Former Mauritanian Finance Minister Tah Elected President Of AfDB
Former Mauritanian finance minister, Sidi Ould Tah, has been elected president of the African Development Bank. Tah, who also headed the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, won after three rounds of voting by the AfDB's Board of Governors at their meeting in Abidjan, reportedly securing more than 76% of the votes in the end. In the weeks leading up to the May 29 vote, Tah promised to undertake internal reforms if elected. He spoke of the need to improve key functions of the Bank, such as reducing the time frame for the implementation of projects and attracting the necessary talent. Among what he said are the "four main pillars" - forming the basis of his leadership - are scaling up financing for development and strengthening the continent's financial architecture.
Somali Opposition Hold Crucial Talks As Rift With Govt Deepens
The talks brought together prominent opposition figures in the capital, Mogadishu. Organizers have said the consultations aim to establish a more unified front as disagreements with the federal government over proposed constitutional amendments deepen.
Wednesday's meeting was characterized as the launch of a series of planned opposition talks
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Kenya Mourns Passing of Acclaimed Author Ngugi wa Thiong'o
East African literary icon and acclaimed author Ngugi wa Thiong'o has died in the United States. He was 87. He was a passionate advocate of writing in indigenous African languages, notably Gikuyu, to resist colonial legacies and elevate African identity through his groundbreaking novels like The River Between, A Grain of Wheat, and Petals of Blood. His works, including The Upright Revolution, which has been translated into over 100 languages, and the radical play Ngaahika Ndeenda, led to his imprisonment by the Kenyan government in 1977. He was tipped to win the Nobel Prize for Literature countless times, leaving fans dismayed each time the medal slipped through his fingers. President William Ruto described Thiong'o as "Kenya's greatest man of letters" and a "fearless voice for justice, truth, and African identity."
Gen-Z Activists Dismiss Ruto's Tanzania Apology, Demand Resignation
Kenya's President William Ruto apologised to Tanzania after days of tension between the two countries, sparked by the detention and deportation of East African activists, including Kenya's Boniface Mwangi and Uganda's Agather Atuhaire, who claimed they were tortured while in Tanzanian custody. Tanzanian MPs had expressed outrage over cyberbullying from Kenyan social media users targeting President Samia Suluhu Hassan, accusing them of disrespecting Tanzania's sovereignty. Ruto extended an olive branch, asking for forgiveness and acknowledging any wrongs committed by Kenyans. His apology came after U.S. preacher Rickey Allen Bolden called for reconciliation. Despite Ruto's apology, some Kenyan Gen-Z activists, critical of his administration since the deadly anti-tax protests last June, dismissed it and demanded his resignation. The diplomatic row began after Tanzania denied consular access to the detained activists and President Samia warned against foreign meddling.
Zimbabwe Launches National Media Policy to Tackle AI, Digital Challenges
President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the National Media Policy, calling for greater accountability in the digital space and safeguards against the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and global tech giants. Mnangagwa described AI as a transformative force that is "undoubtedly revolutionising all aspects of our social and economic sectors," with the media industry squarely in its path. The newly launched policy seeks to provide a framework for ensuring access to factual, verified, and reliable information, which Mnangagwa said are "important ingredients to accelerate our country's national development agenda." Mnangagwa said that the importance of digital taxes and fair revenue sharing to supporting local economies and content creators.
Thousands of Lesotho Farmers in Limbo as US Ends Poultry Initiative
A $31.4 million United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) project aimed at transforming Lesotho's poultry sector has been terminated. The five-year initiative, launched under the American Food for Progress programme, planned to grow 28,000 poultry enterprises in Lesotho, boosting meat production by 40% and egg production by 30% by 2028. However, less than two years after its launch, the Sustainable Transformation of Enterprises in the Poultry Sector (STEPS) project has been terminated, leaving thousands of farmers in limbo. Rural Self-Help Managing Director Mampho Thulo said that their association had been worried after the U.S. withdrew funding from other initiatives, such as USAID and PEPFAR projects, and the recent R6-billion Millennium Challenge Account. However, she had believed agricultural projects would be spared.
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MSF Calls for Urgent Action on Sexual Violence in Sudan's Darfur Region
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warned that women and girls in Sudan's Darfur region faced near-constant sexual violence, with a new report revealing distressing statistics from South Darfur. Between January 2024 and March 2025, MSF provided care to 659 survivors of sexual violence in the state alone. MSF said that victims and survivors speaking with their teams in Darfur and Chad described experiences of severe violence and rape. The organisation said that men and boys are also at risk, characterising the scale of suffering as "beyond comprehension." Survivors reported attacks while gathering food and water, working in fields, and participating in essential daily activities.
