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Category: Africa

  • DRC Deepens Cooperation with Uganda and Russia

    DRC Deepens Cooperation with Uganda and Russia

    KINSHASA, DRC (NPA) — The Congolese Minister of State, H.E. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, today, received in audience the Ugandan Republic’s Deputy Minister for Regional Integration, John Mulimba. The DRC’s Minister for Regional Integration, Floribert Anzuluni Isiloketshi, also joined the discussions.

    Talks focused on preparations for the 9th session of the DRC–Uganda Joint Great Commission, scheduled to take place in Uganda from May 8 to 12, 2026. The meeting reflects the two countries’ shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across sectors of mutual interest.

    In a separate engagement the same day, Minister Wagner also met with H.E. Karl Tikhaze, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the DRC. Their discussions centered on the DRC’s participation in the upcoming 3rd Russia–Africa Summit, set for October 28–29, 2026 in Moscow.

    The Minister welcomed Russia’s continued support for the DRC, particularly on security challenges in the eastern region. Talks also explored collaboration on peace and security issues in the context of the DRC’s upcoming presidency of the United Nations Security Council in July 2026.

    Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the DRC–Russia strategic partnership, with emphasis on cooperation in health, scientific research, education, and judicial affairs.

  • Amnesty International accuses China of blocking RightsCon event

    Amnesty International accuses China of blocking RightsCon event

    LUSAKA, Zambia (NPA) — Amnesty International has accused China of being behind the sudden stoppage of RightsCon, the global technology and human rights conference scheduled to open in Lusaka, Zambia from Tuesday until Friday this week.

    Organizers said foreign interference forced the postponement, marking what Amnesty described as a growing pattern of Chinese authorities using influence to silence dissent and restrict open dialogue.

    More than 5,000 participants from 150 countries and 750 organizations had registered, and this would have been the first time the event was hosted in Sub‑Saharan Africa.

    Amnesty condemned the development as censorship and a direct attack on freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. “State‑driven intimidation must face consequences,” the group said, urging the Zambian government to disclose the full reasons behind the cancellation.

    The rights group called on all states to support the event organizer, Access Now, in securing an alternative venue to ensure RightsCon takes place this year. The organization warned that efforts to suppress debate undermine democratic values and global cooperation on human rights.

  • AU positions sport as engine of jobs, unity and growth under Agenda 2063

    AU positions sport as engine of jobs, unity and growth under Agenda 2063

    YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon (NPA) — The African Union says sport is increasingly becoming a strategic driver of economic growth, job creation, and continental unity as Africa seeks to redefine its global influence under Agenda 2063.

    This position was highlighted in an engagement with the Head of the African Union Sports Council, Chipande, who outlined how the AU is repositioning sport as a central pillar of development policy across member states.

    The African Union Sports Council (AUSC), a specialised technical office of the African Union, was established following the endorsement of its statute by African Heads of State and Government in 2016. It is headquartered in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and serves as the coordinating body for the African sports movement.

    Its mandate includes coordinating sports policy development across member states, promoting sport as a fundamental human right, and advancing “sport-for-development” initiatives aimed at youth empowerment, skills development, and social integration.

    The council is also responsible for facilitating the alignment of national sports policies with the African Union framework for sustainable sports development, as well as overseeing the organisation of the African Games and improving their global profile.

    In addition, the AUSC promotes good governance, democratic values, human rights, gender equality, and social inclusion within the sports sector, while strengthening cooperation among member states.

    Sport governance in Africa has evolved through decades of institutional reform. The structure traces its roots to the 1966 establishment of the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA), which was later recognised by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) as the coordinating body for continental sports development.

    Following the formation of the African Union in 2002, member states pushed for a renewed sports architecture aligned with continental development goals. This led to the dissolution of the SCSA in 2012 and the creation of a new framework approved in 2016, culminating in the establishment of the current AUSC.

    The AUSC Secretariat, based in Yaoundé, serves as the administrative hub of the institution, coordinating programmes, research, conferences, and implementation of policy decisions under the guidance of a Sports Advisory Board. It is staffed by professionals under the African Union Commission and oversees day-to-day operations of continental sports initiatives.

    Officials say the integration of sport into Africa’s development agenda reflects a broader shift toward leveraging the sports and creative economy as tools for employment generation, regional integration, and global competitiveness.

  • ECOWAS parliament orders probe into rising terror attacks, xenophobic violence

    ECOWAS parliament orders probe into rising terror attacks, xenophobic violence

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The ECOWAS Parliament has ordered an investigation into the escalating wave of terrorism across West Africa, as well as recent xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants in South Africa.

