Sahel ministers visit Moscow to strengthen ties with Russia

BAMAKO, Mali

In a significant shift in the region's diplomatic and security landscape, the foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will visit Moscow this week to deepen their strategic ties with Russia.

Scheduled for April 3-4, this marks the first AES-Russia consultations since the formation of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) in 2024.

The visit underscores a growing pivot away from former colonial power France and the regional organization ECOWAS, with these West African nations, governed by military juntas following a series of coups between 2020 and 2023, seeking political and military support from Moscow.

This realignment comes as the Sahel region grapples with ongoing jihadist insurgencies that have devastated local populations, claiming thousands of lives.

As part of the AES's Year 1 Roadmap, chaired by Mali, the ministers will engage with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss enhanced cooperation in defense, security, and economic development.

The AES sees the visit as a "crucial step" toward advancing its shared goals.

Russia has already contributed military support via its Wagner Group, and the three nations have signed defense agreements with Moscow. Collaboration is also underway in the energy and mining sectors.

The visit follows the AES’s decision to withdraw from multiple international organizations and establish a joint 5,000-strong military force aimed at tackling regional terrorism.

By strengthening ties with Russia, the Sahel states aim to bolster their security efforts and assert greater autonomy from Western influence.

Guinea's Junta sets referendum for September 2025

CONAKRY, Guinea

Guinea’s military Junta has announced it will hold a constitutional referendum on the 21st September 2025.   

It’s hoped the vote will put the country back on the path to civilian rule following several broken promises by the military pledging to organise the referendum.

General Mamadi Doumbouya, head of the junta, had promised in his New Year's address that 2025 would be a “crucial electoral year to complete the return to constitutional order”, without indicating a timetable.

The new date set for the referendum comes after the military missed a December 31st deadline..to launch the democratic transition.

The delay triggered anger from opposition figures, many took to the streets bring the capital, Conakry to a standstill.

The proposed constitutional changes on the ballot include setting presidential term limits, voters will also decide on whether current junta members are allowed to contest in elections  

The referendum's results could mark a departure from the “transition charter” drawn up by the military shortly after the coup that blocks members of the junta from running.   

Guinea's military leaders have long been accused of trying to stifle the opposition by arresting critics, including journalists, on false charges.

Yanga extends lead in Tanzania Mainland Premier League with a Bang!

TABORA, Tanzania

The defending champions of the Tanzania Mainland Premier League, Yanga under the head coach, Miloud Hamdi, have collected three points away in the match against Tabora United in the second round of the 2024/25 season.

Yanga’s goals were scored by Israel Mwenda, Clement Mzize, and Prince Dube in a thrilling encounter that also saw the Jangwani Street giants avenge their 3-1 defeat to the “Bees” on November 7 last year at the Azam Complex.

Mwenda opened the scoring with a free kick in the 21st minute following a foul committed by Banele Junior on Yanga’s striker Prince Dube.

His shot went to the far post, leaving Tabora United goalkeeper Jean Noel hapless.

Tabora United increased the tempo after conceding, with Heritier Makambo missing a clear chance at the end of the first half. Yanga led 1-0 at the break.

The Jangwani Street giants came back stronger in the second half, adding two more goals.

Clement Mzize scored in the 56th minute following a precise pass from Pacome Zouzoua, and Dube sealed the victory in the 67th minute with another assist from Zouzoua.

The victory means Yanga now lead the league with 61 points from 23 matches, four points ahead of their bitter rivals, Simba, who are second with 57 points from 22 matches.

The starting Yanga squad: Djigui Diarra, Israel Mwenda, Boka, Dickson Job, Ibrahim Bacca, Duke Abuya, Maxi Nzengeli, Mudathir Yahya, Prince Dube, Pacome and Clement Mzize.

The reserve players are Aweso who is the goalkeeper, Nickson Kibabage, Bakari Nondo, Kibwana Shomari, Dennis Nkane, Sure Boy, Farid Mussa and Ikanga Lombo Jonathan.

Trump advisers coming to Uganda over DRC

WASHINGTON, United States

The US President’s top advisers for Africa are set to visit Uganda and meet President Museveni and his counterparts in the region over the escalating security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mr. Massad Boulos, the US senior advisor for Africa, and Corina Sanders, the US deputy assistant secretary of State for African Affairs, are to arrive in the region today, according to the US Department of State. “Senior adviser Boulos and deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs Corina Sanders will travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda starting April 3.

