Thousands Gather in Alabama to Renew the Struggle for Voting Rights

Montgomery and Selma were pivotal in the mass Civil Rights Movement between 1955 and 1965 where boycotts and mass demonstrations were utilized to break down legalized segregation and disenfranchisement

By Abayomi Azikiwe, Editor, Pan-African News Wire

Wednesday May 20, 2026

Political Review

After the devastating impact of the United States Supreme Court Louisiana v. Callais case which eviscerated the Voting Rights Act of 1965, several southern states immediately began to redistrict their Congressional maps in order to render the African American vote meaningless.

Tennessee was the first to redraw the 9th district with the sole intention of nullifying the political impact of African American voters principally in Memphis, a municipality with more than a 63% Black population.

Over the weekend of May 16-17, thousands of people gathered in Montgomery and Selma to rally in opposition to the administration of President Donald Trump, who during his first term of office, had placed two additional right-wing members on the Supreme Court providing a 6-3 majority. This court has handed down several decisions which have negatively impacted the gains made by African Americans and women over the last 72 years.

Memphis was the location where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, amid a sanitation strike of African American workers which gained the support of the broader community both locally and nationally. The strike sought collective bargaining rights through the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

The trajectory from the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955-56 to the Selma to Montgomery March of 1965 represented the progress of the mass Civil Rights Movement. Several factors were important in the emergence of the struggles to end segregation and the denial of voting rights which included the international atmosphere characterized by the anti-colonial movements in Africa and Asia as well as the rise of socialism in various geo-political regions globally.

Today the current MAGA Republican administration has embarked upon a war drive against the people of West Asia, Africa and Latin America aimed at the seizure of natural resources and the political control of these regions. Assistance to underdeveloped states have been largely abandoned while the tariffs unilaterally imposed by Trump have been declared by the same Supreme Court as being unconstitutional. 

At the same time the European allies of Washington are being pressured by the administration to spend more of their national budgets on defense negatively impacting the economic situation in other capitalist states. Despite the efforts to maintain good relations with the U.S., the other NATO countries refused to become directly involved in the unprovoked war against the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

Trump has proposed a $1.5 Trillion defense budget as the prices for consumer goods and energy are continuing to rise sharply. African Americans and other oppressed groups in the U.S. are disproportionately affected by the inflationary spiral in which the administration has dismissed claiming that it is more important to undermine the Iranian government and the entire axis of resistance in West Asia.

It is quite obvious that the MAGA rulers are thoroughly committed to a reconfiguration of racial capitalism and imperialism. The democratic rights of people living in the U.S. are expendable as Trump and his backers within the ruling class seek to salvage a declining system.

The Need for Renewed Mobilization Against Racism and National Oppression

Recent events in Montgomery and Selma point the way towards the need to rebuild a movement that addresses the necessity of abolishing racism. The statements made by the dominant groupings within the Supreme Court indicate that they are committed to the weakening of representation of African Americans within the U.S. Congress.

Some 61 years after the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, African Americans must address the concerted moves to reverse the gains made over the last six decades. This can only be done through the recruitment of new forces into the mass democratic movement and the building of organizations which work full time on the issues which benefit the masses of people.

According to an article published by the Associated Press on the mass demonstrations in Alabama on May 16:

“The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling involving Louisiana hollowed out the voting rights law that was already weakened by a separate decision in 2013 and then narrowed further over the years. That helped clear the way for stricter voter ID laws, registration restrictions, and limits on early voting and polling place changes, including in states that once needed federal preclearance before they could change voting laws because of their historical discrimination against Black voters.” (https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-act-rally-alabama-scotus-a71782f45369654ab86e0e66e633fcf4)

These new restrictions on voting rights are not necessarily limited to the southern U.S. In northern states such as Michigan, there were petitions circulated during early 2026 which sought to place on the ballot purported mandatory identification to vote.

This is being done in light of the claims of voter fraud on the part of Democratic constituencies by the MAGA interests. With the deployment of thousands of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol agents in various cities regarded as democratic-leaning areas such as Chicago, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Memphis, etc., there could very well be a utilization of these government forces along with MAGA operatives to physically suppress voters. 

In the same above-mentioned report, it goes on to say that:

“Montgomery is home to one of the congressional districts that is being altered in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling. A federal court in 2023 redrew Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District after ruling that the state intentionally diluted the voting power of Black residents, who make up about 27% of its population. The court said there should be a district where Black people are a majority or near-majority and have an opportunity to elect their candidate of choice. But the Supreme Court cleared the way for a different map that could let the GOP reclaim the seat. While the matter remains under litigation, the state plans special primaries Aug. 11 under the new map. U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, who won election in the district in 2024, said the dispute is not about him but rather people’s opportunity to have representation.”

The situation in many southern states is already deplorable for African Americans. In Alabama rural hospitals are closing while 50,000 people have been eliminated from eligibility to receive Supplemental Nutrition Agricultural Program (SNAP) benefits, many of whom are children, disable persons and senior citizens.  

In the conservative state of South Carolina, efforts are underway by the state legislature to redraw the electoral maps which would push back the primary elections for the U.S. Congress until August. The costs of holding a special election would be borne by the counties throughout the state estimated to be in excess of $2 million. 

The state already has a high poverty rate for African Americans and Latin Americans. African Americans have a poverty rate of 27% and Latin Americans are at 29%. Among African American children, 42% are living below the federally recognized poverty line. 

Despite the rise in investment from capitalist corporations in South Carolina, the profits and jobs from various enterprises have in fact created even greater inequality between whites and the oppressed communities. Taking voting rights and representation from African Americans will only exacerbate the levels of inequality and income.

Tennessee was the first southern state where the Republican-dominated state assembly voted soon after the Louisiana v. Callais decision was handed down to disenfranchise Black people. The African American majority 9th Congressional district was targeted which would further worsen the conditions in the city of Memphis. 

Immediate Action is Required on a National Level

The only mechanism to reverse the current situation requires the mass mobilization and organization of the African American people and their allies. A broad militant united front should be formed with a commitment to engage in demonstrations, civil disobedience, boycotts and general strikes.

During its 2025 national convention, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) called for a March on Washington as a day of solidarity. Although this call was put forward as a resolution, there does not appear to be any action being taken on this proposal.

Over the last year millions have come out peacefully in opposition to the dictatorial program of the Trump administration and the MAGA-dominated Congress. However, if the CBTU or any progressive alliance of African Americans and Latin Americans took on this idea, it would have a profound impact on the consciousness and political will of those most negatively impacted in the present situation. 

If these proposals are not acted upon soon, the spontaneous response of African Americans and others could take on a rebellious character which may not be effectively contained by law-enforcement agencies, the National Guard and military forces. Even if the mass demonstrations, boycotts and general strikes do occur within the next few months, it still may not preclude the commencement of a violent struggle pushing the U.S. into an even deeper security and socioeconomic crisis. 

‘We Will Make the Enemy Regret’: Qalibaf Warns US Seeking New Round of War

Wednesday, 20 May 2026 3:12 PM

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has warned that the enemy’s overt and covert movements indicate it is seeking a new round of war, saying the Iranian armed forces are prepared and will make the enemy regret any new aggression against the country.

In his third audio message to the Iranian people, released on Wednesday, Qalibaf said that although hostilities have ceased on the battlefields as part of a ceasefire, the enemy has not abandoned its military objectives.

“The enemy’s overt and covert movements show that, parallel to economic and political pressures, it has not given up its military goals and is seeking a new round of war and fresh adventurism,” Qalibaf said.

The speaker said the United States was caught in a strategic dilemma.

“The reality is that the enemy, contrary to the postures it sometimes adopts, is trapped in a strategic challenge,” he said, pointing to rising gasoline prices, bond market turmoil, interest rates, and inflation in the US.

