By : Lloyd Mahachi Senegal has commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre. This was a colonial-era tragedy in which African soldiers who fought for France during World War II were killed by French soldiers in 1944. The soldiers were demanding fair treatment and payment upon their return. France’s foreign affairs minister attended the ceremony in Thiaroye, along with other African heads of state. Senegal continues to demand answers about the massacre. The French military claims that 35 to 75 soldiers were killed. However, historians dispute this, estimating that nearly 400 people died. There have been calls to exhume…
Author: JOSEY AGENCY
By : Lloyd Mahachi Kenyan President William Ruto has announced that he and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will help mediate between Ethiopia and Somalia in a dispute that threatens to destabilize the Horn of Africa region. The dispute began when Ethiopia announced plans to build a port in the breakaway region of Somaliland. Somaliland has struggled to gain international recognition despite governing itself and enjoying comparative peace and stability since declaring independence in 1991. The Mogadishu government is angry about Ethiopia’s plan, which could lead to Somaliland gaining recognition as an independent nation. This has drawn Somalia closer to Egypt…
By : Lloyd Mahachi A boat carrying around 200 passengers capsized on the Niger River in central Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 people. The boat was traveling from the state of Kogi to a food market in the neighboring state of Niger when it capsized late on Thursday. More than half of the passengers are reportedly missing, according to Ibrahim Audu, a spokesman for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency. Rescuers have managed to pull 27 bodies from the river, while local divers are still searching for the missing passengers. The cause of the accident is…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Tensions are rising in Namibia after the country’s electoral commission announced an extension of the presidential and parliamentary elections. The extension was due to “irregularities” that slowed down voting, including a shortage of ballot papers and overheating electronic tablets used to register voters. The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) announced that polling stations would remain open until Saturday night. The opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) party protested against the extension but urged voters to cast their ballots. “Regrettably, there has been a multitude of irregularities,” said IPC presidential candidate Panduleni Itula. Despite the challenges, voters…
By : Lloyd Mahachi A new study has revealed that over 350 elephants, which died mysteriously in Botswana’s Okavango Delta in 2020, were likely poisoned by toxic water. The incident, described by scientists as a “conservation disaster,” saw elephants exhibiting unusual behavior, such as walking in circles, before collapsing and dying. This event marked the largest documented elephant die-off with an initially unknown cause. Speculation ranged from cyanide poisoning to an unidentified disease. However, a paper published in Science of the Total Environment suggests the deaths were caused by toxic blooms of blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, in waterholes.…
By : Lloyd Mahachi South Africa continues to grapple with the enduring legacy of apartheid, which has created significant disparities in the provision of essential services. The recent deaths linked to “spaza shops” have underscored the ongoing impact of apartheid on the country’s economy and healthcare system. Spaza shops, informal convenience stores that emerged in black communities during the apartheid era, play a substantial role in South Africa’s economy, with over 150,000 shops nationwide. However, many of these shops operate without proper registration with local municipalities or tax authorities. Some sell expired or counterfeit products, highlighting a lack of regulation…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Nigerian economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been reappointed as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) for a second four-year term. This decision, made on Friday, marks a significant milestone for Okonjo-Iweala, who made history as the first African and first female leader of the WTO. Her reappointment was widely anticipated, as she was the sole candidate nominated for the position. Some trade sources suggest her early reappointment could be an effort to preempt a potential veto by incoming U.S. President Donald Trump. However, the WTO has dismissed these claims. It is worth noting that Trump’s administration…
By : Lloyd Mahachi A devastating landslide has hit eastern Uganda, leaving at least 113 people missing and 15 confirmed dead. The landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall, affected multiple villages in the Bulambuli district, about 280 km from the capital Kampala. Rescue workers are trying to reach people buried in the landslide. At least 40 houses were swept away, and the Ugandan Red Cross Society is leading the rescue operation. The police have confirmed that 15 bodies have been recovered, and another 15 injured people have been rescued and admitted to hospital. The landslide has had a devastating impact on…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Mozambique is facing a severe crisis. The country had elections in October, but the results are disputed. The opposition says the election was not fair. They claim that the ruling party cheated to win. The ruling party, Frelimo, has been in power for 49 years. They were announced as the winners of the election. But the opposition and Western observers say the election was not free or fair. This has led to widespread protests across the country. The protests turned violent, and many people were killed. The police have used live bullets and tear gas to…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has begun a three-day state visit to France. This visit is a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. The visit is also symbolic, as it marks the first appearance of a sitting Nigerian president at the Champs-Élysées in two decades. This historic visit is expected to boost economic cooperation and investment between France and Nigeria. France is seeking to renew its ties with Africa, particularly with English-speaking countries. The country’s influence has diminished in French-speaking countries following coups in the Sahel region. France aims to strengthen economic ties…