Belgian Diplomat Charged Over Lumumba Assassination Dies Before Trial
Etienne Davignon, the 93-year-old former Belgian diplomat who became the first person charged over the assassination of Congolese independence leader Patrice Lumumba, has died before standing trial. His death effectively closes Belgium’s long-running investigation into Lumumba’s 1961 killing, one of Africa’s most significant post-independence political assassinations.
Rwanda Genocide Suspect Felicien Kabuga Dies in UN Custody
Felicien Kabuga, one of the last major suspects linked to the 1994 Rwanda genocide, has died at 93 while in United Nations custody in The Hague. Kabuga, a former businessman and radio owner accused of financing militias and spreading hate propaganda, had been ruled unfit for trial because of dementia.
At Least 10 Killed in Mali Drone Strike During Wedding Preparations
At least 10 civilians were killed in central Mali after military drone strikes hit a village preparing for a traditional collective wedding ceremony. The attack comes as Mali faces worsening violence from armed groups, with recent offensives by al-Qaeda-linked fighters and Tuareg separatists deepening the country’s security crisis.
Cape Verde Opposition Wins Election, Set for Leadership Change
Cape Verde’s main opposition party, PAICV, has won parliamentary elections, and its leader, Francisco Carvalho, is expected to become the country’s next prime minister. Outgoing Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva conceded defeat, marking a peaceful political transition in one of Africa’s most stable democracies.
Museveni Signs Controversial Foreign Influence Law
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has signed a new law aimed at limiting foreign influence, despite criticism from rights groups and economic institutions. The law criminalizes promoting foreign interests at the expense of Uganda’s interests and carries penalties of up to 10 years in prison, though lawmakers softened earlier provisions tied to remittances and foreign funding.
Cape Town Data Center Plans Face Environmental Pushback
Plans by Equinix to build two large data centers in Cape Town are facing opposition from activists and community groups who are demanding more information about the project’s environmental impact. Critics say questions remain around water use, electricity demand, emissions, and backup power needs in a city still shaped by memories of its “Day Zero” water crisis.
Jury Begins Deliberations in Diezani Alison-Madueke Bribery Trial
Jurors in London have begun deliberating in the bribery trial of former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke after nearly four months of hearings. Prosecutors accuse her of accepting luxury benefits in exchange for oil-related favors, while Alison-Madueke denies wrongdoing and says she never sought or accepted bribes.