“These conditions have created such public discontent that even many of Trump’s own supporters see America’s war on Iran as Israel’s war and a violation of Trump’s campaign promises,” he pointed out.

Qalibaf said Trump is now hesitating between two options.

“The first option is to prioritize ending the war, accepting the costs of being the loser. The second option is to restart the war or continue the naval blockade to pressure Iran into accepting surrender.”

He added that a careful assessment of America’s situation suggests Washington still clings to the false hope of Iran’s submission.

‘We must shatter enemy calculations’

Qalibaf urged Iran to strengthen its military readiness and economic resilience.

“In the face of such a plan, we must shatter the enemy’s miscalculations by enhancing our preparedness for a powerful and effective response to any possible attacks, and by increasing our economic resilience, disappointing the enemy’s hope for Iran’s surrender, so that it is forced to accept the rightful demands of the Iranian people in negotiations.”

He assured the nation that Iran’s armed forces have used the ceasefire period to rebuild their military capability.

Iran’s Ghalibaf vows the country will become a major international actor if it wins the current war.

“Thanks to divine grace and the support of the people, today they possess such readiness that they would astonish the enemy and certainly make it regret any new aggression against Iran,” he said.

The United States and Israel launched an unprovoked war of aggression against Iran on February 28, assassinating the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and striking nuclear facilities, schools, and hospitals.

Iran responded with 100 waves of retaliatory strikes under Operation True Promise 4.

A Pakistan‑brokered ceasefire has been in place since early April, but a US naval blockade of Iranian ports continues.

Tehran has refused to reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the blockade is lifted and the war permanently ends.

Peace talks have stalled after Washington rejected Iran’s counterproposal, which demands war compensation, lifting of sanctions, and respect for Iran’s sovereignty over the strait.

US' New Proposal Under Study by Iran: Tasnim Source

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Tasnim

20 May 2026 22:04

Iran is reviewing a new US proposal delivered through Pakistani mediation a few days after Tehran submitted its own 14-point draft.

Iran is currently reviewing a new US proposal delivered through Pakistani mediation after Tehran submitted its own 14-point draft earlier this week, Tasnim News Agency reported, citing a source close to the negotiating team.

The source said the United States sent a revised text to Iran via the Pakistani mediator three days after Tehran presented its proposal outlining 14 points related to the ongoing negotiations.

According to the report, Iranian officials are still studying the American draft and have not yet issued any formal response.

The Pakistani mediator, who is currently in Tehran, is reportedly attempting to narrow the differences between the two sides and bring their respective proposals closer together.

However, so far, no final outcome has emerged from these efforts, the source asserted. 

War diplomacy

The latest diplomatic exchanges come amid continued regional efforts to contain the war launched by the US and "Israel" against Iran. After months of military escalation, economic warfare, and failed attempts to destabilize the Islamic Republic, Washington is now pursuing indirect negotiations with Tehran through Pakistani mediation as it seeks a path out of a war that has failed to achieve its strategic objectives.

Recent reports indicated that Iran’s revised 14-point proposal focused on ending the war and establishing “confidence-building measures” by the American side. The proposal reportedly included demands related to sanctions relief, guarantees against future US and Israeli attacks, restoration of maritime trade flows, and broader regional de-escalation.

Tehran has also maintained that negotiations cannot be limited solely to uranium enrichment while Iran remains under military and economic pressure, insisting that any lasting arrangement must address the root causes of the war, including US sanctions, regional military escalation, threats against Iranian sovereignty, and attempts to undermine the Islamic Republic’s strategic position.

Meanwhile, US officials have voiced opposition to key elements of Tehran’s proposal, particularly Iran’s refusal to negotiate its nuclear program under wartime pressure and its insistence that the Strait of Hormuz crisis cannot be separated from the broader US-led campaign against the Islamic Republic, laying bare the major disagreements that continue to obstruct a breakthrough.

Despite ongoing mediation efforts, no final agreement or breakthrough has yet emerged from the negotiations.

Hezbollah Can't Be Disarmed Forcibly, Internally or Externally: Bassil

By Al Mayadeen English

20 May 2026 23:19

In an exclusive interview for Al Mayadeen, the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement said that “in Lebanon, it is not possible to eliminate any component."

We have not changed our political positioning, the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, Gebran Bassil, stated on Wednesday, noting that the dispute with Hezbollah occurred “after it adopted choices that do not serve the Lebanese interest.”

In an exclusive interview for Al Mayadeen, Bassil said that “in Lebanon, it is not possible to eliminate any component,” adding that understandings between Lebanese components “must not be abolished.”

He considered that “political divergence occurs on certain points, but it should not turn into a state of enmity.” He added that Hezbollah is “a Lebanese component” and that “its choices must be Lebanese, and its Lebanese axis must take precedence over any other axis.”

Bassil stated that “the third pillar of understanding, which is the defensive strategy, collapsed when Hezbollah initiated an attack and was no longer in a defensive state.”

In his remarks to Al Mayadeen, he stressed that the Free Patriotic Movement has the right to express its disagreement with Hezbollah, “but this should not take us to a point where we end up alongside Israel against a Lebanese component.”

'Hezbollah resisting an occupier of Lebanon'

The prominent Lebanese figure stressed that “resistance cannot exist outside the framework of the state, as it loses its legitimacy in such a case,” adding that this is “something we do not accept for Hezbollah, given that it is resisting an occupier of Lebanon.” 

He said the resistance “must operate within a fully national environment,” stressing that the Free Patriotic Movement “does not want Hezbollah to be isolated or weakened,” adding, “We are keen on restoring Hezbollah’s complete national allure.”

He pointed out that “the solution lies in a Lebanese–Lebanese agreement and a realistic, logical solution,” considering that Lebanon “is capable of playing an important role in the region.”

Bassil also affirmed that “Lebanon can serve as a regional hub and a genuine economic bridge,” stressing that “we must prevent war rather than draw it in and work to keep Lebanon neutral in the conflicts of regional axes.”

'No rupture with Hezbollah'

Bassil indicated that the relationship with Hezbollah “is neither a rupture nor a fully settled relationship as it was in the past,” noting, however, that there may now be greater understanding or at least more willingness to hear our perspective."

He said Hezbollah “must be part of the necessary solution to pull Lebanon out of the cycle of wars,” adding that “Lebanon must not return to being a war zone.”

The FPM chief said that “Hezbollah must be part of the defense strategy” and that its weapons “are an integral part of it,” adding that any transfer or relinquishment of arms “must only take place when the necessary conditions for protecting Lebanon are in place.”

He stressed that “Israel’s ambitions require no proof,” adding, “We are aware of this danger to Lebanon, but what matters is how to confront it.”

He also affirmed that forcibly disarming Hezbollah “cannot happen, neither from within nor from outside,” warning that such a step would amount to a recipe “either for the complete destruction of Lebanon from the outside, or for internal war if attempted from within.”

Bassil noted that Lebanon possesses elements of strength, including its regional role and Hezbollah’s arsenal, which he said, “must not be relinquished cheaply.”

'Lebanon’s strength lies in internal unity'

The top Lebanese politician stressed that “the strength of the Lebanese negotiator lies in internal unity,” while its weakness lies in “fragmentation and division.”

He added that, in the current reality, "I see neither the capability nor the willingness on the part of the United States to restrain Israel from its aggression."

Bassil confirmed that the Free Patriotic Movement rejects, “as Christians", extremist statements directed against the popular base of the resistance, stressing that it does not accept calls for division or separation, especially during wartime.

He called on political leaders to “adhere to a unifying discourse and avoid reaching the point of division.”

'Lebanon must not be hostile to Iran'

Elsewhere in his remarks, the former Lebanese minister and current MP said that Iran is “a major country,” considering that Lebanon “should not be in a state of hostility with it.”

He added that Lebanon “must define its role within what is happening under a national security strategy,” stressing that “the time has come for that.”

