The trial of former South Sudan Vice President Riek Machar commenced on Monday in the capital, Juba. Machar along with his co-accused was brought to court and presented in a cage marking his first public appearance since March when he was placed under house arrest.

According to justice authorities, Machar faces several serious criminal charges including his alleged involvement in an attack on a government troops’ garrison earlier this year. Additional charges include murder, conspiracy, terrorism, destruction of public property and military assets and crimes against humanity.

The proceedings were broadcast live on a national television drawing widespread attention. Machar’s legal team challenged the court’s jurisdiction arguing that it was incompetent to try their client. They also defended Machar asserting that he is protected from prosecution due to his endorsement of the 2018 peace deal that helped end a brutal civil war responsible for the deaths of over 400,000 people.

Relations between Machar and President Salva Kiir remain tense. Kiir, from the Dinka ethnic group; the largest in South Sudan has longstanding differences with Machar who hails from the Nuer, the second-largest ethnic group in the country. The ongoing political rivalry continues to influence the fragile stability of South Sudan as the country navigates its complex path towards peace and reconciliation.

Malawi is currently tallying votes following a tense presidential election amid the country’s worst economic downturn in decades marked by soaring inflation, food shortages and the mounting impacts of climate change.

Seventeen candidates contested the presidential race but it is widely seen as a contest between the incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, 70, and former president Peter Mutharika, 85. The two have faced off twice before in 2014 when Mutharika secured victory and in 2020 when Chakwera won a rerun with 59 percent after the initial vote was annulled over irregularities.

Voting day saw long lines outside polling stations early in the morning though voter turnout declined sharply later in the day. By mid-afternoon, the electoral commission reported a turnout of only 51 percent—down from 64 percent in 2020.

Both Chakwera, an evangelical pastor and Mutharika, a former law professor face allegations of cronyism and corruption fueling public discontent. Despite the presence of other candidates including the country’s only woman candidate, former President Joyce Banda, analysts say the race remains dominated by the two frontrunners.

Chakwera is seeking a second term campaigning on promises to revitalize the economy and restore confidence in government. Mutharika has campaigned on his record of infrastructure investments though his tenure was marred by corruption scandals.

Malawi’s 21.6 million people are grappling with inflation exceeding 27 percent, shortages of foreign currency and persistent fuel disruptions. The economy, heavily reliant on agriculture particularly tobacco is severely impacted by climate change. Cyclone Freddy which killed over 1,200 people and devastated farmland in 2023 and recurring droughts have exacerbated food insecurity. The World Bank estimates that 70 percent of Malawians live on less than $2.15 a day.

Alongside the presidential election, voters elected members of parliament and local councillors across 35 local governments. If no candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff is expected within 60 days. Provisional results from Tuesday’s vote are anticipated by Thursday.

The treason trial of Joseph Kabila, the former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), commenced on Friday in a military court in Kinshasa. Kabila who ruled the country for 18 years is facing serious charges including treason, murder and rape linked to his alleged support for the M23 rebel group that controls a significant portion of eastern DRC’s mineral-rich territory.

Kabila who has denied all charges did not attend the hearing and has requested to be tried in absentia. The ex-president’s legal team argued that the case is “arbitrary,” accusing the courts of being used as an “instrument of oppression.” The trial was adjourned after several hours to the end of the month following a prosecutor’s request for additional time to review documents.

President Félix Tshisekedi who succeeded Kabila has publicly accused his predecessor of masterminding rebel activities including supporting the M23 rebels. Meanwhile Kabila’s supporters have dismissed the charges as politically motivated with some claiming the trial is aimed at sidelining him from the country’s political landscape.

Kabila who returned to the rebel-held city of Goma in eastern DRC from self-imposed exile in South Africa in May faces a complex web of allegations. He is accused of conspiring with Rwanda to undermine Tshisekedi’s government—a charge both nations deny with Kigali asserting it is acting to prevent spillover of conflict into Rwandan territory.

In a significant development, Kabila’s parliamentary immunity was revoked in May after fellow senators stripped it enabling his prosecution on charges including torture, insurrection and the forcible occupation of Goma. The court’s charge sheet describes him as a “key initiator” of the Congo River Alliance, a rebel coalition including the M23 and other militias.

The former leader’s political influence remains a contentious issue. Critics including allies of Kabila such as Ferdinand Kambere and Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary have accused the government of double standards and political persecution. Shadary dismissed the trial as “theatre,” asserting that a guilty verdict was inevitable.

