International

Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has partnered with Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) to implement the 'Emergency Food Support for Flood Victims in the Republic of Niger' project.The initiative involved the distribution of food assistance, including 3,600 food baskets and 750 tons of livestock feed, to support animal husbandry in six affected regions. The aid aimed to improve food security for over 6,600 families impacted by the floods.Each family received a comprehensive food basket containing 120 kg of essential items such as millet, rice, sugar, and cooking oil, while families that suffered livestock losses due to the floods were provided with 250 kg of feed.This assistance was part of a wider response to the disaster, as recent floods claimed the lives of 373 individuals, resulted in the loss of 24,955 livestock, destroyed 136,273 homes and 710 water sources, and affected 174,438 families comprising 1,296,618 people.This collaboration reflects Qatar's commitment to acting swiftly and effectively to support communities impacted by natural disasters. It also highlights the importance of partnerships in delivering urgent humanitarian aid, thereby enhancing efforts to meet the needs of those affected.Through this partnership, the QFFD aims to provide essential support to improve the living conditions of beneficiaries, demonstrating the values of humanity and solidarity as a key part of Qatar's vision to promote sustainable development.

With its picturesque landscapes, well-maintained roads, awe-inspiring infrastructure, and incredibly hospitable people, you find yourself in the Republic of Rwanda. Nestled in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, this landlocked gem stands at the crossroads of the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa.Known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills," Rwanda is not just a destination; it’s an experience that blends stunning natural beauty with a complex history and a bright future.As we embarked on our journey from Doha with RwandAir, we were immediately greeted by the unmistakable warmth of Rwandan hospitality. The atmosphere was charged with optimism, reflecting a nation that has triumphed over its tumultuous past. Although global headlines surrounding the Marburg virus had caused some concern, RDB and the Rwandan health department reassured us of a safe and enriching FAM trip. Media representatives from around the world—spanning Qatar, Canada, France, Kenya, and Ethiopia—had gathered for this week-long adventure, offering us a unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in one of Africa's cleanest and safest nations.A Complex History: The beauty of Rwanda is starkly juxtaposed with its tragic past. The country’s history is marred by the 1994 genocide, where nearly one million people lost their lives in a brutal conflict fueled by ethnic tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi communities. For around 100 days, the world stood by as horrific violence unfolded. The genocide serves as a painful reminder of humanity's capacity for cruelty, yet Rwanda has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to heal. The people of Rwanda have chosen a path of coexistence, aiming for progress and unity despite the lingering scars of history.Kigali Genocide Memorial: One of the most poignant experiences during our visit was the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Located in the capital city, this powerful tribute honours the nearly one million Tutsi and moderate Hutu victims of the genocide. Established in 2004, the memorial includes mass graves where over 250,000 victims are buried. Walking through the exhibits, we were struck by the detailed historical narratives that revealed the root causes and consequences of the genocide. Photographs, artifacts, and survivor testimonies provided a sobering insight into the events that unfolded, emphasizing the vital need for tolerance, unity, and peace.One of the most heart-wrenching sections was the children's room, memorializing young victims and the innocence that was lost. The memorial's purpose extends beyond remembrance; it promotes peacebuilding and reconciliation in Rwanda. Managed by the Aegis Trust, the memorial advocates for global awareness against hate and prejudice, echoing the solemn pledge of “Never Again.”Campaign Against Genocide Museum: Another significant site was the Campaign Against Genocide Museum, situated at the Parliament Building in Kigali. This museum honours the heroic efforts of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) in stopping the genocide. Here, we learned about the resistance and resilience that characterized the RPF’s actions, led by current Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The exhibits detailed the events leading to the genocide and the international community's apathy during those dark days.A particularly evocative feature of the museum is the "Tunnel of Escape," which preserved a secret route used by RPF soldiers to navigate Kigali during the chaos. This tangible connection to history deepened our understanding of the conditions faced by those who fought to protect civilians. Through this museum, Rwanda communicates a powerful message of resilience and unity while educating future generations about the dangers of hatred and violence.Imbuga City Walk: Beyond the memorials, Rwanda's capital is a vibrant hub of life and culture. Imbuga City Walk, a beautifully landscaped urban space in Kigali, is designed for leisure and social interaction. As we strolled along the well-maintained paths surrounded by lush greenery, we felt a sense of tranquility wash over us. The walk often hosts cultural events, art exhibitions, and performances, showcasing Rwandan heritage and fostering community engagement.Project Manager John Claude Niyibizi shared the vision behind Imbuga City Walk: “This project aims to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Kigali. By minimizing traffic and integrating green spaces, we’re not only improving the environment but also fostering a healthier and more enjoyable community space.”The walk is more than just a recreational area; it symbolizes Rwanda’s commitment to sustainability and urban development.Nyamirambo Women’s Center: Another remarkable aspect of Rwanda’s resilience is evident in community initiatives like the Nyamirambo Women’s Center (NWC). Established in 2007, this organization empowers women through vocational training, literacy classes, and entrepreneurship support. The center not only focuses on skill-building but also provides health education on reproductive health and nutrition, addressing the needs of women in the community.Visitors to the NWC can participate in guided tours of the Nyamirambo neighbourhood, which not only promotes local culture but also generates income to sustain the centre's activities. This initiative is a testament to the spirit of solidarity and