Tanzania shuts camp housing thousands of Burundi refugees

NAIROBI, Kenya 

Tanzania government has closed a camp housing thousands of Burundian refugees and repatriated all but a handful, activists and the United Nations said on Friday.

Burundian refugees have complained in recent months of being forcibly evicted from the Nduta camp in northwestern Tanzania, following a deal between the governments in Dar Es Salaam and Bujumbura to repatriate around 100,000 of them by June.

As of late 2025, there were an estimated 142,000 Burundian refugees housed in two Tanzanian camps -- Nduta and Nyarugusu, according to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR).

They had fled years of civil war, political repression and entrenched poverty in their small country in the Great Lakes region of Africa.

"The approximately 3,000 refugees who remained in the (Nduta) camp were forcibly loaded onto vehicles to be sent back to Burundi on Thursday," the Coalition for Human Rights/Living in Refugee Camps (CDH/VICAR) said.

"Only around 10 families remained on site, awaiting transfer to the Nyarugusu camp, where 198 families had already been sent following a widely contested selection process."

Nyarugusu is scheduled to close on June 30, according to authorities.

CDH/VICAR said refugees in Nduta had been subjected in recent months to "increasingly coercive measures".

These included "restrictions on freedom of movement, pressure to register for repatriation, the linking of humanitarian assistance to registration for return, and the gradual demolition of homes in the camp", as well as "night-time violence, intimidation, arrests and enforced disappearances".

The NGO said these coercive measures had "culminated in recent days in a sudden surge in departures, leading to the complete closure of the camp".

The charity also condemned UNHCR for facilitating the Tanzanian government's operations instead of "fulfilling its mandate" to protect the refugees.

A UNHCR spokesperson told AFP the camp had been closed by the Tanzanian government.

This move, they said, was in line with an agreement on "the voluntary repatriation of Burundian refugees" between the UN agency and the governments of the two east African countries.

The UNHCR had "consistently raised concerns with the authorities whenever reports of pressure or abuse emerged, reiterating clearly that all refugee returns must be voluntary, safe and dignified", the spokesperson said.

A separate UNHCR official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the repatriations but declined to comment on accusations of coercion.

Dominant display sees Gunners extend Premier League lead

LONDON, England 

Arsenal pushed themselves six points clear at the top of the Premier League with a dominant victory over Fulham at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening. A Viktor Gyökeres brace and a first goal in eight appearances for Bukayo Saka were enough to seal the win.

Just like last weekend, the Gunners opened the scoring after nine minutes. However, unlike that 1-0 win against Newcastle seven days earlier, Mikel Arteta’s side continued to push forward after netting first and put Fulham to the sword.

It was Gyökeres who scored the opener this time around, prodding into the net from close range after excellent work from Saka. The England forward twisted Raúl Jiménez in knots on the right before firing in a low cross for his teammate to convert.

Much-maligned since for much of 2025-26 signing in the summer from Sporting CP, Gyökeres’ goal took him to 20 in all competitions at Arsenal.

That made him the first player to net 20+ goals across all competitions in their first season for the club since Alexis Sánchez in 2014-15 (25 goals). The only other player to his 20+ goals for Arsenal in their debut season at the club in the Premier League era was Thierry Henry in 1999-00 (26).

The Gunners thought they’d doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark, but Riccardo Calafiori had stepped into an offside position when Leandro Trossard crossed into the box before the Italian headed into the net.

They did make it 2-0 five minutes from half-time, though, with Saka turning from provider to scorer and Gyökeres doing the opposite. A clever pass inside from the Swede was met by Saka, who ran into the box and smashed the ball into the back of the net past Bernd Leno. That goal was Saka’s 150th goal involvement across all competitions (80 goals, 70 assists).

Arsenal added a third before half-time, with Gyökeres scoring his second of the day. Brilliant work from Trossard on the left saw him break into the box before a lofted cross into the centre was met by Gyökeres’s head.

It ended a truly dominant first-half display from Arsenal, who fired 14 shots at the Fulham goal while restricting the away side to only two shots from long range. It was the first time that they’d been three goals ahead at half-time in a Premier League match since November 2024 vs West Ham.

With the game won inside the opening 45 minutes, Arsenal took their foot off the gas in the second half and saved their legs. Marco Silva’s side may have attempted twice as many shots as the home side in the second half but can’t really claim to have laid a glove on them.

For Fulham, their horrendous record away at Arsenal continues. That’s now 33 away trips to their London rivals without a win across their league history (L26 D7) – the most any side has faced another without victory in away games across English Football League history.

