Cubans Celebrate Arrival of Russian Oil Tanker Amid US Energy Blockade

People sit along the edge of an abandoned swimming pool across from a tanker terminal along the port of Matanzas, Cuba, Monday, March 30, 2026.

Cubans were relived on Tuesday to learned that a Russian tanker docked at the Cuban port of Matanzas laden with 730,000 barrels of oil, marking the first time in three months that an oil tanker reached the island.

The administration of President Donald Trump had allowed the Anatoly Kolodkin to proceed despite an ongoing US energy blockade. Cubans including Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy cheered the ship’s arrival.

A shortage of petroleum has exacerbated a deep economic crisis that has left the population mired in long blackouts and facing a severe shortage of food and medicine. Cuba produces barely 40% of its required fuel and relies on imports to sustain its energy grid.

Experts say the anticipated shipment could produce about 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to feed Cuba’s daily demand for nine or 10 days.

Others celebrating the arrival included Matanzas resident Camilo Galves, who watched the ship dock from his home. “This is undoubtedly a great relief for the Cuban people and a moment of great joy for us amid so many hardships we are experiencing,” he said. “It’s yet another sign that we are not alone in the world.”

Cuba used to receive most of its oil from Venezuela, but those shipments were halted ever since the US attacked the South American country and arrested its leader in early January.

Since then, Mexico also has halted its oil shipments to Cuba as Trump threatened in late January to impose tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to the island.

On Sunday night, Trump had said he had “no problem” with a Russian oil tanker off the coast of Cuba delivering relief to the island.

“People from different parts of the world are contributing in their own small way to make things a little better in this situation we are living through," said Yania Beatriz Martínez.

Nigeria: Mob Violence Reported in Jos Days After Deadly Gunman Attack

People gather at the scene of Sunday night's gunmen attack in Gari Ya Waye community in the Jos North Nigeria, Monday, March 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Samson Omale)

Mobs formed across the Nigerian city of Jos on Wednesday, a reporter for the press agency AFP saw, appearing to lead to the deaths of two people.

The chaos comes after unidentified gunmen killed around 30 people in a bar over the weekend, prompting accusations on social media - without evidence - that Christians were targeted on Palm Sunday, which marks the runup to Easter.

Jos, the capital of Plateau state in northcentral Nigeria, is home to a mixed population of Christians and Muslims, many of whom live peacefully side by side.

But the city is also riven with ethnic and religious tension that has sparked deadly sectarian riots in the past.

An AFP reporter saw a crowd of people form and smash cars, a "keke" tricycle taxi set ablaze, and crowds running for safety.

Elsewhere, the reporter saw two bodies in the street. It's unclear who formed the mobs or who they were targeting. In the Plateau state countryside, farmers and herders regularly clash over access to land, though the conflict falls across ethnic and religious lines, adding fuel to the fire in a state where ethnicity, religion and who is considered "indigenous" can be politically explosive topics.

A general curfew placed over the city for Monday and Tuesday was thought to have reduced the chance of further attacks - including reprisals - following the Sunday shooting.

Throughout Wednesday morning, security forces sped through the city to disperse crowds, at times shooting into the air. Sunday's massacre occurred in Anguwan Rukuba, a neighbourhood popular with local university students and staff.

Though most of the victims of the shooting are presumed to be Christian, a local Muslim group said that four of its members were killed in the violence.

Senegal’s President Following Rightward Trends Signs Harsh Law to Persecute LGBTQ Communities

By BABACAR DIONE

9:54 AM EDT, March 31, 2026

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has signed into law a new provision increasing the punishment for homosexuality in the largely Muslim West African nation, the latest African country to impose harsher penalties against the LGBTQ+ community.

The law was passed by parliament last month with near-unanimous support. It doubles the punishment for those convicted from prison sentences of one to five years to between five and 10 years.

The president signed it on Monday.

The fines for the offense were also raised to a maximum of 10 million CFA ($17,609), but the bill retains the offense as a misdemeanor rather than a crime. During the parliamentary session, ministers argued that the previous 1966 law was too lenient.

The law classifies homosexuality along with necrophilia and bestiality under offenses deemed “acts against nature.” It also punishes what it calls the “promotion” or “financing” of homosexuality, an attempt to crack down on organizations that support sexual and gender minorities.

But it also punishes anyone who accuses a person of homosexual acts “without proof.”

Laws proscribing homosexuality are common across Africa: more than 30 of the 54 countries criminalize same-sex sexual acts. Senegal has joined countries like Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania, where penalties can include 10 or more years of imprisonment. In Somalia, Uganda, and Mauritania, the offense can carry the death penalty.

Rallies in support of the new law were organized ahead of the vote in parliament by groups promoting Islamic values, and the police cracked down on alleged gay people and arrested at least a dozen people and created a climate of fear for the LGBTQ community.

The proposed law fulfills a campaign promise of the prime minister, who had tried but failed to introduce it when he was in the opposition.

A Fire and Explosions at a Military Camp in Burundi Kill 13 People and Injure 57

4:59 PM EDT, April 1, 2026

BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) — A massive fire that erupted at a storage unit inside a military camp in Burundi overnight set off explosives that triggered several blasts and killed 13 people, the army said Wednesday.

The inferno on Tuesday night also left at least 57 people injured. Army spokesperson Gaspard Baratuza said the fire was caused by a short-circuit in the storage unit. Three soldiers were among those injured, he said. It wasn’t clear if all the fatalities were civilians.

Residents near the camp, located in Musaga area on the outskirts of the commercial hub of Bujumbura, the largest city in the East African country, had fled in panic.

The blaze was visible from miles away. The explosions hurled munitions all around the camp, prompting a senior official, Maj. Gen. Aloys Ndayikengurukiye, to urge the public to report any unexploded ordnance or suspicious objects so they could be safely removed.

Baratuza reassured the public that there had been no attack on the military camp and urged residents to remain calm. The fire had also cut off power in the camp and the surrounding areas.

“We ask residents of the Gasekebuye, Kanyosha, Kinindo areas and surrounding neighborhoods to remain calm and not give in to panic,” Baratuza said.

By Wednesday morning, calm was returning to the area. The local government said children who had fled on their own during the incident were at the Buhonga Catholic Parish waiting to be reunited with their families.

DR Congo’s World Cup Qualification Unites a Troubled Country and Brings a Rare Moment of Joy

By JUSTIN KABUMBA and WILSON MCMAKIN

6:24 AM EDT, April 1, 2026

GOMA, Congo (AP) — Congo erupted in joy overnight after a 100th-minute goal against Jamaica sent the African country back to the World Cup for the first time in more than half a century.

Across the country, people danced, yelled, and hugged each other in what became a rare moment of joy for a nation battered by conflict in its mineral-rich eastern region.

Congo’s World Cup qualification came courtesy of Axel Tuanzebe’s extra-time goal following a corner to secure a 1-0 win over Jamaica in Tuesday night’s game in Guadalajara, Mexico.

That goal and the victory over Jamaica brought a huge relief for millions in the central African nation who have long been accustomed to news of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels fighting with government forces in the east in a decades-long conflict that has resulted in one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with at least 7 million people displaced.

The last time Congo participated in the World Cup was the 1974 edition in Germany. Then, the country had a different name, Zaire. It also had a different reality from today’s in which Rwanda-backed rebels control large swathes of land and territories in its mineral-rich eastern region.

“Look at this crowd, we are full of joy because the victory is ours, we are very happy,” said an overjoyed Alain Kagama at a bar in the city of Goma, the epicenter of the violence which has been under rebel control for over a year.

“It has been a long time since we smiled, but today we are happy,” Kagama added.

The victory also united the country, drawing commendations from both the government and rebels.

Videos showed Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi hugging and celebrating with soccer fans and officials as his government commended the soccer team for their victorious outing. M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka told The Associated Press the whole nation is excited for the team.