empowerment among Rwandan women.Nyandungu Eco Park: For those seeking a natural escape, Nyandungu Eco Park offers a serene environment in Kigali, promoting environmental conservation and community well-being. Covering approximately 121 hectares, the park features walking and cycling trails, picnic areas, and diverse habitats, from wetlands to forests. Visitors can immerse themselves in nature while learning about the importance of sustainability.The park also plays a significant role in promoting eco-tourism, attracting both locals and visitors. Its commitment to enhancing quality of life aligns with Rwanda’s broader environmental initiatives.Canopy walk experience, located in the lush Nyungwe Forest National Park, offers an unforgettable adventure amid the treetops. This 160-meter-long walkway, suspended 70 meters above the forest floor, provides stunning panoramic views of one of Africa's oldest rainforests. Visitors can expect an exhilarating journey with sightings of diverse wildlife, including rare primates like chimpanzees and colobus monkeys, along with vibrant bird species unique to the region. The walk offers a rare perspective of Rwanda's pristine natural beauty, making it a must-do activity for eco-tourists and adventure seekers exploring the country’s rich landscapes.Gato Keza Coffee Experience: Rwanda's rich coffee culture is celebrated through initiatives like the Gato Keza Coffee Experience. This unique tour allows visitors to experience the coffee-making process, from farm to cup. Participants engage in guided tours of coffee plantations, learning about sustainable farming practices and the socio-economic impact of coffee production on local communities.The experience includes coffee tastings, where we savoured the distinctive flavours of Rwandan coffee, known for its bright acidity and rich profile. This blend of coffee culture and traditional Rwandan hospitality creates an enriching experience that highlights the significance of coffee in the nation’s economy.Ellen DeGeneres Campus for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund: No visit to Rwanda would be complete without acknowledging its incredible wildlife. The Ellen DeGeneres Campus for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, located in Musanze, serves as a central hub for mountain gorilla conservation. Opened in 2020, the campus features state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to research, education, and community engagement.Visitors can participate in educational programs and guided tours, gaining insights into the lives of mountain gorillas and the ongoing conservation efforts. The campus embodies Rwanda’s commitment to wildlife protection and sustainable tourism, fostering a deeper appreciation for these magnificent creatures.Trekking in search of gorillasRwanda is celebrated for its stunning landscapes and extraordinary wildlife, but nothing rivals the thrill of trekking to see the majestic mountain gorillas. These incredible creatures, known for their intelligence and complex social structures, attract nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers from all over the world.Mountain gorillas are one of two subspecies of the eastern gorilla, the other being the eastern lowland gorilla. They inhabit the misty forests of the Virunga Mountains, which stretch across Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With a population of around 1,063 (according to the most recent census), mountain gorillas are classified as endangered, primarily due to habitat loss and poaching.Adult male mountain gorillas typically weigh between 160 to 220kg, while females usually weigh between 70 to 113kg. When standing upright, males can reach heights of 4.5 to 6 feet. Their broad shoulders and muscular bodies are a sight to behold, especially with their thick, black fur that helps them adapt to the cooler climates of their mountainous habitat. Males are particularly striking with their silver backs, which emerge around the age of 12, marking their maturity.Mountain gorillas are herbivores, primarily feeding on leaves, stems, fruits, and flowers. Their diet varies with the seasons, allowing them to adapt to the availability of food sources. Equipped with strong jaws and teeth, they can chew tough vegetation, and their digestive systems are well-suited for processing fibrous plant material. Remarkably, an adult mountain gorilla can consume up to 20kg of vegetation daily, spending about 30% of their day feeding, mostly in the early morning and late afternoon.Trekking to see mountain gorillas is an unforgettable adventure, typically starting in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. A trekking permit is essential to visit the gorillas, and it’s advisable to book well in advance due to limited availability, as only 96 permits are issued per day. The fees collected from permits contribute to conservation efforts and support local communities.When preparing for the trek, proper gear is crucial. Sturdy hiking boots, long pants, a rain jacket, and gloves are highly recommended, along with a walking stick for navigating the uneven terrain.Led by experienced guides, trekking expeditions prioritize safety while providing fascinating insights into gorilla behaviour. Depending on the group assigned, the trek can last a few hours as you navigate through dense forests and steep hills. The excitement of finally encountering a family of gorillas makes every step worthwhile. Upon locating a gorilla group, you have the opportunity to observe them for an hour, witnessing their interactions—grooming, playing, and engaging in social behaviours that reveal their intricate social structures.As our guide, Daniel, explained, “These mountain gorillas can live up to 35 to 40 years in the wild, and some have even been known to live longer in captivity. The gestation period for females is about 8.5 months, similar to that of humans.” He added that gorillas experience different developmental stages, with females typically beginning to reproduce around eight years of age and males transitioning into the "silverback" stage by age 12.Rwanda has made remarkable strides in gorilla conservation, contributing to a steady increase in their population. Initiatives such as anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration, and community engagement programs play vital roles in these efforts. By visiting the gorillas, tourists directly support these initiatives, promoting sustainable tourism that benefits both wildlife and local communities.Trekking in search of gorillas in Rwanda offers a unique opportunity to connect with one of the world’s most endangered species. Beyond the adventure, it fosters a deeper understanding of conservation's importance and the intricate ecosystems that support these magnificent animals. As you traverse the stunning landscapes of Rwanda, the chance to witness mountain gorillas in their natural habitat becomes a transformative experience that leaves a lasting impression.

