Equatorial Guinea Sues France Over Paris Mansion

Equatorial Guinea Sues France Over Paris Mansion Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea filed a complaint against France at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the weekend, the latest round of litigation between the two nations over a luxury Paris mansion seized by French authorities because of corruption, France 24 reported. The West African nation asked the United Nations’ top court to intervene after French police allegedly entered the property and changed the locks last month. It asked the court not to sell the building and demanded “immediate, complete and unhindered access” to it. The years-long dispute centers on the mansion located on the upscale Avenue Foch near the Arc de Triomphe in the French capital. Estimated to be worth more than $118 million, the property features a private cinema, a hammam steam bath, and gold-plated fixtures. In 2021, French authorities confiscated the property after the country’s top appeals court convicted Equatorial Guinean Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue – also known as Teodorin – under a law targeting fortunes fraudulently amassed by foreign leaders. The court handed Teodorin – son of long-standing President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo – a three-year suspended sentence and more than $35 million in fines. If it accepts the case, it would be the second time the ICJ would decide on a suit centering on the mansion: In 2016, Equatorial Guinea brought a case before the court, claiming that the building has served as the country’s embassy. It also accused France of violating the Vienna Convention, which safeguards diplomats from interference by host countries. But France countered that the mansion served no diplomatic purpose and that Teodorin was using it as his private residence. The world court sided with France in the case, saying the African nation only tried to designate it as a diplomatic venue after an investigation began into the vice president. While the ICJ’s rulings are binding, the court has no enforcement mechanism and remains occupied with a growing caseload, including cases on Gaza and climate change.

DRC and Rwanda Sign Peace Deal to End Decades-Long Conflict

DRC and Rwanda Sign Peace Deal To End Decades-Long Conflict Democratic Republic of the Congo / Rwanda Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) signed a US-brokered peace agreement over the weekend in a bid to end decades of violence in the eastern Congo, a deal widely seen as opening the region’s mineral wealth to American investment, the Wall Street Journal reported. Signed Friday in Washington, the deal commits both countries to “immediately and unconditionally cease any state support to nonstate armed groups” and to pursue the “disengagement, disarmament, and integration” of those forces. The two neighbors also pledged to respect territorial integrity and halt cross-border aggression. US President Donald Trump hailed the accord – mediated by the US and Qatar – as the end of years of conflict in the restive region and the beginning of “a new chapter of hope and opportunity.” Rwanda is expected to withdraw troops deployed in eastern Congo, where more than 4,000 Rwandan soldiers had backed the M23 rebel group with advanced weaponry, having invaded the region in January, according to United Nations investigators. The decades-long conflict dates back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide in which more than a million people – mainly ethnic Tutsis – were killed by ethnic Hutus. The Rwandan government and M23 fighters say they are protecting Tutsis in eastern Congo from Hutu-linked militias made up of former Rwandan army members who fled across the border after the genocide. Rwanda has denied backing the M23 rebels and accuses the DRC of supporting the Hutu-affiliated groups. The Congolese government has rejected the allegations. In 2025 alone, the outbreak of violence since January has killed more than 7,000 people and displaced about half a million more. Friday’s deal follows a series of battlefield losses by the Congolese army in the resource-rich eastern provinces, prompting Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi to turn to the US for help in return for mining opportunities. Analysts said the deal aligns with US aims to counter Chinese dominance in global supply chains for minerals, such as coltan and other resources vital to the global tech industry. The accord also coincided with separate US negotiations with Rwanda over taking in non-citizen migrants expelled from the US. Meanwhile, reaction to the peace deal has been mixed, with observers noting that its durability remains questionable because many local leaders and affected groups were not part of the negotiations, the BBC added. Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila dismissed it as “nothing more than a trade agreement” and criticized the absence of M23 representatives. Share this story

