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7, July 2025

Kenya: At least 11 dead in protests as central Nairobi sealed off ⁰

At least eleven people have been killed during anti-government protests in Kenya and 567 arrested, police said.

Police opened fire on demonstrators, and earlier Dr Aron Sikuku, a medic at Eagle Nursing Home on the outskirts of Nairobi, told the BBC the bodies of two people who died of gunshot wounds had been brought to the facility.

He said hundreds of protesters had gathered outside his hospital demanding to take away the bodies.

The demonstrations mark the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba – meaning “seven-seven” – protests of 7 July 1990, which launched Kenya’s push for multi-party democracy.

Police released a statement on Monday evening praising officers for “exceptional restraint and professionalism in the face of sustained violence and provocation”. It said 52 police officers and 11 civilians had been wounded.

The state-run Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KHRC) earlier said at least 10 people had been killed.

In a scathing report, it accused police of using excessive force, as has frequently been the case during the current wave of protests.

“Police operated in plainclothes and unmarked vehicles” on Monday and collaborated with “armed criminal gangs in Nairobi, Kajiado, Nakuru, Kiambu, and Eldoret”, it said. The police have previously denied such accusations.

It added that it had evidence that at least two people had been abducted, as well as reporting 29 injuries and 37 arrests in towns across the country.

From early in the morning, hundreds of commuters and overnight travellers were stranded at checkpoints, some more than 10km (six miles) from the city centre, with only a few vehicles allowed through.

Roads leading to key government sites – including the president’s official residence, State House, and the Kenyan parliament – were barricaded with razor wire.

Some schools advised students to stay at home.

But clashes broke out in parts of the capital as demonstrators lit fires and attempted to breach police cordons. Officers responded with tear gas and water cannon.

According to leading Kenyan newspaper the Nation, demonstrations have spread to 17 counties out of 47.

In Meru county, eastern Kenya, a shopping centre in the town of Makutano was engulfed in flames. Clouds of thick black smoke could be seen coming from the building.

In Ol Kalou town, one protester was shot dead and another who suffered gunshot wounds survived.

In Kamukunji, near the Nairobi venue where the original Saba Saba protests were held, police battled groups of protesters who lit fires on the streets.

A planned appearance by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was cancelled, with him saying “the roadblocks all over town which made it difficult for people to make it to Kamukunji” meant he could not “join Kenyans in commemorating this important day”.

But this did not deter him from blasting Kenya’s “rogue police force that shoots people with impunity, a force inherited from the colonialists,” while calling for a national dialogue on reforming the country’s police.

He was arrested after the original Saba Saba protests in 1990 but last year threw his support behind the government.

By mid-morning on Monday, hundreds of overnight passengers remained stranded.

Some long-distance buses were parked in Kabete, about 13km from the city centre, with many passengers who could not afford to pay extra money for motorcycle rides to their destinations remaining there.

Humphrey Gumbishi, a bus driver, said they had started their journey on Sunday evening only to find the police road block in the morning.

“We started travelling at 8:30pm last night… We want the government to engage in a dialogue with Gen-Zs so all this can come to an end,” he told the BBC.

Anthony Irungu / BBC Buses on a highway outside Kenya's capital Nairobi — Long-distance buses were stopped far from the city centre

Anthony Irungu / BBC Police in uniform block a highway leading to Nairobi. Crowds of people are seen in the background — Key roads into Nairobi city centre have been blocked

In a statement issued on Sunday evening, the police said it was their constitutional duty to protect lives and property while maintaining public order.

Monday’s demonstrations were organised primarily by the so-called Gen-Z young people, demanding good governance, greater accountability, and justice for victims of police brutality, continuing the wave of anti-government protests since last year.

On 25 June, at least 19 people were killed and thousands of businesses looted and destroyed in a day of nationwide protests that were being held in honour of those killed in last year’s anti-tax protests.