    The resolution was adopted during plenary at the First 2026 Ordinary Session of the regional parliament held on Tuesday in Abuja, following a motion raised by Ghanaian lawmaker and Third Deputy Speaker, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, on a matter he described as one of “urgent, direct and profound importance.”

    The parliament subsequently mandated its Committee on Political Affairs to investigate recent terror incidents across the sub-region, particularly in Mali and Burkina Faso, alongside xenophobic violence in South Africa affecting citizens of ECOWAS member states.

    Presenting the motion, Afenyo-Markin called for urgent accountability and stronger protections for West African nationals, citing growing concerns over their safety both within the sub-region and abroad.

    “A regional community that cannot protect its own citizens in transit has not yet earned its name,” he said, invoking Rule 71 of the Parliament.

    The lawmaker recalled the February 14 terrorist attack in northern Burkina Faso, where militants linked to Al-Qaeda reportedly intercepted a truck carrying 18 Ghanaian tomato traders. He said the attackers separated the men from the women before executing them and setting the vehicle ablaze with the driver inside.

    “These were not statistics. They were breadwinners, fathers and sons — the quiet engines of the regional supply chain that feeds our markets,” he said.

    Afenyo-Markin also referenced a separate attack in Mali on April 25, which he said claimed the life of Defence Minister Gen. Sadio Camara, adding that the incident disrupted the Ghana–Mali trade corridor and heightened fears over cross-border travel.

    He criticised what he described as ECOWAS’ failure to fully implement the 1979 Free Movement Protocol, noting that conflicting national policies have continued to expose citizens to harassment at borders.

    “The daily reality of our citizens contradicts the promise at every turn,” he added.

    On xenophobic violence, the Ghanaian MP cited incidents in KwaZulu-Natal, Cape Town, and Pretoria, where nationals from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia were reportedly killed, displaced, or had their businesses looted.

    He noted that recent remarks by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemning xenophobia were insufficient without concrete enforcement measures.

    “Words delivered from a ceremonial platform do not arrest a single perpetrator. The safety of our people must never be a matter open to devastation,” he said.

    Afenyo-Markin urged the South African government to conduct immediate, thorough, and transparent investigations into the attacks and ensure perpetrators are prosecuted.

    He further proposed that a formal communication be sent to the South African Parliament and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights for appropriate action.

  • South African security authorities warn protesters over xenophobic violence

    South African security authorities warn protesters over xenophobic violence

    PRETORIA, South Africa (NPA) — The South African Police Service National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) has warned individuals and groups participating in protests across the country to conduct themselves peacefully and within the confines of the law amid rising tensions linked to xenophobic violence.

    The security warning comes following renewed attacks and killings of foreign African nationals in parts of South Africa, with disturbing videos circulating on social media attracting international condemnation.

    In a statement, NATJOINTS stressed that while the South African Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful protest, such rights must not be exercised through violence, intimidation, or unlawful conduct.

    Protesters were urged to refrain from inciting violence, avoid carrying dangerous weapons, respect the rights and dignity of all persons regardless of nationality, and comply with directives issued by law enforcement officers deployed to maintain public order.

    The agency said security personnel had also been directed to strictly enforce the law and take decisive action against individuals found carrying weapons or engaging in incitement. “NATJOINTS will not tolerate any actions that threaten public safety or undermine the rule of law,” the statement said.

    According to the security structure, members of the SAPS Public Order Police have been deployed to monitor demonstrations and ensure law and order is maintained, warning that anyone found violating the law would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

    NATJOINTS further reiterated that acts of vigilantism and lawlessness would not be tolerated under any circumstances. The agency added that joint operational structures across the country remained actively engaged in combating crime through intensified security operations, including Operation Shanela, which it said continues to result in the arrest of thousands of suspects weekly for various violent and serious crimes.

    The renewed wave of xenophobic violence has triggered criticism from several African countries, with accusations that South African authorities have not done enough to halt attacks targeting foreign nationals.

    Earlier, members of the Nigerian Senate condemned what they described as South Africa’s silence over attacks and killings involving Nigerians and other African migrants, while calling for punitive measures against the country.

  • Ruto urges East Africa to end rivalry, deepen regional integration, Africa’s unity

    Ruto urges East Africa to end rivalry, deepen regional integration, Africa’s unity

    DODOMA, Tanzania (NPA) — President William Ruto of Kenya has called on member states of the East African Community (EAC) to abandon rivalry, suspicion, and mistrust in order to strengthen regional integration and economic cooperation.

    Ruto made the remarks at the conclusion of his two-day state visit to Tanzania, where he held bilateral talks with President Samia Suluhu Hassan and signed eight agreements aimed at expanding cooperation between both countries.

