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The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, adopted a landmark resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans “the gravest crime against humanity” and calling for reparations as a pathway to redress historical injustices.
The motion also urged the unconditional return of cultural artefacts—including artworks, archives and monuments—to their countries of origin, signalling a broader moral and cultural reckoning.
The resolution passed with 123 votes in favour, three against and 52 abstentions. Argentina, Israel and the United States opposed the measure, while the United Kingdom and European Union member states abstained. Although General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, the vote reflects a significant shift in global sentiment and reinforces growing calls for accountability and restorative justice.
Ahead of the vote, U.S. deputy ambassador Dan Negrea stated that while Washington condemns slavery, it does not recognise a legal obligation for reparations tied to historical acts that were not illegal under international law at the time. He also objected to language ranking atrocities, arguing that such comparisons risk diminishing the suffering of victims of other crimes against humanity.
Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, a leading advocate of the resolution, described the moment as a collective moral duty to confront history and pursue healing. Speaking on March 25, 2026—coinciding with the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery—he emphasised that the decision honours the estimated 13 million Africans who endured centuries of enslavement and ensures their suffering is neither forgotten nor diminished.
The resolution further calls on member states to engage in dialogue on reparatory justice, including formal apologies, compensation, institutional reforms and guarantees against recurrence. It also encourages collaboration among regional bodies such as the African Union and Caribbean Community to advance education, reconciliation and policy frameworks addressing systemic racism and the enduring legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.
Source :
https://apnews.com/article/un-vote-africa-slavery-trafficking-reparations-a7497cdb7d24a89eedb50beb683adc0f
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Kenya Confirms Robust Fuel Reserves as Middle East Tensions Persist
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Kenya on Wednesday moved to calm public concerns over potential fuel disruptions, assuring that the country holds sufficient petroleum stocks despite the ongoing Middle East crisis.
Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Opiyo Wandayi, stated that national energy security remains stable, with supply chains functioning effectively and Government oversight firmly in place.
According to the update, the Kenya Pipeline Company currently holds 102 million litres of petrol, 146 million litres of diesel, and 167 million litres of dual-purpose kerosene—levels that meet the country’s statutory reserve requirements. Wandayi further indicated that supply replenishment for the April fuel cycle is progressing as planned, with incoming shipments expected to deliver a combined 330 million litres of petrol, reinforcing Kenya’s fuel security outlook.
Source :
https://english.news.cn/africa/20260325/51b982f77ad24b7088b8e6595ba0f9be/c.html
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Nigeria to Roll Out National Single Window to Transform Port Operations
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Nigeria is set to launch the first phase of its National Single Window on Friday, March 27, a centralised digital platform designed to streamline import and export processes and reduce congestion at its Ports.
Minister of Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, described the initiative as a “game changer” for trade facilitation, noting that the initial rollout will cover one shipping line and one port.
The platform forms part of reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s broader economic agenda, which includes fiscal and tax restructuring aimed at boosting trade efficiency and foreign exchange generation. Officials say inefficiencies at Nigerian ports have significantly inflated logistics costs, with analysts indicating that transporting goods from Europe to warehouses in Lagos can cost up to five times more than in South Africa and three times more than in Ghana.
Oduwole added that while global uncertainties linked to the Middle East conflict continue to unsettle markets, the government remains optimistic that stability will return, restoring investor confidence and supporting trade growth.
Source :
https://www.trtafrika.com/english/article/20135734a9ce
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South Africa Police Chief Summoned to Court as Corruption Probe Deepens
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South Africa’s top police officer, Fannie Masemola, has been served with a warrant to appear in court on April 21, following his alleged involvement in a widening corruption scandal.
The development, confirmed on March 25, 2026, comes amid an ongoing investigation into a controversial contract linked to health and wellness services for Police personnel. Authorities say Masemola has acknowledged the charges and pledged full cooperation.
