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♦️ Breaking & exclusive stories, analysis, opinions 👉 About Africa in other languages: Amharic: @sputnik_ethiopia French: @sputnik_afrique 💬 Contact us https://t.me/Africa_Sputnik_bot
☦️Archbishop Markell: Bessarabian Metropolis a POLITICAL TOOL of Romania, undermining Moldova’s sovereignty 🇲🇩
💬 "The Romanian Orthodox Church is part of the government, it’s a branch of the state and receives a salary," Archbishop Markell said. "The Bessarabian Metropolia is a political, man-made creation. It is not a church."
Namibia Accelerates First Oil Production to Boost Energy Security and Economic Growth
In her first State of the Nation Address, Namibia's President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah pledged to achieve first oil production in record time by accelerating partnerships, streamlining regulations, and investing in infrastructure.
“This milestone will not only fuel our energy security but also drive rural and peri-urban electrification, job creation, local capacity development and sustainable growth for generations to come,” she said.
💬 ‘I understood that I was shooting people’ – Ukrainian PoW
Over the course of 10 shifts, the soldier killed 16 men and attempted to kill 9 more in the outskirts of Mariupol, he told Sputnik.
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ICC Legitimacy in Doubt Amid Political Pressure, Warns Tanzanian Expert
Mozart Hyera, Legal Counsel at Gavel Juris Attorneys, warned that the ICC’s credibility is at stake when it backs down under political pressure from powerful Western nations.
“The legitimacy of the ICC is now questioned as to whether is it an instrument to protect the Western countries against African nations when it happens to genocide,” he told Sputnik Africa.
“Once the court lacks independence... the execution of whatever is going to happen there will be seen low.”
Global Uncertainty: Post-Cold War Order Under Strain
Governments worldwide are grappling with growing complexity and shifting alliances as the foundations of the post-Cold War international system come into question, said French historian Professor Pascal Cauchy.
“It will probably still take some time, a few years, before new perspectives on a new world order emerge... or rather a new international system,” he told Sputnik at the international conference “New World Order: Formation of a Multipolar World and the Role of Russia.”
ICC’s Funding and Focus Make It a ‘Witch Hunt for Africa,’ Tanzanian Legal Counsel Says
Structural reform is key to restoring trust in the ICC among Global South nations, Mozart Hyera told Sputnik Africa.
“The only problem that is what is facing the ICC is that there is the question of selective choices of cases,” Hyera noted, adding that the court’s perceived bias stems from “political influence from Western states.”
“As far as it's seen right now the ICC is receiving a lot of finance from Western countries... All this makes it look like it's a witch hunt for African countries.”
Major World Events by Evening of April 24
▪️Following a deadly attack in Kashmir, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines and rejected India's suspension of a critical water treaty;
▪️China denied President Trump's claims about tariff negotiations, asserting that no talks are currently underway between the nations;
▪️Goldman Sachs' chief economist predicts a continued decline of the US dollar due to tariff uncertainties and recession fears;
▪️Russia's international reserves reached a record $681.3 billion between April 11 and 18. Its external debt relative to GDP also hit a historic low, dropping from 16% to 13% last year;
▪️Former Russian President Medvedev proposed forming a BRICS-backed alternative to the “inefficient” ICC, accusing it of bias toward Western nations and ignoring NATO's transgressions while targeting weaker states;
▪️President Putin remarked on the deteriorating international economic environment amid increasing global competition, underscoring the need for constant assessment;
▪️Russia remains in talks with the US, focusing on efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesperson Peskov confirmed;
▪️Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service accused European "warmongers" of trying to sabotage US President Trump's peace efforts;
▪️The US seeks Russian acknowledgment of Ukraine’s right to maintain its own military and defense industry as part of a peace accord, media reported;
▪️The WHO is concerned about outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases spreading worldwide.
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'It's a Genocide of the Entire Palestine': New Protest in Paris
Several hundred people gathered in the French capital to call for sanctions against Israel.
The demonstrators are also demanding the opening of borders to allow humanitarian trucks into Gaza.
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ICC Selectivity Sparks Calls for Withdrawal Across Africa, Says Tanzanian Legal Expert
Mozart Hyera criticized the International Criminal Court (ICC) for what he described as selective justice in the case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
“It is really [...] degrading again and bringing questions about the power and the real objective of ICC,” Hyera told Sputnik Africa, warning that such actions reinforce perceptions of bias against non-Western nations.