Arsenal’s six-point lead over Man City does come with the crucial caveat of Pep Guardiola’s side having two games in hand – the first of which is away at Everton on Monday night.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 3/5/2026

 

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 2/5/2026

 

Former DR Congo's president condemns blacklisting by US

NORTH KIVU, DR Congo 

Democratic Republic of Congo ex-president Joseph Kabila condemned on Friday a US decision to sanction him for allegedly aiding Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who have seized swathes of the east of his country.

Washington's move was "profoundly unjustified, politically motivated and based on unsubstantiated accusations", Kabila said in a statement sent to AFP.

The government in Kinshasa said earlier on Friday it welcomed the sanctions as "an important step in the fight against impunity".

The United States blacklisted Kabila on Thursday, accusing him of providing "financial and political support" to groups that are "the principal drivers of violence and instability" in the Great Lakes region of central Africa.

Washington has already imposed sanctions on the DRC's neighbour, Rwanda, in an attempt to enforce an unsuccessful peace deal between the M23 and the Congolese government.

The peace accord, which US President Donald Trump announced with great fanfare in December, includes a provision for US industries to gain privileged access to the eastern DRC's vast mineral riches.

He said the US decision to blacklist him was "based on the narrative of the Kinshasa authorities, who have been unable to substantiate the accusations made against him".

The DRC government, by contrast, welcomed the US sanctions.

It said they had "operational implications" because they would restrict Kabila's alleged "capacity for mobilising finance" or "logistical support that could fuel and prolong the war".

Last year, a Congolese military court sentenced Kabila to death in absentia for treason for "complicity" with the M23 and its political branch, the Congo River Alliance (Alliance Fleuve Congo or AFC), which is seeking to oust DRC President Felix Tshisekedi.

The conviction effectively blocks Kabila from returning to Kinshasa to seek any political comeback.

The M23 has not reacted publicly to the US sanctions.

Alliance of Sahel States confirms joint airstrikes in Mali

BAMAKO, Mali 

The joint anti-jihadist force of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali carried out "intense air campaigns" in Malian territory following attacks by al-Qaeda-linked jihadists and Tuareg separatists, the government of Niger said late Thursday.

Over the weekend jihadists and their Tuareg separatist allies launched the largest assault on Mali in nearly 15 years, capturing the key northern town of Kidal and killing Defence Minister Sadio Camara.

The African neighbours Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger together make up the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which created a joint force against jihadist groups of 5,000 men, increased to 15,000 in mid-April.

Authorities in Niger "welcome... the prompt and vigorous response of the units of the unified force... which conducted intense air campaigns in the hours following the cowardly attacks of April 25, 2026, in Gao, Menaka and Kidal," the government of Niger said on Thursday evening after a cabinet meeting.

The spokesperson for the Malian Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front, Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, had called on Burkina Faso and Niger "to stay out of the events underway in Mali" a few hours after the attacks began.

The three AES nations are all led by juntas that came to power through coups between 2020 and 2023.

The attacks against the Malian military junta and its Russian paramilitary backers have plunged the former French colony into a major security crisis.

Burkina Faso Defence Minister Celestin Simpore, speaking on behalf of the AES, vowed at Camara's funeral on Thursday to "hunt down" the "assassins."

Around a thousand people gathered in the Nigerien capital of Niamey the same day to express "solidarity with the Malian people," according to live footage of the event on social media.

Crowds at the Djado Sekou Cultural Center shouted slogans such as "down with the imperialists," "down with the terrorists and their sponsors" and "long live the AES," while a photo of Camara was displayed overhead.

Effred Mouloul, a representative from the coalition of civil society groups behind the event, said, "To the Malian people, we say: 'You are not alone, the active forces of Niger and of the AES stand by your side and express their full and complete solidarity.'"

He blamed African leaders for the "total lack of visible solidarity in the face of the targeted assassination" of Mali leaders and called for the withdrawal of French presence from AES territory.

Authorities in Niger have accused foreign powers, primarily France, of sponsoring the weekend attacks in Mali. Niger has repeatedly accused France of seeking to destabilise it, a charge Paris denies.

The Nigerien government has cancelled 1 May parades throughout the country for security reasons.

Uganda toddlers killer sentenced to death

KAMPALA, Uganda 

The High court has sentenced Christopher Okello Onyum to death for the “meticulous” and “barbaric” murder of four toddlers at Gaba Early Childhood Development Centre on April 2, 2026.

The victims are Ryan Odeke, Keisha Agenorwoth Otim, Gideon Eteku, and Ignatius Sseruyange. Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha handed down one of the most severe punishments imposed by a Ugandan court in recent years, ruling that the gravity of the crime placed it firmly within the “rarest of the rare” category, thereby justifying the ultimate penalty. 

