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  • Netanyahu’s Easter message: Israel protects Christians amid persecution in Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria, and beyond

    Netanyahu’s Easter message: Israel protects Christians amid persecution in Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria, and beyond

    MIDDLE EAST, April 5, 2026 (NPA) — The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his Easter Message on Sunday, extended warm felicitations to Christians in Israel, the United States, and across the globe, wishing them a blessed and joyful Easter celebration filled with peace and renewal.

    In his statement, Netanyahu highlighted that Christians continue to face persecution across much of the Middle East, citing Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria, Turkey, and beyond. He stressed that Israel remains the only nation in the region where the Christian community is actively protected, nurtured, and allowed to grow and prosper without fear.

    The statement reads in part: “In this land where the story began, as missiles are fired at our capital — referencing the ongoing exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran amid the broader conflict involving the United States and the Persian Gulf nation — the holy city of Jerusalem stands resilient. As the US and Israel remain firm against the Iranian regime and its terror proxies, we continue to steadfastly safeguard the freedom of worship for all faiths, especially at this sacred time.”

    Netanyahu further prayed that the message of renewal, hope, and faith would shine brightly in the homes and hearts of the faithful. He emphasised that even under fire, his government’s commitment remains unwavering — defending life, safeguarding liberty, and ensuring that every believer, regardless of background, can pray in peace and security.

  • WHO Chief condemns attacks on Sudan’s health facilities

    WHO Chief condemns attacks on Sudan’s health facilities

    INTERNATIONAL, April 4, 2026 (NPA) — The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has urged warring parties in Sudan to immediately halt attacks on healthcare facilities, warning that the escalating violence is costing lives and crippling vital services.

    In a statement issued today, Ghebreyesus drew attention to a series of recent assaults on hospitals, health workers, and patients. He described the situation as a “new spate of tragic attacks on health across Sudan,” noting that incidents have included killings, assaults, looting, and damage from air strikes.

    He referenced the April 2 drone strike on Al-Jabalain Teaching Hospital in White Nile State, which killed 10 healthcare workers and injured 22 others. A day earlier, another strike on the central medical warehouse in Rabak injured three people, including a pharmacist, and left unexploded ordnance inside the facility.

    On the same day, the Family Hospital in Al-Daein, East Darfur, was looted, with patients and staff assaulted and expelled. The hospital is located just blocks from Al-Daein Teaching Hospital, which was recently destroyed in a strike that killed at least 70 people, including patients and health workers.

    Similar violence was reported on March 25 in Al-Kurmuk, Blue Nile State, where a hospital was looted, equipment destroyed, and staff and patients forced out. One health worker was critically injured.

    “The continued attacks on health care facilities, health workers and patients who depend on them are unacceptable. This worrying pattern reveals a level of disregard for human life that no responsible actor can tolerate,” Ghebreyesus warned.

    The WHO chief stressed that protecting healthcare is a fundamental obligation under international humanitarian law and called for accountability for those responsible.

  • Eritrea expands forage production to boost milk output

    Eritrea expands forage production to boost milk output

    AFRICA, April 4, 2026 (NPA) — Eritrea’s Ministry of Agriculture has announced significant progress in its national strategy to expand forage cultivation as part of efforts to increase milk production and strengthen food security.

    According to the ministry, in a statement today, 27 types of forage crops suitable for livestock feed have been identified across the country. Forage farming, though rooted in Eritrea’s agricultural history, has not been fully developed until recent years. Officials say the sector is now central to the government’s plan to improve livestock health and meet rising demand for dairy products.

    Mr. Medhane Tesfay, Head of Forage Development at the Ministry of Agriculture, explained that forage-based milk production has been adopted as a national strategy. 

    In 2025 alone, 2,300 hectares of land were cultivated with forage crops, yielding an estimated 109,000 tons of green feed. This initiative, he noted, is designed to reduce dependence on imported feed, improve animal nutrition, and raise milk output.

    Livestock in Eritrea are divided into ruminants—such as cattle, sheep, goats, and camels—and non-ruminants like poultry and horses. Ruminants, which rely on microbial digestion in their multi-chambered stomachs, benefit most from forage-based diets. The ministry emphasized that the type and quality of feed directly influence milk yield and composition.