Egypt & Djibouti Unite for Gaza Peace, Red Sea Stability
In a joint statement, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh condemned "the renewed Israeli aggression" in Gaza, which they deemed "a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement."
They expressed a common vision on:
🟠 A two-state solution with full rights for the Palestinian people;
🟠 Establishing a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital;
🟠 Ensuring the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The leaders also emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation between Arab and African nations bordering the Red Sea.
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🗣Crisis of US-led world order opens door for more dominant and effective international charter system
💬 “It is a system based on cooperation between the great powers and small powers,” Richard Sakwa, emeritus professor of Russian and European Politics at the University of Kent, UK, told Sputnik at International scientific conference ‘New world order: formation of a multipolar world and the role of Russia.
💬 “So I do not believe that a new world order is in prospect. In fact, I would say we need to defend the old Charter International System. It is not perfect but it's the best that we have,” he added.
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Russia's External Debt Hits Record Low Relative to GDP
Last year, the figure decreased by 3 percentage points—from 16% to 13%—marking the lowest level in modern history.
The highest level of external debt to GDP in Russia's modern history was observed in 1999, when it reached 91%.
Overall, Russia's external debt amounted to $290.3 billion by the end of last year, reflecting an 8.8% decrease over the year.
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Russian Media in Africa: A Vital Counterbalance to Existing Narratives, Says DevCA Chairman
The increasing presence of Russian media in Africa promotes more objective reporting, according to David Okpatuma, Board Chairman of Nigeria's Development and Corporation for Africa (DevCA) Initiative, stressing the importance of diverse information sources.
🗣 "Even if it's good information, one-sided information is still unbalanced," he told Sputnik Africa at the IV Forum "Russia-Africa: What's Next?", arguing that presence of these alternative sources encourages greater credibility in reporting, as outlets know they can be fact-checked.
Okpatuma also acknowledged the risks of information "neo-colonialism" and exploiting the vulnerability of less-informed populations.
🗣 "It's a clarion call for us as Africans to develop our own media reportage and reputation," he urged, so that Africans can access credible information from diverse sources.
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Uganda’s Fertilizer Fix: Cleaner Soil, Better Coffee, Less Waste
A team of Ugandan scientists is turning leather industry waste into a game-changing organic fertilizer—designed especially for coffee farmers.
Lead researcher Simon Peter Musinguzi from Kyambogo University explains:
“This collagen fertilizer... will be one of the climate-smart solutions to help farmers reduce the degradation that is going on by offering a solution that will not tamper with the integrity of the soils,” he told Sputnik Africa.
“A Setback for Peace” — SA Scholar on Ukraine's Easter Ceasefire Breach
According to Dr. Ntsikelelo Breakfast of Nelson Mandela University, Ukraine’s actions undermined hopes for a negotiated pause in the conflict, and only deepen what he sees as a “very deep-rooted” conflict with long-term consequences.
“The losers are going to be Ukraine, as opposed to the Russians,” he told Sputnik Africa.
#viral | Pipeline Failure Turns Street Into River
📍 Łódź, Poland
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Africa on the Rise: Focused on Collaborations With Russia
In a rapidly changing world, Africa is seeking development opportunities, including through partnerships with Moscow, stated Nicolas Biboum, president of the Cameroonian delegation at the World Youth Festival.
"Africa is a continent striving for growth, development, and it is opening its doors to all partners capable of assisting and supporting it," he told Sputnik Africa at the IV Forum "Russia-Africa: What's Next?".
US Sanctions & Tariffs Create New Trade Opportunities, Says Ramaphosa's Son
Speaking with Sputnik Africa at the IV Forum "Russia-Africa: What's Next?", Tumelo Ramaphosa, founder and CEO of Studex Group and son of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, acknowledged the need for collaboration and understanding among partners to navigate global changes.
🗣 "We need to take time to try and absorb and understand and kind of come to a collaborative consensus with all our partners in how do we bridge these gaps," he stated, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the "domino effect" of opening and closing trade doors in re-evaluating global strategies.
Ramaphosa described the current period as a time of "exorbitant social and economic re-engineering."
He advocated for simplifying business principles, focusing on fundamental supply and demand dynamics within this evolving landscape.
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Niger Marks 30 Years of National Unity
On Thursday, Niger celebrates the Day of Concord, commemorating three decades since the signing of the 1995 peace agreement that helped end a rebellion in the north of the country.