Bassil spoke of "serious concerns that Israel may resort to internal security operations and that its operatives could have already infiltrated our country."

Regarding relations with Washington, he affirmed that Lebanon “needs friendly states,” considering the United States “a powerful state with which we must have relations.”

He further stressed that "the Lebanese state must not go as far as coordinating with foreign powers against its own people."

In this context, he called on the Lebanese state to “develop a domestic understanding document that would place pressure on internal actors,” referring to the need for a unified Lebanese approach to address internal disputes.

What to Know About Ebola Deemed Global Health Emergency by WHO

By Al Mayadeen English

18 May 2026 08:29

WHO fears the Ebola outbreak may be much larger than reported, as it could expand rapidly due to delayed detection, conflict, and the absence of approved vaccines.

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda are racing to contain a growing Ebola outbreak that has already caused 246 suspected infections and 88 deaths, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the situation “a public health emergency of international concern.”

The outbreak began in the eastern Congolese province of Ituri, but infections have since spread to other parts of the DRC and crossed into neighboring Uganda, raising fears of a wider regional health crisis.

The WHO warned that the combination of delayed detection, cross-border transmission, and the absence of an approved vaccine for the specific strain involved could make containment significantly more difficult.

What you should know

Ebola is a highly contagious and frequently fatal viral disease that causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. The virus is believed to originate mainly in fruit bats and spreads to humans through what scientists call “zoonotic spillover", or animal-to-human transmission.

Once a person is infected, the virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, including blood, vomit, semen, and other secretions.

Symptoms typically begin with fever, fatigue, muscle pain, and headaches before progressing to vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, and, in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.

Fatality rate, outbreaks, strains

According to the WHO, Ebola has an average fatality rate of around 50%, though some outbreaks have recorded even higher death rates.

More than 40 Ebola outbreaks have been documented since the disease was first identified in 1976. The current outbreak marks the 17th recorded Ebola outbreak in the DRC.

There are four known Ebola strains that infect humans: Zaire, Sudan, Bundibugyo, and Tai Forest. The WHO confirmed that the current outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, which has only caused two previous outbreaks globally, in 2007 and 2012.

Why this outbreak has experts worried

Health experts say the outbreak is particularly alarming because there is currently no approved vaccine or targeted treatment for the Bundibugyo strain.

Dr. Simon Williams, an infectious disease expert at Swansea University, said existing Ebola vaccines, including the Ervebo vaccine used in previous outbreaks, are ineffective against this variant.

“There are no Bundibugyo virus-specific therapeutics or vaccines,” Williams said, warning that Ebola remains “a nasty disease with a very high case fatality rate.”

Less easily transmited, far more deadly

Although Ebola spreads less easily than viruses such as COVID-19 or measles, experts stress that it is far more deadly and can kill otherwise healthy individuals, not only vulnerable populations.

Containment efforts are also being complicated by the security situation in eastern DRC, where armed conflict and militia activity continue to disrupt healthcare operations.

Professor Paul Hunter of the University of East Anglia said healthcare centers have previously been attacked by armed groups during Ebola responses, creating fear among local populations and discouraging infected individuals from seeking treatment.

“In the past healthcare facilities have been targeted by militias,” Hunter said, adding that some patients may avoid medical care entirely, increasing the risk of further transmission within families and communities.

How the outbreak escaped early detection

The outbreak reportedly began in April, but health authorities were only formally alerted on May 5 after information circulated on social media.

The earliest known suspected patient, a 59-year-old man, developed symptoms on April 24 and died three days later.

By the time officials recognized the outbreak, at least 50 people had already died, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Delayed detection a key factor

Public health specialists warn that delayed detection may have allowed the virus to spread unchecked for weeks or even months.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa CDC, warned that any delay in responding to Ebola outbreaks can have “catastrophic consequences.”

Dr. Anne Cori, an infectious disease modeling expert at Imperial College London, said the unusually high number of suspected cases identified before the official declaration suggests the outbreak had already spread significantly before containment measures began.

She noted that late detection makes strategies such as contact tracing far more difficult, especially in conflict zones already facing instability and weak healthcare infrastructure.

What happens if the virus continues to spread?

Health authorities fear the outbreak could expand substantially beyond its current scale.

While the outbreak originated in Ituri province, Uganda has already confirmed two cross-border cases involving people who traveled from the DRC. One infected patient later died in a hospital in Kampala, Uganda’s capital.

The WHO warned that the high proportion of positive tests among suspected cases, combined with deaths in Ituri and confirmed infections in Kampala, indicates the outbreak may already be much larger than currently documented.

The organization also cautioned that there are still “significant uncertainties” surrounding the true number of infections and the geographical spread of the outbreak.

Officials fear continued regional transmission could place neighboring countries at increased risk if containment efforts fail in the coming weeks.

UAE Fueling African Conflicts While Evading Accountability, SWP Finds

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: German Institute for International and Security Affairs

17 May 2026 18:32

A new SWP report accuses the UAE of arming proxy forces, manipulating peace processes, and driving humanitarian crises across Africa while facing no consequences.

A newly published report by the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) has delivered a critical assessment of the United Arab Emirates' role in African conflicts, describing Abu Dhabi as a systematic spoiler that arms proxy forces, manipulates diplomatic processes, and bears significant responsibility for some of the world's worst humanitarian crises, all while facing virtually no political consequences from its Western partners.

The report, authored by researchers at one of Europe's most influential foreign and security policy think tanks, which directly advises the German government and Bundestag, calls on Berlin and its European partners to fundamentally reassess their relationship with the UAE.

Sudan: The clearest case

The report presents Sudan as the most devastating example of Emirati interference. The UAE is identified as the most important military, logistical, and financial backer of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group whose war against the Sudanese Armed Forces has produced what the UN reports as the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with 33.7 million people dependent on aid, over 15 million displaced, and widespread extreme hunger.

The RSF's conduct has been particularly brutal. The report details targeted violence against non-Arab minorities, including sexual violence, mass killings, attacks on medical facilities, and hostage-taking, primarily directed at groups such as the Masalit and Zaghawa.

When the RSF captured El-Fasher in North Darfur in October 2025, a UN fact-finding mission described its actions against the civilian population as bearing the hallmarks of genocide.

Emirati support for the RSF continued even after Iranian strikes on the UAE, with numerous cargo flights departing from Emirates airports to Ethiopia, apparently to ferry supplies across the border to RSF positions.

A UN panel of experts documented 458 flights involving heavy transport aircraft from Emirati military airports or the transhipment hub of Bosaso to eastern Libya between October 2024 and the end of 2025, 239 of them bound for Kufra, a key hub for RSF resupply, in likely violation of UN arms embargoes on both Libya and Darfur.

A proxy model built on plausible deniability

The UAE rarely deploys its own forces. Instead, it operates through a carefully constructed network of local proxies, private military contractors, and logistical intermediaries. Beyond the RSF in Sudan, its partners include Khalifa Haftar's Libyan Arab Armed Forces, the Puntland Maritime Police Force in Somalia, and, in a departure from the pattern, the Ethiopian government during its war against the Tigray people.

The report details how the UAE recruited and deployed hundreds of Colombian mercenaries to Sudan via an Emirati security firm, with the US government noting in 2025 that these fighters had served as infantry, artillery personnel, drone pilots, and even trained children for combat.

Supplies to the RSF have been routed through LAAF-controlled Libya, Chad, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, with Abu Dhabi deploying financial leverage to secure cooperation, including a 1.5 billion dollar loan to Chadian President Idriss Déby in 2023.

The UAE also profits from gold smuggling networks in conflict zones, with members of the ruling family reported to have personal ties to both Haftar and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Why the UAE intervenes

SWP identifies several overlapping motives. Economic interests are central, as state-owned logistics giants DP World and AD Ports Group have port and infrastructure projects across the continent, and military interventions serve to protect access to trade routes and strategic resources.

