Africa

Militants Attack Nigerian Army Base in Borno
Armed Forces, Boko Haram, News, Nigeria, Security, Terrorism

Militants Attack Nigerian Army Base in Borno

Maiduguri, Nigeria – May 13, 2025 * Soldiers Missing Amid Rising Insurgency Suspected Islamist militants launched a brazen attack on a Nigerian army base in Borno’s Marte Local Government Area in the early hours of Monday, May 12, 2025, leaving several soldiers dead, injured, and missing, according to security sources. The assault, attributed to either Boko Haram or its splinter group Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), marks a troubling escalation in the region’s long-running insurgency, raising fears of a major militant resurgence. The attack targeted the 153 Task Force Battalion base in Marte district, a remote area near Lake Chad, starting around 2:00 AM GMT. A soldier who escaped the assault described how the militants, arriving on motorbikes and gun trucks, laid si...
Kenya’s New Tax Bill Risks Reigniting Gen Z Protests
African Development, Economy, Finance, Kenya, News

Kenya’s New Tax Bill Risks Reigniting Gen Z Protests

Nairobi, Kenya – May 13, 2025 Kenya’s government is walking a tightrope as it prepares to table a new finance bill for the 2025/26 budget, proposing tax hikes on digital services and fuel to address a looming budget deficit. Despite assurances from Finance Minister John Mbadi on May 7, 2025, that the budget would avoid major new taxes to prevent a repeat of the deadly 2024 protests, recent leaks suggest the government may be reversing course. With the memory of last year’s violent Gen Z protests still fresh—where over 60 young Kenyans were killed and parliament was stormed—the proposed bill threatens to reignite a youth-led movement that could plunge the country into further unrest. Analysts warn that the government’s fiscal strategy, set against a backdrop of economic hardship and erod...
Hunger Crisis in West & Central Africa Worsens
Africa, United Nations

Hunger Crisis in West & Central Africa Worsens

Dakar, Senegal – May 12, 2025 Without immediate funding, WFP will be forced to scale down even further, both in the number of people reached and the size of food rations distributed A dire hunger crisis is unfolding in West and Central Africa, with nearly 53 million people projected to face severe food insecurity during the June-August 2025 lean season, according to the latest Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis. The World Food Programme (WFP) has sounded the alarm, warning that almost three million people are at risk of emergency or catastrophic hunger levels, with 2,600 individuals in Mali facing the most extreme conditions (IPC/CH Phase 5). This marks a 16-million-person increase in food insecurity since earlier this year, driven by a toxic combination of conflict, climate sh...
First Set of Afrikaner Refugees Arrives U.S.
Human Rights, South Africa, United States of America

First Set of Afrikaner Refugees Arrives U.S.

A group of 49 white South Africans, primarily Afrikaners, landed at Washington Dulles International Airport on Monday, marking the first wave of refugees resettled under a controversial U.S. executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February 2025. The order prioritizes refugee status for Afrikaners, citing “government-sponsored race-based discrimination” in South Africa, particularly referencing the country’s Expropriation Act 13 of 2024. The move has sparked intense debate in both nations, with critics calling it politically motivated and supporters arguing it addresses legitimate grievances of a minority group. The Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch and French settlers who arrived in South Africa in the 17th century, boarded a U.S.-funded charter flight from Johannesburg’s O.R...
Africa Weekly News Roundup: May 3–9, 2025
Africa, African Development, Economy, Security, Violence

Africa Weekly News Roundup: May 3–9, 2025

The past week in Africa was marked by significant developments across political, economic, social, and humanitarian spheres. From escalating conflicts and economic reforms to cultural milestones and environmental challenges, the continent saw a range of events that shaped its trajectory. Below is a detailed roundup of the major news stories from Africa for the week of May 3–9, 2025, organized by key themes. Political Developments Nigeria’s Senate Passes Tax Reform Bills On May 9, Nigeria’s Senate approved tax reform bills aimed at boosting government revenue, a critical step in addressing the country’s fiscal challenges. The reforms focus on improving tax collection efficiency and broadening the tax base to reduce dependency on oil revenues. However, the International Monetary...
M23 Rebels Trigger Humanitarian Crisis Amid Regional Tensions
African Union, Congo, News, Rwanda

