news

Zimbabwe Unveils National Development Strategy 2 for Vision 2030. Harare, Zimbabwe—The government has announced its National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2). The plan aims to help Zimbabwe achieve its Vision 2030 goals. The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) said NDS2 will focus on...

Zimbabwe to Boost Formal Sector, Enforce Informal Sector Compliance. Harare, Zimbabwe—Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said the government will soon announce measures to help the formal sector survive. The government also wants the informal sector to follow laws like paying taxes. Retailers are...

SADC to Hold Emergency Summit on DRC Security Crisis. Harare, Zimbabwe—President Emmerson Mnangagwa will lead a SADC emergency summit in Harare on Friday. The meeting will focus on the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). SADC, the Southern African Development...

Woman Testifies in Court About Alleged UK Visa Scam. Harare, Zimbabwe - A woman broke down in tears as she testified in court about the emotional and financial toll of an alleged scam. She says a Harare man promised her a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the United Kingdom but swindled her...

Illegal Gold Mining Threatens Cattle Farm in Zimbabwe's Matopos National Park. Matopos National Park, Zimbabwe - The government has sent security and environmental agencies to the Rhodes Estate in Matopos National Park. They want to stop illegal gold mining. The mining is harming a big cattle...

Zimbabwean Prosecutor Charged with Extortion. Guruve, Zimbabwe - Yolanda Alufasi, a 32-year-old public prosecutor at Guruve Magistrates' Court, has been charged with extortion. She appeared before the same court where she works. The court released Alufasi on US$150 bail. She must surrender her...

Zimbabwean Businessman Denies Alleged Bank Withdrawal Limit Increase Requests. Harare, Zimbabwe - Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has vehemently denied the authenticity of letters circulating on social media. The letters claim Chivayo requested increases to monthly withdrawal...

KINSHASA, Congo - The U.S. Embassy told Americans in Congo to stay home and plan to leave the country as protests spread in the capital. Tuesday's alert came after mobs attacked foreign embassies in Kinshasa. Rioters looted and burned parts of the French, Kenyan, and Uganda missions. The...

LONDON - Britain accused Rwanda on Monday of helping rebels take over Goma, eastern Congo's largest city. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy told Parliament that Rwanda's army gave crucial support to M23 rebels who captured Goma last week. Rwanda denies backing the rebels. "M23 could not have...

GOMA, Congo—Congo named Major General Somo Kakule Evariste North Kivu's military chief on Monday, days after rebels seized the key city of Goma. He takes command after his predecessor, General Peter Cirimani, died fighting M23 rebels last week. The appointment comes as government forces...

KINSHASA, Congo - President Félix Tshisekedi blamed Rwanda for Goma's fall to rebels and called for mass army recruitment in a national address Thursday. "A strong response against these terrorists and their sponsors is coming," Tshisekedi said, accusing Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels who...

LIRA, Uganda—President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni broke ground for the new Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City on Wednesday. The $129 million stadium will be built by Egypt's SAMCO National Construction Company and Khater Sports. Construction should take 20 months...

KAMPALA, Uganda - Uganda denied claims it backs M23 rebels after protesters attacked its embassy in Congo's capital this week. M23 forces took control of Goma, eastern Congo's largest city, on Tuesday. The rebel victory sparked riots in Kinshasa, where crowds damaged embassies of Uganda...

KAMPALA, Uganda - Uganda's spy chief Charles Oluka died Wednesday at age 57. Officials said he passed away at Seguku Hospital after a brief illness. Deputy presidential spokesman Faruk Kirunda announced the death of Oluka, who led the Internal Security Organisation (ISO). Sources said the spy...

ARUSHA, Tanzania—At a special summit Tuesday, East African leaders urged DRC President Félix Tshisekedi to open talks with M23 rebels. The leaders said military force alone cannot bring peace to eastern Congo. They asked Tshisekedi's government to meet with M23 and other armed groups to hear...

KIGALI/PRETORIA—Rwanda and South Africa traded harsh words Thursday after Rwanda's President Paul Kagame warned that he stands ready to confront South Africa if necessary. "If South Africa wants peace, that's good. But they can't play peacemaker here," Kagame said on social media platform X. He...

BANJUL, Gambia - The Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency (GLMA) denied claims of contract interference and illegal payments at Abuko Central Abattoir during a press conference Monday. The response came after the abattoir manager held a briefing last week to accuse the agency of wrongdoing. "The...

BANJUL, Gambia - A key figure in the "No to Alliance" movement claims former President Yahya Jammeh could win the 2026 election if he runs. Kebba Tumanding Sanneh told reporters Jammeh maintains strong support despite his absence from The Gambia. "He would win the 2026 elections even without...

NPP Official Challenges UDP Youth Leader's Claims on Gambian Progress. A senior member of Gambia's ruling National People's Party (NPP) has disputed recent statements made by the opposition UDP's National Youth President about the country's current state. NPP executive Essa Dampha rejected UDP...

JANJANBUREH, Gambia - The eighth annual Janjanbureh Kankurang and Masquerade Festival drew 5,000 visitors to celebrate Gambian cultural heritage from January 24-26, 2025. The three-day event featured traditional kankurang masquerades and performances from various regions. Residents welcomed...