Iyanya says staying celibate has been difficult and explains why he is not ready for marriage, speaking on the Afropolitan podcast. According to the source article, Nigerian singer Iyanya has spoken openly about his ongoing difficulty maintaining celibacy, saying the commitment has been inconsistent despite his efforts. In a candid interview on the Afropolitan podcast , the 39-year-old artist explained that his resolve often weakens when he encounters women he finds attractive, leading to moments he later regrets. He described his experience as a cycle of commitment, relapse, and reflection. Iyanya said his attempts at celibacy tend to fluctuate, noting that while he sometimes succeeds, certain situations challenge his resolve. He acknowledged that after breaking celibacy, he often finds himself wishing he had remained disciplined. The singer also addressed speculation about his personal life, stating that marriage is not something he is considering at this stage. According to him, he does not feel mentally prepared for marriage and prefers to focus on personal healing. Iyanya added that honesty has become central to how he approaches relationships. He said he now clearly communicates his emotional state to people he meets, explaining that he avoids making promises or giving false expectations. He noted that being upfront about his readiness has helped him avoid misleading others, adding that maturity has changed how he handles romantic interactions compared to earlier in his career. Source: Daily Post Continue Reading Full Article ENTERTAINMENT Iyanya Opens Up About Struggles With Celibacy and Relationships By Witty Pascal Entertainment Editor Witty Pascal Home Comment Jan 31, 2026 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: According to the source article, Nigerian singer Iyanya has spoken openly about his ongoing difficulty maintaining celibacy, saying the commitment has been inconsistent despite his efforts. In a candid interview on the Afropolitan podcast , the 39-year-old artist explained that his resolve often weakens when he encounters women he finds attractive, leading to moments he later regrets. He described his experience as a cycle of commitment, relapse, and reflection. ADVERTISEMENT Iyanya said his attempts at celibacy tend to fluctuate, noting that while he sometimes succeeds, certain situations challenge his resolve. He acknowledged that after breaking celibacy, he often finds himself wishing he had remained disciplined. The singer also addressed speculation about his personal life, stating that marriage is not something he is considering at this stage. According to him, he does not feel mentally prepared for marriage and prefers to focus on personal healing. ADVERTISEMENT Iyanya added that honesty has become central to how he approaches relationships. He said he now clearly communicates his emotional state to people he meets, explaining that he avoids making promises or giving false expectations. He noted that being upfront about his readiness has helped him avoid misleading others, adding that maturity has changed how he handles romantic interactions compared to earlier in his career. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars . Entertainment FOLA Leads 2026 Headies Nominations Ahead of Toronto . ADVERTISEMENT Source: Daily Post ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs Inside the Nigerian dancer’s rise from Ojo street shows to Afrobeats stages, music and global fame. . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life How Eric Omondi rose through Churchill Show and became a prominent Kenyan activist. . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? The neuroscientist and educator became Eritrea’s first Miss World entrant and reached the Top 6 . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars The dancer faces five sexual offence charges and returns to court on September 15. . Tags Entertainment Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigeria Nigeria

21 years after the Gatumba Massacre, justice is still denied. Investigate how Rwanda exploits Banyamulenge's suffering to justify M23 and block accountability. Remembering the Gatumba Massacre 21 years on On the night of 13 August 2004 , armed fighters, many of them members of the Burundian National Liberation Front (FNL) , surrounded the Gatumba refugee camp on the Burundi-DRC border. By dawn, at least 152 Congolese Banyamulenge were dead and more than 106 were wounded . Banyamulenge is the local name for Congolese Tutsi families who have lived in South Kivu for generations. The attack occurred inside Burundi, just a few hundred metres from army and United Nations positions, yet soldiers did not intervene. Witnesses say the assailants poured gasoline on plastic shelters and shot people who tried to escape, sparing refugees from other ethnic groups. Twenty‑one years later, survivors and their families gathered in Kinshasa, Bukavu, and other cities to mark the massacre’s anniversary. Alexis Gisaro Muvuni , Congo’s Minister of Urban Planning and a member of the Banyamulenge community, told the crowd that their suffering should never be exploited by foreign powers . “As long as the truth is suppressed, as long as justice is not done, cycles of violence will return,” he said, pointedly mentioning Rwanda. “Our community needs peace; it refuses to allow the suffering it has endured to be instrumentalised or exploited by foreign powers such as Rwanda, or by politicians who justify war in the east of our country.” Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya echoed the sentiment. “Every life lost in Gatumba or today as a result of Rwandan aggression constitutes a wound for the nation,” he told mourners. “From Gatumba to Kishishe , from Binza to countless martyred villages, it is the same blood of Congolese that flows.” Muyaya reaffirmed President Félix Tshisekedi’s commitment to protect all citizens and praised the Banyamulenge community for rejecting armed groups who claim to fight on their behalf. Justice denied – Who protected the killers? The search for justice began almost immediately after the massacre. Human Rights Watch reported in September 2004 that the FNL spokesman Pasteur Habimana publicly claimed responsibility for the attack; arrest warrants were issued for Habimana and FNL leader Agathon Rwasa , but neither was apprehended. Rwanda and Burundi each promised inquiries, and the UN Security Council called for an investigation, but no credible prosecutions followed. Burundian law allowed local courts to try genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed on its territory, yet “there have been several apparent war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Burundi since the promulgation of the May 8 statute, but no prosecutions under this law”. This impunity has persisted for two decades. A 2019 Human Rights Watch review noted that the criminal case opened in 2013 stalled the following year. Survivors still await justice and compensation. One of the FNL leaders, Rwasa , remains a prominent opposition politician; he argues that a 2006 ceasefire agreement grants him provisional immunity. The agreement does exclude crimes against humanity, but Burundian authorities have not tested the provision in court. Survivors feel abandoned by national and international jurisdictions. At the 21st commemoration in August 2025, Jules Rutebuka of the Coordination des Mutualités Banyamulenge told Rwandan outlet IGIHE that repeated legal complaints have been ignored. “We filed cases in Burundi against those who admitted responsibility, including Agathon Rwasa and Pasteur Habimana, but they still walk free. The survivors’ organisation Gatumba Refugees Survivors Foundation (GRSF) submitted files to courts in Burundi, Rwanda, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) , but according to lawyer Innocent Nteziryayo , “no court has acted . ” Many Banyamulenge believe political interests in Bujumbura and Kigali have shielded the perpetrators. Exploiting suffering – Kigali’s Banyamulenge card Continue Reading Full Article INVESTIGATIVE Gatumba to Kishishe: Muyaya Warns Rwanda Exploits Pain By Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Political Analyst Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Home Comment Aug 17, 2025 May 15, 2026 11 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Remembering the Gatumba Massacre 21 years on On the night of 13 August 2004 , armed fighters, many of them members of the Burundian National Liberation Front (FNL) , surrounded the Gatumba refugee camp on the Burundi-DRC border. By dawn, at least 152 Congolese Banyamulenge were dead and more than 106 were wounded . Banyamulenge is the local name for Congolese Tutsi families who have lived in South Kivu for generations. The attack occurred inside Burundi, just a few hundred metres from army and United Nations positions, yet soldiers did not intervene. Witnesses say the assailants poured gasoline on plastic shelters and shot people who tried to escape, sparing refugees from other ethnic groups. Twenty‑one years later, survivors and their families gathered in Kinshasa, Bukavu, and other cities to mark the massacre’s anniversary. Alexis Gisaro Muvuni , Congo’s Minister of Urban Planning and a member of the Banyamulenge community, told the crowd that their suffering should never be exploited by foreign powers . “As long as the truth is suppressed, as long as justice is not done, cycles of violence will return,” he said, pointedly mentioning Rwanda. “Our community needs peace; it refuses to allow the suffering it has endured to be instrumentalised or exploited by foreign powers such as Rwanda, or by politicians who justify war in the east of our country.” Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya echoed the sentiment. “Every life lost in Gatumba or today as a result of Rwandan aggression constitutes a wound for the nation,” he told mourners. “From Gatumba to Kishishe , from Binza to countless martyred villages, it is the same blood of Congolese that flows.” Muyaya reaffirmed President Félix Tshisekedi’s commitment to protect all citizens and praised the Banyamulenge community for rejecting armed groups who claim to fight on their behalf. Justice denied – Who protected the killers? The search for justice began almost immediately after the massacre. Human Rights Watch reported in September 2004 that the FNL spokesman Pasteur Habimana publicly claimed responsibility for the attack; arrest warrants were issued for Habimana and FNL leader Agathon Rwasa , but neither was apprehended. Rwanda and Burundi each promised inquiries, and the UN Security Council called for an investigation, but no credible prosecutions followed. Burundian law allowed local courts to try genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed on its territory, yet “there have been several apparent war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Burundi since the promulgation of the May 8 statute, but no prosecutions under this law”. This impunity has persisted for two decades. A 2019 Human Rights Watch review noted that the criminal case opened in 2013 stalled the following year. Survivors still await justice and compensation. One of the FNL leaders, Rwasa , remains a prominent opposition politician; he argues that a 2006 ceasefire agreement grants him provisional immunity. The agreement does exclude crimes against humanity, but Burundian authorities have not tested the provision in court. Survivors feel abandoned by national and