The case forms part of a broader anti-corruption crackdown that has already seen 12 senior police officers arrested. The arrests, carried out by the National Prosecuting Authority’s anti-graft unit, are tied to allegations of fraud and corruption surrounding the same multi-million-dollar contract, which has since been cancelled. Those detained include high-ranking officers, some of whom have been released on bail pending further proceedings.
The scandal has triggered a high-level inquiry ordered by President Cyril Ramaphosa, alongside parliamentary hearings examining alleged systemic corruption within the police service. The presidency has reiterated its commitment to maintaining stability within the force, even as the investigation threatens to erode public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
Central to the allegations is businessman Vusi Matlala, whose company is reportedly linked to the disputed contract. Matlala, already in custody on separate charges, has testified before parliament, alleging he paid a former police minister about $30,000 for protection. His claims have further exposed suspected links between senior police officials and organised crime networks.
South Africa’s struggle with entrenched corruption provides the backdrop to the unfolding crisis. Past scandals, including those involving former President Jacob Zuma, have underscored longstanding governance challenges.
The current inquiry, sparked by whistleblower allegations from a provincial police commissioner, has revealed claims that criminal syndicates may have infiltrated the upper ranks of the police, raising profound concerns about accountability and institutional integrity as of March 2026.
Source :
https://apnews.com/article/south-africa-police-corruption-arrest-contract-crime-9226199627aff1dc806ea22701e92b2a
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Ethiopia, Saudi Fund Forge Stronger Ties with Mega Airport Financing Plans
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Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance, Ahmed Shide, convened a strategic meeting with Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development, to reinforce bilateral development cooperation and explore new partnership opportunities.
The dialogue held on Wednesday, March 25, focused on assessing current projects supported by the Fund and identifying mechanisms to accelerate implementation.
The discussions provided a platform to review ongoing development programmes and evaluate progress on initiatives backed by the Saudi Fund. Both parties also examined financing avenues for Ethiopia’s forthcoming mega airport project, alongside planning the next steps for debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework.
Minister Ahmed and CEO Al-Marshad highlighted priority sectors for future investment, underscoring a shared commitment to sustainable economic growth and strengthened development collaboration. Their exchange emphasised the need for innovative approaches to financing infrastructure and key national projects.
The meeting reaffirmed the enduring partnership between Ethiopia and the Saudi Fund for Development, signalling a readiness to pursue ambitious joint initiatives that will bolster the country’s economic trajectory. Officials concluded by pledging continued engagement to ensure effective execution of existing programmes while exploring new strategic avenues that align with both nations’ development objectives.
Source :
https://www.ena.et/web/eng/w/eng_8548335
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Angola Secures $2.5 Billion in Landmark Eurobond Sale Amid Global Market Volatility
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The Government of Angola successfully raised 2.5 billion dollars in international financial markets through a new issuance of sovereign Eurobonds, exceeding its initial target of 2 billion dollars and marking a significant achievement for the country’s external financing strategy.
Announcing the results on Wednesday, March 25, after the 3rd Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers, Minister of State for Economic Coordination José de Lima Massano described the operation as “historic,” highlighting strong investor demand that far outstripped expectations.
The issuance attracted around 5.2 billion dollars in bids, reflecting heightened confidence in Angola’s economic prospects, particularly from investors in the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Eurobonds were structured in two tranches: 1.5 billion dollars with a seven‑year maturity and 1 billion dollars with an 11‑year maturity. Notably, the interest rates achieved were lower than in Angola’s previous issuances, indicating favourable borrowing conditions despite ongoing volatility in global markets.
According to government officials, the capital raised will support the execution of programmes outlined in the 2026 General State Budget (OGE) and assist in settling outstanding financial obligations, including payment orders due within the legal 90‑day period.
Government authorities emphasised that this operation—one of the largest single‑day sovereign bond issuances by a sub‑Saharan African country in recent times, exceeded only by benchmarks set by South Africa and Nigeria—serves as a strong signal of investor trust and strengthens Angola’s position in international capital markets.
Source :
https://angop.ao/en/noticias/politica/angola-mobiliza-2-5-mil-milhoes-de-dolares-em-condicoes-favoraveis-no-mercado-internacional/
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