As the trial unfolds, Congo’s Deputy Justice Minister Samuel Mbemba emphasized the independence of the judiciary, stating, “Justice does not negotiate, it does not join in dialogue. The calendar for justice is different from the political calendar.”

The trial marks a pivotal moment in the DRC’s ongoing efforts to address its complex history of conflict and political instability. The outcome remains uncertain but the proceedings have already sparked intense debate about justice, accountability, and political power in the country.

At least 100 people have been killed following an overnight attack by gunmen in Yelwata, a town in Benue State, north-central Nigeria, Amnesty International reported. The assault which lasted from late Friday into Saturday morning has sparked outrage amid ongoing violence in the region.

Amnesty International condemned the escalation of attacks across Benue highlighting that gunmen operate with impunity causing mass displacement and threatening food security as many victims are farmers. The rights group urged the Nigerian government to take immediate action to end the bloodshed which has resulted in numerous deaths and missing persons.

Tersoo Kula, spokesperson for the state governor’s office stated that the attack lasted about two hours with several houses burned. He confirmed that authorities and police visited Yelwata and reported a lower death toll of 45. However, locals fear the death toll exceeds 100 with witnesses describing widespread violence and destruction.

Resident Amineh Liapha Hir said many had died and houses were burned down while Christian Msuega recounted escaping the attack but losing relatives to the flames. Clashes between herders mainly Muslim Fulani and farmersmostly Christians over land and water access have fueled ongoing violence in the region. Last month, gunmen believed to be herders killed at least 20 people in Gwer West, Benue.

South Sudan’s First Vice President, Riek Machar was arrested Wednesday in a dramatic escalation of tensions with President Salva Kiir as the United Nations warned the country teeters on the brink of widespread violence. A convoy of 20 heavily armed vehicles stormed Machar’s residence in Juba resulting in the disarmament of his bodyguards and an ambiguous arrest warrant.

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) condemned the actions of the Minister of Defense and the Chief of National Security, stating, “The country’s leaders stand on the brink of relapsing into widespread conflict.” UNMISS head, Nicholas Haysom emphasized that potential breaches of the 2018 peace agreement would devastate South Sudan and extend insecurity throughout the region.

The fragile power-sharing deal between Kiir and Machar has been faltering raising fears of a return to the civil war that resulted in approximately 400,000 deaths from 2013 to 2018. Analysts suggest that the 73-year-old Kiir has sought to sideline Machar through cabinet reshuffles and since February over 20 of Machar’s allies within the unity government and army have been detained.

Violent clashes have erupted, particularly in Upper Nile State, where government forces reportedly attacked military training centers established for integrating opposition forces into the unified army—a key component of the peace deal. Machar’s military wing condemned these actions as “terrorism” and called for international intervention.

The escalating violence and political instability have instilled fear among residents. Lilian Sukeji, a Juba resident, expressed her concerns, stating, “I feel like we are going back to war while we still need peace. Our leaders need to embrace dialogue rather than guns.”

Despite Kiir’s claims of commitment to peace following a meeting with church leaders, recent clashes indicate a worsening situation. International observers, including Norway and Germany have closed their embassies in Juba. The British and US embassies announced reduced staffing and urged citizens to evacuate signaling the mounting concern over the potential for a broader conflict in South Sudan.

President Felix Tshisekedi in his first interview since the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group seized large portions of territory in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) earlier this year, extended an invitation to the United States and Europe to invest in the country’s vast mineral wealth. This sector which is currently dominated by China is rich in resources critical for global technology and energy including cobalt and coltan.

Congo, viewed as one of the richest countries in terms of natural resources accounts for a significant share of the world’s coltan, essential for smartphones and computers and possesses over half of the world’s cobalt reserves, crucial for electric vehicles. President Tshisekedi sees the potential for major investments to bolster his country’s security and stability amidst ongoing conflict which he likened to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The president criticized existing European negotiations with Rwanda, describing a £935 million agreement that grants access to minerals like tin, tungsten, and gold as “an absolute scandal,” asserting that those minerals are being “plundered” from Congo. The European Union, however, contends that this arrangement will foster better regulation of conflict materials. Recently, the European Parliament called for the suspension of the deal until Rwanda ends its interference in Congo.

The M23 armed group, comprised of approximately 8,000 fighters allegedly backed by Rwanda has killed thousands and captured strategic locations including major cities Goma and Bukavu since launching its offensive earlier this year. In response to the escalating violence, the U.S. imposed sanctions on an M23 spokesman and a Rwandan minister.

