Iran steps up claim to control Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN, Iran 

Iran has said it is significantly expanding the area around the Strait of Hormuz over which it claims military control in an effort to assert its sovereignty of the key trade route.

A map published by Iran's newly-created "Persian Gulf Strait Authority" claims "Iranian armed forces oversight" across more than 22,000 sq km (8,800 sq miles).

It extends into the territorial waters of Oman and the UAE. The UAE described Iran's claims of control as "nothing but fragments of dreams".

Iran's new authority added that all transit through the strait "requires coordination with and authorization from the Persian Gulf Strait Authority".

The US and Gulf allies have repeatedly rejected Iranian attempts to assert control over the strait. The US has told ships not to comply with Iran's rules.

The diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, Anwar Gargash, said Iran is "trying to consecrate a new reality born from a clear military defeat, but attempts to control the Strait of Hormuz or encroach on the UAE's maritime sovereignty are nothing but fragments of dreams".

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ships are guaranteed safe passage through another country's waters - but Iran has not ratified this convention.

Media linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) this week published footage showing what it claimed was a "punishment" strike on a tanker in the strait.

Iran's push for greater control over the area around the Strait of Hormuz comes as US forces boarded an Iran-bound oil ‌tanker on Wednesday. The US military's Central Command (Centcom) said it was ⁠suspected of violating the American blockade of Iranian ports.

Footage published by Centcom shows US marines rappelling from a helicopter on to the deck of a ship, said to be the oil tanker Celestial Sea, in the Gulf of Oman.

In a post on social media Centcom said the ship was "suspected of attempting to violate the US blockade by transiting toward an Iranian port".

"US forces subsequently released the vessel after conducting a search and directing the crew to alter course," according to maritime risk management company Vanguard.

Celestial Sea has previously been sanctioned under a previous name by the US for its links with Iran.

Tracking data from MarineTraffic shows the ship is now reporting its destination as the port of Duqm in Oman.

Centcom said on Thursday it had redirected 94 commercial ships and disabled four vessels since the US blockade of Iranian ports came into effect on 13 April.

Donald Trump said on Monday he was holding off a military attack on Iran planned for the following day at the request of Gulf states because "serious negotiations are now taking place".

In a post on Truth Social, the US president said he had been asked to do so by the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Pakistan's military chief is reported to be visiting Tehran on Thursday in an attempt to mediate peace efforts between Iran and the US.

Iranian state media reported Asim Munir will be continuing talks with senior Iranian officials.

The Iranian foreign ministry said it was reviewing the latest proposals from the US on ending the war.

Trump suggested he could wait a few days for Tehran to agree to the new deal but was also willing to resume attacks on the country.

"Believe me, if we don't get the right answers, it goes very quickly. We're all ready to go," the president said.

DR Congo cancels World Cup training camp over Ebola outbreak

KINSHASA, DR Congo 

The Democratic Republic of Congo has cancelled its pre-World Cup training camp in the capital, Kinshasa, because of an Ebola outbreak in the east of the country.

Preparations have been moved to Belgium amid the upsurge, which is thought to have killed more than 130 people.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called the outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern", but said it was not at pandemic level.

Jerry Kalemo, a spokesperson for the national football team, told international media that pre-tournament games in Europe would go ahead as planned, as the squad gears up for their first World Cup since 1974.

DR Congo are due to play friendly matches against Denmark, on 3 June in Belgium, and Chile, on 9 June in Spain, ahead of the World Cup finals.

They play their first match of the tournament in the US city of Houston on 17 June against Portugal.

A spokesperson for the DR Congo team told the Reuters news agency that the squad's training camp had been cancelled due to travel restrictions imposed by the US, who are hosting the World Cup this summer, along with Mexico and Canada.

The US' public health agency has banned entry from non-Americans who have been in the DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days, in response to the Ebola outbreak.

All DR Congo's players, as well as the team's French coach, Sébastien Desabre, are based outside the central African country and will therefore not be affected by the restrictions now the training camp has been cancelled.

Some team staff based in DR Congo left the country on Wednesday, Kalemo told the Associated Press, ahead of the 21-day deadline.

The high-profile event in Kinshasa was supposed to have been attended by fans, along with DR Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi, according to Reuters.

Kinshasa is roughly 1,800 km (1,120m) away from the eastern Ituri province, the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak. There have not yet been any reported cases in the city.

On Wednesday, the WHO said 139 people were thought to have died, out of 600 suspected cases. However, on the same day, Congolese health minister Samuel Roger Kamba told state broadcaster RTNC TV that authorities had registered 159 deaths.

The outbreak has been caused by a rare species of Ebola known as Bundibugyo. There is currently no vaccine for this species and the WHO has said it could take up to nine months for a jab to be ready.

Sierra Leone welcomes first US deportation flight under Trump crackdown

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone 

Sierra Leone has become the latest African nation to receive deportees from the United States as President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign continues to expand, with a first batch of nine migrants landing at Freetown International Airport on Wednesday.

