America rolls out plan to neutralise Russia, China in Africa with President Biden tour to next year
President Biden has announced his intention to make his first presidential visit to Africa next year as he seeks to convince African leaders that the United States is serious about engaging them in international decisions and countering China’s rising influence in the region. During remarks at the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit,...
Biden assures African presidents US ‘is all in on Africa’s future’ as he pledges $55 billion funding
President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced an agreement aimed at bolstering trade ties between the United States and Africa after years in which the continent took a backseat to other US priorities as China made inroads with investments and trade. “The United States is ‘all in’ on Africa’s future,” Biden...
UN tells South Sudan government to take urgent steps to halt inter-communal clashes, sexual violence
The UN special envoy for South Sudan urged the country’s leaders on Tuesday to intervene to halt clashes and sexual violence and urged that a two-year delay in holding elections not be used as “a holiday break.” Nicholas Haysom told the UN Security Council that while some noticeable progress has...
Ukrainian army turns enemy-held areas into graveyards after reportedly liquidating 100,000 Russians
The Ukrainian Armed Forces on Tuesday raised to more than 95,000 the number of Russian military personnel “liquidated” in the war that was unleashed on February 24 on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The figures far higher than those acknowledged so far by Moscow. The Ukrainian Army General...
Cautious optimism as Sudan’s fractious centres of power strike compromise to return civilian rule
Sudan’s fractious centres of power may have signed a framework agreement intended to lead the country back toward a civilian government after the military coup of October 2021. However, doubts of NGOs and academics, as well as persistent street protests, caution against over-optimistic expectations. Unveiled on December 5 in the...
America’s a house built on dynamite, so it has to deal with radicalisation if it’s going to function politically
All across the country, there are signs of a more radicalised American populace. It’s become impossible to ignore over the past few years. The US has witnessed an insurrection, the rise of QAnon, increasing anti-Semitism, attacks on the LGBTQ community, and more. While radicalism has risen to some degree in...
United Nations likens fragile situation in eastern DR Congo tinderbox after rebels kill 131 civilians
Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains a tinderbox with the United Nations (UN) reporting at least 131 civilian deaths from M23 rebel attacks in late November. The attacks were on Kishishe and Bambo villages in Rutshuru territory of North Kivu. Preliminary investigation by MONUSCO has 17 women and 12...
How former Kenya public service boss Joseph Kinyua, US and Britain saved the country from military rule, upbraided Kenyatta
Three days before Kenya’s elections body announced the outcome of the August 9, 2022 presidential poll, former President Uhuru Kenyatta had twice attempted to frustrate the exercise, and even contemplated installing a military junta if Azimio coalition candidate Raila Odinga was trounced by Kenya Kwanza Alliance candidate William Ruto, allies...
US releases ‘Merchant of Death’ Viktor Bout in exchange for basketballer Griner jailed in Russia
Brittney Griner, the American basketball star imprisoned in Russia, was released on Thursday after 10 months of captivity after President Biden agreed to a swap for Viktor Bout, an imprisoned Russian arms dealer known as the “Merchant of Death,” the president said. On Thursday morning, Biden tweeted a picture of...
US gun violence: Former President Obama revisits ‘single darkest day of my presidency’
At an event marking the upcoming 10th anniversary of the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, former President Barack Obama reflected on what he still considers the worst day he spent in office. “I consider December 14, 2012, the single darkest day of my presidency,” Obama said Tuesday...
