South African defence crisis: One of Africa’s strongest militaries faces internal fragmentation, credibility, deterrence and maritime neglect

South African defence crisis: One of Africa’s strongest militaries faces internal fragmentation, credibility, deterrence and maritime neglect

Irregular warfare in the South African context refers to decentralised, asymmetric conflict carried out by non-state actors who use criminal violence, coercion and subversion to undermine state authority. These include armed illegal mining groups, organised criminal groups, smuggling syndicates and extremist insurgent militias. They do not engage in direct, conventional combat.

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Surge in ‘Japanese First’ popularity hands PM Ishiba poll drubbing, media say he plans to quit

Surge in ‘Japanese First’ popularity hands PM Ishiba poll drubbing, media say he plans to quit

Among them is the “Japanese First” Sanseito far-right group, which surged in Sunday’s vote, growing its representation in the 248-seat upper house to 14 from one. The party has attracted voters with pledges to curb immigration, slash taxes and provide financial relief to households squeezed by rising prices.

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New York teachers fired for refusing Covid vaccines take case to US Supreme Court

New York teachers fired for refusing Covid vaccines take case to US Supreme Court

Several lower courts, including the Second US Circuit Court of Appeals in November 2024, ruled against the teachers. The New York City Department of Education, its Chancellor, Melissa Aviles-Ramos, and New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan are among the defendants named in the combined lawsuit.

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Is General Muhoozi Kainerugaba the lodestar of anti-corruption leadership in Uganda?

Is General Muhoozi Kainerugaba the lodestar of anti-corruption leadership in Uganda?

There is now no doubt that General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has been a fast-rising star in the military and in Uganda’s politico-military status quo. As I stated above, his rise in the army was fast-tracked by the President.

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Interests of Kenyan communities tagged minority, marginalised to get priority coverage in state media

Interests of Kenyan communities tagged minority, marginalised to get priority coverage in state media

The purpose of the meeting with the PS BT, is to explore strategic partnership between Minorities and Marginalised Affairs Unit (MMAU) and the Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunications under the Ministry of ICT and Broadcasting with a focus on expanding broadcasting and digital development initiatives to underserved communities, and ensuring equitable visibility, access and participation of minority and Marginalized population in national media and innovation programmes.

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Kenya pushes hard to dispel religious and cultural beliefs that force Muslim women in pastoralist regions to forgo HPV vaccine

Kenya pushes hard to dispel religious and cultural beliefs that force Muslim women in pastoralist regions to forgo HPV vaccine

Speaking during a press briefing in a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium Executive Director Fred Were flanked by Mandera County Deputy Governor Ali Maalim disclosed that the said vaccines had been rejected in northern areas owing to their cultural beliefs but they have talked to their women and they ready to administer to all girls from the age nine to 45 years.

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Acrimonious build up to Kenya’s 2027 prompts Chief Justice to activate Judiciary Committee on Elections

Acrimonious build up to Kenya’s 2027 prompts Chief Justice to activate Judiciary Committee on Elections

Chief Justice Martha Koome cautioned that the country must remain vigilant in the face of evolving challenges such as technological manipulation, misinformation and increased political polarisation. She called for stronger collaboration among key institutions, including the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), political parties, parliament and civil society, to address these threats collectively.

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After months in exile Sudanese refugees return home and Egypt is providing free train rides

After months in exile Sudanese refugees return home and Egypt is providing free train rides

Sudan has been in the throes of civil war since April 2023. The battle for power between the military and the RSF has caused a humanitarian crisis. Over 40,000 people have been killed and the war has caused one of the world’s largest displacement emergencies.

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Irrigation canals project in Kenya’s Taita Taveta County stalls after US president funding cuts

Irrigation canals project in Kenya’s Taita Taveta County stalls after US president funding cuts

In Kenya, residents of Taita Taveta County say they are now more vulnerable to flooding than they had been before, as half-finished irrigation canals could collapse and sweep away crops. Community leaders say it will cost $2,000 to lower the risk – twice the average annual income in the area.

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State legitimacy crisis in Uganda: A hotchpotch of deep state, military state and police state that represses or suppresses alternative opinion

State legitimacy crisis in Uganda: A hotchpotch of deep state, military state and police state that represses or suppresses alternative opinion

We see erosion of peace and security in both rural and urban areas at a rate unimaginable after 2000. Ogega Otunnu (2017) has indicated that the crisis of state legitimacy and political violence in Uganda continues. He has looked at the crisis of state legitimacy under the Uganda National Liberation Movement/Army (UNLF/A) from 1979-1980, Uganda People’s Congress during Obote II from 1981/1985, Tito Okello military junta from 1985-1986 and National Resistance Movement under Tibuhaburwa Museveni from 1986-2016 (SpringerLink Search, 2020).

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