Two Russian nationals have been abducted in Niger by the GSIM terrorist group. The kidnapping comes amid increasing violence in the West African country.

The UN is urging immediate action to address the deepening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where famine has struck North Darfur.

The RSF calls for immediate international intervention to save millions from starvation.

We will seek military support if our personnel overpowered by protestors, says police chief

‘I am particularly concerned about the resurgence of M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo,’ Burundi’s president says in Zambian parliament

Anti-government protests in Nigeria have turned deadly, with at least 17 fatalities reported.

The Nairobi City County’s plan requires cat owners to register their pets, pay an annual fee of 200 Kenyan shillings (about $1.50), and provide proof of rabies vaccination

The new requirement for a document certifying candidates have no criminal record has delayed their ability to register

Built by Turkish firm at cost of $3.1 billion, 541-kilometer railway runs from Dar es Salaam and Morogoro to capital Dodoma

Police in Nigeria have been placed on high alert and may seek military assistance following violent protests in several cities that resulted in at least three deaths, the Inspector General of Police announced. Major cities, including the capital Abuja and Kano in the north, experienced clashes between police and demonstrators, along with looting on Thursday. Despite the early calm on Friday, further protests were anticipated. Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun stated late Thursday that the police were fully mobilized and prepared to respond swiftly to any additional threats to public safety and order. “In light of the current situation, the Nigeria Police Force has placed all units on red alert,” Egbetokun said. “The police are equipped to respond appropriately to the unfolding situation and will seek assistance from other security agencies, including the military, if necessary.” The protests, inspired by youth-led movements in Kenya, have been organized under the banner “#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria” and are set to continue for 10 days. Protesters are reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, which have led to rampant inflation, a weakened currency, and increasing hardship for ordinary Nigerians. President Tinubu acknowledged the pain caused by the reforms but emphasized that they are essential for putting Nigeria’s economy on a path to sustainable growth. Kano, one of Nigeria’s most populous and predominantly Muslim states, imposed a 24-hour curfew after protesters looted a shop and a government complex. Additionally, three other states have implemented curfews in certain areas.

A growing focus on developing smart cities in Africa is emerging, aiming to enhance living standards

In Nigeria, some states have imposed curfews in response to protests against the removal of fuel subsidies, which has led to rising living costs. The protests, which began yesterday, have escalated into violence in certain areas, prompting curfews in Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Niger, and Yobe states. Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf stated, “After careful consideration, we decided to impose a curfew to prevent the looting and destruction of businesses and the killing of innocent citizens.” Curfews have also been enforced in Gombe, Jigawa, Niger, and Yobe states due to looting and clashes between protesters and security forces. Civil society organizations plan a 10-day nationwide protest starting August 1, in response to the fuel subsidy removal. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu removed fuel subsidies on May 29, 2023, leading to a significant increase in fuel prices. The cost of fuel surged from 185 naira ($0.24) per liter to 620 naira ($0.82).

A court in Kenya on Thursday ordered the extradition of a man accused of murdering his girlfriend in the United States. Kevin Kang’ethe will go on trial in Massachusetts on first degree murder charges for the death of nurse Margaret Mbitu in November 2023. Her body was found with multiple stabs wounds in his SUV in a garage at Boston’s Logan Airport, two days after her family reported her missing. Police say he had boarded a flight from Logan to Kenya the day before Mbitu’s body was discovered. He was tracked down in Kenya three months after the murder and arrested, but escaped in a mini-van just one week into his detention. Kenyan police launched a manhunt and investigation, eventually tracking him down to a relative’s home in Nairobi where he was re-arrested. They also arrested four police officers, two of the suspect’s relatives, and a lawyer who they accused of assisting in the prison break. Prosecutors in Nairobi testified that when Kang’ethe was arrested, he was found in possession of items belonging to Mbitu, including her driver’s license, Bank of America debit card, and a visa card.

Algeria’s flag carrier Air Algerie said Thursday that it suspended its flights to and from Lebanon until further notice. The airline urged all customers to contact the company’s call centers for more information and updates. The national carrier did not provide a specific reason for the decision. However, it follows similar moves by other airlines, including Kuwait Airways, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines. The suspension comes amid rising tensions and the potential for a broader conflict between Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah group on one side and Israel on the other. It follows the assassination of senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr by Israel on Tuesday and accusations by the Palestinian group Hamas and Iran that Israel assassinated Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, in the Iranian capital Tehran on Wednesday. Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, the only airport in Lebanon, has previously been targeted during the country’s civil war from 1975 to 1989 and in past conflicts with Israel, most recently in the July 2006 war. Hamas and Iran have vowed to retaliate for Haniyeh’s assassination, while Hezbollah has pledged to respond to Shukr’s killing.  Meanwhile, international efforts are underway to de-escalate the situation and prevent the conflict from spreading further in the region. Fears have grown of a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah amid a months-long exchange of cross-border fire. The escalation comes against the backdrop of an Israeli onslaught on Gaza which has killed nearly 39,500 people since last October following an attack by Hamas.

