‘Sudan is an Atrocities Laboratory’, UN Aid Chief Tells Berlin Conference
Foreign ministers from across the world met in Berlin on Wednesday to show support for Sudan, where a fourth year of brutal warfare has begun as humanitarian needs deepen. Countries reportedly pledged over $1 billion at the third International Conference for Sudan co-hosted by Germany, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), France, and the United Kingdom. Senior UN officials delivered remarks, including humanitarian affairs chief Tom Fletcher who said that “Sudan is an atrocities laboratory,” citing sieges of cities such as El Fasher in Darfur, the denial of food, use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, and the targeting of schools and hospitals. “Drones have killed 700 people just this year, and 130 humanitarians have been killed over three years,” he continued. “I often have to call the families of those who died, and they always ask, did our family members die in vain?” The war that erupted exactly three years ago to the day between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and former allies the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has created the world’s worst humanitarian and displacement crises. UN News
Sudanese Civilian Groups Sign Joint Peace Roadmap at Berlin Summit
Sudanese civilian groups participating in the Berlin conference signed a joint document on Wednesday to consolidate a unified position aimed at ending the war and setting the country on a path toward peace and stability. The document prioritized the protection of civilians and the preservation of infrastructure amid ongoing grave violations against the Sudanese people. It called for urgent action to ensure respect for international humanitarian law. Signatories emphasized the need for unhindered humanitarian access and called for an end to hate speech and negative mobilization. The document seeks to foster a positive climate for trust-building among the various parties, paving the way for a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire. The document outlined a comprehensive political process to address the root causes of the national crisis, including issues of governance, justice, and marginalization, to facilitate a democratic transition. Special attention was given to justice, with calls for a comprehensive transitional justice process to ensure accountability, redress for victims, and national reconciliation. Sudan Tribune
Pope in Cameroon’s Separatist West Blasts the ‘Tyrants’ Ravaging Earth with War and Exploitation
Pope Leo XIV blasted the “handful of tyrants” who are ravaging Earth with war and exploitation, as he preached a message of peace Thursday in the epicenter of a separatist conflict considered one of the world’s most neglected crises. … Leo presided over a peace meeting involving a Mankon traditional chief, a Presbyterian moderator, an imam and a Catholic nun. The aim was to highlight the interfaith movement that has been seeking to end the conflict and care for its many victims. In his remarks in the St. Joseph Cathedral, on land donated by the Mankon, Leo praised the peace movement and warned against allowing religion to enter conflicts. “Blessed are the peacemakers!” he said. “But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.” He called for a “decisive change of course” that leads away from conflict and the exploitation of the land and its people for military or economic gain. AP
Pope Leo Rebukes Cameroon’s Elites in the Country’s Capital: ‘The Chains of Corruption Must be Broken’
It is customary for popes to begin their visits to foreign countries by addressing local authorities, especially those who occupy a seat of power. Pope Leo XIV’s address upon arriving in Cameroon on Wednesday, April 15, during the second stage of his African tour, was initially scheduled to take place at the Palais des Congrès in Yaoundé. At the last minute, the venue was changed, and the pontiff ultimately spoke at the presidential palace in front of President Paul Biya. … Leo XIV’s speech was highly political, resembling a moral lesson or even a stern reminder. … Facing the 93-year-old Biya, who has been in power since 1982, he went even further. “Where are we now?” he asked, recalling the “compelling exhortations” delivered during previous visits by his predecessors, John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Even then – 1985 and 1995 for the first, 2009 for the second – Biya was their counterpart. … The pontiff reminded Cameroon’s President Paul Biya of the importance of upholding the rule of law and fundamental freedoms. Le Monde
DRC and M23 Rebels Eye Peace Monitoring Agreement in Switzerland
