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🇿🇼 "Blood and Guns at Gweru Mine: Chinese Nationals Assault Zimbabwean Worker"
A shocking video has gone viral showing a violent altercation at the Ming Chang Sino Africa mine in Gweru, Zimbabwe. Kholwani Dube, a dismissed worker, returned to demand his unpaid wages but was met with brutality, including knives and gunfire. The Chinese supervisor, Liu Haifeng, allegedly pointed a gun at Dube, who was later stabbed and tied up. The mine claims self-defense, but public outrage is mounting over this blatant abuse of power.
This incident highlights recurring tensions in Zimbabwe’s mining sector, where Chinese employers face allegations of worker mistreatment and exploitation. It raises urgent questions about labor rights enforcement and the accountability of foreign-owned enterprises.
🖇 Source
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇸🇩 Intense Battles Near Al-Jili Oil Refinery: Sudanese Army and RSF Clash
Fierce fighting has erupted near the strategically important al-Jili oil refinery, located 70 km north of Khartoum, as the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) clash for control of this critical infrastructure. The army launched a multi-pronged offensive, advancing towards key areas like the refinery and Rotana Mills, while the RSF denied these reports amid heavy artillery exchanges.
The ongoing conflict, which began in April 2023, has already claimed over 61,000 lives and displaced millions. The battle for the refinery highlights the struggle for control of vital resources in a war that has devastated Sudan’s capital and its surroundings. The humanitarian crisis deepens as essential services collapse, leaving civilians in dire need of aid.
🖇 Source
#Sudan
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🇦🇴 Angola Seeks UN Support for DR Congo-Rwanda Peace
Angola has called on the UN Security Council to strengthen its support for the Luanda Process, an initiative aimed at resolving tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. The appeal was made during a working lunch with UNSC members, hosted by Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister. The focus was on the escalating conflict in eastern DRC, driven by the M23 rebel group, which continues to destabilize the region despite a ceasefire agreement brokered in July 2024.
#Angola #DRC #Rwanda
@africaintel
🇩🇿 Freed Spanish Hostage Returns Safely to Algiers After Sahel Kidnapping
Gilbert Navarro, a Spanish tourist kidnapped near the Algeria-Mali border, has been safely released and returned to Algiers. Navarro was abducted on January 14 by an armed group linked to organized crime networks in the Sahel. The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) played a key role in negotiating his release, surrounding the kidnappers and securing his freedom.
Navarro expressed gratitude to Algerian authorities, stating he was "still in shock" but thankful for the support. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune praised the security forces for their "efficiency and discretion" in the operation. This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the Sahel, a region plagued by terrorism and organized crime.
🖇 Source
#Algeria #Mali #Sahel
@africaintel
🇰🇪 Shocking Arrest in Nairobi: Man Carries Wife's Dismembered Body Parts
In a chilling incident, a 29-year-old man, John Kiama Wambua, was arrested in Nairobi for allegedly carrying his wife’s dismembered body parts in a backpack. Police discovered the remains during a routine patrol in the Huruma area. Wambua confessed to killing his 19-year-old wife, Joy Fridah Munani, following an argument and attempted to dispose of her body by dismembering it. Additional body parts were later found hidden under his bed, along with a knife and blood-stained clothing.
This case sheds light on Kenya’s disturbing rise in femicide, with over 97 women killed between August and October 2023 alone.
🖇 Source
#Kenya
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🇱🇾 Italian Police Apprehend Libyan Warlord Wanted by ICC
In a major development, Italian police have arrested Ossama al-Masri, a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Al-Masri, head of the Tripoli detention center network under the Special Defence Force (SDF), is accused of war crimes and human rights abuses during Libya’s civil war. The arrest occurred in Turin after he attended a soccer match, marking a significant step in international justice efforts.
