Sudan Rebel RSF Leaders Made Secret Wartime Visits to 'Israel': i24NEWS

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Israeli media

30 Aug 2026 17:55

Israeli media reports that senior RSF figures secretly visited "Israel" for meetings with diplomatic and intelligence officials, as scrutiny grows over the paramilitary group's foreign backing, alleged genocide in Darfur, and challenge to Sudan's sovereignty.

Senior figures in Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) secretly traveled to the occupied Palestinian territories during the ongoing war against the Sudanese Armed Forces, Israeli broadcaster i24NEWS reported on Sunday.

According to i24NEWS, RSF Deputy Commander Abdel Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, the brother of RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti, made several undisclosed visits to "Israel" despite being subject to international sanctions.

The Israeli outlet said the reported trips have prompted questions over the nature of the contacts established by senior RSF figures, who they met during their stays and whether the discussions concerned political, security or diplomatic matters.

i24NEWS added that no official explanation has been provided regarding the purpose of the visits and that there has been no formal Israeli confirmation of the reported meetings.

The report follows an investigation published Friday by Africa Intelligence, which said the RSF leadership has maintained high-level contacts with Tel Aviv throughout Sudan's war and that the relationship stretches back to before fighting erupted in April 2023.

RSF delegations reportedly met Israeli intelligence

According to details from the Africa Intelligence investigation reported by Israeli media, two RSF delegations traveled secretly to Tel Aviv, first in May 2025 and again in February 2026.

The first delegation reportedly included Abdel Rahim Dagalo and another of Hemedti's brothers, Algoney Hamdan Dagalo, who serves as the RSF's procurement director.

The two reportedly returned during the second visit alongside an RSF legal adviser.

During the trips, the delegations allegedly held meetings with officials from the Africa Division of the Israeli Foreign Ministry as well as Israeli intelligence personnel.

Africa Intelligence described the contacts as part of a longer-running security and intelligence relationship rather than an initiative that began after the outbreak of the current war.

The reported meetings add to earlier evidence of links between the RSF and Israeli security actors.

A 2022 joint investigation by Lighthouse Reports, Haaretz and Greece's Inside Story traced a private aircraft associated with former Israeli military intelligence officer Tal Dilian to Khartoum.

According to the investigation, the aircraft delivered sophisticated surveillance technology to the RSF capable of compromising smartphones and turning them into surveillance devices.

The investigation also reported that Hemedti had held meetings with Israeli intelligence figures before the present war, while an aircraft used by Mossad had previously been tracked traveling to Khartoum.

The new allegations therefore point toward an Israeli-RSF security channel that appears to have survived Sudan's descent into war.

Abdel Rahim Dagalo sanctioned over El Fasher atrocities

The latest revelations have drawn particular attention because of Abdel Rahim Dagalo's position within the RSF and the serious allegations surrounding forces under his command.

Washington sanctioned Dagalo in September 2023 over his leadership role in an organization whose members had been implicated in massacres, ethnic killings and sexual violence.

The United Nations Security Council subsequently placed him under sanctions on February 24, 2026, citing his role in actions threatening the peace and stability of Darfur.

According to the UN sanctions narrative, Dagalo was present at the Sudanese army's 6th Infantry Division headquarters in El Fasher when the RSF captured the North Darfur capital on October 26, 2025, and was overseeing military operations.

The UN said footage believed to show Dagalo captured him directing RSF fighters not to take prisoners and to kill those they encountered.

RSF forces committed mass killings at El Fasher University, the Saudi Hospital and other locations during the takeover, alongside ethnically targeted executions of Zaghawa and other non-Arab civilians and widespread sexual violence, according to the Security Council.

The UN Human Rights Office later documented more than 6,000 killings during the first three days of the final RSF offensive on El Fasher, including at least 4,400 people killed inside the city and more than 1,600 along routes used by civilians attempting to escape.

A UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission concluded in February that the RSF's conduct against the Zaghawa and Fur communities displayed the hallmarks of genocide, finding evidence of mass killing, serious physical and psychological harm, and conditions deliberately imposed to bring about the destruction of targeted non-Arab communities.

The United States had already determined in January 2025 that members of the RSF and allied militias had committed genocide in Darfur, after previously concluding that both the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces had committed war crimes, while additionally attributing crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing to the RSF.

Yale Warns of Imminent RSF Attack on Ed Damazine Amid Ethiopia Buildup

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: News websites

30 Aug 2026 17:48

Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab warns of an elevated risk of an RSF attack on Ed Damazine after detecting a major military buildup in Ethiopia.

A humanitarian research laboratory at Yale University has warned of an elevated risk of a major and imminent attack by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Ed Damazine, the capital of Blue Nile State, following the observation of a large military buildup at a base in neighboring Ethiopia.

The Yale Humanitarian Research Lab, part of the university's School of Public Health, said in its report dated August 28 that satellite imagery showed a significant increase in activity and equipment at the base in Assossa, Ethiopia, near the border with Sudan, between August 23 and August 28. The lab's analysts observed approximately 100 newly arrived light combat vehicles distributed across three groups, representing roughly six times the number present at the base on August 23.

The imagery also showed preparations to mount weapons on several vehicles, including at least five vehicles likely equipped with weapons, alongside a group of about 15 vehicles whose characteristics suggest they are armored personnel carriers. The lab additionally documented the arrival of at least five vehicle carriers and 14 trailers for transporting machinery, estimating that the new vehicles at Assossa are capable of transporting a force of between 750 and 1,000 personnel, equivalent to a regiment-sized or brigade-sized unit.

Satellite imagery reveals expanded Iifrastructure, supplies

Beyond combat vehicles, the Yale report documented the appearance of at least 60 new shipping containers between June 29 and August 23, followed by the observation of no fewer than 15 additional containers and eight cargo trucks between August 23 and August 28. Satellite images also showed the completion of a roof on a facility measuring approximately 70 meters in length and 17 meters in width, which the lab assessed was likely a vehicle storage hangar, with construction work having been ongoing since late June.

In its humanitarian security assessment, the lab concluded that "the increase in supplies of equipment and vehicles" at the Assossa base raises the risk of a major and imminent RSF attack on Ed Damazine. The lab warned of the potential for civilian casualties and new waves of displacement, including cross-border displacement into Ethiopia if fighting expands.

The Yale lab further assessed that an escalation of operations in Blue Nile may be part of an attempt to disperse Sudanese army forces and draw units away from North Kordofan, while simultaneously increasing the risk of simultaneous fighting around El Obeid and other areas of that state. Consequently, the lab classified the level of risk to civilians as "high" in both Blue Nile and North Kordofan.

Fighting escalates in Blue Nile as RSF claims gains

The warning follows an escalation of confrontations in Blue Nile State in recent weeks. The Rapid Support Forces said on August 28 that they had seized two army bases in Bakuri and Sirkam, including the headquarters of the 13th Infantry Brigade of the 4th Division in Bakuri, approximately 170 kilometers southeast of Ed Damazine.

The lab had previously documented damage related to fighting in Kurmuk and Sali, including damage to Kurmuk hospital and the A40 road bridge, as well as indicators of looting around the Kurmuk municipal building.

The report noted that this is not the first time the Yale lab has focused on the Assossa base, having concluded with high confidence on April 8 that activity at the base was "consistent with the provision of military assistance" to the RSF, and later stated in a June report that activity consistent with supporting those forces continued in subsequent months.

Reuters reveal RSF-linked training camp in Ethiopia

A Reuters investigation in February, citing sources, documents, and satellite imagery, revealed the existence of a training camp in Ethiopia's Benishangul-Gumuz region near the Sudanese border housing thousands of fighters linked to the RSF.

