action against the suspect as the case has been referred to the Anti-Drug Crimes Prosecution. Last month, Libya’s anti-narcotics agency announced the successful interception in Nalut, cannabis intended…
Niger’s military leaders on Monday scrapped military cooperation deals with the European Union. The deals were intended to stem the violence in Africa’s Sahel region as the country’s army leaders and a senior Russian defence official discussed military cooperation. Nigerien forces will no longer take part in a European-led training mission or the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Niger, known as EUCAP, to reinforce security capacity in the Sahel state, Niger’s Ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement Monday. Before the coup which ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum, Niger had been the West and Europe’s last major security partner…