During the trip, senior advisor Boulos and the team will meet with heads of state and business leaders to advance efforts for durable peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and to promote US private sector investment in the region,” a statement by the US Department of State reads.

Mr Boulos has had a rich experience in African issues since he worked in West Africa as a top manager for years. The situation in eastern DRC has continued to deteriorate following advances by the M23 rebels, a group the international community says is backed by Rwanda.

In the last two months, the rebels have seized two provincial capitals in eastern DRC and they are threatening to march to Kisangani and later to Kinshasa, the DR Congo capital, to topple Mr Felix Tshisekedi’s government.

The Daily Monitor was unable to confirm from Mr Museveni’s press secretaries whether he would meet the US envoys. There have been several initiatives at the regional, continental, and international levels to bring peace back to the DRC but in vain.

The latest initiative will see the Congolese government meet the rebel leaders in Doha, Qatar, in search of a peace settlement. The US accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels and has since sanctioned top Rwandan generals, rebel leaders, and Rwandan gold companies.

They also accuse Rwanda of deploying its soldiers in eastern DRC, which violates the territorial integrity of the sovereign country.

US allies in Europe have also sanctioned Rwanda’s gold companies and M23 rebels. Rwanda’s State Minister for Regional Integration, Gen James Kabarebe, and the spokesman of the M23 rebel group, Lawrence Kanyuka, were sanctioned by the US government in February.

Kanyuka’s companies: Kingston Fresh and Kingston Holding were also sanctioned. As the US embarks on the peace mission, the joint East Africa Community -Southern Africa Development Community is also bent on kick-starting the merged Luanda-Nairobi process to bring warring parties to the table.

Kenya President William Ruto, the chairperson of the EAC, yesterday had a virtual meeting with the panel of facilitators as instructed by the joint EAC-SADC summit of heads of state.

The panel of facilitators includes the former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo; former Kenya president Uhuru Kenyatta; former South Africa president Kgalema Motlanthe; former president of Central African Republic Catherine Samba Panza; and former president of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde.

Despite the ongoing peace initiatives, the fighting in eastern DRC has continued. The M23 rebels said they aren’t part of the ceasefire agreements negotiated by Rwanda and the DRC presidents. The EAC-SADC members want a ceasefire between the warring parties.

Senior Adviser Boulos and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Corina Sanders will travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda starting April 3.

During the trip, Senior Adviser Boulos and the team will meet with heads of state and business leaders to advance efforts for durable peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and to promote US private sector investment in the region, – The US department of state

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 03/04/2025

 

Namibia to revive national airline through public-private partnership

WINDHOEK, Namibia

Namibia has announced plans to revive the national carrier, Air Namibia, through a public-private partnership model, with operations expected to resume by late 2026.

The Namibian Presidency confirmed on Tuesday its position in a statement on its social media page, reaffirming President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's commitment to relaunching the airline under a sustainable business framework.

Air Namibia ceased operations in 2021 after years of financial struggles, requiring repeated government bailouts.

"President Nandi-Ndaitwah has committed to reviving the national airline through well-intentioned strategic measures aimed at avoiding past mistakes. The government intends to pursue this initiative using a sustainable business model with a Public-Private Partnership approach to provide a sound business case," the presidency said.

According to the presidency, a market study will be completed by June 2025, an expression of interest for private partners will be finalized by August this year, and negotiations are expected to conclude by December 2025.

"The launch and official operations of the new airline are anticipated between June and December 2026," the presidency added.

The implementation plan indicates that a 3-billion-Namibian-dollar (about 163 million U.S. dollars) investment is required in the next five years to support Air Namibia.

The revival of Air Namibia is expected to promote tourism through direct international destinations, thereby generating foreign exchange revenue and creating 700 direct and 500 indirect jobs.

Israel to expand military operation and seize 'large areas' of Gaza

TEL AVIV, Israel

Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz says the military will expand its operation in Gaza and seize "large areas" of the territory - incorporating them into what he described as "security zones."

In a statement on Wednesday, Katz said the expanded operation aimed to "destroy and clear the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure” and would require a large-scale evacuation of Palestinians.

It comes as local hospitals said at least 15 Palestinians were killed in the territory overnight.

The Hamas-run civil defence agency said first responders had recovered the bodies of 12 people, including children, from a home in the Khan Younis area.

There have been reports of extensive Israeli air strikes and shelling along the Egypt border and there is a growing sense that a new major Israeli ground offensive is looming in Gaza.

This week, Israel's military ordered an estimated 140,000 people in Rafah to leave their homes and issued new evacuation orders for parts of northern Gaza.

Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz (left)

Israel has already significantly expanded a buffer zone around the edge of Gaza over the course of the war, and seized control of a corridor of land cutting through its centre.

Israel launched its renewed Gaza offensive on 18 March, blaming Hamas for rejecting a new US proposal to extend the ceasefire and free the 59 hostages still held captive in Gaza.

Hamas, in turn, accused Israel of violating the original deal they had agreed to in January.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel said they were "horrified to wake up" to the news of the expanded military operation. In a statement, the group urged the Israeli government to prioritise securing the release of all hostages still held in Gaza.

In his statement announcing plans to seize more territory, Katz also urged Gazans to act to remove Hamas and free remaining Israeli hostages, without suggesting how they should do so.

The humanitarian situation across Gaza has dramatically worsened in recent weeks, with Israel refusing to allow aid into the Gaza Strip since 2 March - the longest aid blockage since the war began.

Last month the UN announced it was reducing its operations in Gaza, one day after eight Palestinian medics, six Civil Defence first responders and a UN staff member were killed by Israeli forces in southern Gaza.

The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage.

More than 50,399 people have been killed in Gaza during the ensuing war, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

DRC and M23 rebels plan to hold first direct talks on April 9

KINSHASA, DR Congo

The Congo government and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels aim to hold direct talks on April 9, sources from both camps said on Tuesday, a potential boost to Qatar’s efforts to end the Central African country’s worst fighting in decades.

The meeting in Doha would be the two sides’ first direct negotiations since M23 fighters captured eastern Congo’s two largest cities in a rapid offensive that has left thousands dead and forced hundreds of thousands more from their homes.

One Congolese official said that talks were scheduled for April 9 “unless the other side misbehaves”. A source inside M23 confirmed the date and said it would present Kinshasa with its demands. Both sides have agreed not to publicly discuss the substance of the talks, the sources said.

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame held a surprise meeting in Doha on March 18.

Qatar hosted a second round of talks between the two countries beginning on Friday and met separately with M23 representatives. Congolese officials and M23 have not yet met, sources said.

Rwanda denies supporting M23 and says its military has been acting in self-defence against Congo’s army and militias hostile to Kigali.

The conflict, which has raged on Congo’s eastern border with Rwanda and Uganda, is rooted in the fallout from Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and regional competition for mineral riches.

M23 has long demanded direct negotiations with Kinshasa, but Tshisekedi had refused, arguing that M23 was merely a front for Rwanda. He reversed his position last month amid mounting battlefield defeats, and agreed to send a delegation to Luanda, the Angolan capital.

Those talks were cancelled at the last minute when M23 pulled out after being hit by European Union sanctions.

Tanzania miners ordered to sell 20% of their gold to the central bank

DODOMA, Tanzania

Tanzania has introduced a new directive requiring gold mining companies and traders to sell at least 20% of their gold to the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) as part of a strategy to strengthen the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

This regulation aims to stabilise the Tanzanian shilling, which has depreciated by nearly 8% against the US dollar this year.

The central bank has set an ambitious target of acquiring six metric tons of gold in the current financial year, a significant increase from the 418 kg it purchased in the 12 months leading up to June 2024.

Gold transactions are directed to two major refineries: Eye of Africa Ltd in Dodoma and Mwanza Precious Metals Refinery Ltd in Mwanza. Tanzania’s foreign exchange reserves currently stand at $5.29 billion, which is sufficient to cover 4.3 months of imports.

As one of Africa’s top gold producers, Tanzania continues to rely on major industry players like AngloGold Ashanti Plc and Barrick Gold Corp to maintain its position in the global gold market.

The Tanzanian stock market demonstrated impressive growth from January to September 2024, with total market capitalisation increasing by 22% from $5.86 billion to $7.13 billion.

Domestic market capitalisation also saw a 7% rise, reaching $4.89 billion by the end of September.

The government bond market showed robust activity, with the value of outstanding bonds climbing by 18.5% to $9.62 billion. However, the market for sustainable bonds remained unchanged at $184.03 million, suggesting potential room for future development.

At least 95 arrested in Zimbabwe after antigovernment protests

HARARE, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean authorities remanded in custody Tuesday 98 people arrested for taking part in demonstrations called to demand that President Emmerson Mnangagwa leave power.

The men and women were rounded up in the capital Harare during small-scale demonstrations on Monday and a ruling on their bail is due on April 10, the courts said.

A one-time veteran of the ruling ZANU-PF party called the day of protest to reject moves to keep Mnangagwa, 82, in power beyond the end of his term in 2028.