The Ethiopian government and the RSF did not comment on the details of that investigation at the time, while the United Arab Emirates denied allegations related to supporting the war. On later occasions, Ethiopia denied Sudanese allegations of involvement in attacks on Sudan, describing them as "baseless."

The Yale lab explained that its analysis relies on integrating satellite imagery, remote sensing, and open-source information, comparing images of the same location taken at different times to detect changes in the number of vehicles, structures, and equipment. The lab also noted limitations to its methodology, particularly the limited availability and resolution of imagery, and the difficulty of verifying some activities and casualties through remote sensing alone.

Nigeria: US to Revoke 200,000 Visas

27 August 2026

Daily Trust (Abuja)

The US is set to revoke no fewer than 200,000 visas, according to the Department of State.

The move would be the largest single mass revocation of visas in US history and is expected to face legal challenges.

According to documents obtained by The Associated Press and two US officials, the action will be taken by the Department of State in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.

The revocation is expected to affect business and tourism visas for foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum status in the United States.

The State Department is expected to announce the revocation of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 whose holders have sought asylum or are now seeking asylum.

B1 visas are generally issued for business trips, and B2 visas are generally issued for tourism, family visits or medical care.

"We are coordinating with DHS to identify and revoke the non-immigrant visas of foreigners who have come to the US claiming to be short-term visitors but file for asylum to stay here permanently," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott was quoted as saying.

Pigott said, "The process will be ongoing; the number of revocations remains dynamic and will be done on a rolling basis."

However, the revocations would not necessarily result in their immediate deportation, according to the Department officials.

Most of those with asylum cases currently pending would be recategorised but would lose their status as business or tourism travelers, the officials said.

Since President Donald Trump took office for his second term in 2025, his administration has steadily ramped up restrictions on visa applicants.

The administration has demanded more information about immigrants' social media histories, requiring the posting of expensive bonds for the processing of visas and outright banning the issuance of visas to citizens of certain countries.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called out people who he said try to use tourist and business visas to get into the United States and then apply for asylum.

"People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims," Landau wrote in a social media post on Monday.

"Asylum isn't supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law."

It was not immediately clear from the documents or the officials how many of the visa holders are seeking or have sought asylum in the United States and would be affected by the revocations. (NAN)

Current applicants for the B1 and B2 visas are asked to affirm that they will not apply for asylum in the United States and prove that they intend to return to their home countries.

In the past 18 months, the State Department has revoked about 175,000 visas for people who have been convicted or accused of crimes. (NAN)

Read the original article on Daily Trust.

Malian Singer Salif Keita Cancels South Africa Shows Over 'Xenophobic Violence'

Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation/Facebook

Malian music legend Salif Keïta pulls out of a South African festival over xenophobic violence.

27 August 2026

Premium Times (Abuja)

By Ozaveshe Precious

His manager, Carolina Vallejo of One World Records, confirmed the decision.

Malian singer and songwriter Salif Keita has cancelled his upcoming commercial performances in South Africa over reports of xenophobic violence against African migrants, his spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday.

The 77-year-old music legend announced the decision in a statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday, saying he could not ignore reports of attacks against migrants amid a series of anti-immigration protests in the country.

"I cannot ignore the reports of xenophobic violence against our African brothers and sisters," Keita said.

He described the cancellation as a "painful decision", but stressed that his action was not directed at South Africans or the country itself.

"To be clear, I am not closing the door on South Africa. I am closing the door on violence," he said.

Keita said the attacks against migrants were incompatible with the South Africa he knew, recalling the country's history of solidarity with other African nations and its association with the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela.

"When I see migrants being attacked, I don't see 'politics'. I see people searching for work, safety, and dignity. That does not match the South Africa I know, the South Africa that stood firm with Mali, and the South Africa that Nelson Mandela built," he said.

His manager, Carolina Vallejo of One World Records, confirmed the decision to AFP on Wednesday.

Keita did not specify the dates or venues of the commercial performances he cancelled. However, South African media reports said he had been scheduled to perform at the Mangaung African Cultural Festival (Macufe), which is due to take place in September.

'Closing door on violence'

Keita, widely regarded as one of Africa's most influential musicians, also recalled his long-standing connection with South Africa and the anti-apartheid struggle.

The singer has a career spanning more than five decades and performed at the 1988 Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert at Wembley Stadium in London, an event held in support of the anti-apartheid movement.

In his statement, Keita drew a connection between that period of solidarity and his decision to speak out against the treatment of African migrants.

He said the same conscience that took him to Wembley in support of Mandela now compelled him to step away from commercial performances in South Africa.

"Colonial borders separate us on a map, but they must never divide our humanity," he said.

Keita also indicated that his decision was not intended as a permanent rejection of South Africa.

He said he would remain open to performing in non-commercial settings, including townships, where music could contribute to dialogue and healing.

"If there is a stage in a township, I will sing there. If a community needs to be heard, I will listen," he said.

"When the time is right, I will return, not for applause but for healing, dignity and ubuntu. I step back in love and sorrow," Keita said, adding that he would sing again when "our shared humanity wins."

Anti-migrant protests

Keita's decision comes amid heightened tensions over immigration in South Africa, where anti-immigration groups have staged demonstrations demanding action against undocumented foreign nationals.

Groups including Operation Dudula and March and March have been involved in recent anti-migrant campaigns, with protests and related incidents reported in parts of the country.

South Africa has also witnessed an exodus of migrants in recent months.

More than 160,000 people have left South Africa since late May, including about 1,500 Nigerians.

The departures followed intensified anti-migrant protests and an unofficial 30 June deadline set by fringe anti-foreigner groups for undocumented migrants to leave the country. The exodus has also left some South African businesses, farms and households facing labour shortages.

Keita's cancellation adds a high-profile cultural dimension to the tensions, with the veteran musician using his withdrawal to draw attention to the treatment of African migrants.

Similarly, this newspaper reported that South African singer Tyla faced backlash in Nigeria after announcing a 22 December concert in Lagos as part of her A*POP World Tour. Angered by reports of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa, some Nigerians launched boycott campaigns, while media personality Do2dtun and activist VeryDarkMan called for measures to stop the singer and her team from entering Nigeria. The Lagos date was later removed from Tyla's tour listings in late July.

The controversy was further fueled by reports that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr and her team had been denied visas to South Africa for a planned performance, prompting calls for Nigeria to retaliate by restricting South African artistes. However, South African Consul-General Prof. Bobby Moroe said there was no official record of Ayra Starr's visa rejection and demanded evidence to support the claim.

Read the original article on Premium Times.

Kenya Police Deployed As Nairobi Traders Protest Increased Taxes On Imports

Capitol FM

Police deployed as Nairobi traders protest increased taxes on imports

28 August 2026

Capital FM (Nairobi)

By Phidel Kizito

Nairobi — Police have been deployed around the Archives, Luthuli Avenue and Railways Roundabout in Nairobi's central business district as traders prepare to march to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) offices in protest against a revised customs valuation benchmark.

The heightened security comes as a section of businesses in the CBD remained closed on Friday, with traders joining a boycott over the increase in the minimum yield for consolidated cargo from Sh2.5 million to Sh3.2 million.

Police officers were stationed at key entry points and along major roads as traders gathered ahead of the planned march to present their grievances to the taxman.

The demonstrations have disrupted business activity along parts of the CBD.

A spot check by Capital FM revealed closed shops along Moi Avenue, Kenyatta Avenue and Tom Mboya Street.

A trader said the group intends to deliver its grievances directly to the KRA leadership.

"We are hoping to present a memorandum to the KRA commissioner on our grievances. We will continue with these protests until we are heard," the trader said.

The protests follow a decision by KRA to raise the minimum yield used under its simplified clearance arrangement for consolidated cargo.