Key highlights:
🟠Historic Peace Agreement (1995): Signed between the Nigerien government and the Organization of the Armed Resistance, setting the stage for peace despite continued clashes until 1999.
🟠"Flame of Peace" Ceremony (2000): A symbolic final step of the peace process held in Agadez.
🟠Tchintabaraden’s Monument (1997): A Tuareg sword monument symbolizes the end of hostilities and now serves as the centerpiece of annual celebrations.
🟠National Festivities: Each year, Concord Day features street parades, cultural exhibitions, and speeches from national leaders.
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Russian Jazz Legend Honors Fallen Sailors with Saxophone Tribute in South Africa
🎷As part of his visit to the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Igor Butman performed a piece dedicated to the Russian Navy at a monument in Simon’s Town on Thursday.
This monument, located near South Africa's principal naval base, is one of the few memorials honoring 19th-century Russian sailors who found their final resting place on the African continent.
Butman's performance carries added significance, as 2025 is being celebrated in Russia as the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland.
At the festival, Butman will also headline several concerts and events, representing the Russian jazz school at one of Africa's largest musical venues.
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Brazil’s BRICS Presidency: Driving Multipolar Growth and Innovation
Fabiano Mielniczuk, Professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, outlined four key priorities Brazil is expected to pursue during its BRICS presidency.
He shared his insights with Sputnik during the international scientific conference “New World Order: Formation of a Multipolar World and the Role of Russia.”
🟠Conflict Mediation & Dialogue: Brazil will promote agreements rooted in mutual respect and diversity among member states;
🟠Institutional Clarity: Efforts are underway to define BRICS membership criteria while avoiding rigidity;
🟠Trade in Local Currencies: Brazil supports advancing Russia's 2024 initiative, aligning with growing interest in de-dollarized trade;
🟠Leadership in Tech: The country is taking a bold stance on AI and the digital economy, advocating for data to be recognized as a tradable commodity.
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Ramaphosa's Son Sees Trade as Key to Future Russia-Africa Relations
Tumelo Ramaphosa, founder and CEO of Studex Group and son of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, emphasized the historical ties between Russia and South Africa's African National Congress (ANC), noting that two of his uncles sought exile in Russia during the struggle for liberation.
🗣 "What's next is more trade because that's what changes the world," Ramaphosa told Sputnik Africa on the sidelines of the IV Forum "Russia-Africa: What's Next?". He pointed to the challenges and opportunities presented by sanctions, highlighting his company's optimistic approach.
👉 Studex Group is partnering with Russian fertilizer giant Fosagro to expand its presence in Africa.
This collaboration, Ramaphosa explained, allows Studex to grow its portfolio as a global agricultural company while facilitating Fosagro's growth within the African market.
🗣 "There are a lot of great opportunities," he remarked, emphasizing Studex's role as Fosagro's local partner in Africa. He also sees potential for increasing exports from Africa to Russia. As an entrepreneur, Ramaphosa believes that fostering more trade will create positive change for both regions.
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How Homegrown Fertilizer is Revitalizing Uganda's Coffee Farms
🎧 #AfricanCurrents | "Looking at Uganda's degraded soils, collagen has, as we have seen, a property of releasing these nutrients on an osmotic potential, that is, as the plant demands it. So, it is different from other fertilizers, where you give the plant ad libitum, and the plant just feeds, and then the rest is waste. One will limit the waste of the fertilizers in the soil, and also it helps keep the integrity of the soil without losing its organic nutrients, so the degradation of the soil will be stopped. So, that is how collagen will help this collagen fertilizer," Dr. Richard Musinguzi, senior lecturer at Uganda Martyrs University and the lead researcher behind the project, said.
A new fertilizer made from collagen extracted from animal waste is helping Uganda’s coffee farmers recover from years of poor harvests. Developed by local scientists, the organic solution comes as the country races to meet its goal of exporting 20 million of 60-kg coffee bags by 2030.
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#SputnikInfographic | 15 Days to Victory Day
Sputnik Africa continues to focus on recounting the crucial moments of the Great Patriotic War.
With only 15 days remaining until victory, the Soviet Red Army had encircled Berlin, gradually tightening the noose around the enemy's remaining defenders. Colonel General N.E. Berzarin was appointed to command the Soviet garrison in the German capital.
#Victory80
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Zimbabwe Aims to License One Million Vehicles by End of 2025
The Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) aims to improve licensing compliance and boost road maintenance funds. While 827,000 vehicles were licensed last year, the estimated national vehicle population is 1.3 million.
