Mozambique Court Upholds Frelimo’s Election Victory in Disputed Election
Mozambique’s Constitutional Council has upheld the ruling Frelimo party’s victory in the October presidential election, confirming Daniel Chapo’s win with 65.17% of the vote. The court dismissed claims of election irregularities, stating they did not significantly affect the results. Initial reports indicated Chapo had secured 70% of the vote. Opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who garnered […]
US Greenlights $5.5b Arms Package for Egypt and Morocco
The United States has authorized over $5.5 billion in arms sales to Egypt and Morocco, aiming to enhance their defense capabilities and solidify strategic partnerships. Under the deal, Egypt will acquire $630 million worth of Lockheed Martin Hellfire missiles, spare parts, and training, alongside $30 million worth of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS). Additionally, […]
Nigeria Lifts Mining Ban in Zamfara After Security Boost
Nigeria has lifted a five-year ban on mining activities in Zamfara State due to improved security conditions, the mining minister has announced. The suspension, imposed in 2019 due to rampant bandit attacks, had left the state’s abundant gold, lithium, and copper deposits untapped. However, the situation has improved thanks to the efforts of security operatives, […]
France Completes First Troop Withdrawal from Chad Amid Strained Ties
France has begun withdrawing its troops from Chad following N’Djamena’s abrupt decision to end its decades-long defense agreement with the former colonial power. An initial group of 120 French soldiers departed from the Central African country, marking a symbolic step in the breakdown of Franco-Chadian military ties. This move follows Chad’s November announcement that it […]
Mauritius-UK Chagos Talks Hit Financial Roadblocks
Negotiations between Mauritius and the UK over the Chagos Islands’ sovereignty have stalled, with Mauritius’ Deputy Prime Minister Paul Bérenger hinting at disagreements over financial terms as the reason. Under the original agreement, announced in October, the UK would transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while maintaining a 99-year lease for Diego Garcia, a key UK-US military […]
Sahel States Stand Firm Against ECOWAS Exit Plan
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has rejected the six-month withdrawal timeline proposed by ECOWAS at a recent summit in Abuja, Nigeria. ECOWAS suggested the period to allow the countries to reconsider their exit, currently set for January 2025. However, AES leaders dismissed the proposal as a strategy by […]
Nigeria Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Oil Trade
Nigeria has intensified efforts to combat oil theft, dismantling 56 bunkering sites and recovering 1.2 million liters of stolen crude oil in a recent crackdown. The crackdown included the destruction of 15 illegal refineries in Bayelsa State. Authorities also arrested 17 suspects and seized vehicles and refining equipment. Despite being Africa’s largest crude oil producer, […]
Mosquitoes as Vaccine Vectors: A Breakthrough in Malaria Prevention?
Researchers from Leiden University Medical Center and Radboud University in the Netherlands have explored using genetically modified mosquitoes to deliver malaria vaccines. The approach uses a weakened Plasmodium falciparum parasite to induce immunity in participants without causing illness. In a clinical trial, participants were exposed to this parasite via mosquito bites. Two versions of the […]
South Africa Tops Africa’s Most Digitally Competitive Countries in 2024
The latest IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking assesses countries’ abilities to adopt and leverage digital technologies for economic transformation. For 2024, the ranking evaluated 67 economies across the globe using 59 criteria: 38 quantitative measures and 21 survey-based indicators, including broadband access and innovation infrastructure. Four of these countries are in Africa, with Ghana and […]
Rema, Tyla, and Asake Feature on Obama’s Year-end Playlist
Barack Obama’s 2024 playlist, featuring hits from stars like Nigeria’s Rema and Asake, and South Africa’s Tyla, highlights the growing global appeal of African music. Shared on X (formerly Twitter), the 25-song list includes songs from different genres, including those originating from Africa. Rema’s track Yayo secured a spot on the list, reinforcing his status […]