The benchmark increased by Sh700,000, representing a 28 percent rise from Sh2.5 million, a move that has unsettled small-scale importers who commonly pool their merchandise in shared containers, particularly from China.

Traders in Kamukunji, Gikomba and Nyamakima had earlier threatened to shut their businesses nationwide on Friday in opposition to the review.

They argue that the higher benchmark could increase the cost of importing goods and put further pressure on already narrow profit margins, potentially forcing businesses to raise retail prices or scale down operations.

KRA has, however, rejected the interpretation that the Sh3.2 million figure amounts to a fixed tax on every consolidated container.

The authority says the minimum yield is a risk-management benchmark rather than the actual tax liability, and is used to determine whether shipments qualify for simplified clearance.

According to KRA, the actual customs liability depends on the nature, value and classification of goods in a shipment, alongside other factors such as freight and insurance.

The authority says traders can also request verification of their cargo outside the simplified arrangement or de-consolidate shipments so that individual importers make separate declarations and pay applicable taxes.

KRA has attributed the review to changes in exchange rates, freight costs and national and East African Community tax laws, as well as efforts to address undervaluation, under-declaration and misclassification of imports.

The revised benchmark took effect on August 21, after the authority granted traders a grace period to prepare for implementation.

Read the original article on Capital FM.

Inside the 24-hour Mutiny that Threatened Niger’s Ruling Junta and How Russian Forces Intervened

By CHINEDU ASADU

1:29 PM EDT, August 30, 2026

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Niger’s capital of Niamey on Sunday appeared calm with normalcy restored after a day of unrest as aggrieved soldiers staged a mutiny that threatened the ruling military junta before being repelled by loyalist forces aided by Russian troops.

In what was seen as a major threat to the junta in power since a 2023 coup, the soldiers engaged loyalist forces in sustained gunfire overnight from Friday till late Saturday. Most of the clashes took place at Niamey’s main airport that houses the military air base and in a district where the presidential palace is located.

The unrest culminated in the arrest or killing of dozens of soldiers, some of whom were paraded in front of the cameras live on state television. The fate of the mutineers was not immediately clear and authorities did not disclose any charges against them.

On Sunday, military trucks and check points were seen across the city, particularly along major roads between the airport and the presidential district. Junta leader Abdourahamane Tchiani was yet to make any public comments or appearance.

Here’s what we know about the mutiny, according to witnesses, analysts and diplomats:

Unrest started with a hostage situation

Nigeriens were awoken around midnight on Friday into Saturday by bursts of gunfire and explosions that started at the Diori Hamani International Airport. The airport is a strategic hub that hosts a key military air base, known as Base 101, as well as the headquarters of Russia’s Africa Corps in the country. It was the third time this year the airport has experienced unrest.

Gunshots were also heard near the presidential palace in the Plateau district of Niamey as a group of soldiers confronted forces loyal to the junta.

Niger’s Defense Ministry said its forces were gradually regaining control of the situation after a group of soldiers took their “comrades” hostage at the air base and fired at “sensitive” sites, without specifying cause of the unrest.

The chaos persisted for hours late into Saturday as the presidential guard and other loyalist forces secured the air base and the presidency, analysts and diplomats said.

Some of the mutineers came from hot spots in the south and west, among the areas worst-hit by jihadi violence, and were rallying support from others stationed outside the city, according to one European diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to speak publicly about the matter.

Soldiers appeared to be aggrieved over worsening security crisis

The unrest appeared to have been triggered by grievances over rising insecurity, including rampant jihadi attacks that have led to the mass killing of soldiers in the last year.

Deadly attacks are “becoming commonplace (in the country) and will continue to fuel unrest and aggravate tensions within the army ranks,” said Héni Nsaibia, senior West Africa analyst at Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a conflict monitor.

Jihadi violence has worsened in the wider Sahel region, including in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, where the military also seized power from civilian governments. The junta in Niger promised to stabilize the country but instead security has deteriorated. Attacks on military positions have increased, including one about a week ago when at least 18 soldiers were reportedly killed in the southern Dosso region.

The mutiny was led by soldiers mostly deployed on the ground against the jihadis, according to Wassim Nasr, a senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, a New York-based think tank. “Deteriorating insecurity drove the coups that swept across the central Sahel, and the latest events show how these same pressures are now fueling unrest within the militaries that seized power,” said Nsaibia.

Soldiers’ welfare is another key issue, from complaints about food rations to inadequate equipment, according to Beverly Ochieng, a senior analyst at geopolitical risk consultancy Control Risks. “The stability of these governments is very much pinned on how much they can ensure the army remains cohesive and can provide security and political reforms,” Ochieng said.

Russia’s Africa Corps comes to the junta’s rescue

The mutineers remained camped at the military base within the airport complex for several hours, resisting efforts from loyalist forces, until Russia’s Africa Corps intervened with ground and aerial support, several analysts said.

The Africa Corps is believed to have between 200 to 300 personnel in Niger where it is primarily protecting the junta and its interests, and also supporting the fight against jihadis.

In interviews broadcast on Russian media, Moscow’s ambassador to Niger, Viktor Voropayev, said Niger had requested support from the Russian force and the mutineers were “neutralized particularly thanks to the intervention” of Africa Corps.

The mutineers outnumbered the elite presidential guard that was deployed to retake the air base and it was unclear who was in control until the Russians intervened, according to Nasr, from the Soufan Center.

“At the end of the day, it is easier to go full-blown on repression when it’s a foreign force,” Nasr said.

Neighbors and allies express support for Niger’s junta

The regional Alliance of Sahel States (AES) that includes Burkina Faso and Mali issued a statement late Saturday expressing its “full support” to Niger and condemning the “betrayal” from the soldiers.

“Thanks to the bravery and professionalism of the loyalist republican forces, this latest attempt was contained and thwarted,” it said

Algeria, the first country on Saturday to express support for Niger, its southeastern neighbor, assured it of its “full solidarity and firm support.” On Sunday, an Algerian delegation arrived in Niamey with four combat fighter jets and a military transport aircraft in what Niger’s ruling council described as “the demonstration of the strategic support.”

Turkey, another key ally of Niger, expressed solidarity with the country and its people, called for “restraint” for the preservation of the country’s security and stability.

Turkish Vessel Freed After Seizure by Pirates, Somalian Officials Say

By OMAR FARUK

12:56 PM EDT, August 29, 2026

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Turkish and Somali forces have freed the MV LUTUF, a Turkish vessel hijacked by pirates off the coast of the East African country, Somalia’s defense ministry said Saturday.

The Cameroon-flagged vessel was hijacked on Aug. 17 in the Nugaal region of Puntland state. Four boats used by the pirates were destroyed and 14 alleged pirates were killed during the operation, the ministry said.

The remaining pirates fled the vessel, allowing the forces to take control of the ship. The operation was conducted under a defense cooperation agreement between Somalia and Turkey, aimed at strengthening maritime security, protecting Somalia’s coastline and combating piracy, it said.

The ministry did not provide details about any casualties or the well-being of the crew aboard the vessel.

A local elder, Abdullahi Warsame, from the Jiifle community in the Godob Jiiraan district of Nugaal, where the vessel was held, told The Associated Press that the vessel and its crew had been freed.

The MV LUTUF’s hijacking raised fresh concerns about a resurgence of piracy along Somalia’s coast.

Trump Administration Deports Relative of Afghans Who Helped US Military to Central African Republic

An arial view of Bangui, Central African Republic on March. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick, File)

By MARK BANCHEREAU

7:17 PM EDT, August 29, 2026

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The United States on Saturday deported dozens of people to the Central African Republic, including an Afghan whose brothers collaborated with the U.S. military, his lawyer and an advocacy group said.