    Breed differences also play a role. Buffalo milk generally contains higher fat than cow’s milk, while camel milk is richer in minerals. Even within cattle breeds, milk composition varies. Local breeds such as Barika and Arado produce milk with different qualities compared to imported breeds like Holstein or Jersey.

    Officials highlighted that forage expansion is not only about increasing volume but also about improving quality. By diversifying feed sources and aligning them with livestock species and breeds, Eritrea aims to achieve more sustainable dairy production.

    The ministry concluded that forage-based strategies will remain the backbone of Eritrea’s dairy development, ensuring healthier livestock, higher milk yields, and greater resilience in the face of climate and market challenges.

  • Ramaphosa appoints Dr. Makhubu as new SARS Commissioner

    Ramaphosa appoints Dr. Makhubu as new SARS Commissioner

    AFRICA, April 4, 2026 (NPA) — President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Dr. Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu as the new Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) for a five-year term, effective May 1, 2026.

    The appointment was made in line with Section 6 of the South African Revenue Service Act of 1997, following a unanimous recommendation by a selection panel convened by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.

    Dr. Makhubu, currently Deputy Commissioner for Taxpayer Engagement and Operations, succeeds Edward Kieswetter, whose contract concludes on April 30, 2026. With over 17 years of senior leadership experience across tax administration, finance, operations, and commercial management, Makhubu has worked in diverse industries including FMCG, mining, power generation, and public revenue services.

    He has played a central role in shaping SARS’s strategic direction since 2020, contributing to the implementation of the Vision 2024 strategy. Under this framework, SARS achieved a compounded annual revenue growth rate of 7.6 percent and improved voluntary compliance by 3.4 percentage points.

    President Ramaphosa congratulated Makhubu, describing SARS as a vital institution that provides the financial resources necessary for government operations, infrastructure development, and social services. He expressed confidence in Makhubu’s ability to build on the agency’s achievements and strengthen fiscal stability.

    The President also paid tribute to outgoing Commissioner Kieswetter, commending his incisive and innovative leadership that positioned SARS as a key enabler of fiscal stability, trade facilitation, and investment.

    Ramaphosa noted that the leadership transition at SARS reflects the importance of sound succession planning in strengthening state institutions.

  • ADC insists on congresses despite INEC’s delisting of Mark-led leadership

    ADC insists on congresses despite INEC’s delisting of Mark-led leadership

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — The African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a public notice on Friday, informed its members that despite what it described as “INEC’s illegal actions,” the party will proceed with its congresses as scheduled. The ADC said it had duly notified Nigeria’s electoral body through letters dated 27 February 2026 and 28 March 2026.

    In the congress notice signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, and National Organising Secretary, Prince Chinedu Idigo, the ADC outlined the timetable as follows: screening of aspirants on 7 April; appeals on the screening exercise on 8 April; polling unit, ward, and local government congresses on 9 April; appeals on those congresses on 10 April; state congresses on 11 April; appeals to the state congresses on 12 April; and the party’s national convention on 14 April 2026.

    Meanwhile, the ADC criticised INEC’s delisting of the David Mark‑led leadership from its website, describing it as a sinister plot by agents of the ruling APC government to destabilise the party following the movement of H.E. Rabiu Kwankwaso to the ADC. The party alleged that the ruling APC is attempting to hijack its leadership, calling it “the only viable opposition party left in the country.” 

    It added that the plan has reached a new level of desperation in recent days, driven by fear of the ADC’s growing momentum and the possibility that Nigerians may begin to believe change is achievable.

    The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to remain law‑abiding while resisting by all lawful means any attempt to undermine its independence. “If they are not acting on his orders, President Tinubu should rein in his enforcers before it is too late,” the party said, stressing that it remains focused on its duty to Nigerians and determined to protect its democratic processes.