international jurisdictions. At the 21st commemoration in August 2025, Jules Rutebuka of the Coordination des Mutualités Banyamulenge told Rwandan outlet IGIHE that repeated legal complaints have been ignored. “We filed cases in Burundi against those who admitted responsibility, including Agathon Rwasa and Pasteur Habimana, but they still walk free. The survivors’ organisation Gatumba Refugees Survivors Foundation (GRSF) submitted files to courts in Burundi, Rwanda, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) , but according to lawyer Innocent Nteziryayo , “no court has acted . ” Many Banyamulenge believe political interests in Bujumbura and Kigali have shielded the perpetrators. ADVERTISEMENT Exploiting suffering – Kigali’s Banyamulenge card Beyond denial of justice, survivors are confronted with a cynical geopolitical narrative. Ever since the Congo wars of the late 1990s, the Rwandan government has portrayed interventions in eastern DRC as necessary to protect Congolese Tutsi/Banyamulenge from genocide. This argument resurfaced with the emergence of the March 23 Movement (M23) , which seized Goma in 2012 and launched a new offensive in 2022. A January 2025 analysis by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies explains that the M23 was formed by ex‑members of the CNDP rebel group who claimed to defend the Banyamulenge. Rwanda’s campaigns in the DRC “ recruited heavily from the Banyamulenge, tapping grievances around nationality and mobilizing kinship ties ” . These historical ties are why officials like Alexis Gisaro are alarmed when Kigali invokes Banyamulenge suffering to justify its military involvement. In the same Africa Center report, analysts noted that the M23 merged with other armed groups to form the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) and broaden its ambitions. The group is now better armed, using surface‑to‑air missiles, combat drones, and heavy artillery , evidence of significant state backing. Rwanda denies supporting the rebels, but UN experts, the United States, and several European governments agree that Kigali provides logistical and military support. Amnesty International’s 2023 report on the Kishishe massacre in North Kivu underscores the human cost of this proxy warfare. On 29 November 2022, M23 fighters, “which the UN says is backed by Rwanda,” attacked the village of Kishishe and its surroundings. Amnesty documented that the rebels systematically targeted men, women, and children , killing at least 20 men and raping at least 66 women and girls ; UN estimates suggest as many as 170 people were killed . An Amnesty investigator wrote that survivors were hunted down in their homes and that the violence was “in retaliation for alleged support for the FDLR and other armed groups opposed to the M23.” This pattern of collective punishment mirrors the rhetoric used by Kigali when it accuses Kinshasa of sheltering the FDLR and of refusing to protect Congolese Tutsi. From Gatumba to Kishishe – cycles of massacres Patrick Muyaya’s remark that “ from Gatumba to Kishishe…it is the same blood of the Congolese that flows” encapsulates how unchecked impunity breeds repetition. After Gatumba, human rights advocates warned that failure to prosecute the FNL would embolden armed groups. Human Rights Watch noted that FNL spokesman Habimana linked the massacre to past killings that went unpunished, illustrating how “absence of criminal prosecutions…provides pretexts for those who wish to carry out killing on the other side.” Nearly two decades later, the M23 used similar justifications. The Africa Center report describes how the rebels have appealed to Banyamulenge communities by invoking self-preservation, while simultaneously pursuing broader political goals. Amnesty International found that the Kishishe massacre involved retaliatory killings and rapes targeting civilians accused of supporting the FDLR. A UN human rights report revised the toll to 171 civilians executed by the M23 in Kishishe and nearby Bambo. The massacre provoked outrage in Congo and drew condemnation from UN, EU, and US officials. Yet, like Gatumba, prosecutions remain elusive. M23 denies responsibility, and Rwanda continues to blame Kinshasa for failing to reintegrate its fighters. Memory versus political appropriation Investigative journalists and scholars have documented how the Gatumba massacre was exploited by competing political narratives. In its 2004 briefing paper, Human Rights Watch observed that the attack came at the intersection of faltering peace processes in Burundi and the DRC and that contenders for power on both sides “ tried to appropriate the massacre for their own political ends”. Rwandan and Burundian politicians quickly cast the killings through ethnic lenses, fuelling fears of a regional conflict and distracting from the victims’ quest for justice. ADVERTISEMENT This pattern continues today. A 2024 essay by the Center on International Cooperation critiques the “war of narratives” between Rwanda and the DRC. The piece describes how Congolese conspiracy theorist Charles Onana spreads the false claim that the Banyamulenge are recent immigrants with no rights in Congo , while Rwandan officials use references to the 1994 genocide to justify interventions and accuse Kinshasa of collaborating with Hutu genocidaires. Both sides overlook historical research showing that Banyamulenge communities have lived in the highlands of South Kivu since the nineteenth century and that multiple Congolese ethnic groups, not just Tutsi-commit abuses in the ongoing conflict. The essay argues that Rwanda’s military intervention in support of M23 is a self‑fulfilling prophecy , exacerbating anti‑Tutsi sentiment and reigniting collaboration between the Congolese army and Hutu