“It’s a matter of joy, it’s a pleasure that at the next World Cup, the Congolese national team will be represented,” Kanyuka said.

Since January 2025, fighting has flared between the Congolese armed forces and the M23 after the rebels swept through the eastern region in lightning attacks and seized key cities of Goma and Bukavu.

The conflict has raged on despite a truce brokered by the United States and Qatar. And clashes and drone strikes continue, including a February drone strike that killed a senior rebel official.

With its victory in the intercontinental playoff, Congo completed Group K at the World Cup, where it will face Colombia, Portugal, and Uzbekistan.

As its team celebrated and danced at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, many stayed glued to their screen, holding tight to the excitement they wished would not pass.

“Today is truly a historic day, we are full of joy as you can see. ... It was our parents who last saw us at the World Cup, but today we are part of a story that we will tell our children,” said Christian Mihigo, a fan in Goma.

—-

McMakin reported from Dakar, Senegal.

Against Wars, Millions in the Streets of the World

According to various press reports, more than 3,300 events were scheduled and took place in several cities across all 50 states of the United States

Author: International Editor | internet@granma.cu

March 30, 2026 10:03:35

Mundo

Photo: AFP

This weekend, for the third time in less than a year, a "No Kings" protest took place in several U.S. cities in opposition to the current administration's policies and against unilateral coercive measures against Cuba.

According to various press reports, more than 3,300 events were scheduled and took place in several cities across all 50 states of the United States, where crowds gathered with signs condemning the illegal wars the U.S. is currently waging, as well as demanding an end to authoritarianism, fascism, and the immigration policies that terrorize the population.

In that vein, Bruce Springsteen's performance in Minnesota stood out. He sang his song "Streets of Minneapolis," released earlier this year and dedicated to Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two Americans killed by immigration agents. Senator Bernie Sanders was also present and criticized the government's violent policies.

Meanwhile, in Times Square, New York, millions gathered, including some of the activists recently returned from Cuba after participating in the Our America Convoy to Cuba, where they brought material aid to the Cuban people, who are suffering the consequences of the oil embargo following the Executive Order issued at the end of January.

According to Prensa Latina, more than 700 organizations in Italy joined this massive mobilization, which brought together some 300,000 demonstrators in favor of world peace and in support of Cuba, Venezuela, Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran.

"This is, above all, a march against the logic and culture of war, demanding peace, putting people's needs back at the center, and stopping this dangerous authoritarian culture that is emerging," declared Maurizio Landini, leader of the General Confederation of Italian Workers.

Beyond the Digital Noise: Keys to Understanding the War Against Cuba

The manipulators want Cubans to keep staring at the shadows they project onto the wall: shadows of violence, chaos, and despair

Author: Raúl Antonio Capote | informacion@granmai.cu

March 30, 2026 10:03:35

Mundo

Photo: Martirena

While the world focuses its attention on other conflicts, Cuba has become the stage for an unprecedented communications offensive. Mind you, we're not talking about an invasion in the style of the last century; this is more subtle, and perhaps for that reason, more dangerous. It's a war designed to shape perceptions, sow doubt, and fabricate realities.

Three techniques, basically, are being applied with surgical precision against the island: framing, agenda setting, and gaslighting, with the aim of contaminating world public opinion, but also—and this is key—to try to break the Cuban people's resistance from within.

Let's put this in context. In late January 2026, the United States government issued an Executive Order declaring Cuba an "unusual and extraordinary threat."

Against this backdrop, between February 1st and 15th, a fierce digital campaign was unleashed, filled with calls for violence and civil disobedience. According to the Cubadebate Media Observatory, the operation generated a lot of noise, but failed to achieve real mobilization within the country.

Let's analyze, then, how these three techniques operate. George Lakoff's framing theory teaches us that whoever defines the frame wins the debate. In the current offensive against Cuba, this framing is clear and reflects a deliberate strategy.

Internationally, this Executive Order is not a mere administrative measure. It is, in itself, a major framing operation. By labeling Cuba an "unusual and extraordinary threat," by associating it with Hamas, Hezbollah, China, and Russia, it activates a pre-existing mental framework in the Western imagination: the "axis of evil," the "terrorist threat," the "geopolitical danger."

As The Black Alliance for Peace aptly points out, this rhetoric "reflects the dehumanizing narratives used against Venezuela and Iran." And it has a very specific purpose: "to manufacture consent for aggression by presenting Cuba as a malign actor."

The framing works; it doesn't address the concrete facts, it doesn't engage in debate about Cuba's independent foreign policy, nor its internationalist solidarity. No. What it does is reposition everything within a larger, more easily digestible narrative: that of the "war on terror" and the "containment of China."

Domestically, this framing seeks to instill the idea that the solution to economic and social problems lies not in collective effort and resistance, but in violent rupture, in foreign intervention to achieve "regime change."

Cuban reality is framed as a dead end from which the only escape is through collapse, thus denying the multiple forms of daily resistance, the principles, the revolutionary institutions, and the community organization that keep the nation alive.

DECIDING WHAT TO TALK ABOUT (AND WHAT NOT TO)

McCombs and Shaw's agenda-setting theory reminds us that the media doesn't tell us what to think, but rather what to think about. So far in 2026, we have seen a clear effort to impose an agenda that focuses the debate on collapse, violence, and chaos.

The Cubadebate Observatory report documents how the analyzed campaigns seek to create a sense of imminent collapse. The strategy is classic: to insistently repeat that "Cuba is burning," that "the people are rising up," that "the end is near."

Meanwhile, international media and social networks, by amplifying these messages, succeed in making the global public agenda on Cuba one of instability, crisis, and imminent social explosion.

However —and here's a crucial point— the report itself concludes that, despite the noise, none of these calls to action translated into real mobilization within the country.

The gap between the media agenda and the material reality is revealing. This distance proves the failure of this technique to mobilize. But, note: not to poison public opinion.

In fact, the Observatory speaks of a "media feedback loop" that works like this: easily denounceable content is designed, provocative enough for the authorities or the media to reproduce it; by reproducing it, they grant it legitimacy and algorithmic reach.

Thus, a marginal publication, born in a digital cave, becomes a public issue. The agenda is distorted. We end up talking about what they want us to talk about, not what's really happening.

MAKING CUBANS DOUBT THEIR OWN REALITY

We arrive at the most insidious of the three: gaslighting. This doesn't operate on the surface, but at a deep psychological level. Its objective isn't to convince. It's to make the victim doubt their own perceptions.

In the current Cuban context, this manipulation manifests itself in subtle but devastating ways. Because contemporary cognitive warfare doesn't always aim to provoke an immediate explosion, its objective is more basic: to sow doubt. To induce collective anxiety.

To prepare the ground for narratives that, later on, legitimize diplomatic pressure or external interventions. This "erosion of trust" is the essence of gaslighting.

The Cuban facing real economic hardship, a consequence of the economic war, is simultaneously bombarded with messages telling him: "Your government is lying to you." "The Revolution has failed." "Everything is worse than you think." He begins to wonder: "Is what I'm experiencing not real? Are they hiding the truth from me?"

Thus, this mechanism of collective manipulation operates by denying the legitimacy of shared experiences. People are essentially told that what they feel and experience isn't true, that they are wrong, that they should think differently.

Plato's allegory of the cave takes on a tragic and hopeful dimension here. The manipulators want Cubans to continue looking at the shadows they project on the wall: shadows of violence, chaos, and despair.

But reality—the reality of the neighborhoods, the reality of the communities, the reality of everyday resistance—remains out there, illuminated by the sun. No manipulation campaign can defeat Cuba, its history, or its people.

Sources: Cubadebate, The Black Alliance for Peace.

