In an interview with Reuters over the weekend, Zane Dangor, director-general of the Department of International Relations, also rejected some other Trump administration demands, such as dropping South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, scrapping Black empowerment laws or accepting ​a refugee programme for whites.

The Reuters Iran Briefing newsletter keeps you informed with the latest developments and analysis of the Iran war. Sign up here.

Dangor was speaking against the backdrop of the U.S. and Israeli war on Iran, a conflict placing ​increased strains on governments navigating relationships with Tehran, and a sharp deterioration in Pretoria’s ties with ⁠the U.S. during President Donald Trump’s second term.

In August, Trump imposed a 30% tariff on imports from South Africa, a move ​that could cause tens of thousands of job losses at a time when a third of South Africans are out of work.

“We ​have no reason to cut ties with Iran,” Dangor said, but he added: “we are not absolutely uncritical of Iran,” noting that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government had admonished the republic for its crackdown on protesters in January, and for attacking neighbours in the latest war with the United States.

“(But) ​we cannot be pulled into the sort of sphere of influence politics that great powers want to pull us into, and ​that in this instance includes the U.S.,” he said.

In his first media interview, new U.S. Ambassador Leo Bozell was quoted by News24 as saying “an ‌association with ⁠Iran is an impediment to good relations with the United States.”

“You (the United States) have a particular relationship with Iran … that many in the developing world do not have,” Dangor said.

RELATIONSHIP WITH US HITS ROCK BOTTOM

South Africa’s relationship with the U.S. has been at a low since Trump accused its Black majority government of persecuting its white minority, repeating false claims about land seizures from white farmers circulating ​on far-right chat rooms.

Dangor said Pretoria ​was keen to improve ⁠ties with Washington, but “let’s engage about areas we agree on”.

Regarding the International Court of Justice case against Israel for its Gaza war, Dangor said: “it’s not even on the table … In my last engagement ​with the State Department people, we indicated that if you disagree with us on this, ​it’s a court ⁠process.”

Trump administration officials have suggested laws aiming to redress apartheid’s legacy, like minimum requirements for Black business ownership and Black employees, must be modified to ease South Africa’s 30% tariff.

“We’re not going to let the domestic issues that they’ve put on the table become part of ⁠that equation,” ​Dangor said.

The U.S. also aims to process 4,500 refugee applications per month from white ​South Africans, Trump claims, who are persecuted.

“It’s a preferential immigration programme,” Dangor said. “But they should do it through the normal channels. They cannot use the moniker of ‘refugee’,” ​he said, adding that this was why a Kenya-based organisation that processes refugees was denied entry.

Speaking after the ceremony on Thursday, March 12, the President described the vessel as a major step toward strengthening energy supply and improving access to clean energy in Ghana and the wider West African region.

According to him, the project highlights the importance of international partnerships in advancing infrastructure development and ensuring a reliable energy supply for emerging economies across the African continent.

“The commissioning of this vessel underscores the enduring value of international cooperation. It reflects the strength of partnerships between Africa and our friends around the world—partnerships built on mutual respect, shared prosperity, and a shared commitment to sustainable development,” President Mahama said.

He further urged governments, investors, and industry stakeholders to intensify efforts to expand clean energy access while promoting inclusive economic growth across Africa.

President Mahama expressed hope that the LPG vessel MT Asharami Ghana would serve as a symbol of progress and inspire further investment, innovation, and collaboration within Africa’s energy value chain.

The summit, held at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, culminated in the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering maritime security, climate change cooperation, and digital technology—a move aimed at deepening collaboration between the West African nation and its Asian partner.

President Mahama highlighted the shared history, democratic values, and commitment to human rights that have strengthened relations between Ghana and Korea over decades. He noted that these principles have guided cooperation in multilateral forums, including the United Nations, where both countries often align on global issues.

On the sidelines of the talks, President Lee commended Ghana’s role in promoting maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, particularly efforts to protect the safety of South Korean nationals and vessels operating in piracy-prone waters.

The agreements signed include:

• Climate Change Cooperation MoU: Establishing a framework for joint action on climate initiatives.
• Maritime Security MoU: Between the Ghana Navy and Korea Coast Guard to enhance intelligence sharing, combat international maritime crimes, and improve search-and-rescue operations.
• Technology and Digital Cooperation MoU: Expanding collaboration in artificial intelligence, digital access, and youth skills development.

President Mahama also highlighted potential growth areas in agriculture and agribusiness, pointing to initiatives supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency to boost rice production and strengthen food security in Ghana.

Additionally, the Ghanaian leader emphasized opportunities for expanding economic ties under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), headquartered in Accra, positioning Ghana as a strategic hub for production and exports across Africa.

“Ghana’s natural and human resources, combined with Korea’s technological innovation, can drive a mutually beneficial partnership for sustainable growth and shared prosperity,” President Mahama said.

Below are some photos

“The number of people killed actually is very massive, but we don’t know the exact number, because I rely on the information from the chairman of the local government and the locals there,” said Nigerian lawmaker Mohammed Ali Ndume of the attack in the remote village of Ngoshe.

Ngoshe is a mainly Muslim community, and the attack reportedly took place in the evening, while many people were breaking their Ramadan fast.

The BBC has contacted the Nigerian military for comment.

Local media reports that suspected Islamist militants abducted more than 100 women and children during the attack, also targeting a nearby military base and camp for displaced people, killing several soldiers and civilians, including the village’s chief cleric and some community elders.

Senator Ndume told BBC Hausa the suspected militants had seized control of the village for two days before being forced out by the military, which used air strikes as well as ground troops to dislodge them.

Not since the heyday of Islamist group Boko Haram over a decade ago, when it controlled many parts of Borno, including Ngoshe, has the area seen such a “devastating attack”, he said.

He also suggested that the attackers may have escaped with weapons stolen from the military base, which could “reinforce them to attack the next location or target”, saying this was a pattern in previous similar attacks.

Umaru Yakubu Kirawa, a local journalist in Borno, told the BBC that residents had confirmed that many people had been killed and hundreds abducted.

He said residents told him they were “calling for [security] reinforcement. They are fasting – some of them were able to break their fast, and unfortunately some could not” before the armed men attacked.

Kirawa said the village is very remote and that residents had previously been displaced due to insecurity in Borno state, but “this is the first attack there after their resettlement by the government”.

For many years, Borno state has been the epicentre of Nigeria’s Islamist insurgency, with repeated attacks by Boko Haram and fighters from Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap).

Boko Haram gained global notoriety in 2014 after abducting more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok in the state.

Although lawmaker Ndume is from the same party as President Bola Tinubu, he has frequently criticised the government’s handling of the security situation in the area.

He told the BBC that since the authorities had declared a “state of emergency on security, they should walk the talk.

“The major challenge that the Nigerian armed forces are facing is still a lack of equipment, a lack of ammunition, and a lack of motivation on the part of the government.”

The government has for some time been promising tougher action on insecurity.

From 2024 to 2025 it almost doubled its defence budget, analysts say. Yet this has not stopped the many waves of attacks on civilians.

The police spokesperson in Borno state, Nahum Daso Kenneth, told the BBC on Friday that the attack had happened on Wednesday night, but said he could not yet confirm the number of people affected.

“I can confirm that there was an unfortunate incident and, due to the efforts of security personnel, we were able to repel the insurgents,” he said, adding that a search and rescue operation was underway.

A spokesperson for Borno state Governor Babagana Umara Zulum said he had met survivors on Friday, offering food and other supplies, while promising them “we will do everything possible” to rescue the kidnapped and restore order.

Nkanu Adichie-Esege, one of the twins, died on 7 January after complications arose during preparatory medical procedures at Euracare Hospital in Lagos.

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) investigation panel established a prima facie case of medical negligence against Euracare and Atlantis Hospital over the child’s management.

The three doctors have all been suspended from practising medicine pending the determination of their cases by a disciplinary tribunal.

Dr Munir Bature, publicity secretary for the Nigerian Medical Association, confirmed the suspensions to the BBC.

“What will ultimately happen to those affected will be determined after another panel sits on their case,” he said.

He added that they could permanently lose their licences. The doctors have not commented.

Butare encouraged Nigerians to report any perceived wrongdoing by medical personnel so the council could intervene.

The family of Adichie had accused the hospital of negligence, alleging that medics denied oxygen to her son and administered excessive sedation, which they say led to cardiac arrest.

In a statement, the hospital expressed its “deepest sympathies” over the child’s death but denied any wrongdoing.

An inquest into Nkanu’s death is due to begin on 14 April at the Yaba Magistrate’s Court in Lagos.

The coroner will hear from medical experts and hospital representatives to establish the circumstances and cause of death.

The case has sparked a wider debate about patient safety in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Following a public outcry, Nigeria’s health ministry admitted there were “systemic challenges” and announced the creation of a national task force on “clinical governance and patient safety” to improve the quality of care.

Adichie is an award-winning writer known for novels including Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah.

Her 2013 essay We Should All Be Feminists was sampled by Beyoncé on her track Flawless, while the author was named among Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2015.

She explores themes around gender and immigration in her works, establishing her as a leading voice in postcolonial feminist literature.

ALSO READ:

• Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie loses son

• Giant of African literature Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o dies aged 87

Speaking on the AM Show, Dr Mireku said instability in the Middle East could push people to seek safe havens in Africa.

“If it becomes a regional conflict, if Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries decide to respond and the area is no longer hospitable, there’s a possibility people might want to find safe havens elsewhere. And what’s wrong with them coming to Africa?” he asked.

He highlighted previous instances where displaced people have arrived in African countries, noting that even non-refugees from Lebanon have sought refuge in Ghana.

Dr Mireku also referenced a recent case where Palestinians reportedly landed in South Africa, emphasising that the continent could again serve as a sanctuary for those fleeing escalating violence.

The expert cautioned that while Africa could play a humanitarian role, there are questions about how prepared Ghana’s systems are to absorb large numbers of refugees, particularly if the conflict intensifies.

The comments come amid rising tensions in the Middle East following US-Israel military actions against Iran, which analysts say could destabilise the region and trigger broader displacement.

Ghana, like other countries in Africa, has previously hosted refugees and asylum seekers from conflict zones, highlighting the importance of robust migration and humanitarian policies.

READ ALSO:

• 
  Ghana Mission in UAE visit Black Queens camp amid tensions
• HIV rate in Wenchi the third highest in Bono Region
• Merchants of death at our doorstep: Why Ghana must shield its youth from Russia’s war
• Bontibor residents petition MCE over poor bridge construction

Ivory Coast and neighbouring Ghana, which together produce some 50% of the world’s cocoa, are facing a growing crisis as unsold cocoa stocks from the main crop have piled up both inland and at the ports over the past months.

The unsold cocoa has accumulated because the country set farmer prices for the main crop last October, well above current world prices, leaving traders facing steep losses on purchases.

The stocks are weighing on world prices, which have plunged 50% this year alone, hitting a near three-year low earlier.

SOME MID-CROP SALES AGREED

Many international traders stopped buying Ivorian beans for the main crop a few months ago, although local trade and government sources said the country managed to sell 200,000 tons of its upcoming April to September mid-crop to international traders last week.

The mid-crop is typically processed locally and is generally cheaper because it is considered lower quality.

In a bid to get cash to farmers who had not been paid for their main crop beans, the Ivory Coast, in late January, pledged to buy 100,000 tons of unsold cocoa at a cost of about $500 million.

But the volume of the main crop it will need to buy is likely to be much larger, according to global cocoa trade executives and experts.

Ivorian traders – who buy cocoa from farmers and sell it to international traders – have defaulted on at least 100,000 tons of cocoa purchases from the main crop, two executives at global agricultural commodity trading houses said.

They asked not to be named because they are not authorised to speak to the media.

Farmers will harvest another 100,000 tons of main crop beans by the end of March that have not yet been sold to global traders and will not be sold if the Ivory Coast doesn’t drop its prices, the two executives said.

IVORY COAST SAYS ESTIMATE OF UNSOLD STOCKS ‘ERRONEOUS’

Abidjan-based cocoa regulator, the Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC), responsible for overseeing the cocoa sector and setting farmer prices, told Reuters the market estimate for unsold stocks is “erroneous”, without giving further details.