On Sunday, an armed gang attacked the Nairobi headquarters of the KHRC, which had been hosting a press conference organised by women calling for an end to state violence ahead of Monday’s protests.

KHRC spokesman Ernest Cornel said the gang was made up of at least 25 people on motorbikes chanting: “There will be no protest today.”

“They were carrying stones, they were carrying clubs… they stole laptops, they stole a phone and they also took some valuables from journalists who were there,” he told the BBC Newsday programme.

The original Saba Saba protests were a key moment that helped usher in multiparty democracy in Kenya after years of one-party rule.

The response by the then government under President Daniel arap Moi was brutal. Many protesters were arrested, while at least 20 people were reportedly killed.

Since then, Saba Saba has come to symbolise civic resistance and the fight for democratic freedom in Kenya.

Source: BBC

5, July 2025

Footballer Thomas Partey charged with rape ⁰

Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

The offences are reported to have taken place between 2021-2022, the Metropolitan Police said.

The charges involve three women, with two counts of rape relating to one woman, three counts of rape in connection to a second woman and one count of sexual assault linked to a third woman.

The Ghanaian international denies the charges and “welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name”, his lawyer said.

The charges follow an investigation by detectives, which started in February 2022 after police first received a report of rape.

The 32-year-old’s contract with Arsenal ended on Monday after playing with the team since 2020.

An Arsenal spokesman said: “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.”

The Football Association and the Premier League declined to comment.

Det Supt Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward.

“We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team. You can contact detectives about this investigation by emailing CIT@met.police.uk”

Mr Partey, of Hertfordshire, is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 5 August.

In a statement, his lawyer Jenny Wiltshire said: “Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him.

“He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation.

“He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.

“Given that there are now ongoing legal proceedings, my client is unable to comment further.”

Mr Partey joined Arsenal for £45.3m from Atletico Madrid in October 2020, made 35 top-flight appearances last season and scored four goals as the London club finished second in the Premier League.

He also played 12 times in the Champions League as the Gunners reached the semi-finals before being knocked out by eventual winners Paris St-Germain.

Overall, he made 130 Premier League appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side, scoring nine goals.

Mr Partey has also made more than 50 appearances for Ghana’s national team, and most recently played at World Cup qualification matches in March.

Source: BBC

3, July 2025

Nigerian Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai is dead ⁰

According to Radio Nigeria, Nigerian goalkeeping legend, Peter Rufai, is dead. While the family is yet to issue an official statement, the news of his death has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian football community and beyond, as tributes begin to pour in for the iconic goalkeeper who stood tall between the posts for the Super Eagles.

Rufai was a central figure in Nigeria’s golden football era. He was the first-choice goalkeeper during the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph and represented Nigeria at two FIFA World Cups—USA ’94 and France ’98. Renowned for his leadership, reflexes, and charisma, Rufai earned over 60 caps for the national team and remains one of Nigeria’s most celebrated goalkeepers.

Beyond his national team heroics, he had a successful club career across Europe, playing for clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. After retirement, he remained active in football development and youth mentoring through his Staruf Academy in Lagos.

Nicknamed Dodomayana—a nod to his regal heritage as the son of a traditional ruler—Rufai was admired for his discipline, professionalism, and advocacy for education among aspiring athletes.

More details on funeral arrangements are expected from the family in due course.

Source: Sportsvillagesquare

26, June 2025

Iran Supreme Leader congratulates nation on victory, says Israel was ‘crushed’ ⁰

In his message following the end of the Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic and the regime’s unilateral declaration of a ceasefire, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution on Thursday congratulated the Iranian nation on its glorious victory.

In a televised message, the third since June 13 when the Israeli regime launched its unprovoked aggression against the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the Zionist regime was crushed under the blows of the Iranian armed forces.

“I feel it is necessary to extend several congratulations to the great Iranian nation. First, congratulations on the victory over the fake Zionist regime. Despite all its noise and claims, the Zionist regime was nearly brought to its knees and crushed under the blows of the Islamic Republic,” Ayatollah Khamenei stated.