Defence lawyer Sarah Awelo sought to mitigate the sentence, pointing to Okello’s background. She told court he was a first-time offender from a “broken, dysfunctional family” and suffered from sickle cell anaemia.

She argued that he could still be productive, citing his farming activities in Nwoya district. The judge, however, rejected this line of argument, stating that such factors could not justify the nature of the crime.

“I would find no reason why someone would rise or leave their home in the morning to come and slaughter children who are their safe space at school,” Khaukha stated.

She said she was convinced that the killing of the four children was for ritual purposes.

“Blood sacrifice for young children.” The judge also agreed with the prosecution that the offences fell within the rarest of the rare category.

“The convict must be given a sentence that will not only speak to him. But also, to those friends of his whose identities he refused to disclose. And any other person in this country who believes in sacrificing blood for wealth. Let them know that it is highly risky because they will be found. Like Mr. Okello was found. And they will not escape the long arm of the law.”

Before sentencing, the judge repeatedly invited the convict to speak. Okello, standing in the dock, attempted to remove his mask, held the microphone, and remained silent. He appeared remorseless even as his lawyer pleaded for leniency.

The court granted him another opportunity, but he did not apologise to the parents of the slain children. Justice Khaukha noted that even when prompted, Okello refused to apologise to the grieving families, some of whom collapsed in court.

The prosecution, led by Jonathan Muwaganya, painted a chilling account of the events, describing the daycare as a “sanctuary” turned into a scene of “unimaginable terror.”

The victims, all under the age of three, were attacked with a knife in broad daylight. The state argued that the killings were not a moment of madness but a “well-calculated massacre.”

Muwaganya invoked Biblical justice, citing Exodus and the principle of “life for life,” arguing that those who disregard human life forfeit their own. While the death penalty is no longer mandatory in Uganda, justice Khaukha agreed that the circumstances of the case warranted its application.

She cited several aggravating factors, including the extreme vulnerability of the victims, whom she described as defenceless infants. The judge also pointed to evidence of premeditation, noting that the convict employed “sophisticated technology” and meticulous planning in executing the murders.

She added that the killings were carried out in the presence of other children and caretakers, leaving lasting trauma. However, the defence’s reliance on scripture (“Let the children come to me”) drew boos and jeers from the gallery, prompting the court to call for order.

Dozens still missing in Uganda river boat accident as search resumes

KAMPALA, Uganda 

Some 30 people are believed to be missing still after a boat capsized on the Nguse River in western Uganda on Tuesday night.

Police said the vessel was believed to be carrying "between 35 and 40 passengers” although it could not confirm the exact number "due to lack of a passenger manifest".

There are conflicting reports as to how many people survived the incident with local authorities saying about eight people had managed to swim to safety.

Meanwhile, anxious families are waiting for news of their relatives as rescuers recover more bodies from the river.

Sulaiman Karungi, a marine policeman, said they believe the boat was heavily overload. It was reportedly also carrying bags of charcoal.

“If you see the boat and you are told that 40, 39 people were onboard, you cannot imagine it,” he said.

Divers were due to head back into the water on Friday as search and rescue operations resumed.

An inquiry into the cause of the incident is ongoing with officials saying possible factors include overloading, night travel, and the condition of the vessel.

Accidents on Ugandan waterways ⁠are ​common, with transport ​operators often using old, badly-maintained boats.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 1/5/2026

 

What's next for OPEC after the UAE's withdrawal?

VIENNA, Austria 

The exit of the UAE from OPEC and OPEC+ starting in May has cast doubts over the Saudi-led cartel's future after losing its fourth largest producer and further strains ties between the two Gulf rivals.

While the United Arab Emirates is not the first country to leave OPEC, it is by far the biggest oil producer to do so -- dealing a massive blow to the group's hegemony and its ability to regulate oil prices and absorb shocks.

Before Iran's blockade of Hormuz disrupted oil flows, the UAE was OPEC+'s fourth largest producer and accounted for nearly 13 percent of OPEC production.

Others, including Qatar and Angola, have already left the group, but the UAE's departure is by far OPEC's most important loss.

In February, it pumped 3.6 million barrels per day -- making it a key asset for the cartel.

The UAE has long been frustrated with the Saudi-led OPEC's quotas, which sought to cap Emirati production at 3.4 million barrels a day.

Abu Dhabi seeks to expand its production capacity to five million barrels a day by 2027.

Iran's Hormuz blockade gave the UAE an opportunity to leave OPEC without impacting prices while positioning itself to take market share once the Strait opens, said Neil Quilliam, an energy and geopolitics expert at Chatham House.

"The decision to leave was taken a long while go, so it was just a matter of timing," said Quilliam.

