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

6 Western Cape Getaways To Enjoy

6 Western Cape getaways to enjoy — even on a rainy weekend Rain in the Western Cape isn’t a setback—it encourages you to slow down, take it all in, and appreciate the parts of the province most people overlook in a hurry. By Sundeeka Mungroo 24-06-25 13:42 in Featured Western Cape Franschhoek, Western Cape. Image: wikimedia commons Rain in the Western Cape doesn’t mean your plans are ruined—it simply calls for a smarter approach. This isn’t the kind of place that slows down when the sun hides. The province offers plenty of indoor treasures, dramatic scenery, and cosy hideaways to transform a rainy weekend into a memorable getaway. Here are the top spots to explore when the weather turns gloomy but you still want a weekend to remember. 1. Franschhoek, Western Cape: Wine, fireplaces, and no regrets Rain? Good. That’s your cue to head to Franschhoek. This town was built for bad weather. Cosy wine farms like Haute Cabrière, La Motte, and Le Lude welcome guests with tastings in stone-walled cellars warmed by crackling fires. If you’re not into wine, head to the Franschhoek Motor Museum, where you can admire vintage cars under shelter while misty mountain views frame the scene. Pro move: Book a fireside table at Le Coin Français or Protégé and settle in for a long, slow lunch. 2. Cape Town’s inner layers: Culture under cover Rain transforms Cape Town into a whole new city—and it’s one worth exploring. Begin your day at Zeitz MOCAA, where contemporary African art fills a striking architectural space. Then slip into Truth Coffee, where bold brews meet bold steampunk style. If you’re feeling energetic, head to Clay Café in the City to paint your own ceramics while the rain taps outside. Or lose yourself at the Two Oceans Aquarium—it’s more mesmerising than you might expect. End the day at the Labia Theatre with a glass of wine and a film. Cape Town’s grit and creativity shine brightest when its streets glisten. 3. Cederberg, Western Cape: Stormy isolation and ancient rock art If you crave silence when it rains, head north to the Cederberg. While the crowds vanish with the sunshine, the wild landscape remains untouched. Book a stone cottage at Kagga Kamma or Cederberg Ridge, and spend your days hiking to San rock art shelters or gazing over stormy valleys with a glass of red wine in hand. You’ll feel completely alone in the best possible way. 4. Riebeek Valley: Small town, big comfort Riebeek-Kasteel offers the perfect setting for a slow-paced weekend. You’ll find wine, of course, but also olive oil tastings, art galleries, and a bakery that will make you rethink store-bought bread for good. Book a room at The Royal Hotel for colonial charm and top-notch gin cocktails, or choose a self-catering spot and cook up a cosy fireside meal using fresh ingredients from the town square. When it rains in Riebeek-Kasteel, no one rushes, and that’s exactly the charm. 5. Montagu: Soak, sip, and stay put Montagu’s hot springs are non-negotiable when the temperature drops. Book into Avalon Springs or a self-catering stay nearby, and alternate between soaking in steaming water and sipping wine under shelter. In town, The Rambling Rose serves comfort food that’s anything but basic. The Montagu Museum tells the story of a town that’s been around since ox wagons ruled the roads. It’s peaceful, slow, and proud of it. 6. The Elgin Valley, Western Cape: Cider, forest, and fog Just an hour from Cape Town, Elgin transforms into an even more magical place when it rains. Mist drifts over the orchards while you settle into a cabin or eco-pod, feeling like you’ve slipped away to another world. Everson’s Cider does tastings in a rustic barn, while Peregrine Farm Stall covers the baked goods side of your soul. Go for a forest walk in Cape Nature’s Hottentots Holland Reserve – just don’t forget your rain jacket. Tags: DMumani featured Important South Africa western cape

Cape Town Celebrates Zohran Mamdani Victory

https://www.news24.com/southafrica/news/cape-town-cheers-as-zohran-mamdani-wins-new-york-city-democratic-mayoral-primary-20250625-0715?utm_source=24.com&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=_5295__20250626_&utm_content=mcrm20250626