Ivory Coast’s agriculture minister said on Monday the country will make an announcement on farmer prices for the upcoming mid-crop by the end of February, more than a month earlier than usual.

Ghana last week slashed its farmer price by almost a third after cocoa farmers said they had not been paid since November. Sources told Reuters last week that the Ivory Coast is considering cutting prices to align with Ghana’s.

According to Dr. Pelpuo, Ghana has risen from the 10th richest country in Africa to the 8th within a year, with its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) now surpassing GH¢100 billion. He described the development as evidence of renewed economic direction and stability.

Speaking in an interview with Citi FM on Sunday, February 22, 2026, the Minister attributed the improvement to decisive leadership and prudent economic management during the first year of the Mahama administration.

“This government is a committed government. The President has shown that leadership can make a big difference. With this past year, Ghana can be different altogether. We were in 10th place among Africa’s richest countries. After one year of administration, good governance, and committed leadership, we rose to 8th position, with a GDP above GH¢100 billion,” he stated.

Dr. Pelpuo added that the government remains focused on consolidating these gains, noting that job creation and targeted labour policies will be central to sustaining growth and improving living standards across the country.

In a press statement issued on Friday, February 20, 2026, the government indicated that the matter will be referred to arbitration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The statement, signed by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, noted that the decision comes after eight years of negotiations that failed to produce an agreed outcome on the boundary.

Government explained that the move aims to prevent further escalation of tensions arising from recent incidents involving institutions of both countries and to promote an amicable resolution.

READ ALSO:

• Catholic Bishops urge urgent action to rescue Ghana’s cocoa sector
• Bishops warn of deepening cocoa crisis and call for farmer relief
• Ghana Catholic Bishops highlights moral duty to protect cocoa farmers
• Labour Commission orders striking university unions back to negotiation table

In a statement, Dr. Bawumia said he received with sadness news of the deaths, as well as reports that several others were injured in the attack.

He extended condolences on behalf of the NPP and his wife, Samira Bawumia, to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Dr. Bawumia stressed that Ghanaian traders must not be left vulnerable as they go about their businesses and urged the government to deepen intelligence collaboration with neighbouring countries to ensure the safety of Ghanaians abroad.

He also called for the strengthening of Ghana’s framework for preventing and countering violent extremism and terrorism to better protect citizens.

Below is the full statement:

STATEMENT ON SOME GHANAIAN TRADERS KILLED IN BURKINA FASO

I have received with shock news that some Ghanaian traders have been killed, while several others were injured, in a terrorist attack in Burkina Faso.

The NPP, Samira, and I extend our condolences to the families of the bereaved and wish the injured a speedy recovery.

Ghanaian traders must not be left exposed to such peril as they go about their trade.

I urge the government to deepen intelligence collaboration with all our neighbours to ensure that Ghanaians are protected wherever they find themselves.

Our well-established framework for preventing and countering violent extremism and terrorism must be strengthened.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
Flagbearer, New Patriotic Party

READ ALSO:

• 
  7 Ghanaian traders killed in Titao terrorist attack buried in Burkina Faso
• 30 apprentices receive start-up kits in Nkwanta South through NAP
• Okyere Baafi condemns Burkina Faso attack on Ghanaian traders, calls for parliamentary inquiry
• Ghana considers extradition option in intimate image leak case – Gender Minister to BBC

Speaking at the “Accra Reset’s Addis Reckoning” forum on the sidelines of the 39th Assembly of the African Union on Sunday, February 15, President Mahama emphasized that currency conversion requirements remain a major obstacle to boosting trade within Africa.

Referencing concerns raised by Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the President questioned the logic of current payment systems on the continent.

“The Pan-African payment and settlement system is a thing whose time has come — and with urgency. I should be able to ship my goods to Kenya and get paid in cedis rather than a foreign currency,” he stated.

According to President Mahama, reforming payment systems is a key component of the broader Accra Reset agenda, which seeks to dismantle long-standing structural dependencies within Africa’s financial architecture.

Beyond financial reforms, he highlighted improvements in transport and logistics as signs that continental integration is steadily progressing. He commended ASKY Airlines for enhancing connectivity across West Africa and noted the expansive African route network of Ethiopian Airlines. He also pointed to emerging maritime services along the West Coast, including reefer vessels redistributing cargo between Dakar and Douala, and plans for a proposed ferry system connecting Accra, Lagos, and Monrovia.

“Once supply and demand are in place, the logistics will follow,” he observed.

President Mahama stressed that Africa’s growth would generate shared global benefits, echoing sentiments that African prosperity strengthens global prosperity.

However, he repeatedly called for decisive action.

“We take time. And we behave like time is waiting for us,” he said, urging African leaders to move beyond policy discussions toward concrete, measurable implementation.

“As we said, this is the Addis reckoning. From Addis, we must stop talking and start implementing.”

On Valentine’s Day, people are dressed in red, the colour of love and romance, or are carrying red roses.

Traders are quick to cash in, selling fresh blooms from local farms, as Kenya is one of the world’s top producers of cut flowers.

Recently, though, instead of the soft red petals, some people have been opting for the brown, blue or purple of crisp banknotes, folded, rolled or fastened together into floral-like bouquets.

The trend has spread to other African countries and has become so pervasive that it has drawn the concern of central banks in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana and Namibia.

They have all issued public warnings against damaging or defacing banknotes when making these bouquets of cash.

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) says that in many instances, banknotes are “glued, taped, stapled, pinned or otherwise affixed”.

Damaged notes can then be rejected by automated teller machines (ATMs) and cash‑sorting equipment, meaning they have to be withdrawn from circulation, at a cost to the taxpayer.

In its notice, the CBK said it was not opposed to the use of cash gifts – only to practices that damaged notes – an offence that could lead to creators of money bouquets being jailed for up to seven years.

Cash bouquets have been popularised by celebrities and online influencers, who often share videos of themselves presenting such gifts.

The celebrations are not limited to Valentine’s Day – they extend to birthdays and other special occasions, meaning money bouquets are in demand throughout the year.

The bouquets come in various designs, with creators arranging the banknotes to suit the taste and budget of each customer.

The wads of cash used in such bouquets vary widely – they can amount to as little as 1,000 shillings ($8; £6) or as much as a million shillings, says Angela Muthoni, a florist at the Gift and Flowers shop in central Nairobi.

While many are created in floral designs, or a mix of flowers and money with elegant wrappings, they can also be part of cake designs or be given in gift boxes.

Muthoni says money bouquets have become popular in the last two years. In the run-up to Valentine’s Day, she has been receiving orders of between 15 and 20 bouquets every day, despite the CBK’s warning.

“Everyone loves money,” she tells the BBC, adding that gifting people cash takes away the stress of choosing a present.

Some Kenyans, however, argue that it just shows that people are becoming more materialistic, seeking to buy love with money, rather than romance.

“It’s some form of peer pressure,” 24-year-old Haskell Austin tells the BBC.

He prefers giving flowers, describing the idea of gifting money as “materialistic”.

But if cash must be given, he prefers a straightforward transfer instead of folding or decorating it into bouquets.

A woman who identifies herself only as Lynn is disappointed by the timing of the CBK’s caution against making cash bouquets, coming just ahead of Valentine’s Day, as she was looking forward to receiving one.

“People are still excited about the trend,” she tells the BBC at Koinange Street, a popular spot for buying flowers in Nairobi.

“I would prefer cash,” Nicole Rono tells the BBC. “Who doesn’t love money? Flowers are OK, yes, but now with what the CBK has said, you can still give cash without damaging it,” she says.

For university student Benjamin Nambwaya, the fact that women are usually the recipients is based on social expectations.

He tells the BBC that the culture of giving money bouquets is a “bad thing” and can end up “destroying relationships”, especially when it creates an expectation even when one cannot afford to give money.

He would prefer to give flowers.

“I think flowers are cool, because this is a small celebration or something just to show how how much you really adore this person,” he says.

Economic expert Odhiambo Ramogi says it is all about “our capitalistic approach to life”.

“Capitalistic societies are driven by advertising, by marketing and special days like Valentine’s are a very good opportunity.”

For Muthoni, the florist, it comes down to how someone wants to express their love.

“Love people the way they want to be loved,” she says, although she concedes that ultimately money is at the heart of it.

“You can buy a lot of things with money. You might not know what someone likes, but money is the solution.”

Discussions about money bouquets have been widespread on social media since the CBK’s warning, drawing both praise and derision.

It has sparked some humour as well, such as memes of bouquets made from rolled chapati bread.

Speaking about the trend on TikTok, Kenyan Scott Ian Obaro said it may also have encouraged a culture of “showing off”.

Ramogi argues that the idea of giving flowers is largely a foreign concept in Africa, which he says helps explain why the culture of gifting money is more readily embraced.

“The African hardly gave flowers,” he says, adding that the practice is a Western tradition and that many Kenyans would prefer money “to take care of a need” rather than a flower given purely for sentimental reasons.

“But now it’s combined with the fact that we are more materialistic. The natural flower has been replaced with the currency flower,” he says.

The intervention by Kenya’s regulator, along with those in other countries, may slow the culture of giving money bouquets.

Muthoni fears the move could lead to a loss of income for people who have built livelihoods around the bouquets, though she believes there is room for innovation.

She says she has designed bouquets with transparent pocketsthat can hold money without it getting damaged and is considering other ideas such as digital bouquets.

Some have switched to using US dollars, which would not be affected by the warning from Kenya’s central bank.

So the money bouquet culture is unlikely to be nipped in the bud any time soon.

The elections were held during the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where President Ndayishimiye succeeded Angola’s President João Lourenço as Chair of the Union.

The newly constituted Bureau of the Assembly for 2026 reflects representation from Africa’s five regions. Burundi takes the Chair position for Central Africa, while Ghana’s President Mahama serves as First Vice representing West Africa.

Tanzania occupies the role of Second Vice for East Africa, and Angola serves as Rapporteur for Southern Africa. The Third Vice position representing North Africa remains yet to be confirmed.

Addressing the Assembly, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf highlighted the summit’s focus on water and sanitation, describing access to clean water as a shared public good essential for development, peace, and regional stability.

The two-day summit is being held under the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf observed that the meeting comes at a period of geopolitical uncertainty, marked by persistent conflicts, institutional fragility, and a resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government in some parts of the continent.

He urged member states to strengthen political and economic integration in line with Agenda 2063, while calling for greater African solidarity, financial independence, and a stronger collective voice on global issues.

President Mahama’s election as First Vice Chair positions him to work closely with the AU Chair in coordinating continental activities and advancing strategic priorities throughout 2026.

Ghana has historically played notable roles within the African Union, including former President John Kufuor’s tenure as AU Chair in 2007.

Based in Somalia, the group has masterminded a series of deadly assaults in Kenya, including one on a shopping centre in the capital, Nairobi, killing 67 people in 2013 and one at a university in Garissa two years later, killing 148.

The plan was announced in 2023, but subsequent attacks delayed the implementation.

Ruto said the intention to reopen two crossings follows years of security assessments, adding that there will be a heavy deployment of security forces to ensure the move does not compromise safety.

Kenya has also been concerned about illicit weapons and other contraband goods being smuggled across the border.

The president announced the plan on a visit to the border town of Mandera, in Kenya’s far north-east, which has a large population of ethnic Somalis.

“It is unacceptable that fellow Kenyans in Mandera remain cut off from their kin and neighbours in Somalia due to the prolonged closure of the Mandera Border Post,” Ruto posted on X.

He hoped that the re-opening would boost “cross-border trade for the mutual prosperity of our people”.

In a speech, he asked all residents of Mandera, which has been targeted several times, to “join in the battle against al-Shabab. These al-Shabab are useless, I want to assure that Kenya will work together with you, just help us combat these criminals and terrorists.”

In addition to the attack on the Westgate mall and Garissa University, other major al-Shabab attacks in Kenya include the killing of 28 bus passengers in Mandera county in 2014 and an assault on a hotel in Nairobi five years later, which left at least 21 people dead.