But economics alone do not explain the pattern. The report points to the UAE's drive to outcompete Saudi Arabia for regional influence, a rivalry that has only sharpened since Riyadh forced Abu Dhabi out of southern Yemen.

Ideological opposition to the Muslim Brotherhood also shapes policy, with the UAE consistently backing actors who suppress Islamist movements. Personal enrichment through resource networks and ruling family ties to conflict actors adds a further layer.

Diplomatic manipulation

The report scrutinises the UAE's use of diplomatic engagement as cover, whereby Abu Dhabi participates in international peace processes while simultaneously intensifying support for belligerents.

In September 2025, the UAE joined the Sudan Quad format alongside Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, signing joint commitments to end external support for conflict parties. According to US intelligence reporting, however, the UAE was actively intensifying support for the RSF at the same time.

The UAE also pledged 200 million dollars at a February 2025 humanitarian conference and a further 500 million dollars at a US conference in 2026, while contributing only around 33 million dollars to the UN-coordinated humanitarian plan.

In November 2025, Emirati Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh spent four days meeting with Members of the European Parliament in Brussels. Nusseibeh's endeavor was successful, as a Parliament resolution on Sudan adopted at the same time made no mention of the UAE's support for the RSF, following opposition from the European People's Party to amendments tabled by left-wing parliamentary groups.

The same pattern played out during the Berlin Libya Process in 2019-20, when the UAE pledged to halt arms transfers to Libyan conflict parties but continued them regardless. Transport aircraft flew from the Emirates to eastern Libya on the very day of the Berlin conference in January 2020.

European silence, eroded accountability

The report stresses that Western governments, including Germany, have consistently refused to name the UAE publicly in international forums, despite substantial documented evidence of its role in fueling conflicts. No UN Security Council member has explicitly raised Emirati support for the RSF in formal meetings, either.

This reluctance, SWP argues, is not incidental but reflects a broader calculation in which trade ties, security cooperation, the UAE's close relationship with "Israel," and the strategic goal of preventing Abu Dhabi from drifting further toward China or Russia have consistently outweighed accountability concerns.

The UAE's open disregard for the UN embargo on Libya from 2014 onward, the report notes, likely encouraged other states to adopt a similar approach, with the same dynamic now being repeated in Sudan. 

Five recommendations

SWP outlines five concrete steps for Germany and its European partners:

First, Abu Dhabi should be named explicitly in international forums rather than referenced in vague language about "external actors."

Second, EU financial sanctions should be expanded and applied more consistently where Emirati actors have documented embargo violations.

Third, German arms export policy toward the UAE requires a fundamental review, given the documented transfer of German-chassis military equipment to conflict zones.

Fourth, anti-money-laundering enforcement should be tightened, with greater focus on Emirati financial centres as hubs for conflict economies and sanctions evasion.

Fifth, the strategic partnership Germany has maintained with the UAE since 2004 should, at a minimum, be suspended unless Abu Dhabi demonstrably reorients its policy toward de-escalation.

The report concludes that the war on Iran, mounting tensions with Saudi Arabia, and growing reputational vulnerabilities have made the UAE more susceptible to European pressure than at any previous point, and that this window should not go unused.

Botswana Gov't Sees China's Zero-tariff Policy as Big Opportunity to Grow Exports

Source: Xinhua| 2026-05-20 00:38:30|Editor: huaxia

GABORONE, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Botswana's Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship on Tuesday said that China has removed import tariffs on qualifying products from Botswana from May 1, which is a big opportunity for Botswana businesses to grow exports and create jobs.

In a press release, the ministry said the removal means original Botswana products can now enter the Chinese market without additional tax costs, making it easier and cheaper for local businesses to sell goods in one of the world's biggest markets.

The ministry highlighted some of the prime sectors, including beef and livestock products, processed food and horticulture products, leather and textile products, as well as arts and crafts.

To ensure seamless trade facilitation, the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) has activated immediate customs procedures. BURS is currently adapting its systems to fast-track documentation, clear export paths, and issue the required rules of origin certification for China-bound cargo, said the press release.

The ministry urged manufacturers, farmers and entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by this market.

China's zero-tariff policy has been extended to 53 African countries holding diplomatic relations with China and took effect on May 1.

Namibia Launches FAO-backed Project to Boost Pearl Millet Production

Source: Xinhua| 2026-05-21 01:25:45|Editor: huaxia

WINDHOEK, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Namibia on Wednesday launched a project aimed at improving the productivity and value chain development of pearl millet, locally known as mahangu, a drought-resistant staple crop critical to the country's food security.

The project, titled "Support to improve productivity and value chain development of pearl millet (mahangu) in Namibia," is supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations under its One Country One Priority Product initiative.

It is funded through the FAO Technical Cooperation Program at a value of 250,000 U.S. dollars and will run until August 2027.

Speaking at the launch in Oshakati in the northern Oshana Region on behalf of Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani, Deputy Executive Director Kachana Kamwi said the initiative is designed to strengthen food security, rural livelihoods, and climate resilience.

Pearl millet is a staple food for more than half of Namibia's population and is widely cultivated in the country's northern regions, where farmers often face low rainfall and recurring droughts.

Kamwi said the crop's resilience to harsh climatic conditions makes it strategic for national food security, adding that the project seeks to shift pearl millet from a largely subsistence crop into a commercially viable commodity.

The project will support certified seed production, train more than 800 seed growers, strengthen climate-smart agriculture practices, and improve coordination among farmers, millers, agro-processors, cooperatives, and research institutions, she said.

FAO Representative in Namibia Patrice Talla said the initiative reflects cooperation between FAO and the Namibian government to strengthen traditional food systems and improve resilience to climate shocks.

"Mahangu has long sustained rural communities in Namibia through drought periods. This project aims to combine that traditional knowledge with improved technology and investment to enhance productivity," Talla said.

According to Talla, Namibia currently produces only about half of its national millet demand, while yields remain low despite the crop's importance for food and nutrition security. 

Namibia, Angola Ink Data Pact to Boost Governance, Public Policy Evaluation

Source: Xinhua| 2026-05-20 23:55:00|Editor

WINDHOEK, May 20 (Xinhua) -- To phase out outdated data collection and combat inaccurate economic forecasting, Namibia and Angola signed a pact to boost governance, public policy evaluation, and dissemination of relevant, reliable, and timely statistics.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked in Windhoek between the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) and the National Statistics Institute of Angola (INE).

The NSA, in a statement released on Wednesday, said the MoU serves to enhance technical cooperation between the NSA and INE and constitutes a strategic instrument for institutional modernization, knowledge transfer, the strengthening of human and technological capabilities, and the promotion of integration of administrative data sources.

NSA Statistician General Alex Shimuafeni highlighted that the MoU is not only about a document, but also about implementing the content of the pact.

INE head Joel Bumba Sambo Futi confirmed that the pact will promote and strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two institutions in several fields, such as governance model, digital transformation, data integration and statistical modernization, cartography and geographic information system, statistical methodology, macroeconomic statistics, as well as other relevant areas.

According to the agencies, the development of joint initiatives in training, applied research, and methodological innovation will contribute to the sustainability of the respective National Statistical Systems and to the continuous improvement of the quality of official statistics produced. 

African Countries Grapple with Surging Living Costs Amid Deepening Fuel Crisis

Source: Xinhua| 

2026-05-20 22:14:15|Editor: huaxia

by Xinhua writer Yan Ran

NAIROBI, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Against the backdrop of mounting tensions in the Middle East, volatile global oil prices have dealt a heavy blow to African economies reliant on energy imports.

Rising fuel costs are spilling over into agriculture, transportation, power and other sectors, increasing living expenses while fueling public discontent. In response to growing livelihood pressures, multiple African governments have introduced measures to address the crisis.