The Afghan man, who is in his early twenties, was granted protection against deportation to Afghanistan by a U.S. judge due to fears of persecution by the Taliban, his lawyer Alma David said.

His family in Afghanistan had received threats from the Taliban because of the work performed by the brothers in support of the U.S. military, according to court documents seen by The Associated Press.

One of the Afghan man’s brothers lives in the United States and served in the Afghan National Army, which collaborated with the U.S military before the Taliban seized power in 2021, David said.

Another one of his brothers was a pilot trained by the U.S. and was killed by the Taliban, she added.

The deportation flight which landed in Central African Republic’s capital Bangui on Saturday, included 12 Afghans and eight Iranians, as well as several people from Nepal and Nicaragua, said Savi Arvey, director of policy, refugee and immigrant rights at Human Rights First.

Under a series of often secret agreements, the Trump administration has deported thousands of people to two dozen countries that aren’t their own as it pushes ahead with its immigration crackdown, advocates say. Immigration lawyers say the practice is being used as a legal loophole to indirectly return some asylum seekers to countries they fled. The flight on Saturday is the second to the Central African Republic since June, which carried two dozen migrants, including an Iranian woman facing persecution in her home country.

MARK BANCHEREAU

Banchereau covers 22 countries across West and Central Africa for The Associated Press. He is based in Dakar, Senegal.

Africa’s Male Midwives are Rare but Increasing in the Fight Against Pregnancy Deaths

By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME

1:18 AM EDT, August 30, 2026

MOHALE’S HOEK, Lesotho (AP) — On a cold morning, Ntlhane Sehloho grabbed his backpack containing medical equipment and embarked on a three-hour journey, navigating the curving gravel roads leading to a clinic nestled in a valley of mountainous Lesotho.

Sehloho has an almost unheard-of role in this part of the world: male midwife.

His arrival at the Mpharane Health Center in the southern African kingdom is met with a sigh of relief from several women, some of them pregnant. Others carry crying babies on their backs.

Midwifery has been traditionally viewed as women’s work in Lesotho, but a growing number of men are joining the profession as the country tries to bring down its high rate of deaths around childbirth. For every 100,000 live births, about 530 women die, the United Nations says. That’s far above the global average of about 200.

This is part of a series on maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, which has the world’s fastest-growing population and accounts for 70% of global maternal deaths. Around 180,000 pregnancy deaths are recorded every year across the continent.

Lesotho, like many African nations, is a society with largely conservative views. The idea of a man who isn’t a doctor dealing with a woman so intimately still can make many hesitant, if not uncomfortable.

World Health Organization figures estimate that men make up less than 1% of all midwives around the world. Organizations like the WHO and UNICEF have called for more people, male and female, to become midwives and address shortages in childbirth responders.

He wanted to be a nurse and was steered into this job

Sehloho is one of about 300 male midwives in Lesotho and has been doing the work for two decades. The exact number of male midwives is not available as the government does not keep the data according to gender.

Talkative and ready with a joke, he seeks to put women at ease from the first of their prenatal visits.

He had good grades in school and wanted to become a nurse to help address the difficulties he had witnessed for pregnant women in his rural community.

“Our village was far away from the health facility, so most women who would be pregnant, some were delivering at home. We were still young, we were not supposed to see that, as some were dying,” he said. He didn’t understand how far they had to travel for care.

Health authorities later encouraged him and other male nurses to train as midwives to help address deaths around childbirth in a country with poorly staffed rural health posts and a population of just over 2 million people.

Now, after efforts to bring care closer to rural communities, UNICEF data show that 92% of births in Lesotho are now attended by a trained health care provider.

The government says gender shouldn’t matter

“I think the system and the community is starting to slowly accept that gender should not matter when it comes to this issue of delivery,” said Dr. Llang Maama, acting director of health services at Lesotho’s Ministry of Health.

There are still a small number of cases where the mother says she isn’t comfortable with a male midwife, she said. “But the system allows them to register their discomfort and get treated by a woman.” In the urgency of childbirth, however, there isn’t always time to choose.

Sehloho acknowledged that it is a matter of gaining women’s trust. He tries to put them at ease by explaining how he has delivered babies for years and how he grew up in similar rural circumstances.

“We are a very cultural and traditional African society,” he said.

There are usually mixed reactions to male midwives, said Blandina Motaung, a representative of the United National Population Fund, which works extensively with midwives in Lesotho.

The positive remarks include praise for how the men appear to be more gentle and less strict when working with pregnant women. During consultations, Sehloho checked women’s blood pressure and measured their progress, asking from time to time whether they were comfortable.

Most female midwives have given birth themselves, “but for the men, because they have not been through the process, they become more vigilant and more attentive to the nitty gritties, and that in itself improves the quality of care that they provide,” Motaung said.

Pregnant women are learning to adapt

One of the clinic’s patients, Mpolokeng Mafereka, 21, said she was more comfortable being treated by a woman, but sometimes a male midwife is the one available.

“I’m used to being treated by women,” she said.

But another patient, 21-year-old Bonolo Tebello, said she has never had a problem being treated by a male midwife.

“I’m happy to be treated by a male because they still provide the same level of care,” she said.

“Even when one arrives late for a check-up, they just treat you like any other person who arrived on time,” she added.

Guinea-Bissau Votes in a Referendum on Granting the President Expanded Powers

By ASSANA SAMBU and OPE ADETAYO

1:54 PM EDT, August 30, 2026

BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (AP) — Guinea-Bissau was voting Sunday in a referendum to decide on granting new presidential powers ahead of December’s general election, which will return the West African nation to democracy after its latest coup.

There was a low turnout across many voting stations after the opposition urged voters to boycott the referendum, saying it would make the head of the military government more powerful.

The military government seized power in November of last year following a disputed election in which former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias both claimed victory.

If passed, the new constitution by the self-styled National Transitional Council will grant more powers to the president and reduce parliamentary representation, among other issues.

The authorities argue that a parliament trimmed from 102 to 65 seats would allow for easier and more robust debates, while new presidential powers would underline the higher authority of the president over the prime minister, which they claim is a source of political instability in the country. Opposition groups reject the claim.

“In a community, there is only one leader. No community or village can have two leaders. We revised the constitution to avoid constant conflict between the president of the republic and the prime minister. We clarified the law and helped the public understand that the president of the republic is the national symbol. It is the president who stands for election in presidential polls,” Gen. Tomás Djassi, the head of the armed forces, said.

Opposition urges boycott of referendum

But the opposition has called on voters to boycott the referendum, saying it is a path for the head of the military government to amass power and calling it a “source of political instability at all levels”.

“This constitution significantly weakens the prime minister and the government, subordinates the National People’s Assembly and political parties, and devalues — or even ignores — the popular will expressed at the polls, carrying all the attendant risks of political and social division and tension,” Muniro Conté, spokesperson for the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, told The Associated Press.

Last year’s coup in Guinea-Bissau worsened West Africa’s democratic crisis, adding it to a growing number of countries in the region under military rule.

Leaders on the continent branded it a “staged” takeover after the military allowed the former president to host a press conference to announce he was being deposed and allowed to leave the country in seemingly favorable circumstances. Skeptics say Embaló had given up the seat to the military after seeing he was losing the election.

Since it gained independence from Portugal in 1973, the only Portuguese-speaking country in West Africa has been rocked by several coups and attempted coups. Before last year’s coup, a failed coup was reported only a month before.

The tiny country of around 2.2 million people has the highest proportion of natural wealth per capita in West Africa, according to the World Bank, but more than half of the country lives in poverty. The country is a hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe, an issue experts say fuels its political instability.

Nearly 915,000 voters are registered to vote in the referendum, but the majority say the constitution is not a problem.

