Arsenal defeats Atlético Madrid to book a place in the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years

LONDON, England 

It’s been a long, long journey but Arsenal is finally back in the Champions League final.

A goal from homegrown star Bukayo Saka, a desperate lunge to poke home a rebound, was all that was needed to send the Gunners through to Budapest on May 30. 

They await the winner of the Paris Saint-Germain-Bayern Munich – the Parisians lead that Champions League semifinal tie 5-4 with the second leg looming on Wednesday in Bavaria.

Saka’s goal didn’t exactly live up to the beauty standards of the previous generation of Arsenal stars who took the North London club to the Champions League final, but – after years of pretty passing that ended up falling apart against the toughest teams – it’s hard to imagine anyone at the Emirates cared tonight.

In a raucous stadium experiencing one of its most historic nights, Arsenal held Atlético Madrid at bay for much of the tense 90 minutes. 

Goalkeeper David Raya was hardly troubled, though he did have to make one or two key saves that kept the Madrid club from getting back into the match.

In the end, Arsenal ended up being on the front foot into the dying moments and could have had one or two more through Viktor Gyökeres and the rest of the Gunners’ young squad. 

It was staunch defending and control of the ball in midfield – two key aspects of the game that the club’s Invincibles knew well – that ended up clinching the tie for the Londoners.

Wayne Rooney might be right in pointing out that the Gunners haven’t won the trophy just yet, but it’s a night of celebration for the red-and-white clad supporters spilling into the North London streets. 

They’ll surely revel in the bit of early May rain streaming down – North London Forever indeed.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 6/5/2026

 

Kenya president responds after Tanzania leader protested being left out of refinery talks

DODOMA, Tanzania

President of Kenya, William Ruto, has issued a formal response following assertions from the President of Tanzania, Samia Hassan, regarding a lack of consultation concerning the proposal for a new oil refinery within Tanzanian territory.

Ruto issued his response following revelations by Samia concerning a confrontation on the matter.

His response entailed the grand idea of a broader project that would be beneficial to the entire continent of Africa.

"Allow me to explain our discussion on Tanga as a place of refinery. I have been informed that my announcement has irked you a little bit.

If I had known, I would have announced its construction in Mombasa because the building of a refinery is a big opportunity for business, industrialization, petrochemical industries, fertilizer production, and plastics industries," Ruto said.

Ruto’s response did not exactly explain why he had failed to consult his Tanzanian counterpart about the refinery; he, however, went on rationalizing the project, sticking to the theme that the project is for the greater good.

"Our discussion was about how to industrialize our region using our resources... It is my belief and that of the leaders in our region that whatever raw materials we have should be used for the industrialization of our region so that we can create wealth, jobs, and expand opportunities here."

According to the Kenyan president, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and other regional players have indicated interest in contributing to the project, portraying it as a joint economic endeavor.

"The good people of Tanzania are lucky that we are discussing how to build a refinery in Tanga. It is an investment the government of Kenya is willing to undertake, Uganda is willing to invest, and many other countries are ready to come on board," he said.

"From Tanga to Mombasa is a short distance, and since we already have a pipeline of refined product from Mombasa, we can use all our assets appropriately, transport crude from Uganda, refine it in Tanga, and distribute it across the region," he continued.

Another point he laid out was the retention of Africa’s resources, culminating in fuel production on the continent.

"It is not tenable anymore for us to export raw materials. We must be deliberate not to export jobs, not to export opportunities, but to create them here," he said.

"It makes absolutely no sense for us to export crude oil and then struggle to import finished products with challenges in global supply routes," he added.

Ruto concluded by acknowledging Tanzania’s strategic importance in ensuring that the whole idea becomes a reality.

"South Sudan not on track for December elections" - EU

JUBA, South Sudan 

The European Union’s top diplomat in South Sudan has warned that the country’s long-awaited elections may fail to take place in December this year if current political, security and technical conditions remain unchanged.

Pelle Enarson (above left), Head of Delegation of the European Union to South Sudan, said the situation on the ground does not currently allow for credible elections, citing insecurity, lack of political consensus and insufficient preparations.