War in the Hands of the Algorithm

When killing becomes a faster, more remote, and more efficient process, barbarity ceases to be an exception and functions as an industry

Author: Emilia Reed, special for Granma | internet@granma.cu

March 31, 2026

Mundo

The United States has made extensive use of drones in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Photo: Getty Images

There was a time when wars were decided on paper maps, with officers hunched over a table, radio calls, and hours—sometimes days—spent verifying information before pressing a button. Today, however, war is beginning to resemble a screen: satellite images, drone videos, sensors, coordinates, and an artificial intelligence that cross-references all that data in real time. That system is called Project Maven, and understanding it allows us to discern a crucial aspect of the United States' new military power.

Simply put, Maven is a tool designed to help the U.S. military see more, decide faster, and strike sooner. It gathers massive amounts of information, mostly from open sources, that no human analyst could process alone and turns them into "points of interest," or potential targets. It doesn't completely replace the operator, but it does set the pace. And that pace is no longer human.

The Pentagon began seriously pursuing this project in 2017, when it sought algorithms capable of analyzing drone video, detecting objects, and rapidly transforming large volumes of images into actionable intelligence. One of its first partners was Google. But when it became known that the company was collaborating on this military program, thousands of employees rebelled and demanded its withdrawal. Google tried to present it as a collaboration for non-offensive uses, but the internal pressure was so intense that it ultimately withdrew. This episode quickly revealed that behind the friendly rhetoric of innovation, Big Tech was already fully immersed in the war machine.

The data helps to understand the magnitude of the change. In the first 24 hours of the war against Iran, the United States attacked 1,000 targets, according to Bloomberg. Ten days later, the number had risen to 5,000 targets, a pace that previously would have taken weeks. The military itself aspires to go even further: to identify and select 1,000 targets not in a day, but in a single hour.

When warfare accelerates in this way, the time for thought, doubt, or verification also shrinks. One of the U.S. military's attacks in Iran hit a school and resulted in the deaths of at least 175 people, mostly girls. The Pentagon may claim that the system only helps to "identify and recommend targets," but when the decision-making chain is accelerated to this extreme, the margin for correcting errors shrinks, and the distance between a misreading of data and carnage is minimal.

Maven wasn't built solely by the U.S. government. Behind it are Palantir, which developed the Maven Smart System, and also Amazon, Microsoft, and Clarifai, among other private companies. In other words, war is no longer manufactured only in barracks and arsenals. It's also designed by the large technology companies we use daily, which tells us that the old military-industrial complex has modernized, speaks the language of innovation, and relies on companies that organize our digital daily lives.

That's why Maven matters beyond the battlefield. It shows a world in which war is privatized, automated, and opaque; a world in which the decision about who lives and who dies shifts from political judgment to technical calculation. And when killing becomes a faster, more remote, and more efficient process, barbarity ceases to be an exception and functions as an industry. It is the modern version of the crematorium ovens of the German fascists.

What is the Blockade Against Cuba, if Not Punitive?

This is the question posed by Political Bureau member and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, in response to recent statements from U.S. government officials denying any formal changes to the sanctions policy toward the island

Author: International News Desk | internet@granma.cu

March 31, 2026 12:03:30

Photo: Granma

"Now the U.S. government says it has not taken any 'punitive' action against Cuba. What is the economic blockade, if not punitive? What is the threat against any country that exports fuel to Cuba, if not punitive? What are the financial persecution of Cuban transactions in any country, the restrictions on merchant ships calling at Cuban ports, and the prohibition of visits by Americans to Cuba?"

This is how Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, a member of the Political Bureau and Minister of Foreign Affairs, questioned the recent statements from government agencies in the northern nation, denying any formal changes in the sanctions policy towards the Island.

In this regard, the Cuban Foreign Minister emphasized: "What purpose do selective and arbitrary lists like the list of state sponsors of terrorism, the list of restricted entities, and the list of restricted accommodations serve?"

He referred to "the abusive pressure exerted on Caribbean and Latin American governments to renounce medical cooperation programs with Cuba, in order to deprive the country of legitimate income," which has been evident in recent weeks and also harms the people deprived of care from Cuban specialists. "A purely punitive action," he asserted.

Which US Tech and Arms Companies Did IRGC Declare 'Legitimate Targets’

Tuesday, 31 March 2026 11:37 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday warned the United States and a group of major American technology and defense companies, declaring them “legitimate targets” in response to the war of aggression against the Iranian people.

In a statement, the IRGC denounced the US and the Israeli regime for carrying out indiscriminate attacks across the country that have led to the martyrdom of nearly 1,200 Iranians in recent weeks.

IRGC asserted that American information and communications technology (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI) firms were the "primary element in designing and tracking terrorist targets."

"From now on, the main institutions involved in terrorist operations will be our legitimate targets," the Corps said in the statement.

It singled out 18 companies, including industry giants such as Cisco, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, Intel, Nvidia, Tesla, and Boeing. The list also includes financial and weapons firms like JP Morgan, General Electric (GE), Palantier, Spire Solutions, G42, and Oracle, among others.

The IRGC advised employees of these companies to "immediately distance themselves from their workplaces to preserve their own lives," while also calling on residents living within a one-kilometer radius of these companies across the region to evacuate and go to safer places.

"Companies that actively participate in terrorist designs will face reciprocal action for every terrorist assassination," the statement noted.

IRGC set a deadline of 8:00 PM on Wednesday, April 1, Tehran time, warning that the listed companies "should expect the destruction of their respective units for every assassination in Iran."

We list the companies mentioned in the statement and their complicity in the American-Israeli war of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran that has killed nearly 2,000 people, most of them civilians, including women and children, since February 28.

Cisco

Cisco is a foundational US networking and cybersecurity company whose technology is integral to the global communications infrastructure.

It works extensively with the US Department of War (previously Department of Defense) and the US military-industrial complex, supplying critical routing, encryption, and surveillance systems used in military command-and-control networks, classified government communications, and signals intelligence (SIGINT) collection programs.

Through long-standing contracts with government agencies such as the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Cisco is deeply embedded in the architecture of US military and intelligence operations.

Its technologies have also been integral to Pentagon-led initiatives on network-centric warfare and secure battlefield communications.

In the Israeli-occupied territories, Cisco maintains a major research and development center, one of its largest outside the United States.

The company collaborates closely with elite Israeli military technology units, including those within the Israeli military Intelligence Corps and the notorious Unit 8200, a hub for cyberwarfare and signals intelligence.

Cisco also partners with Israeli cyberwarfare accelerators, military contractors, and venture capital arms tied to the regime’s military-intel establishment, effectively bridging the technological capabilities of the American and Israeli military-industrial complexes.

HP (Hewlett-Packard)

Operating through its two successor entities, HP Inc. (personal systems and printing) and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) (enterprise IT, cloud, networking, and cybersecurity), HP has a decades-long history as a foundational contractor for the US federal government, including the Department of War, the intelligence community, and the military-industrial complex.

HPE, in particular, is deeply embedded in the American military and intelligence infrastructure. Through its HPE Federal division, the company provides cloud computing, high-performance computing (HPC), data analytics, and enterprise IT systems to the Department of War, the National Security Agency (NSA), and other intelligence agencies.

HPE's supercomputing technologies power critical military applications, including nuclear weapons simulation, cryptographic analysis, signals intelligence (SIGINT) processing, and military weather forecasting.

The company is a key partner in the Pentagon's push for advanced computing capabilities, including edge computing for battlefield operations and artificial intelligence (AI) integration.

HPE's cybersecurity portfolio, anchored by its acquisition of BlueData and ArcSight, supplies security information and event management (SIEM) solutions to US military and intelligence agencies, enabling real-time threat detection and incident response across classified networks.

The company also provides secure networking infrastructure under the Defense Information Systems Agency's (DISA) programs, ensuring secure communications for U.S. forces globally.