ICC Investigating Wagner Group Over War Crimes In West Africa

ICC Investigating Wagner Group over War Crimes in West Africa West Africa The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been requested to investigate the Russian mercenary Wagner Group over alleged war crimes carried out in West Africa, with legal scholars arguing that sharing graphic images of atrocities they have allegedly committed on social media is a violation of international law, Euronews reported. The request, from legal scholars at the University of California Berkeley, said that Wagner’s presence in the region – in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and the Central African Republic (CAR) – has led to the commission of multiple war crimes: The acts of violence themselves, such as beheadings, dismemberments, and possibly even cannibalism, as well as the sharing of videos and images of them on social media platforms like Telegram and X, according to Africanews. The videos were removed from X for violating the platform’s rules and posted on Telegram behind a paywall. Telegram told the Associated Press the content was “removed whenever discovered” for breaching the platform’s guidelines. The reports center on atrocities committed in Mali and Burkina Faso specifically. The militaries of the two countries distanced themselves from the violent content, saying it exemplified “rare” atrocities. Analysts from UC Berkeley also urged the ICC to investigate the governments of Mali and Russia over alleged abuses in northern and central Mali between December 2021 and July 2024. With the US and France retreating militarily from the region, Russia has filled the void, sending mercenaries who were part of the Wagner Group to fight alongside military governments against jihadist militias in countries including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The Wagner Group became Africa Corps after its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin staged a coup against Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, and was killed in a plane crash in 2023. The mercenaries have long been accused of human rights violations. Earlier this year, protests broke out in the CAR because of their acts of violence against civilians. Share this story

Rwanda Arrests Opposition Leader In Crackdown On Dissent

Rwanda Arrests Opposition Leader in Crackdown on Dissent Rwanda Rwandan authorities arrested a prominent opposition leader on suspicion of forming an armed rebel group and planning activities intended to incite public unrest, a move that her legal team and observers say underscores the country’s continued crackdown on dissent under President Paul Kagame, the Financial Times reported over the weekend. Late last week, Rwandan officials confirmed they detained opposition leader Victoire Ingabire, who is being held at a police station in the capital, Kigali. Her arrest follows her appearance in court on Thursday as a witness in a case involving nine defendants accused of plotting to remove the government through non-violent means. Prosecutors say Ingabire communicated with the group, provided financial support, and organized training on unconstitutional regime change. The defendants stand accused of participating in an online training session hosted by a European non-governmental organization in 2021. Her lawyers rejected the claims as baseless, calling the arrest “unlawful and arbitrary” and part of an ongoing campaign of political intimidation, according to Radio France Internationale. Ingabire, a Hutu politician and founder of the DALFA-Umurinzi party, returned to Rwanda from exile in 2010 to contest the presidential election but was barred from running and later imprisoned for 15 years on charges of terrorism and denying the 1994 genocide. In 2017, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights found that her rights had been violated over her 2010 imprisonment. While the government ignored the ruling, Kagame pardoned her in 2018. Even so, she has remained a vocal critic of Kagame, who took control of the African nation after the 1994 genocide and has been in office as president since 2000. Though he has been praised for the country’s economic development since the genocide, the long-running leader has come under criticism for his continuous stifling of dissent. Numerous members of the opposition have been imprisoned, while others have died under mysterious circumstances. Analysts suggested that the recent arrests highlight concerns about domestic stability within Kagame’s regime, particularly amid rumors about the president’s health and rising international pressure over Rwanda’s role in regional instability, such as its aid to rebels invading the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Last week, Rwanda and the DRC agreed on a draft deal to end decades of conflict in talks mediated by the United States and Qatar. Share this story

