Two days ago, a series of fights broke out at a Mainland Block Party in Lagos – an organized event headlined by one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising Afrobeats stars, FOLA. The concert, held on December 15 at the Balmoral Event Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, was abruptly halted due to safety concerns arising from overcrowding. Organizers reportedly stopped the show when attendance exceeded the venue’s approved capacity, sparking chaos among attendees. The platform, which prides itself on bridging different strata of society — a space where it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to rub shoulders with your faves — received a wave…
Author: Montage Africa
Kidnapping for ransom has evolved into a central pillar of violence in the West African Sahel, according to a 24-year analysis of conflict data. Once dominated by the abduction of Westerners, the practice has increasingly shifted toward targeting local civilians as foreign presence in the region declines. Researchers examined nearly 58,000 violent incidents since 2000, revealing how ransom payments have funded extremist expansion, arms purchases, and recruitment across the Sahel. While seizing foreigners remains highly lucrative, militant groups now rely on widespread civilian kidnappings to sustain a predatory local economy. The findings highlight a grim dilemma: ransom payments save lives in the…
By Agencies Guinea’s long-awaited Simandou iron ore mega-mine has officially begun output and exports after nearly three decades of delays, but hopes of transforming the country’s fortunes are being clouded by massive layoffs. At the peak of construction in 2024–2025, the vast project employed more than 60,000 workers. With the transition from construction to operations now under way, that workforce will shrink dramatically, with fewer than 15,000 jobs expected to remain once full production starts. Thousands of workers—already heavily concentrated in Guinea’s rural southeast—are losing their livelihoods, particularly around hubs like Dantilia and Kamara. Contractors and local sources warn that the abrupt reduction in staff…
By Rédaction Africanews with AP Burkina Faso on Wednesday released 11 personnel of the Nigerian Air Force who were detained Dec. 8 after their aircraft made an emergency landing, Nigeria’s foreign minister said. “Through sustained dialogue, we also resolved the matter concerning Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew, reaffirming the effectiveness of diplomacy in addressing sensitive issues,” Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar said Thursday in a statement on X. Burkina Faso’s military regime led by Ibrahim Traoré released the personnel after meetings with a Nigerian delegation led by Tuggar, the statement added. The personnel included two flight crew members and…
By Rédaction Africanews Reinforcements from the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) have been deployed in the Vakaga region with the support of the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA to help secure the elections. As part of the implementation of the Integrated Election Security Plan (PISE), additional FACA troops were deployed to Vakaga on 16 December 2025. MINUSCA provided air transport for the troops. The Central African Republic is set to host presidential and parliamentary, but also municipal – the first ones in decades – elections on 28th December. Human rights organisations have voiced concerns over the democratic credibility and inclusiveness of…
By Rédaction Africanews and Agencies Damage and losses from Hurricane Melissa could cost Jamaica up to $15 billion, the United Nations said on Wednesday, 50 days after the tropical storm made landfall on the Caribbean island. Fifty days after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, authorities are assessing the damage it left behind. The human impact has been severe with 45 deaths reported and more than 600,000 people affected. Hundreds of people are still living in shelters, unable to return home. “The physical devastation has been extensive nationwide, with at least 120,000 buildings, primarily in southwestern Jamaica, losing their roofs,…
By Rédaction Africanews Morocco is currently experiencing a cold wave affecting several regions of the Kingdom, particularly mountainous and inland areas. The drop in temperatures has been accompanied by snowfall on high-altitude zones, causing difficult conditions for local populations and road users. Authorities have raised the level of mobilization nationwide to assist affected communities, ensure the continuity of traffic, and provide support to vulnerable populations. Emergency teams have been deployed to clear snow-covered roads and monitor weather-related risks. Citizens are urged to take necessary precautions as the cold spell is expected to continue over the coming days, while relevant services…
By Rédaction Africanews with agencies A judge in Mali has ordered the return of three metric tonnes of gold worth about $400 million to Canada’s Barrick Mining. It was seized by military helicopter in January from the company’s Loullo-Gounkoto complex following a confiscation order by a judge. The gold has reportedly been held since then in a bank vault in the country’s capital, Bamako. January’s seizure order came under Mali’s new mining code introduced by the military-led government which aims to strengthen the state’s share of extractive revenues. Gold is a pillar of the national economy and represents more than…
By Rédaction Africanews Members of Nigeria’s main labour union took to the streets of Lagos on Wednesday to protest rising insecurity, calling on the government to take urgent action to protect lives and property. Hundreds of members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) marched through major roads in the commercial capital, carrying placards and chanting slogans against kidnappings, armed robberies, and killings across the country. The protesters said worsening insecurity was affecting workers’ safety and livelihoods, with many afraid to commute or travel for the festive season. Labour leaders accused the government of failing to address the situation despite repeated…
By Rédaction Africanews Morocco is stepping up preparations to host the Africa Cup of Nations, with the capital Rabat emerging as a main showcase of the country’s readiness ahead of the tournament’s kickoff on Dec. 21. Across the city, signs of the monthlong competition are increasingly visible. Streets and public squares are lined with African flags, while countdown installations and transport hubs have been decorated with the tournament’s colors. Trams, trains and stations — including a newly built stop next to the Prince Moulay Abdellah Complex — have adopted Africa Cup branding as officials work to present a unified look…