Assassination cited in killing of world’s first openly gay Muslim imam as South Africa promises probe
Police have not established a motive for the killing, but political parties and LGBTQ+ organisations say Hendricks was targeted because he started a mosque in Cape Town for gay Muslims and called for members of the LGBTQ+ community to be welcomed into Islam. Homosexuality is forbidden in the Islamic religion.
Africa creates $20 billion financial stability fund to guard against frequent bailouts for economies in distress
Creation of the facility was partly motivated by the fact that Africa lacks its own regional financial cushion, unlike Europe and Asia, which have arrangements of this kind.
Perverse effects of conflict minerals initiatives in Congo remind us of how inaccurate narratives fuel the very problems they pretend to tackle
Natural resources do play an important role for both eastern DRC and Rwanda’s political economy, and it is true that the return of the M23 in 2021 correlates with a sharp rise in Rwanda’s mineral exports, as per official statistics.
African leaders elect Djibouti’s foreign minister as new leader of African Union Commission
The AU has 55 member states. Presidents or heads of government pick the commission’s leader, who is effectively the chief executive of the Addis Ababa-based secretariat running the AU.
Rwanda faces aid freeze if EU backs European Parliament’s position on eastern Congo conflict
Congo is also the world’s most aid-dependent country, though humanitarian operations, which were 70 per cent funded by Washington last year, have taken a big hit since U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a pause on foreign aid last month.
Rebranded African Union mission in Somalia plan fresh crack down on Al-Shabaab terrorists
The transition from ATMIS to AUSSOM has significantly impacted the ground situation in Somalia, reflecting both continuity and new challenges.
Why Trump views Africa as key to repulsing China influence, degrading Islamists and restoring hope among Christians
Counterterrorism efforts also featured prominently in Hegseth’s discussions. He underscored the importance of counterterrorism efforts in Africa. He pointed to the February 1 US airstrikes against ISIS targets in Somalia as an example of the military’s ongoing role in stabilising the region. Coordinated with the Federal Government of Somalia, the strikes reflect what he described as a necessary shift in decision-making authority to field commanders.
Neo-slavery: Steeped in corruption, unable to create new jobs for African countries are sending skilled labour abroad to boost their economies
Sending workers abroad has been at the core of development strategies of Asian countries like the Philippines and Bangladesh for decades. But the approach has not been widely embraced in sub-Saharan Africa, where countries like Kenya have been accused by frustrated citizens of shirking their responsibility to create jobs at home.
South African currency holds firm stable as Trump promises more tariffs on minerals
South Africa’s benchmark 2030 government bond was weaker, with the yield up 3.5 basis points to 9.1 per cent. On the stock market, the Top-40 index closed up about 0.4 per cent.
Racist undertones: Why Trump, world’s richest man Elon Musk oppose South Africa’s new land law
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Councillor Malefetsane Mokoena meets with a family residing on Meyerskop farm, owned by a wealthy white farmer, with whom they are quarrelling over grazing rights in Free State province, South Africa, on February 6, 2025. Credit: Reuters