Most of the 98 people in custody were among around 200 who gathered at Harare’s Freedom Square where they threw stones at security forces, police said.

ALSO READ: Zimbabwe shuts down amid calls for protests

They chanted slogans such as “Enough is Enough” and “Mnangagwa must go”.

They had contravened laws against breaching the peace and participating in gatherings with the intent to promote public violence, police said.

Turnout at Monday’s demonstrations was limited but shops, transport, schools and businesses were closed for the day in what many said amounted to a stay-away protest.

Police also arrested and briefly detained 10 journalists covering the demonstrations, the Media Institute of Southern Africa’s Zimbabwe branch said.

A journalist who interviewed the veteran who mobilised the demonstrations, Blessed Geza, has been in jail since February 24.

Geza has become the public face of discontent against Mnangagwa, who took power in a coup in 2017 and has been accused of creeping authoritarianism that has crushed the political opposition, including through long jail terms.

A former member of parliament, Geza said he would deliver a “crucial” address on Wednesday on the next course of action.

Kenyan police in Haiti suffer more casualties in clashes with gangs

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti

Two Kenyan police officers in Haiti have been seriously injured in clashes with gangs over the past week, three officers told Reuters, adding to the mission's growing list of casualties as it comes under increasingly frequent attack.

Kenya first deployed officers last June to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which currently has around 1,000 security personnel, about three-quarters of them from Kenya.

The mission, aimed at restoring enough security for Haiti to hold elections by February 2026, has faced morale issues almost from the start and uncertainty about its possible expansion amid escalating gang violence.

It suffered its first fatality in February, and the MSS reported another Kenyan officer missing last week. The three officers, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal, said he was believed to be dead.

They said the two injuries came during routine patrols in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince, which is mostly controlled by heavily armed gangs blamed for thousands of deaths since 2021.

MSS spokesperson Jack Ombaka confirmed two officers had been evacuated to the Dominican Republic for medical care.

"As in any mission, casualties are sometimes unavoidable," he said.

The three officers said the gangs were attacking them on an increasingly regular basis and complained that their equipment was inadequate.

They said one of the officers was shot in the head after a bullet pierced his helmet and the other was hit in the ear when a gunshot penetrated the walls of an armoured vehicle.

Twenty armoured vehicles have been grounded since this weekend after officers refused to use them, complaining that this was the second time a vehicle had failed to stop a bullet, the three officers said.

An MSS delegation plans to travel to Washington this week to present concerns over the quality of protective gear to U.S. officials, two senior MSS officers told Reuters.

The United States has provided most of the funding and equipment for the mission, which has struggled to secure significant contributions from other countries.

Kenya's government has cited humanitarian reasons for its intervention in Haiti, though analysts say the deployment is also motivated by a desire to boost the country's international profile and win favour with the United States.

Asked about concerns about the equipment, Ombaka said: "MSS continues to receive increased logistical support from partners and stakeholders, with assurances that all equipment meets international standards."

The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Marine Le Pen verdict leaves supporters and critics uneasy

By Rosie Birchard, PARIS France

On Monday, a French court found the far-right politician Marine Le Pen guilty of embezzlement, sentencing her to four years' imprisonment and a five-year ban from seeking elected office.

It was a verdict heard the world over, as the ruling essentially bars the three-time French presidential hopeful and a linchpin of Europe's far right from competing in France's 2027 presidential race —which was shaping up to be her best shot yet at the country's top job. 

Few rejoiced at the news. Her supporters say she's being deliberately silenced, while some of her critics fear far-reaching political consequences of the judges' decision.

As the dust settles after years of legal preparations, a months-long high-profile trial, and an hours-long reading of a detailed legal judgment, France's political earthquake may be just beginning.

Le Pen's party has vowed to pursue "all possible remedies" to the sentence, and Le Pen has already filed an appeal. The Paris Court of Appeal said on Tuesday that it could issue a decision as soon as the summer of 2026. Until then, the ban is effective immediately, but does not pertain to Le Pen's position as lawmaker, which she is currently permitted to retain.

Monday's decision was taken by three judges at a Paris court, and based on evidence presented by prosecutors. The chief judge of Le Pen's trial made it clear she had no doubt the far-right politician was guilty of overseeing a fake jobs scheme at the European Parliament, which saw millions of euros in EU taxpayers' money diverted to fund national party business between 2004 and 2016. She added that Le Pen and her party's consistent denial of any wrongdoing showed a risk of re-offending.