South Africa has filed "evidence" of a "genocide" committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip with the International Court of Justice, the office of President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday.The document "contains evidence which shows how the government of Israel has violated the genocide convention by promoting the destruction of Palestinians living in Gaza", the presidency said in a statement, amid claims vehemently denied by Israel.An official for the Hague-based court on Monday confirmed it had received the document, but did declined to give further detail."The evidence will show that undergirding Israel's genocidal acts is the special intent to commit genocide, a failure by Israel to prevent incitement to genocide, to prevent genocide itself and its failure to punish those inciting and committing acts of genocide," said the presidency.The "memorial" -- the name of the document detailing South Africa's case against Israel before the ICJ -- cannot be made public but laid out evidence in "over 750 pages of text, supported by exhibits and annexes of over 4,000 pages", it added.South Africa in December brought a case before the ICJ, arguing the war in Gaza breached the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, an accusation Israel has strongly denied.Several nations have added their weight to South Africa's proceedings against Israel, including Spain, Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, Turkiye, Chile and Libya.While ICJ rulings are legally binding, the court has no concrete means to enforce them.Israel's Gaza campaign has killed at least 43,020 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-ruled territory's health ministry, which the UN considers reliable.The offensive was prompted by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack which resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.Out of 251 hostages seized by during the attack, 97 are still held in Gaza, including 34 whom the Israeli military says are dead.

On a normal day a visitor might pass Igbo-Ora with little more than a double take, wondering why so many pairs of residents wear matching clothes.But this weekend left nobody doubting what makes the town in southwest Nigeria special.With fanfare, pageantry, talent shows and even a royal visit, hundreds of people gathered in the self-proclaimed "twins capital of the world" to celebrate its unusually high rate of multiple births."There's hardly a family here in Igbo-Ora that doesn't have a twin," said visiting Yoruba king Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, himself a twin.Yoruba culture reveres twins and their first names are traditionally fixed -- Taiwo meaning 'one that tastes the world' for the eldest child, and Kehinde meaning 'one that came after' for the second-born.The town stands out even in the wider Yorubaland region, which boasts an above-average incidence of non-identical twins, according to population experts.The global average birth rate for twins is around 12 per 1,000 births -- but in Igbo-Ora, it is thought to be closer to 50 per 1,000, according to scientific studies and hospital records.Explanations for the abundance differ.Many residents put it down to diet, especially okra leaf or ilasa soup with yam and amala (cassava flour).Fertility experts -- and several residents -- are sceptical, saying there is no proven link between diet and the high twin rate.Scientists are looking into genetic factors, and how the twins' special cultural status might make them more likely to find partners and have children.Whatever the reason, everyone in the town agrees the abundance of twins is a blessing -- even more so this year as Nigeria grapples with its worst economic crisis in a generation.Suliat Mobolaji gave birth to twins eight months ago and said the family had been showered with gifts ever since."It's changed my life," the 30-year-old said, clutching a son in each arm."You can't give birth to twins and remain down on your luck," she beamed. "It's a gift from God."Taiwo Ojewale, a research assistant specialising in Yoruba culture at the University of Ibadan, said celebrating twins was "rooted in traditional religious belief."Twins are seen as a gift from the supreme god Olodumare, he explained, and Igbo-Ora's oral history describes them as a reward following a series of disasters that befell the community.The town erupted with joy as the event began on Saturday. At the festival ground, staff rolled out a red carpet for scores of twins both young and old.They paraded in immaculate matching outfits -- from glamorous sunglasses and patterned adire fabric to a pair of toddlers sporting purple dresses and identical handbags.Dozens more twins watched from the stands or milled side by side around town.The festival's organisers -- themselves twins -- say they eventually want to attempt a world record for the largest gathering of twins on the planet.Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye, 39, also said they hope to stage a mass wedding of twin couples next year."Twins bring favours, fame and wealth," said Taiwo. "That's why we Yoruba celebrate their birth, and maybe that is the reason why God blessed us in Yorubaland with the highest number of twins in the world.""It's a blessing," the Oguntoye twins nodded, speaking in unison.

