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.
Why have Rwanda-backed rebels seized two Congolese cities and is there an end in sight?
The M23’s takeover of Goma in North Kivu province witnessed intense fighting with government and allied troops that left bodies lying in the streets and thousands of Congolese soldiers surrendering their arms.
America’s decision to sideline Europe in Ukraine peace talks with Russia stuns NATO members
Later in the day, it emerged that US and Russian officials will meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to start talks aimed at ending the war. US officials have insisted they will only settle for a “durable” peace deal and Ukraine will be at the table.
Congolese military run out of Bukavu – eastern Congo’s second largest city – as M23 rebels advance
Reports and social media videos showed the region’s factories pillaged and prisons emptied while electricity remained on and communication lines open in most places.
EU cut out as US and Russia set to meet in Saudi Arabia to start talks to end the war in Ukraine
Trump, who took office on January 20, has repeatedly vowed to swiftly end the Ukraine war. He made separate phone calls to Putin and Zelenskiy on Wednesday, leaving Washington’s European allies alarmed that they will be cut out of any peace process.
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.
Industry players at Kisumu meet want Kenya to swap sandy beaches and wildlife for nature to inject dynamism in tourism
Director at the State Department for Tourism David Kinyangi described the opportunity to review the National Tourism Policy and the Tourism (Amendment) Bill, 2024 as a historic milestone in shaping the future of the sector.
Habitat for Humanity Kenya study paints gloomy picture of housing in Nairobi’s inner cities
Nairobi County Director of Housing Michael Kinoti underscored the critical need for housing in informal settlements, including Mukuru, Kibera and Mathare, among others, saying access to shelter is a constitutional and basic right.
Congo President Tshisekedi blasts UN for failing to stop war in the east as M23 rebels, Rwandan army capture Bukavu
The rebels last week declared a unilateral ceasefire that the government dismissed as false. They later continued to advance toward Bukavu, seizing several nearby towns, including the town of Katana on Friday. The town is 7 kilometres (4 miles) from Kavumu airport.