The Leader paid tribute to the martyrs of the recent events, including senior military commanders and scientists, whom he described as “truly and rightfully valuable” to the Islamic Republic and faithful in their service until martyrdom.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the idea of the Islamic Republic being capable of delivering such devastating strikes had never even crossed the enemy’s mind, but it did happen.

“We thank God for aiding our armed forces, who managed to breach their advanced multilayered defense systems and flatten large parts of their military and urban centers with powerful missile and weapons strikes,” he said.

Source: Presstv

19, June 2025

Armenia’s PM accuses head of Church of fathering child ⁰

Armenia’s liberal government has never been an ally of the deeply conservative Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC), but when Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made extraordinary allegations against an unnamed senior clergyman, it blew open a deep divide.

“Your Grace, go fool around with your uncle’s wife. What do you want from me?” said Pashinyan.

He also accused the supreme spiritual leader – Catholicos Karekin II – of breaking his vow of celibacy and fathering a child, calling on him to resign. The BBC has approached the Church for comment but has not had a response.

Until now the Church and government had found a way to co-exist, but the row threatens to split an already polarised Armenian society still further – and affect the outcome of next year’s election.

It could also harm peace talks that have the potential to re-shape the entire region of the South Caucasus, after Armenia’s bitter defeat in a war against Azerbaijan.

Before their split, Pashinyan and the Catholicos attended public events and visited front lines together

Armenia is believed to be the first nation to make Christianity the state religion, after its king was baptised in 301AD. Although there is a separation of Church and state by law, the Armenian constitution recognises the AAC “as a national Church”.

The Church has not addressed the allegations but said the prime minister had sought “to silence its voice”. It has reiterated that the government has no say in the matters of Church governance.

If true, Pashinyan’s allegation would make the Catholicos unfit for office. Under the Church’s by-laws, only monks who took a vow of celibacy can be elected a Catholicos.

On these grounds Pashinyan now demands Karekin’s resignation, despite having no jurisdiction over the Church. He has presented no evidence but threatened to release it.

Pashinyan has also attacked other senior clergymen, including accusing one archbishop of having an affair, with the extraordinary allegation of “fooling around” with his uncle’s wife.

The opposition parties and two of Armenia’s former presidents, Levon Ter-Petrossian and Serzh Sargsyan, have rallied behind the Church and condemned Pashinyan’s move against it.

The government’s relationship with the Church deteriorated after the defeat in the 2020 war against neighbouring Azerbaijan, when Karekin II joined calls from various political factions for the prime minister to step down.

Pashinyan stayed in power, and the Church became a prominent anti-government voice.

Recently, Karekin II demanded the right of return for the Armenians who fled Nagorno-Karabakh, a region of Azerbaijan that it recaptured in 2023.

The prime minister’s allies are unhappy with such interventions, as they contradict the government’s position in the ongoing peace talks.

Pashinyan pushes for a swift peace treaty that would see both countries drop mutual claims. But Azerbaijani media seized on nationalist opposition demands as proof that Armenia is not ready for peace.

The Armenian Church has benefited from becoming a hub for dissent. With personal rivalries between the leaders of opposition parties, it is drawing in those disaffected with the authorities.

Political analysts in Armenia suggest this might be a real reason for the government’s sudden attack on the Church leader.

The next general election has been scheduled for June 2026, and the anti-Church campaign could be a pre-emptive strike against the stronghold of conservative opposition.

The prime minister himself has linked his position to politics: “We returned the state to the people. Now we must return the Church to the people.”

When a powerful benefactor spoke out in support of the Church this week, the government swiftly moved against him.

Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan threatened to “intervene in the campaign against the Church in our own way” if opposition politicians failed to defend it.

Hours later, his residence was raided and on Wednesday he was charged with “making public calls to overthrow the government”. He denies the charge.

