Displaying items by tag: Africa

During a visit to Algeria, Pope Leo XIV, the first Augustinian pope, has made a historic journey to Annaba, the site of ancient Hippo where Saint Augustine once ministered. Addressing a small Christian community in a predominantly Muslim nation, he shared with ‘the beloved children of the Church in Algeria’ the three essential aspects of the Christian life - prayer, charity, and unity. He highlighted the church’s role as a quiet but faithful witness, encouraging believers to persevere and trust in God’s ability to bring new life even in difficult circumstances. His message underlined the call to unity and reconciliation, offering encouragement to communities seeking to live out their faith amid hardship and to be a sign of hope in a divided world. He reminded them, ‘In the desert (which covers a great part of Algeria’s territory) no one can survive alone.’

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has intensified, with the United Nations reporting nearly 700 civilian deaths from drone strikes since January, many occurring in regions such as Darfur and Kordofan. The ongoing conflict between the army and the RSF has devastated communities, with attacks hitting homes, schools, and markets; children have been among the most affected. The war, now in its fourth year, has displaced over 11 million people and left around 19 million facing acute hunger. The Red Cross says over 11,000 have been reported missing since the conflict began, a figure which has risen sharply in the past year. Also, destroyed communication networks have left families without news of loved ones, adding to their psychological toll. Aid agencies describe Sudan as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with most of the population in urgent need of assistance, and relief efforts remain severely underfunded.

In northern Mozambique, communities are facing renewed violence as Islamist insurgents linked to IS reassert control in vulnerable areas. Armed groups have openly entered villages, spreading fear and targeting civilians. The gas-rich northern Cabo Delgado region has been ravaged by eight years of killing and land grabs, causing widespread displacement and suffering. The decision by Donald Trump to halt USAID, including cuts to development and humanitarian programmes, has left communities with fewer resources, increasing poverty and making young people more vulnerable to recruitment. Hospitals, food distribution, and local livelihood projects have all been affected, deepening hardship for families already struggling to survive. IS confidence has been re-energised, as shown by attacks in September when dozens of men, mostly Christians, were beheaded. Despite the region’s significant natural gas potential, insecurity continues to hinder development, leaving many caught between violence, displacement, and economic uncertainty.

Confusion and concern have followed a deadly Easter attack on a church in Kaduna state, as local residents dispute the army’s claim that 31 abducted civilians were rescued. The military reported that troops engaged attackers in a fierce firefight, forcing them to flee and leaving hostages behind. However, community leaders insist that those taken remain missing, with no evidence of any rescue. The attack, which took place during Easter celebrations, left at least five people dead according to official figures, though local sources say the toll may be higher. Church leaders and community representatives have called on the army to clarify the situation and account for those reportedly freed. Northern Nigeria continues to face frequent violence from armed groups and bandits, with churches and Christian communities often affected. Despite military efforts and international support, insecurity remains widespread, with ongoing kidnappings and attacks deepening fear among residents. The incident highlights the urgent need for protection, transparency, and lasting peace in vulnerable regions.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has agreed to receive migrants deported from the USA who are not Congolese nationals, as part of a new arrangement beginning this month. Authorities in Kinshasa have established temporary reception facilities, with logistical support provided by the US. Officials, denying that the scheme is permanent, have stated that deportees will not be forcibly returned to their countries of origin. The US is also negotiating a minerals deal with DR Congo to help gain access to its vast reserves of key metals such as cobalt, tantalum, lithium and copper. The agreement is the latest example of a broader policy; five other African nations have already accepted third-country migrants and probably received at least $32 million in aid in return. However, the approach has drawn criticism from human rights groups, who question its legality and implications for vulnerable individuals.

A major security deployment is underway across the Cape Flats, as the National Defence Force (SANDF) joins the police service to strengthen crime prevention efforts. The initiative, launched with the code name Operation Prosper at a joint parade in Belhar, aims to address persistent challenges including gang violence, extortion, and territorial conflict affecting communities in Cape Town. Coordinated operations will include patrols, roadblocks, and targeted interventions in high-risk areas, guided by intelligence and managed through joint command structures. Military personnel will support visible policing and stabilisation efforts while remaining under police leadership. The authorities have stated that this operation will seek to disrupt organised crime networks and reduce firearm-related offences, with a focus on restoring safety and stability in communities facing ongoing insecurity.

Ghana’s UN representative, Samuel Yao Kumah, has called on member states to support a draft resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade as ‘the gravest crime against humanity’. The proposal, presented to a General Assembly session on 25 March, aims to strengthen ongoing reparations efforts, particularly those led by Caribbean nations. Kumah emphasised that the resolution does not diminish other historical tragedies but highlights the profound global impact of centuries of African enslavement, which helped shape enduring systems of inequality. He stressed that such resolutions are declaratory political instruments, not judicial rulings, and cannot create legally binding hierarchies of crime. By acknowledging this past, Ghana and its partners hope to lay a foundation for future reparative initiatives while challenging attempts to obscure or minimise the legacy of slavery and its continuing consequences.

In parts of Johannesburg and surrounding areas, residents are protesting ongoing water shortages that have left some communities without reliable supply for weeks. Even in well-developed suburbs, taps have run dry, disrupting daily life and raising health concerns. In poorer areas, inconsistent access to clean water has persisted for years, forcing reliance on water tankers. Frustration has grown as people report having to pay for water that should be free, with allegations of corruption and exploitation worsening the crisis. Experts point to ageing infrastructure and a lack of investment as the root causes, while criminal activity may be compounding the problem. Government leaders, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, have announced plans for coordinated action. However, for many residents, daily hardship continues as they struggle to access one of life’s most basic necessities, highlighting deep inequalities and urgent need for lasting solutions.

On 16 March, coordinated bomb attacks by suspected suicide bombers struck the Nigerian city of Maiduguri, killing at least 23 people and injuring over a hundred. The explosions hit a crowded market, a hospital entrance and a nearby area just after people broke their Ramadan fast, and caused  panic as survivors fled. The military have blamed the jehadist Boko Haram group, which originated in the town in 2009, and warned of increased threats during the final days of the holy month. The attacks shattered a period of relative calm in the city, long associated with insurgency but recently more stable than surrounding rural areas. Violence across northeastern Nigeria has persisted, with extremist groups continuing assaults which have killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. Officials have increased security presence and pledged stronger action, though concerns remain about ongoing vulnerability. The resurgence of attacks highlights the fragile security situation and the continued challenges facing efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.

More than 300 people, including many women and children, have been abducted after militant fighters attacked the town of Ngoshe in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state. Local officials say the assault likely came in retaliation for the recent killing of three Boko Haram commanders by Nigerian forces. The attack forms part of a wider wave of violence across the region, with additional assaults reported in several nearby communities. Although the military says troops repelled some attacks, soldiers were also killed during the fighting. Mass kidnappings have become increasingly common in Nigeria, particularly in remote areas where security is limited. Armed groups often arrive on motorbikes, raid villages quickly, and disappear into remote bushland before troops can respond. Among the militant groups operating in the region are Boko Haram, IS, and other armed gangs which engage in kidnapping and illegal mining. Analysts warn that cross-border militant cooperation and new technologies such as drones are strengthening these groups, while many communities remain vulnerable to ongoing violence.