Politics-News

The Congolese government on Saturday rejected Kenya’s appointment of a consul general to the city of Goma, describing the decision as “inappropriate”.

Goma, located in eastern Congo, has been at the centre of a conflict between the Congolese government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group.

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It launched a lightning assault on the mineral-rich regional city in January. Goma fell to the rebel group after days of fighting, and the Congolese army withdrew.

The DR Congolese foreign affairs ministry has called out the government of Kenya for appointing a diplomatic envoy to the M23 rebel controlled city of Goma.

Kenyan President William Ruto on Friday, August 15, appointed a Consul General to Goma, the largest city in eastern DR Congo which, since January, has been under the control of the AFC-M23.

The appointed envoy, Judy Kiaria Nkumiri, is among the new appointments and redeployments made by Ruto on Friday, according to State House spokesperson Hussein Muhamed.

Africa is set to host a pivotal summit in October that could redefine how the continent finances its future. Under the leadership of the African Union and host nation Angola, the event will focus on mobilizing massive investment for infrastructure projects, moving beyond traditional aid models and embracing a new era of pan-African self-reliance. This shift is not just about money; it’s about a change in power dynamics.

The Third Summit on African Infrastructure Development Financing in Luanda is a clear signal that Africa is charting its own course. The goal is to close the annual funding gap of up to $90 billion needed to build essential infrastructure, from roads to digital networks. According to think tank Africa Intelligence, the strategy is to pull from a wider pool of global and local investors.

Nationwide demonstrations against Kenya’s 2025 Finance Bill turned violent Wednesday. A security guard, Fred Wamale Wanyonyi, was fatally shot at Kenya Power’s Stima Plaza during the protests.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reports at least eight protest related deaths across six counties. Over 400 casualties, including civilians, police, and journalists, are recorded. KNCHR also noted criminal elements infiltrating demonstrations, leading to violence and property destruction.

[caption id=“attachment_32496” align=“alignnone” width=“1024”] A protester in Nairobi jumps for safety as she emerges from a narrow alley.Credit…Luis Tato/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images[/caption]

Twenty-five individuals face arrest following violent clashes during Wednesday’s nationwide protests in Kikuyu. The unrest, part of broader “Gen Z” demonstrations, saw significant destruction, including the torching of the Kikuyu Law Courts, county government offices, and the Dagoretti Police Post.

During the chaos, rioters stole five firearms from the Dagoretti police facility. The stolen weapons include two AK-47 rifles, a G3 rifle, a Jericho pistol, and an anti-riot gun. Police successfully thwarted an attempt to seize five additional firearms from a Sub-County APS armoury.

The long-simmering Middle East conflict between Israel and Iran dramatically escalated today, as a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military assets was swiftly followed by a significant drone attack from Tehran. This rapid exchange underscores the deepening regional tensions and international concerns over Iran’s nuclear program.

In a pre-dawn operation dubbed “Rising Lion” on Friday, Israel launched extensive airstrikes across Iran. Israeli statements indicate approximately 200 fighter jets participated, deploying over 330 munitions against more than 100 targets.

On Friday, May 2, 2025, President of The Republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame welcomed Guinean President Mamadi Doumbouya and First Lady Lauriane Doumbouya to their farm in Kibugabuga, Bugesera District. This visit underscores the growing friendship and cooperation between Rwanda and Guinea.

President Doumbouya arrived in Kigali on Thursday and engaged with members of the Guinean community in Rwanda on Friday morning. His visit is scheduled to conclude on Saturday.

Landlocked countries in Africa, like Rwanda, have historically faced significant hurdles in international trade. Geographic limitations often translate to higher transportation costs, longer transit times, and reduced competitiveness in the global market. However, a new era of opportunity is dawning, fueled by the rise of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). These initiatives hold the promise of transforming these disadvantages into springboards for economic growth and diversification.

Vatican City — When a pope dies or resigns, a centuries-old process begins behind the Vatican walls. The Catholic Church’s method of choosing a new leader is filled with ritual, secrecy, and tradition. This process not only selects a spiritual head for 1.4 billion Catholics but also appoints a new head of the Vatican City State.

The transition begins with a period called sede vacante_,_ Latin for “the seat being vacant.” This marks the official end of a papacy. A cardinal known as the camerlengo formally confirms the pope’s death, seals his private rooms, and takes charge of the Vatican’s temporal affairs.

Djibouti City, Djibouti - in the Regional Conference on Special Economic Zones in Djibouti on April 22, 2025, focused on the development of infrastructure and trade corridors across Africa, recognizing their vital role in enhancing connectivity and integration.

Discussions centered on initiatives like the Trans-Africa Land Bridge and the challenges and opportunities in developing the continent’s infrastructure.

Mr. Denis Muganga, Director of Private Sector Investment at the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA), highlighted the ambitious Trans-Africa Highway project, spanning 18 to 30 countries with a planned 60,000-kilometer network. “I’m sure most of us have heard about this project, considered as one of the major projects of the century,” Muganga stated. However, he also pointed out the slow progress and challenges hindering infrastructure development in Africa.