Witnessed by an our journalist, a plane carrying the migrants touched down outside the capital in the morning.

Foreign Minister Timothy Musa Kabba initially stated that 25 people would arrive, but later confirmed: “We have received nine deportees this morning from the US.”

According to authorities, the deportees come from Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, and Senegal. Among them were seven men and two women, heads bowed as they boarded a minibus under police escort.

Health ministry official Doris Bah described the group’s condition: “All were traumatised due to the months in chains during detention in the US.” She added that most wished to return to their home countries.

“Some of the deportees were arrested on the streets and their place of work, while another was arrested while playing football in the US,” Bah said.

The migrants will be housed in a hotel and are expected to be sent back to their respective nations within two weeks at the latest.

Freetown has agreed to take in up to 300 people annually expelled by the United States, but only nationals from ECOWAS member states.

Some of the deportees hold Sierra Leonean residence permits obtained years ago, Kabba noted, adding that they have the right to stay in the country for 90 days before returning to their country of origin.

A foreign ministry document seen by our journalist shows the United States is providing $1.5 million to support the programme, covering “humanitarian and operational costs linked to this agreement.”

Freetown has not disclosed whether other concessions were made.

A US State Department spokesperson said Wednesday that removing migrants from US territory is a “top priority” but did not explain why Sierra Leone was chosen or what incentives were offered.

Sierra Leone joins a growing list of African countries accepting US deportees, including Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ghana, Rwanda, and South Sudan.

In return, Washington provides financial and logistical support. Some nations, such as the DRC, have even taken in migrants from Latin America.

In September, Human Rights Watch urged African nations to reject such arrangements, arguing that the “opaque deals” were “part of a US policy approach that violated international human rights law.”

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 22/5/2026

 

Ghana to face Ivory Coast in Afcon 2027 qualifying

CAIRO, Egypt 

Ghana have been paired with Ivory Coast in a potentially tricky qualifying group for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

The Black Stars were not included in the top pot of seeds for the draw, having slipped down the world rankings after their failure to reach the previous edition of the tournament which was held in Morocco in December and January.

The two West African heavyweights will meet in Group C, where they will also face The Gambia, who made the quarter-finals of the 2021 Afcon on their debut, and Somalia.

"Why always us? This group is a difficult group," said former Ivory Coast international Max-Alain Gradel, who lifted the trophy with the Elephants on home soil in 2022 and was one of the assistants for the draw in Cairo.

"But we will do everything that we can to qualify. I believe in the team so there is no problem."

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will co-host the next Afcon, which will be held from 19 June to 17 July 2027.

The 48 teams looking to reach the finals have been split into 12 groups of four, with the top two sides qualifying after six rounds of fixtures.

However, things are complicated by the fact that the three co-hosts are all assured of a place at the tournament, so only one other team in their respective groups will book a ticket.

Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia all have little margin for error after being drawn alongside one of the three hosts.

Kenya will face Eritrea, who are back in Afcon qualifying for the first time since preliminaries for the 2008 finals, Guinea and South Africa in Group A.

Elsewhere, record seven-time champions Egypt have been drawn alongside Angola, Malawi and South Sudan.

The first four rounds of qualifying will be spread across September, October and November this year, with the final two fixtures to be held in March next year.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 20/5/2026

 

AFCON 2027 Qualifier: Super Eagles Draw Madagascar, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau in Group L

CAIRO, Egypt 

The road to the has officially begun for the Super Eagles after Nigeria was drawn in Group L of the qualification series during the draw ceremony held in Cairo, Egypt.

Nigeria will battle Madagascar national football team, Tanzania national football team and Guinea-Bissau national football team in what promises to be a highly competitive qualification campaign.

The Super Eagles, three-time African champions, head into the qualifiers as one of the continent’s top-seeded teams following their strong performances in recent tournaments.

Nigeria will be aiming to secure an early qualification ticket and continue their quest for a fourth AFCON title.

The inclusion of Tanzania in the group adds extra intrigue, as the East African nation is one of the co-hosts for the 2027 tournament alongside Kenya and Uganda.

Although Tanzania has already secured automatic qualification as a host nation, the Taifa Stars will still participate in the qualifiers.

Football analysts believe Nigeria will be favourites to top the group, but matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are expected to pose serious challenges. 

Madagascar have continued to improve in recent years, while Guinea-Bissau remain one of West Africa’s resilient sides in continental competitions.

CAF confirmed that the qualifiers will be played across FIFA international windows between September 2026 and March 2027, with teams competing on a home-and-away basis.

The 2027 AFCON tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda under the “PAMOJA” banner, is scheduled to hold from June 19 to July 17, 2027.

