Interpol, in collaboration with Police forces across sixteen African nations, reported Thursday that it has arrested 651 individuals in a two-month operation targeting major cybercrime networks, which extorted nearly €38 million from hundreds of victims.
Dubbed Operation “Red Card 2.0,” the crackdown also seized $4.3 million, though damages are estimated at over $45 million.
Criminals exploited telecommunications platforms in Nigeria, defrauded small investors via social media in Kenya, and imposed excessive fees through quick-loan schemes in Ivory Coast, where 58 suspects were apprehended.
Only 1,200 victims have been identified so far, prompting Interpol to urge others affected to report. Authorities report that one in three crimes in Africa is now linked to cybercrime, with networks dismantled in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast.
Neal Jetton, Interpol’s cybercrime director, stressed the “devastating financial and psychological damage” caused to both individuals and businesses.
Source :
https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20260219-cybercriminalit%C3%A9-en-afrique-651-arrestations-apr%C3%A8s-une-vaste-op%C3%A9ration-annonce-interpol
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Zimbabwe Launches Long-Acting HIV Prevention Injection in Bid to Accelerate AIDS Fight
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Zimbabwe’s health authorities, on Thursday, began administering the long-acting HIV prevention drug lenacapavir, positioning the country among the first globally to roll out the injectable treatment as it intensifies efforts to reduce new infections.
Despite progress over the past decade, Zimbabwe remains one of the countries with the highest HIV burden in Africa, though new infections have declined significantly due to expanded prevention, testing and treatment programmes.
Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora announced that the programme, funded by the United States and the Global Fund, will initially target more than 46,000 high-risk individuals across 24 sites nationwide. He described the launch as a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s strategy to end AIDS as a public health threat.
The country received its first batch of lenacapavir earlier this month, with some early adopters already injected. The nationwide rollout will be implemented in phases. Developed by Gilead Sciences, lenacapavir is administered as a subcutaneous injection twice a year.
Health officials say the long-acting formulation addresses adherence challenges linked to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) pills.
Zimbabwe has recorded notable progress in combating HIV, achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets: 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression. Community leader Melody Dengu from Epworth in Harare confirmed she had received the injection earlier this month and has encouraged others to follow suit.
Source :
https://www.trtafrika.com/english/article/a91bfda9d6f3
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Kenyan Intelligence Report Alleges 1,000 Citizens Duped Into Fighting for Russia in Ukraine
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A Kenyan intelligence report presented to Parliament on Wednesday alleges that 1,000 Kenyans were recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine after being misled with false promises of employment in Russia.
Parliamentary leader Kimani Ichung’wah told lawmakers the National Intelligence Service found that recruitment agencies, allegedly in collusion with officials at the Russian Embassy in Nairobi, issued tourist visas to Kenyans under the guise of skilled job opportunities.
According to the report, 89 Kenyans are currently on the front line, 39 have been hospitalised, 28 are missing in action, at least one has been confirmed dead, and others have since returned home.
The Russian Embassy in Nairobi, however, denied the allegations in a statement on Thursday, saying it had not issued visas to individuals intending to fight in Ukraine. It added that Russia does not prevent foreign nationals from voluntarily enlisting in its armed forces. Ichung’wah warned that any Kenyan officials at the country’s embassy in Moscow found to have collaborated in the alleged scheme would be held accountable.
In recent weeks, dozens of families have appealed to the government to secure the return of relatives reportedly stranded in Russia, with claims that some were forced to fight while others are being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine. Returnees have described signing contracts written in Russian and being deployed to combat zones with little or no military training after being promised jobs such as electricians and plumbers.
Kenya’s Foreign ministry had earlier acknowledged the issue and cautioned citizens against dubious overseas recruitment offers. Two recruiters were arrested last year and later released on bail pending trial.
Source :
https://apnews.com/article/kenya-russia-ukraine-army-recruits-82c48fb68edf130dc080385b0d3d5887
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Putin Hosts Madagascar’s Interim Leader in Kremlin Talks Following Military Support
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Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks on Thursday with Madagascar’s interim leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, at the Kremlin, marking one of the colonel’s first major international engagements since assuming office.
Randrianirina has led Madagascar on an interim basis since October, after the former president fled the country amid demonstrations. His visit to Moscow comes weeks after Russia delivered military equipment to the island and dispatched instructors to train Malagasy forces, including on the use of drones.
During the meeting, Putin described Madagascar as an “important partner” in Africa and outlined potential areas for expanded cooperation, including agriculture, geological exploration, energy, healthcare, education and broader humanitarian initiatives.
The Russian leader also conveyed condolences over a recent cyclone that struck the island, killing at least 40 people this month.
Before departing for Moscow, Randrianirina said he had been invited by the Russian government. Following his visit to Russia, he is expected to travel to France as part of his diplomatic outreach efforts.