In several Kenyan cities, including Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu, locals have expressed frustration over fuel price hikes and surging living costs.

Kenya's Transport Sector Alliance said that soaring fuel prices have increased operating costs, leading many truck drivers to reduce their trips.

According to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, in April, food prices rose by 8.8 percent and transport prices surged by 10 percent, driving the overall inflation rate up to 5.6 percent from 4.4 percent in March.

Comoros relies entirely on imported petroleum products for its fuel supply, with local livelihoods highly vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations. Local media reported that fishermen and taxi drivers have seen their income margins significantly squeezed due to continuous fuel price increases.

In South Africa, petrol and diesel prices neared a four-year high due to rising international oil prices and a weakening domestic currency. Daily commuting has become a major financial burden for many citizens. Analysts noted that surging fuel costs are increasing logistics expenses, raising the prices of essential goods like food and worsening domestic inflation.

Many African governments have implemented a range of measures.

Kenya has announced diesel price reductions, tax adjustments, and is considering expanding public transport subsidies. Zambia approved zero-rating of value-added tax and the suspension of excise duty on petrol and diesel imports for a period of three months.

South Africa extended fuel levy relief, while Namibia used its National Energy Fund to absorb part of the under-recoveries and associated fuel premiums. Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire have used fiscal funds to cap fuel and essential goods prices to secure people's livelihoods.

In its latest Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa, the International Monetary Fund lowered the region's 2026 growth forecast to 4.3 percent.

It warned that the war in the Middle East had significantly clouded the outlook. "Oil, gas, and fertilizer prices, together with shipping costs, have risen sharply. Furthermore, the shock has disrupted the trade with Gulf partners, reduced tourist arrivals," said the report.

"Oil-importing, non-resource-rich countries face a deterioration in trade balance and higher cost of living, while oil exporters will benefit from stronger export revenues but remain exposed to volatility and procyclical policy risks," it added.

While some are pursuing long-term solutions such as refinery construction, oilfield development, and strategic petroleum reserves, these measures may not immediately ease the strain of high prices. Stabilizing energy supplies and mitigating social unrest caused by economic hardship have become shared challenges across the continent.

Claver Gatete, executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, said that global shocks continue to expose Africa's vulnerabilities, from fuel and fertilizer disruptions to inflationary pressures and constrained fiscal space.

He emphasized the need to address immediate shocks and long-term challenges through strategic infrastructure corridors, deeper regional integration and accelerated industrialization. 

Nearly 300 Cataract Patients in Burundi to Get Free Surgery from Chinese Doctors

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia2026-05-20 20:26:30

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a Chinese ophthalmologist (L) checking a patient in Bujumbura, Burundi, May 19, 2026. Nearly 300 cataract patients will receive free surgery from Chinese ophthalmologists in collaboration with their Burundian counterparts, officials announced Tuesday at the official launch of the "Walk Towards Light" campaign held in the Burundian commercial capital Bujumbura. (Chinese medical team to Burundi/Handout via Xinhua)

BUJUMBURA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 300 cataract patients will receive free surgery from Chinese ophthalmologists in collaboration with their Burundian counterparts, officials announced Tuesday at the official launch of the "Walk Towards Light" campaign held in the Burundian commercial capital Bujumbura.

During the 21-day campaign, 100 of the 300 cataract patients will be treated at the Bonne Action Lacan Center and 200 at Prince Regent Charles Hospital, both located in Bujumbura.

Oscar Ntihabose, acting permanent secretary at the Burundian Ministry of Public Health, expressed his gratitude to China for its unwavering support of the health sector in Burundi.

"This campaign is a concrete example of the excellent relations of friendship, cooperation, and fraternity that have united our two countries for many years," he said.

This "Walk Towards Light" project demonstrates the shared commitment of both countries to further strengthen cooperation in the health sector and to provide concrete solutions to people's needs, Ntihabose noted.

"For many of our fellow citizens, cataract remains a silent suffering that deprives people, and often entire individuals, of their dignity and their right to live," said Liliane Nkengurutse, executive secretary of the Office of the First Lady for the Development of Burundi.

Nkengurutse added that Sino-Burundian cooperation is a testament to a sincere friendship and a shared commitment to promoting the well-being of the people.

Chinese Ambassador to Burundi Zhu Kewei said that this is the third time this project has been organized in Burundi.

"During the two previous missions, more than 400 Burundian patients regained their sight thanks to free surgical operations, making this initiative a flagship action of Sino-Burundian health cooperation," she said.

Since 1987, China has sent more than five hundred medical team members to Burundi.

DHQ Gives Update On Nigeria-U.S. Operations Against Islamic State, Says 175 People Killed

VOA News

Nigerian soldiers

19 May 2026

Premium Times (Abuja)

By Yakubu Mohammed

The DHQ said the operations destroyed several Islamic State checkpoints, weapons storage facilities, logistics hubs, military equipment and financial structures used to sustain terrorist activities.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that ongoing joint counterterrorism operations between Nigerian forces and the United States Africa Command have resulted in the killing of 175 Islamic State terrorists in the North-east, the epicentre of an insurgency in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the DHQ, Samaila Uba, said the coordinated strikes, which commenced a few days ago, had inflicted significant damage on terrorist networks operating in the region.

Last Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced that a US-Nigeria joint operation killed an Islamic State commander, Abubakar Mainok, also known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki.

President Bola Tinubu confirmed the killing of the terror kingpin, saying he was killed alongside his foot soldiers on the Lake Chad island.

Subsequent reports by the military stated that Mr Mainok was killed by troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), a joint task force in the North-east, and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), at Metele, a border community in Borno State near the Niger Republic.

However, many Nigerians raise concerns about the terror leader's killing, referencing previous reports where the military claimed to have killed the same man in 2024.

In response, both the DHQ and the presidency released contradictory statements, defending the recent operation, and explaining why the man was reported dead two years ago. While the presidency said it was a case of mistaken identity, the DHQ said that such names adopted by Mr Mainok are commonly used as aliases among terrorists.

The update

According to Tuesday's statement, the operations destroyed several Islamic State checkpoints, weapons storage facilities, logistics hubs, military equipment and financial structures used to sustain terrorist activities.

Reemphasising that Mr Mainok was among those killed, it noted that his death had "severely disrupted ISIS command, operational coordination and external attack networks."

The DHQ identified other senior terrorist figures reportedly killed during the strikes as Abd-al Wahhab, identified as an ISWAP leader responsible for coordinating attacks and propaganda distribution; Abu Musa al-Mangawi, another senior ISWAP member; and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, said to be the manager of the group's media production team and a close associate of Mr Mainok.

The Defence Headquarters said the operations reinforced the Armed Forces of Nigeria's longstanding commitment to tracking and eliminating terrorists across the country.

"The joint operations will continue to hunt down and destroy those who threaten our nation and regional stability," the statement added.

Read the original article on Premium Times.

Breakaway Somaliland Ambassador to Zionist Entity Announces Embassy in Jerusalem

Horn Diplomat

Historic moment in Jerusalem as Somaliland Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Hagi is welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog during the presentation of credentials, marking a new chapter in Somaliland-Israel diplomatic relations.

19 May 2026

Horn Diplomat (Hargeisa)

By Mohamed Duale

Hargeisa — Somaliland will open an embassy in Jerusalem in the near future, its ambassador to Israel said on tuesday, as diplomatic ties between the two sides continue to deepen following Israel's recognition of Somaliland last year.

"I am pleased to announce that the Republic of Somaliland's Embassy will be located in Jerusalem," Somaliland's ambassador to Israel, Dr. Mohamed Hagi, said in a statement posted on X.

"The Embassy will be opened soon, while Israel will also establish its Embassy in Hargeisa, reflecting growing friendship, mutual respect, and strategic cooperation between our two peoples," he added.