In 2015, Kenya had embarked on building a perimeter barrier along the country’s 680km (423-mile) common border because of the militant threat, but the project was suspended after nearly three years when only 10km (6 miles) of a wire fence had been built at a cost of $35m (£26m).

Presidents would be chosen by MPs rather than in a direct vote and could serve a maximum of two seven-year terms, rather than the current five-year terms, under the proposals.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said public consultations would be held before the bill heads to parliament for debate, where both chambers are dominated by the ruling Zanu-PF party.

Legal challenges are likely as constitutional experts argue a referendum is needed if term limits are changed – and also point out that such amendments cannot benefit a sitting president.

Mnangagwa, who first came to power in 2017 after a military coup ousted long-time leader Robert Mugabe, won a presidential election the next year and a second term in 2023 – though the results were disputed.

Known as “the crocodile” because of his political cunning, his final five-year term is due to expire in 2028.

In a referendum held 13 years ago, Zimbabweans overwhelmingly voted for a new constitution that introduced presidential term limits when Mugabe’s grip on power seemed entrenched – he had ruled the country since independence in 1980.

Hints that Mnangagwa, who was once Mugabe’s deputy until they fell out over the growing political ambitions of the then-first lady, wanted to stay in power beyond 2028 started two years ago.

The slogan “2030 he will still be the leader” began to be chanted at Zanu-PF rallies with his supporters saying he needed to remain in office to complete his “Agenda 2030” development programme – though President Mnangagwa publicly rejected the idea.

He has faced some fierce detractors within Zanu-PF, but his main critic – Blessed Geza, also known as “Bombshell” – died last week.

This time last year Geza, a respected veteran of the 1970s war of independence and then member of Zanu-PF’s powerful central committee, had launched a scathing attack on Mnangagwa’s ambition to stay in power.

He apologised for helping him come into office and accused the president of nepotism in his bid to stay in office beyond 2028.

Zanu-PF expelled Geza from the party for disloyalty and he was forced into hiding.

Yet he continued to attract a large following on social media, where he regularly posted videos calling for protests.

Hours before his death a message posted on his social media pages urged Zimbabweans to carry forward the “noble war” to remove President Mnangagwa and “end the plunder of our country”.

He was in South Africa when his family announced his death on Friday.

“At a time when silence would have been easier, he chose to speak out against corruption and nepotism that continue to undermine the promise of independence,” Andrease Ethan Mathibela, national chairman of the influential Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, said.

The government is now forging forward with its 2030 plans for Mnangagwa and says the intention behind the draft law is to strengthen governance and bring political stability.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ2025) in Accra, the Minister said the gathering of leading figures in science, policy and education reflects a shared global understanding that science and innovation remain central to human progress.

According to him, UNESCO’s proclamation of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology signals the growing importance of quantum science in the modern world, while also placing responsibility on nations to ensure scientific development benefits society.

“Over the past year, attention has focused not only on discoveries, but also on the responsibility that accompanies scientific development,” he noted.

Mr Iddrisu pointed out that significant gaps remain globally, revealing that about 145 countries are yet to develop national quantum strategies, a situation he said must be addressed to ensure inclusive participation in frontier science.

He highlighted the practical impact of quantum technologies, noting their application in agriculture, food systems, climate forecasting, soil and water monitoring, and national security.

“For countries like Ghana, where agriculture sustains livelihoods, quantum science is not optional, it is significant and paramount,” he stressed.

The Education Minister said hosting the closing ceremony under the Global Scientific Dialogue platform affirms Africa’s place in the future of frontier science, adding that African talent, perspectives and intellectual contributions must be fully recognised.

He further emphasised that education remains the most powerful driver of scientific progress, noting that sustained investment in teachers, researchers and young people will determine how effectively quantum science and its applications serve Africa and the wider world.

Construction on the “Monte Galala Towers and Marina” project would start in the second half of the year and run for seven years, Ahmed Shalaby, managing director of the main developer, Tatweer Misr, said.

The 10-tower development – a partnership with the housing ministry and other state bodies, including the armed forces’ engineering authority – would cost about 50 billion Egyptian pounds ($1.07 billion), he added.

The project, also announced by the cabinet, will cover 470,000 square metres on the Gulf of Suez, about 35 km south of Ain Sokhna, Shalaby said.

Egypt aims to boost total tourist arrivals to around 30 million by 2030, from around 19 million recorded by the tourism ministry in 2025.

Saturday’s assault in Kauru district highlights persistent insecurity in the region, and came days after security services rescued all 166 worshippers abducted in attacks by gunmen on two churches elsewhere in Kaduna.

Such attacks have drawn the attention of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has accused Nigeria’s government of failing to protect Christians, a charge Abuja denies. U.S. forces struck what they described as terrorist targets in northwestern Nigeria on December 25.

The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan named the kidnapped clergyman as Nathaniel Asuwaye, parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Karku, and said 10 other people were abducted.

Three residents were killed during the attack, which began at about 3:20 a.m. (0220 GMT), the diocese said in a statement.

A Kaduna police spokesperson confirmed the incident, but said five people had been abducted in total and that the three people killed were members of the security forces.

“Security agents exchanged gunfire with the bandits, killed some of them, and unfortunately two soldiers and a police officer lost their lives,” he said.

Rights group Amnesty International said in a statement on Sunday that Nigeria’s security crisis was “increasingly getting out of hand”. It accused the government of “gross incompetence” and failure to protect civilians as gunmen kill, abduct and terrorise rural communities across several northern states.

A presidency spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment.

Pope Leo, during his weekly address to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, expressed solidarity with the victims of recent attacks in Nigeria.

“I hope that the competent authorities will continue to act with determination to ensure the security and protection of every citizen’s life,” Leo said.

Ramaphosa has told U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about the decision, which was influenced by the need to “realign” the resources of South Africa’s armed forces, the statement said.

South Africa has supported U.N. peacekeeping efforts in Congo for 27 years and has more than 700 soldiers deployed there.

The U.N. mission had a total of nearly 11,000 troops and police deployed when its mandate was extended in December.

The U.N. mission’s mandate is to counter the many rebel groups active in Congo’s restive east, where conflict has raged for decades and where there has been a recent escalation in fighting.

“South Africa will work jointly with the U.N. to finalise the timelines and other modalities of the withdrawal, which will be completed before the end of 2026,” the statement added.

South Africa will continue to maintain close bilateral ties with Congo’s government and support other multilateral efforts to bring lasting peace to Congo, Ramaphosa’s office said.

President Mahama concluded a three-day state visit to Zambia on Friday, February 6, 2026, during which his wardrobe sparked conversation as much as his diplomacy.

In a gesture blending cultural pride and economic diplomacy, President Mahama and his delegation showcased the Ghanaian fugu, also known locally as batakari or smock, as their primary attire during official events.

The garments, rich in heritage and symbolism, ignited a social media storm and inspired commentary ranging from admiration to playful mockery.

Among those swept up in the buzz was Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who publicly expressed his admiration for the smock. “I asked my team to post on various platforms that were associated with that. The President of Zambia will be ordering more of that stuff for himself,” President Hichilema stated, in a nod to both fashion and African unity.

However, as the garment grew in popularity, questions over the tax implications of importing fugu from Ghana took centre stage.

The ZRA stepped in to clarify the legalities—especially under the evolving regulatory environment shaped by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

In an official statement released via its verified social media channels, the ZRA confirmed that a single fugu imported for personal wear is exempt from import duties and taxes.

However, the situation changes significantly when import quantities suggest commercial intent.

“A Fugu imported from Ghana for personal use doesn’t attract duties and taxes, but 20 of those imported for reselling will have duty charged. If made in Zambia, applicable domestic taxes such as Turnover Tax are paid,” the ZRA noted in its post.

More Than a Garment: The Story Behind the Fugu

The sudden popularity of the fugu in Zambia isn’t merely a reaction to wardrobe aesthetics—it illuminates the deeper cultural power of clothing in African politics.

In Ghana, the fugu is steeped in historical gravitas. It has long been worn at festive, religious, and political events.

In March 1957, Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and his entire team wore fugu as a symbol of deep roots to the motherland during the declaration of independence and a clarion call towards the liberation of the entire African continent.

In northern Ghana, where fugu originates, the handwoven garment serves as a powerful symbol of leadership, spiritual protection, and regional identity. Historically, it was used as warrior attire and chiefly regalia, but today it is recognised as a national icon of Ghanaian heritage.

Notably, in pre-colonial Ghana, the fugu was worn as an armour of war.

One of the most symbolic examples of this comes from 1715, when Yaa-Naa Gariba, the ruler of Dagbon in northern Ghana, gifted a sacred fugu to Asantehene Osei Tutu I of the Ashanti Kingdom during peace negotiations.

This fugu, later known as the Batakari Kɛseɛ—literally “Supreme Batakari”—became a symbol of royal invincibility.

In historical lore, the Batakari Kɛseɛ was believed to imbue its wearer with mystical protection: no blade or bullet could penetrate the fabric when worn by a true king.

It has become a royal relic passed down through generations of Ashanti rulers to the present day.

Ghana’s pantheon of freedom leaders, including Yaa Asantewaa—the famed warrior queen who led battles against British annexation—was known to have worn a fugu into conflict.

Today, the fugu continues to transcend function, symbolising political resistance, unity, indigeneity, and Afrocentric pride across Ghana and the diaspora.

From Accra to Lusaka: Cultural Diplomacy in Action

President Mahama’s style was not incidental.

As part of his “Accra Reset” campaign—an initiative to renew bilateral relations and promote West African industry—his sartorial choices became a statement of intent.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa also dressed regally in smock garb; the pair used imagery and symbolism to amplify their message of African self-reliance and internal trade growth.

Their fashion diplomacy appears to be working.

Several prominent Zambian designers and tailors have already begun fielding enquiries about adapting or replicating the smocks using local materials.

Ghana’s textile companies may soon find themselves in trade talks with Zambian retailers and fashion industry players to meet the new demand.

What started as viral banter—sparked by social media users jestingly calling the fugu a “blouse”—has matured into a serious conversation about tax policy, cultural heritage, and Pan-African economic development.

For now, Zambia’s customs regulations remain clear: one can walk through Kenneth Kaunda International Airport with a fugu and pay nothing—just don’t pack twenty.

In a video that has gone viral on social media, officials and guests were captured moving forward to the stage for a group photograph.

As participants climbed onto the stage from the front, one female attendee appeared to misjudge her footing and suddenly lost balance.

Before anyone else could react, President Mahama, who was standing close by, noticed the movement and stretched out his hand. In one swift motion, he grabbed her arm and steadied her before she could tumble off the platform.

With calm assurance, the President helped her regain balance and guided her safely onto the stage, drawing quiet relief from those nearby.

Although the incident lasted only seconds, Mr. Mahama has earned the admiration of many for turning a potentially embarrassing and painful accident into a moment of care and composure at a high-level diplomatic event.

Watch a video shared by Daily Graphic below:

ALSO READ:

• Mahama showcases Ghana Gold Board model to Zambian Parliament

• Stop begging, take charge of our future – Mahama tells Africa

The Ghana Gold Board is the sole authority mandated to buy, sell, weigh, grade, assay, value and export gold and other precious minerals in Ghana.

President Mahama, accompanied by the First Lady, Lordina Mahama, is on a three-day State Visit to Zambia at the invitation of President Hakainde Hichilema.

Addressing Parliament, President Mahama said Africa must move beyond rhetoric and boldly leverage its natural resource endowments to drive economic transformation.

He stressed the need for African countries to exercise greater sovereignty over their resources to deliver sustainable prosperity for their people.

“The era of parceling out large-scale concessions to speculators who then flip them for huge profits must end,” he said.

“We have the know-how; the technology and capital are available. Indigenous companies must be encouraged to participate in the extractive sector.

“We must support our indigenous private sector to capture the commanding heights of our economies.”

President Mahama noted that mining and the extractive sector play a critical role in Ghana’s economy, adding that, like Zambia and many African countries, Ghana is richly endowed with minerals such as gold, bauxite and manganese, but had historically added little local value.

“My country is changing that narrative. Ghana established the Gold Board in April last year to take control of and regulate gold exports,” he stated.