Beyond direct contracts, HP entities participate in US government-industry initiatives focused on cybersecurity resilience, critical infrastructure protection, and advanced technology development, often in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

HP also maintains a substantial and strategically significant presence in the occupied territories, with deep ties to the Israeli regime, military, and military-industrial base.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) operates a major research and development center in the occupied territories, one of its largest globally, employing hundreds of engineers, many of whom are veterans of Israeli military intelligence and technology units, including Unit 8200 (signals intelligence and cyber) and Unit 81 (military technology).

HPE provides enterprise IT, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity solutions, and high-performance computing services to the Israeli military affairs ministry, the Israeli occupation forces, and other regime agencies. The company has been a long-standing partner in Israel's digital transformation efforts, supplying systems used in military command-and-control networks, secure communications, and military logistics.

Both HP entities have participated in military-tech accelerators and industry partnerships in the occupied territories, collaborating with Israeli military contractors and cybersecurity firms.

Through these engagements, HP's Israeli operations function as an integral part of the regime's high-tech military ecosystem, bridging American corporate infrastructure with Israeli military and intelligence capabilities.

Intel

Intel is one of the most deeply embedded technology companies in both the US and Israeli military-industrial complexes, contributing to their foreign wars of aggression.

As a primary supplier of microprocessors and advanced semiconductors to the US Department of War, Intel's chips are integral to virtually all US military systems, including aircraft, missiles, satellites, command-and-control networks, and nuclear command infrastructure.

Through its Foundry Services division, Intel is a key partner in the Pentagon's efforts to secure the domestic semiconductor supply chain and develop custom chips for military and intelligence applications, including in hostile missions. The company also works closely with US intelligence agencies on hardware-level security, encryption, and trusted computing

In the Israeli-occupied territories, Intel's presence is even more pronounced. The company operates its largest R&D and manufacturing site outside the US in the occupied territories, including a massive facility in Kiryat Gat.

Intel's Israeli operations are staffed heavily by veterans of the Israeli regime’s intelligence and technology units, particularly Unit 8200.

The company has deep ties to the Israeli military affairs ministry and collaborates on semiconductor development for military systems, including missile guidance, electronic warfare, and secure communications platforms.

Intel's acquisition of Moovit and Mobileye, both Israeli companies with military and intelligence applications, further expanded its integration into Israel's military-tech ecosystem.

Oracle

Oracle is also one of the most deeply embedded technology companies in the US military and intelligence ecosystem. Through its Oracle National Security Group (ONSG) and Oracle Cloud for Government and Defense programs, the company provides mission-critical database management, cloud infrastructure, enterprise software, and cybersecurity solutions to the Department of War, Pentagon, intelligence agencies, and federal civilian entities.

Oracle's database technologies form the backbone of countless US military and intelligence systems, including personnel management, logistics, weapons inventory, signals intelligence (SIGINT) data processing, and geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) platforms.

The company's software is used by the National Security Agency (NSA), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and all branches of the US military to manage vast datasets essential for intelligence analysis, targeting, and operational planning.

Oracle's cloud infrastructure, including its dedicated Oracle Cloud for US Defense and Intelligence, has been accredited for classified workloads, enabling the company to provide secure cloud computing environments for the Department of War and the intelligence community.

The company is a key participant in the Pentagon's Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) program, competing alongside other major cloud providers to deliver infrastructure for military operations globally.

Beyond software and cloud, Oracle has long-standing partnerships with US intelligence agencies on data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) applications for intelligence gathering, threat detection, and predictive analysis.

Oracle also maintains a significant and strategically important presence in the occupied Palestinian territories with deep ties to the Israeli regime, military, and military-industrial base.

The company operates major research and development centers in the occupied territories, including facilities in Herzliya, Petah Tikva, and Haifa.  

The company's technologies are used in military command-and-control systems, intelligence analysis platforms, logistics management, and secure communications infrastructure.

Oracle's cloud services have been increasingly adopted by Israeli military entities seeking to modernize their IT infrastructure. It participates in joint projects with Israeli military and intelligence entities, contributing to the development of advanced data analytics, AI-driven intelligence tools, and secure enterprise platforms.

Microsoft

Microsoft, a tech giant in its own right, is a central pillar of the US government and military digital infrastructure. Through its Azure cloud platform and classified versions such as Azure Government Secret and Top Secret, the company provides the Department of War, intelligence agencies, and federal entities with cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) tools, and enterprise software.

The company is a key contractor for the Pentagon's Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) program, which underpins US military interventions and offensives globally.

Microsoft also supplies identity management, cybersecurity, and AI-enhanced surveillance technologies to agencies such as the NSA, CIA, and US Cyber Command, making its platforms integral to both offensive and defensive cyber operations.

In the occupied territories, Microsoft has deep institutional ties to the Israeli military sector. Its Israeli R&D center, one of the company's most significant innovation hubs, recruits extensively from Israeli military intelligence units, particularly Unit 8200 and Unit 81 (the technology unit of Military Intelligence).

Microsoft Israel actively partners with the Israeli military, the Israeli military affairs ministry, and arms contractors on projects involving cloud infrastructure, AI, and cybersecurity. These collaborations are often facilitated through the company's presence in Israel's military-tech ecosystem, including accelerators and partnerships with elite military alumni networks.

While Apple is primarily known as a consumer technology company, its hardware and software play a critical role in US government and military operations.

The company supplies devices – including iPhones, iPads, and Macs – to the Department of War, which has deployed Apple products widely under programs like the US Defense Information Systems Agency's (DISA) mobility initiatives.

Apple's iOS ecosystem is used by military personnel, intelligence officers, and federal law enforcement for secure communications and field operations. Additionally, Apple engages with US intelligence and law enforcement agencies on issues of device encryption, data access, and cybersecurity, positioning it within the broader framework of government-corporate cooperation on digital security and surveillance.

In the ccupied territories, Apple has established a significant R&D presence, operating development centers in Herzliya and Haifa. These centers are managed by veterans of Unit 8200 and Unit 9900 (which focuses on visual intelligence).

Apple's Israeli operations are also deeply integrated into the regime's high-tech military ecosystem, often serving as a landing point for military-trained technologists who maintain close ties with Israel's military-intelligence establishment.

Google

Google, through its parent company Alphabet, is a major technology partner to the US military and intelligence community.

The company's Google Cloud division has secured contracts with the Department of War, including the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) program, providing cloud infrastructure, AI, and machine learning tools for military offensives abroad.  

Google also collaborates with US intelligence agencies under classified agreements, offering data analytics, geospatial intelligence tools, and AI-driven surveillance technologies.

Its Project Maven, a controversial initiative that applied AI to drone strike targeting analysis, was developed in partnership with the Pentagon before being refolded into broader defense AI efforts. Despite widespread internal opposition and external criticism, Google remains a key contractor for US military and intelligence programs.

In the occupied territories, Google maintains extensive ties with the Israeli military establishment. The company operates major R&D centers in Haifa and Tel Aviv, which recruit from Israeli intelligence and cyber units.

Google has also been a key partner in Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion cloud computing contract with the Israeli regime and its military, which provides AI, machine learning, and cloud infrastructure to the Israeli war ministry and the Israeli occupation army.

This agreement has placed Google at the center of Israeli military digital transformation, integrating its technologies directly into the country's military architecture.

Meta

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, plays a significant role in information operations, counterterrorism intelligence, and digital surveillance, both for the US and Israeli regimes, which has been widely documented.

Through its content moderation, data sharing, and other initiatives, Meta collaborates with US federal law enforcement, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on tracking activities of those deemed as adversaries.

The company's vast data ecosystem has also been leveraged, sometimes through formal agreements, other times through official requests, to support intelligence-gathering efforts that contribute to military offensives or illegal raids.

In the occupied territories, Meta operates a major R&D center and has built close relationships with the Israeli military community. The company recruits heavily from Israeli military and intelligence units and participates in military-tech incubators alongside Israeli military and intelligence agencies.