Rescuers are searching for more than 100 migrants off the coast of Djibouti after smugglers forced them to jump into the sea, the UN migration agency said on Wednesday.At least 45 bodies have been recovered from Tuesday's incident, a death toll that makes 2024 the deadliest year on record for sea crossings on the migration route between East Africa and Yemen, the International Organisation for Migration said.Another 154 people have been rescued from the two boats, which left Yemen for Djibouti with a total of 310 passengers, IOM said in a statement."Ongoing search and rescue operations are underway by the Djiboutian Coast Guard to locate the missing migrants," it said.Every year, hundreds of thousands of people leave the Horn of Africa in pursuit of better economic prospects in Gulf nations via the so-called Eastern Route, described by the IOM as one of the world's busiest and riskiest migration corridors.Survivors told IOM that they were forced off the two vessels by the boat operators in the open sea off the coast of Obock, a port town in Djibouti.The survivors included a four-month-old infant whose mother drowned, the agency said.Many migrants on the Eastern Route end up trapped in violence-wracked Yemen and attempt to return to Djibouti.

Ugandans on Saturday paid tributes to Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who died after her partner set her on fire in Kenya, ahead of her funeral in her family village.The 33-year-old, who debuted this summer in the women's marathon at the Paris Olympics, succumbed to severe burns last week after being attacked by Kenyan Dickson Ndiema Marangach.The brutal assault shocked the East African region and prompted a global outpouring of tributes, with activists condemning another act of gender-based violence in Kenya.On Saturday morning, residents, officials and relatives waited in the cold morning light to pay their respects in the village of Bukwo, some 380 kilometres northeast of Uganda's capital Kampala."We are extremely saddened," said her estranged husband Simon Ayeko, with whom she had two daughters."As a father it has been very difficult," he told AFP, explaining he had not been able to break the news to their children."Slowly we will tell them the truth."The service to honour Cheptegei, a sergeant in the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF), started around 10am, with officials and relatives gathering at the local council office.The coffin, swathed in the Ugandan flag, was saluted by officers from the UPDF who carried her body into the room overlooking the remote rolling hills of her childhood.The athlete was a "heroine", local presidential representative Bessie Modest Ajilong told AFP, describing her as "out of ordinary.""As leaders, we saw Cheptegei as an inspiration."Her body was moved from the local council headquarters to a nearby sports stadium where hundreds gathered to pay their respects.Scores of athletes, among them Kenyan athletes Mary Keitany and Daniel Komen, travelled to the small village to attend the ceremonies."She greatly contributed to the promotion of athletics until her last days," coach Alex Malinga, who trained her as a teenager, told AFP."Cheptegei was one of those who inspired the talented young that one day they will be like her."Police said Marangach sneaked into her home to hide while she was at church with her children.The couple had argued over ownership of the property where she lived with her sister Dorcas Cherop and daughters, according to her family."I think at that time, their relationship had become sour," Cheptegei's brother-in-law, Moses Kipsiro, told AFP."I didn't know then something was wrong," said Kipsiro, who previously trained with Cheptegei and also hails from Bukwo.Her attacker later died from injuries sustained in the assault.The vicious assault has thrown yet another spotlight on what activists have called a femicide epidemic.Kenya reported 725 femicide cases in 2022 alone, according to the latest UN figures.A report the following year by Kenya's National Bureau of Statistics found 34 percent of women had experienced physical violence since the age of 15.At least two other athletes, Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua, have lost their lives in domestic violence incidents since 2021.

