Author: Faith Daniel

In the rugged al-Miskad mountains of Somalia, soldiers are engaged in a relentless campaign to eliminate fighters linked to the Islamic State, who have established hideouts in remote caves and villages. Using drone surveillance, the Puntland Defence Forces track militant movements, identifying targets before launching attacks on suspected bases. The presence of IS in this region dates back nearly a decade, when the group shifted focus to Africa after losing territory in the Middle East. Founded locally by Abdulqadir Mumin, the Somali branch grew into a key financial and logistical hub, even supporting operations beyond Africa. At its peak, it…

A major development has emerged in South Africa’s ongoing police corruption scandal, as authorities say a former elite officer has been charged with the murder of whistleblower Marius van der Merwe. The suspect, Matipandile Sotheni, appeared in court accused of fatally shooting Van der Merwe in December, reportedly in front of his family. Prosecutors allege he acted as the hitman in a targeted killing that has shocked the country. Van der Merwe had recently testified at the Madlanga Commission, where he was identified as “Witness D.” His testimony exposed serious allegations of police misconduct, including claims that officers were involved…

Kenya says Russia has agreed to stop recruiting its citizens to fight in the war in Ukraine, following talks in Moscow between Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Mudavadi said both sides had reached an understanding that Kenyans would no longer be enlisted through Russia’s defence ministry, effectively ending their eligibility to join the war effort. The issue has drawn growing concern in Kenya, where reports suggest many citizens were misled with promises of well-paid civilian jobs abroad, only to end up on the front lines in Ukraine. A Kenyan intelligence report estimated that more than…

In South Sudan, a fresh wave of violence is pushing the country dangerously close to another civil war, as fighting intensifies between forces loyal to President Salve Kiir and his long-time rival, Vice-President Riek Machar. In Jonglei state, particularly around Akobo and Ayod, government troops are attempting to retake territory from opposition fighters linked to Machar, who has been detained and accused of plotting to overthrow the government—claims his supporters strongly deny. For civilians, the conflict is devastating and immediate. Thousands have fled their homes, often walking for days to reach relative safety. Families describe being trapped between both sides,…

Voters in the Republic of the Congo headed to the polls on Sunday in a presidential election expected to extend the decades-long rule of Denis Sassou Nguesso. More than 3.2 million people are registered to vote, but the result is widely seen as predictable. The 82-year-old leader faces six relatively unknown challengers, while several opposition parties are boycotting the vote and two prominent opposition figures remain in prison. Sassou first took power in 1979 and has ruled the oil-rich country almost continuously, aside from a five-year break in the 1990s. In the 2021 election he won 88.4% of the vote.…

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine says he has left Uganda after spending about two months in hiding following the country’s disputed presidential election in January. In a video posted online, Wine said he travelled abroad for “critical engagements” and to mobilise the international community against the government of Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986. Wine also repeated his claim that the election results were rigged and insisted that he actually won the vote. According to official results, Museveni, now 81, secured about 72% of the vote. The government has rejected allegations of election fraud and has accused the…

White farmers in Zimbabwe who lost their land during the land seizures of the early 2000s are hoping Donald Trump might help them finally receive billions of dollars in compensation promised by the Zimbabwean government. But opinions are divided over whether his involvement would help or actually make things worse. Why the compensation issue exists During the rule of Robert Mugabe, about 4,500 mostly white-owned farms were taken and redistributed to Black Zimbabweans as part of a land reform programme intended to address colonial-era land inequality. Around 2,500 white farmers were forced off their land. While the reform aimed to…

Rwanda has warned it could withdraw its troops from Cabo Delgado if international funding for the mission is not secured. Rwandan forces were deployed to Mozambique in 2021 at the government’s request to help combat an Islamist-linked insurgency that had destabilised the gas-rich region. Officials say the deployment has helped restore security in areas previously controlled by militants. Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said the sustainability of the mission depends on “adequate, predictable funding,” warning that the Rwanda Defence Force could recommend ending the deployment if its efforts are not supported. Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe echoed the warning, saying Rwanda had…

Concerns about press freedom are rising in East Africa after Tanzanian billionaire Rostam Aziz acquired a controlling stake in Nation Media Group, the region’s largest media organisation. Aziz announced that his company, Taarifa Ltd, had purchased a 54% stake in the group, which owns major outlets such as Daily Nation, Mwananchi and Daily Monitor. The deal still requires approval from media regulators across East Africa. The acquisition has raised questions about editorial independence because of Aziz’s close political connections. He previously served as a member of Tanzania’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi and has ties with several regional leaders, including William…

Former Thomas Partey is set to deny two new rape allegations, a court in London has heard. During a preliminary hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the 32-year-old former Arsenal F.C. midfielder was excused from attending. His barrister, Emma Fenn, told the court that Partey intends to plead not guilty to both charges at a hearing scheduled for 10 April. The new charges relate to allegations that he raped a woman during a date in December 2020. They come after the Ghanaian international was previously charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving three separate complainants.…