Meta's platforms, particularly WhatsApp (which was acquired by Meta), are widely used by Israeli military and government personnel to track those they deem as threats. The company has also been involved in initiatives with the Israeli war ministry focused on AI, digital forensics, and cybersecurity, further integrating its operations with the regime’s military apparatus.

IBM

IBM has a decades-long history of partnership with the US military and intelligence community. The company provides mainframe computing, AI systems (including Watson), cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity solutions to the Department of War and intelligence agencies.

IBM's Federal division manages classified contracts related to data analytics, cryptographic systems, and critical infrastructure protection. The company also contributes to Pentagon research programs in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and advanced materials – all of which have long-term military and intelligence applications.

In the occupied territories, IBM has a major R&D presence and maintains close ties with the Israeli military and intelligence establishment.

The company's laboratories recruit from Israeli military, intelligence and cyber units and collaborate with the Israeli war ministry on projects involving AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.

IBM has also participated in military-tech incubators alongside Israeli military and intelligence agencies, integrating its technologies into the occupying regime’s military infrastructure.

Dell:

Dell is a cornerstone IT provider for the US Department of War and the American intelligence community. Through its Dell Federal division, the company supplies secure servers, storage systems, laptops, and enterprise IT infrastructure to the Department of War, National Security Agency (NSA), and other federal agencies.

Dell is a key partner in the Pentagon's Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) program and provides classified cloud infrastructure through Dell Apex for Government.

The company's ruggedized hardware is deployed in battlefield command centers, naval vessels, and airborne intelligence platforms. Dell also supplies secure supply chains and zero-trust cybersecurity solutions critical to protecting US military networks.

Dell also maintains a substantial presence in the occupied territories, operating major R&D centers in Petah Tikva, Haifa, and Be'er Sheva. The company recruits extensively from elite Israeli military and intelligence units, including Unit 8200 (signals intelligence) and the C4I directorate.

It provides IT infrastructure, cloud services, and cybersecurity solutions to the Israeli war ministry, the Israeli military, and some other government agencies.

Palantir Technologies

Palantir is widely recognized as one of the most direct corporate conduits between Silicon Valley and the US military and intelligence community.

Co-founded by Peter Thiel, known for close ties to the Israeli regime, with early funding from the CIA's venture capital arm, In-Q-Tel, Palantir builds data integration and analytics platforms, most notably Gotham and Foundry, that are used extensively by the US Department of War, intelligence agencies, and allied militaries.

The company's software enables targeting of adversaries, battlefield intelligence fusion, and predictive threat analysis, playing a central role in US military missions globally, which means the wars of aggression – from Venezuela to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In the occupied territories, Palantir has built an equally deep relationship with the Israeli regime’s military apparatus. The company's platforms are extensively used by the Israeli military and intelligence for data-driven targeting, operational planning, and real-time battlefield management.

Palantir has recruited extensively from Israeli military intelligence and technology units and has positioned itself as a key enabler of the Israeli occupation army’s digital transformation, integrating its systems directly into the regime’s command-and-control infrastructure.

NVIDIA

NVIDIA has emerged as a critical partner to both the American and Israeli military establishments through its dominance in artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and autonomous systems.

The tech company supplies advanced AI processors and software platforms to the US Department of War for applications ranging from autonomous drones and robotic combat vehicles to battlefield data analysis and missile defense systems.

NVIDIA's chips power the Pentagon's AI initiatives, including the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) and various DARPA programs. The company also collaborates with US intelligence agencies on AI-driven surveillance, signals processing, and geospatial intelligence.

In the occupied territories, NVIDIA has established one of its largest R&D centers following the acquisition of Mellanox Technologies, an Israeli networking hardware company with extensive ties to the military sector.  

NVIDIA's Israeli operations, like other companies, recruit heavily from the Israeli military’s elite technology units and work closely with the Israeli war ministry on AI infrastructure for military applications.

The company's technologies are used in Israel's air defense systems, autonomous weapons platforms, and signals intelligence programs, making NVIDIA a foundational supplier to the Israeli military's AI transformation.

JP Morgan Chase

While primarily a financial institution, JPMorgan Chase plays a significant supporting role in the US military and intelligence ecosystem. The bank is a primary financial services provider for the US Department of War, managing accounts, payment systems, and financial infrastructure used by the military and intelligence agencies.

JP Morgan also provides financial intelligence, sanctions compliance, and counter-financing of terrorism (CFT) services in coordination with the US Treasury Department and the intelligence community. Its role in global financial surveillance, particularly through the monitoring of transactions linked to sanctioned entities, aligns closely with US objectives.

In the occupied territories, JP Morgan maintains a significant presence and extensively engages with the regime’s military and technology sectors.

The bank's operations include financial services for military contractors and high-tech firms with ties to the Israeli military. JP Morgan has also invested heavily in Israeli cybersecurity and military-tech companies, often in partnership with Israeli venture capital funds.

Tesla

Tesla, while primarily an electric vehicle and clean energy company, has growing links to the American military-industrial complex and intelligence sectors, as well as to the Israeli military.

Through its advanced battery technology, autonomous driving systems, and satellite communications (via Starlink, operated by sister company SpaceX under Elon Musk's broader corporate umbrella), Tesla's technologies have potential applications in military logistics, autonomous ground vehicles, and resilient communications networks.

SpaceX's Starlink has been used by the US Department of Defense for secure satellite communications, and Tesla's battery and power storage technologies have been evaluated for military expeditionary energy needs.

In the occupied territories, Tesla has established a presence and has drawn engineering talent from the country's elite military technology units. The company's autonomous vehicle research and development aligns closely with Israeli needs in AI, computer vision, and autonomous systems.

While less directly integrated into the military-industrial base than other companies on the list, Tesla's technologies and its leadership's strategic alignment with US and Israeli interests place it within the broader ecosystem of firms contributing to the US wars outside.

Spire Solutions

Spire Solutions is a regional value-added distributor and cybersecurity solutions provider with deep ties to the US and Israeli military and intelligence sectors.

The company specializes in delivering advanced surveillance, cybersecurity, and intelligence-gathering technologies to entities across West Asia. Spire has served as a key conduit for US-made and Israeli-developed cyber and surveillance tools, facilitating their deployment in alignment with US strategic interests in the region.

Its portfolio includes interceptions, network monitoring, digital forensics, and offensive cyber operations, technologies widely used by intelligence agencies and law enforcement.

The company has maintained close working relationships with Israeli weapons firms, serving as a distribution partner for technologies developed within Israel's military ecosystem.

Spire's regional operations have reportedly involved collaboration with intelligence agencies across the Persian Gulf and other US-aligned governments, positioning the company as a critical intermediary in the export and implementation of surveillance technologies.

G42

G42 is an Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence and cloud computing holding company that has emerged as a pivotal partner to both the United States and Israel in the fields of AI, surveillance, and military technology.

G42 has engaged in extensive collaborations with US intelligence and military agencies, including the CIA and the Department of War, on AI development, geospatial intelligence, and data analytics. The company has also been at the center of US  strategic efforts to integrate advanced AI capabilities into regional military architectures following the Abraham Accords.

The company has developed particularly deep ties with Israel's military and intelligence community. Through partnerships with Israeli arms contractors, AI firms, and military technology accelerators, G42 has collaborated on projects involving AI-driven surveillance, facial recognition, border control technologies, and predictive intelligence.

Its partnerships with Israeli entities have often been facilitated through joint ventures and investments that align with the strategic interests of both the UAE and Israel, with G42 serving as a bridge between the Israeli military-tech sector and broader regional security frameworks.

Boeing

Boeing is one of the largest military contractors in the world and a cornerstone of the US military-industrial complex. The company produces fighter aircraft (including the F-15, F/A-18, and F-15EX), bombers (B-52), strategic airlift (C-17), tanker aircraft (KC-46), attack helicopters (AH-64 Apache), missile defense systems, and a wide range of precision-guided munitions.