The announcement marks the latest development in relations between Somaliland and Israel after Israel formally recognized Somaliland on Dec. 26, 2025, becoming the first United Nations member state to establish official diplomatic relations with Somaliland since it restored its statehood in 1991.

On Monday, coinciding with Somaliland's May 18 National Day celebrations, Ambassador Hagi formally presented his credentials to Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem, becoming Somaliland's first ambassador accredited to a foreign country.

The two sides have since expanded diplomatic engagement through high-level contacts and official appointments, including the appointment of Dr. Mohamed Hagi as Somaliland's first ambassador to Israel and Michael Lotem as Israel's first ambassador to Somaliland.

Somaliland President Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro also held a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on May 18, during which Netanyahu congratulated Somaliland on the 35th anniversary of the restoration of its sovereignty, according to Somaliland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Somaliland restored its statehood in 1991 and has since maintained its own government, security institutions and democratic system while seeking broader international recognition.

(Reporting by Mohamed Duale; Editing by Horn Diplomat Desk)

Read the original article on Horn Diplomat.

Fuel Crisis Exposes Kenya Kwanza's Policy Contradictions and Economic Failures

Capitol FM

A private car engulfed in flames along Thika Road after protests over fuel escalated, with thick smoke billowing as running battles disrupted traffic and brought movement on the busy highway to a standstill.

20 May 2026

Capital FM (Nairobi)

By Godfrey Osotsi

The national government's response to the sharp rise in fuel prices has been farcical, provocative and deeply troubling -- though perhaps not entirely unexpected from a regime increasingly viewed as predatory, tone-deaf and economically inept.

It is farcical because the President and his Cabinet Secretaries continue to lament publicly and portray themselves as helpless victims of global events, while conveniently ignoring their own role in crafting the flawed policies that have fuelled the current crisis.

It is provocative because state officials have repeatedly dismissed credible warnings and recommendations from independent economists and fiscal planners who foresaw the crisis and proposed measures that could either have prevented it or softened its impact. Instead of taking urgent and practical action to calm public anxiety, the Cabinet Secretaries in charge of Energy and the National Treasury have resorted to defensive rhetoric, hollow reassurances and Orwellian talking points aimed more at protecting the government's image than solving the crisis.

The government's messaging has become increasingly contradictory. Senior officials continue to recycle the same flawed energy policy arguments championed by President William Ruto since taking office, culminating in controversial decisions such as the government's divestiture from the Kenya Pipeline Company and the opaque government-to-government fuel import arrangement with Gulf states.

Kenyans will remember that not too long ago, President Ruto dismissed the Uhuru Kenyatta administration's explanation that global disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war had pushed up fuel prices. Then Deputy President Ruto questioned why Uganda, which imports fuel through the Port of Mombasa, was selling petroleum at lower prices despite the same global conditions.

Today, however, the same administration insists that the conflict in the Middle East and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz are solely to blame for rising fuel prices in Kenya.

The obvious question is the same one Ruto himself posed in 2022: if global conflict is the only cause, why is fuel still cheaper in Uganda, Ethiopia and several of Kenya's neighbours? Why has Kenya failed to diversify its sources of petroleum imports? Why does a country that prides itself as a regional economic hub appear more vulnerable than its neighbours?

The truth is that the current fuel crisis is not simply the result of global instability. It is also the product of poor policy choices, conflicting interests and a government unwilling to confront entrenched profiteering networks within the energy sector.

Several interventions that could stabilise fuel prices or cushion consumers have either been ignored or deliberately avoided. The Kenya Kwanza administration appears more interested in protecting politically connected beneficiaries of the current fuel import regime than implementing reforms that would benefit ordinary citizens.

Central to the controversy is the much-publicised government-to-government fuel import deal between Kenya and Gulf states. While the arrangement was initially marketed as a solution that would stabilise prices and ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves, critics now argue it has evolved into a monopolistic structure benefitting a politically connected clique while exposing consumers to greater vulnerability.

At the same time, the administration dismantled or weakened several policy tools that had previously helped Kenya absorb global fuel shocks. Among them was the Fuel Stabilisation Fund, which had been used to cushion consumers from sudden price spikes.

The government also increased VAT on fuel to 16 per cent before reducing it to 8 per cent under public pressure -- a move many viewed as too little, too late. The reduction offered limited relief to households and businesses already struggling with high production and transport costs.

You cannot simultaneously abolish subsidies in a developing economy, increase fuel taxes, reject proposals for strategic fuel reserves, and still claim to be pursuing sound economic management.

Kenyans are also paying more through increased Road Maintenance Levy charges introduced under the current administration, yet many roads across the country continue to deteriorate. Citizens are being asked to bear heavier tax burdens without seeing corresponding improvements in infrastructure or public services.

No modern economy can industrialise or remain competitive without secure, affordable and sustainable energy. Kenya must urgently rethink its energy policy framework.

The country needs strategic fuel reserves capable of cushioning the economy against global disruptions. It must diversify its sources of petroleum imports, expand and modernise pipeline infrastructure, and adopt a fairer taxation regime that lowers the cost of production.

In the short term, the government should seriously consider targeted subsidies or temporary suspension of certain fuel-related levies to ease pressure on consumers and businesses.

Anything less amounts to economic experimentation at the expense of struggling Kenyans.

Godfrey Osotsi is the Senator for Vihiga County

Read the original article on Capital FM.

Kenya: MAK Rejects Diesel Deal, Accuses Transport Leaders of Sabotaging Nationwide Fuel Protests

20 May 2026

Capital FM (Nairobi)

Nairobi — Motorists Association of Kenya has accused some transport sector leaders of betraying a planned nationwide strike by allegedly engaging in secret negotiations with the government and calling off the protests without consulting other stakeholders.

In a strongly worded statement, the association said the now-cancelled strike had united a broad coalition of transport players, including truck owners, taxi operators, bus companies, boda boda riders, cargo transporters, tour drivers, private motorists, and commuter groups, all protesting against soaring fuel prices and the rising cost of living.

According to MAK, the alliance had spent days organising what it described as one of the largest nationwide protests in recent years before some industry players allegedly broke ranks and held private meetings with government officials.

"Unfortunately, as has happened before, a few familiar actors went behind the backs of everyone else and held covert meetings with government officials, including Cabinet Secretaries and the Governor of Nairobi," the statement read.

The Association claimed the talks violated earlier agreements that required any engagement with the government to involve the entire alliance rather than individual subsectors negotiating independently.

MAK further criticised the outcome of the discussions, arguing that the agreed reduction in diesel prices failed to address the broader concerns affecting motorists and transport operators.

"While the strike had been organised to address a cumulative fuel increase of up to KSh 76 per litre, affecting Diesel, Super Petrol and Kerosene, they returned triumphantly with a mere KSh 10 reduction on diesel only. This was not a victory. It was a surrender," the Association stated.

The group accused some leaders of hijacking what it described as a people-driven movement for personal gain and media attention.

"They stole our strike. They removed the wind from our wings. They hijacked a people's movement and sold it for crumbs," MAK said.

The Association linked the latest developments to previous protests over fuel taxation and road levy increases, claiming the same individuals had repeatedly undermined collective efforts to push for reforms in the transport sector.

MAK insisted that several transport stakeholders excluded from the negotiations do not recognise the agreement reached with the government and are not bound by any commitments made during the talks.

"The transport stakeholders who were excluded from these negotiations categorically reject the deal and the false promises made by those who hijacked this otherwise promising agitation," the statement added.

The Association maintained that ordinary Kenyans continue to bear the burden of high transport costs, rising food prices, and increased living expenses while some industry actors allegedly use public frustrations for personal interests.

"This conduct is dishonest, divisive and deeply disappointing. The common mwananchi deserved better. The transport sector deserved better. Kenya deserved better," MAK concluded.