He reiterated that the Board has sole authority to export gold from Ghana and said its impact had been significant.

According to the President, gold exports from the artisanal and small-scale mining sector increased from 63 tonnes to 104 tonnes within 10 months of the Board’s establishment.

He said the increase had generated more than 10 billion dollars in foreign exchange earnings over the same period.

“We are taking steps to domesticate the value addition of our minerals,” President Mahama said.

He disclosed that the Board had recently signed an agreement with a local refinery to process about one tonne of gold per week, rather than exporting raw doré gold.

The President added that Ghana also plans to commence local processing of manganese and bauxite instead of exporting raw ore.

He further announced that government has replaced the flat-rate mineral royalty regime with a sliding scale of between five per cent and 12 per cent, depending on prevailing international market prices.

ALSO READ:

• I wore a ‘fugu’ to the United Nations, I’m surprised Zambians didn’t notice –…

• Ghana, Zambia sign Air Services deal to enable direct flights

Reflecting on his address to the Zambian Parliament on Thursday, February 6, President Mahama said Africa can no longer depend on declining humanitarian assistance and must urgently adopt a self-sustaining development path.

“Humanitarian assistance has gone down. Africa cannot continue going cup in hand begging for that kind of support. We need to pull ourselves together,” he said in an interview with Joy News .

The President explained that his address was intentionally designed to provoke a shift in thinking among African leaders and to promote the ideals of the Accra Reset, which emphasises unity, regional cooperation and collective action.

“I chose to give a speech that rallies Africa together based on the objectives of the Accra Reset so that we can come together and make collective decisions,” he stated.

He noted that Africa’s long-term prosperity depends on stronger collaboration, particularly in trade, natural resource management and coordinated economic planning. According to him, working together will help African nations stabilise their economies, enhance their global bargaining power and reduce reliance on external support.

President Mahama stressed that only through unity and self-reliance can Africa free itself from aid dependency and fully take control of its place in the global system.

President John Dramani Mahama announced the agreement at the Ghana–Zambia Business Dialogue in Lusaka on Friday, February 6, 2026, describing it as a major step toward improving connectivity and reducing the cost of travel and trade between the two nations.

“Partnership in execution will determine our success. I am encouraged by the agreements we have signed during this state visit, including the visa waiver that will allow citizens of both countries to travel visa-free, and the bilateral air services agreement that will enable direct flights between Ghana and Zambia,” President Mahama said.

He added that the agreements would enhance mobility and facilitate the movement of goods, capital, and people, strengthening economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The air services deal is expected to create new opportunities for businesses, investors, and tourism operators by making travel faster and more affordable.

The agreement forms part of President Mahama’s three-day state visit to Zambia, aimed at deepening trade, investment, and private sector cooperation between Ghana and Zambia.

READ ALSO:

• Asunafo South: I’ve lost a treasure – Mother speaks after newborn dies during emergency transfer in taxi
• Ghana on track to exit IMF programme by April 2026 — President Mahama
• ‘Minority shivering; 24-hour economy will keep NPP in opposition for next 30 years’ – Adongo
• The power of names: Rebranding Ghana’s gatewa

The Zambian leader made the light-hearted remark at the Ghana–Zambia Business Forum on Friday, February 6, 2026, as President Mahama continues a three-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.

While the visit has featured high-level diplomatic and economic engagements, public attention quickly shifted to President Mahama’s choice of outfit. The Ghanaian leader has been seen wearing the fugu — a traditional smock associated with northern Ghanaian culture and heritage.

The attire, which symbolizes identity, pride, and cultural expression, generated mixed reactions online. Many Ghanaians applauded the president for promoting local culture on an international stage, while some Zambian social media users referred to it as a “blouse,” sparking playful exchanges between the countries’ netizens.

Addressing the matter with humor, President Hichilema embraced the cultural moment.

“I am very happy that the foreign minister is wearing that,” he said, referring to Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. “I have asked my team to post on various platforms that the president of Zambia will be ordering more of that for himself.”

Responding to the remarks, Mr. Ablakwa said the conversation had grown beyond fashion, sparking a wider reflection on African identity and culture.

“This is my president’s favourite attire, the fugu,” he said. “We are excited about the buzz it has generated. It has triggered a renaissance in what Kwame Nkrumah described as the African personality.”

He added that the discussion highlights deeper issues of identity and self-worth on the continent.

“That is about reclaiming African identity, dignity, and culture. When we talk about restitution and reparation, it is not only about compensation for the transatlantic slave trade; it is also about reconnecting with our roots and identity,” the Foreign Minister explained.

What began as online banter has now evolved into a light-hearted cultural exchange, allowing both countries to celebrate Africa’s rich diversity and shared heritage.

Delivering a keynote address at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues on the theme, “Africa Without Borders: Youth, Creativity, and Power in an Integrated Africa,” Mr. Ayariga stressed that Africa’s integration agenda must prioritise young people, creativity, and services.

While AfCFTA has created a single market of over 1.4 billion people with a combined economic output exceeding US$3 trillion, Mr. Ayariga said markets are ultimately built by people, not goods alone.

“If AfCFTA is implemented as a goods-only agreement, it will structurally fail Africa’s youth,” he warned.

He noted that the fastest-growing segments of the global economy—services, digital production, and the creative industries—are driven by skills, mobility, and innovation. Yet, Africa currently captures less than one per cent of the global creative economy, a gap he attributed to policy failures rather than a lack of talent.

Citing Nigeria’s film industry as an example, Mr. Ayariga said global streaming platforms invested about US$40 million into Nollywood between 2016 and 2022, helping African stories reach international audiences. He emphasised that culture has evolved beyond soft power to become a tool of economic and diplomatic influence.

He urged African governments to invest deliberately in cultural diplomacy or risk being defined by others. The NYA CEO also called for urgent political action, including mutual recognition of skills across borders, labour-sensitive mobility frameworks, and a managed free-movement regime that allows Africans to live, work, and create across the continent with dignity.

“Africa’s youth are already borderless in imagination and ambition. Policy is lagging behind reality,” he concluded.

READ ALSO:

• FGM remains a serious concern in Ghana – Gender Ministry, UNFPA warn
• 170 people receive free eye surgeries in Ahafo Region
• Three arrested for robbery at Kwabenya
• Abu Jinapor slams gov’t over delayed implementation of 24-hour economy

In an email exchange from 2015 with Japanese entrepreneur Joi Ito, the disgraced financier suggested they approach then-President Mugabe to introduce a new currency for Zimbabwe after the local dollar collapsed due to hyperinflation.

FBI documents from 2017, also released, had unverified testimony from a “human confidential source”, who claimed Epstein was a wealth manager for Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and provided the same service for Mugabe.

Being named among the Epstein files is not an indication of wrongdoing.

The BBC has asked the Mugabe family for a response.

Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s independence leader and long-time president, died in September 2019, aged 95, two years after being ousted in a coup.

Epstein, a well-connected US financier and convicted sex offender, was found dead in prison by suicide while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges in August 2019.

He had been convicted in 2008 of soliciting sex from a 14-year-old girl in Florida and completed his sentence in July 2010.

The latest tranche of files released by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) shows the email correspondence between Joichi “Joi” Ito and Epstein that took place five years later.

In response to the email about providing Zimbabwe with a new currency, with the subject “fertile land for exploration”, Ito, whose email address is redacted, asked if Epstein was friends with Mugabe, to which he replied: “No, but can easily get his attention, zimbabwe would be a great petrie dish, its also supposed to be beautiful.”

Ito resigned in September 2019 as head of MIT’s Media Lab after the academic centre had received donations from Epstein.

The BBC has contacted the FBI for more information about the documents contained in the recent release of Epstein files, as the US financier would have been violating sanctions had he been Mugabe’s wealth manager.

Mugabe was subject to US sanctions since 2003, and US companies and citizens were prohibited from trading with or conducting financial transactions with him.

Zimbabwe and Mugabe come up in other correspondence in the Epstein files.

An email written in April 2012 suggested incorrectly that Mugabe was on his deathbed in Italy.

The sender’s full name and email are redacted, but the message is signed off as “jonathan”. He asks Epstein for possible contacts in the country, adding “they have some great companies if this guy is really done whi=h he is”.

Mugabe was then 88 years old – and appeared fit and well days later on his return from Singapore to lead independence celebrations.

One of his old allies, who asked to remain anonymous, told the BBC that such inaccuracies suggested the information on Mugabe was fabricated.

Zimbabwe is still governed by Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party and has struggled with inflation for decades since the abandonment of the Zimbabwean dollar in 2009.

Several attempts to introduce a new currency failed, but a gold-backed currency called the Zig, launched two years ago, has managed to stabilise the economy after a shaky start – though many people still rely on the US dollar.

He described the agreement as a significant milestone towards promoting the free movement of people across the African continent.

“This afternoon, we have signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding as the framework for our cooperation. Prominent among these is the MoU to allow visa-free travel for all categories of passport holders between Ghana and Zambia.

“This is an important step towards the free movement of our people on the African continent,” President Mahama said.

The announcement was made during his official address to the National Assembly of the Republic of Zambia on Thursday, 5 February, where he underscored the importance of deeper regional integration to boost trade, investment and shared prosperity.

Read the full text below:

ADDRESS BY H.E. JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA, TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA ON THURSDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 2026

Rt. Honourable Speaker,
Honourable Members of Parliament,
Honourable Ministers of State,
Senior Government Officials,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am deeply honoured to address this august House and to convey warm fraternal greetings from the Government and people of the Republic of Ghana.

I wish, at the outset, to express my profound appreciation for the gracious hospitality extended to me and my delegation since our arrival in the beautiful city of Lusaka.

This visit reaffirms the enduring bonds of friendship and solidarity between Ghana and Zambia—bonds forged during the historic struggle for Africa’s political emancipation under the visionary leadership of our founding fathers, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Dr Kenneth
David Kaunda.

Their shared Pan-African conviction, sacrifice, and courage laid the foundations on which our two nations, and indeed our continent, continue to build.

Ghana’s historic support for Zambia’s liberation struggle is well documented, and generations of Zambian freedom fighters were shaped by Pan-African ideals fostered at institutions such as the Kwame Nkrumah Ideological Institute in Winneba. Today, our friendship remains grounded
in mutual respect, shared democratic values, and a common aspiration for peace, development, and African dignity.

Rt. Honourable Speaker,

The responsibility of our generation is clear: to translate historic solidarity and political goodwill into concrete economic and social dividends for our peoples. Our forebears won us independence and nationhood. Now we must win the fight for economic transformation and prosperity for our people.

We must confront the battle for the economic emancipation of our countries at a time when global geopolitics is undergoing tectonic shifts. Today, global humanitarian assistance is shrinking. Official development assistance is declining, defence spending is rising, and traditional multilateral systems are under strain.

Africa, therefore, faces a different pandemic—the pandemic of unfulfilled potential. Millions of young people remain unemployed; health systems are fragile; and economies extract wealth without building capacity.

Madam Speaker,

Africa must confront this changing reality with transparency and pragmatism. Only days ago, I had the opportunity to address global leaders in Davos, where I spoke about the Accra Reset Initiative and the urgent need for Africa to redefine its development trajectory.

Too many African countries remain trapped in what I describe as triple dependency:
1. Dependency on external actors for security choices;
2. Dependency on donors for health and education systems; and
3. Dependency on suppliers of critical minerals while capturing little or no value.

This condition undermines genuine sovereignty. History teaches us, however, that a crisis can sharpen resolve. Africa must take its destiny into its own hands.

The Accra Reset does not seek to disrupt global partnerships. The Accra Reset advocates the forging of new partnerships to transform global systems that have been rigged against Africa and much of the global south for a long time. We must reset the narrative through unity of action, self-reliance, and the leveraging of our comparative advantages for industrial growth and economic transformation.

Madam Speaker,

We demand a redesign of outdated governance systems, including greater representation in global institutions such as the UN Security Council. We are calling for a rejigging of the global financial system that keeps Africa in poverty and debt. While we must work collectively to achieve these objectives, much depends on how we act locally.

