Nigeria is planning to repatriate its nationals in South Africa willing to return home voluntarily, amid growing fears that recent attacks on foreigners there could escalate. Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said 130 applicants had already registered for the exercise, adding that the number was expected to rise. She expressed President Bola Tinubu’s concern about the attacks in the southern African nation, and condemned the violence against foreign nationals and demonstrations characterised by “xenophobic rhetoric, hate speeches and incendiary anti-migrant statements”. Nigeria has summoned South Africa’s acting High Commissioner over the issue. Nigeria will formally convey its “profound concern” at a…
Author: Montage Africa
Two of Nigeria’s most prominent opposition figures have announced they have switched parties in a dramatic political realignment ahead of next year’s presidential election. Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, who finished third and fourth respectively in the 2023 presidential race, have both joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), raising the prospect of a joint ticket to challenge President Bola Tinubu. They were previously in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), along with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who came second in the last election. While this could be seen as a fragmentation of the opposition, supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso say it…
By Dominic Wabwireh with Other agencies A South African police captain is being praised for “extraordinary bravery” after he was lowered into a crocodile‑infested river to help recover human remains during a high‑risk operation on Sunday. Captain Johan “Pottie” Potgieter was hoisted down alone into the Komati River in Mpumalanga to secure a euthanized crocodile so it could be lifted out by helicopter. Police say the maneuver allowed forensic teams to safely retrieve the remains of a suspected missing person. Body parts found inside the crocodile’s intestines have been sent for DNA analysis to confirm the victim’s identity. Police leadership…
By Rédaction Africanews with Agencies Health authorities in South Africa and Cape Verde are urging calm but heightened vigilance following a suspected hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship, with officials emphasising early detection and coordinated medical response. Foster Mohale, spokesperson for South Africa’s Health Ministry, called on individuals who may have been in close contact with affected passengers to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear. “We don’t want to instill fear in people. But only for those who happen to be in close contact with these people, we say, please, anyone who experienced any of the signs and…
Mali’s military leader Gen Assimi Goïta has taken over as defence minister after the officer who previously held the post was killed in a wave of surprise attacks. The West African country remains in a security crisis more than a week after an alliance of jihadists and separatist rebels launched their nationwide raids. During the offensive, Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing on his residence near the capital, Bamako. A decree read on state television on Monday said Goïta would replace Camara as defence minister. He will be assisted by army chief of staff…
By Dominic Wabwireh with AP Taiwan’s President Lai Ching‑te returned from a three‑day visit to Eswatini declaring on Tuesday that state‑to‑state travel is a “basic right,” using the moment to push back against Chinese efforts to block his trip and to reaffirm Taiwan’s determination to stay engaged with the world. Lai had originally planned to visit Eswatini — one of Taiwan’s 12 remaining diplomatic allies — last month, but Taipei says China pressured three countries to revoke flight permits, preventing his aircraft from transiting their airspace. Beijing did not confirm the pressure but said it was “highly appreciative” of the…
By Bridget UGWE and Jade Lévin, Lionel Laval He is known as “the Eagle,” “Di Caprio,” “El Profesor”… but we’ll simply call him Fally Ipupa. The Congolese superstar, who has long since crossed the borders of his native Democratic Republic of the Congo, is celebrating 20 years of his solo career this year. To mark the occasion, he is releasing his eighth studio album, XX, with the first part set to drop on April 17, followed by a second release on June 10, exactly 20 years after his debut album Droit Chemin. He will also celebrate this milestone with two…
By Rédaction Africanews Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Egypt’s foreign minister, Badr Abdelatty, focusing on the war in the Middle East and economic cooperation. At the Kremlin, Putin said Russia is, in his words, “ready to do everything in our power” to help stabilize the situation in the region. He added that he has instructed his government to work with Egypt on boosting food supplies, especially Russian grain, saying Russia has, quote, “absolutely no problems” with its harvest or future deliveries. Egypt’s foreign minister thanked Putin for Russia’s backing on energy and food security, highlighting ongoing cooperation on…
By Rédaction Africanews and AP Pope Leo XIV led the Holy Thursday Chrism Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, using the occasion to speak against the abuse of power and the drive for domination. During the ceremony, large vats of oil were blessed for use throughout the year in baptisms, communions, confirmations, and the anointing of the sick across Rome’s parishes. His broader message of peace came amid the ongoing war in the Middle East, where he has repeatedly appealed for an end to violence and urged global leaders to seek dialogue and de-escalation rather than conflict. Just weeks earlier, the…
By Rédaction Africanews Stocks slumped and oil prices soared Thursday after President Donald Trump vowed the U.S. will continue to attack Iran and failed to offer a clear timetable for ending the conflict in the Middle East. The S&P 500 fell 1.1%, with three out of every four stocks in the benchmark index losing ground. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 545 points, or 1.2%, as of 9:52 a.m. Eastern. The Nasdaq composite fell 1.6%. Major indexes throughout Europe and Asia also fell. The broad slide for U.S. and global stocks follows a national address from Trump on Wednesday where…