The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), a 21-member regional economic bloc, has called on its member states to align their domestic tax policies with regional commitments and dismantle protectionist measures that impede cross-border investment and disrupt supply chains. This appeal was made during the 18th COMESA Business Forum held in Nairobi, Kenya, where leaders emphasized the detrimental effects of local taxes and levies on intra-regional imports, which distort markets and undermine free trade principles. Kenya’s Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki, warned that such practices could reverse years of progress toward regional integration and shared prosperity. He urged member states to prioritize agriculture, digitalization, and partnerships as key drivers of economic transformation. Kindiki also highlighted Kenya’s upcoming chairmanship of COMESA, during which the country aims to boost intra-regional trade, currently at a low 17 percent, by moving beyond raw material exports to higher-value, processed goods. He stressed that value addition incentivizes industrialization, enhances productivity, and promotes competitiveness. Kindiki called for a new era of regional integration anchored on digital transformation and value chain development, emphasizing the importance of empowering people, leveraging technology, and fostering collaboration. Hitesh Mediratta, Vice Chair of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, echoed these sentiments, warning that rising domestic taxes and excise duties on intermediate and raw materials risk disrupting regional markets and discouraging cross-border investment. He called for urgent alignment of national tax regimes with regional commitments to protect the integrity of free trade within COMESA. Lee Kinyanjui, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, noted that improving regional trade, digital connectivity, and the free movement of people are crucial to unlocking COMESA’s economic potential. He lauded Kenya’s recent decision to abolish visa requirements for all Africans, which he said would enhance business mobility and cross-border trade. COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe highlighted that most trade constraints could be addressed through political will, citing integrated border management systems and smart border technologies as key solutions.
标签： Africa
非洲
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Burkina Faso junta detains NGO workers for ‘spying’
Burkina Faso’s military government has escalated tensions with Western aid organizations by arresting eight members of a Dutch-based humanitarian group, accusing them of espionage and treason. The detainees include three Europeans, a Malian, and four Burkinabé nationals, among them the NGO’s country director and deputy. The arrests, which occurred earlier but were only recently disclosed, have sparked a heated dispute between the junta and international aid groups. Security Minister Mahamadou Sana alleged that the NGO had collected and transmitted sensitive security information to foreign powers, posing a threat to national security. The International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), which supports aid workers with safety data, has firmly denied the accusations. Anthony Neal, a representative of the NGO, revealed that the country director had been detained since July, when the organization was suspended for allegedly gathering unauthorized sensitive data. The remaining seven individuals were arrested subsequently. Neal emphasized that the NGO’s activities had ceased upon suspension and that the information collected was non-confidential and intended solely for humanitarian worker safety. He expressed efforts to engage with the government to resolve misunderstandings, highlighting the critical need for safety information amid a record number of aid worker fatalities globally. Burkina Faso’s military government, led by Capt Ibrahim Traore, has faced criticism for its strained relations with Western nations since seizing power in a coup three years ago. In response to a worsening Islamist insurgency, the junta has shifted its military alliance from France to Russia, while human rights groups accuse the regime of civilian abuses and suppressing political dissent.
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Nigerian minister accused of forging qualifications resigns
Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has stepped down from his position following allegations of academic credential forgery. The controversy arose after a newspaper investigation revealed that Nnaji had allegedly submitted falsified certificates to President Bola Tinubu during his ministerial appointment in 2023. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the resignation in a post on X, quoting Nnaji as stating he had become ‘a target of blackmail by political opponents.’ Nnaji has vehemently denied the accusations, maintaining that he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) with a degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry. However, UNN reportedly informed the publication that it had no records confirming his graduation in 1985, as claimed. Additionally, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) stated that the mandatory national service certificate Nnaji presented in April 2023 could not be verified. This resignation marks a rare occurrence in Nigerian politics, as Nnaji is only the second minister to leave office since President Tinubu assumed power in May 2023. The scandal has sparked public outrage, highlighting ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in the nation’s political landscape.