Leadership is fundamental to achieving the Accra Reset’s goals. In Ghana, we are taking action to change our narrative. Since my return to office one year ago, my administration has been guided by a clear, pragmatic Reset Agenda focused on economic recovery, macroeconomic stability, job creation, and inclusive growth.

This approach is anchored in fiscal discipline, productive investment, good governance, and strengthened regional cooperation. We have chosen execution over excuses. We have reduced the size of government to 58 ministers and deputy ministers, including regional ministers.

We are digitalising public services to fight corruption. We are investing in skills for the future— digital, green, and industrial skills. We have restructured debt to invest in people, not just to service loans.

This is what “Resetting Ghana” means, and it is delivering results. I am pleased to note that Ghana has made tangible progress. Inflation has declined sharply from over 23.4% at the end of 2024 to 3.8% in January 2026.

Currency stability has been restored, with the Ghanaian cedi appreciating by 32% and ranking among the five best-performing currencies in 2025. We have successfully renegotiated our debt obligations on terms that safeguard our national sovereignty and ensure sustainability, and we are steadily exiting the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility with dignity as partners, not as supplicants.

These reforms are not merely national achievements; they contribute to regional confidence and integration. In this regard, Zambia is a natural partner. The complementarities between our economies—notably in mining, agriculture, energy, and manufacturing—present compelling
opportunities for joint ventures, value-chain development, and expanded bilateral trade.

Rt. Hon. Speaker,

To achieve economic transformation, Africa must not be ashamed to leverage its comparative advantage in natural resources. Africa must exercise greater sovereignty over its natural resources if it is to create prosperity for its people.

The era of parceling out large-scale concessions to speculators who then flip them for huge profits must end. We have the know-how; the technology and capital are available. Indigenous companies must be encouraged to participate in the extractive sector. We must support our indigenous private sector to capture the commanding heights of our economies.

In Ghana, mining and the extractive sector play a significant role in our economy. Much like Zambia and other African countries, we are a source of critical minerals like gold, bauxite, and manganese, yet very little value is added to them locally. My country is changing that narrative.

Ghana established the Gold Board in April last year to take control of and regulate gold exports. The Gold Board was given sole authority to export gold out of Ghana.

Since the board’s establishment, gold exports from the artisanal and small-scale mining sector have increased from 63 tons to 104 tons over the past 10 months. This has earned Ghana over $10 billion in forex inflow over the period.

We are taking steps to domesticate the value addition of our minerals. The Board has recently signed an agreement with a local gold refinery to refine about 1 ton of gold per week, rather than exporting raw Dore gold. We aim to commence local processing of our manganese and
bauxite as well, instead of exporting the raw ores.

We have also replaced the flat-rate royalty system for minerals with a sliding scale from 5% to 12%, depending on the international market
price of the mineral.

Rt. Hon Speaker,

In Dubai this week, I attended the launch of the Global African Investment Summit. This initiative, led by Akin Adesina, former President of the African Development Bank, and a few collaborators, seeks to find new ways to leverage the continent’s natural resource endowment to raise more affordable financing to support Africa’s economic transformation.

This is an exciting initiative and has the potential to unlock enormous financial resources for Africa’s development. As the African Union (AU) champion of African financial institutions, I am leading advocacy for the repatriation and investment of part of Africa’s huge foreign reserves in African Financial Institutions.

Most of these foreign reserves are by colonial construct held in Western financial institutions and, in most cases, generate no interest. If 30% of these reserves were repatriated and invested in our own financial institutions, it would create an immense pool of wealth that could drive rapid infrastructural expansion and economic growth.

No African country can survive in isolation. We must build regional prosperity platforms— shared manufacturing zones, integrated energy grids, and digital infrastructure. We must negotiate with one voice on minerals, trade, and climate finance. Unity must be our strategy, not just our slogan.

Madam Speaker,

A critical factor in changing Africa’s story is governance and leadership. Africa needs and deserves transparent and accountable leadership. The institutions and laws to fight corruption must be allowed to operate without fear or favour. Abuse of public trust must be punished.

We must protect public resources and use them efficiently for the good of our people. As President Obama said during a visit to Ghana, “Africa does not need strongmen, it needs strong institutions.” We must build our democratic institutions to be independent and efficient.

Parliament and the judiciary must work independently in the public interest. Leaders must respect the oath they swear to respect the Constitution.
In our sub-region of West Africa, democracy is backsliding with a return to military dictatorships. Ghana, however, is on a mission to prove that democracy works.

Our people can achieve prosperity and opportunity under a constitutional democracy.

Rt. Hon. Speaker,

I commend the efforts of the Government and people of Zambia to stabilise your macroeconomic environment. The improved performance of the Zambian Kwacha and the ongoing reform agenda send positive signals to investors and regional partners alike. Ghana looks forward to deepening trade, investment, and financial cooperation with Zambia to reinforce resilience and shared prosperity.

Ghana follows Zambia’s democratic journey with keen interest and confidence. As Zambia prepares for general elections in August 2026, we express our trust in the strength of your democratic institutions and the commitment of the Zambian people to peaceful, free, and fair elections.

It is in this spirit that Ghana and Zambia have revitalised the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation, providing a structured, results-oriented framework for collaboration across priority sectors, including trade and investment, energy, tourism, mining, agriculture, education, science and technology, youth development, and defence cooperation.

This afternoon, we have signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding as the framework for our cooperation. Prominent among these is the MOU to allow visa-free travel for all categories of passport holders between Ghana and Zambia. This is an important step towards the free movement of our people on the African continent.

Peace and security remain indispensable foundations for sustainable development. Ghana values our cooperation with Zambia in defence training, intelligence exchange, and peacekeeping, and we remain committed to strengthening collective security across our continent.

Madam Speaker,

Equally important is the quest for jusPce, restoraPon, and dignity. The African Union’s 2025 theme JusPce for Africans and People of African Descent through ReparaPons—is both a moral imperaPve and a forward-looking call to acPon.

As the African Union Champion for ReparaPons, Ghana will shortly sponsor a United NaPons resoluPon on slavery, and we would be honoured to count Zambia among its co-sponsors.

Rt. Honourable Speaker,
I am also addressing you this a^ernoon in my capacity as the African Union Champion for Gender and Development. Ghana has moved beyond symbolism to acPon. We have elected our first female Vice President and operaPonalised the AffirmaPve AcPon (Gender Equity) Act, mandaPng a minimum of 30 per cent female representaPon in public appointments.

Our Reset Agenda includes establishing a Women’s Development Bank to unlock financing for female-led enterprises. But this is a conPnental struggle. I urge us to advance together toward the Decade of African Women’s Financial and Economic Inclusion. When we invest in women, we accelerate naPonal development.

Madam Speaker,
The future is African. The African ConPnental Free Trade Area offers an unprecedented opportunity to boost intra-African trade, promote value addiPon, and accelerate industrialisaPon. Ghana remains commi]ed to working closely with Zambia to reduce trade barriers, harmonise standards, and sPmulate private-sector partnerships.

Our people are the true custodians of this partnership. The presence of Ghanaians in Zambia and Zambians in Ghana enriches both sociePes. Africa’s demographic dividend, projected to account for a quarter of the world’s populaPon by 2050, demands investment in skills, innovaPon, and representaPon in global governance. Rt. Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, I thank you sincerely for the honour of this invitaPon. Ghana remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening cooperaPon with Zambia, guided by implementaPon, mutual respect, and shared desPny.
Zikomo.
May God bless the Republic of Zambia.
May God bless the Republic of Ghana.
And may Africa conPnue to rise

ALSO READ:

• We took over a country in distress – Mahama tells Ghanaians in Zambia

• President Mahama begins three-day state visit to Zambia

The two leaders held meaningful discussions about their ongoing initiatives and explored opportunities to support each other’s work.

Key highlights from the meeting included sharing their experiences with social development programmes, exploring potential partnerships between Ghana and Zambia, identifying areas for mutual support and collaboration, and reaffirming their commitment to impactful community initiatives.

Mrs Mahama is in Lusaka with President John Dramani Mahama, who is on a three-day State Visit to Zambia.

ALSO READ:

• Abuakwa South MP names baby after Lordina Mahama

• Lordina Foundation hosts 5th edition of health screening for retired ministers; Liberia and South…

He described the agreement as a significant milestone in promoting the free movement of people across Africa.

Speaking to the National Assembly of the Republic of Zambia on Friday, February 5, President Mahama revealed that the visa-free arrangement was among 10 MoUs signed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

“This afternoon, we have signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding as the framework for our cooperation. Prominent among these is the MoU to allow visa-free travel for all categories of passport holders between Ghana and Zambia,” he said, emphasizing that the move supports Africa’s integration agenda.

President Mahama also highlighted the importance of deeper regional collaboration to boost trade, investment, and shared prosperity, while commending Zambia for stabilizing its macroeconomic environment. He praised the improved performance of the Zambian kwacha and ongoing economic reforms, noting that these developments send positive signals to investors and regional partners.

The President further expressed confidence in Zambia’s democratic institutions ahead of the country’s general elections in August 2026 and reaffirmed Ghana’s support for peaceful, free, and fair polls.

He added that both nations have revitalized the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation, providing a structured framework for collaboration across key sectors, including trade, energy, tourism, mining, agriculture, education, science and technology, youth development, and defence.

READ ALSO:

• 
  Man arrested for allegedly mixing alcoholic beverages with narcotics in Kumasi
• Renaming Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport is a great honour to the Ga people – UP’s Afia Korankyewaa
• Ahafo will remain grateful for Tepa–Goaso road project – Collins Dauda to President Mahama

The reception marked a proud and historic moment for the Ghanaian diplomatic mission.

In keeping with Ghanaian hospitality and tradition, the Asantehene was graciously welcomed by the High Commissioner and officials of the Mission before being conveyed to the High Commissioner’s Residence.

There, His Majesty held a brief engagement with the High Commissioner and members of staff, reflecting mutual respect and shared national pride.

The visit highlighted the enduring importance of Ghana’s traditional institutions and their complementary role in the country’s international relations.

It also underscored the respect accorded to the Asantehene as a symbol of cultural heritage, unity, and leadership, both at home and abroad.

The reception further reinforced the strong cultural and people-to-people ties between Ghana and South Africa, demonstrating how traditional authority and diplomacy can intersect to deepen bilateral relations and promote Ghana’s rich heritage on the international stage.

READ ALSO:

• ‘I’m the happiest man on earth’ – Agradaa’s husband
• Two dead, one injured in motorbike accident on Nsuta-Beposo road
• RTI Commission fines GES GH₵10,000 over information request breach
• I haven’t spoken to my NDC opponent in five years – Nyindam

The attackers set fire to shops and homes, along with the residence of the traditional leader, forcing the residents of Nuku and Woro to flee, he added.

The death toll is unclear, with Ahmed saying at least 35 people had died, while a Red Cross official told the AFP news agency the figure had gone up to 162.

The attack, one of several across Nigeria in the last 24 hours, comes as the defence minister confirmed to the BBC that a small team of US troops was in the country to help with intelligence and training.

It is the first official acknowledgement from Nigeria of an American troop presence since US President Donald Trump ordered the military in November to prepare for action in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militant groups.

Defence Minister Chrisopher Musa did not provide details on the team’s size, arrival date, location or duration of stay.

His comments follow those made on Tuesday by Gen Dagvin Anderson of US Africa Command (Africom), who said the deployment followed a Nigerian request and was focused on intelligence support.

“Our partnership with Nigeria is a great example of a very willing and capable partner who requested the unique capabilities that only the US can bring,” he said.

Nigeria faces an array of security challenges including criminal gangs – known locally as “bandits” who loot and kidnap for ransom – an Islamist insurgency, clashes over land and separatist unrest.

Kwara police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi told the BBC that the attack on the neighbouring villages of Nuku and Woro began at 17:30 local time on Tuesday – and she blamed suspected bandits.

She added that various security forces had now been deployed to the area but details of casualties were still unclear as were reports that people were missing.

“Reports said that the death toll now stands at 162, as the search for more bodies continues,” a Red Cross official in Kwara, Babaomo Ayodeji, told AFP.

The whereabouts of the traditional king are reportedly unknown.

Ahmed, the local MP, said the attack on Woro came after several smaller attacks in the area in recent days.

