Nigeria Orders Probe Into Deadly Market Airstrike
Nigeria has ordered a full independent investigation into a military airstrike on a market in Jilli that left at least 200 people feared dead, even as officials defend the strike as targeting militant positions. The government says the operation hit a known Boko Haram and ISWAP logistics hub, highlighting the risks civilians face in contested areas where insurgents operate alongside everyday activity.
DR Congo to Receive Dozens of U.S. Deportees in New Deal
The Democratic Republic of Congo is set to receive more than 30 deportees from the U.S. this week under a new third-country agreement, with arrivals expected near Kinshasa. The move, involving migrants from outside Congo, has drawn criticism from rights groups and raises questions about what happens after a short stay in a hotel.
Tanzania Questions Partner After U.S. Influencer’s Death in Zanzibar
Tanzanian police are questioning the fiancé of U.S. influencer Ashly Robinson after she died following an alleged suicide at a Zanzibar hotel. Authorities say the couple had reported domestic conflicts, and investigations are ongoing pending medical and forensic results.
Togo Pushes to Replace Mercator Map With Africa-Centered Projection
Togo is leading a push for the United Nations to adopt a world map that better reflects Africa’s true size, challenging the long-used Mercator projection. Backed by the African Union, the campaign argues that current maps distort global perceptions by shrinking Africa and exaggerating the size of regions near the poles.
South Africa Names Roelf Meyer as U.S. Ambassador
South Africa has appointed veteran negotiator Roelf Meyer as its new ambassador to the U.S., filling a post that had been vacant since Ebrahim Rasool was expelled last year. Meyer played a key role in talks that ended apartheid and is expected to handle complex tensions between Pretoria and Washington.
Pope Visit Sparks Hope for Peace in Cameroon’s Conflict Zones
Separatists in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions have announced a temporary ceasefire to allow safe travel during Pope Leo XIV’s visit, as civilians hope it could open space for dialogue. The visit comes amid years of violence that have killed thousands and displaced communities, with some warning it could be used to mask deeper political tensions.
Nigeria Becomes Net Petrol Exporter for First Time in Decades
Nigeria has become a net exporter of petrol for the first time, driven by rising output from the Dangote refinery that has sharply reduced imports. The shift could boost foreign exchange earnings, strengthen the naira, and reshape fuel trade across Africa as exports reach new markets.
South Africa Returns Stolen Remains and Artifact to Zimbabwe
South Africa has handed back ancestral human remains and a historic Zimbabwe bird artifact taken during colonial rule, marking a step toward restitution. Officials say the return will allow proper burial and restore a key national symbol, closing a painful chapter that dates back more than a century.