Read the original article on Capital FM

Kenya Businesses Count Losses As Matatus Return to Nairobi Roads After Fuel Strike

Capitol FM

A private car engulfed in flames along Thika Road after protests over fuel escalated, with thick smoke billowing as running battles disrupted traffic and brought movement on the busy highway to a standstill.

20 May 2026

Capital FM (Nairobi)

Nairobi — Public service vehicles returned to Nairobi's roads on Wednesday morning after a crippling two-day matatu strike paralysed transport and disrupted business activities across the country.

Commuters resumed their daily routines as matatus gradually returned to operation, bringing relief to thousands who had been stranded during the shutdown.

But while transport services are back, traders and drivers say the economic pain caused by soaring fuel prices and days of lost income continues to weigh heavily on them.

The strike, led by matatu operators protesting high fuel costs, brought movement in major towns and cities to a near standstill.

The government has since opened a seven-day window for talks with matatu associations in an effort to find a lasting solution to rising fuel prices.

However, many operators say the crisis had already pushed them to the brink long before the strike began.

Speaking to Capital FM, one matatu driver described how the rising cost of fuel has drastically reduced their earnings.

"Fuel prices have shot up when you go to the pump, you fuel with about 7,000 or 8,000 shillings. It is like it has increased by about 2,000 shillings per tank for the whole day," he said. "That 2,000 shilling increase affects us because, for instance, if the vehicle itself needs 3,000 shillings, you are only giving it 2,000 shillings."

Drivers say the increased operational costs have created daily tensions between operators trying to stay afloat and passengers already struggling with the high cost of living.

The impact of the strike was equally severe for small-scale traders who rely heavily on public transport to move goods and reach customers.

A banana vendor along Moi Avenue told Capital FM that days without transport had left her without any meaningful income.

"These past four days I have just been sitting at home, struggling," she said.

"You buy bananas for 600 shillings, do you expect me to pay an additional 200 shillings for the vehicle? You go back home with what? Two hundred shillings."

For her, the matatu industry is not only a transport system but also the backbone of her daily business.

"These makanga (Bus Conductors) right here are the ones you see me selling these bananas to. These are my bosses. If I don't sell to them, I won't get any work," she added.

The government now faces growing pressure to deliver a solution that will ease fuel costs and stabilise the transport sector.

Under the ongoing negotiations, officials and matatu associations are expected to hold talks over the next seven days to explore possible interventions on fuel pricing and operating costs.

But as discussions begin, many Kenyans say they remain uncertain whether the negotiations will bring meaningful relief or simply delay a deeper crisis in the public transport sector.

For now, the matatus are back on the roads, but for drivers, traders, and commuters alike, the financial strain caused by rising fuel prices remains far from over.

Read the original article on Capital FM.

Kenya Strike Over Rising Fuel Prices Ends After Mass Shutdown

Analysts warned that soaring oil prices could be a sign of more protests across the continent.

By Channels Television

May 19, 2026

Motorcycle taxi drivers ride past a burning barricade on a road blocked with stones to prevent traffic from passing during a nationwide transport strike over rising fuel prices in Nairobi on May 18, 2026. Photo by LUIS TATO / AFP

A Kenyan transport strike triggered by rising fuel prices from to the Middle East war was paused on Tuesday after causing four deaths and major economic disruption, raising concerns about potential wider unrest across Africa.

One of many African countries dependent on fuel imports from the Gulf, Kenya has hiked petrol prices by 20 percent and diesel by almost 40 percent since Iran choked off traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil normally passes.

The transport sector, especially operators of the “matatu” buses that provide most public transport in Kenya, called the strike on Monday after another steep price rise last week.

“The strike that is going on is suspended for a period of one week to provide an avenue for consultations and negotiations between the government and stakeholders,” interior minister Kipchumba Murkomen told reporters on Tuesday.

Albert Karakacha, the president of Matatu Owners Association, confirmed the suspension — although other representatives warned they would protest again if the negotiations were not serious.

Earlier in the day, while the strike was still on, Cornelius Chepsoi, chairman of the Rig Owners Association, told AFP they would not be satisfied by a political move “lowering the price of diesel by a very tiny margin”.

Analysts warned that soaring oil prices could be sign of more protests across the continent.

Last week, rising fuel prices sparked protests in Comoros, paralysing the Indian Ocean nation, where one person was confirmed dead.

“We think the unrest in Kenya is an early indicator of what could unfold elsewhere across the continent if elevated oil prices persist,” warned political analyst Jervin Naidoo.

“As the conflict in the Middle East enters its third month, the risk of further supply disruptions and sustained price increases remains high.”

In Nairobi’s nearly empty central business district, Faith, a nurse who declined to give her surname, said she spent 24 hours at Poplar Hospital as she was unable to get home.

“I did not expect this… It’s really affecting patient care, big time,” she said, adding that despite the transport shutdown she still supported the strike “because the fuel prices don’t make sense”.

Schools and embassies in the capital Nairobi were also closed.

‘They’re scared’

The government said four people were killed and more than 30 injured nationwide on Monday, while police confirmed on Tuesday that over 700 people had been arrested during the violent protests.

Rights groups denounced lethal violence by police, with Amnesty International urging “maximum restraint”.

Motorbike taxi driver Fred Makarani, 59, told AFP he did not support the strike, saying he had had no customers for two days, and called for a return to work.

“They’re scared of goons,” he said, referring to people paid to violently disrupt political events and protests.

Kenya’s vital trade corridor was also disrupted, with local media reporting that truckers had refused to drive over fears their vehicles would be attacked and torched by demonstrators.

The government’s treasury and economic planning minister, John Mbadi, said the strike was “completely uncalled for”.

“This is a war that we have not caused,” he told the NTV broadcaster on Monday.

Critics argue Kenya has high taxes on fuel that could be reduced, although it is also reliant on them to service mountains of debt and a strained budget.

A day of protests, such as Monday’s, can cost Kenya’s economy around 50 billion shillings ($390 million) a day, economist XN Iraki told AFP.

“This is a massive headache for the government. Fuel taxes are easy to collect and heavily anchor public spending,” economist Kwame Owino posted on X.

The energy regulator said last week that the government had spent $38.5 million to cushion consumers from rising diesel and kerosene prices.

Last month, Kenyan authorities also suspended fuel quality standards to maintain supply in the face of shortages.

While Kenya is among East Africa’s most dynamic economies, around a third of its 50 million citizens still live in poverty, and unemployment remains high.

Protesters Light Bonfires During Public Transport Strike in Kenya Over Fuel Prices

Protests have erupted in Nairobi as a nationwide public transport strike begins over rising fuel prices

AP May 18, 2026 

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Protests erupted in Kenya’s capital Nairobi Monday as a nationwide public transport strike kicked off in protest at rising fuel prices.

Commuters were stranded in various suburbs and the city center remained deserted. Drivers with private vehicles opted to stay home as protesters burned tires on major roads.

The Kenya Association of Private Schools had advised its members to assess the safety of students going to school, and most schools opted for online learning.

Kenya’s fuel prices hit a record high on Friday with the diesel price increasing by 23.5% and gasoline by 8%.

President William Ruto, who has been out of the country, is yet to comment on the new prices. In the last price review in April he attributed it to the Iran war but reduced the taxes to prevent a sharp increase in price at the time.

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday said the increased prices would affect all commodities and services in the country.

“The April–May comparison shows that while global crude oil prices increased by about 10.7%, Kenya’s diesel price rose by 23.5% over the same period. This points to the continued role of domestic cost buildup,” the chamber of commerce said in a statement.

Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, who joined the opposition after his impeachment in October 2024 over corruption, blamed the sharp rise on corrupt businesspeople who want to increase their profit margins.

He compared the fuel prices to those in neighboring landlocked countries that rely on Kenyan ports for importation of fuel, such as Uganda, where prices are lower.