  • ‘Leadership Without Compassion is Not Leadership’ — Obi criticises Tinubu for ending Plateau visit at airport instead of affected communities

    ‘Leadership Without Compassion is Not Leadership’ — Obi criticises Tinubu for ending Plateau visit at airport instead of affected communities

    ‘Leadership Without Compassion is Not Leadership’ — Obi criticises Tinubu for ending Plateau visit at airport instead of affected communities

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential aspirant, Mr Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for failing to visit Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government, where terrorists murdered innocent people last Sunday. Obi, in a statement on Friday, titled “Leadership Without Compassion is Not Leadership,” condemned what he described as the president’s lack of empathy.

    Obi alleged that during Tinubu’s visit to Benue State in June 2025, the president stopped at the Government House instead of visiting the actual scene of killings, and that in Jos yesterday, his engagement ended at the airport rather than in the affected communities. “What happened in Plateau yesterday highlights a complete absence of leadership. True leadership requires presence, empathy, compassion, and a willingness to meet people where their pain truly lies. For citizens who have just lost loved ones, homes, and their sense of safety, being addressed from an airport tarmac is profoundly inadequate,” Obi said.

    The former Anambra State Governor argued that Tinubu’s governance approach deepens the sense of abandonment already felt by Nigerians enduring repeated cycles of violence without meaningful protection or justice. “Plateau deserves more than distant words; it requires urgent action and a clear commitment to ending the insecurity that continues to claim innocent lives,” he added. 

    Obi stressed that leadership must be both visible and tangible—standing with victims, listening to survivors, and acknowledging their grief. 

    Signing off with his political slogan, “A new Nigeria is POssible. –PO,” Obi concluded that if Nigerians truly desire a better country, they must demand leadership that is present, responsive, and responsible at all times.

  • Forget about democracy, not for Burkina Faso — Captain Ibrahim Traoré

    Forget about democracy, not for Burkina Faso — Captain Ibrahim Traoré

    OGUDAGODOU, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso’s military leader, has ignited global controversy after declaring that “people need to forget about democracy,” insisting Western‑style systems are unsuitable for his country. Speaking in a televised interview on April 2, 2026, Traoré argued that democracy “kills” and cited Libya as an example of failed attempts to impose foreign governance models. 

    His remarks follow actions by his junta, including dissolving the electoral commission in 2025 and suspending all political parties in February 2026, effectively scrapping elections promised for 2024.

    Traoré defended these measures as necessary to safeguard Burkina Faso’s sovereignty and stability, rejecting pressure from the UN, ECOWAS, and Western governments to return to civilian rule. He maintained that the country must pursue governance structures aligned with its own realities rather than imported systems. Analysts say his comments mark a deepening of authoritarian rule, with dissenting voices silenced and political freedoms curtailed. 

    The statement has been trending across Africa and beyond, drawing sharp criticism from rights groups and international observers who warn that abandoning democracy risks worsening repression. Supporters, however, argue that Traoré is prioritising security and national survival in a region plagued by insurgency and foreign interference.

    The controversy underscores the growing divide between military regimes in the Sahel and international institutions, raising questions about the future of governance in West Africa. As of 2026, nine African countries are under military rule: Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, Chad, Sudan, Madagascar, Guinea‑Bissau, and Gabon. These regimes emerged from coups between 2020 and 2025, with West Africa most affected. 

    The takeovers were often justified by claims of insecurity, corruption, or political crises, but they have led to suspended constitutions, delayed elections, and strained relations with ECOWAS and the African Union. This wave of coups has undermined democratic progress, fueled instability, and created economic and security challenges across the continent.

  • South Sudan Crisis: UN experts urge immediate civilian protection amid escalating crisis

    South Sudan Crisis: UN experts urge immediate civilian protection amid escalating crisis

    AFRICA, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — UN experts have warned that South Sudan is sliding into a catastrophic human rights and humanitarian crisis, urging urgent steps to protect civilians, ensure humanitarian access, and enable displaced persons to return safely.

    “South Sudan stands at a critical juncture,” the experts said, calling on all parties to cease hostilities and engage in dialogue.

    Over 267,000 people have been displaced in Jonglei state alone this year, with women and children making up the majority. Evacuation orders in densely populated areas already hosting refugees were described as deeply disturbing, risking further displacement and grave harm.

