UN calls for immediate ceasefire as Sudan crisis deepens

NEW YORK, United States 

The United Nations is calling for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan, as drone attacks and the destruction of healthcare facilities deepen an already devastating humanitarian crisis.

More than six million people have been displaced inside Sudan, while another 4.5 million have fled the country.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk says civilians in several regions face an imminent risk of further attacks, calling for an end to foreign involvement and a return to civilian rule.

UN investigators say both the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces are increasingly using long-range drones, extending attacks far beyond traditional front lines.

In South Kordofan, strikes on a kindergarten and hospital killed 114 people, including 60 children.

A separate attack on a teaching hospital killed at least 70 people.

Investigators say there are reasonable grounds to believe both sides committed serious violations that may amount to war crimes.

South Africa renews legal bid to stop US auction of Nelson Mandela memorabilia

PRETORIA, South Africa 

South Africa's government has turned to the country's Constitutional Court in a renewed bid to stop the auction in the United States of items once belonging to Nelson Mandela.

The four-year legal battle involves 29 objects, including Mandela's identity card, shirts, writings and a key to his prison cell on Robben Island, where he spent 18 of his 27 years in jail.

The country's heritage agency, SAHRA, and the culture ministry argue the items are part of South Africa's national heritage and were exported without permission.

The auction was first announced in 2021 by New York-based Guernsey's, but was suspended after SAHRA challenged the sale. South African courts later cleared the auction, before the government renewed its legal efforts to stop it.

Mandela's eldest daughter, Makaziwe, authorised the sale to raise funds for a memorial garden near her father's grave in Qunu.

Mandela became South Africa's first democratic president in 1994 and died in 2013, aged 95.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 9/9/2026

 

Flight recorders recovered from 'devastating' Amazon cargo plane crash

MIAMI, United States 

Investigators have recovered the flight recorders from the Amazon cargo plane that crashed at Miami International Airport, but the priority remains the recovery of victims, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has said.

Five people were killed and five others seriously injured when the Boeing 767-300, operated by 21 Air, overshot the runway shortly before 14:00 local time (19:00 BST) on Sunday.

The plane hit two vehicles, including a white van carrying seven people within the airport perimeter, and a Toyota with three passengers.

NTSB chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said it was too early to draw conclusions about what caused the crash, with investigators still in the "fact finding stage".

Speaking at a press conference at Miami International Airport on Monday, Homendy said the aircraft had two crew members on board and was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on its third flight of the day.

The plane struck navigational aids and equipment after overrunning the runway, before hitting a white Ford van owned by a contract cleaning company.

It then travelled through a perimeter fence and collided with a Toyota Corolla, coming to rest about 1,300ft (394m) beyond the runway.

Homendy described the crash scene as "devastating", with debris from the aircraft, vehicles and airport fencing scattered across the area.

"It's hard to see, and I'm sure very difficult for the first responders as well," she said.

She said recovering victims' bodies was the current priority, adding: "The investigation and access to the aircraft, as well as evidence, can wait."

The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been recovered and are being sent to NTSB headquarters for evaluation.

Homendy said investigators could not yet say anything substantive about the cause of the crash as they were still collecting evidence at the scene.

Investigators will examine the flight history, crew experience and training, radar data, and aircraft performance. Separate teams will look at the plane's systems and engines, while a meteorologist will assess the weather conditions at the time of landing.

The NTSB will also examine whether the runway should have had an engineered materials arresting system (EMAS), which is designed to slow and stop aircraft that overrun a runway. Homendy said this would be a "key" part of the investigation.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 8/9/2026

 

Husband of Tanzania's president dies while undergoing treatment

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania 

The husband of Tanzania’s President Samia Hassan died Monday while undergoing treatment in a hospital in Zanzibar, the country’s vice president announced.

Hafidh Hassan became Tanzania’s first gentleman in 2021, when his wife took office as the country's first female president following the death of President John Magufuli. Hassan had been receiving treatment for a heart condition.

Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi announced Hassan's death and expressed his condolences to the family. He said arrangements were being made for his burial in the family’s native Zanzibar, a semiautonomous archipelago that is part of Tanzania.

President Hassan is serving a second term after winning a disputed election in 2025 with more than 97% of the vote. Candidates from the two main opposition parties were barred from running.

The couple had four children, three sons and a daughter who is a deputy minister. His burial is scheduled to take place later today.

Kenyan President William Ruto expressed sorrow on behalf of his government and people. “President Samia has lost a lifelong companion, her children a beloved father, and Tanzania a distinguished son,” he wrote.

Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye together with Rwanda President Kagame sent their condolences to President Hassan and the people of Tanzania.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 7/9/2026