By : Lloyd Mahachi A devastating wave of mass killings has struck Sudan, prompting alarm from the United Nations. The conflict in Gezira state has forced countless civilians to flee their homes, with reports indicating that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have committed “atrocious crimes” against civilians, including mass killings, rape, and widespread looting. According to Clementine Nkweta-Salami, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, preliminary reports suggest that the RSF carried out a major attack across Gezira state between October 20-25, resulting in scores of deaths. This situation bears unsettling resemblance to the ethnic cleansing that occurred in…
Author: JOSEY AGENCY
By : Lloyd Mahachi A devastating trail of destruction and loss of life has been left in the wake of Tropical Storm Trami, which triggered massive floods and landslides in the Philippines. The country’s disaster-response agency has confirmed that at least 120 people have lost their lives, with dozens still missing and feared dead. President Ferdinand Marcos has attributed the devastation to an unusually large volume of rainfall, with some areas receiving up to two months’ worth in just 24 hours. This overwhelming deluge has crippled flood controls, leaving communities vulnerable to the storm’s fury. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with…
By : Lloyd Mahachi The 18th annual South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) took place on Saturday, October 26, with Shaka iLembe emerging as the biggest winner of the evening. The historical drama scooped numerous awards, dominating the television drama categories. Shaka iLembe’s impressive haul included Best Achievement in Make-up and Hairstyling, Wardrobe, Art Direction, Sound, Original Music/Score, Editing, Visual Effects, Cinematography, Scriptwriting, and Directing. Thembinkosi Mthembu also took home the award for Best Actor in a TV Drama for his role in the series. Other notable winners included Skeem Saam, which won Best TV Soap, and Outlaws, which…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Botswana’s governing party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), is seeking re-election after 58 years in power, with a surprising campaign promise: change. President Mokgweetsi Masisi, in charge since 2018, acknowledges that things need to be done differently, citing economic challenges and unemployment affecting over 25% of the working population, particularly among young people. Despite overseeing a peaceful transformation of Botswana from a poor country to one with high living standards, thanks to its vast diamond reserves, the BDP faces criticism for its handling of the economy and inequality. The country ranks among the most unequal in…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Joshua Setipa, a candidate from Lesotho, is vying to become the next Commonwealth Secretary-General, but his background is marked by controversy. His tenure as the Managing Director of the UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries (UNTB) was terminated by the UN’s Audit Report and Functional Review due to significant overspending on administration and travel, lost expense accounts, and inadequate oversight structures. The audit revealed that Setipa’s planning and implementation were ineffective, and procurement due diligence processes were inadequate. Gaps were identified in supporting governments, running projects, fundraising, complying with UN rules and regulations, and the…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Ademola Lookman, Nigerian winger, has shared his inspiring journey from England’s youth teams to becoming a key player for the Super Eagles. Despite winning the Under-20 World Cup with England in 2017, Lookman’s heart always belonged to Nigeria. “I was always a Nigerian, born and raised in the UK,” he emphasized. “I’ve always been in touch with my people, with the culture. I was coming to and from Nigeria from a kid.” This deep-rooted connection made his decision to switch allegiance to Nigeria in 2022 an easy one. Lookman’s performances for Nigeria have made him a…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Uganda’s High Court has sentenced Thomas Kwoyelo, a former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander, to 40 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity. This landmark conviction marks the first time a senior LRA member has faced justice in Uganda for crimes including murder, rape, and torture. Kwoyelo was found guilty of 44 offenses in August and not guilty of three counts of murder. Kwoyelo’s story is complex, as he claims to have been forcibly recruited by the LRA at the age of 12 in 1987. He rose through the ranks to become a…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Commonwealth leaders are preparing to defy the UK by agreeing to examine reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade at the upcoming summit in Samoa. Despite Downing Street’s insistence that the issue is not on the agenda, diplomatic sources reveal that officials are negotiating an agreement to conduct further research and begin a “meaningful conversation” about reparations. The draft summit communique includes three paragraphs on reparatory justice, which could potentially leave the UK owing billions in reparations. Caribbean countries, led by the Bahamas, are pushing for reparations, with a report estimating the UK owes over £18…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Zimbabwe’s gold-backed currency, the ZiG, has faced significant challenges since its introduction six months ago, losing nearly half its value and prompting the central bank to devalue it by 43%. Launched in April to stabilize the country’s economy and reduce dependence on the US dollar, the ZiG’s struggles have raised concerns about Zimbabwe’s ability to establish a trusted local currency. The country has been battling hyperinflation since 2007, leading to the abandonment of the Zimbabwe dollar (Zimdollar) in 2009. At its peak, the Zimdollar had become one of the world’s worst-performing currencies, with an inflation rate…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Mozambique’s ruling party, Frelimo, has secured another term in power after its presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, won over 70% of the votes in the recent election. However, the opposition has cried foul, alleging electoral fraud and manipulation in favor of Frelimo. Chapo’s main opponent, Venancio Mondlane, came second with over 20% of the votes, while Ossufo Momade of the opposition party Renamo secured over 5%. Frelimo has extended its 49-year rule since Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975. The election has been marred by controversy, with the opposition accusing Frelimo of rigging the vote. Tensions…