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Chinese lion dance wins hearts in Africa
The vibrant art of Chinese lion dance has found a new home in Kenya, captivating audiences and fostering cultural exchange. Spearheaded by Anthony Kahuro, a kung fu teacher at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, the initiative began in 2022 when Kahuro proposed the idea of a lion dance club. Despite the lack of professional trainers, Kahuro’s determination led him to master the basics through online tutorials, paving the way for the club’s establishment. Today, the club boasts 30 members, with performances becoming a staple at local events, including the Spring Festival celebrations. The lion dance, traditionally performed during auspicious occasions to bring good fortune, has resonated deeply with Kenyans, partly due to the lion’s iconic status in African culture. The club’s success has also attracted interest from local acrobatic teams and cultural groups, further enriching the performances with African drumming and percussion. Beyond entertainment, the lion dance has become a symbol of cultural unity, with plans to expand its reach and introduce the art form to younger generations. The initiative highlights the growing cultural ties between China and Africa, offering a unique blend of tradition and innovation that continues to win hearts across the continent.
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He lives alongside lions in Nairobi. The human-wildlife collision is dazzling — and dangerous
In a tragic incident near Kajiado, Kenya, 14-year-old Peace Mwende lost her life to a lion attack, a stark reminder of the escalating human-wildlife conflict in the region. The incident occurred less than a kilometer from the author’s home, where lions are frequently spotted, even in residential areas. Nairobi’s unique proximity to Nairobi National Park has long been a source of pride, but rapid urbanization and shrinking wildlife habitats are intensifying the challenges. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) faces a dual mandate: protecting endangered species like lions, whose population has dwindled to just over 2,000, and ensuring the safety of residents who share their space with these predators. KWS has implemented measures such as feeding interventions during lean seasons, but the encroachment of residential and industrial developments on traditional migratory corridors threatens the delicate balance. Non-government initiatives offer small incentives to landowners to keep their properties unfenced, but the question remains: will these efforts suffice? The lack of public awareness on how to coexist with predators exacerbates the issue. The author recounts personal experiences, including a close encounter with a lioness during a safari and a harrowing incident where a neighbor was killed by a lion. While KWS has taken steps to mitigate risks, such as shooting lions involved in fatal attacks, the shrinking habitat and diminishing prey availability for lions suggest that conflicts will only escalate. The author, a seasoned journalist, reflects on the duality of living amidst such a unique yet perilous environment, expressing both grief for the lives lost and hope for sustainable solutions that preserve Nairobi’s remarkable wilderness.
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Chad cuts ties with wildlife charity linked to Prince Harry
The Chadian government has officially terminated its 15-year agreement with African Parks, a prominent conservation organization that counts Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, among its board members. The decision comes amid allegations that the charity failed to effectively combat poaching in two of Chad’s key protected areas: the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve and the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem, which includes Zakouma and Siniaka-Minia national parks. The government also accused African Parks of displaying an ‘arrogant and disrespectful attitude’ and insufficient cooperation with local authorities. In response, the charity stated it has initiated discussions with the environment ministry to understand the government’s stance and explore future conservation efforts. This development marks another setback for Prince Harry’s philanthropic endeavors, following his recent resignation from Sentebale, a charity he founded to support children orphaned by AIDS in Botswana and Lesotho. African Parks, established in 2000, manages over 20 million hectares of protected areas across 12 countries, aiming to ensure ecological, social, and financial sustainability. The organization has faced criticism in the past, including allegations of employee misconduct in the Republic of Congo and a refusal to publish an independent report on the matter. Despite its high-profile donors, including the European Union and heirs to the Walmart and Buffett fortunes, the charity now faces scrutiny over its effectiveness and governance.
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Gaza ceasefire talks enter 2nd day in Egypt as Hamas demands permanent end to war
The second day of indirect ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, commenced on Tuesday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. According to an Egyptian source, the discussions focused on critical issues such as a hostage-prisoner exchange, humanitarian aid access to Gaza, and the future governance of the Gaza Strip. Hamas reiterated its demand for US and Israeli guarantees of a permanent cessation of hostilities, which remains the primary obstacle in the talks. The negotiations are based on the 20-point peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, which Hamas has conditionally accepted. The first phase of the plan includes an immediate ceasefire and the release of all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased. Israel estimates that 48 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 still alive. Hamas stated that it would only begin collecting hostages once Israel’s military operations cease, citing safety concerns for its operatives. Additionally, Hamas insisted on the release of prominent Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti as part of the prisoner exchange. Regarding Gaza’s future governance, Hamas rejected the deployment of foreign forces but expressed openness to Arab forces coordinating with the Palestinian Authority. The group also opposed the appointment of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to lead post-war governance. The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack on southern Israel, has resulted in significant casualties and a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with over 67,000 Palestinian deaths reported.