Paris-based law professor Julien Boudon told DW that the five-year ban on running for office handed down to Le Pen followed French legislation and legal precedents on cases of embezzlement by politicians.

"It's totally standard," Boudon said, adding he was "not at all surprised."

French lawmakers had voted to toughen punishments for corruption following a  2016 scandal involving former budget minister Jerome Cahuzac, who was eventually convicted of tax fraud. Those laws made electoral bans the penalty for such crimes, and Le Pen herself has in the past pushed for harsher sentences for those found guilty of misusing public funds.

Law professor Boudon also noted that, had judges let Le Pen off with a shorter-than-standard ban, they would have faced even harsher accusations of politicizing judicial processes than they do already.

Meanwhile, accusations of violating the rule of law and politicizing legal processes have been pouring in domestically and abroad. On Tuesday, Le Pen's heir apparent Jordan Bardella blasted what he called the "tyranny of judges which contravenes voter freedom."

Similar claims echoed from Le Pen's political allies around the world.

Matteo Salvini from Italy's far-right Lega party alleged that this was an attempt to "remove [Le Pen] from political life," and "a declaration of war," while Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro alleged on X that the French left were using "judicial activism to win elections without a real opposition."

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 02/04/2025

 

Amnesty International calls on Hungary to arrest Netanyahu

LONDON, England

Amnesty International has called on Hungary to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following reports that he will visit the EU member state on Wednesday at the invitation of his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban.

Netanyahu is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in November over Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

Orban, a close ally of Netanyahu, has said he would not enforce the warrant. As a member state, Hungary is required to enforce any arrest warrant issued by the ICC.

Erika Guevara-Rosas, head of global research, advocacy and policy at Amnesty International, said Netanyahu “is an alleged war criminal, who is accused of using starvation as a method of warfare, intentionally attacking civilians and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.”

As an ICC member, “Hungary must arrest him if he travels to the country and hand him over to the Court. Any trip he takes to an ICC member state that does not end in his arrest would embolden Israel to commit further crimes against Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

“Netanyahu’s reported visit should be seen as a cynical effort to undermine the ICC and its work, and is an insult to the victims of these crimes who are looking to the Court for justice. Hungary’s invitation shows contempt for international law and confirms that alleged war criminals wanted by the ICC are welcome on the streets of an EU member state.”

Guevara-Rosas said: “Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary must not become a bellwether for the future of human rights in Europe.

“European and global leaders must end their shameful silence and inaction, and call on Hungary to arrest Netanyahu during a visit which would make a mockery of the suffering of Palestinian victims of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, its war crimes in other parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and its entrenched system of apartheid against all Palestinians whose rights it controls.

“Amnesty International calls on the ICC Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute all Israel’s crimes.”

Guevara-Rosas added: “Hungary should equally do so by applying universal jurisdiction principles. Powerful leaders, like Netanyahu, accused by the ICC of war crimes and crimes against humanity, must no longer enjoy the prospect of perpetual impunity.”

Zambia president orders ministers to stop sleeping in cabinet

LUSAKA, Zambia

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has warned ministers against dozing off during meetings, attributing their lack of attentiveness to "indulgence" and an absence of self-control.

"In cabinet somebody's sleeping at 10 hours - the question is where were they... if you can start conking there? To me that is a crime, a serous crime," Hichilema said during a swearing-in ceremony for a new minister.

He did not spell out what exactly he meant by "indulgence" but local media have interpreted this as referring to excessive alcohol drinking and late-night partying.

The president warned that such behaviour risked exposing state secrets and delayed service delivery to the public.

Hichilema won a landslide victory in 2021 with ambitious plans to turn around the economy of Africa's second largest copper producer.

Since assuming office, he has sacked several senior officials including ministers over performance issues.

Speaking on Monday as he welcomed newly appointed Local Government Minister Gift Sialubalo, the president said he has now gone public with his concerns about cabinet members after saying it in private "over and over".

Without naming anyone, he said that some ministers "develop a knack" of revealing confidential state information on social media "especially during happy hours".

"I have advised cabinet that we must have a self-censure. When you're in public office you must have... self-control, not to over-indulge," the president added.

Citing the Bible, he warned such behaviour could lead to self-destruction.

"So how do you participate in a meeting when you are sleeping? The message is very clear: you are not interested in cabinet deliberations on behalf of Zambians. So why are you sitting there?" he asked.

The president is expected to seek a second term in next year's general election. He could face stiff competition from his predecessor, Edgar Lungu, who has mounted a political come back but is currently barred from running.