Boeing also supplies critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, including the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft used for anti-submarine warfare and signals intelligence. Through its defense, space, and security divisions, Boeing is deeply integrated into US military planning, operations, and procurement.

In the occupied territories, Boeing maintains extensive partnerships with the Israeli war ministry and the military. The company supplies F-15 fighter jets and advanced munitions to the Israeli Air Force and collaborates on air defense programs, including the Arrow and David's Sling systems, often in conjunction with Israeli contractors such as Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

Boeing's Israeli operations also involve joint R&D initiatives, technology transfer agreements, and maintenance programs that tie the company closely to Israel's military infrastructure.

General Electric (GE)

General Electric (GE), through its GE Aerospace division, is instrumental to the US military-industrial complex. The company manufactures jet engines for virtually every major US military aircraft, including the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, and the F-35 Lightning II (through a partnership).

GE also supplies engines for military helicopters, transport aircraft (C-130, C-17), and unmanned aerial systems. Beyond aviation, GE provides propulsion systems for US Navy vessels, including destroyers, submarines, and aircraft carriers, as well as power generation and electrical systems for ground-based military infrastructure.

GE's technologies are integral to US missile defense programs, space systems, and classified defense research initiatives. The company maintains long-standing contracts with the Department of War, NASA, and intelligence community agencies.

GE Aerospace maintains a significant presence in the occupied territories and works closely with the Israeli war ministry. The company supplies engines, maintenance, and repair services for Israel's fleet of US-made military aircraft, including F-15 and F-16 fighter jets.

GE also collaborates with Israeli military contractors such as Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) on technology development, engine integration, and supply chain programs.

Through these partnerships, GE is deeply embedded in Israel's military aviation infrastructure, supporting the regime’s aerial aggressions and maintaining critical defense capabilities.

IRGC Warns it Will Target US Tech Companies for Abetting Terror in Iran

Tuesday, 31 March 2026 3:28 PM

IRGC warns it will target US tech companies for abetting terror in Iran

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned 18 major US companies, including tech giants, that their offices and properties in the region will come under attack as they have assisted US-Israeli terror operations inside Iran by providing espionage services.

The IRGC said in a Tuesday statement that these companies should expect Iran's reprisal attacks starting at 20:00 Iran time on April 1, adding that their offices in the region will be “annihilated.”

The list released by the IRGC included big tech names such as Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft, as well as major hardware suppliers like HP, Intel, IBM, and Cisco.

Other major brands included Tesla, Nvidia, Oracle, JP Morgan, and Boeing.

The IRGC described those companies as espionage entities associated with the warmongering government of the United States, saying their artificial intelligence (AI) and internet communication technology (ICT) services have been the main elements in designing terror operations and tracing assassination targets by the US and Israel inside Iran.

It stated that the US government and its Israeli allies had ignored Iran's repeated calls to stop terror operations in the country and had carried out a new targeted terror attack earlier on Tuesday, killing a number of Iranian citizens.

“In response to this terrorist operation, henceforth, the main institutions involved in terrorist activities will be considered legitimate targets,” the IRGC said.

“We advise employees of these institutions to immediately leave their workplaces to protect their lives. Residents within a one-kilometer radius of these terrorist companies across all countries in the region are also urged to evacuate and move to safe locations."

Dozens of senior Iranian political and military officials and their family members have been assassinated in the ongoing US-Israeli aggression against Iran that began in late February.

Iran has vowed to avenge the assassinations by targeting elements that have been influential in the attacks.

Sudan Bus Operators, Tax Office Agree to Halve Fare Hike to End Strike

30 March 2026

Sudan’s bus chamber and the taxation department agreed to reduce ticket price hikes on March 29, 2026

March 30, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s bus chamber and the taxation department reached an agreement on Sunday to reduce a recent ticket price hike from 30% to 15%, effectively ending a strike that disrupted national travel.Africans & Diaspora

The deal follows a protest by transport operators against rising taxes, which had left passengers stranded at the Argeen border crossing with Egypt before a temporary suspension of the strike allowed traffic to resume.

Ibrahim Mustafa, Secretary-General of the National Bus Chamber, told Sudan Tribune that the agreement with the Taxation Chamber includes adjusting the taxes imposed on the sector to reflect the lower fare increase.

Tax levies on the industry have fluctuated recently. Charges rose from 200,000 Sudanese pounds before Eid al-Fitr to 350,000 pounds, then spiked to 1.35 million pounds before being lowered to 850,000 pounds following operator pushback.

The agreement was finalized during a joint meeting involving the Taxation Chamber and the Sudanese Transport Chambers Union. The parties aimed to resolve chronic issues facing the transport sector while balancing revenue needs with the cost of living.Sudan travel guide

Mustafa said official directives to implement the new 15% tariff are expected within 24 to 48 hours. He described the compromise as satisfactory for the government, operators, and passengers alike.

The Transport Chambers Union had previously approved a distance-based price hike of 30% for buses and up to 40% for minibuses. These adjustments were attributed to a comprehensive review of operating costs amid economic shifts.

Authorities have also enforced specific fees for passengers returning to major hubs. Travellers to Khartoum are charged 34,000 pounds on top of their ticket price, while those heading to Atbara and Dongola pay 22,000 and 15,500 pounds, respectively.

Sudan’s transport sector remains under pressure from rising fuel prices and maintenance costs. Diesel has surged from 2,600 pounds per litre to an average of 5,018 pounds, while the price of a single tyre has nearly doubled to 2 million pounds.

Sudan’s Revolutionary Front Criticizes Return of Anti-corruption Committee

30 March 2026

SPLM-RDC National Central Council members pose on October 24, 2022

March 30, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Revolutionary Democratic Front (SPLM-RDF) on Monday opposed the unilateral reactivation of a committee tasked with dismantling the former Sudanese regime, saying the move bypassed consensus within the “Somoud” coalition.

The group, led by Yasir Arman, said in a statement that the priority should remain on addressing the humanitarian crisis and protecting civilians rather than structural political manoeuvres.

The SPLM-RDF suspended its participation in most of the coalition’s bodies in July 2025, demanding reforms in the alliance headed by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. It has called for broader decision-making and a focus on the ground-level crisis.

The movement’s leadership office said the announcement to restore the Empowerment Removal Committee (ERC) was not discussed within Somoud’s institutions. It claimed most coalition leaders only learned of the decision through the media.

“The decision to return the committee was not issued by the head of the Somoud coalition, nor was it presented to the coalition’s institutions,” the statement said. “This is a flaw among other issues that must be addressed.”

The committee, chaired by former Sovereign Council member Mohamed al-Faki Suleiman, recently decided to resume its activities four years after being dissolved following the October 2021 coup. It remains unclear how the body intends to enforce decisions during the current conflict.

While acknowledging that dismantling the former regime’s grip on state institutions remains a key issue, the SPLM-RDF argued that the war has changed national priorities. It stressed the focus must be on ending the conflict and neutralizing the “war structure.”

The movement added that designating the Islamic Movement as a terrorist organization would help end the war. The United States recently added the Islamic Movement and its armed wing, the Al-Bara bin Malik Battalion, to its list of global terrorists.

To alleviate the humanitarian crisis, the SPLM-RDF proposed several de-escalation measures. These include harmonizing secondary certificate exams to allow students in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces to participate.

The group also called for agreements between warring parties on the use of a single currency and a coordinated health sector mechanism. It urged the facilitation of travel documents and freedom of movement for the Hajj pilgrimage.

Other proposed measures include ending the siege on cities, ensuring the unhindered delivery of aid, and a mutual commitment to stop using drones against civilians and infrastructure.

The statement concluded by calling on the U.N. Security Council to adopt a binding resolution compelling both warring parties to implement these humanitarian mechanisms.