    The experts voiced alarm at widespread violence, including sexual assaults against women and girls, mass displacement across several states, and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and aid workers. They noted acute food insecurity, lack of shelter, and disrupted education affecting over 300 schools and 300,000 learners.

    Reports of destroyed water sources, looted homes, and attacks on hospitals, schools and places of worship, if verified, would constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.

    They urged swift international action, warning that millions risk being left without life‑saving assistance. Bureaucratic restrictions and attacks on aid workers were said to be critically undermining relief efforts.

    “The principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution must be respected. Civilians and humanitarian personnel must be protected at all times,” the experts stressed, adding that ending impunity is essential to halt the cycle of violence.

    The experts confirmed they remain in contact with the Government of South Sudan.

  • Ramaphosa condemns US-Israeli war on Iran, reaffirms South Africa’s sovereignty

    Ramaphosa condemns US-Israeli war on Iran, reaffirms South Africa’s sovereignty

    AFRICA, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly condemned the ongoing US‑Israeli war against Iran, describing it as “another act of imperialist aggression that has placed the global economy and international security at great risk.” He made the remarks on 29 March during the African National Congress elective conference in Limpopo.

    Ramaphosa’s comments come amid heightened tensions between Pretoria and Washington. Since January 2025, the United States has accused South Africa of committing “white genocide” against Afrikaners — allegations Ramaphosa’s government has dismissed as baseless and unsupported by evidence.

    Relations further soured when the US ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, criticised a Johannesburg Equality Court ruling that found the anti‑apartheid chant “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer” did not constitute hate speech. On 10 March, Pretoria summoned the ambassador, demanding an apology for what it described as an “undiplomatic” attempt to undermine South Africa’s sovereignty.

    In Limpopo, Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s independent foreign policy, rejecting external pressure to abandon proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice. “South Africa has stood firm in the face of very powerful and vicious global forces working to undermine the sovereignty of other nations,” he said, adding that his country’s stance is rooted in principle.

    He pledged continued support for nations facing US pressure, including Palestine, Cuba and Western Sahara, affirming South Africa’s commitment to self‑determination and Pan‑African solidarity. “We will not be pushed around. Our sovereignty is sacrosanct,” Ramaphosa declared.

  • Ghana and Zimbabwe forge stronger ties with landmark bilateral agreements

    Ghana and Zimbabwe forge stronger ties with landmark bilateral agreements

    AFRICA, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — Ghana and Zimbabwe have pledged to elevate their relations following high‑level bilateral talks between President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana and visiting Zimbabwean President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa in Accra on Thursday, 2 April 2026. The meeting formed part of President Mnangagwa’s three‑day State Visit to Ghana.

    The dialogue covered a wide range of issues aimed at strengthening cooperation and delivering tangible benefits to citizens of both nations. Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the talks reaffirmed the historic bond of friendship and underscored the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). President Mahama emphasised that the AfCFTA provides a platform to boost trade and spur economic growth, adding that Ghana will from 25 May — African Union Day — introduce free e‑visas for all Africans to accelerate continental integration, Pan‑Africanism and tourism.

    President Mnangagwa lauded Ghana’s support during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and acknowledged the contribution of Ghanaian personnel in education, health and the judiciary. He paid tribute to Vice President Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang for her role as Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa, and to the late Ambassador Ebenezer Moses Debrah for his role in establishing Zimbabwe’s Foreign Service. He welcomed the outcome of the Ghana‑Zimbabwe Business Round Table and stressed the importance of private sector collaboration and people‑to‑people exchanges, including a sister‑city initiative between Cape Coast and Victoria Falls.

    The two countries signed eleven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements, covering political and diplomatic consultations, cooperation in sports, health, energy, tourism, archives, and the construction of a Museum of African Liberation. Trade and investment partnerships were also sealed between ZimTrade and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, as well as between Geo‑Pomona Waste Management Private Limited and Ghana’s Jospong Group of Companies.

    In their closing remarks, Presidents Mahama and Mnangagwa reaffirmed their commitment to work together at bilateral and multilateral levels to strengthen the bonds of friendship and broaden cooperation across diverse sectors.