South Africa Has One Of the Least Competition-Friendly Economies

Shaun Jacobs • 18 June 2025 South Africa has one of the least competition-friendly economies in the world, with onerous regulations making it one of the most challenging countries in which to do business. This lack of competition results in low business dynamism and minimal job creation, despite a much-improved electricity supply and structural reforms gaining momentum. The lack of competition within South Africa’s economy has long been identified as a handbrake on economic growth. In its “Driving Inclusive Growth in South Africa” report, the World Bank stated that easing regulations could significantly boost the local economy. The bank stated that South Africa is now in a far better position than it was before the 2024 national elections, when the country was plagued by intense load shedding and heightened uncertainty. Load-shedding has been significantly reduced, and substantial progress has been made in other areas, such as logistics and telecommunications. Most importantly, the elections at the end of May 2024 created a new political context that offers the country a significant opportunity to drive growth through reforms. “The new political context emerging from the May 2024 elections provides a unique opportunity for South Africa,” the World Bank said. “The alignment of economic and political incentives, in the sense that improving the economy is essential for gaining political power, offers a platform to launch a decisive transformation process.” The World Bank said that such alignment was the key driver of successful economic transformations in China in the 1980s, Vietnam in the 1990s, and Poland in the 2010s. Despite this optimism, South Africa remains one of the most challenging places in the world to do business, ranking last in a study by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) earlier this year. The IMF’s study ranked South Africa last among 49 other countries and said that if the country could just achieve an ease of doing business equal to the average, its economic growth would double. The graph below, courtesy of Stanlib chief economist Kevin Lings using Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development data, shows how South Africa ranks in terms of product market regulation – a proxy for the ease of doing business. Boosting competition in South Africa To drive structural changes in South Africa, it is vital that there be short-term results that demonstrate the benefits of reform. The World Bank stated that short-term results are crucial to achieving a successful economic transformation. These short-term wins create the momentum necessary to drive structural changes. One easy way to drive short-term results is to strengthen and broaden market competition in South Africa by easing the regulatory burden on businesses. “Today, many of South Africa’s markets lack dynamism. Firm entry and exit are a third of the average of a typical middle-income country,” the lender said. This means that very few new businesses, whether small or large, are being created that can employ South Africans and contribute to the country’s economic activity. The World Bank stated that it is one of the major reasons behind South Africa’s high unemployment rate and the difficulty individuals face in finding stable and productive jobs in the country. An easy way to address this is to improve market competition, which has the potential to dynamise an economy, boost efficiency, and promote innovation. The global institution stated that South Africa could rebalance its economic model by making it easier for investors and young workers to enter the market. One way to achieve this is to reduce the protection of incumbents, including state-owned enterprises, which often operate as monopolies and are highly inefficient. This creates a status quo that negatively impacts the success of small firms, which lack the capacity or financial means to navigate the complex system of rules and regulations. This, in turn, significantly hinders the ability of low-skill workers to find jobs. Even if they do find employment, they face a heavy income tax burden. The World Bank pointed to the example of South Africa introducing competition to the telecommunications market in the early 2000s. This opening of the sector to private competition resulted in South Africa becoming one of the middle-income countries with the highest rates of digital penetration and exports. In parallel, the private sector also benefited. MTN, a South African multinational mobile telecommunications provider, is now operating in 22 countries worldwide. The same approach has been applied in aviation transport, with the emergence of several regional private companies, and more recently, in power generation, where competition has led to an unprecedented increase in renewable energy. The World Bank said there are no obvious reasons why such an approach, coupled with smart regulations, cannot be applied to other sectors. Warm regards Cliff photo CLIFF HALL indlovu@axxess.co.za 0827810544