“They started shooting sporadically, they burnt shops, at least 35 bodies have been retrieved – more bodies could be retrieved because people ran into the forest with gunshot wounds,” he told BBC Hausa.

“It was complete chaos… Everybody is terrified.”

For years the bandits have mainly targeted those in the north-west of Nigeria – but they have been moving to other parts of the country, like Kwara and Niger states, more recently.

Some jihadists – suspected to be from a Boko Haram splinter faction – have also been active in Kwara, carrying out targeted killings, often riding in on motorcycles and attacking markets and vigilante groups set up to protect villagers.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said Tuesday’s attack was a result of recent counter-terrorism operations in the region.

AbdulRazaq belived the attack was “apparently to distract the security forces who have successfully hunted down several terrorist and kidnapping gangs”, his press secretary Rafiu Ajakaye said in a statement.

Also on Tuesday, in the north-eastern Borno State, 17 people were killed in a series of attacks by suspected Boko Haram militants.

The US and Nigerian forces have conducted joint training programmes and exercises for decades.

But the US military has recently become more involved – launching airstrikes on Christmas Day on two camps run by an Islamist militant group in north-western Nigeria.

Late last year, the White House pressed Nigeria’s government to improve security and strengthen protections for Christian communities.

Trump had previously claimed there was a “Christian genocide” under way in Nigeria – an allegation strongly rejected by Nigeria’s government, which said Muslims, Christians and people of no faith were victims of attacks.

There are more than 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria, which is roughly divided into a mainly Muslim north, a largely Christian south, with intermingling in the middle.

Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said the Christmas-Day strikes were approved by President Bola Tinubu and involved Nigerian forces.

Since then security co-operation between the two nations has increased – with the US saying last month that it had delivered critical supplies to support Nigeria’s security efforts.

Nigeria’s military then told the BBC the equipment had been purchased earlier to aid counter-insurgency operations.

In recent weeks, Nigerian forces have stepped up operations against armed groups.

On Sunday, the army said it had killed a senior Boko Haram commander and 10 other militants during an operation in Borno state.

READ ALSO:

• Nurse in court over alleged GH¢257,000 UK visa fraud
• Wontumi trial: Prosecution closes case, court gives accused 14 days to file submission of no case
• Only 20% of African SMEs engage in export trade – Prof. Opoku-Agyemang
• Israeli strikes kill 20 in Gaza, soldier wounded by gunfire

The Ghanaian leader will travel from Dubai, where he attended the World Governments Summit, aboard an aircraft provided by the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

A ceremonial welcome is scheduled at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, with President Hichilema, members of the diplomatic corps, senior officials from both countries, and cultural performers expected to attend.

A key highlight of the visit will be President Mahama’s address to the Zambian National Assembly, where he is expected to present Ghana’s vision for deeper regional integration and a more prosperous Africa.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to Zambia, Elizabeth Nyantakyi, said the engagement would further strengthen bilateral ties and revealed that several Memoranda of Understanding are expected to be signed, including a visa waiver agreement to boost cooperation and people-to-people relations between the two countries.

READ ALSO:

• 
  Woman arrested with large quantity of suspected narcotics on Koforidua-Mamfe highway
• 2026 WC: I hope we do well – Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo
• 7-year-old girl killed, two siblings injured in tricycle accident at Adankwame
• Ghana Medical Trust Fund to train 100 specialist pharmacists to strengthen care for chronic disease

Steward Soroba Budia’s appointment was announced in a presidential order dated 30 January, but local media pointed out that the member of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), had died five years ago.

It led to people mocking the appointment on social media.

Without giving reasons, an official statement said the president had sacked his press secretary David Amour Major and the chief administrator in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Valentino Dhel Maluet.

Kiir was “pleased” to announce that the two had been relieved of their duties, and wished to express his “profound gratitude” to them for their service, said the statement posted on the president’s official Facebook account, and signed by Minister of Presidential Affairs Africano Mande Gedima.

On Monday, Amour said in a press release that the president’s office had relied entirely on the “accuracy and currency” of the names submitted by “stakeholders” for inclusion on the panel.

“It is now evident that a thorough verification was not done by one of the stakeholders which resulted in this unfortunate administrative oversight,” Amour said.

He did not name the stakeholder, while the UDP has not commented.

It is unclear whether the statement led to Amour’s dismissal. There had been speculation before the statement that he would be sacked.

Budia had been a signatory to a peace agreement signed in 2018 to end conflict that had hit South Sudan after its independence in 2011.

Kiir has set up the panel, made up of representatives of different parties, to pave the way for elections.

But there are doubts as to whether the election will take place, as the country is still experiencing conflict.

Previous elections have been postponed, with Kiir in office since independence.

The UN says more than 180,000 people are believed to have been forced to flee their homes by recent fighting.

Jonglei state is seeing the worst of it with the army battling forces aligned to South Sudan’s suspended Vice-President Riek Machar.

He is currently under house arrest and on trial for murder, treason and crime against humanity. He denies the charges.

Kiir and Machar are supposed to be part of a unity government agreed in the 2018 settlement after a five-year war that followed a power struggle between the two men.

ALSO READ:

• South Sudan army chief gives soldiers seven days to crush rebellion

• South Sudan vice-president charged with murder and treason

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi’s lawyer, Khaled al-Zaidi, and his political adviser, Abdulla Othman, announced the 53-year-old’s death in separate posts on Facebook on Tuesday, without providing details.

Libyan news outlet Fawasel Media cited Othman as saying that armed men killed Gaddafi in his home in the town of Zintan, some 136km (85 miles) southwest of the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

Gaddafi’s political team later released a statement, saying that “four masked men” stormed his house and killed him in a “cowardly and treacherous assassination”.

The statement said that he clashed with the assailants, who closed the security cameras at the house “in a desperate attempt to conceal traces of their heinous crimes”.

Khaled al-Mishri, the former head of the Tripoli-based High State Council, an internationally recognised government body, called for an “urgent and transparent investigation” into the killing in a social media post.

Gaddafi never had an official position in Libya, but was considered to be his father’s number two from 2000 until 2011, when Muammar Gaddafi was killed by Libyan opposition forces, ending his decades-long rule.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was captured and imprisoned in Zintan in 2011 after attempting to flee the North African country following the opposition’s takeover of Tripoli.

He was released in 2017 as part of a general pardon and had lived in Zintan since.

Heir apparent

Born in June 1972 in Tripoli, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was the second-born son of Libya’s longtime ruler.

A Western-educated and well-spoken man, Gaddafi presented a progressive face to the oppressive government run by his father, and he played a leading role in a drive to repair Libya’s relations with the West, beginning in the early 2000s.

He led talks on Libya abandoning its weapons of mass destruction and negotiated compensation for the families of those killed ⁠in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988.

Educated ​at the London School of Economics and a fluent English speaker, he also championed himself as a reformer, calling for a constitution and respect for human rights. His dissertation dealt with the role of civil society in reforming global governance.

But when the rebellion broke out against the elder Gaddafi’s ‍long rule in 2011, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi immediately chose family and clan loyalties, becoming an architect of the brutal crackdown on dissidents, whom he called rats.

Speaking to the Reuters news agency at the time of the popular uprising in Libya in 2011, he said: “We fight here in Libya, we die here in Libya.”

He warned that rivers of blood would flow and that the government would fight to the last man, woman and bullet.

“All of Libya will be destroyed. We will need 40 years to reach an agreement on how to run the country, because today, everyone will want to be president, or emir, and everybody will want to run the country,” he said.

Gaddafi was accused of torture and extreme violence against opponents of his father’s rule, and by February 2011, he was on a United Nations sanctions list and banned from travelling. He was also wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity committed in 2011.

After the rebels took over the capital, Tripoli, he tried to flee to neighbouring Niger dressed as a Bedouin tribesman. But he was captured by the Abu Bakr Sadik Brigade militia on a desert road and flown to Zintan.

Following long negotiations with the ICC, Libyan officials were granted authority to try Gaddafi for alleged war crimes. In 2015, a Tripoli court sentenced him to death in absentia.

After his release from detention in 2017, he spent years underground in Zintan to avoid assassination.

In November 2021, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi announced his candidacy in the country’s presidential election in a controversial move that was met with outcry from anti-Gaddafi political forces in western and eastern Libya.

As the election process ground on that year with no real agreement on the rules, Gaddafi’s candidacy became one of the main points of contention. He was disqualified because of his 2015 conviction, but when he tried to appeal ‌the ruling, fighters blocked off the court.

The ensuing arguments contributed to the collapse of the election process and Libya’s return to political deadlock.

According to data from the Directorate of Public Health, since the current outbreak began in September last year, new cases have spiked in the provinces of Tete, Nampula, and Cabo Delgado, where the 12 deaths have occurred.

Tete Province, in the central region of the Southeast African nation, has become the epicenter of the outbreak, with the death toll more than doubling in recent days and 87 new patients recorded in 24 hours.

On Jan. 28 alone, Mozambique recorded 135 new cases, with 49 patients admitted to the hospital.

In 2025, 169 people died from cholera in the country, prompting the government to develop a plan on Sept. 16 of last year, with the goal of eliminating cholera as a “public health problem” by 2030.

Cabinet spokesperson Innocencio Impissa recently told reporters that the “goal is to have Mozambique free of cholera as a public health problem by 2030, where communities will have access to safe water, sanitation, and quality health care achieved through multisectoral actions that are coordinated and informed by scientific evidence.”

Mozambique is grappling with severe flooding, which has killed scores of people and displaced millions after weeks of torrential rains.

ALSO READ:

• Africa experiencing worst outbreak of cholera in 25 years, Africa CDC says

• Cholera deaths surge 50% in 2024 as over 6,000 die – WHO

Speaking on Joy FM’s AM Show, Gabby Otchere‑Darko said the “Make Africa Borderless Now” movement will aim to collect 10 million signatures from Africans and people of African descent across the continent and the diaspora to push for freer movement and economic integration.

“We want to do something differently. What we want is to launch what we call the Make Africa Borderless Now Movement at APD 2026,” he told hosts, outlining the scope of the initiative. “We are seeking to secure 10 million signatures… to tell the scale and the urgency of the issues before us.”

Otchere‑Darko explained that the campaign’s goals go beyond visa‑free travel to include improved interoperability across the continent. He cited proposals for a common biometric ID and full implementation of the Pan‑African Payments Settlement (PAPs) system, measures he said would facilitate movement while addressing security concerns.

“When you say free borders, some think it will compromise security,” he said. “But now the people who are benefiting without the free borders are more criminals. The serious business people are hampered by the bureaucracy of getting their visa.”

APD 2026 is themed “Empowering Women and Youth in the Single Market: Innovate, Collaborate, Trade” and will bring together policymakers, business leaders and civil society to discuss inclusive economic growth.

The 70 personal items include a cell key from Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of the 27 years he was locked up, a pair of Aviator sunglasses and one of his signature floral shirts. They were due to be exported to the US for auction.

The objects belong to his eldest daughter, Makaziwe Mandela and Christo Brand, a Robben Island warden during Mandela’s incarceration.

In trying to stop their sale, the authorities said they were part of the country’s heritage and were therefore legally protected from export.

The South African Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra) first found out about the potential sale in a British newspaper article from late 2021, claiming that the key would go for more than £1m ($1.35m).

The agency then wrote to the US auction house, Guernsey, that was planning the sale to ask it to suspend the auction and return the assets to South Africa.

Other items in the lot were a copy of the 1996 South African Constitution personally signed by Mandela, one of his charcoal drawings, an ID card, a tennis racquet he used on Robben Island and gifts from world leaders, including one from former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.

Mandela’s daughter wanted to use the proceeds from the sale to build a memorial garden at the late former resident’s grave in Qunu, in Mthatha, Eastern Cape province.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court of Appeal argues that Sahra’s interpretation of what items fell under the National Heritage Resources Act was overly broad.

The ruling also states that whereas Makaziwe and Brand explained in detail why their respective assets were not heritage objects, Sahra made no attempt to explain on what grounds it believed they were.

It is not yet clear whether the authorities will seek other legal avenues to block the sale. The BBC has contacted the sport, arts and culture department for comment.