The ICC has been investigating widespread atrocities in Libyan detention facilities, including torture and extrajudicial killings. While human rights groups applaud the arrest, others, including al-Masri’s allies, have criticized it as "arbitrary." However, in a surprising twist, al-Masri was reportedly expelled back to Libya after legal hurdles in Italy, highlighting challenges in pursuing accountability.
🖇 Source
#Libya #Italy
@africaintel
🇷🇼 Rwanda and Jordan Strengthen Ties with New Agreements
Rwanda and Jordan have signed key cooperation agreements in political consultations, higher education, and a visa waiver for diplomatic and service passports. This move reflects the nations' commitment to deepening bilateral relations and fostering collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
🖇 Source
#Rwanda #Jordan
@africaintel
🇰🇪 Kenya Opens Its Doors to African Visitors
Kenya has waived visa requirements for all African nationals (except Somalia and Libya), granting a two-month stay.
This move aims to boost tourism, enhance regional integration, and support the African Union’s vision of free movement across the continent.
#Kenya
@africaintel
🇷🇼🇹🇬 Rwanda and Togo: A New Chapter of Partnership
Rwanda and Togo are strengthening their bilateral ties through key agreements in agriculture, trade, investment, green financing, and energy. During Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé’s visit to Rwanda in January 2025, both nations committed to deepening cooperation by finalizing agreements on visa exemptions, double taxation avoidance, and establishing a permanent joint commission.
🤝 The discussions also explored aligning their domestic laws with the AfCFTA Investment Protocol, aiming to boost intra-African trade and sustainable investment. With Togo’s economy projected to grow by 6% in 2025, driven by agriculture and private sector investments, this partnership promises mutual benefits.
#Rwanda #Togo
@africaintel
🇳🇬 Nigeria Gas Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Climbs to 98
On January 18, 2025, a catastrophic gasoline tanker explosion near Suleja, Niger State, claimed 98 lives and left dozens injured. The incident occurred when a tanker carrying 60,000 liters of petrol overturned, spilling its contents. Locals attempting to collect the spilled fuel ignited it with a generator, causing a massive explosion and fire.
This tragedy highlights the recurring dangers of Nigeria’s poor road infrastructure and desperation driven by soaring fuel prices. Similar incidents have claimed hundreds of lives in recent months, underscoring the urgent need for stricter safety regulations.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
🇹🇿 Tanzania Confirms Marburg Virus Outbreak
Tanzania has confirmed an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in the Kagera region, prompting urgent public health measures. The highly contagious virus, with a fatality rate of up to 88%, is spread through bodily fluids and contaminated surfaces.
The WHO first flagged the outbreak on January 14, but Tanzanian officials initially disputed the claims.
Further testing confirmed the virus, prompting a swift response involving surveillance, testing, and public awareness campaigns.
#Tanzania
@africaintel
🌍🇫🇷 Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy went on trial on Monday, on charges of having received millions of euros in illegal financing from Libya's late strongman Muammar Gaddafi for his successful 2007 presidential bid.
Sarkozy, who was relaxed and chatting with lawyers and other defendants in the courtroom before the hearing started, has always denied the accusations.
The conservative former leader faces charges of "concealment of embezzlement of public funds, passive corruption, illegal campaign financing and criminal conspiracy with a view to committing a crime," the financial prosecutor's office said.
#Africa #France
@africaintel
🌍🇫🇷 Still awaiting thanks for stopping Islamists in Sahel, Macron says
France's President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday he was still waiting for Africa's Sahel states to thank Paris for stopping them falling into the hands of militants and he dismissed suggestions his country had been forced out of the region.
Speaking to French ambassadors at an annual conference on foreign policy for 2025, Macron said France had been right to intervene in 2013 to fight Islamist militants even if those same states had now moved away from French military support.
"I think that they forgot to thank us, but that's ok, it will come in time," Macron said ironically.
French troops have in recent years pulled out of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso after successive military coups and are in the process of withdrawing from Chad, Senegal and Ivory Coast.
"None of them would have a sovereign state if the French army had not deployed in this region," Macron said.