Source: BBC

14, June 2025

Roman Catholic Priest says Biya and his gang need to face a ‘Tower of Babel’ ⁰

Echoing earlier calls for change by some Cameroonian bishops, a Catholic priest has invoked the Holy Spirit, urging it to bring confusion akin to the biblical “Babel” on the country’s ruling elite.

Father Richard Alphonse Sandjong Yakam, of St. John Paul II Parish in Banengo, in the West Region, used his Pentecost Sunday homily to emphasize that change had become imperative for Cameroon.

He drew a parallel, stating that just as God commissioned the Holy Spirit to sow confusion among those who sought to rival Him by constructing the Tower of Babel, Cameroonians now need to invoke that same Spirit to disrupt the ruling elite whom he accused of state capture.

“The Holy Spirit had confused the language of those who had built the Tower of Babel to compete with God. God sent the Holy Spirit to confuse them, and the Holy Spirit descended and sowed confusion in their language; and they dispersed. We are also praying that this very Spirit should come to our country and sow confusion in the language of those who have taken the country hostage and free this country so that everyone will find their footing, so that every of God’s children should find freedom, peace and wellbeing; so that Cameroon that God placed under the patronage of the Virgin Mary becomes a country in which life is worth living,” the priest said.

He called on the Holy Spirit to make Cameroonians understand that they are capable of overcoming domination.

“May Cameroonians overcome fear. May the Holy Spirit liberate Cameroonians to defeat fear and act like the Apostles, who, after receiving the Holy Spirit, left their hiding places and boldly spoke the truth,” Yakam said.

“The Holy Spirit needs to renew and transform everything. Cameroon needs a new start. Conquering fear means recognizing that we are free children of God. The most important good He has given us is freedom. However, this freedom should not be confused with profligacy or licentiousness,” he said.

“True freedom means living as directed by the Holy Spirit, and He can only lead us in God’s direction. Those who allow themselves to be led by the Holy Spirit are not controlled by their base instincts or desires (the ‘flesh’). Their focus shifts from worldly things to heaven. It is the Spirit who frees us from all burdens—the yoke of slavery, tribalism, nepotism, lies, and embezzlement,” the priest added.

The message from the priest comes just months before the next presidential election. Incumbent President Paul Biya, aged 92, is widely expected to seek re-election after 43 years in power.

Yakam’s remarks add to the voices of Catholic clerics increasingly vocal about the need for a fresh face in the Cameroon Presidency.

While the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Cameroon has not explicitly called on the President to step aside, they have made statements criticising his government for failing to deliver the goods of governance.

On March 28, they issued a pastoral letter defining the qualities required of a president: “Integrity, humility, modesty, and moral leadership qualities.”

The letter stated that the future president must not use his power to “enrich himself” and “must be able to travel throughout the country, visiting each region at least once during his term.” In this way, he will be able to “understand the needs and desires of the Cameroonian people.”

The bishops didn’t mention President Biya, but the condition of travelling the country is something the President can’t clearly do: He isn’t known to have visited many regions in his 43 years in power, and in recent years, is known to have been spending more of his time in his native village, Mvomeka.

Individual bishops in Cameroon have however directly called on Biya not to seek re-election.

Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala had said that urging the president to seek re-election was “unrealistic.”

Bishop Barthelemy Yaouda Hourgo of the Catholic Diocese of Yagoua spoke about the frustrations facing Cameroonians and noted that even the devil couldn’t inflict greater pain on the people.

Bishop Emmanuel Abbo of the Catholic Diocese of Ngaoundere expressed dismay at the government’s stifling of dissent, particularly accusing the country’s interior minister of using language that suggests any opposition to President Biya could be dealt with in very violent fashion.

Archbishop Jean Mbarga of Yaoundé was more circumspect, urging the faithful to “assume their responsibilities towards the nation.”

The election will take place in October this year, and although the elections management body ELECAM hasn’t validated any candidatures as yet, a number of Cameroonians have signaled their intentions to run, including Prof. Maurice Kamto of the MRC party, Cabral Libi of the PCRN, and Barrister Akere Muna, who has been endorsed by Univers political party.