M23 Rebels Trigger Humanitarian Crisis Amid Regional Tensions

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is grappling with a deepening crisis as the M23 rebel group intensifies its campaign in the country's mineral-rich east, displacing tens of thousands and exacerbating one of the world's most severe humanitarian emergencies. As of today, over 50,000 people have fled their homes due to forced conscriptions and violent clashes, with the rebels' recent territorial gains reigniting fears of a broader regional conflict. M23's Rapid Advance and Forced Conscriptions The M23, a Tutsi-led militia widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, has made significant strides in eastern DRC since late 2024. The group captured Goma, the bustling capital of North Kivu province, in late January, followed by Bukavu, the South Kivu provincial capital, in mid-February. The...
Guinea-Bissau’s President Threatens to Expel ECOWAS Mission
ECOWAS, Guinea-Bissau, News

Guinea-Bissau’s President Threatens to Expel ECOWAS Mission

Political tensions in Guinea-Bissau reached a boiling point on Monday as President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s threat to expel a mediation mission from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) dominated headlines across Africa. The dramatic standoff, which saw the ECOWAS team abruptly depart the country over the weekend, has raised fresh concerns about stability in the coup-prone West African nation and the broader region’s unity. The ECOWAS mission, deployed in late February to broker a resolution to an ongoing election dispute, left Bissau in the early hours of March 1 after what the regional bloc described as explicit threats from President Embalo. The delegation had been tasked with facilitating dialogue between the government and opposition parties over the timing of legis...
Retreating Congolese Army Leaves Child Soldiers in Bukavu
Armed Forces, Congo, News, Rwanda, Violence

Retreating Congolese Army Leaves Child Soldiers in Bukavu

BUKAVU, Democratic Republic of Congo – In the ongoing crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Congolese army's retreat from the city of Bukavu has left a vacuum that not only M23 rebels but also children have filled, taking up arms amid the chaos. This development underscores the desperate security situation in the region as M23 rebels, with alleged support from Rwanda, continue their advance, challenging the sovereignty of Congo's eastern borderlands. A City Under Siege: Reports from the ground indicate the M23 rebels have entered Bukavu, a significant commercial and mining hub, following their capture of Goma, the largest city in the area, earlier this month. The Congolese army, known as FARDC, has reportedly withdrawn from strategic positions to avoid urban c...
Inflation Report: “Our Reality on the Ground is Different”
Cost of Living, Economy, Finance, News, Nigeria

Inflation Report: “Our Reality on the Ground is Different”

Bloomberg's recent announcement of Nigeria's inflation rate dropping to 24.48% in January 2025 has sparked widespread skepticism and outright rejection among Nigerian citizens. Despite the National Bureau of Statistics' (NBS) claim of a significant decrease from December's 34.80%, many Nigerians argue that the data does not reflect their daily economic struggles. The NBS attributed the drop to a rebasing of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a move intended to update the basket of goods and services used to measure inflation. However, this statistical adjustment has not translated into tangible relief for the average Nigerian. Public Reaction: In the bustling markets of Lagos, traders like Mrs. Adaeze Okonkwo, who sells staple foods, expressed frustration. "They say inflation is down...
African Union Summit 2025
Africa

African Union Summit 2025

Addressing Conflicts, Resource Competition, and Development Setbacks in Ethiopia The 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Summit commenced today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations." The summit, a pivotal gathering of African heads of state, ministers, and international delegates, has placed conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), resource competition, and development setbacks at the forefront of its agenda. As the continent grapples with escalating crises, the AU faces mounting pressure to deliver actionable solutions and demonstrate leadership in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. The summit opened with a powerful call for unity from Ethiopian Foreign Minister Ged...