    According to the Kenyan leader, divisions and unhealthy competition among countries in the region have weakened regional markets, limited collective progress, and undermined the bloc’s influence. “We must move beyond competition, suspicion, rivalry, and mistrust that have fragmented our markets, weakened our voice, and constrained our collective progress,” Ruto said.

    He noted that stronger collaboration within the region would help the bloc achieve deeper integration and maximize opportunities emerging from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    “This spirit must guide the East African Community as we expand continental integration to unlock opportunities being created by the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he stated.

    Ruto also stressed the need for African countries to speak with one voice in pushing for reforms within the African Union and the United Nations to make the institutions more inclusive and responsive to African interests.

    The Kenyan President said Nairobi and Dodoma were strengthening bilateral relations to unlock greater economic opportunities through increased trade, investment, infrastructure development, and supportive integration policies. “We recognise that the progress and setbacks of Kenya and Tanzania are intertwined,” he added.

    Ruto disclosed that Kenya and Tanzania had set a target of 130 billion Kenyan shillings in new trade and 65 billion Kenyan shillings in fresh cross-border investments.

    According to him, achieving the target would require the removal of barriers hindering the free movement of people, goods, and services across both countries.

    He identified border delays, non-harmonised standards, and restricted market access as major obstacles affecting trade growth within the region.

    “We have set ourselves a June 30, 2026 target to ensure all these barriers are removed,” he said.

    Ruto further announced that the Kenya-Tanzania Joint Business Council would serve as the primary platform for structured economic collaboration, while the Tanzania-Kenya Business Forum would become an annual event to monitor implementation and identify new opportunities.

    The Kenyan leader and President Samia Suluhu Hassan also addressed the Tanzania-Kenya Business Forum in Dar es Salaam, which brought together more than 300 business leaders and private sector stakeholders.

    Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to providing a stable and predictable business environment anchored on regulatory clarity, investor protection, and private sector-driven growth.

  • Nigeria, Ghana deepen anti-drug partnership to combat trafficking cartels

    Nigeria, Ghana deepen anti-drug partnership to combat trafficking cartels

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) of Ghana have strengthened bilateral cooperation against drug trafficking and related transnational crimes in West Africa.

    Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, stated this on Tuesday while receiving a Ghanaian delegation led by NACOC Director General, Maxwell Obuba Mantey, during a benchmarking visit and study tour of the agency’s operational model at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja.

    Marwa said the renewed collaboration between both anti-narcotics agencies should serve as a strong warning to drug trafficking networks operating within the West African sub-region.

    “Let this visit serve as a warning to those who seek to destabilize our societies with illicit drugs: Nigeria and Ghana stand united. We will continue to innovate, collaborate, and dominate the tactical space until our streets and communities are safe,” he said.

    According to a statement signed by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA boss noted that the visit reflects the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and Ghana and reinforces their shared commitment to regional security.

    He warned that transnational organised crime, especially drug trafficking and associated money laundering activities, continues to evolve across borders, requiring deeper cooperation among regional partners. “The threat posed by transnational organized crime, particularly drug trafficking and its associated money laundering activities, knows no borders,” Marwa said.

    He added that intelligence-led operations, interdiction strategies, digital forensics, and operational best practices remain critical in narrowing operational space for criminal cartels across the region.

    Marwa described the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NDLEA and NACOC as the major highlight of the engagement.

    According to him, the agreement provides a legal and operational framework for combating illicit drug production, trafficking of psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals, as well as related money laundering activities.

    “This agreement moves our relationship from informal consultation to a structured, aggressive, and unified front against drug barons,” he stated.

    In his remarks, Mantey described Nigeria as a leading force within the region, noting that Ghana regards the country as an “elder brother” in regional affairs.

    “Nigeria has consistently played a leading role within our region, and Ghana holds that leadership in the highest regard,” he said.

    The NACOC Director General said the partnership between both agencies reflects the deep historical and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Ghana.

    According to him, the visit was aimed at strengthening existing cooperation through intelligence sharing, joint operations, training, and institutional collaboration.

    Mantey warned that the drug trade across West Africa is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with traffickers adopting new methods, including the use of maritime routes and synthetic drug networks.

    He noted that Ghana is witnessing a growing domestic drug problem despite historically being considered mainly a transit point for narcotics trafficking. “No single country can effectively address this threat in isolation,” he said.

    Mantey added that the newly signed MoU must produce measurable outcomes through coordinated operations, stronger intelligence sharing, structured training exchanges, and closer collaboration between both agencies.

