标签： Africa

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.

In a concerning development, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), an international ceasefire monitoring body, has revealed that parties to South Sudan’s faltering peace agreement are actively recruiting new fighters and abducting children to participate in the ongoing conflict. This alarming trend has raised fears of a potential return to full-scale civil war in the region. The RJMEC, overseen by the regional bloc IGAD, disclosed that South Sudan’s military initiated a recruitment drive in June to enlist 4,000 forces for peacekeeping and other purposes, followed by the establishment of a new training center in August. Disturbingly, the commission also reported that all sides in the conflict have been involved in the abduction and mobilization of children, as well as incidents of sexual violence. These findings, shared with the U.N. Security Council, have intensified concerns that the government and opposition groups are preparing for further escalation. The situation is further complicated by the trial of Riek Machar, a prominent opposition leader, who faces charges of terrorism and crimes against humanity. Machar, who has been under house arrest since March, denies the allegations and has called for an independent investigation. The RJMEC has urged his release, warning that the current trajectory could lead to the collapse of the 2018 peace agreement, which has already seen multiple extensions of its transitional period. George Aggrey Owinow, RJMEC’s interim chairman, emphasized the urgent need to address these challenges to prevent a reversal of progress. Meanwhile, South Sudan’s Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Martin Elia Lomuro, sought to downplay fears, asserting that the peace process remains on track despite the mounting concerns.

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has appointed General Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as the new prime minister in a bid to quell ongoing youth-led protests against his administration. The decision, announced on Monday, comes amid heightened tensions and fears of a potential coup. Rajoelina described the appointment as necessary to restore order and public trust, emphasizing the need for a leader capable of saving the nation. However, the protest movement, known as Gen Z Mada, swiftly rejected the move, demanding Rajoelina’s resignation within 48 hours and vowing to continue their struggle. The protests, which began on September 25, were initially sparked by widespread anger over frequent water and power outages but have since evolved into a broader outcry against corruption and high unemployment. Last week, Rajoelina dismissed Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and his cabinet in an attempt to appease demonstrators, but the unrest has persisted. General Zafisambo, previously the director of the military cabinet in the prime minister’s office, now assumes a role that underscores the increasing militarization of the government. The UN has reported at least 22 deaths and over 100 injuries during the protests, though the government disputes these figures, labeling them as misinformation. Clashes between security forces and protesters continued on Monday in several cities, including the capital, Antananarivo, as the unrest entered its third week. Madagascar, one of the world’s poorest nations, has a history of political instability, with Rajoelina himself coming to power after mass protests in 2009. The current demonstrations represent the most significant challenge to his leadership since his re-election in 2023. With 75% of the population living below the poverty line and only a third having access to electricity, the protests highlight deep-seated economic and social grievances.

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has appointed military general Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as the nation’s new prime minister, following the dissolution of the government amid widespread protests over power and water shortages. The announcement was made on October 6, 2025, at the Lavoloha Presidential Palace in Antananarivo. Rajoelina emphasized that Zafisambo’s primary mission is to restore public trust, improve living conditions, and address the country’s critical priorities. Zafisambo, who previously served as director of the military office at the Prime Minister’s Office since 2021, steps into his new role during a period of heightened instability. The government’s dissolution on September 29 came after days of violent protests in major cities, including Antananarivo, where demonstrators expressed frustration over frequent power outages and water shortages. Rajoelina acknowledged the public’s anger, stating that the new government’s absolute priority is to swiftly restore electricity and water supplies. The appointment signals a strategic move to stabilize the nation and address the urgent needs of its citizens.

In a controversial move, U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a significant reduction in the number of refugees admitted to the United States for the current fiscal year, with a focus on prioritizing white South Africans, particularly the Afrikaner minority. Sources indicate that the refugee intake could be slashed to as few as 7,500, a stark contrast to the 125,000 target set during the Biden administration. This shift is part of a broader strategy to address what the U.S. government describes as discrimination and violence against Afrikaners in South Africa, claims that the South African government vehemently denies, labeling them as “completely false” and based on misinformation.

The Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch and French colonial settlers, have been a focal point of U.S. policy discussions since Trump issued an executive order in February accusing the South African government of rights violations against this minority group. The order directed U.S. agencies to prioritize humanitarian relief and relocation efforts for Afrikaners under the United States Refugee Admissions Program. Earlier this year, the Trump administration launched a fast-track relocation program, which has already seen around 70 white South Africans resettled in the U.S. in May and June.

South African officials have dismissed the claims of persecution, emphasizing that violent crime affects all citizens and that land expropriation laws are aimed at redistributing unused land to poor Black South Africans. Despite these denials, conservative commentators and figures like Elon Musk have amplified the narrative of Afrikaner persecution, further complicating diplomatic relations between the two nations. The U.S. Embassy in South Africa has noted a “sizable volume of submissions” for refugee status, though exact numbers remain undisclosed.

Dominique Désiré Erenon, a prominent critic of the Central African Republic (CAR) government and leader of the March for Democracy and the People’s Salvation (MDSP) party, has been detained by security forces upon his arrival at the country’s main airport. Erenon, who had been living in exile in France for the past three years, returned to CAR in response to President Faustin-Archange Touadéra’s public appeal for diaspora citizens to come home. His arrest has sparked widespread speculation and criticism, particularly among civil society groups and opposition supporters, who view it as part of a broader pattern of political intimidation ahead of December’s elections. Authorities have yet to disclose the reasons for his detention or any formal charges. Erenon, a former constitutional expert for the African Union and lecturer at the University of Bangui, fled to France in 2022 following an alleged abduction attempt. His party claims he returned to resume his teaching duties and engage in national political dialogue. The arrest occurs amidst increasing state control and the presence of Russian-linked mercenaries supporting the government. Erenon is currently being interrogated by the Research and Investigation Section (SRI) and is expected to face a hearing with the public prosecutor. His family is closely monitoring the situation and considering legal representation.