Macron dismissed the notion that Paris had been kicked out of the region, saying it had decided to re-organise its strategy.
🇺🇬 Uganda's military head says he wants to behead opposition leader
The head of Uganda's military, who is also the son of longstanding President Yoweri Museveni, said he wanted to behead the country's most prominent opposition leader.
Muhoozi Kainerugaba is widely believed to be the heir apparent to his father, who has governed Uganda since 1986. Kainerugaba routinely makes inflammatory posts on social media, including a threat in 2022 to invade neighbouring Kenya.
Kainerugaba later apologised for that threat and sometimes says that certain posts are meant ironically.
In a post on X on Sunday evening, Kainerugaba said his father, whom he referred to by the honorific Mzee, was the only person protecting opposition leader Bobi Wine from him.
"If Mzee was not there, I would cut off his head today," Kainerugaba posted.
Bobi Wine, whose legal name is Robert Kyagulanyi and who finished second to Museveni in the 2021 presidential election, responded on X that he did not take the threat lightly, saying there had been several previous attempts on his life.
🇺🇬 Uganda's court orders government to pay LRA war crime victims
A Ugandan court has ordered the government to pay up to 10 million Ugandan shillings ($2,740) to each victim of Lord's Resistance Army commander Thomas Kwoyelo, the first senior member of the rebel group to be convicted by Uganda's judiciary.
In October, Kwoyelo, a mid-level commander in the LRA, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for war crimes including murder, rape, enslavement, torture and kidnapping.
According to the court ruling, Kwoyelo was found unable to pay any compensation to the victims due to his "indigent" status, leading the court to order the government to bear the cost.
The scale of Kwoyelo's atrocities, according to the ruling, was such that they amounted to "a manifestation of failure on the part of the government that triggers a responsibility on the state to pay reparations to the victims," the ruling said.
#Uganda
@africaintel
🇮🇹 Italy's Controversial Repatriation of Libyan Warlord Sparks Outrage
In a move that has drawn widespread criticism, Italy repatriated Libyan warlord Ossama Anjiem, accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, despite an ICC arrest warrant. Al-Masri was briefly detained in Turin but released on a procedural technicality and flown back to Libya, where he was celebrated by supporters.
Italian officials cited "urgent security reasons" for the decision, but critics accuse the government of hypocrisy and failing to uphold international justice. Human rights groups and the ICC have condemned the move, calling it a setback for accountability.
This incident highlights Italy's complex relationship with Libya, particularly in managing migration flows, raising questions about its commitment to human rights.
🖇 Source
#Italy #Libya
@africaintel
🇸🇸 South Sudan Shuts Down Social Media Amid Rising Violence
In a bid to curb escalating violence, the South Sudanese government has temporarily banned social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok. The move, enforced by the National Communication Authority (NCA), aims to stop the spread of graphic videos depicting attacks on South Sudanese refugees in Sudan, which have fueled retaliatory violence in Juba and other areas.
The shutdown, justified under the National Communication Act of 2012, has sparked public outcry as critics label it an act of censorship. Despite efforts to protect public safety, many argue that social media is essential for information access and freedom of expression. Meanwhile, both governments have called for restraint, with South Sudan imposing a curfew to maintain order.
🖇 Source
#SouthSudan
@africaintel
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe Issues Urgent Alert on Counterfeit Rabies Vaccine
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has issued an urgent warning about counterfeit ABHAYRAB rabies vaccines circulating in the country. These fake vaccines, distributed through unauthorized channels, may not provide protection against rabies, a fatal disease transmitted through animal bites.
Public health officials have urged citizens to only source vaccines from licensed providers and return any suspected counterfeit products to pharmacies. MCAZ is collaborating with law enforcement to trace and eliminate these dangerous fakes, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in safeguarding public health.
This alarming situation highlights the global threat of counterfeit medical products, as similar issues have been reported in other countries like the Philippines.