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and M23 rebels are holding talks in Switzerland, the latest effort to curb deadly fighting that has persisted despite a December peace accord. The new round of negotiations between the two sides began on Monday, with mediation by the United States and Qatar, according to media reports. … Reporting from Goma in eastern DRC, Al Jazeera’s Alain Uaykani said the talks are taking place “while the situation on the ground is very fragile”, with both sides accusing each other of violating truce agreements. “In the area of Minembwe [in South Kivu province], for example, thousands of civilians are caught in the middle of the battle between different groups,” he said. People on the ground in the eastern DRC hope mediators will press both sides to respect a new durable peace mechanism, after a string of failed deals, added Uaykani. The AFC/M23 rebel coalition has seized large swaths of territory in the eastern DRC since the start of 2025, taking key cities, including Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, and Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu. Al Jazeera
Nigerian Airlines Plan Shutdown over Soaring Fuel Costs
The decision, which could disrupt air travel nationwide, was communicated in a letter dated April 14 by the President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Abdulmunaf Sarina, according to sources familiar with the matter. Industry operators say the cost of Jet A1 fuel has climbed to unsustainable levels, making it increasingly difficult to maintain daily operations. Fuel expenses account for a significant share of airline costs, and the continued price volatility has placed severe financial pressure on carriers already dealing with tight margins. Airlines have accused fuel marketers of imposing arbitrary prices, further deepening the crisis. They warn that without immediate intervention, many operators may no longer be able to function. If the planned suspension goes ahead, it could have wide-reaching consequences. Domestic flights across Nigeria may be grounded, affecting passenger travel, cargo movement, and time-sensitive logistics. GhanaWeb/Reuters
Long Queues Form in Maputo as Fuel Shortages Bite
Motorists in Mozambique’s capital Maputo formed long queues on Wednesday as fuel stations across the city shut down for lack of petrol and diesel, leaving only a handful of outlets still operating and triggering widespread congestion. Some drivers, already running on empty, were seen pushing their vehicles through the streets in search of fuel. At some of the few stations that still had fuel, purchases were limited to a maximum amount of 1,000 meticais (about $15.50) as scores of cars lined up around the block. Many stations had closed entirely, with staff sitting idle outside empty pumps. A mobile app created by residents to track which stations still had fuel quickly went viral as drivers scrambled for information. The shortages come as global oil markets remain under pressure from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted shipping routes, increased insurance costs and slowed deliveries worldwide. The ripple effects have been felt across several African economies where fuel import dependence leaves countries vulnerable to supply shocks. APA
Gabon’s Former Prime Minister, a Critic of the Junta, Has Been Arrested
Gabon ‘s former prime minister and leading opposition figure Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze has been arrested by the country’s security forces, his party announced in a statement on Thursday. The arrest took place at his home on Wednesday by agents of the General Directorate of Investigations (DGR), an intelligence agency, the party, Ensemble pour le Gabon (EPG), said. It described the arrest as “arbitrary, brutal, and manifestly contrary to the fundamental principles of the rule of law.” According to EPG, its leader was arrested for a five-million Central African franc debt ($8,999) dating back to 2008. … Bilie-By-Nze was the last prime minister for former Gabonese president Ali Bongo Ondimba, who was ousted in a military coup in Aug. 2023. Bilie-By-Nze came second in last year’s election in Gabon, the first since the 2023 coup, losing to the junta leader Brice Oligui Nguema. AP
Addis Standard’s Managing Editor Abducted from Newsroom
Million Beyene, managing editor of Addis Standard, was abducted from his newsroom by unidentified men in plain clothes on April 15, 2026. A statement issued by Jakenn Publishing PLC reveals Million was told he was “needed for questioning” before being taken to an undisclosed location, and that his whereabouts remain unknown. The publisher and staff at Addis Standard say they have made extensive efforts to locate Million, but both the Addis Ababa and Federal police commissions have confirmed that the managing editor is not in their custody, according to the statement. … Million’s abduction comes less than two months after the Ethiopian Media Authority announced it was revoking Addis Standard’s license for “disseminating reports that conflict with issues of national interest.” The Reporter
Zimbabwe Churches Reject Bid to Extend Mnangagwa’s Term
The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has formally opposed the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, warning that the proposed changes represent a fundamental assault on democratic governance. The amendment bill, introduced in February, seeks sweeping changes to the 2013 Constitution. It proposes extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years and applying the extension to current officeholders, effectively pushing Mnangagwa’s tenure to 2030 without an election. It also seeks to replace direct presidential elections with a system in which parliament elects the head of state in a joint sitting of both houses. ZANU PF, which holds a commanding majority in Parliament, intends to pass the bill without a referendum, despite its provisions altering core elements of the constitution adopted through a national vote. Public hearings held over the past weeks have been marred by reports of intimidation and the arrest of activists conducting civic education on the bill. APA