President Paul Biya hasn’t declared his candidacy yet, but his supporters have been urging him to seek an eighth term in office.

Source: Crux

9, June 2025

Cameroon Debt Recovery Agency backs director amid controversy ⁰

The Board of Directors of Société Camerounaise de Recouvrement des Créances (SRC), Cameroon’s public debt recovery agency, reconfirmed its confidence in General Manager Marie-Rose Messi during an extraordinary session held on June 4, 2025, in Yaoundé. This decision follows a wave of disinformation and criticism aimed at the SRC and its leadership, particularly after the forced seizure of assets belonging to prominent state debtors.

In a statement signed by Board Chairman Robert Bapooh Lipot, the board “strongly condemns” these “malicious” attacks, which it attributed to a misunderstanding of the SRC’s mandate. The board urged Messi and her staff to continue their mission of recovering public debts “with commitment and determination.”

Marie-Rose Messi, who has led the institution since 2013, faced significant controversy following a high-profile asset seizure at the residence of a wealthy businessman in Douala. The incident fueled speculation of political rivalries at the highest levels of the state. In response, Messi issued a statement clarifying that “no high-level instruction was given or relayed to return the seized assets,” emphasizing that the sale of those assets was intended to repay outstanding debts.

The board’s support, expressed during a meeting at the national headquarters of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), marks a significant moment in defending the CEO, whose integrity and legitimacy had been questioned in some circles. An anonymous official from the Ministry of Finance welcomed the decision, noting that Messi retains “a free hand to go after cardboard billionaires.“

This reaffirmation of trust comes as the SRC intensifies its strategic efforts in managing public debt—a politically sensitive task—and as its leadership faces increasing media and political pressure.

Source: Business in Cameroon

29, May 2025

Sidi Ould Tah elected president of African Development Bank ⁰

Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania was today elected President of the African Development Bank Group at the Bank’s Annual Meetings held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Tah was elected by the Bank’s Board of Governors, comprising Finance and Economy Ministers or Central Bank Governors of the Bank Group’s 81 regional and non-regional member countries. The board is the highest decision-making authority for the Bank Group.

The results were announced by Niale Kaba, Minister of Planning and Development for Côte d’Ivoire, and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Bank Group.

The winning candidate is required to obtain at least 50.01% of both the regional and non-regional votes.

A Mauritanian national, Tah brings over 35 years of experience in African and international finance. He served as president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for 10 years from 2015, where he led a full transformation that quadrupled the Bank’s balance sheet, secured a AAA rating, and positioned it among the top-rated development banks focused on Africa.

A former Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance of Mauritania, Tah has held senior roles in multilateral institutions and has led crisis response, financial reform, and innovative resource mobilization for Africa, including the establishment of BADEA’s $1 billion callable capital program for African MDBs.

The Board of Governors Steering Committee received and approved a total of five candidates by the closing date of 31 January 2025. The list of candidates was officially announced on 21 February 2025.

The other candidates in the election were:

Amadou Hott (Senegal)
Samuel Maimbo (Zambia)
Mahamat Abbas Tolli (Chad)
Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala (South Africa)

Tah will assume office on 1 September 2025, for a five-year term, following the end of the second mandate of current President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

The African Development Bank’s past heads since its inception in 1964 are:

Mamoun Beheiry (Sudan), 1964-1970
Abdelwahab Labidi (Tunisia), 1970-1976
Kwame Donkor Fordwor (Ghana), 1976-1980
Willa Mung’Omba (Zambia), 1980-1985
Babacar N’diaye (Senegal), 1985-1995
Omar Kabbaj (Morocco), 1995-2005
Donald Kaberuka (Rwanda), 2005-2015
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina (Nigeria), 2015-2025.

The election of a new president comes at a crucial time in the Bank Group’s six decades of existence. Africa has remained resilient despite climate shocks, economic disruption, and a shifting geopolitical landscape, but needs to move faster or risk falling behind on delivering on the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, summed up in the Bank Group’s High 5’s.