Zimbabwe will cull 200 elephants as it faces an unprecedented drought that has led to food shortages, a move that will also allow it to tackle a ballooning population of the animals, the country's wildlife authority said Friday.The country has "more elephants than it needed", Zimbabwe's environment minister said in parliament on Wednesday, adding that the government had instructed the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) to begin the culling process.The 200 elephants will be hunted in areas where they have clashed with humans, including Hwange, home of Zimbabwe's largest natural reserve, ZimParks director general Fulton Mangwanya told AFP.Zimbabwe is home to an estimated 100,000 elephants, and has the second-biggest elephant population in the world after Botswana.Thanks to conservation efforts, Hwange is home to 65,000 of the animals, more than four times its capacity, according to ZimParks. Zimbabwe last culled elephants in 1988.Neighbouring Namibia said this month that it had already killed 160 wildlife in a planned cull of more than 700 animals, including 83 elephants, to cope with its worst drought in decades.Zimbabwe and Namibia are among a swathe of countries in southern Africa that have declared a state of emergency because of drought.About 42 percent of Zimbabweans live in poverty, according to UN estimates, and authorities say about six million will require food assistance during the November to March lean season, when food is scarcest.The move to hunt the elephants for food was criticised by some, not least because the animals are a major draw for tourists."Government must have more sustainable eco-friendly methods to dealing with drought without affecting tourism," said Farai Maguwu, director of the nonprofit Centre for Natural Resource Governance."They risk turning away tourists on ethical grounds. The elephants are more profitable alive than dead," he said."We have shown that we are poor custodians of natural resources and our appetite for ill-gotten wealth knows no bounds, so this must be stopped because it is unethical."But Chris Brown, a conservationist and CEO of the Namibian Chamber of Environment, said that "elephants have a devastating effect on habitat if they are allowed to increase continually, exponentially"."They really damage ecosystems and habitats, and they have a huge impact on other species which are less iconic and therefore matter less in the eyes of the eurocentric, urban armchair conservation people," he said."Those species matter as much as elephants."Namibia's cull of elephants has been condemned by conservationists and the animal rights group PETA as short-sighted, cruel and ineffective.But the government said the 83 to be culled would be only a small fraction of the estimated 20,000 elephants in the arid country, and would relieve pressure on grazing and water supplies.

At least 37 people were killed in armed attacks on several villages in Beni, eastern Democratic Congo.Local authorities stated that the attacks were launched by gunmen belonging to the Allied Democratic Forces, affiliated with ISIS, and targeted several villages in the Babila Bakaiko area in North Kivu province over a period of three days, resulting in deaths and severe material damage.The security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is still fragile in light of the increasing activity of armed groups based on the common border with Uganda

Eight people died and dozens were injured in Zimbabwe when a bus carrying churchgoers caught fire on its way to an annual gathering, police said Monday.The bus was carrying dozens of Anglican pilgrims when the blaze occurred, causing eight people to be "burnt beyond recognition", police spokesman Paul Nyathi told AFP.Nyathi also said over 50 people were injured with 14 hospitalised."We were unable to identify who exactly died and DNA should be carried out first. Two people are also missing," he said.The cause of the fire was not yet known."We are still conducting investigations to ascertain the cause of the accident and more details will then be released," Nyathi said.The churchgoers were driving back to Manicaland province after attending the Bernard Mizeki Annual Festival in Marondera, a small town northeast of Harare.The meeting is attended by over 20,000 annually by congregants from all parts of the world.Reverend Edwin Selemani of the Anglican Church in a statement that he wished "healing to the injured and comfort to the bereaved"."May God grant rest to the souls of the departed," he said.

The South African Parliament has confirmed Cyril Ramaphosa as the President of South Africa for a second term.Judge Raymond Zondo, who presided over the election session, announced that Ramaphosa secured 283 votes from the 400-member National Assembly. Julius Malema, the candidate from the radical left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, received 44 votes.On Friday, President Ramaphosa reached an agreement to form a coalition between his party, the African National Congress (ANC), and the formerly opposing Democratic Alliance (DA). This marks the first time in 30 years that a coalition government will be formed in South Africa.Earlier, the South African Electoral Commission announced that the ruling ANC won 159 seats in the elections held on May 29th. However, this marks the first time in its history that the party has lost its absolute majority in Parliament.The DA, the largest opposition party, secured 87 seats in Parliament, while the new populist party (MK) led by former President Jacob Zuma won 49 seats. (QNA)