“Elections cannot take place if it’s exactly like it is now,” Enarson said during a press briefing in Juba on Monday.

“From a technical point of view, it won’t be possible to have elections in December if preparations do not start immediately.”

He said that while elections are still theoretically possible, time is rapidly running out.

“At some point, the technical will take over and say we can’t, it’s just not feasible.”

The EU diplomat said the security situation makes voting impossible in some areas. Ambassador Enarson pointed to ongoing violence in parts of the country as a major obstacle to holding nationwide elections.

He said areas including Jonglei and Upper Nile remain volatile, making it impossible to safely conduct voting.

“Akobo is the prime example of why you can’t have elections. How are people going to perform elections in such a volatile situation?” he said.

He added that politically driven violence has also been reported in the Equatoria region, further complicating preparations.

The EU envoy also criticised the current political environment, saying it lacks the inclusiveness required for credible elections.

“The current government of unity is no longer a government of unity,” he said. “All parties are not equally involved in the preparations.”

He stressed that any electoral process must involve all political actors and be based on consensus.

“There needs to be a political deal among all the parties on how these elections are going to be conducted.”

Beyond security and politics, Enarson highlighted significant technical shortcomings, including the absence of key institutional structures.

“There is no legal department yet in the National Election Commission. So how are they going to conduct elections when there is no mechanism for dispute resolution?” he asked.

He also said government financing would be critical for credible polls.

“It cannot be the international community that takes this responsibility. The government must show it is willing to finance elections in a substantial way.”

While warning that the December timeline is increasingly unrealistic, Enarson suggested a short technical extension of the transition period could be considered if agreed politically.

“One smart solution is to have a very short technical extension, instead of December, you can have elections in March,” he said.

“But not a two-year or three-year extension.”

Despite the concerns, the EU said it would continue supporting South Sudan across multiple sectors, including agriculture, education, health, infrastructure and peacebuilding.

Enarson said the bloc’s priority remained full implementation of the 2018 peace agreement and support for the population.

Thousands march in DR Congo capital in support of US sanctions against Kabila

KINSHASA, DR Congo 

Thousands of pro-government supporters took to the streets of the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, on Monday in support of United States sanctions against Joseph Kabila.

Washington blacklisted the former president last week, accusing him of supporting the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and its political-military arm, the Congo River Alliance (AFC), involved in the conflict in the east of the country.

The Treasury Department claimed that, among other things, Kabila has provided them with financial and technological support with the intent to destabilise the Kinshasa government.

Violent conflict in the region has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians and a mass displacement crisis.

Speaking at Monday’s march, Julien, a member of one of the parties in the DRC’s ruling coalition, commended Washington’s decision to impose sanctions on Kabila.

"Kabila has committed many massacres, and he won’t let Fatshi [President Tshisekedi’s nickname] get on with his work in peace,” he said.

“Now arrest Kabila so that he leaves us in peace, we want nothing more to do with him,” said Julien.

Ouragan Mwanza, an activist with the main UDPS party, described the sanctions as a “significant step” against “the murderers and criminals.”

"[They] have destroyed this country, reduced it to ruins, and shattered all its values by dismantling state-owned companies for the benefit of their own private, family-run businesses," he said.

Last year, a Congolese military court sentenced Kabila to death in absentia for treason for "complicity" with the M23/AFC alliance.

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

Kabila, meanwhile, has described them as “profoundly unjustified, politically motivated, and based on unsubstantiated accusations."

Fighting in the mineral-rich eastern DRC continues, despite a framework peace deal signed between the government and the M23 late last year.

Washington has already imposed sanctions on the DRC's neighbour, Rwanda, in an attempt to enforce the unsuccessful agreement.

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

The Rwanda-backed rebels have seized large swathes of the eastern DRC in a major push in recent years, capturing the strategic town of Goma in January 2025.

Thousands of civilians have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced in the intensified fighting, which has created a major humanitarian crisis.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 5/5/2026

 

Kenya opposition questions Ruto’s state visit to Tanzania, says it will cost Kenya

By Mosses Kinyanjui, NAIROBI Kenya 

The Linda Mwananchi political brigade in Kenya has raised concerns over President William Ruto’s visit to Tanzania, saying it lacks a reciprocal benefit to Kenyans.