From Kinshasa, Tshisekedi expressed frustration about the stalled peace talks, stating he refuses to negotiate directly with M23, which he views as a proxy for the Rwandan military. “M23 is an empty shell,” he said emphasizing that dialogues should be held directly with Rwanda. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has denied any connection to M23 and labeled Tshisekedi’s accusations as a “tired story.”

The situation remains delicate, with the U.S. warning of the risk of a broader regional war, especially following M23’s recent military advances toward Butembo and ambitions reportedly aimed at Kinshasa. Tshisekedi has vowed to reclaim Goma “either through dialogue or military reconquest.”

In light of the crisis, Tshisekedi highlighted that the Trump administration had expressed interest in securing a direct supply of strategic minerals from Congo. He also mentioned potential investments in significant projects, such as a megadam that could become the world’s largest hydroelectric plant, indicating a keenness for international partnerships to bolster his nation amid the ongoing conflict.

Nearly 3,000 people have been killed in the eastern city of Goma after a violent takeover by rebel forces, revealed the United Nations. The city has been engulfed in fierce fighting between the Congolese army and the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a rebel coalition that includes the M23 armed group.

Vivian van de Perre, the deputy head of the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo reported that “so far, 2,000 bodies have been collected from the streets of Goma with an additional 900 remaining in local hospitals’ mortuaries.” She emphasized the need for urgent action noting, “There are still many decomposing bodies in certain areas,” and warned that the death toll may continue to rise.

In the wake of the humanitarian crisis, the AFC announced a ceasefire on seeking to address the conflict’s toll on civilians, which they attributed to the Congolese government—referred to by the rebels as the “Kinshasa regime.” However, the government dismissed this ceasefire declaration as a “false communication,” and reports of intense fighting persist particularly in the neighboring South Kivu province.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, home to more than 100 million people has been plagued by violence for decades rooted in ethnic tensions and battles over valuable land and mineral resources. This turmoil has contributed to one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.

Both Congo and the United States have accused Rwanda of providing support to the M23, which primarily consists of ethnic Tutsis who have been at odds with the Congolese government for over a decade. Rwanda’s government denies these allegations but admits to deploying troops and missile systems in eastern Congo citing national security concerns. President Paul Kagame told journalists on Monday that he was uncertain about the presence of Rwandan forces in Congo but maintained that his country would do what is necessary to protect itself.

Since its revival in 2022, the M23 has reinvigorated its rebellion against the Congolese government seizing significant territory in North Kivu which borders both Rwanda and Uganda. The region is rich in rare minerals like coltan, essential for manufacturing electronics such as smartphones and computers.

As the conflict continues, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that can bring stability and peace to the war-torn region.

A senior commander of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Somalia has been captured by security forces according to police and state media reports. Abdirahman Shirwac Aw-Saciid, who oversaw the group’s assassination squad surrendered on Monday in the Cal Miskaad mountains of northeastern Puntland as the region intensifies its offensive against ISIL.

The capture of Aw-Saciid, also known by his alias “Laahoor,” comes just two days after U.S. air strikes targeted ISIL leadership in Somalia. His role included not only orchestrating attacks but also extorting local businesses to fund the group’s operations.

In recent years, Somalia’s ISIL branch has gained prominence as a significant part of the group’s global network bolstered by an influx of foreign fighters and enhanced revenue collection. Security analysts have noted a shift in tactics as demonstrated by an attack on a military base in December where ISIL utilized two booby-trapped vehicles.

Abdikadir Jama Dirir, the head of police in Puntland’s Bari region confirmed the arrest emphasizing the focus on disrupting ISIL and its rival, al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab.

Recent U.S. air strikes have reportedly resulted in significant casualties among ISIL fighters, further degrading their capacity to plan and execute attacks. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the military actions are part of ongoing efforts to contain both ISIL and al-Shabab which holds substantial territory in southern Somalia.

U.S. President Donald Trump praised the air strikes claiming they have eradicated threats posed by ISIL and affirming that no civilians were harmed in the operations. Until recently, ISIL’s influence in Somalia was viewed as relatively minor compared to that of al-Shabab which has dominated security challenges in the region.

Somali authorities continue to grapple with restoring order and security in a nation plagued by more than three decades of civil conflict. The capture of Aw-Saciid represents a crucial step in the ongoing battle against terrorism in Somalia.