Malawi's Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine others, including former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, were killed when the military plane they were travelling in crashed, President Lazarus Chakwera said on Tuesday.The aircraft carrying Chilima, who was seen as a potential candidate in next year's presidential election, went missing on Monday."I'm deeply saddened, I'm sorry to inform you all that it has turned out to be a terrible tragedy. The search and rescue team has found the aircraft near a hill. They have found it completely destroyed with no survivors," Chakwera said in an address to the nation.The plane left the capital Lilongwe at 09:17 a.m. (0717 GMT) on Monday but was unable to land at Mzuzu airport as scheduled at 10:02 a.m. due to poor visibility.It was ordered to return to Lilongwe but went off the radar and aviation authorities could not make contact with it.Chakwera said all passengers on board were killed on impact and that the military was bringing their remains back to the capital."Despite the track record of the aircraft and the experience of the crew, something terrible went wrong with that aircraft on its flight back to Lilongwe, sending it crashing down and leaving us all devastated," he said.Images shared online showed security and rescue personnel on the crash site on a hillside with debris scattered around the tail of the Dornier 228-202K military transport plane, its tail number MAF T03 still visible.Reuters has not been able to authenticate the pictures.Chilima, 51, returned from South Korea on Sunday after participating in the Korea-Africa summit, and was travelling with the other passengers on Monday morning to attend the funeral of Malawi's former justice minister in the north of the country."Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima was a good man, a devoted father and husband, a patriotic citizen who served his country with distinction, and a formidable vice president," Chakwera said.Chilima, a former director of Airtel Malawi, was the leader of the United Transformation Movement party. He partnered with Chakwera to form the ruling Tonse Alliance and ran as his running mate in their 2020 victory.Relations between the two, however, had become tense ahead of the 2025 presidential election in which the vice president was expected to challenge the president.Chilima was arrested in 2022 over graft allegations. However, a court dropped the charges against him last month after the director of public prosecutions filed a notice for the case to be discontinued. Chilima denied wrongdoing.

An aircraft carrying Malawi's vice president, Saulos Klaus Chilima, and nine others has gone missing, the southern African nation's presidency said on Monday.Chilima, 51, was aboard a military aircraft that left Lilongwe, the capital, at 09:17am. (0717 GMT), Malawi's Office of the President and Cabinet said. It said search and rescue operations were ongoing."All efforts by aviation authorities to make contact with the Aircraft since it went off the radar have failed thus far," it said in a statement.The aircraft had been scheduled to land at Mzuzu Airport at 10:02 a.m., according to the statement.Malawi's information minister, Moses Kunkuyu, told state broadcaster MBC that the search efforts had been intensified.Chilima, seen as a potential candidate in next year's presidential election, was arrested in 2022 over graft allegations.However, a Malawi court dropped the corruption charges against him last month after the director of public prosecutions filed a notice for the case to be discontinued. Chilima has denied any wrongdoing.

Extreme marathon runner Russ Cook completed his run across the entire length of Africa in Tunisia on Sunday after travelling through 16 countries, with the 352-day odyssey including being robbed at gunpoint and suffering food poisoning.Cook started his adventure last April at Africa's most southerly point, the South African village of L'Agulhas, and proceeded up the continent's west coast, running a total of over 16,000 kilometres."The first person ever to run the entire length of Africa. Mission complete," Cook posted on social media platform X.The 27-year-old passed through Namibia, Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania and Algeria, before arriving at Ras Angela on Sunday evening.The endurance athlete, who calls himself the "Hardest Geezer", has also raised more than half a millions pounds for charity along the way."The main goal is to challenge yourself and do something incredible which is what 'Hardest Geezer' is all about," Simon Klima of Givestar charity platform told Reuters."Simultaneously raise a lot of money for some really important causes, that's happening on the Givestar platform, so we are very privileged to have that happening there."So far nearly 600,000 pounds ($758,160.00) has been raised for two charities, Sandblast and the Running charity. Hopefully, going to hit a million pounds, Russ will hit a million pounds with his fundraiser, that's the target."Cook was accompanied by supporters on the final leg of his journey, many of whom had flown out especially to be there."I saw the post on Instagram where he invited everyone out. I was laying on my couch, it was a Sunday afternoon, I saw it and he said everybody can come," Warren Blake from the US told Reuters."I just couldn't miss a crazy historic opportunity like this."Cook, wearing an England football jersey, arrived at the finish to chants of "Geezer, geezer", telling reporters: "I'm pretty tired", before enjoying a well-earned strawberry daiquiri.