🖇 Source
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇾🇹 Mayotte Schools Reopen After Cyclone Chido’s Devastation
More than a month after Cyclone Chido ravaged Mayotte, schools are preparing to reopen despite ongoing challenges. The cyclone, one of the worst in a century, caused widespread destruction, leveling neighborhoods, damaging schools, and displacing thousands.
Teachers and staff are working tirelessly to secure classrooms, but uncertainty remains about student attendance as many families still struggle with the aftermath. The island’s fragile infrastructure, further strained by Tropical Storm Dikeledi, complicates recovery efforts.
🖇 Source
#Mayotte
@africaintel
🇨🇩 M23 Rebels Escalate Crisis in Eastern DRC
The M23 rebels have advanced into South Kivu, capturing strategic towns like Minova and Bweremana. This escalation threatens major cities, including Goma, and exacerbates an already dire humanitarian crisis. Over 178,000 people have been displaced, and the region faces severe food shortages.
The Congolese military is struggling to counter the rebels' gains, despite international support from SADC and MONUSCO. Local civil society groups warn of the growing risk to civilians and call for urgent action. The conflict risks sparking a wider regional war, echoing the devastating Second Congo War.
🖇 Source
#DRC
@africaintel
🇿🇦 How a Specialized Camera Saved Hundreds of Trapped Miners in South Africa
A specialized mine rescue camera played a pivotal role in rescuing hundreds of miners trapped 2.6 kilometers underground in South Africa. Lowered to a depth of 1,280 meters, the camera provided real-time visibility, enabling rescuers to optimize the rescue operation and save lives swiftly.
The trapped miners faced starvation and dehydration as they waited for help. Using the camera, rescuers established initial communication with the miners and confirmed the presence of around 480 individuals underground. The technology allowed for efficient coordination, with each rescue trip saving 12-13 miners at a time.
This incident highlights the life-saving potential of advanced technology in emergency situations, emphasizing the need for innovative tools in rescue missions.
🖇 Source
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
🌍 Sub-Saharan Africa: A Hotspot for Terrorism-Related Deaths
Sub-Saharan Africa now accounts for nearly 59% of global terrorism-related fatalities, with countries like Burkina Faso bearing the brunt.
The UN emphasizes addressing root causes such as poverty and inequality while adopting a human rights-based approach to counter-terrorism.
#Africa
@africaintel
🇲🇿 Mozambique's Political Shift: Daniel Chapo Set to Lead Frelimo
In a crucial development for Mozambique, President Daniel Chapo is poised to be confirmed as the President of the ruling Frelimo Party on February 14. This move follows his recent inauguration as the country’s fifth president, which was marked by protests and tight security. Historically, the roles of President of the Republic and Frelimo President have been held by the same individual, and this tradition is expected to continue. The upcoming Central Committee meeting will also decide on key positions, including the General Secretary, as part of the party's internal restructuring.
Chapo’s leadership comes at a turbulent time for Mozambique, with ongoing protests over disputed election results, a jihadist insurgency in Cabo Delgado, and significant economic challenges. Analysts highlight the need for dialogue with opposition leaders, particularly Venancio Mondlane, to stabilize the nation and restore investor confidence.
#Mozambique
@africaintel
🇺🇬 Sanctions against Uganda: will Trump change the rules of the game?
Donald Trump's return to the US presidency has sparked a debate about whether sanctions against Ugandan officials will be lifted . Under the Biden administration, figures such as Speaker Anita Among and Lt. Gen. Peter Elvelu were sanctioned for corruption and human rights violations , including the controversial Anti-Homosexuality Act .
Analysts suggest that while the Trump administration may reconsider the policy, lifting the sanctions will require tangible reforms in Uganda's governance. Meanwhile, Uganda has joined BRICS to resist Western pressure, but the economic and legal implications of the sanctions remain significant.
