Author: Montage Africa

Church leaders and politicians in South Sudan have used their Easter messages to call for “lasting peace” and an end to the sporadic killings and conflict rife in the country. Delivered to worshippers at churches of different Christian denominations across the nation, some blamed the nationwide violence on the country’s leadership. The UN has repeatedly warned that South Sudan is at risk of sliding back into a full-scale civil war. Last week, 74 mine workers were killed by gunmen in Jebel-Iraq, south-west of the capital, Juba. The government and opposition officials have traded accusations over who was responsible. Santo Loku Pio, the…

Côte d’Ivoire is accelerating efforts to become a leading fund domiciliation hub in Francophone West and Central Africa, following a high-level roundtable that brought together policymakers, regulators, and investors to accelerate efforts aimed at unlocking private capital flows into the region. Fund domiciliation, the legal establishment of investment funds within a jurisdiction, is a critical lever for retaining capital locally and strengthening domestic financial markets. During the Roundtable held at the Sofitel Hotel Ivoire in Abidjan, more than 40 stakeholders from across the investment ecosystem convened to explore how regulatory alignment and innovative fund structures can position the country and…

In Tanzania, compressed natural gas (CNG) is emerging as a practical solution for drivers seeking to reduce costs, shorten working hours, and navigate rising fuel prices while advancing environmental and economic benefits. This story is written and edited by Global South World Until early 2024, Zawadi Kayaula’s days followed a punishing routine. The 47-year-old spent long hours behind the wheel of a petrol-powered bajaji, one of Tanzania’s ubiquitous three-wheeled public transport vehicles. Most of what he earned went straight into the fuel tank. “I’d leave home at 6 a.m. and return around 9 p.m., yet still struggled to make ends meet,”…

By Rédaction Africanews and AP Tensions are rising in Nigeria after a disputed military claim about a deadly church attack in Kaduna state. The Nigerian Army says it rescued 31 people after gunmen stormed a church in Ariko village, killing several worshippers. But local leaders and Christian groups are pushing back. The Christian Association of Nigeria, through northern chairman Reverend John Joseph Hayab, says no such rescue happened. According to him, the victims are still in captivity. He warned that spreading misinformation could actually make things worse, giving armed groups more room to operate while authorities and communities argue over…

By Rédaction Africanews and AP Tensions in the Middle East are rapidly escalating as Iran rejects a proposed 45-day ceasefire, insisting instead on a permanent end to the war US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure, issuing a firm deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that failure to comply could lead to sweeping strikes targeting critical infrastructure, including power plants and bridges. Trump also said he is “not at all” concerned about potential war crimes accusations tied to such actions. The United Nations is pushing back. Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that targeting civilian infrastructure…

By Sarah Miansoni with AFP In Algeria’s northern town of Annaba, preparations are underway at the Basilica of Saint Augustine ahead of Pope Leo’s visit next week. The Pope will land in Algiers on Monday, where he will visit the Maqam Echahit Martyr’s Monument — commemorating the Algerian War of Independence — and meet Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, before travelling to Annaba the next day. The town was home to the ancient Christian theologist and philosopher Saint Augustine, a spiritual father for Pope Leo XIV, who belongs to the Augustinian Order. Parishioners and members of the clergy alike expressed their enthusiasm ahead…

Albert Mazibuko, who sang in iconic South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo for more than five decades, has died aged 77. The musician’s death on Sunday came after a short illness, the choral group posted on their Facebook page. Mazibuko joined Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 1969 and the collective went on to win five Grammy awards and feature on Paul Simon’s acclaimed 1986 Graceland album. Ladysmith Black Mambazo paid tribute to Mazibuko on Monday, describing him as “kind to a fault” and a “saint” who acted as a “wise elder” for the group’s younger members. “He loved traveling the world,…

Senegal faces fresh scrutiny after undisclosed €650 million financing deals surfaced, adding to IMF findings that it significantly underreported debt and fiscal deficits between 2019 and 2023. The episode highlights a wider African problem of weak transparency, hidden liabilities, and complex borrowing structures that conceal true debt levels and intensify financial risks. This story is written and edited by Global South World The government has defended the transactions, saying they were lawful and complied with the relevant transparency requirements. The issue has drawn attention because it comes after the IMF said an audit by Senegal’s Court of Auditors found “significant underreporting” of fiscal deficits…

By Africanews Speaking at a youth event in the coastal city of Mbour, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko pointed to the escalating prices of oil to justify the measure. Sonko said he had canceled his own planned trips to Niger, Spain and France, Reuters reported, in an effort to cut costs. Oil prices have edged close to $115 a barrel from about $80 before the war on Iran. The west African country is facing a financial squueze since the termination of a lending program by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over debt misreporting. The country faces a budget deficit of nearly 14 percent…

By Africanews with AP 84-year-old Gladys Khoza reacted with delight after she was one of 133 people who had their sight restored during a cataract eye surgery “marathon” conducted by doctors in South Africa at two hospitals over two weekends last month. “Wow,” she whispered as a nurse peeled back the bandage over one eye a day after her operation and the world came back into view. “Can you see me?” the nurse asked. “Very well,” Khoza replied, a big grin on her face. Patients in South Africa’s public health service can be on waiting lists for years for the…