Hours after he was sworn in for a five-year presidential term, the new Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye appointed Ousmane Sonko as prime minister.The new 49-year-old prime minister said following this appointment that he understands the heavy responsibility and trust that President Faye has placed in him.Sonko announced that he would form his new government in the coming hours. (QNA)

Palestinians said the World Court let them down by failing to order a halt to the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, but they also described the proceedings as a victory which had inspired hope of accountability.The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to prevent any acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help suffering civilians. However, it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire as requested by South Africa, which brought the case.Friday's proceedings were broadcast live across the Arab world and in Israel, which rejects South Africa's claims that it has committed genocide.At a shelter for people displaced by Israeli bombardment in southern Gaza, people gathered around a radio to follow the news."We, the displaced, the bereaved families and those who lost their homes, had an ambition the court would call for an immediate ceasefire," said Mustafa Ibrahim, a human rights activist."Despite that, what happened was a victory," added Ibrahim, a resident of Gaza City who now lives in a shelter with his family of seven in Rafah in the south of the enclave.South Africa asked the ICJ to grant emergency measures to halt the fighting. More than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to authorities in Gaza.Israel mounted the offensive in response to cross-border attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and around 250 abducted, according to Israeli figures.The assault has laid waste to much of the Gaza Strip and uprooted most of its 2.3 million residents.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the ICJ's decision not to order a ceasefire but rejected the claim of genocide as "outrageous" and said Israel would continue to defend itself. Israel says it makes the utmost efforts to avoid civilian casualties.Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son is being held hostage in Gaza, said he was encouraged by the ICJ's call for the release of the captives.While the ruling dashed Palestinian hopes of a binding order to halt the war, it also represented a legal setback for Israel, which had hoped to throw out a case brought under the genocide convention established after the Holocaust.Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority said Palestinians had hoped the ruling would include an immediate ceasefire.But the decision "confirms the end of Israel's time with impunity and puts it in the dock as a war criminal", he said.The court did not rule at this stage on the core of the case brought by South Africa - whether genocide has occurred in Gaza.In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinians watched on a big screen at government offices in Ramallah. One held a banner saying "Thank You South Africa".Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said the ruling was an important development that contributed to isolating Israel and exposing what it described as its crimes in Gaza.The court found that Palestinians were protected under the convention and there was a case to be heard about whether their rights were being denied in a war that it said was causing grievous humanitarian harm.Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti said the ICJ's acceptance of the case "means putting Israel on trial for its crimes for the first time".

South Africa's ICJ case has ruffled feathers in WestHas reinforced standing as champion of Global SouthRetaliation unlikely in midst of rivalry with ChinaSouth Africa's genocide case against Israel may have ruffled feathers in the capitals of vital Western trading partners, but it has boosted the country's standing as a champion of the downtrodden Global South.That gamble is likely to pay off, thanks to renewed rivalry for Africa's minerals and UN votes between the West, China and Russia, turbocharged by Russia's war on Ukraine.The International Court of Justice (ICJ) rejected Israel's petition to throw out the case on Friday, telling it to prevent its troops committing genocide against Palestinians, although it stopped short of ordering the ceasefire South Africa demanded.It did not decide the merits of the genocide allegations, which could take years."It was reasonably damning," said Susan Booysen, Director of Research at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection."It was quite unambiguous ... in highlighting the abuses ... so I think it gives them (South Africa) quite a bit of esteem as an international spokesperson for human rights," she added.And while Israel's allies in Washington, Brussels and London might grumble, they can scarcely afford to alienate Africa's industrial and diplomatic heavyweight - especially with the United States' main superpower rival, China, wooing the continent with money, railways and tech transfers."If you're going to start punishing South Africa for going to the International Court of Justice, then you're going to have to start punishing a lot of other African countries (for supporting the Palestinians)," Steven Friedman, director of South Africa's Centre for the Study of Democracy, said."If you do that, then you might as well send (Chinese President) Xi Jinping a letter saying 'you've won'."Underscoring the point, on a visit to Angola on Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said of South Africa's ICJ case, "whether or not we have a disagreement, one particular matter doesn't take away from the important work that we're doing together in so many other areas."South Africa projects itself as critic of a world order it sees as mainly serving the interests of the United States and its rich-country allies, who promote international norms they enforce on foes but often not on friends nor even on themselves.During the Covid-19 pandemic, it was South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa who denounced the rich world for hogging all the vaccines, noted Chris Ogunmodede, analyst and editor of World Politics Review.South Africa was instrumental in marketing BRICS - the forum led by Brazil, Russia, India, China and itself - as an alternative to Western hegemony, with 40 nations queuing to join last year."(The ICJ case) is ... another indication of the important place South Africa seeks to occupy as (one of) the continent's leading voices on global affairs," Ogunmodede said.Taking a firm stand on the Gaza war - which has displaced some 1.9 million Palestinians, killed at least 26,000, according to Gaza officials, and inspired global outrage - enhanced this aim.South African officials often compare their erstwhile struggle against white minority rule to the Palestinian cause - a comparison Israel strongly disputes.That they takes no such unequivocal moral stance on Russia has raised eyebrows. Last year, the government unsuccessfully sought a waiver from its obligation to arrest President Vladamir Putin for alleged war crimes in Ukraine so he could attend a BRICS summit."(An) elementary principle of morality is that it can't be selective. South Africa did not do right by the Ukrainian people," author and columnist Ferial Haffajee wrote in the national Daily Maverick this month, but she praised South Africa for picking a first-rate legal team to fight the ICJ case.South Africans are proud of the strong rule of law that emerged from their anti-apartheid struggle, which often resolves rancorous domestic political disputes."Seeing their judges on the bench of the ICJ wearing South African scarves is like watching the Springboks (national rugby team) win the world cup," Chris Vandome, a senior southern Africa researcher at Chatham House, said."It's a point of pride."