#Uganda
@africaintel
🇿🇦 Eskom's 300-Day Load Shedding-Free Milestone
South Africa’s national power utility, Eskom, has achieved a milestone of 300 consecutive days without load shedding as of January 20, 2025. This marks the longest period without power outages since June 2018, showcasing improvements in the country’s energy sector.
Key achievements include a 7.6% reduction in Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), R16.42 billion in diesel savings, and the return of Koeberg Unit 2 to the grid, adding 930MW. Eskom’s summer outlook remains optimistic, with no load shedding projected, thanks to improved generation performance and strategic use of peaking stations.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
🇨🇩 Rebels seize key town in eastern Congo
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized a strategic eastern town near the provincial capital Goma in Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Tutsi-led M23 group has been waging a renewed insurgency in eastern Congo since 2022. Congo and the United Nations accuse neighbouring Rwanda of backing the group with its own troops and weapons. Rwanda says it has taken what it calls defensive measures.
Fighting has flared in recent weeks, leading to territorial gains for M23, which is now in control of Masisi, a town and local administrative centre about 80 km (50 miles) from Goma, provincial parliament member Alexis Bahunga told.
"The government will take measures to restore state authority over the entire territory," he said. Another parliamentary deputy, Jean-Pierre Ayobangira Safari, said Masisi had been taken "for now".
#DRC
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❗️🇲🇱 Gold miner Barrick threatens to freeze Mali operations in row over rules
Canada's Barrick Gold said it would suspend operations in Mali if the country does not lift restrictions on gold shipments within the coming week, as mining companies face an increasingly hostile operating environment in West Africa.
The military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are trying to renegotiate terms and gain a bigger share of mining revenues after a series of coups that have seen them shift away from their traditional backers France, the United States and the United Nations towards Russia.
The Mali standoff, threats by Burkina Faso's junta to strip permits and the seizure of a French-run uranium site in Niger have unsettled Western miners in the region and could limit further investments, industry insiders say.
Barrick, whose Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex in Mali accounts for around 14% of its 2025 estimated gold output, has been in a dispute since 2023 with the country's government, over a contract based on new mining rules.
🌍🇨🇳 China's top diplomat began his annual New Year tour of Africa, maintaining a 35-year-long tradition, to quietly advance Beijing's already sizeable influence across the resource-rich continent as Europe's presence wanes and America's wavers.
While global capitals and investors brace for the return of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to the White House, and wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and domestic politics keep German and French ministers occupied, Foreign Minister Wang Yi being in Namibia, the Republic of Congo, Chad and Nigeria highlights the consistency of China's engagement with Africa, analysts say.
#Africa #China
@africaintel
🇨🇳🇹🇿 Opposition to Chinese-Funded Oil Pipeline Grows in East Africa
East African activists and communities have intensified their opposition to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), denouncing reports of possible Chinese financial support.
Protesters in Kampala and Dar es Salaam have demanded that Chinese embassies support renewable energy investments instead of EACOP, emphasizing the devastating impacts on communities and ecosystems. Activists are calling on Chinese institutions to reject the project.
I wonder who's funding them. Let me see. Have you heard anything about the eco-protests against the American Lobito Corridor project? Or against oil production by American companies? Neither have I.
#China #Tanzania
@africaintel
🇳🇬 Almost 800 arrested over Nigerian crypto-romance scam
Nigeria's anti-graft agency said it had arrested 792 suspects in a raid on a building believed to be a hub for fraudsters who lured victims with offers of romance, then pressed them to hand over cash for phoney cryptocurrency investments.
The suspects, including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals, were detained on Dec. 10 at the seven-storey Big Leaf Building in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren said.
The luxury building housed a call centre mostly targeting victims from the Americas and Europe, he added.
Staff there would make contact with people through social media and messaging platforms, including WhatsApp and Instagram, them seduce them online or offer them apparently lucrative investment opportunities.
Once victims were hooked, they were pressured to transfer money for fake cryptocurrency schemes and other non-existent projects.
#Nigeria
@africaintel