Multiple Crises Create Mass Displacement In Cameroon

When the Walls Close In: Multiple Crises Create Mass Displacement in Cameroon Cameroon In April, a Cameroonian national living in the US state of Maryland was indicted by federal prosecutors who said he had been “conspiring to provide material support to armed separatist fighters… in Cameroon…” Eric Tataw, 38, had allegedly ordered the “murder, kidnapping, maiming of civilians” as well as raised funds for armed groups in Cameroon, the indictment said. Since 2016, the violent conflict in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions, the North West and the South West, has killed at least 6,000 people. Here, separatist armed groups have committed serious human rights abuses such as mutilation and torture, according to Human Rights Watch. But so have Cameroonian government forces, carrying out mass killings, the torture of civilians, and the widespread burning of homes. Perpetrators have faced little accountability, the organization added. Caught in the middle are the more than 334,000 people forced from their homes, which, along with other civilians fleeing conflict elsewhere, make Cameroon host to one of the world’s worst and most neglected refugee crises, according to a new report by the Norwegian Refugee Council. The country hosts 1.5 million people forced from their homes by violence. The problem is that the country has been hit by multiple crises simultaneously – terrorists and criminal gangs in the north, a civil war in neighboring Central African Republic, and the almost-decade-long fight between separatists in the English-speaking regions and the government of the French-speaking majority. Anglophone Cameroonians make up around 20 percent of the country’s 28 million people. The crisis in the English-speaking regions, which were governed by the United Kingdom after World War I until independence in 1960, with France governing the rest, broke out after teachers and lawyers in them began protesting the imposition of French within the Anglophone education and judicial system in 2016. The situation escalated after the government cracked down on the protesters, with a separatist movement emerging that wanted to secede from Cameroon into a new state called Ambazonia. “The fight for homeland is existential and non-negotiable,” Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe, the former “president” of the breakaway state that is still fighting his revolution from jail after seven years in prison, told the Guardian. “We have an obligation – dead or alive – to bequeath to our children a nation that they can call theirs, something we have been deprived of for too long.” More recently, the conflict in the Lake Chad region, which also includes Cameroon’s far north Logone-et-Chari district, has been heating up as Islamist militants intensify their cross-border operations and criminal networks continue to operate freely. Much of the violence is due to the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram which split into two factions: The Islamic State West Africa Province, has tried to push “a kind of heart-and-mind-winning strategy,” trying to set up state-like structures in occupied areas and “sometimes trying to deliver social services, but most of the time preying on communities in terms of extortion and illegal tax collection,” Remadji Hoinathy of the Institute for Security Studies told Deutsche Welle. The second faction is People Committed to the Prophet’s Teachings for Propagation and Jihad (JAS), which employs indiscriminate violence against the military, local authorities, and civilians – locals are often forced to pay taxes or collaborate with the groups. In March 2025 alone, there were more than 10 surprise attacks on military barracks in which the perpetrators stole military equipment, weapons, and cars. As a result of the violence, hundreds of thousands have fled the area. Adding to that are the 430,000 refugees who have fled conflicts in the central African region, the majority from the Central African Republic. Constance Banda, who with her husband and six children fled the violence in the English-speaking regions, now lives in a makeshift refugee camp in the capital of Yaoundé. “It’s very hard for us here,” she told Radio France International. “My children sometimes go for days without food. All I pray for is for the fighting to end so that we can return a rebuild our lives.” Share this story

Cape Town Streets Turned Into A Cyclist's Paradise!

https://www.sapeople.com/news/cape-towns-trendiest-street-transformed-into-a-cyclists-paradise/?utm_source=brevo&utm_campaign=SAP%20Friday%20Newsletter%2013%20June%202025&utm_medium=email&utm_id=109

A South African Reported on Cape Town

Sjanel Lucas Cape Town is gorgeous, that alone is reason enough to move here but it is also the only city in South Africa that has good governance instead of crippling corruption. It’s located in the only province with good governance instead of crippling corruption. It’s the only city where you walk around safely in the city center carrying an expensive camera. Yes, there’s crime here, but compared to other SA cities it’s negligible and mostly confined to gang violence in their locality that rarely spreads outside of their territories. You avoid those and you’ll be just fine. Also, my 22 year old just bought a house here. She graduated last year and has been working for 6 months. Not some crazy paying job. Just a regular job along with her boyfriend who works a regular job and graduated a year before her. Gen Z, both of them.