In Kenya's Largest Slum, Residents Hope For A Crypto Lift

Bitcoin Dreams: In Kenya’s Largest Slum, Residents Hope For a Crypto Lift Kenya In Africa’s largest slum, Kibera, Dotea Anyim, like dozens of her fellow residents, has a small produce stand. But unlike most others, she accepts bitcoin, which about 10 percent of her customers use now. “I like it because it is cheap and fast and doesn’t have any transaction costs,” she told the Associated Press. “When people pay using bitcoin, I save that money and use cash to restock vegetables.” Around the world, people, businesses – and even entire countries – are adopting cryptocurrencies as a tool to combat poverty and grow revenue in spite of their risks, namely volatility and the lack of regulation. “Bitcoin presents new opportunities for those in emerging economies, providing the freedom to transact without any gatekeepers,” wrote the European Conservative. “Through bitcoin, anyone can now enter the wider global economy and marketplace, and have the chance to be lifted out of poverty.”  Bitcoin, the first and largest cryptocurrency, was created in 2009 in the wake of the global financial crisis as a decentralized digital asset that could serve as an alternative method of payment, storing value as well as earning it. Since then, it has taken off. It has helped those in war zones access their funds and the poor around the world get access to financial services they are often shut out from. It’s helped families get remittances from relatives abroad more easily and cheaply, and given the poor a chance to accrue savings and invest. It was also adopted as legal tender in some countries, such as El Salvador and the Central African Republic, before both of those countries halted the move. Others, such as Bhutan, are ramping up their use of the currency. Here in Kibera – a part of the capital of Nairobi with a population ranging from 250,000 to 1 million, no one is certain – a few hundred merchants and shoppers so far are using bitcoin as part of a pilot program to extend financial services to some of the country’s poorest and most under-banked people. Kibera residents earn a dollar a day on average. In Kenya overall, about 55 percent have access to financial institutions such as banks, a far higher percentage than in many other countries on the continent, such as Senegal, with only about 20 percent, according to the World Bank. But far more people have access to a cell phone. As a result, supporters of bitcoin say that it is accessible to those “unbanked” who are often prevented from accessing banks because they lack the proper documents or the money to obtain accounts. The pilot program, started by AfriBit Africa, a Kenyan fintech company, in 2022, began with garbage collectors, who were paid in crypto and taught financial literacy and “Bitcoin 101.” The practice since then has slowly started to spread to other businesses that serve the slum. “Bitcoin solves issues of financial sovereignty and financial inclusion,” Ronnie Mdawida, director of the AfriBit project, told Forbes. “Some of the merchants in the community do not have any form of documentation and would not be able to participate in the traditional business ecosystem or build their lives without bitcoin, which offers them an alternative.” For years, the unbanked used M-PESA, the most used mobile money program in Kenya. However, advocates say one advantage of bitcoin over M-PESA is that the latter’s transaction costs are higher. If consumers and merchants use the AfriBit Africa platform, transactions are free. Another issue is crime: Carrying cash is risky in Kibera, residents say. One major risk of using the currency is the exposure to bitcoin’s volatility – some of Kenya’s poorest bitcoin users hold up to 80 percent of their net worth in the cryptocurrency, money they can’t afford to lose. Also, there are barriers to access: Users need smartphones, consistent Internet, and digital literacy – all of which remain scarce in informal settlements like Kibera. Meanwhile, there is regulatory uncertainty: Kenya’s government is planning to introduce a digital asset tax and restrictions on crypto giveaways which could harm users here. “Bitcoin isn’t a silver bullet,” one Kenya fintech strategist told BitKE, a Kenyan magazine covering crypto. “If we can’t prove sustained usage or economic impact, this becomes a charity stunt – not financial inclusion.”  Share this story

A New Cape Town Luxury Hotel

Cape Town’s R1 billion high-end hotel scheduled to open in March Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront is set to unveil a new R1 billion luxury hotel in March next year. Here’s what you need to know… By Sundeeka Mungroo 27-06-25 11:02 in Featured The V&A Waterfront The V&A Waterfront will be home to the new luxury Quay 7 hotel. Image: canva Cape Town’s new R1 billion ultra-luxury hotel, featuring 142 rooms and six serviced apartments, will open its doors in March next year. According to Moneyweb, the hotel, located in the popular V&A Waterfront—may operate as an Edition Hotel, part of Marriott International’s elite “super luxury” or 6/7-star designer lifestyle brand. Developers have reportedly invested around R1 billion in the project. Quay 7 gets a new luxury hotel Growthpoint Properties and the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), co-owners of the ‘Quay 7 hotel,’ are developing it as a “contemporary luxury lifestyle hotel” with a distinct Scandinavian design. Although Growthpoint has kept most details under wraps, the company recently confirmed that construction on the Quay 7 hotel is moving forward, with the opening planned for March 2026. Table Bay Hotel also gets a R1 billion revamp And it seems the luxury Quay 7 hotel isn’t the only billion-rand offering for the V&A Waterfront. The iconic Table Bay Hotel is undergoing a landmark R1 billion refurbishment—the most significant transformation in its nearly 30-year history. The V&A Waterfront, which now owns the hotel, closed it earlier this year to begin the renovations, with Sun International overseeing its management. The project aims to modernise the hotel’s facilities while preserving the timeless elegance that has established it as one of Cape Town’s top luxury destinations. Tags: Cape Town DMumani featured Important South Africa Post navigation Next Article Previous Article U.S. Privacy Trump renews attack on SA, calling it a ‘dangerous mess’ - SA People Discover Homeless Americans watch as Afrikaner ‘refugees’ arrive seeking a ‘better life’ - SA People Discover Insider | Travel Deals Flight Attendant Reveals How To Fly Business Class For The Price Of Economy Read More Skip #Goosebumps: Well Known Farmer's Message After Brutal Attack in South Africa - SA People Discover 'It's tough!': Afrikaner farmer shares his experience working in the US - SA People Discover Flight Attendant Reveals How To Fly Business Class For The Price Of Economy Americans, You'll Want To Check This Out ASAP! Insider | Travel Deals | Sponsored Women over 40 seeking love - interested in chatting? Love, Safety, and Respect: Your Perfect Match is Just a Click Away! DateMyAge | Sponsored Supreme Court Victory to Unlock $150 Trillion Bonanza for Investors? Paradigm Press | Sponsored Amazon Is Losing Money as California Shoppers Are Canceling Prime for This Clever Hack This simple trick can save tons of money on Amazon, but most Prime members are ignoring it. Online Shopping Tools | Sponsored Seniors Can Now Fly Business Class For the Price Of Economy Americans, you'll want to check this out ASAP Insider | Travel Deals | Sponsored Improve cash flow & seize opportunities. Finance with Biz2Credit. Manage expenses and fund growth. Biz2Credit offers financing solutions to optimize your business's cash flow. Biz2Credit | Sponsored Women 40+ in search of love - ready to chat? Love, Safety, and Respect: Your Perfect Match is Just a Click Away! DateMyAge | Sponsored Trump renews attack on SA, calling it a ‘dangerous mess’ - SA People SA People Homeless Americans watch as Afrikaner ‘refugees’ arrive seeking a ‘better life’ - SA People SA People Latest Posts water interruption 10-hour water outage to affect these Johannesburg areas 30-06-25 10:22 Where is Nandipha Magudumana's husband? What happened to Nandipha Magudumana’s husband? 30-06-25 08:40 potholes Can residents legally fix potholes? Here’s what the law says 30-06-25 08:28 refugees US gives priority refugee status to 1 000 Afrikaners 29-06-25 10:32 Eskom Eskom set to carry out 12-hour power outage in Gauteng next week 28-06-25 11:21 Eastern Cape Government officially declares Eastern Cape a national disaster zone 27-06-25 15:05

A Beautiful Cape Town Suburb

This SA suburb has the best views – And nobody’s talking about it As far as SA suburbs go, this Cape Town gem manages to outshine the hype – quietly. No crowds. No clutter. Just pure, elemental landscape. Author picture By Sundeeka Mungroo 27-06-25 15:05 in Lifestyle scarborough sa suburbs Scarborough beach. Image: canva South Africa has no shortage of scenic neighbourhoods, but one coastal gem continues to fly under the radar: Scarborough. ADVERTISEMENT Hidden away on the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula, just beyond the curve of Kommetjie and bordering the edge of the Cape Point Nature Reserve, Scarborough is where mountain meets ocean in a way that feels untouched, raw, and entirely cinematic. And yet, almost nobody’s talking about it! Scarborough: A hidden paradise Scarborough isn’t just quiet. It’s secluded. With no major commercial strips or traffic-heavy streets, it feels more like a nature reserve than a suburb. A handful of eco-conscious homes hug the hillside, many with panoramic views stretching from the deep blues of the Atlantic to the jagged peaks of the surrounding mountains. Unlike hotspots like Camps Bay or Hout Bay, this SA suburb isn’t built for show. There are no velvet ropes, no designer boutiques. It’s where surfers, artists, writers, and those chasing off-grid peace end up – often permanently. ADVERTISEMENT The views speak for themselves Views over the Atlantic Ocean from Scarborough. Image: wikimedia commons On a clear day, the views from Scarborough are borderline surreal. The sun dips into the ocean with a fiery fade that lights up the entire coastline. Mist curls off the mountains in the early morning like something from a dream. From just about any spot in this SA suburb, you’re surrounded by sweeping natural drama – waves crashing into boulders, cliffs carved by wind, and sky that seems to go on forever. For photographers and nature lovers, it’s a goldmine. For locals, it’s a quiet privilege they’re in no rush to advertise. Nature first, always Cape Point section near Scarborough. Image: canva Scarborough is officially part of the Cape Point section of the Table Mountain National Park, which means conservation isn’t just a value here – it’s the law. No fast food joints. No high-rises. Just eco-homes, indigenous gardens, and wildlife that still roam freely. Think baboons, porcupines, even the occasional caracal. You’ll also find one of the most unspoiled beaches in the Western Cape. It’s wild, often windy, and completely free of umbrellas or vendors. Perfect for long walks, cold swims, or simply sitting in awe. The locals like it low-key Ask anyone who lives in Scarborough why they’re there, and you’ll probably get a knowing smile followed by a vague answer. They don’t want it to change. They know they’re sitting on something special, and part of its magic lies in how under-the-radar it still is. No, it’s not for everyone. There’s no mall, no nightlife, and very limited cell signal in some spots. But for those looking to escape the noise without losing the ocean, Scarborough is close to perfect! Where’s your dream location to live in? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. Follow The South African on Facebook for the latest breaking news, polls - a

El Dorado In The Sahara-Western Shara Blooms!

El Dorado in the Sahara: Western Sahara Booms As Tensions Grow Western Sahara The road from the northern border of Western Sahara to the southern city of Dakhla feels like a road to nowhere: It’s hundreds of miles of sand and sea, with a very occasional truck, sleepy town or military checkpoint interrupting the emptiness. And just a few years ago, Dakhla, a small city on the Atlantic of about 100,000 people, was a quiet outpost, with little infrastructure and few jobs. These days, however, it’s become a boomtown, a new “El Dorado,” luring those in search of the proverbial gold. Here, a new causeway is being built a mile into the ocean, part of a $1.2 billion port project that aims to connect this once remote corner of Africa with other parts of the continent, South America, and Europe. Officials and investors hope to export phosphate, gas, and fish – and other minerals such as oil from other African countries as well as green hydrogen and ammonia from local wind and solar farms – far beyond its shores. Already, tourists are beginning to pour in on new flight routes to stay in newly constructed hotels. A new airport is slated to open to accommodate the new boom in tourism. Aside from sunseekers and windsurfers, Moroccan officials say they are welcoming a steady stream of private investors and foreign officials these days, according to Bloomberg. Investment, currently at $10 billion, is expected to quadruple in 15 years. “The Western Sahara has gone from a disputed territory that was radioactive to foreign investors to an increasingly normal region that’s receiving a growing flow of capital,” Riccardo Fabiani of the International Crisis Group told the financial newswire. It’s obvious to see the political changes, too, in this disputed territory that is mostly under Moroccan control, that some call “Africa’s last colony,” analysts say. Recently, the United Kingdom threw its support behind Morocco’s proposal for autonomy for Western Sahara, a plan which would allow Morocco to retain control over defense, foreign policy and its currency, the Moroccan dirham, marking a shift in its position on one of Africa’s longest-running territorial disputes, the Guardian noted. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the plan was “the most credible, viable and pragmatic” way to resolve one of Africa’s longest-running and “most frustrating” regional conflicts and also counter Russian expansion in the Sahel region, mitigate irregular immigration to Europe, and take advantage of the economic opportunities. The shift in policy in the West on Moroccan claims of the territory was led by the United States in 2020, which analysts say set off the investment boom. Spain changed its stance in 2022 and France, two years later. Still, the new energy, excitement, and investment in the region belies the turmoil that is promising to heat up again, wrote Foreign Affairs. Morocco, which says the Western Sahara is historically part of its country, a claim the International Court of Justice disputes, has controlled the territory since 1975, when the Spanish withdrew their colonial claims. From that time, it fought the pro-independence group, the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, in a conflict that killed thousands until a United Nations-brokered ceasefire in 1991. That left three-quarters of the territory under Moroccan control. The rest, controlled by the Polisario Front, hosted refugee camps for displaced Sahrawis, as the local population is called. Still, Moroccan claims were not recognized by most of the world, while the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic proclaimed by the Polisario Front was recognized by more than 40 countries. Meanwhile, the UN lists the region as a non-self-governing territory and has tried to hold a referendum on independence for more than 30 years but never has due to issues over who would be eligible to vote. That’s in part because of Morocco’s resettlement policies: For decades, it has lured Moroccans with incentives to resettle in the region. Still, analysts say the recognition by the US, France, and now the UK has left Algeria – where 170,000 Sahrawis live in refugee camps – simmering and the Polisario ready to escalate its fight because it says it has no choice. So far, the Polisario has declared the ceasefire dead and has taken its fight to international courts, arguing that Morocco does not have the right to profit from resources belonging to the Sahrawi people while the conflict remains unresolved. Rulings in its favor could hinder the boom. For example, in October 2024, European courts annulled two European Union-Morocco trade agreements covering fishing and agriculture, ruling that the deals lacked the required “consent of the people of Western Sahara,” according to New Arab magazine. Still, the Sahrawis from Western Sahara are not unanimous about the future of their territory. Some, like Kamal Fadel, a lawyer from Western Sahara based in Australia, say that most reject the Moroccan plan and want a referendum to decide. “The autonomy proposal is not a step toward peace, it is a sophisticated attempt to entrench occupation and delay justice, rooted in imperial logic, not international law,” he wrote in Modern Diplomacy. “It ignores the clear legal, moral, and political rights of the Sahrawi people to choose their own future.” Still, Sarah Zaaimi of the Atlantic Council, who is Sahrawi also, recounted conversations with dozens of people in the Moroccan-held portion of the territory for a field study and found that most expressed extreme fatigue from five decades of conflict and a desire for normality and prosperity. They hope, she said, that the Moroccan plan would bring that change and tackle the region’s issues – corruption and the trafficking of drugs, people, and stolen humanitarian aid. “Now, the time is up,” she wrote. “The Sahrawi communities can no longer afford another 50 years of political stalemate.

An Enchanting South African Mountain Village That Feels Straight Out Of A Film

The enchanting South African mountain village that feels straight out of a film South Africa hides some places that feel untouched, like secrets waiting to be discovered. Take a look… By Sundeeka Mungroo 26-06-25 17:36 in Featured Hogsback The eco-shrine in Hogsback. Image: wikimedia commons Nestled in the Amathole Mountains of the Eastern Cape, the mountain village of Hogsback feels like it came straight out of a fantasy film. Misty forests, waterfalls, winding trails, and whimsical cottages fill the landscape, and you can book a thatched-roof hideaway for as little as R900 a night. If you’ve ever dreamed of living in a real-life fairytale, now’s your chance. A mountain village of myths, magic, and mountains Many believe Hogsback inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, and once you arrive, you’ll see why. Ancient indigenous forests and towering yellowwood trees surround the mountain village, and there’s even a road named Hobbiton-on-Hogsback. But Hogsback offers more than just scenic beauty. Artists, writers, and free spirits have settled here for decades, filling the village with creative energy and giving it a relaxed, bohemian charm. Where to stay Hogsback in South Africa offers plenty of charming places to stay, from whimsical cabins to forest lodges. But the most magical choice is a classic thatched cottage with a fireplace and garden views, starting at R900 per night. You’ll discover these hidden gems nestled in the forest, surrounded by ferns and moss-covered stone walls. Some popular picks include Away with the Fairies, The Edge Mountain Retreat, and smaller farm-style stays on Airbnb and LekkeSlaap. What to do This mountain village was made for slow travel. Lace up your boots and explore trails like the Madonna and Child Waterfall, Big Tree, as well as the epic 39 Steps. Don’t miss the Labyrinth at The Edge – one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, perched on a sheer cliff. There’s a thriving art scene in this mountain village too. Browse the handmade pottery, stop by fairy-themed cafés, or visit the local eco-shops for herbal teas, handmade soaps, and organic honey. And if you’re into wild swimming in the summer, there are even natural rock pools waiting! Getting there You can reach Hogsback in about 2.5 hours from East London or 3 hours from Grahamstown, driving along winding mountain roads that lead into the cloud forests. The journey offers stunning views—especially when mist or even snow (yes, snow in South Africa) blankets the landscape. You won’t need a 4×4 to visit this mountain village, but check the weather in winter and drive with care. Tags: DMumani featured Hogsback Important South Africa