Former Zambia President Lungu Dies
Former President Edgar Lungu has died, his party announced in a statement on Thursday. Lungu, 68, was "receiving specialized treatment" at a South African hospital for an illness they didn't disclose. He served as president from 2015 to 2021, losing the poll to President Hakainde Hichilema. Although the constitutional court ruled against his ambition to run for president again, he remained hugely influential in Zambia despite withdrawing from active politics.
Several Liberian Lawmakers Summoned Over Legislative Fire Incident
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The Liberia National Police has summoned seven lawmakers of the House of Representatives as part of an investigation into the fire that gutted the Capitol Building - the seat of the national legislature - in December 2024. The police summons was addressed to the lower house and read as part of the body's regular session on Thursday. Amongst those cited is former speaker Fonati Koffa. The police have not disclosed if any of the men has been charged.
Trump Bans Travel from 12 Countries to the U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a full travel ban on citizens from 12 countries, including several African nations, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan, citing national security concerns. The order also placed heightened restrictions on people from Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo. The ban was set to take effect on June 9, 2025, and did not revoke previously issued visas. The ban will, however, not apply to athletes competing in the 2026 World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico. In addition, Trump separately announced a ban on visas for foreign students who are set to begin attending Harvard University.
Tanzania Shuts Down X Over Pornography Concerns
Tanzania's government blocked access to the social media platform X, citing its allowance of pornographic content that allegedly violated the country's laws, culture, and online ethics guidelines. Tanzanians have reported that access to X has been restricted in the last two weeks after political tensions rose and the police account was hacked, but there has not yet been a total shutdown of the platform. Rights groups, including the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), criticized the shutdown as part of a "troubling pattern of digital repression" ahead of October's elections, recalling a similar ban before the 2020 polls. Other platforms like Clubhouse and Telegram also became inaccessible without VPNs.
DR Congo Bans Media Coverage of Ex-President Kabila
The Congolese government banned media coverage of former President Joseph Kabila and interviews with his party members. This followed his return to the Democratic Republic of Congo last month amid rising tensions with President Félix Tshisekedi's administration. The authorities sought to prosecute Kabila amid accusations of treason and alleged links to the M23 rebels, which have been fighting the army, accusations he denied. The media regulator warned that violations could lead to suspensions. An M23 spokesperson rejected the ban in areas under their control, while Kabila's party secretary called it "arbitrary." Kabila, recently seen in Goma, an M23 stronghold, had sharply criticized the government after losing his immunity. Kabila, who has not yet been charged with any crime, launched a scathing attack on the Congolese government last month, describing it as a "dictatorship".
Dozens of Bodies Found at Libyan Detention Sites, Raising Torture Concerns
Dozens of bodies were discovered at official and unofficial detention sites in Libya, raising alarm over widespread torture, enforced disappearances, and possible extrajudicial killings. Human rights groups and the UN have long suspected the Stabilization Support Apparatus (SSA) of violating human rights at these sites. UN human rights chief Volker Türk confirmed the findings following violent clashes in Tripoli in May, which erupted after the death of SSA leader Abdul Ghani al-Kikli. In total, more than 80 bodies were found, including charred remains and decomposing corpses in hospital refrigerators. A burial site was also uncovered at the Tripoli Zoo. These discoveries followed earlier mass graves found in February, many of which contained the bodies of migrants.
Kenyan Author Charged Over Unauthorized Biography of Ruto's Daughter
Kenyan free-speech advocates and lawyers condemned the prosecution of Webster Ochora Elijah, the author of an unauthorised biography of President William Ruto's daughter, Charlene Ruto. Charlene accused Elijah of misusing her name by publishing Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising without her consent. The 25-year-old author was arrested, charged with impersonation, and later released on bail after pleading not guilty. Critics argued that writing an unauthorised biography is not illegal, with lawyer Willis Otieno calling the case a misuse of state power. Literary critic Mbugua Ngunjiri said the author did "nothing wrong", giving an example of an unauthorised biography of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, in 2014, where the "author did not need to consult". Charlene defended her stance, calling it a fight against Kenya's "bad culture" of name misuse.
Four Opposition Figures Excluded from Côte d'Ivoire Electoral List
Four prominent opposition figures in Côte d'Ivoire have been excluded from the final electoral list, leaving them ineligible to contest presidential elections later this year. The Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI) leader Tidjane Thiam was excluded from the October 25 presidential election and barred from voting. He was removed following a court ruling that questioned his nationality at the time of registration. Former President Laurent Gbagbo, Charles Blé Goudé, and exiled former Prime Minister Guillaume Soro remained barred due to past convictions. Thiam, currently abroad, denounced his exclusion as evidence of the country's democratic decline and appealed to the UN Human Rights Committee. His lawyer called the move a serious breach of international obligations. Gbagbo's party condemned the government's refusal to engage in dialogue, while other opposition figures like Simone Ehivet Gbagbo warned that current conditions could prevent a peaceful election. Despite opposition protests, electoral commission head Ibrahime Kuibiert Coulibaly confirmed there would be no revision of the voter register, which now includes 8.7 million voters. President Alassane Ouattara, in office since 2011, remains on the list but has yet to declare if he will seek a fourth term. Authorities deny any political interference in the electoral process, insisting that they respect decisions made by an independent judiciary.
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MSF Report Details Devastating Impact of Violence and Hunger in South Darfur
A new report by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) revealed the devastating impact of violence, insecurity, and hunger on communities in South Darfur, Sudan. The report, Voices from South Darfur, illustrated in vivid testimony how the impact of pervasive violence, a healthcare system in ruins and an inadequate international response have all combined to push people's coping strategies to their limits. South Darfur experienced intense urban warfare in 2023, which destroyed hospitals and critical infrastructure, leaving civilians vulnerable to widespread sexual violence and arbitrary detentions. Despite a halt in ground fighting, air and drone strikes continued, and road and farmland security persisted. MSF treated more than 10,000 children for acute malnutrition and supported thousands of malnourished women and girls. MSF urged greater support for local actors who possess the knowledge and capacity to save lives, and called for urgent humanitarian action to prevent further suffering.