According to the faction, President Ruto is visiting a nation that has been flagged for its questionable democratic integrity since the human rights violations witnessed during its national elections in 2025.

They argue that President Ruto should not address the Tanzanian parliament, lest he risk drawing a perception that Kenya supports a regime that does not uphold the principles of democracy.

“By addressing the Tanzanian parliament, Ruto is attempting to place Kenya's stamp of legitimacy on a fraudulent regime and electoral process,” read a statement in part.

“In such a context, a high-profile presidential address risks being interpreted as an endorsement of contested processes and a troubling departure from Kenya's longstanding commitment to democratic values.”

The faction added that Tanzanian legislators openly mocked Kenyan activists who were brutalised in Tanzania, arguing that President Ruto’s visit comes at a crucially bad timing.

“We can confidently state that the threshold of democracy and fairness was not met, especially given that opposition representatives had been placed behind bars,” the faction added.

Linda Mwananchi now demands that the main objective of the visit be made public citing that President Ruto should instead focus on improving the livelihoods of Kenyans.

“Kenyans deserve clarity on what tangible benefits this engagement brings to the nation, and why it should take precedence over addressing unemployment, the high cost of living, and the erosion of public trust in governance,” the party noted.

“The country's moral standing in the region must supersede Ruto's flawed or non-existent geopolitical strategies.”

President Ruto is expected to address the Tanzanian parliamentary during his visit.

In November 2025, President Ruto opted to remain reserved on the controversial election conducted in Tanzania that led to the re-election of President Samia Suluhu amid deadly protests.

Speaking to Al Jazeera at the sidelines of the United Nations Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) in Qatar, President Ruto said that neither will he elucidate much on the disputed election nor will he indulge in the political affairs of Tanzania.

He nevertheless opined that if democracy was upheld, Samia's landslide victory would not have occurred.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared on November 1 that Samia won with 97.66% of the votes after garnering 31,913,866 votes out of the 32,678,844 cast votes.

Tanzania’s elections were marred by cases of vote rigging and use of police assault against voters, raising concerns from the African Union Election Observer Mission who noted that the election did not comply with AU principles and other international obligations and standards.

There were reports of internet shutdowns, politically motivated abductions, and mass killings.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the reported violence, calling for accountability over the reported incidents of violence, urging authorities to ensure impartial investigations.

Linda Mwananchi now holds that Kenya's leadership must be anchored in accountability to the welfare of Kenyans and citizens of the EAC regional bloc. 

Two US soldiers missing after military exercises in Morocco

RABAT, Morocco 

Two US soldiers who went missing during a training deployment in southern Morocco are feared to have fallen into the ocean near seaside cliffs, a US defence official told AFP, as a large-scale multinational search continued into Sunday evening.

The troops disappeared late Saturday in the Cap Draa Training Area, triggering an extensive land, air and sea rescue operation involving US, Moroccan and allied forces.

The search was still underway shortly before 2000 GMT on Sunday, with helicopters, vessels, drones, mountaineers and divers deployed across the rugged coastal terrain.

“I can confirm this incident is not related to terrorism but appears to be an accident,” the US official said, adding that initial reports indicate the soldiers may have fallen into the ocean.

US media reports suggested the pair may have gone on a hike after completing their training, though AFP has not independently confirmed that information.

CBS News reported that helicopters were heard operating throughout the night after a base-wide headcount failed to account for the two soldiers.

Morocco’s armed forces confirmed their involvement in the search operation, highlighting ongoing military cooperation between Rabat and Washington.

The soldiers were participating in African Lion, the US military’s largest annual joint exercise in Africa, which brings together more than 10,000 personnel from more than 20 countries, including NATO allies.

Hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, the drills aim to enhance coordination and readiness among partner forces.

The incident echoes a previous tragedy in 2012, when a US military aircraft crash during the same exercise in the region killed two Marines and injured two others.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 4/5/2026