Widespread discontent among citizens over new constitution

Bacar Camará, a high school teacher in the capital, Bissau, said he would not be voting and disapproves of the referendum, citing a fraught political and social environment.

“The transitional government should focus on creating conditions for better understanding and reconciliation among Guineans,” he said.

Another resident in Bissau, Carolina Djeme, said the constitution is unfamiliar to her.

“I’ll go vote on Sunday. However, I’ll vote ‘no’ because — honestly, and I think this is the case for many other citizens — I don’t know this new constitution well, so I can’t vote ‘yes’,” she said.

Analysts say the military government lacks the legitimacy to change the constitution, which has sparked discontent among the citizens.

“The fundamental question is: Who drafted this constitution, and on whose behalf? To protect which interests or institutions? Who stands to benefit from this constitution?” Paulino Quadé, a Guinean political analyst, said.

———

Adetayo reported from London.

OPE ADETAYO

Adetayo is a West and Central Africa reporter for The Associated Press. He covers news and regional development across West and Central Africa.

Niger Capital Rocked by Attacks on Airport, Presidency

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Agencies

29 Aug 2026 08:41

Niger’s capital sees heavy overnight clashes as security forces launch search operations and report attackers neutralized.

Sustained gunfire and explosions were heard in several parts of Niger’s capital, Niamey, early Saturday, Reuters reported, citing two witnesses. The cause of the violence was not immediately known.

A security source told Reuters that “terrorists” had attacked Diori Hamani International Airport and sought to breach the security perimeter surrounding the presidency.

Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of Niger’s Bureau of the Consultative Council and a deputy in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) Parliament, said on Facebook that attackers had targeted Base 101, a major military facility in Niamey, but that security forces had retaken control.

“Another cowardly attack on Base 101 and once again our defence and security forces ensured ... Situation under control,” Ibrahim wrote.

Attackers “neutralized”

A second security source told Reuters that security forces had begun search operations and that the attackers had been “neutralized,” while others had fled.

The second Reuters witness reported heavy and sustained gunfire around the presidential palace. According to the first witness, gunfire broke out again near Niamey’s international airport at about 0213 GMT.

Niger is key uranium producer

Niger, a resource-rich West African country with substantial uranium, oil and gold deposits, has been under military rule since a July 2023 coup that removed President Mohamed Bazoum.

After taking power, General Abdourahamane Tiani’s junta moved away from Western allies and joined Mali and Burkina Faso in the AES, which broke away from the regional ECOWAS bloc.

The three countries continue to fight insurgencies associated with al Qaeda and Islamic State, despite commitments from their military leaders to strengthen security.

Part of a wider break with Western control

Niger's formal notice comes as the Sahel bloc deepens its break with Western-backed political and security structures.

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have already withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States, accusing the bloc of serving foreign agendas and imposing pressure on governments that chose an independent political path.

The three states have since moved forward with the Confederation of Sahel States, a framework aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, security coordination, and political independence.

Their leaderships have presented these decisions as part of a wider struggle to end external tutelage, particularly from France and Western institutions that long shaped the political and economic direction of the former French colonies.

What do you need to know?

The latest unrest comes as Niger’s junta increases its control over the country’s uranium industry, after taking over assets belonging to France’s Orano. A government decree last week reassigned former Orano and GoviEx uranium permits to state-backed companies.

Before the junta took control of Orano’s assets around 2024, Niger was an important supplier of nuclear fuel to Europe. At full capacity, the country accounted for about 15% of Orano’s uranium supply.

Earlier this year, deadly attacks killed at least 44 civilians in southwestern Niger in March, while an assault took place near Niamey’s international airport in January.

49 Killed, 33 Wounded in Armed Attack on Cattle Herders in South Sudan

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Agencies

28 Aug 2026 17:49

At least 49 people were killed and 33 wounded after armed men attacked a cattle herders’ camp in South Sudan’s Warrap State.

At least 49 people were killed and 33 others wounded after armed men attacked a gathering of cattle herders in South Sudan’s Warrap State, in one of the latest outbreaks of communal violence linked to disputes over grazing land, water resources, and cattle.

The attack took place at around 5 am on Thursday, when armed men from neighboring Unity State and others attacked a cattle herders’ camp in Northern Tonj County, according to Warrap State Information Minister William Wol Mayom Bol, who described the assault as “brutal.”

Bol urged residents to exercise restraint and refrain from retaliatory attacks, saying authorities in Warrap and Unity states were working together to identify those responsible and hold them accountable.

Authorities urge restraint amid communal tensions

Unity State Information Minister Nyakenya Johannes told Reuters that the attackers were not all from her state, adding that officials from both states were working to strengthen peaceful coexistence among local communities and prevent the violence from spreading.

Communal conflicts are widespread in South Sudan, particularly among pastoralist communities competing over grazing areas and water sources or involved in cattle theft. The widespread availability of firearms among civilians has also contributed to higher casualty figures and allowed local disputes to escalate into deadly clashes.

The latest attack comes as South Sudan prepares for presidential elections scheduled for December 2026. The vote is expected to be the country’s first presidential election since it gained independence from Sudan in 2011.

169 killed in massacre 

At least 169 people have been killed and buried in a mass grave in northern South Sudan, local officials told AFP in March, as violence continues to intensify across the country. South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, has endured years of instability marked by civil war, economic collapse, and entrenched corruption.

The latest massacre took place in Abiemnom County near the border with Sudan. Elizabeth Achol, health minister in the northern Ruweng administrative area, told AFP that 169 bodies had been buried in a mass grave, while Information Minister James Monyluak confirmed the toll and said the victims included women, children, and elderly people. He warned that the number could rise as more bodies are recovered, while an anonymous diplomatic source initially put the death toll at 70.

Initial reports suggested the attack may have been carried out by an ethnic Nuer group, possibly in retaliation for the killing of traders, according to the diplomatic source. Monyluak said many residents had fled to nearby villages, while others sought refuge at a local United Nations compound, adding that government security forces had since been deployed and brought the area under control.

A UN Mission in South Sudan spokesperson told AFP that peacekeepers were temporarily sheltering around 1,000 civilians at their base and providing emergency medical treatment to people wounded in the attack. The latest violence comes as clashes between government and opposition forces have intensified in Jonglei state over the past two months, displacing around 280,000 people, according to UN figures, while Doctors Without Borders, or MSF, said 26 of its staff members were missing following an airstrike on one of its facilities and suspended medical services in Lankien and Pieri.

The escalation has prompted renewed international concern over South Sudan’s fragile security situation, with the United Nations warning that the country could slide back into full-scale conflict as a power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and longtime rival Riek Machar continues to unravel. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed alarm over the deteriorating situation and called for urgent action to prevent a return to full-scale civil war.

AU Condemns Armed Attacks on UN Peacekeepers in South Sudan

Source: Xinhua| 2026-08-29 23:15:15|Editor: huaxia

ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has condemned armed attacks carried out on Monday on a United Nations (UN) convoy in South Sudan's Jonglei State.

In a press statement issued Friday, the AU said AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf "strongly condemns the fatal attack carried out by unidentified assailants against a joint patrol of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in Jonglei State, South Sudan."

The chairperson paid tribute to the two Ethiopian peacekeepers who lost their lives during the attack, which also left seven others injured.

He called on the authorities in South Sudan to immediately investigate and prosecute the perpetrators.

"The AU Commission chairperson extends his sincere condolences to the government of Ethiopia as well as to the families, colleagues, and friends of the peacekeepers who were killed or injured in this heinous attack," the statement added.

The chairperson reaffirmed the commitment of the AU to continue supporting the government and people of South Sudan in their efforts to achieve a credible democratic transition and sustainable peace.

The UN mission said it has deployed a Quick Reaction Force to secure the area and support emergency response operations.