Makaziwe, Mandela’s only daughter with his first wife, welcomed the Supreme Court’s judgment, blasting the heritage agency for presuming “to know my father’s last wishes better than those who were beside him at the end – his family”.

“Nobody is more invested in ensuring Tata’s [Mandela’s] legacy endures in the way he would want to be remembered than those who carry his name,” she said.

She added that no decision had yet been made on what would happen to the items meant to go on auction.

Some supporters of the government’s position argued that items connected to Mandela should not be sold or exported but instead kept in South Africa for future generations.

Others believe that Mandela’s family should decide what happens to the objects.

Mandela died in 2013 at the age of 95. He led the African National Congress in its struggle against apartheid – a system of legally enforced racism – and was released from prison in 1990.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 along with then-President FW de Klerk.

Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically elected president in 1994.

Recently, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) has attacked and captured several areas in Jonglei state, a local journalist told the BBC, though this could not be independently verified. The latest fighting has threatened Jonglei’s capital, Bor, two hours’ drive from Juba.

SPLA-IO’s leader, suspended First Vice-President Riek Machar, is currently on trial on charges of murder, treason and crimes against humanity, which he denies.

There are fears that the fighting could re-ignite a full-blown civil war in the country.

Conflict in South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, broke out in 2013, two years after independence, when President Salva Kiir accused Machar of plotting to overthrow him.

A 2018 peace deal ended the civil war that had killed nearly 400,000 people, but it has never been properly implemented and the relationship between Kiir and Machar has become increasingly strained amid ethnic tensions and sporadic violence.

Reinforcements from the South Sudanese army have now been deployed to Bor, which was the first place to be captured by opposition forces in the 2013-2018 conflict. The town is seen as a strategic staging post on the way to the capital.

“We brought you here for a mission,” chief of the defence force Gen Paul Nang Majok told his troops.

“I am giving you seven days only to finish the mission – to crush the rebellion in those areas and recapture them.”

The South Sudanese army is being supported by soldiers from Uganda. Their exact number is not known. One report put the figure at 4,000, but this has not been confirmed.

The soldiers are now preparing to advance into the areas held by SPLA-IO forces, national broadcaster SSBC has reported.

Analysts believe the threats by the SPLA-IO forces to advance towards Juba with the aim of occupying it are meant to put pressure on the government to release Machar.

Earlier this week, Kiir sacked Machar’s wife, Angelina Teny, from her position as interior minister in the unity government and replaced her with someone from his own party. The move sparked criticism and worries that it could escalate the conflict.

The UN’s peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, Unmiss, has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Jonglei and other areas experiencing violence in the country.

Unmiss acting head of mission Kiki Gbeho urged the leaders of South Sudan to commit to “immediately ceasing hostilities, de-escalating tensions, and advancing reconciliation and peace through inclusive dialogue under the framework of the peace agreement”.

The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan also expressed alarm at the deteriorating political and security situation and had a similar message to Unmiss.

Commission chair Yasmin Sooka expressed deep alarm at the reports of repeated airstrikes in parts of Jonglei, which have killed and injured civilians, destroyed homes, markets and medical facilities, and triggered large-scale displacement.

Earlier this month, SPLA-IO acting chief of staff, Lt Gen Peter Thok Chuol Luak, issued a warning to Juba’s residents, saying its forces would launch attacks near the city.

“This warning precedes imminent military confrontations in Juba. We strongly recommend that all South Sudanese citizens in areas on the outskirts of Juba either evacuate or remain indoors,” Gen Thok wrote.

The governor of the state that includes Juba, Emmanuel Adil Anthony, has urged residents to ignore the threats made by the SPLA-IO.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) said the fixed pricing system of the previous government was “unsustainable” and had led to “significant” losses.

President Peter Mutharika, who returned to power last year, has been trying to revive Malawi’s ailing economy.

However, local commentators said Tuesday’s fuel increase could harm the president’s efforts and worsen the cost-of-living crisis for many Malawians.

“Fuel is not a luxury commodity. Any increase has a cascading effect on the cost of living,” the Human Rights Defenders Coalition, a Malawian civil society group, said.

In its statement, Mera said it was increasing diesel prices by 41.3% and petrol prices by 41.9%.

The hike means that since Mutharika came to power in October, the cost of petrol and diesel has gone up by 95% and 80% respectively.

Under previous President Lazarus Chakwera fuel shortages were a major source of public frustration, with motorists forming long, winding queues at depleted petrol stations. However, the supply has improved significantly over the past two months.

Mera said it is now operating under an “automatic pricing mechanism”, where petrol and diesel prices change in line with the expenses involved in shipping the fuel.

In the wake of the announcement, sharp increases in transport fares have already been reported in most parts of the country. Prices of other key services and goods, such as food, are also expected to rise.

Commodity prices had already started to go up following the previous fuel hike, which was implemented in October, and this month’s increase in the sales tax.

Mera’s acting CEO Dad Chinthambi said the hike in fuel prices was necessary “to ensure sustainable fuel supply, electricity services, and the proper remittance of levies to support road maintenance and rural electrification projects”.

The government is also trying to improve its finances and negotiate a new package of help from the International Monetary Fund.

Across social media and radio phone-in programmes, many Malawians voiced disappointment in Mera’s decision, saying they expected Mutharika’s administration to improve people’s circumstances and not produce the same economic outcomes as the previous government.

The shutdown is scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 5:00 a.m. and will affect water supply to several communities in the region.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, January 20, GWL said the decision followed the detection of a major fault on the raw water transmission line. The company described the situation as critical, citing a serious leakage that requires immediate attention.

As a result, water supply will be temporarily interrupted in Ho Township, Kpeve, Peki, and surrounding communities.

GWL explained that while the shutdown is unavoidable, it is necessary to prevent further damage to the system and ensure the long-term reliability of water delivery.

The company assured customers that water production would resume immediately after the repairs are completed, adding that engineers would work swiftly to restore supply.

Residents in the affected areas have been advised to make adequate preparations ahead of the shutdown. GWL apologised for the inconvenience and appealed for patience and cooperation as efforts are made to restore normal water supply.

READ ALSO:

• Ken Ofori-Atta did a good job as Finance Minister – Abena Osei Asare
• I’ll accept an offer to work in Mahama’s gov’t – Dr. K.K. Sarpong
• US judge demands proof of extradition as Ofori-Atta stays in ICE detention
• Asutifi North chiefs and district assembly commission dormitory for Kenyasi Prisons Camp

In a joint statement with local government officials on Monday, Kaduna state police commissioner Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu described the information as “mere falsehood which is being peddled by conflict entrepreneurs who want to cause chaos”.

Earlier, a local official in Kurmin Wali had told the BBC that gunmen had kidnapped dozens of people attending different churches.

There has been a series of mass kidnapping in Nigeria, where both Christians and Muslims have been targeted. Gangs frequently carry out such attacks to get ransom payments.

But referring to Sunday’s alleged abductions Kaduna’s police commissioner challenged “anyone to list the names of the kidnapped victims and other particulars”.

The chairman of Kajuru local government area, Dauda Madaki, said security forces were sent to Kurmin Wali after reports of an attack, but found “no evidence of the attack. I asked the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and he said that there was no such attack.”

Police also quoted the state’s commissioner for internal security and home affairs saying religious leaders visited the area.

”They found out that what was pushed out to the public sphere was completely false,” he reportedly said.

However, a community leader in Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi Sarkin, had earlier told the BBC that armed men attacked the area on Sunday and kidnapped 177 people from three churches.

He said 11 people escaped, several others were injured, and no deaths were reported.

In November, more than 300 students and teachers were seized from a Catholic school. They were later released in two successive groups. It was among a spate of kidnappings that made international headlines.

Nigeria is facing numerous security challenges – including kidnappings for ransom by criminal gangs, an Islamist insurgency in the north-east, separatist violence in the south-east, and a battle between herders and farmers in the centre over access to land and water.

Experts say corruption, poor intelligence sharing and underfunded local policing have hampered efforts to tackle the various crises.

Nigeria’s defence minister resigned last month at the height of the kidnapping crisis, officially for health reasons, according to the president’s office.

The US has recently become militarily involved in Nigeria – launching airstrikes on Christmas Day on two camps run by an Islamist militant group in north-western Nigeria.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump warned of more strikes if Christians continued to be killed in the West African nation.

There are more than 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria, which is roughly divided into a mainly Muslim north, a largely Christian south, with intermingling in the middle – and the government says people of all faiths have been victims of attacks.

A Nigerian foreign ministry spokesman responded to Trump’s warning by saying that Nigeria would continue to engage constructively with partners such as the US.

”Nigeria remains committed to protecting all citizens, Christians and Muslims alike, without discrimination,” Alkasim Abdulkadir said.

ALSO READ:

• Thousands of Nigerians flee after gang leader threatens to kill them

• Nigeria hires US lobbyists to nurture Trump ties, communicate Christian protection efforts

The visit, aimed at fostering mutual learning and strengthening cooperation in mining sector governance, was officially received by the Commission’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Isaac Tandoh, alongside the executive leadership team.

During the welcoming session at the Commission’s headquarters, Mr. Tandoh highlighted the value of peer-to-peer learning among African nations. He reiterated Ghana’s commitment to transparent, efficient, and sustainable mineral resource management, emphasizing the country’s focus on local content and community participation as key pillars of its mining policy.

“Our sector reforms are centered on maximizing in-country value, ensuring environmental stewardship, and promoting responsible mining,” Mr. Tandoh stated. He further outlined the Commission’s core mandate, stressing the strategic integration of technological systems to enhance regulatory oversight, licensing transparency, and compliance monitoring.

The visiting delegation, led by Dr. Theresia C. Numbi, Chairperson of Tanzania’s Local Content Committee, participated in technical presentations by various departments of the Commission. Key focus areas included Ghana’s legal and regulatory framework, strategies for effective implementation of local content and local participation, the digitized Mining Cadastre Administration System (MCAS), and initiatives for formalizing the artisanal and small-scale mining sub-sector.

The programme, which will extend beyond Accra to include mine site visits and further engagements with institutional stakeholders, is expected to deepen collaboration between the two nations.

Both Ghana and Tanzania expressed confidence that the exchange will strengthen local content regulation, compliance, and sustainable mining governance across the continent.

Also in attendance were Madam Victoria Awuni, DCEO, Policy Planning, Mineral Titles & Local Content, and Mr. Maxwell Klu, DCEO, Small-Scale Mining and Industrial Minerals.

READ ALSO:

• Land registration in Ghana: A tale of multiple registration regimes
• Gov’t urged to integrate sickle cell education into school curriculum
• Alhaji Seidu Abagre charged, bail application denied
• Arise Ghana picket at American Embassy over Ofori-Atta’s extradition

The January 11 election came just over one month after soldiers attempted to topple Talon in a failed coup bid and three months before the West African nation holds a presidential election that will end his 10-year tenure.

The Progressive Union for Renewal will hold 60 of 109 seats in the National Assembly, having won 41.15% of the vote, according to provisional results yet to be validated by the Constitutional Court. The Republican Bloc will hold 49 seats, having won 36.64% of the vote.

The Democrats, the main opposition party linked to President Patrice Talon’s predecessor and rival, Thomas Boni Yayi, received 16.14% of the vote, falling short of the 20% threshold for parliamentary representation. That threshold was increased from 10% as part of electoral code reforms passed in 2024.

The Democrats previously held more than 20 seats.

The election outcome “deepens political exclusion and reduces institutional checks on the executive,” Consultancy Signal Risk said in a note.

Nadin Kokode, a member of the Democrats, said last week that pro-Talon parties had done everything in their power to exclude the opposition from the political scene for the next seven-year term.

He complained of electoral irregularities, including the late opening of polling stations, a lack of voting equipment, and the exclusion of party supervisors from the vote-counting process.

The electoral commission reported a few minor logistical challenges during the poll but said incidents were promptly brought under control.

It said voter turnout was 36.73%.

ALSO READ:

The ceremony, held on Saturday, January 17, formed part of Ghana’s broader engagement with Guinea as the country moves to complete its transition to constitutional governance.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s presence underscored Ghana’s support for regional stability and cooperation, particularly at a time when West Africa continues to navigate political and economic reforms.