Kenya strike over rising fuel prices pauses after mass shutdown

NAIROBI, Kenya 

A Kenyan transport strike triggered by rising fuel prices from to the Middle East war was paused on Tuesday after causing four deaths and major economic disruption, raising concerns about potential wider unrest across Africa.

One of many African countries dependent on fuel imports from the Gulf, Kenya has hiked petrol prices by 20 percent and diesel by almost 40 percent since Iran choked off traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil normally passes.

The transport sector, especially operators of the "matatu" buses that provide most public transport in Kenya, called the strike on Monday after another steep price rise last week.

"The strike that is going on is suspended for a period of one week to provide an avenue for consultations and negotiations between the government and stakeholders," interior minister Kipchumba Murkomen told reporters on Tuesday.

Albert Karakacha, the president of Matatu Owners Association, confirmed the suspension -- although other representatives warned they would protest again if the negotiations were not serious.

Earlier in the day, while the strike was still on, Cornelius Chepsoi, chairman of the Rig Owners Association, told AFP they would not be satisfied by a political move "lowering the price of diesel by a very tiny margin".

Analysts warned that soaring oil prices could be sign of more protests across the continent.

Last week, rising fuel prices sparked protests in Comoros, paralysing the Indian Ocean nation, where one person was confirmed dead.

"We think the unrest in Kenya is an early indicator of what could unfold elsewhere across the continent if elevated oil prices persist," warned political analyst Jervin Naidoo.

"As the conflict in the Middle East enters its third month, the risk of further supply disruptions and sustained price increases remains high."

In Nairobi's nearly empty central business district, Faith, a nurse who declined to give her surname, said she spent 24 hours at Poplar Hospital as she was unable to get home.

"I did not expect this... It's really affecting patient care, big time," she said, adding that despite the transport shutdown she still supported the strike "because the fuel prices don't make sense".

Schools and embassies in the capital Nairobi were also closed.

The government said four people were killed and more than 30 injured nationwide on Monday, while police confirmed on Tuesday that over 700 people had been arrested during the violent protests.

Rights groups denounced lethal violence by police, with Amnesty International urging "maximum restraint".

Motorbike taxi driver Fred Makarani, 59, told AFP he did not support the strike, saying he had had no customers for two days, and called for a return to work.

"They're scared of goons," he said, referring to people paid to violently disrupt political events and protests.

Kenya's vital trade corridor was also disrupted, with local media reporting truckers had refused to drive over fears their vehicles would be attacked and torched by demonstrators.

The government's treasury and economic planning minister John Mbadi said the strike was "completely uncalled for".

"This is a war that we have not caused," he told the NTV broadcaster on Monday.

Critics argue Kenya has high taxes on fuel that could be reduced, although it is also reliant on them to service mountains of debt and a strained budget.

A day of protests such as Monday's can cost Kenya's economy around 50 billion shillings ($390 million) a day, economist XN Iraki told AFP.

"This is a massive headache for the government. Fuel taxes are easy to collect and heavily anchor public spending," economist Kwame Owino posted on X.

The energy regulator said last week that the government had spent $38.5 million to cushion consumers from rising diesel and kerosene prices.

Last month, Kenyan authorities also suspended fuel quality standards to maintain supply in the face of shortages.

While Kenya is among east Africa's most dynamic economies, around a third of its 50 million citizens still live in poverty and unemployment remains high.

Belgian diplomat linked to Lumumba case dies before landmark trial

BRUSSELS, Belgium 

Étienne Davignon, the last surviving Belgian official facing prosecution over the 1961 assassination of Patrice Lumumba, has died at the age of 93, bringing an end to the criminal case that was seen as a historic reckoning with Belgium’s colonial past.

Davignon, a towering figure in Belgian and European politics, died on Monday while appealing a March court decision ordering him to stand trial for alleged war crimes. 

Prosecutors accused him of participating in Lumumba’s unlawful detention and transfer and of helping deny him a fair trial. Davignon consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Lumumba became the first prime minister of what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo after independence from Belgium in 1960. 

Just months later, he was overthrown and assassinated in a killing that became one of the defining events of Africa’s post-colonial history and a symbol of foreign interference on the continent.

Davignon was the only remaining suspect in a case launched in 2011 by Lumumba’s children against ten Belgian officials. 

His death effectively ends the criminal proceedings, but not the broader legal battle. 

Lawyers for the Lumumba family say they will now pursue civil action against the Belgian state in an effort to establish responsibility for colonial crimes and seek further accountability.

Born into Belgian aristocracy, Davignon served as a senior diplomat, a European commissioner and a prominent business leader. 

For supporters, he was one of the architects of modern Belgium and European integration. For critics, his final years were overshadowed by unresolved questions about Belgium’s role in the removal and killing of Congo’s independence hero.

More than six decades after Lumumba’s death, the search for truth and justice continues to resonate in both Belgium and the Congo, where his legacy remains deeply tied to the struggle for sovereignty and dignity.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 19/5/2026