Kenya serves as a major transport hub for businesspeople importing goods through the port of Mombasa to be ferried by road.

Kenya Transport Strike Paused After Deadly Protests

Anti-riot police officers are seen on the second day of the public transport strike over fuel prices in Nairobi, Kenya, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku)

In Kenya, public transport operators have suspended a nationwide strike for one week, opening the door to fresh talks with the government. The decision follows two days of protests that turned deadly, leaving at least four people dead and over 30 injured, while residents report major disruption to daily life and business activity.

The strike had paralysed transport across the country, leaving thousands of commuters stranded for a second consecutive day as operators kept their vehicles off the roads. In the capital, Nairobi, major highways were blocked as protesters clashed with police and set tyres on fire, making key routes impassable.

Residents described widespread disruption and economic strain. “There was no usual activity within the central business district,” said Nairobi resident Benard Onyango, calling for lower fuel prices to ease pressure on households.

Public transport worker Emily Otuoma said the strike had affected her livelihood and prevented children from attending school due to lack of transport.

Another resident, Julian Achola, described chaotic scenes, saying his children were heavily affected by blocked roads and movement restrictions.

Talks between operators and the government collapsed after transport unions demanded reductions in fuel prices to offset rising costs. The government attributed the increase to global energy disruptions linked to the Iran conflict, while the opposition blamed local corruption and profiteering.

A Fuel Strike in Kenya is Suspended After 2 Days of Protests That Left 4 People Dead

7:24 AM EDT, May 19, 2026

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Public transport operators in Kenya on Tuesday suspended a nationwide strike for one week to allow consultations with the government, marking an end to two days of protests that left four people dead and more than 30 others injured.

Talks collapsed on Monday as transport operators demanded that fuel prices be reduced to cushion them and commuters from increased transportation costs.

Commuters were stranded for the second consecutive day on Tuesday as public transport operators kept their vehicles off the roads.

Protesters took to the streets, engaging police in running battles and setting tires on fire along major highways, making them impassable.

Kenya’s fuel prices hit a record high on Friday, with the diesel price increasing by 23.5% and gasoline by 8%. The government attributed the latest price increase to the Iran war and its effects on energy supplies.

The opposition, however, blamed the sharp rise on corrupt businesspeople who want to increase profit margins.

Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, in a televised press briefing, said negotiations with all fuel stakeholders would take place within seven days to address the pricing issue.

A representative from the transporters’ association, Kennedy Kaunda, said the members would allow the consultations to continue, and that if no agreement is reached, guidance will be issued to the public in a week.

Four people were killed on Monday and more than 30 others injured. Some 348 people were also arrested and will be charged with taking part in illegal protests.

9 Deportees from US Arrive in Sierra Leone Under Third-country Agreement

By KEMO CHAM and MARK BANCHEREAU

3:18 PM EDT, May 20, 2026

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (AP) — Nine migrants deported from the United States landed in Sierra Leone on Wednesday, the West African country said, in the latest example of the Trump administration’s widely criticized deals with African and Latin American nations to take third-country deportees.

Five migrants are from Ghana, two from Guinea, one from Senegal and one from Nigeria, the ministry of information said. The deals have raised questions about respect for the migrants’ rights.

The ministry’s statement said the new arrivals “have been checked into their hosting facilities, are comfortable and receiving the necessary support.” It said 24 deportees were initially expected but didn’t provide details.

Alma David, an immigration lawyer with the U.S.-based Novo Legal Group who has helped deportees, said the lower number might be explained by the fact that several deportations were halted shortly before the flight left the United States.

According to court documents seen by The Associated Press, a U.S. federal judge halted a woman’s deportation to Sierra Leone after the government failed to let her seek protection under the Convention Against Torture, as required by law.

Sierra Leone’s foreign minister, Timothy Kabba, told local media Wednesday the government has agreed to temporarily receive migrants deported by the Trump administration, saying it only accepts West African nationals and the agreement is supported by a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. government.

The ministry of information said in a Facebook post Monday that Kenvah Solutions, ⁠a private contractor, was hired to handle the deportees housing, food and healthcare.

It said deportees are expected to be sent home or transferred within 14 days, or up to 30 days in exceptional cases.

The program is capped at 25 deportees per month and 300 per year, according to the ministry. It did not specify the duration of the arrangement.

The U.S. has struck third-country deportation deals with at least eight other African nations, many among countries hit hardest by the Trump administration’s policies restricting trade, aid and migration. The other African nations known to sign deals are Congo, Equatorial Guinea, South Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda, Eswatini, Ghana and Cameroon.

Several have notoriously repressive governments and poor human rights records including Eswatini, South Sudan and Equatorial Guinea.

Some of the countries have received millions of dollars in return, according to documents released by the State Department. Details of most agreements have not been made public.

Lawyers and activists have raised questions over the nature of the deals with countries in Africa and elsewhere. Some countries in Latin America, including Costa Rica,Dominican Republic and Honduras, have signed similar agreements to accept third-country deportees.

Last week, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to bring a Colombian woman back to the U.S. from Congo after she was deported there even though it had refused to accept her because it could not care for her medical needs.

——

Banchereau reported from Dakar, Senegal.

New Lethal Ebola Outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo 'Deeply Concerning' for WHO

Peter Kenny/Supplied

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a press conference in Geneva on April 29, 2026.

19 May 2026

allAfrica.com

By Peter Kenny

Geneva – The World Health Organization (WHO) head said Tuesday that the situation is "deeply concerning" in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to a new species of Ebola for which there is no licensed vaccine or treatment, and that is believed to have killed 131 people.

At the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organisation in Geneva, the director general of the global health body, addressed delegates on the outbreak.

"Early on Sunday, I declared a public health emergency of international concern over an epidemic of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,

"This is the first time a Director-General has declared a PHEIC before convening an Emergency Committee. I did not do this lightly."

EBOLA ALSO IN UGANDA

Tedros said that Uganda has also informed WHO of two confirmed cases in the capital Kampala, including one death, among two individuals who travelled from DRC.

"An American national has also been confirmed positive, and been transferred to Germany, as reported by the U.S. We're working with the DRC, Uganda and the United States," said Tedros.

The United States formally completed its withdrawal from the WHO on Jan. 22,

It was fulfilling an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Inauguration Day, and the split ended U.S. membership and severed the country's financial and operational ties to the global health body.

Dr Anne Ancia, WHO DRC representative, spoke at a UN press conference in Geneva by phone from Bunia in Ituri, noting that there had been some 130 suspected deaths reported since the government in Kinshasa declared the current Ebola outbreak.

"It is occurring in a highly complex epidemiological, operational and humanitarian context—marked by insecurity, population displacement, and both densely populated and remote areas," said Ancia.

UNCERTAINTY ON INFECTIONS

Dr. Ancia said there is significant uncertainty about the number of infections and how far the virus has spread.

"So far, 30 cases have been confirmed in the DRC. The outbreak now affects ten health zones in Ituri province, and has reached North Kivu, with confirmed cases in Butembo and Goma. Uganda has confirmed two imported cases. "

WHO said that the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC raises concerns for displaced people and humanitarian operations

It is occurring in a highly complex epidemiological, operational and humanitarian context—marked by insecurity, population displacement, and both densely populated and remote areas, said the WHO.

WHO said that the outbreak also raises serious concerns for refugees living in the affected provinces.

In Ituri, around 11,000 South Sudanese refugees require preventive assistance.

It said that in Goma, more than 2,000 urban Rwandan and Burundian refugees need support for prevention measures, including soap and hand-sanitizer.

More than 28,600 people were infected by Ebola during the 2014-2016 outbreak in West Africa, the largest outbreak of the virus since its discovery in 1976.

The disease spread to countries within and outside West Africa, including Guinea, Sierra Leone, the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy, resulting in the deaths of 11,325 people.