Sudan RSF Officer Kills Paediatrician in Nyala Home

30 March 2026

March 30, 2026 (NYALA) – The Preliminary Committee of the Sudan Doctors Trade Union announced on Monday the killing of a paediatrician from Nyala Teaching Hospital following an armed assault inside his residence.

The incident occurred amid a sharp deterioration in security in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. The region has witnessed escalating violence and lawlessness since the conflict began, severely impacting humanitarian conditions and essential services, including healthcare.

In a statement today, the committee said Dr Mohamed Ahmed Ali al-Siddiq was killed late Sunday evening. The union described the attack as a “fatal assault” carried out by an officer belonging to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), accompanied by several personnel.

The committee mourned the deceased, offering condolences to his family and colleagues while praising his professional career and dedication to his patients. Medical sources told Sudan Tribune that the specific motives behind the killing remain unclear.

The Preliminary Committee of the Sudan Doctors Trade Union previously revealed that 600 medical personnel have been killed or injured since the war broke out in April 2023. This toll highlights the severe risks faced by healthcare workers operating in conflict zones across Sudan.

MSF Reports 3,300 Sexual Violence Victims in North and South Darfur

31 March 2026

MSF reports 3,300 sexual violence victims in North and South Darfur

​March 31, 2026 (NYALA) – Medical charity MSF said on Tuesday it had treated 3,300 victims of sexual violence in Sudan’s North and South Darfur states over a period of less than two years.

​Data and survivor testimony released by MSF indicated that Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters and allied militias are responsible for widespread and systemic sexual violence against women.

​In a report titled “I have something to tell you: Surviving the sexual violence crisis in Darfur,” the group said 3,396 survivors sought treatment at MSF-supported facilities between January 2024 and November 2025.

​Women and girls accounted for 97% of the victims treated. MSF emphasized that these figures represent only a small fraction of the true scale of the crisis, as many survivors cannot safely access care.

​The report noted patterns of systematic abuse. In North Darfur, armed men were responsible for over 95% of cases, while in South Darfur, approximately 60% of assaults involved multiple perpetrators.

​MSF based its findings on medical data, informed survivor testimonies, and interviews with 56 women leaders, midwives, researchers, and activists working in the region.

​The report stated that MSF treated over 140 victims who fled to Tawila after the RSF seized El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, on Oct. 26, 2025.

​About 94% of these victims were attacked by armed men. Many reported being assaulted on displacement routes, often by multiple perpetrators in front of their families. Non-Arab communities were deliberately targeted as a means of humiliation.

​Between December 2025 and January 2026, the organization identified 732 victims in displacement camps around Tawila. Women reported attacks both during their journey and within the camps.

​Survivors received psychological first aid and clinical referrals. At the Daba Naira camp in Tawila, 206 victims received consultations specifically related to rape.

​Most victims reached care approximately three months after the assault. This timeline correlates with the period following the fall of El Fasher and the surge in violence during displacement.

​The report highlighted that overcrowding, lack of basic security, and unsafe conditions—including distant water points and insecure latrines—have increased the vulnerability of women.

​Tawila, controlled by the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdul Wahid el-Nur, has transformed from a remote area into a shelter for over 715,000 displaced people living in critical conditions.

​MSF also collected testimonies from 150 victims in the weeks following the RSF takeover of Zamzam camp, located 12 kilometres southwest of El Fasher.

​Women and girls reported being beaten and threatened with knives and guns. In some cases, victims suffered gunshot wounds or had their hair shaved with razors after being raped.

​Survivors reported explicit threats from RSF fighters who told them they would never be safe and warned they would be harmed again if they fled to Tawila or elsewhere.

​The RSF took control of Zamzam camp, which housed half a million people, on April 15, 2025, following a three-day ground assault and months of shelling and drone strikes.

​The report noted that sexual violence is not limited to active combat zones. It extends to flight routes, agricultural fields, markets, and displacement camps.

​In South Darfur, which has been away from the main front lines since late 2023, MSF said sexual violence remains a “malignant part of daily life.”

​Between January 2024 and November 2025, MSF treated 2,334 victims in South Darfur, with numbers increasing steadily each month throughout the previous year.

​The data showed 34% of victims were attacked while farming or on their way to fields, while 22% were assaulted while collecting firewood, water, or food.

​Children are also among the survivors. In South Darfur, one in five survivors was under the age of 18, including 41 children under the age of five.

​Women in South Darfur described feeling effectively imprisoned in their homes. Rape has become an unavoidable risk on roads and in markets surrounding displacement camps on the outskirts of Nyala.

​Life in South Darfur, which has been under RSF control since October 2023, is defined by insecurity, impunity, and rising rates of killing, looting, and sexual violence.

Sudan Starts Trial of 77 Accused of Forming RSF-linked Local Government

30 March 2026

A Sudanese judge presides over the trial of security agents charged with the torture and murder of student Mahgoub al-Taj. on April 11, 2022

March 30, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s Public Prosecution announced on Monday the start of the trial of 77 individuals, including 65 being tried in absentia, accused of establishing a parallel administration in the Jebel Awlia locality south of Khartoum during its occupation by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The RSF had previously formed “civilian administrations” in areas under its control, claiming these bodies were necessary to provide essential services and fill the governance vacuum created by the ongoing war.

The Public Prosecution stated that the trial commenced before the Kalakla General Criminal Court. The defendants are accused of collaborating with the “rebel forces” in their war against the state by forming a parallel local government while the RSF held the region.

Prosecutor Abdullah Babikir Abdullah delivered the opening statement, detailing how the suspects allegedly held various roles within the RSF-backed administration, including executive director and several other administrative and service-related posts.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendants provided logistical, financial, and food support to the RSF. They are also accused of managing RSF checkpoints used for detentions and searches within the locality.

Of the 77 accused, 12 are currently in custody while 65 remain at large.

The case dates back to the aftermath of the April 15, 2023, conflict, which led to the RSF seizing several areas, including Jebel Awlia, where they established civilian structures to manage local affairs.

Charges against the defendants include undermining the constitutional system, inciting war against the state, and crimes related to international humanitarian law and anti-terrorism legislation. These charges carry a maximum penalty of death. The prosecution has called on the court to impose the harshest possible sentences due to the severity of the acts and their impact on national stability.

Official From RSF-backed Coalition Killed in Nyala Airstrikes

31 March 2026

Osama Hassan, a member of the SFC leadership body, was killed during the aerial bombardment.

March 31, 2026 (NYALA) – A senior member of the Sudan Founding Coalition (SFC), a political body dominated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), was killed on Tuesday during airstrikes targeting various locations in Nyala, South Darfur.

The RSF and its allies have established Nyala as the capital of a parallel government led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, with Mohamed Hassan el-Taishi serving as prime minister.

Local sources told Sudan Tribune that Osama Hassan, a member of the SFC leadership body, was killed during the aerial bombardment.

Witnesses reported that drones, believed to belong to the Sudanese army, attacked the city for a second consecutive day. The strikes hit the Cinema neighborhood, areas near the Specialized Hospital, Khartoum Belail, and a Starlink internet cafe.

The attack on the internet cafe reportedly resulted in several injuries.

Hassan was a prominent young figure in the SFC and was heavily involved in Darfur community reconciliation efforts and mediating between local groups.

Last week, Hassan visited Central Darfur for meetings with pro-RSF political forces and community leaders.

The raids come amid conflicting reports of an agreement between the army and RSF to avoid targeting airports in Khartoum and Nyala. An advisor to the Sovereign Council head has denied such an agreement exists.

March 31, 2026 (NYALA) – A senior member of the Sudan Founding Coalition (SFC), a political body dominated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), was killed on Tuesday during airstrikes targeting various locations in Nyala, South Darfur.

The RSF and its allies have established Nyala as the capital of a parallel government led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, with Mohamed Hassan el-Taishi serving as prime minister.