The 2025 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank Group are taking place from May 26 to 30 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire under the theme “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development.”

The African Development Bank Group comprises three entities: the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund and the Nigeria Trust Fund. Its shareholder countries include 54 African countries or regional member countries, and 27 non-African countries or non-regional member countries.

Source: CNBC News

22, May 2025

Biya regime to borrow as much as $348m to bolster finances ⁰

Cameroon’s finance minister has been authorised to raise up to 200 billion CFA francs ($348 million) from international financial markets to shore up government cash flows for fiscal year 2025, according to a presidential decree.

Kelly Mua Kingsly, Head of Finance Operations of the State at Cameroon’s Ministry of Finance, told Reuters on Wednesday that the government would consider using several market instruments, but most likely syndicated loans.

“This is most likely given the urgency and nature of liquidity needs. It is also attractive due to shorter structuring time and flexible drawdown options,” Kingsly said.

In addition, he said concessional or semi-concessional loans suitable for budget support components and assimilable treasury bonds or treasury bills on the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) market could also be considered.

Eurobonds were less likely, he said, due to high global interest rates, low sovereign credit ratings and lower appetite from international capital markets for frontier markets in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and during a period of geopolitical risk.

The borrowing plan comes as Cameroon faces slow disbursement of external financing and delays in revenue mobilisation, notably non-oil tax collection deficits.

Tight monetary policy by the regional central bank to curb inflation and stabilise the CFA franc currency has provoked a liquidity squeeze across Central Africa, while the BEAC’s reserve requirement has impacted treasury liquidity.

Officials also say the government is keen to diversify its sources to avoid excessive domestic borrowing that could crowd out private sector investment.

Cameroon has recently relied on domestic and external borrowing to bridge budget deficits.

($1 = 575.5000 CFA francs)

Source: Reuters

20, May 2025

May 20: Will the real Biya please come out and meet the Cameroonian people ⁰

No one in Yaoundé including those serving the regime can say authoritatively that today’s so-called national day celebration recorded a good parade. But everything went well without any incident.

The world watched a fine military display from a contingent of Nigerian army soldiers in a celebration of national unity that not all political parties were invited.

This was the third time that Cameroonians saw their head of state on duty in 2025. Biya is a president who lives abroad and only goes home thrice a year: on December 31, on February 11 and on May 20 for a fête de je ne sais quoi.

Photos and videos were forbidden!! State television did not show the Cameroonian people when the 92-year-old President Biya got out of his presidential limousine and when he finally took his seat at the ceremonial ground.

Guests were asked to leave their android telephones at home or in a locker that was provided by the Francophone dominated secret service. All this maneuverings were undoubtedly to avoid the public from noting errors between the real and fake Biya. Today in Yaoundé, Biya was so fake that his effigy that was displayed everywhere, showed a figure in his 40s, younger than his son Franck.

Everyone at the May 20 Boulevard today looked like Biya and our Yaoundé city reporter couldn’t tell one from another. It appears the ruling CPDM crime syndicate came up with the idea that every male citizen attending today’s ceremony had to look exactly like Biya.

What makes today’s national day celebration more interesting is that no one had an idea of which of the Biyas was sitting there as head of state. This is going to be a major problem for Cameroonian voters come October! If you are going to cut off the head of a snake, which snake are we talking about?

The real Biya cannot walk, can’t talk and cannot stand for more than twenty minutes! The one million dollar question is: Is the ruling CPDM planning to use an impostor at public rallies in October?

It is still a secret, but the Cameroonian opposition now headed by Barrister Akere Muna has ordered the Chinese to develop a device that can tell the difference between a real Paul Biya and a false one.

Cameroon Intelligence Report does not know when it will be ready, but intelligence forces are well aware that there is no sense killing innocent Cameroonians when it is now evidently clear that Biya will die before October.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai