Connect with us

latest

Dreams Of Peace In Congo Dashed As Rwanda Allegedly Launches Attacks.

Published

on

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of breaching a freshly signed peace deal, just hours after both countries committed to ending hostilities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking to parliament on Monday, Tshisekedi said renewed fighting in South Kivu province has forced hundreds of civilians to flee across the border into Rwanda. “Despite our good faith and the recently ratified agreement, it is clear that Rwanda is already violating its commitments,” he said, referring to alleged attacks carried out by Rwandan forces shortly after the accord was signed. “On the very day after the signing, units of the Rwandan Defence Forces carried out and supported attacks with heavy weaponry,” he added.

The peace deal, signed last Thursday in Washington by Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, had raised hopes for an end to decades of unrest in the mineral-rich, conflict-prone region. However, renewed violence within 24 hours has cast serious doubt on the pact’s durability.

Eastern DRC has been a hotspot of conflict for more than three decades, with the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group central to recent fighting. United Nations experts on Sunday accused Rwanda’s army and M23 rebels of grave human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and mass displacement of civilians. The report detailed summary executions, unlawful detentions, and other violations allegedly committed by Rwandan forces and their M23 allies.

Earlier this year, M23 fighters captured the strategic city of Goma in North Kivu and later took Bukavu in South Kivu, reportedly with Rwandan support. In recent days, clashes have continued with the Congolese army, now reinforced by thousands of Burundian troops deployed in the region.

Last week’s peace agreement, brokered in Washington, was hailed by U.S. President Donald Trump as a diplomatic breakthrough, but the resurgence of violence has raised questions about the pact’s effectiveness.


Advertisement

latest

PROUDLY NIGERIAN! CAF Hand Major Continental Honour To Top Referee Joseph Ogabor For Blockbuster AFCON Qualifier

Published

on

KINSHASA — Elite Nigerian referee Joseph Odey Ogabor has been selected by CAF to officiate the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The high-stakes Group E fixture is set for Thursday at the Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte in Kinshasa, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00 PM local time.

Key Match Officials and Assignments

  • All-Nigerian Refereeing Crew: Referee Joseph Ogabor will be joined on the pitch by fellow compatriots Tejiri Besmart Digbori and Emmanuel Omada, who will serve as Assistant Referees One and Two.

  • Fourth Official: Another Nigerian official, Grema Mohamed, has been appointed to oversee duties as the fourth official.

  • Continental & Domestic Experience: Ogabor is a seasoned official in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and boasts substantial continental experience across the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, recently handling a preliminary clash between Medeama and TP Mazembe.

Super Eagles Qualifier Update

Meanwhile, Chadian referee Alhadji Allaou Mahamat has been designated to handle Nigeria’s opening AFCON 2027 qualifier against Madagascar on Friday, September 25.

The 40-year-old Chadian official brings extensive tournament experience, having officiated across the CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup, U-20 AFCON, and African Nations Championship. Notably, Mahamat previously took charge of two key matches during Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign—overseeing a 1-0 home victory against Rwanda and a 2-1 away triumph over Lesotho in South Africa.

Continue Reading

latest

Madagascar Not Intimidated By Nigeria, Raveloson Says Ahead Of AFCON Qualifier.

Published

on

Madagascar midfielder Rayan Raveloson insists the Barea harbor no fear of the Super Eagles as they gear up for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying opener in Uyo on Friday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

  • No Fear Factor: Speaking to Football Temple, Raveloson acknowledged the reputation of Nigeria’s star-studded squad—even with the absence of injured striker Victor Osimhen—stating, “We are not scared. It is football, and they are humans like us.”

  • Squad Arrival: The Madagascar contingent touched down in Nigeria on Monday, while the home team’s camp filled out by Tuesday ahead of the Group L showdown.

  • Drawing on History: Ranked 104th globally, Madagascar takes confidence from their historic 2-0 victory over Nigeria during the group stage of the 2019 AFCON, where the debutants famously reached the quarter-finals.

  • Looking Ahead: Under the guidance of head coach Corentin Martins—appointed in January 2025—the Barea are hunting for only their second-ever AFCON tournament appearance.

Following Friday’s high-stakes clash in Uyo, Madagascar will return home to host Tanzania on Tuesday, September 29.

Continue Reading

latest

$800M IMA GAS DEAL PROVES MY POLICIES ARE RESCUING NIGERIA’S ECONOMY – TINUBU.

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu has declared that the recent policy overhauls in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector are paying off, highlighted by a major $800 million Final Investment Decision (FID) to develop the long-dormant Ima Gas Field.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released on Wednesday, the President noted that the Ima Gas Field—originally discovered in 1973—had remained undeveloped underground for more than 50 years before his administration’s latest interventions.

According to Tinubu, the milestone was unlocked by targeted incentives introduced under his leadership to revitalize onshore and shallow-water gas projects that had stalled for decades.

Unlocking Dormant Potential

The President emphasized that since taking office, his administration has rolled out strategic Presidential Directives and Executive Orders designed to:

  • Make Nigeria’s investment climate significantly more competitive.

  • Reduce both the cost and turnaround time required to execute energy projects.

  • Provide long-awaited certainty and confidence to global and local investors.

  • Ensure natural resources deliver optimal value directly to citizens.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

The $800 million project, spearheaded by AMNI International and TotalEnergies, is expected to serve as a massive economic catalyst. President Tinubu highlighted that approximately 60% of the workforce will be drawn directly from host communities.

  • Local Empowerment: The venture will create vital opportunities for Nigerian engineers, technicians, contractors, and local enterprises.

  • Export Growth: In addition to boosting local economic activity, the development will secure greater export earnings for the country.

Boosting Nigeria’s LNG Expansion

At its peak, the Ima project is projected to produce roughly 350 million cubic feet of gas daily. This output will supply about one-third of the feed gas required for the expansion of Nigeria LNG (NLNG).

Concluding his statement, Tinubu underscored the ultimate goal of his administration’s ongoing sector overhaul: turning Nigeria’s vast natural resource potential into active production, tangible jobs, and improved incomes for citizens.

“This is what our reforms are intended to achieve,” Tinubu stated. “We have more to unlock.”

Continue Reading

Trending