The UAE did not want to be constrained by quotas once the Hormuz crisis ends, a source close to the UAE energy ministry told our Correspondent.

This reflects clashing strategies between the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The UAE's already-diversified economy is better suited to weather lower oil prices, while Saudi Arabia relies heavily upon oil for the government's operating revenue and to fund diversification.

The UAE's "optimal strategy for extracting maximum value from the energy transition requires production freedom, carbon premium capture, and geopolitical independence from price politics, none of which OPEC's architecture permits," said Nadim Koteich, a Lebanese-Emirati commentator who previously headed UAE broadcaster Sky News Arabia.

The added revenue would allow the UAE to step up its investments in artificial intelligence and other high-tech sectors.

The UAE's decision to exit the Saudi-led cartel puts added strain on Saudi-Emirati ties, analysts said, which have soured since a public falling out in December over Yemen.

The pair is at odds over foreign policy, oil output and the Middle East war.

The Emirates have signalled disappointment in traditional Arab allies over the war, including the Cairo-based Arab League but also the Riyadh-headquartered Gulf Cooperation Council.

Its rift with Saudi Arabia has extended to divergences over Iran, with the UAE taking a more hawkish stance while Saudi Arabia has backed Pakistan's mediation efforts.

UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei has insisted the decision was "not political".

But analysts warned it would fuel their rivalry.

"No doubt this will further sour ties between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. It will not only intensify the competition for influence between them in the Red Sea but also in energy markets," Chatham House's Quilliam said.

In an essay penned days before the OPEC exit, Tareq Alotaiba, a former UAE official and Harvard fellow, lambasted the "hollowness of Arab solidarity," which he warned could push Abu Dhabi out of OPEC or other Arab-led institutions.

A UAE official told AFP that the country was "revising the relevance and utility of its role and contribution" in multilateral organisations but that is was "not considering any withdrawals".

The UAE currently has a production capacity of 4.3 million barrels a day, according to Francis Perrin, an energy expert at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs.

If it flooded the market with all of this oil after the war ends it could sharply lower prices.

With the UAE out of OPEC, Saudi Arabia now holds nearly all of the cartel's spare production capacity and must bear the burden of managing supply and limiting shocks, said Jorge Leon of Rystad Energy.

"Saudi Arabia is now left doing more of the heavy lifting on price stability, and the market loses one of the few shock absorbers it had left," he said.

Kremlin spokesman Mitry Peskov told reporters Russia hoped the UAE's departure does not signal the end of OPEC.

Iraq and Kazakhastan have been exceeding OPEC+ production quotas, but said they would not leave the group.

If they were to exit, "that would raise alarm bells," Perrin said.

Departing US still owes money, says WHO chief

GENEVA Switzerland 

The United States has still not paid off its membership fee arrears at the World Health Organization, the WHO chief said Wednesday, with Washington's intention to leave conditional on paying up.

The UN health agency's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he hoped the United States would come up with the money they owe -- a self-imposed condition for quitting the organisation.

US President Donald Trump, on his first day back in office in January 2025, handed the WHO his country's one-year withdrawal notice.

"In terms of the arrears from the US, the US withdrawal is conditioned with two things," Tedros told a press conference with the UN correspondents' association ACANU.

"One is notification one year in advance, which is actually met. And the second is paying the arrears, so we hope they will do that but we haven't received anything yet."

The United States was the biggest contributor to the WHO budget.

Tedros said there were "no signals" indicating that Washington would come up with the cash.

But he added: "To be honest, it's not about the money.

"The issue is health security needs universality and the US, by withdrawing, makes itself unsafe and makes the rest of the world unsafe. So it's lose-lose.

"So our focus is not on the money. The focus is on helping the US to understand and reconsider.

"Where there is a vacuum, the virus wins. It's as simple as that.

"It's global cooperation and solidarity which is the best response."

Though the US flag no longer flies outside the WHO headquarters in Geneva, the WHO's decision-making body -- the annual assembly of member states -- will decide upon the US withdrawal when it meets from May 18-23.

The WHO constitution does not include a withdrawal clause.

But the United States reserved the right to withdraw when it joined the WHO in 1948 -- on condition of giving one year's notice and meeting its financial obligations in full for that fiscal year.

The notice period has now expired but Washington has still not paid its 2024 or 2025 dues, owing around $260 million.

The United States was traditionally the biggest donor to the WHO.

In January, as the notice expired, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attacked the WHO, claiming it had "tarnished and trashed everything that America has done for it", with "the insults to America" continuing to the end.

"The reverse is true," the WHO responded.

Despite the parting shot from Kennedy, the US health secretary still speaks with Tedros on a regular basis.

"We keep in touch every now and then," the WHO chief told reporters.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 30/04/2026