Local sources told Sudan Tribune that Osama Hassan, a member of the SFC leadership body, was killed during the aerial bombardment.

Witnesses reported that drones, believed to belong to the Sudanese army, attacked the city for a second consecutive day. The strikes hit the Cinema neighborhood, areas near the Specialized Hospital, Khartoum Belail, and a Starlink internet cafe.

The attack on the internet cafe reportedly resulted in several injuries.

Hassan was a prominent young figure in the SFC and was heavily involved in Darfur community reconciliation efforts and mediating between local groups.

Last week, Hassan visited Central Darfur for meetings with pro-RSF political forces and community leaders.

The raids come amid conflicting reports of an agreement between the army and RSF to avoid targeting airports in Khartoum and Nyala. An advisor to the Sovereign Council head has denied such an agreement exists.

A Hearing on Extending Zimbabwe President’s Term Erupts in Chaos

By Farai Mutsaka

1:40 PM EDT, March 31, 2026

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — A parliamentary public hearing on proposed constitutional amendments that could extend the term of Zimbabwe’s 83-year-old president descended into chaos on Tuesday, underscoring rising tensions over the contentious changes.

The situation at a sports complex in the capital, Harare, turned violent when prominent human rights lawyer Doug Coltart was attacked, leaving him bruised. His cellphone was taken and his glasses were broken. The unrest came amid a broader crackdown on critics of the proposed changes.

People shouting support for the presidential term extension shoved and slapped Coltart as he tried to exit the complex. He was one of the critics walking out in protest over the intimidation characterizing the meeting.

The amendments would allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former guerrilla fighter, to remain in power for two more years beyond his current term, which expires in 2028. They would also shift the election of the president from a popular vote to Parliament and extend the terms of both the president and lawmakers from five to seven years.

The hearings, taking place nationwide, are a mandatory step before lawmakers vote on the bill, though the public input isn’t binding on Parliament.

At several hearings that began across the country on Monday, critics of the amendments were drowned out by boos, heckling and intimidation, or denied the chance to speak, said Tendai Biti, leader of the Constitutional Defenders Forum, a group campaigning against the proposals.

Biti, a former finance minister, was released on bail last week after being detained for allegedly holding an unsanctioned meeting opposing the amendments.

Earlier this month, another opposition figure was hospitalized after being beaten by unidentified men that he said were police officers, following a meeting on the proposed changes. Police denied involvement, saying the gathering had been banned.

Authorities have rejected accusations of suppressing dissent, saying the reforms are being pursued within the law. Mnangagwa has said that he will step down at the end of his second term in 2028, but he hasn’t publicly opposed efforts by his governing ZANU-PF party to extend it.

Mnangagwa came to power after a popular 2017 military coup ousted Zimbabwe’s longtime leader, the late Robert Mugabe. Mnangagwa later won disputed elections in 2018 and 2023, both of which were criticized by international rights groups over alleged crackdowns on opposition candidates and supporters.

Critics argue that any move to extend presidential terms requires approval through a national referendum.

Africa's Largest Gold Producer Locks Out Foreign-owned Firms from Gold Fields’ Damang Mine Sale

Solomon Ekanem

31 March 2026 03:24 PM

Ghana has restricted the sale of the Damang gold mine to locally owned firms, tightening state control over strategic resources as it prepares to take over the asset from Gold Fields.

Ghana has limited the sale of the Damang gold mine to companies fully owned by Ghanaian citizens, increasing state control over strategic resources.

The government did not renew Gold Fields' mining lease, prompting their accelerated exit and a shift to local ownership.

This move is part of a broader trend across Africa toward resource nationalism and greater domestic participation in the mining sector.

A bid process is underway, with local firms—such as one linked to billionaire Ibrahim Mahama—emerging as frontrunners.

Kenya’s government has paid $30 million to CAF, securing its spot as co-host of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania. Stadium upgrades and infrastructure projects are now underway to meet CAF standards.

Africa’s top gold producer is pushing to boost domestic participation in the sector after refusing to renew the mine’s lease, effectively ending Gold Fields’ long-running operations at Damang as per Bloomberg.

Gold Fields, which acquired interests in Damang in the 1990s, had already been considering an exit due to the mine’s ageing profile and declining reserves. The government’s decision accelerated that process, granting a 12-month extension to allow a “successful transition” to local ownership.

While major assets remain under multinationals like AngloGold Ashanti, Newmont Corporation, and Zijin Mining Group, governments across Africa are seeking a larger share of resource revenues.

In a March 24 notice, Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah said only firms “100% owned by Ghanaian citizens” can apply, effectively excluding foreign bidders.

The restriction narrows the field to domestic players, with a company linked to Ghanaian billionaire Ibrahim Mahama, Engineers & Planners, now seen as a leading contender, underscoring Accra’s shift toward greater local control of high-value extractive assets.

In an earlier report, Reuters named shortlisted bidders as Engineers and Planners Company Limited, BCM International, and consortium Vortex Resources.

Of the three shortlisted bidders, Engineers and Planners Company Limited and BCM International meet this requirement, while the Vortex Resources consortium likely includes foreign partners and may be disqualified.

Rising push for local control

While major assets remain under multinationals, governments across Africa are seeking a larger share of resource revenues.

While major assets remain under multinationals, governments across Africa are seeking a larger share of resource revenues.

For Ghana, the Damang decision reflects a broader shift toward resource nationalism, where governments seek greater control and domestic benefit from mining operations.

Across Africa, similar policies are gaining traction as countries look to capture more value from their mineral wealth amid rising global demand for commodities.

From increased state participation to tighter licensing regimes, governments are recalibrating agreements with multinational firms. The aim is to boost local ownership, create jobs, and ensure that mining revenues are retained within national economies rather than flowing abroad.

However, such policies also raise concerns among investors about regulatory uncertainty and the potential impact on foreign direct investment. Companies may become more cautious about committing capital if lease renewals and ownership structures are subject to sudden changes.

In Ghana’s case, the Damang transition could become a test of how effectively local ownership models can be implemented without disrupting production or deterring future investment.

As African nations continue to assert greater control over their resources, the balance between national interest and investor confidence remains a defining challenge.

A South African Politician Goes Snorkeling in a Giant Pothole to Highlight City Management Failures

Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille takes a swim in a pool in a road created by a water leak in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (Jacques Nelles/Democratic Alliance via AP)

9:29 AM EDT, March 31, 2026

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A 75-year-old woman running for mayor of South Africa’s biggest city went snorkeling in a large, water-filled trench in a suburban road in a stunt to draw attention to what she describes as years of mismanagement by the city’s authorities.

Helen Zille, a well-known South African politician, wore a wetsuit, a mask and snorkel, and a pink-and-white swimming cap as she doggy-paddled through the pool of muddy brown water in an upscale Johannesburg suburb. The pool has been there for about three years because a burst water pipe hadn’t been properly fixed despite repeated attempts, she said.

Zille posted a video of herself in the trench that was picked up and broadcast by television news channels. In it, she says sarcastically, “And here we are with a free and wonderful Saturday-afternoon snorkel.”

“I wonder if there are any fishes in here. Let me take a look,” she added before dipping part of her head under the water.

Johannesburg is considered Africa’s richest city by private wealth but has struggled with years of failed local government coalitions and the degradation of services. It is known as the “City of Gold” after being founded on huge gold deposits.

Residents in the city of around six million people often face water and electricity cuts and broken infrastructure like burst water pipes and damaged roads.

Zille, who was previously leader of South Africa’s second-biggest party and mayor of the city of Cape Town, said she’ll stand in local elections for mayor of Johannesburg.

The current mayor of Johannesburg said in a post on X on Tuesday that the pothole was the result of a pipe “that had repeatedly failed over the past three years” and it was fixed and the hole was filled in a day after Zille’s stunt on Saturday.