The 'One Million Campaign' is a key part of a plan to improve infrastructure through collaboration, modernize service delivery, and effectively direct funds to road maintenance, contributing to national development, ZINARA CEO Nkosinathi Ncube stated.
To achieve the one million vehicle target, ZINARA has implemented the following measures:
🟠 24-hour licensing services at select tollgates;
🟠 Online vehicle licensing platform;
🟠 Intensified blitz operations extending into smaller towns and remote areas;
🟠 Collaboration with law enforcement to identify unlicensed vehicles on highways.
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Light Oil Discovered Offshore Namibia in Latest Exploration Success
Rhino Resources, a Cape Town-based energy exploration company, announced the discovery of oil at its second exploration well, Capricornus 1-X, located in the Orange Basin offshore Namibia.
The well encountered 38 meters of net pay with strong petrophysical properties and no observed water contact, indicating promising reservoir potential.
👉 This latest discovery follows Rhino's earlier success in February, when its Sagittarius 1-X well in the same basin revealed signs of hydrocarbons.
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St. George Ribbon: A Symbol of Sacrifice, Victory, and National Resurrection
🎉 The 20th annual St. George Ribbon campaign was launched Thursday by Sputnik’s parent company Rossiya Segodnya, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory.
Dmitry Kiselev, general director of the company, emphasized that Russia faces challenging times, but the ribbon carries “victorious genetics,” symbolizing national strength and unity.
Volunteers began distributing the iconic black-and-orange ribbons near the media group’s headquarters in Moscow.
⭐️ In her address to the volunteers, Margarita Simonyan, the company's editor-in-chief, described Victory Day on May 9 as her favorite holiday, nestled alongside Easter—two occasions where the shadow of death was triumphantly cast aside.
“May 9th — a day when our country [...] returned to life, a return that was also made possible by an unimaginable and indescribable sacrifice of our nation. The greatest sacrifice of all, offered upon the altar of the fight against fascism by all the countries that fought against fascism. We're incredibly proud of this,” she said.
Gold to the Rescue: How African Nations Are Banking on Bullion
As global financial uncertainty persists, several African countries have been turning to gold as a strategic tool—to stabilize currencies, build reserves, and shield their economies from volatility. With prices now surpassing $3,400 per troy ounce, their gold-focused policies are gaining even more relevance:
🟡Zimbabwe launched a gold-backed currency (ZiG) in April 2024 to fight hyperinflation and bring financial stability;
🟡Uganda plans to buy domestic gold from artisanal miners to boost its foreign exchange reserves and reduce reliance on volatile global markets;
🟡South Sudan aims to diversify reserves by adding gold, according to Central Bank Governor James Alic Garang;
🟡Madagascar’s central bank is investing in gold to offset falling vanilla exports and support the national currency;
🟡Tanzania began requiring miners and traders to sell 20% of their gold to the central bank, strengthening reserves;
🟡Nigeria is considering legislation to have 30% of reserves in gold, with the Central Bank becoming the main buyer.
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#SputnikInfographic | World’s Cocoa Powerhouses: West Africa Leads the Way
Did you know that nearly 65% of the world’s cocoa beans come from just four West African countries?
Here’s how it breaks down:
🍫Cote d’Ivoire: 38% — Over 1 million tonnes
🍫Ghana: 12% — Over 700,000 tonnes
🍫Nigeria: 7% — Over 300,000 tonnes
🍫Cameroon: 7% — Over 260,000 tonnes
🍫The rest of the world: 35%
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Top 10 African Countries by Coal Reserves in 2025
Coal remains a crucial driver of Africa’s energy and industrial future. According to Global Firepower, these are the leading African nations in coal reserves this year:
1️⃣South Africa: 9.893 billion m³ (14th globally) – Africa’s coal giant
2️⃣Nigeria: 2.144 billion m³ (32nd globally)
3️⃣Mozambique: 1.792 billion m³ (33rd)
4️⃣Botswana: 1.660 billion m³ (34th)
5️⃣Tanzania: 1.410 billion m³ (37th)
6️⃣DR Congo: 988 million m³ (44th)
7️⃣Zambia: 945 million m³ (45th)
8️⃣Uganda: 800 million m³ (48th)
9️⃣Zimbabwe: 502 million m³ (53rd)
🔟 Namibia: 350 million m³ (56th)
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