The Vice President’s visit also reflected Ghana’s commitment to sustained dialogue and collaboration with Guinea in areas including trade, security, democratic governance and regional integration.

The mission carried historical significance, renewing ties that date back to the post-independence era when Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and Guinea’s first leader, Ahmed Sékou Touré, championed Pan-African unity.

Following his overthrow in 1966, Dr. Nkrumah was hosted in Guinea and named Co-President by President Sékou Touré, a gesture that symbolised the deep friendship between the two nations.

According to officials, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s participation at the ceremony reaffirmed that shared legacy and signalled a renewed commitment to the partnership envisioned by the two Pan-Africanists decades ago.

The investiture ceremony, held at the Stade Général Lansana Conté, attracted several African and international leaders who gathered to witness Guinea’s new chapter of governance.

Ghana’s delegation included the Chief of Staff at the Office of the Vice President, Alex Segbefia; the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; and the Spokesperson to the Vice President, Maame Ama Pratt, among other officials.

ALSO READ:

• From camouflage to tracksuits – Guinea’s junta leader becomes civilian president

• Equatorial Guinea changes capital, Ciudad de la Paz replaces Malabo

That’s according to India’s Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), which presently grants over 4,000 scholarships annually across various schemes for students from around 130 countries. More than a quarter of the total, representing 1,100 slots annually, are dedicated to students from 54 African countries under the India-Africa Scholarship Scheme.

In her briefing to a delegation of 27 distinguished journalists, mainly from West and Central Africa and Oceania as part of their familiarization programme in India, hosted by the XP Division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Director General of ICCR Nandini K. Singla noted that fostering people-to-people ties through education remains core to India’s values and foreign policy position.

With India’s recent geopolitical rise as the world’s fourth-largest economy, Nandini Singla added that it was time for “brotherly civilisations” – Africa, whose partnership with India has evolved through shared historical experiences and a common development journey to further deepen collaboration to tap into the advancement of India for shared prosperity.

“We are not expecting anything in return..If one part of the world prospers while another remains poor, it eventually affects us all” the diplomat said.

She also explained that currently, amongst the top 10 countries availing the highest number of ICCR scholarships, five are from Africa with a total of 3,020 students from 45 African countries actively pursuing their studies in India under ICCR scholarships, including 727 at Andhra University and 188 at Delhi University alone.

“This is funded by the average Indian citizen,” Nandini Singla stated while adding that “India does not receive overseas development assistance. We stopped taking foreign aid many years ago. What we do in Africa and other developing regions is financed domestically.”

India’s Council for Cultural Relations ICCR has had a longstanding belief that Culture and education are powerful bridges. From its establishment until 1958, the ICCR was under the administrative jurisdiction of India’s Education Ministry.

In April 1970, the country’s Ministry of External Affairs assumed administrative and operational control of the Council in 1970-71 with a view to making the Council an effective instrument of India’s foreign policy.

With 37,000 Africans having received training and education in India over the years under scholarship and capacity-building programmes, this latest bid to support more Africa could lessen the cost burden for many of the countries across the continent which are facing a youth bulge.

Figures so far give Museveni 74% of the vote, with Wine on 23%, based on returns from 81% of polling stations.

Wine’s party said on social media that a helicopter had landed in the grounds of his house in the capital, Kampala, and “forcibly taken him away to an unknown destination”.

The son of the opposition leader said both his parents have been seized by the military, but difficulty accessing the internet in the country has made it difficult to verify this claim.

The local police told the BBC they were not aware of the incident.

Earlier, Wine said he had been placed under house arrest, with security forces surrounding his home, after he alleged fraud had taken place in Thursday’s election.

At that stage, police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke told local broadcaster NBS that as a presidential contestant, Wine was “a person of interest”, adding that the heavy security deployment around his home was for his own security.

Some local journalists said security forces had blocked them from accessing the opposition leader’s home in Kampala’s Magere area.

Wine told his supporters to ignore the “fake results” that have been announced, saying the authorities have been “stealing the vote”. He did not provide any evidence to back up his claim and the authorities have not responded to his allegations.

Late on Thursday, at least seven opposition supporters were killed in disputed circumstances in Butambala, about 55km (35 miles) south-west of the capital.

The internet shutdown imposed earlier in the week means news of the violence only emerged on Friday.

MP Muwanga Kivumbi, from Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) party, told the AFP news agency that soldiers and police fired tear gas and then live bullets at hundreds of people who were following early results announcements at his home.

“Ten were killed inside my house,” he said.

Human rights activist Agather Atuhaire confirmed this account to the Reuters news agency.

However, local police spokesperson Lydia Tumushabe disputes this, maintaining police fired in self-defence after “a group of NUP goons” had attacked a police station and planned to overrun a tallying centre.

She told Reuters they were carrying machetes, axes and boxes of matches and said at least seven people had been killed.

Later on Friday, the US embassy issued an alert to its citizens because of reports the security forces were “using tear gas and firing into the air to disperse gatherings”.

Following the 2021 election, in which he garnered 35% of the vote, Wine was confined to his home for several days by security forces.

Electoral chief Simon Byabakama said on Friday that the vote counting had not been affected by the internet blackout as the commission was using a “private system” to transmit results from districts to the national tally centre.

Asked about the timing of the final results announcement, Byabakama said: “We are on course to announce the winner of the presidential election within 48 hours. Before 5 PM [14:00 GMT] tomorrow, we shall have the final results.”

Thursday’s election followed an often violent campaign, with President Museveni, 81, seeking a seventh term in office. He first took power as a rebel leader in 1986.

Wine, a 43-year-old pop star-turned-politician, who says he represents the youth in a country where most of the population is aged under 30, has promised to tackle corruption and impose sweeping reforms, while Museveni argues he is the sole guarantor of stability and progress in Uganda.

Last week, the United Nation’s Human Rights Office said that the election would be marked by “widespread repression and intimidation”.

During Thursday’s vote, voting was delayed by up to four hours in many polling stations around the country as ballot boxes were slow to arrive and biometric machines, used to verify voters’ identity, did not work properly.

Some have linked the problems to the network outage.

Although there are six other candidates, the presidential poll is a two-horse race between Museveni and Wine.

The campaign period was marred by the disruption of opposition activities – security forces have been accused of assaulting and detaining Wine’s supporters.

Rusoke, the police spokesperson, dismissed these complaints, accusing opposition supporters of being disruptive.

Internet access was suspended on Tuesday, with Uganda’s Communications Commission saying the blackout was necessary to prevent misinformation, fraud and the incitement of violence – a move condemned by the UN human rights office as “deeply worrying”.

The development was disclosed in a Facebook post by the Ministry of Education on Thursday, January 15.

According to the Ministry, Burkina Faso’s Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. David Kabré, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, to discuss practical ways of deepening educational ties between the two countries.

Beyond student admissions, the discussions also addressed language barriers, with Burkina Faso proposing the training and deployment of teachers to improve English language instruction in the Francophone country.

In response, Minister Iddrisu assured the Ambassador of Ghana’s commitment to the initiative and announced plans for a Labour Exchange Programme. Under the programme, Ghanaian teachers will be deployed to Burkina Faso to teach English, while Burkinabè teachers will come to Ghana to teach French.

The initiatives are expected to boost cross-border academic exchange, promote bilingual education, and further strengthen regional integration between Ghana and Burkina Faso.

READ ALSO:

• Uganda shuts down internet ahead of election, orders rights groups to halt work
• Ghana orders four helicopters for defence and transport operations – Airbus
• Thousands of Nigerians flee after gang leader threatens to kill them
• Concerned Drivers demand the removal of Transport Minister over poor management of transport crisis

The Uganda Communications Commission ordered mobile service providers to shut down public internet connections from 6 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Tuesday in order to curb “misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks”, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

Security forces have detained hundreds of opposition supporters in the run-up to the election and repeatedly fired live bullets and tear gas at campaign events in support of Museveni’s leading challenger, pop star Bobi Wine.

REPORTS OF ARBITRARY ARRESTS

The U.N. Human Rights Office said in a report on Friday that Uganda’s police and military had used live ammunition to disperse peaceful rallies, carried out arbitrary detentions and abducted opposition supporters ahead of the vote.

A Ugandan government spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on the report.

Museveni’s government has defended the security forces’ actions as a justified response to what it called lawless conduct by opposition supporters.

“The UCC acknowledges the operational challenges this directive may impose and appreciates your full cooperation in upholding national stability during this sensitive period,” the UCC said in the letter dated Tuesday and addressed to Licensed Mobile Operators and Internet Service Providers.

The 81-year-old Museveni, who came to power in 1986 after leading a five-year rebellion, is Africa’s third-longest ruling head of state.

He has changed the constitution twice to remove age and term limits, and his dominance of Ugandan institutions means there is little prospect of an election upset in the East African country of 46 million people, political analysts say.

WATCHDOGS HAVE SPOKEN OUT ABOUT RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

Uganda’s internet went out at 6 p.m. local time, a Reuters witness confirmed.

The government also early on Tuesday ordered two local rights groups to cease operations before Thursday’s election, which the United Nations Human Rights Office says is taking place in an atmosphere of repression and intimidation.

The two groups had denounced the alleged arbitrary detention and torture of opposition supporters and journalists.

The state-run National Bureau for NGOs said in a letter to one of the groups, Chapter Four Uganda, that it was found to be involved in activities “prejudicial” to Uganda’s security and “should cease operations … with immediate effect”.

Robert Ssempala, who heads the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U), told Reuters he had received the same letter ordering his organisation to stop operating.

Stephen Okello, head of the state NGO bureau, confirmed to Reuters that he had written the letters.

REPORTS OF ARBITRARY ARRESTS

The U.N. Human Rights Office said in a report on Friday that Uganda’s police and military had used live ammunition to disperse peaceful rallies, carried out arbitrary detentions and abducted opposition supporters ahead of the vote.

A Ugandan government spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on the report.

Museveni’s government has defended the security forces’ actions as a justified response to what it called lawless conduct by opposition supporters.

ALSO READ:

• Polls open in tense Uganda election amid widespread delays

• From teen mother to diplomatic trailblazer: Meet the 20-year-old British High Commissioner to Uganda

Officials say Bello Turji leads one of many armed gangs which terrorise predominantly Muslim northwest Nigeria, killing and abducting residents, farmers, students and motorists for ransom.

Violence in Africa’s most populous country has attracted the attention of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has accused the government of failing to prevent the killing of Christians. Nigeria says gangs and militants target both Christians and Muslims and that Christians are not systematically persecuted.

Residents of the northwestern Tidibale community say Turji suspects a tip-off from the community to security forces led to recent military operations that killed one of his men.

Turji visited Tidibale three days ago and killed three people to enforce his order to the community to leave, said Basharu Altine Guyawa, Sokoto state coordinator of the Movement for Social Justice and Good Governance.

“He told them if anyone remains when he returns, they will be killed. He said he will not spare even a chicken,” Guyawa said.

Islamist militants from Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram are also active in the region, where insurgency has persisted for 15 years. Last month, the United States carried out a strike against Islamic State militants in the northwest.

The Sokoto police spokesperson said residents were fleeing Tidibale community for fear of attack and that more police had been deployed to the area.

Local authorities have been evacuating people by truck to Isa, about 50 km (30 miles) away. Muhammad Ibrahim, secretary of the community security committee in Isa, said more than 3,000 people have been moved, including into the town’s schools.

“There is a humanitarian crisis. Educational activities have stopped,” Ibrahim said.

Tidibale lies about 100 km east of the state capital Sokoto. Local activists warn that dozens of villages have been abandoned as violence by armed gangs escalates in Nigeria’s northwest.

“The past three weeks were horrific. Killings and abductions have persisted,” said Usman Musa, a father of 15 who fled to Isa. “The government has ignored us. I want them to flush these bandits out.”

ALSO READ:

• Nigeria hires US lobbyists to nurture Trump ties, communicate Christian protection efforts

• US suspends immigrant visa processing for Nigeria, Ghana, and 73 other Countries [Full list]