Algeria Battles Scores of Wildfires that Have Killed 12, Injured Dozens

64 fires remain active across 10 provinces after authorities extinguished 110 blazes in past 24 hours

Yakoota Al Ahmad and Lina Altawell

28 August 2026

ISTANBUL

Sixty-four wildfires were still burning across 10 Algerian provinces on Friday, most of them in the eastern Jijel province, after authorities extinguished 110 out of 174 fires that erupted nationwide over the past 24 hours.

According to a statement by the General Directorate of Civil Protection, Jijel topped the list of provinces for ongoing fires with 20, followed by Skikda with 14, El Tarf near the Tunisian border with 10, Guelma with six, Annaba with five, and Bejaia with four.

Bouira, meanwhile, is still contending with two fires, while Tebessa, Constantine and Mila are still battling one each.

Emergency teams have continued efforts to extinguish the blazes with aerial support from BE-200 military aircraft, AT-802 firefighting aircraft and Mi-26 helicopters.

Areas where firefighting efforts remain underway include Taxenna, Ziama Mansouriah, El Milia, Ouled Yahia Khedrouche and Chekfa in Jijel, along with areas in Skikda, El Tarf and Annaba.

12 killed, 54 injured

The spate of fires that erupted Wednesday has killed 12 people to date -- five in Jijel, four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou, according to Interior Minister Said Sayoud.

Another 54 people have sustained injuries, including six in critical condition, the minister said.

On Thursday, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared three days of national mourning, ordering flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims.

On the same day, Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb traveled to Jijel to oversee firefighting efforts and visit the injured and local residents in affected areas.

The fires come amid a severe heat wave affecting North Africa, where authorities say they have mobilized land and air resources with a view to protecting lives and property.

On Tuesday, Algeria’s meteorological service warned of an anticipated heat wave in several provinces this week, with temperatures forecast to reach 49C in some areas.

According to Civil Protection data, around 4,000 fires were recorded in the period from May 1 to July 20, compared with 1,501 during the same period last year, representing an increase of nearly 167 percent.

Algeria Rallies in Solidarity as Wildfires Hit Northeast

Source: Xinhua| 2026-08-30 00:10:00|

Editor: huaxia

ALGIERS, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Algerian communities have been rallying to support families affected by devastating wildfires in the country's northeast, with volunteers organizing donation drives and convoys carrying essential supplies from across the country to the hardest-hit areas.

In Jijel province, days of destructive wildfires have left burned homes, charred vehicles, scorched forests and dead livestock. Images shared by residents on social media showed the extent of destruction in remote mountainous areas, triggering an outpouring of support beyond the affected areas.

Volunteers and local associations have set up collection points to gather drinking water, food, infant formula, baby diapers, clothing, blankets, and other necessities for displaced families.

"As soon as I saw the calls for help from our brothers and sisters in Jijel, I joined the campaign," said Farid, a 27-year-old trader from Algiers, while loading donations at a local collection point on Saturday.

"I bought drinking water and infant milk, loaded them into my van, and I am now on my way to Jijel with a friend to deliver the donations," he said.

The campaign also extended to the Algerian diaspora, with fundraising efforts organized abroad.

Meanwhile, authorities continue efforts to contain the remaining fires and assess the damage.

The Civil Protection Authority said in the latest statement on Saturday that 123 fires were recorded between Aug. 28 and 29 as of 7 a.m. local time (0600 GMT), of which 118 had been extinguished while five remained active.

Two of the ongoing fires were in Jijel, two in Setif and one in Tebessa, according to the statement.

In Jijel, crews continued battling five ongoing fires and hotspots, supported by two AT-802 firefighting aircraft, a Mi-26 heavy transport helicopter, and an amphibious water-bomber jet BE-200.

Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited Jijel on Friday, inspecting the affected areas by helicopter and meeting with residents.

Ghrieb reiterated the state's commitment to supporting those affected and attended a collective funeral for 39 people in the town of Djemaa Beni Habibi, as search operations continued for the missing, according to local reports.

The prime minister also visited the Dr. Said Chibane Major Burns Hospital in Zeralda, where injured people from the affected areas were receiving medical treatment. He said that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had ordered full medical mobilization for the injured.

The official death toll remains at 12, as announced by Interior Minister Said Sayoud on Wednesday evening, with no updated nationwide figure released since.

The fires come amid a severe heat wave affecting the North African country. The meteorological service warned that temperatures could hit 49 degrees Celsius in some areas this week.

According to Civil Protection data, around 4,000 fires were recorded from May 1 to July 20, a sharp rise of almost 167 percent from the 1,501 recorded during the same period last year.

AfroPix Expands Pan-African and Caribbean Cinema Initiative, Delivering Revolutionary Creator Compensation

August 28, 2026 11:28 pm

Pan African Visions

Streaming platform drives the “First to 54” mission, working directly with filmmakers and creators as well as partnering with national film boards to scale independent cinema across the continent and showcase cinema and video content from every African country

LONDON — August 2026 — AfroPix, the dedicated streaming platform for authentic African and Caribbean cinema, is accelerating its cross-continental rollout, establishing official distribution pipelines with national film boards, cultural ministries, festival curators and directly with African filmmakers and creators to ensure content from every single Sub-Saharan African country and the Caribbean is represented on the platform.

Operating as a UK-registered global streaming platform, AfroPix is built to solve the systemic distribution and monetization bottlenecks that have historically undermined regional talent. Under its transparent creator-first compensation structure, creators are paid for every single view regardless of audience size, calculated at a clear rate per view illustrated globally in US dollars (such as $0.03 USD per view, translating to $300 USD for 10,000 views and scaling up to $3,000 USD for 100,000 views), providing a sustainable revenue model designed to empower independent cinema across emerging markets.

“We are on a mission to tell African stories,” said Tyrone Satchwell, Founder & CEO of AfroPix. “By building strategic partnerships across Africa and the Caribbean, we are executing our mission to ensure authentic representation from every nation in those regions, while building a sustainable, equitable creative ecosystem. We want African filmmakers and digital creators to get in touch with us directly to bring their content onto the platform and share their work with global audiences.”

Key Pillars of the AfroPix Model:

Disrupting Creator Economics: Bypassing traditional algorithmic monopolies and low local advertising CPMs by paying creators fairly for every single view regardless of audience size, illustrated in USD globally at a clear rate per view (e.g., $300 USD for 10,000 views, scaling up to $3,000 USD for 100,000 views).

Empowering 10,000 Filmmakers: Slated to begin in mid-2027, AfroPix is launching a committed initiative to train 10,000 filmmakers across Sub-Saharan Africa, with a firm guarantee that a minimum of 50% of participants will be women to drive measurable female empowerment.

Actively partnering with national film boards, creators and film festivals across Africa and the Caribbean to establish official distribution pipelines and bring regional cinema directly to global audiences—proven by recent milestone rollouts such as the Ethiopian International Film Festival showcase.

Veteran Leadership: Co-founded by CEO Tyrone Satchwell (director of the acclaimed documentary Inclusion Delusion), alongside Gambian-British actor Lamin Tamba and industry veteran Chris Deering (former President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe).

AfroPix is live and operational, bringing independent features, documentaries, and shorts to global viewers. Viewers and creators can explore the platform at www.afropix.com.

About AfroPix

AfroPix is a streaming platform dedicated to preserving and celebrating authentic African and Caribbean stories. Through direct partnerships with national film boards, festivals, and independent creators, AfroPix delivers high-quality and authentic regional cinema to global audiences while ensuring filmmakers are fairly compensated based on audience engagement.

