Author: Faith Daniel

France has returned a sacred talking drum looted during the colonial era to Ivory Coast, more than a century after it was taken. The drum, known as the Djidji Ayôkwé (meaning “Panther Lion”), was seized by French colonial forces in 1916 and later transported to France in 1929. It was displayed for decades in Paris, first at the Trocadéro Museum and later at the Musée du Quai Branly. The artefact arrived back in Abidjan aboard a specially chartered plane, where it was welcomed by traditional dancers, local chiefs, and government officials at Abidjan International Airport. “This is a historic day…

A US federal judge has blocked a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the Federal Reserve, saying there was “no evidence” to justify the probe. In a ruling issued on Friday, James Boasberg said federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro failed to provide sufficient grounds for demanding internal information from the US central bank. The decision cancels subpoenas issued by Pirro’s office that sought documents related to alleged cost overruns in renovations at Federal Reserve offices. The ruling is seen as a major victory for the Federal Reserve, which has faced growing scrutiny amid political tensions in United States over the independence…

Mali, Africa’s third-largest gold producer, has created a special law-enforcement unit to tackle illegal mining carried out by both local and foreign operators. The new unit, called the Brigade spéciale des mines, was approved during a government cabinet meeting on March 12, 2026. Authorities say the task force will strengthen oversight of the country’s mining and quarrying sectors, which are central to Mali’s economy. Unlike previous monitoring efforts, the brigade will have judicial powers. This means officers will be able to conduct inspections, enforce mining laws, seize equipment used in illegal operations, and pursue legal action against offenders involved in…

The government of South Africa has summoned the new United States ambassador, Leo Brent Bozell III, after remarks he made about a controversial anti-apartheid chant were described as “undiplomatic.” Bozell, who assumed the role last month, sparked criticism after commenting on the chant “Kill the Boer”, a slogan historically linked to anti-apartheid activism. The chant has long been debated in South Africa, with critics arguing it amounts to hate speech, while courts have ruled that it does not meet the legal threshold for incitement. The Constitutional Court of South Africa previously determined that the chant is protected under freedom of…

A major green energy project planned in Namibia is raising both excitement and concern, as supporters highlight its economic potential while conservationists warn it could threaten fragile ecosystems and endangered wildlife. The project aims to turn Namibia into a global hub for green hydrogen, a clean-burning fuel produced using renewable energy. The initiative is being led by Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, a joint venture backed by the German renewable energy firm Enertrag and the Namibian government. Developers want to build large solar and wind farms inside Tsau ǁKhaeb National Park, a vast desert wilderness along the Atlantic coast. The park covers…

A Chinese national has been arrested in Nairobi after authorities discovered more than 2,000 live queen ants hidden in his luggage at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The suspect, Zhang Kequn, was stopped during a security check while preparing to board a flight to China. According to prosecutors, officers found 1,948 queen ants packed in specialized test tubes, while about 300 others were concealed inside rolls of tissue paper in his baggage. The ants are believed to be Messor cephalotes, commonly known as giant African harvester ants. These insects are protected under international biodiversity agreements, meaning their collection and trade are…

The death toll from floods and landslides in southern Ethiopia has risen to more than 100, after days of heavy rainfall triggered disasters across several communities. Local authorities say at least 102 people have died in the Gamo Zone, with dozens of others still missing. The number of victims has steadily increased over the past day as rescue teams continue searching through mud and debris. Most of the deaths occurred in highland areas where the ground had become saturated after days of intense rain. The unstable slopes eventually gave way, causing landslides that buried homes and swept through villages. The…

The death toll from floods and landslides in southern Ethiopia has risen to more than 100, after days of heavy rainfall triggered disasters across several communities. Local authorities say at least 102 people have died in the Gamo Zone, with dozens of others still missing. The number of victims has steadily increased over the past day as rescue teams continue searching through mud and debris. Most of the deaths occurred in highland areas where the ground had become saturated after days of intense rain. The unstable slopes eventually gave way, causing landslides that buried homes and swept through villages. The…

Well-known Eritrean cartoonist Biniam Solomon has been released after spending 15 years in prison without charge, according to his family and friends. Solomon, who is now in his early 60s, was arrested in 2011 in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea. He was never formally charged or brought to trial, and authorities did not explain the reasons for his detention or his recent release. Known by the pen name Cobra, Solomon became popular for his sharp and often humorous political cartoons that commented on social and political life in Eritrea. His work appeared in several local newspapers in the late 1990s…

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine is sending military drone-defence teams to the Middle East, offering its expertise to help regional allies counter drone attacks believed to be launched by Iran. According to the Ukrainian president, specialist teams have already been deployed to Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, while other Ukrainian experts are assisting the United States in protecting its military bases in Jordan. Ukraine exporting drone-war expertise Zelensky said Ukraine now has “the greatest experience in the world in countering attack drones.” This expertise comes from years of defending against drone attacks from Russia since the start…