 Zambia and Burundi signed six bilateral agreements Thursday to boost cooperation in various fields, including agriculture and security. The agreements were signed at State House in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, after the country’s President Hakainde Hichilema and Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye held official talks. The agreements are in the areas of enhancing commercial cooperation, social welfare and child development systems and agriculture and agriculture research. The two countries will also collaborate in the education sphere under an agreement between the University of Zambia and the University of Burundi, the extradition of fugitives and criminals under a security agreement, and in fisheries and livestock. In a preliminary session of the two leaders’ talks, Hichilema and Ndayishimiye reflected on the ties between their countries, calling for the exploration of more trade and investment opportunities with a spillover effect to the rest of the subregion. Hichilema said he wanted to see better utilization of the Tanganyika Corridor, a link between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Great Lakes region, to enhance trade and connectivity. Hichilema, who also chairs the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Authority, a role he will hand over to Ndayishimiye in Bujumbura this October, also called for enhanced peace, security and stability as a harbinger for development and economic transformation. Ndayishimiye called for increased cooperation between the two countries targeting agriculture and mining, as both countries are rich in natural resources which can be mutually utilized to improve livelihoods. Ndayishimiye is in the southern African nation on a three-day visit at Hichilema’s invitation. He will address the Zambian National Assembly on Friday and grace the country’s 96th Agriculture and Commercial Show on Saturday.

The government has warned of a crackdown on dissent as the country prepares to host a regional summit.

Tuareg rebels in Mali claim to have inflicted heavy losses on Russian Wagner mercenaries and Malian soldiers during recent clashes.

President Faure Gnassingbe maintains Victoire Tomegah-Dogbe as Prime Minister in Togo’s new government setup.

The rejection has heightened tensions in the eastern region of the country.

Rhino poaching in South Africa decreased in the first half of 2024, possibly due to a dehorning program, despite an overall increase in the rhino population.

Poaching remains a significant threat to South Africa’s rhino population, with at least one rhino being killed daily for its horn

Aid restrictions have exacerbated the crisis, putting millions of lives at risk. Urgent action is needed to prevent further loss of life.

On Tuesday, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan narrowly escaped an alleged assassination attempt, occurring just one day after his government hinted at a willingness to participate in US-backed ceasefire talks in Switzerland. During a military graduation ceremony on Wednesday, al-Burhan publicly rejected the proposed talks in Geneva and demanded global recognition of his authority over Sudan. His delayed response to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s invitation for the peace summit, scheduled for August 14, contrasts with his previous dismissals of international negotiations. The attempted attack reportedly took place in Red Sea State during a military parade and cadet graduation ceremony in Gebeit. Sources indicate that two suicide drones targeted the event, resulting in five fatalities and several injuries, according to a rapid press release from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). This prompt communication is unusual for SAF, known for its typically slower updates in such situations. Following the incident, al-Burhan addressed his supporters with a resolute message, “one army, one people,” and visited the wounded at Gibeit Hospital, also attending the victims’ funeral. The attack has sparked comparisons with recent assassination attempts on high-profile figures, including US presidential candidate Donald Trump, with Sudanese social media users drawing parallels between Burhan and Trump. Speculation and Patterns There is significant speculation about the attack’s origins. Possibilities range from regime hardliners opposed to peace negotiations to potential involvement by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Despite this, the RSF’s lack of long-range drone technology makes them an unlikely culprit. However, recent Sudan-Iran relations and Tehran’s support for SAF suggest the possibility of Iranian drones being involved. The RSF would gain little from targeting Burhan, who is widely disliked. This incident follows a pattern of suspicious drone attacks in SAF-controlled regions, which some analysts view as potential “false flag” operations intended to bolster pro-war factions and undermine ceasefire efforts. Political Implications The alleged assassination attempt may politically benefit al-Burhan, potentially addressing criticisms of military inefficiency and justifying crackdowns on perceived opponents. These crackdowns have intensified, with thousands detained on accusations of collaborating with the RSF or opposing the war. The timing of the attack is significant, coinciding with Sudan’s foreign ministry’s request for consultations with the US on ceasefire talks. Despite Burhan’s public rejection of negotiations, his government showed some willingness for dialogue, a stance the RSF had already accepted. US Special Envoy Tom Perriello has been preparing for these talks with backing from the Arab League, IGAD, and the UN. The US State Department has condemned the violence but has not provided extensive comments on the attack. Lack of Visual Evidence As of Wednesday, there is no definitive visual evidence of the drone attack. Available footage shows only panicked reactions and smoke, without clear evidence of the drones, explosions, or casualties.

In Lagos, police monitored the protests as demonstrators marched towards government buildings and designated protest sites