    Also present at the event was the acting Ghanaian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gladys Mansa Yawa Feddy Akyea, alongside senior officials of the Ghana High Commission, members of the NACOC delegation, and top management staff of the NDLEA.

  • Dangote refinery targets multi-billion-dollar pan-African share listing

    Dangote refinery targets multi-billion-dollar pan-African share listing

    LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — Aliko Dangote is advancing plans to float shares of the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals across several African stock exchanges in what could become one of the continent’s largest public offerings.

    The proposed listing is expected to deepen regional capital market integration while expanding African ownership of major industrial assets.

    Industry sources said the company is considering a primary listing on the Nigerian Exchange Group alongside broader access for investors through other African exchanges, including the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Nairobi Securities Exchange, Ghana Stock Exchange, Ethiopian Securities Exchange, and the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières.

    The refinery, regarded as Africa’s largest single industrial project, currently processes 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day and has significantly altered Nigeria’s fuel supply chain while also exporting refined products to neighbouring countries.

    Financial advisers handling the transaction reportedly include Stanbic IBTC Capital, Vetiva Capital Management, and FirstCap.

    Market projections indicate the company could offer between five and 10 per cent equity to investors, with the fundraising target estimated at up to $5 billion.

    Sources familiar with the process said documentation for the public offering could be filed as early as April, followed by investor engagements and roadshows in May ahead of a possible listing between June and July 2026.

    Analysts say the move could redefine how large-scale African infrastructure and industrial projects are financed by opening participation to pension funds, retail investors, and institutional players across the continent.

    The planned share sale is also expected to support further expansion of the refinery and fertiliser businesses as the group seeks additional long-term capital for future projects.

    Observers believe a successful cross-border listing could encourage more African companies in sectors such as mining, infrastructure, manufacturing, and renewable energy to pursue regional fundraising strategies.

    The development comes amid growing efforts by African governments to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and strengthen regional energy security.

  • South Africa Parliament’s Health Committee pays tribute to midwives on International Midwives’ Day

    South Africa Parliament’s Health Committee pays tribute to midwives on International Midwives’ Day

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa (NPA) — The Portfolio Committee on Health has paid tribute to midwives across South Africa and the world for their indispensable role in safeguarding mothers and newborns, marking International Midwives’ Day on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

    Committee Chairperson Ms Faith Muthambi, in a statement, described midwives as central to safe childbirth, quality maternal care, and resilient health systems, particularly in underserved communities. “Midwives are more than healthcare providers, they are advocates, educators and trusted caregivers who support women and families through some of life’s most critical moments,” she said.

    This year’s global theme, “One Million More Midwives,” announced by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), highlights the urgent shortage of trained midwives worldwide. The committee noted that well‑supported midwives, integrated into health systems, can significantly improve maternal and newborn outcomes.

    “Investing in midwives is not optional; it is a strategic imperative that reduces preventable deaths, improves primary healthcare and strengthens the quality of services,” Muthambi emphasised.

    Midwives provide comprehensive services including family planning, antenatal and postnatal care, safe deliveries, breastfeeding support, and continuity of care. Yet, many face workforce shortages, resource constraints, and inadequate recognition. The committee stressed the need for increased investment in education and training, supportive policy frameworks, improved working conditions, and fair remuneration.

    Muthambi also acknowledged the resilience of midwives during crises. “Their dedication saves lives and strengthens communities,” she concluded.

  • U.S. issues security alert as multiple explosions rock Khartoum International Airport

    U.S. issues security alert as multiple explosions rock Khartoum International Airport

    KHARTOUM, Sudan (NPA) — The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum has issued an emergency security alert following reports of multiple explosions at Khartoum International Airport and other locations across the Sudanese capital on Monday.

    In the alert released on May 4, 2026, the U.S. Department of State said it had been informed of explosions at the airport, warning that additional sites within Khartoum may also have been affected amid the worsening security situation in Sudan.

    The embassy advised residents and U.S. citizens in the area to immediately seek secure shelter, closely monitor local media for updates, inform relatives and friends of their safety, and prepare contingency plans to leave the country if necessary.

    “The Department of State has been alerted to multiple explosions at the international airport in Khartoum,” the statement said, adding that “other locations may have been impacted as well.”

    The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum has remained suspended since April 2023 following the outbreak of armed conflict between rival military factions in Sudan, with Washington stating that it is unable to provide routine or emergency consular services to American citizens in the country due to the deteriorating security environment.

    The alert directed affected individuals to seek assistance through the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and emergency contact lines operated by the U.S. Department of State.

    The latest explosions come amid continued instability and armed confrontations in Sudan, where fighting between military forces and rival paramilitary groups has triggered a prolonged humanitarian and security crisis across several parts of the country.