Author: Ohene Anochie

With Morocco set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, the capital city of Rabat is undergoing extensive construction and restoration projects to prepare for the historic tournament. The event, marking the 100th anniversary of the World Cup, will see games played across six countries, including Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Rabat is one of six Moroccan cities chosen to host matches, marking the first time the country will stage World Cup games. Authorities are investing heavily in infrastructure, including highways, hotels, restaurants, and an expanded high-speed rail network connecting Marrakech and, later, Agadir. “There are matters…

The East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have expanded their mediation team for the ongoing Congo conflict, reinforcing efforts to broker peace between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the M23 rebels, and Rwanda. In a virtual meeting on Monday, the two regional blocs appointed additional former heads of state to strengthen the negotiations. Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and ex-Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo remain on the team, while former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde replaces Hailemariam Desalegn. The team now also includes former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe and ex-Central African Republic leader Catherine Samba-Panza.…

As President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk push forward with a sweeping restructuring of the U.S. federal government, intelligence and security experts warn that the mass exodus of government employees has created an unprecedented counterespionage challenge. The newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Musk, has slashed thousands of jobs, leaving many former federal workers with deep institutional knowledge and access to sensitive information suddenly unemployed and potentially vulnerable to foreign recruitment. Security analysts say adversaries such as Russia and China, along with criminal syndicates, are likely to exploit the turmoil in Washington. “This information is highly…

Zimbabwe erupted in celebration as newly elected International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry arrived in her home country to a hero’s welcome. The historic victory makes her the first woman and the first African to lead the global Olympic movement, marking a significant milestone for both Zimbabwe and the continent. Coventry, 41, secured the top position after defeating six other candidates in Thursday’s vote in Greece, including prominent figures in world athletics, cycling, and even a Jordanian royal. Speaking in Harare upon her return, she declared, “It’s not just my success, it is our success. We broke down barriers.”…

The governments of Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands are demanding clarity from the U.S. after $15 million they contributed for overseas development programs was left sitting in USAID accounts without being disbursed or refunded. The funding was intended for joint development projects, including the Water and Energy for Food (WE4F) initiative, which helps farmers in low-income countries adopt sustainable agricultural techniques. However, since the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s government-cutting reforms took effect, much of USAID’s programs have been slashed, leaving these contributions in limbo. “We want our partner organizations to be compensated for the work they have put into…

A newly opened museum in Casablanca is drawing visitors eager to explore the city’s transformation over the past century. The Casablanca Memory Museum, which opened its doors last month, offers a glimpse into the urban and social changes that have shaped Morocco’s largest city. Housed in the historic Villa Carl Ficke, a neoclassical landmark built in 1913, the museum presents a collection of archival documents, old photographs, maps, and artwork that trace Casablanca’s evolution. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by large stone and marble sculptures displayed in the museum’s garden. Museum assistant curator Hajar el-Bakkari highlighted the significance of the…

Africa is bleeding, and its leaders are handing over the knife to its oppressors. From the destruction of sacred forest reserves and river bodies in Ghana to the acidic poisoning of Zambia’s most important waterway, the continent’s natural resources are being plundered in broad daylight all in the name of mining. The worst part? African leaders are sitting unconcerned, watching foreigners pillage their lands while they fill their pockets with ill-gotten wealth. It was bad enough when Western colonizers stole Africa’s culture, traditions, and human resources in exchange for nothing. Now, the Chinese have taken over the role of merciless…

The Council has adopted its position, in view of negotiations with the European Parliament, on a regulation that will impose tariffs on the remaining agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, as well as certain nitrogen-based fertilizers. The tariffs are expected to reduce Russian export revenues, thereby limiting Russia’s ability to finance its war of aggression against Ukraine. The agricultural products affected by the new tariffs constitute 15% of all agricultural imports from Russia (in 2023). Once the new tariffs come into force, all agricultural imports from Russia will be subject to EU tariffs. In 2023, the imports of the…

Technology workers in Kenya gathered for a vigil on Tuesday to mourn the sudden and mysterious death of their colleague, Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a Nigerian content moderator for TikTok employed by subcontractor Teleperformance Kenya. Olubunmi’s decomposing body was discovered in her house three days after her death, sparking concerns about her well-being and working conditions. While the exact cause of death remains unclear, her colleagues say she had long complained of fatigue and was desperate to return home a journey she had not been able to make in two years. Tech Workers Blame Poor Conditions The content moderation industry in…