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‘One of the greatest things’ – Nigeria’s art innovators on display in London
The Tate Modern in London is currently hosting a groundbreaking exhibition titled *Nigerian Modernism*, a comprehensive showcase of over 50 Nigerian artists spanning from 1910 to the 1990s. This ambitious project highlights the evolution of Nigerian art, blending traditional techniques such as bronze casting, mural painting, and wood carving with European influences. Among the featured artists is the renowned 93-year-old painter and sculptor Bruce Onobrakpeya, who describes the exhibition as ‘one of the greatest things to have happened, not only to my art, but to Nigerian artwork.’
The exhibition offers a vivid journey through Nigeria’s history, from its colonial past to independence and the turbulent years of the Biafran War. Works from the influential Nsukka Art School, founded by students and professors at the University of Nigeria, reflect the nation’s struggles and triumphs. Artists like Muraina Oyelami and Ben Enwonwu contribute pieces that range from naturalistic depictions of real-life events to abstract explorations of identity and modernity.
Curator Osei Bonsu emphasizes the collective spirit of the exhibition, noting that the artists share a common goal of ‘fashioning radical visions of what modern art could be.’ The collection includes diverse mediums, from watercolors and photography to political cartoons and intricate thorn carvings, representing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and its global diaspora.
For Onobrakpeya, the exhibition is more than a retrospective; it is a source of inspiration and hope. ‘It gives us strength, and we’re going to work harder to produce something even greater than this,’ he says. *Nigerian Modernism* runs at the Tate Modern until May 10 next year, offering visitors a rare opportunity to explore a movement that has long been underrepresented on the global stage.
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Nigeria launches massive vaccination campaign for children
Nigeria has embarked on an unprecedented nationwide vaccination campaign, one of the largest in its history, aiming to safeguard approximately 106 million children against measles, rubella, and poliomyelitis. This integrated initiative combines multiple vaccines and essential child health services into a unified effort, ensuring efficient and comprehensive protection across the country. Children aged 14 and below will receive measles and rubella vaccines, while those under five will be immunized against polio. The campaign is being rolled out in two phases: the first, launched on October 7, 2025, targets 20 high-risk northern states and Oyo state in the southwest, while the second phase, scheduled for January 2026, will cover the remaining southern states. Gavi, a global health organization, is supporting the campaign with a $103 million investment, collaborating with federal and state governments to strengthen health systems, share expertise, and ensure long-term sustainability. The initiative leverages years of investment in Nigeria’s health infrastructure, including cold chain systems, workforce capacity, and digital tools, while also utilizing data and technology to enhance decision-making, track progress, and boost public engagement.
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‘I want my son back, dead or alive’ – mother of missing Tanzanian ex-diplomat
Annamary Polepole, the mother of former Tanzanian diplomat Humphrey Polepole, has issued a heartfelt plea for authorities to help locate her son, who vanished under mysterious circumstances. In an emotional interview with the BBC, she begged, ‘If he is alive, return him to me. If he is not, bring his body and let me bury my child myself. They should not go and throw him into the sea.’ Humphrey Polepole, a vocal critic of the Tanzanian government, was reportedly abducted from his Dar es Salaam home in the early hours of October 6. His brother discovered the house door broken and traces of blood, raising concerns about foul play. Local police confirmed they are investigating the incident, though the city’s police chief initially cast doubt on the reported attack, suggesting the former ambassador to Cuba often claimed to be abroad. This incident follows the alleged abduction of Polepole’s sister in July, deepening the family’s anguish. Annamary Polepole lamented, ‘As a woman who struggled to raise children as a widow, it is very painful for such things to happen.’ She also expressed fears for Tanzania’s future, criticizing the government’s heavy-handed tactics. Humphrey Polepole, who resigned as ambassador earlier this year after publicly denouncing the government’s disregard for justice and constitutional principles, had recently questioned President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s nomination as the ruling party’s presidential candidate. He also accused government officials of corruption and misuse of public funds, claiming armed individuals had harassed his family and raided his home twice. Despite his outspoken stance, many Tanzanians have praised his courage, while others question his moral authority given his previous roles under both Magufuli and Samia. His mother, however, described him as a man of integrity and warmth. The case unfolds amid a tense political climate as Tanzania prepares for its October 29 general election, with President Samia seeking a second term amidst growing criticism of her administration’s repressive measures.