Burundi Chooses The Status Quo

As Elections Approach and Regional Tensions Rise, Burundi Chooses the Status Quo Burundi Burundi officially kicked off its 2025 election campaign season in early May at Ingoma Stadium in Gitega, the capital. Thousands of candidates dressed in their party colors paraded in a ceremony attended by politicians and political hopefuls. Attendees described it as a milestone for the country. “This is a first in Burundi’s democratic history,” Jean De Dieu Mutabazi, president of the Rally for Democracy and Economic and Social Development (RADEBU) party, told Africanews, adding he was optimistic about the election remaining peaceful. “It’s a very symbolic event, showing progress in our democratic culture and reducing political animosity between rivals.” If only that were so, say analysts. Despite a transition in 2020 from brutal autocrat Pierre Nkurunziza to President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who when he took office said he wanted to promote reform and civil liberties, five years later, the country has reverted back to a state of repression and brutality. For example, in spite of the ceremony celebrating the candidates running in federal and local elections on June 5, the leading opposition party, the National Congress for Liberty (CNL), has been suspended, and independent candidates have mostly been excluded from the election. “Recent events suggest that the political and security outlook in Burundi still mostly resembles the dim period of 2015-2016,” wrote Teresa Nogueira Pinto, an Africa analyst, in GIS, referring to the repression and political violence under Nkurunziza. “Despite some changes…, the (ruling) National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) has further consolidated its power…(by) … resorting to repression, including violent measures, against its opposition.” One example of that, analysts say, is how the president has legitimized the Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the ruling party. The group has become a paramilitary force acting on behalf of the party and has been accused of torturing and assassinating opposition figures and others found disloyal to the government. Recently, it was granted official status by the legislature as the Reserve and Development Support Force and charged with defending the country and promoting patriotism. The president has also severely restricted civil liberties and political freedoms, say human rights organizations. For example, the government has excluded former CNL leader Agathon Rwasa, who came second in the 2020 presidential race, from the current election. It did so by implementing a new electoral code that makes it difficult for independent candidates to run, a measure designed specifically to block Rwasa’s candidacy, wrote Nigeria’s News Central. Meanwhile, Reporters Without Borders recently warned of escalating violence against journalists sanctioned by the government, while members of opposition parties complain they face harassment, intimidation, and violence. As a result, analysts say, the elections will bring little change to a country facing deep problems that are becoming more destabilizing, analysts said. Burundi’s already fragile economy still hasn’t recovered from the disruptions stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine. High inflation and shortages of necessities including fuel have hit hard in a country where the majority of the population lives below the poverty line. Now it is being further destabilized by the war in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) next door: More than 100,000 refugees have crossed the border into Burundi since February, the Associated Press reported. United Nations officials say the situation is dire. Meanwhile, the war has escalated tensions with Rwanda, which is supporting the M23 rebels in the DRC with troops. As a result, Rwandan and M23 fighters are sparring with soldiers from Burundi, which supports the Congolese government. Burundi’s soldiers are also fighting the Burundian anti-government group, the Resistance for a State of Law in Burundi (RED-Tabara), based in the DRC. Burundi has long accused Rwanda of supporting the RED-Tabara, which has escalated its attacks in Burundi over the past year. In March, Ndayishimiye accused Rwandan leader, Paul Kagame, of planning to attack Burundi. Meanwhile, locals near the Burundian borders with the DRC and Rwanda say the halt of cross-border trade because of these tensions has hit the local economy hard, causing a loss of income and shortages of fuel and other commodities. They add that it has become impossible to acknowledge friends and family in the neighboring countries without being targeted by the government. Now, they are sure war is approaching. “Since the (war broke out in the DRC), we are afraid,” one resident of Buganda near the border with the eastern DRC, told Afrique XXI. “When the war breaks out, we will be the first victims.” Share this story