Nigeria Warns of Widespread Floods in 2026, Flags Risks in 33 States
Nigeria is facing a high risk of widespread flooding in 2026, with more than 14,000 communities exposed across 33 of the country’s 36 states as well as the Federal Capital Territory, according to the national hydrological agency. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) said in its annual flood outlook that flooding is expected to peak between July and September, coinciding with the height of the rainy season. The agency warned that cities, farmland, and critical infrastructure could all be affected, News.Az reports, citing Reuters. NiHSA classified 14,118 communities as high risk, while an additional 15,597 are considered to be at moderate risk. The agency noted that the figures are broadly consistent with previous years. Major urban centers including Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt are among those at risk of severe flooding, while coastal states such as Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, and Lagos face heightened exposure to river and tidal floods. Nigeria regularly experiences flooding during its rainy season, which runs from April to October. In recent years, severe flood events have caused widespread displacement, agricultural losses, and hundreds of deaths. News.az/Reuters
South Africa: Julius Malema Sentenced to Jail on Gun Charges
A court in South Africa sentenced opposition politician Julius Malema to five years in prison on Thursday for firing a rifle into the air at a political rally in 2018. The case stems from an incident at an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) political rally that year. Malema, 45, is the leader of the EFF, the fourth-largest party in parliament. Malema was convicted in October of unlawfully possessing a firearm and firing a weapon in a public place. Prosecutors said he discharged a rifle into the air during the rally. … “It wasn’t… an impulsive act,” the magistrate said. “It was the event of the evening.” Malema pleaded not guilty, insisting the shots were only intended to be celebratory. … DW’s Dianne Hawker-Kalubi says the sentence means he can no longer serve as a member of parliament. The court later granted Malema leave to appeal the sentence. DW
Ant Smuggler Sentenced to a Year in Jail by Kenyan Court
A Chinese national has been sentenced to a year in prison and fined by a Nairobi court for attempting to smuggle thousands of ants out of Kenya, a lucrative trade in east Africa that was exposed last year. The insects are mostly destined for China, the US and Europe, where they become pets and can be worth about $100 each. Ant smuggling made headlines last year when two Belgian teenagers were arrested in possession of nearly 5,000 ants, mostly stored in small test tubes. They were fined about $7,700. Zhang Kequn, who evaded capture until his arrest on 10 March, had been linked to another case involving two people, one Vietnamese and one Kenyan. More than 2,200 ants – including 1,948 prized Messor cephalotes – were found in test tubes in Zhang’s luggage at Nairobi’s international airport that was destined for China. The Guardian
Malawi Faces “Ticking Time Bomb” as Witchcraft Killings and Impunity Rise
Across sub-Saharan Africa, the targeting of elderly people on accusations of witchcraft constitutes one of the continent’s most persistent and poorly monitored human rights crises. Tanzania, Zambia and Ghana have each confronted it in different ways, with limited success. In Malawi, the crisis is intensifying. In the first four months of 2026, 11 elderly people were killed over witchcraft accusations, according to data compiled by the Malawi Network of Older Persons Organisations (Manepo). That figure is on track to exceed the 22 deaths recorded across the entirety of 2025. More than 300 elderly Malawians have been killed on witchcraft charges since 2015, Manepo executive director Andrew Kavala said this month. … What makes this a governance story, not merely a cultural one, is the gap between Malawi’s formal commitments and its institutional performance. The country passed a landmark Older Persons Act in May 2024. Its social protection grants remain unbudgeted. Its oversight body has not been constituted. Mail & Guardian
Anti-France Influencer Kemi Seba Arrested in South Africa for Inciting Rebellion in Benin
An anti-France activist and influencer has been arrested in South Africa for “inciting rebellion” by openly supporting last year’s foiled coup in Benin. Kemi Seba was born in France to Benin parents but was stripped of his French nationality two years ago for his many attempts to fuel anti-French sentiment. He has more than 1.5 million followers on social media and has been accused of acting as a mouthpiece for Russian propaganda. France24