The Ethiopian International Film Festival and AfroPix Launch Official Showcase as Part of PanAfrican and Caribbean Cinema Initiative

August 29, 2026 12:09 am

Pan African Visions

Landmark partnership brings Ethiopian cinema to a global audience while advancing AfroPix’s mission to feature authentic stories from every Sub-Saharan African nation and the Caribbean.

ADDIS ABABA / LONDON — July 30, 2026 — The Ethiopian International Film Festival (EIFF) and AfroPix, the dedicated streaming platform for authentic African cinema, have officially launched the Ethiopian Showcase. The strategic partnership expands the digital footprint of contemporary Ethiopian feature films, documentaries, and shorts globally.

The showcase marks a key operational milestone in AfroPix’s broader cross-continental mission: establishing official distribution pipelines with national film bodies and festival curators to ensure content from every single Sub-Saharan African country, as well as the Caribbean, is represented on the platform.

Under AfroPix’s creator-first compensation structure, participating filmmakers earn significantly higher returns than traditional global video platforms—paying creators $3,000 per 100,000 views to provide a sustainable revenue model designed to empower independent cinema across emerging markets.

“We are on a mission to ensure authentic African and Caribbean stories reach global audiences with zero friction,” said Tyrone Satchwell, Founder & CEO of AfroPix. “Partnering with the Ethiopian International Film Festival allows us to highlight the exceptional talent of Ethiopian storytellers as part of our ultimate ‘First to 54’ national showcase initiative across the continent and throughout the Caribbean diaspora.”

The curated selection offers viewers direct access to acclaimed narrative and documentary works selected in partnership with EIFF leadership.

“This partnership allows us to extend the festival’s impact beyond physical venue screenings,” added Yirgashewa Teshome, Founding Director of the Ethiopian International Film Festival. “It gives Ethiopian filmmakers international exposure, dedicated digital distribution, and a sustainable path to commercial monetization.”

About AfroPix

AfroPix is a social enterprise and streaming platform dedicated to preserving and celebrating authentic African and Caribbean stories. Through direct partnerships with national film boards, festivals, and independent creators, AfroPix delivers high-quality regional cinema to global audiences while ensuring filmmakers are fairly compensated based on audience engagement.

About the Ethiopian International Film Festival ( EIFF )

Founded by filmmaker Yirgashewa Teshome, the Ethiopian International Film Festival is Ethiopia’s premier annual cinematic event, dedicated to celebrating local talent, fostering international cultural exchange, and advancing the growth of regional filmmaking.

Cameroon Muslim Leaders Condemn Rising Femicide

August 29, 2026 1:49 pm

Pan African Visions

CIDIMUC said it would support efforts by public authorities to tackle violence against women

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

BUEA, PAV – The Council of Imams and Muslim Dignitaries of Cameroon (CIDIMUC) has condemned a recent wave of femicide in the country, calling the killings a grave violation of human dignity and religious values.

The council’s statement comes after seven women were reportedly killed in seven days in Yaoundé, Douala, Belabo and Tibati, prompting renewed concern over violence against women in Cameroon.

The reported killings include a female student in Yaoundé who was allegedly thrown from a moving vehicle, a young woman reportedly killed by her boyfriend, and a 19-year-old woman who was allegedly killed by her 22-year-old partner in the Effoulan neighbourhood of Yaoundé. In Douala, a 34-year-old mother of two was reportedly stabbed to death in her home by her husband while their children were present.

The latest cases have added to mounting concern over the scale of violence against women in the country. According to figures presented by the minister of women’s empowerment and the family, Cameroon recorded 50 femicide cases during the first four months of 2026, alongside 166 cases of rape and 13 infanticides.

The figures indicate a continuing rise in domestic killings of women, with reported femicides increasing by 37% since 2023. Human Rights Watch has also reported widespread violence against women in Cameroon, saying nearly 40% of women have experienced physical, sexual or psychological abuse. Its reporting documented at least 77 femicides in 2024.

CIDIMUC said it would support efforts by public authorities to tackle violence against women and called on Imams and Muslim dignitaries to intensify awareness campaigns.

The council’s statement comes after seven women were reportedly killed in seven days in Yaoundé, Douala, Belabo and Tibati

The council said religious leaders had an important role to play in promoting respect for life, protecting human dignity and challenging attitudes that could contribute to violence.

The intervention comes amid growing calls from civil society organisations, women’s rights groups and community leaders for stronger prevention measures and greater public awareness of domestic violence. The council said its commitment would be centred on supporting efforts to protect life and uphold human dignity, as concern grows over the continuing violence against women in Cameroon.

Sierra Leone University Scraps Hard-Bound Dissertations In Shift To Digital Submissions

August 29, 2026 12:38 am

Pan African Visions

By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — The University of Sierra Leone has abolished the requirement for students to submit hard-bound copies of their dissertations, introducing an electronic-only submission system in a move aimed at reducing costs, cutting waste and modernising academic administration.

The directive, issued by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal on August 28, 2026, takes immediate effect and applies to student dissertations across the university.

Under the new policy, faculties and departments will no longer be permitted to require students to submit hard-bound copies of their dissertations to the university.

Students may still print and bind copies for their personal records, but such copies will not be accepted as official submissions.

Move welcomed by former student

The decision has received support from some former students of the university.

Mohamed Kamara, 29, a former alumnus of Fourah Bay College, welcomed the move, describing it as consistent with a broader global shift towards digital academic administration.

“This is a great move by the university. I hope other universities will follow FBC,” Kamara said.

He added that electronic submission is increasingly becoming the norm for universities around the world, making the University of Sierra Leone’s decision timely.

Reducing the financial burden

The university said the policy is intended partly to reduce the financial burden on students and prevent avoidable waste.

The production of hard-bound dissertations can add considerable costs for students, particularly those completing postgraduate research who may previously have been required to produce multiple physical copies.

By making electronic submission the official process, the university is eliminating the need for students to incur compulsory printing and binding expenses.

The move also reflects the growing reliance on digital platforms in higher education, where research, academic assessment and institutional records are increasingly managed electronically.

Plagiarism detection system

The new system will also introduce additional safeguards for academic integrity.

According to the university’s directive, all electronic dissertation submissions will be screened to ensure that they meet minimum standards for academic writing and proper authorship.

The university said it is in the process of deploying a plagiarism detection system.

Only dissertations that pass the required verification process will be accepted and archived, according to the notice.

The introduction of electronic screening could strengthen the university’s ability to detect plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct before research is formally accepted.

Building a digital archive

The university said it has adequate digital storage infrastructure to securely archive approved dissertations that meet the required standards.

The shift could also help the institution build a more organised digital repository of student research, reducing its reliance on physical storage.

However, the university’s notice does not indicate whether the archived dissertations will eventually be made publicly accessible or remain available only to authorised university users.

Departments warned against non-compliance

The directive requires Deans, Heads of Departments and faculty members to communicate the policy change to academic staff and students without delay.

The university has also warned that any deviation from the directive will be subject to appropriate administrative action.

This means individual departments and academic staff are not expected to impose separate requirements for hard-bound copies where the new university-wide policy applies.

The notice was authored by Dr Tonya Musa, Director of Communication and International Relations, and issued from the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal.

A significant shift for Sierra Leone’s higher education sector

The University of Sierra Leone described the move as part of its commitment to modernisation, reducing costs for students and responsible resource management.

The decision represents a significant departure from the traditional paper-based approach to dissertation submission in Sierra Leone.

For students, the immediate benefit is likely to be the removal of compulsory printing and binding costs. For the university, the transition offers an opportunity to streamline the submission, verification and long-term preservation of academic research.

The effectiveness of the new system, however, will depend on reliable digital infrastructure, clear submission procedures and adequate support for students and academic staff during the transition.

For Kamara and other supporters of the policy, the change is a sign that Sierra Leone’s universities are beginning to align their academic processes with evolving international practices.