South Africa Proposes 10- Year Purchase Deal For US LNG

South Africa Proposes 10-Year Purchase Deal For U.S. LNG By Alex Kimani, 4 hours ago South Africa has proposed to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States over a 10-year period as the country looks to secure a trade deal with the Trump administration, a ministerial statement by the South African government has revealed. South Africa plans to import 75 to 100 million cubic metres of LNG per year from the U.S., the world’s top LNG exporter. According to Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, the deal would “unlock approximately $900 million to $1.2 billion in trade per annum and $9 billion – $12 billion for 10 years based on applicable price.” According to Ntshavheni, U.S. LNG will not replace South Africa’s current supplies but rather complement them. Ntshavheni, South Africa’s cabinet spokesperson, said her country would also explore areas of cooperation with the U.S. in various technologies, including fracking, to help unlock the country’s gas sector. South Africa's Karoo region holds significant gas reserves, however, the country has a moratorium on shale gas exploration over environmental grounds. The proposed trade package also includes a quota of 40,000 vehicles per year to be exported duty-free from South Africa; duty-free supplies of automotive components sourced from South Africa; 385 million kilograms of duty-free steel per year and 132 million kg of duty-free aluminium per year. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa is credited with proposing the LNG deal during his visit to the White House a week ago, when U.S. President Donald Trump blamed him for “genocide” against white farmers and controversial government policies, such as black economic empowerment and land reforms. Ramaphosa had hoped to use the meeting to mend fences with the Trump administration after Trump cancelled aid to South Africa, accusing the government of committing “egregious actions.” South Africa-born billionaire and a Trump super-ally, Elon Musk, has condemned the South African leadership for supporting “openly racist policies.”Musk is considered to be a big reason behind the animosity towards South Africa by the Trump administration, where white South Africans disproportionately control most of the country’s land and wealth despite constituting just 7% of the population. Back in March, Marco Rubio, U.S. secretary of state, declared South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool, persona non grata and expelled him from the country. The administration has criticised South Africa’sgenocide court case against Israel. South Africa currently imports most of its gas from Mozambique via pipeline, with Mozambique’s $20 billion natural gas and LNG project facing repeated delays. The project was halted in 2021 due to violence in the Cabo Delgado region, specifically an attack by Islamic State-linked militants. TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE) is currently seeking approval from the Mozambican government to lift a force majeure declaration on the project, and hopes to start production by 2029. Total is the project’s main operator with a 26.5% stake, followed by Japan’s Mitsui & Co with 20%, while Mozambique's state-owned ENH owns a 15% stake. Despite the violence, the project is viewed as crucial for the region's economy and Mozambique's economy, with the Southern African country projected to earn US$23 billion from the Coral Norte project over three decades. The LNG plant will liquefy 13.12 million metric tons of natural gas per year (tpy). Whereas 18 African countries produce some natural gas, Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria account for nearly 90% of all gas produced on the continent. Nigeria has the continent’s largest gas reserves at 206.5 trillion cubic feet. The oil and gas sector in Africa’s most populous country is responsible for 95% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings and 20% of GDP. Source: LNG Industry Currently, Africa has several big LNG projects in progress or awaiting FID (Final Investment Decision). These include Rovuma LNG, Coral North FLNG, Mozambique LNG, and Tanzania LNG. These four projects will be instrumental in ramping up the continent’s LNG export capacity over the next decade. The Coral South FLNG is a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility located offshore Mozambique, specifically in the southern part of Area 4 of the Rovuma Basin. It is designed to process 450 billion cubic meters of natural gas from the Coral reservoir, liquefying 3.4 million metric tons annually for export. The facility is the first FLNG deployed in deep waters on the African continent. Meanwhile, Rovuma LNG is a 12-train project with a total capacity of 18 million tpy; Mozambique LNG has a total export capacity of 43 million tpy while Tanzania LNG will provide 10 million tpy worth of capacity. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Saudi Arabia to Review Spending Priorities After Oil Price Slide EIA Shows US Crude, Product Inventories Fell Upstream Spending and Production Holds Steady in Canada 61