Voters in the Comoros began Sunday casting their ballots in presidential election that is widely expected to hand President Azali Assoumani a fourth five-year term.Assoumani is competing in the elections with five opponents, while other opposition leaders called for a boycott.Voting opened across the Indian Ocean archipelago Sunday morning and closes at 6:00 pm, with 338,940 eligible registered voters out of a population of 800,000.Comoros changed its constitution in June 2018 to remove a requirement that the presidency rotate among its three main islands every five years, which allowed Assoumani to seek re-electionProvisional results are expected on Friday, according to the election commission. (QNA)

An official source from the Department of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that Ethiopia has decided to grant Qatari citizens a three-month entry visa on arrival, for a fee determined as per duration of stay.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's election authority has annulled recent election results for three government ministers and four provincial governors, citing fraud and voter intimidation.The electoral commission Ceni stated late on Friday it had cancelled all ballots cast for 82 election candidates in the central African nation.Three sitting government ministers are on the list, as well as four provincial governors -- including the governor of the capital province Kinshasa.The announcement comes after an election last month that was marred by bureaucratic chaos, and which the Congolese political opposition has rejected.On December 20, impoverished but mineral-rich DRC held simultaneous votes to choose the president, lawmakers for national and provincial assemblies, and local councillors.Disarray and massive delays pushed the electoral commission Ceni to extend the vote by one day. Some observers noted that voting continued in some remote areas until December 27.On Friday, Ceni annulled the results of several prominent political figures due to fraud, acts of vandalism, voter intimidation and illegal possession of voting machines.Antoinette Kipulu Kabenga, minister for vocational training, featured on the annulled list, as did regional-integration minister Didier Mazenga Mukanzu and Nana Manuanina Kihimba, a minister in the president's office.Four provincial governors also featured on the list, including the head of Kinshasa province, Gentiny Ngobila.A Ceni spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.The electoral commission has only released results from the presidential election so far.Incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi won the presidential race by a landslide 73 percent of the votes, according to provisional results, which the Constitutional Court is expected to confirm this month.Leading Congolese opposition politicians have rejected the election as a sham, however, citing irregularities and delays, and called for a re-run.Church leaders in the country, who deployed their own election observers, noted numerous cases of irregularities and urged an investigation, but fell short of declaring the election fraudulent.

South Africa asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday for an urgent order declaring that Israel was in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention in its crackdown against the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.The ICJ, sometimes known as the World Court, is the UN venue for resolving disputes between states. South Africa's filing alleged Israel was violating its obligations under the treaty, drafted in the wake of the Holocaust, which makes it a crime to attempt to destroy a people in whole or in part.It asked the court to issue provisional, or short-term, measures ordering Israel to stop its military campaign in Gaza, which it said were "necessary in this case to protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people".No date has been set for a hearing.Israel launched an assault on Hamas-ruled Gaza on Oct 7, killing more than 21,000 people, Palestinian health officials say.The court application is the latest move by South Africa, a vociferous critic of Israel's war, to ratchet up pressure after its lawmakers last month voted in favour of closing down the Israeli embassy in Pretoria and suspending all diplomatic relations until a ceasefire was reached in the war.In a statement from South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the government said the application against Israel was filed Friday."Israel, since 7 October 2023 in particular, has failed to prevent genocide and has failed to prosecute the direct and public incitement to genocide," DIRCO said in a statement.South Africa has backed the Palestinian cause for statehood in Israeli-occupied territories for decades, likening the plight of Palestinians to those of the Black majority in South Africa during the repressive apartheid-era, a comparison Israel vehemently denies.