With the directive now in force, the University of Sierra Leone has made clear that electronic submission, rather than hard-bound copies, will be the official route for student dissertations.

Sierra Leone Confirms 17 Nationals Among Dead in Conakry Landfill Landslide

August 29, 2026 6:26 pm

Pan African Visions

The victims — 14 men and three women — were identified during a joint exercise involving Guinean authorities and officials from the Sierra Leonean Embassy in Conakry, according to Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma

Contents

A disaster across the border

Families wait for certainty

A regional tragedy

Sierra Leoneans in Guinea

The challenge of identification

A warning for West Africa’s cities

Recovery continues

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — Seventeen Sierra Leonean nationals are among the people confirmed dead after a massive landslide struck a landfill in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, in a disaster that has left families on both sides of the border waiting for answers.

The victims — 14 men and three women — were identified during a joint exercise involving Guinean authorities and officials from the Sierra Leonean Embassy in Conakry, according to Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The deaths were confirmed as recovery and identification efforts continued at the Dar-es-Salam landfill in the Gbessia area of Conakry, where the collapse triggered a major emergency operation.

The disaster has brought renewed attention to the risks faced by people living and working around large waste disposal sites in some of West Africa’s rapidly expanding cities.

For Sierra Leone, however, the tragedy has taken on a deeply personal and diplomatic dimension, with dozens of its nationals among those affected.

A disaster across the border

In an update issued on August 28, Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said the Government of Guinea had reported 34 fatalities from the disaster.

The ministry cautioned that the figures could change as authorities continue recovery and identification operations.

The Sierra Leonean Embassy has so far confirmed 54 Sierra Leonean survivors — 32 women, 17 men and five minors.

The government said immediate humanitarian assistance had been provided to survivors, including food, clothing and other essential supplies.

“Further consular and humanitarian needs are being assessed in coordination with the relevant authorities,” the ministry said.

The latest figures represent an update to an earlier statement issued by the Sierra Leonean government on August 25, as officials continued efforts to establish the identities of victims and determine the whereabouts of people who remained unaccounted for.

The embassy in Conakry remains in contact with Guinean authorities and affected families as the recovery operation continues.

Families wait for certainty

Behind the official figures are families confronting one of the most difficult stages following a mass-casualty disaster: waiting for confirmation about relatives and loved ones.

The Sierra Leonean government has urged the public to exercise caution when sharing information about victims and missing people, describing the situation as sensitive and still evolving.

Authorities have asked members of the public to rely on information that has been officially verified.

The warning comes as social media and informal networks can rapidly circulate names, photographs and casualty figures following major disasters, sometimes before authorities have completed formal identification.

For families separated from relatives living or working in Guinea, the uncertainty can add another layer of distress.

The government has extended condolences to the families of the Sierra Leoneans who died and expressed solidarity with the people and government of Guinea.

“The Ministry appreciates the cooperation and assistance of the Government of the Republic of Guinea throughout the recovery, identification, and humanitarian response efforts,” the statement said.

A regional tragedy

The landslide has also exposed a broader challenge confronting many growing African cities: how to manage increasing volumes of waste while protecting communities living close to disposal sites.

Waste dumps and landfills can become places where vulnerable communities seek work or income, particularly where informal waste collection and recycling provide livelihoods.

Such sites can become increasingly dangerous when large quantities of waste accumulate on unstable ground and heavy rainfall places additional pressure on slopes and waste mounds.

The risks are particularly significant in densely populated urban areas, where communities may expand around waste disposal facilities faster than infrastructure and environmental safeguards can keep pace.

Conakry, Guinea’s coastal capital, has experienced rapid urban growth, placing pressure on its waste-management systems and other urban infrastructure.

The Dar-es-Salam disaster has therefore become more than a local emergency. It has highlighted questions about how rapidly growing West African cities can manage waste, protect vulnerable communities and prepare for extreme weather and environmental hazards.

Sierra Leoneans in Guinea

The presence of dozens of Sierra Leonean victims and survivors also reflects the long-standing movement of people between the two neighbouring countries.

Sierra Leone and Guinea share a border and deep historical, cultural and economic ties. People regularly cross between the two countries for trade, employment, family connections and other activities.

That movement means disasters in one country can quickly become a concern for authorities and families in the other.

For Freetown, the response has consequently involved not only humanitarian concerns but also consular responsibilities.

The Sierra Leonean Embassy in Conakry has been working with Guinean authorities on identification, recovery and assistance to survivors.

The government says it will continue to monitor the situation and provide support as more information becomes available.

The challenge of identification

Identifying victims following a major disaster can be a complex and painstaking process.

Authorities must establish identities before families can receive definitive confirmation, particularly when victims come from different communities or countries.

The joint identification exercise involving Guinean authorities and Sierra Leonean diplomatic officials is intended to establish accurate records while ensuring that information released publicly is verified.

That process is especially important in a disaster where the number of people affected may continue to change as recovery teams search the site.

Sierra Leone’s government has therefore urged restraint in the circulation of unverified information.

The ministry’s warning underscores a central challenge after disasters: the need to provide families with information quickly while ensuring that casualty figures and identities are not released prematurely or incorrectly.

A warning for West Africa’s cities

The Conakry landslide has also renewed attention to the environmental pressures created by urbanisation across West Africa.

As populations grow, cities must contend with rising waste generation, limited disposal capacity, inadequate drainage and settlements expanding into areas exposed to environmental hazards.

Landfills are often located on the outskirts of cities, but urban expansion can gradually bring homes and informal economic activity closer to them.

For people who depend on waste sites for their livelihoods, avoiding such locations may not always be economically possible.

That creates a difficult policy challenge for governments: improving waste-management infrastructure while ensuring that people who depend on informal waste economies are not left without alternative livelihoods.

The disaster in Conakry is a stark reminder that environmental risks can become humanitarian crises when infrastructure, population growth and extreme weather intersect.

Recovery continues

For now, attention remains focused on the recovery and identification operation in Conakry.

Sierra Leonean officials continue to work with their Guinean counterparts while monitoring the condition and needs of survivors.

The confirmed death toll of Sierra Leonean nationals stands at 17, but authorities have stressed that the situation remains fluid.

For the families of those who died, the numbers represent far more than statistics.

Each confirmed victim means another family receiving devastating news. Each survivor represents a person who must now begin rebuilding their life after a disaster that has already changed the lives of communities across the border.

As recovery efforts continue at Dar-es-Salam, the tragedy is likely to leave a wider question for authorities in Conakry and elsewhere in the region: how can rapidly growing cities protect the people who live and work closest to the places where their waste ends up?

For Sierra Leone, the immediate priority is more personal — accounting for its nationals, supporting survivors and ensuring that families receive accurate information as the difficult work of recovery continues.

Niger Authorities Contain Military Mutiny in Niamey

August 29, 2026 / 8:18 PM

Sharjah 24 – QNA: Nigerien authorities successfully contained a military mutiny in the capital, Niamey, after a group of soldiers rebelled against officers at a key facility, according to Defence Minister Salifou Mody.

Describing the incident as a severe breach of military discipline, Mody noted that the rogue troops opened fire on sensitive sites before defense and security forces intervened swiftly to restore order.

The unrest had sparked widespread concern as heavy gunfire and explosions echoed across the city overnight and into Saturday morning.

The sounds of fighting shook areas near the main international airport, which houses Military Base 101, as well as the Plateau administrative district, home to the presidential palace and vital government institutions.

In response to the security breach, the ruling military council, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), issued a call for solidarity.

The council urged citizens via Facebook to remain united as armed forces continue to protect the nation.

Niger has remained under military governance since a July 2023 coup led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, which deposed the country's democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.