Staff Writer

 The European Union Delegation and the diplomatic missions of EU Member States to Libya strongly condemn the assassination attempt on Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Mr. Adel Jumaa, on 12 February in Tripoli. We express our deep concern over this violent act and extend our best wishes for his swift and full recovery. We call on the relevant authorities to conduct a prompt, transparent, and thorough investigation into this […]

 Following the request for a Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) by the authorities in 2023, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team led by Mr. Wojciech Maliszewski conducted a mission to Harare from January 30 to February 13, 2025, to advance discussions on the SMP. At the conclusion of the IMF mission, Mr. Maliszewski issued the following statement: “Zimbabwe’s economic activity has started recovering after the El Niño-induced drought. Growth slowed from […]

 President John Dramani Mahama is in Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference. Mahama, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Tana Forum, will lead a Tana/MSC side event on “Deepening Global Fragmentation: Implications for Africa’s Peace and Security.” He will later serve as a panellist during the Leaders Segment, following the opening of the Conference by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, focused on “Towards a Stronger United Nations in […]

 The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has set aside $1.6million for nine newly designated National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) across Africa as regional Centers of Excellence. “As a Center of Excellence, your NPHI will serve as a regional hub for peer-to-peer technical assistance, training, and mentorship. It will also support Member States in developing or strengthening core NPHI functions, including disease surveillance, outbreak response, public health […]

 Responding to news that Ugandan opposition politician and former presidential candidate for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) political party, Kizza Besigye, has gone on hunger strike and his health is deteriorating, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said: “Ugandan authorities must immediately respect the Supreme Court order, uphold the rule of law and stop trying civilians in military courts. The continued arbitrary detention of […]

 As African heads of state and government prepare to elect and appoint the new leadership team of the African Union (AU), including a new chairperson, during the 38th African Union Summit on 15 and 16 February, Amnesty International is calling on the incoming chairperson and the AU to prioritize human rights. The summit comes amid the escalating conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan where fighting between […]

 President Cyril Ramaphosa has assented to the Plant Health Bill which sets out measures to combat plant pests that are of concern to domestic agriculture and may have an impact on South Africa’s ability to export agricultural products. Among its various impacts, the Bill signed by the President repeals the Agricultural Pests Act of 1983 which up to now regulated the national plant health  (phytosanitary) system. The new law responds […]

 Legislators have raised concern over irregularities and alleged misconduct in the ongoing general update of the National Voters Register ahead of the 2026 general elections. The update exercise, conducted in accordance with Article 61(1)(e) of the Constitution and Section 20 of the Electoral Commission Act (Cap 176), began on Monday, January 20, 2025, and was initially scheduled to end on February 10, 2025. The exercise aims to register Ugandan citizens […]

 The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Pretoria commemorated the 77th anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka on 08 February 2025. The event, held at the High Commission premises, was attended by approximately 150 Sri Lankans from South Africa and other accredited countries including Lesotho, along with South African friends of Sri Lanka and well-wishers. The program commenced with the singing of the Sri Lankan National Anthem, followed by the […]