rebels. Banyamulenge at a crossroads Despite decades of victimisation, many Banyamulenge are rejecting both victimhood and Kigali’s appropriation of their pain. In Kinshasa, Alexis Gisaro praised his community for saying “no to those who think they can use its protection as a pretext to kill members of another community.” This stance aligns with President Tshisekedi’s broader agenda of national cohesion, even as Rwanda accuses Kinshasa of neglecting its Tutsi citizens. Young Banyamulenge activists are increasingly engaging in civic and political life, promoting social cohesion and dialogue. Their rejection of M23’s narrative undercuts Kigali’s claim to be the sole protector of Congolese Tutsi. International law and accountability Under international law, both the Burundian state and the international community bear responsibility for investigating and prosecuting atrocities like Gatumba and Kishishe. Human Rights Watch’s 2004 report urged Burundi to seek assistance from the International Criminal Court ; the May 8 law allows for ICC jurisdiction. Yet the Burundian government never completed its membership in the ICC, and no state party referred the case under Article 12(3). Fifteen years on, HRW urged Burundian authorities to guarantee judicial independence and deliver justice. The United Nations and the African Union also share blame. UN peacekeepers in Gatumba were informed of the attack only after it ended, and the UN’s subsequent investigations led nowhere. In Kishishe, UN officials condemned the killings and revised the death toll, but they have not facilitated prosecutions. Regional bodies, including the East African Community and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region , have issued statements but avoided confronting Rwanda for its support of M23. International justice mechanisms could still act. As Amnesty International noted, the ICC opened a preliminary examination into North Kivu in June 2023. Survivors hope Gatumba can be included in a comprehensive case against regional actors. However, the court’s track record in Central Africa is mixed. An ICC warrant for FDLR military commander Sylvestre Mudacumura remains unexecuted, and the court has not pursued charges against Rwandan or Burundian officials. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Policy and Reforms DRC Assembly Backs $625m for Schools, Businesses and Health . Economic Policies DRC Creates Deposit Guarantee Fund to Protect Bank Customers . Social Service DRC Moves to Bring More Public Workers Onto the Payroll . Development DRC Plans $440 Million for Rural Water, Electricity and Infrastructure . Opposition Politics Why C64 Plans a July 8 March to Demand Tshisekedi's Resignation . ADVERTISEMENT Toward truth and reconciliation The scars of Gatumba and Kishishe run deep. Survivors mourn loved ones who were burned, shot, or raped; children have grown up with memories of watching family members die. Impunity has allowed perpetrators to regroup under new banners, FNL, CNDP, M23, while regional leaders manipulate narratives of genocide, self‑defence, and sovereignty. The Banyamulenge community and the broader Congolese public refuse to forget. Their annual commemorations keep the names of the victims alive and remind the world that justice delayed is justice denied . For justice to prevail, Burundi must finish its accession to the Rome Statute , cooperate with the ICC, and prosecute the FNL leaders who confessed to the massacre. Rwanda must end its covert support for M23 and stop weaponising the Banyamulenge cause to justify incursions into the DRC. The international community must sanction those who fuel violence and provide resources for impartial investigations. And Congo’s government must ensure that all communities, Banyamulenge, Hutu, Tutsi, Havu, Nande, and others, are protected and represented. As Alexis Gisaro said, acknowledging and healing the wounds of Gatumba is essential to breaking the cycle: “Our community needs peace; it refuses to allow the suffering it has endured to be instrumentalised or exploited.” If justice is finally delivered for Gatumba, it may stem the tide of violence from Uvira to Kishishe. Until then, the blood of innocent Congolese continues to stain the soil of the Great Lakes. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Policy and Reforms DRC Assembly Backs $625m for Schools, Businesses and Health Lawmakers back four financing bills supporting entrepreneurs, primary education, maternal health . Economic Policies DRC Creates Deposit Guarantee Fund to Protect Bank Customers DRC approves FGADEC, a national deposit-guarantee fund designed to protect eligible savings, . Social Service DRC Moves to Bring More Public Workers Onto the Payroll DRC plans to make salary inclusion a 2027 budget priority, aiming to progressively bring eligible . Development DRC Plans $440 Million for Rural Water, Electricity and Infrastructure DRC plans more than $440 million in its 2027 budget for rural water, electricity and basic . Tags DRC Politics DRC Politics DR.Congo DR.Congo

Discover how to explore Kinshasa Botanical Garden like a local — climate art, prayer circles, puddles, and wild beauty in the city’s green heart. The Jardin Botanique de Kinshasa isn’t just a patch of green it’s a cinematic set where Congolese history, climate activism and sweaty prayer sessions collide. Established during the colonial era, its once-labeled trees and scientific mission have faded into a wilder, more lived-in space . Climate Art in the Mud In April 2025 , the garden hosted The Herds , a poetic performance where life-sized cardboard animals were guided through flooded clearings to highlight the climate crisis. As it was reported, the marionettes symbolized animals forced to flee their homes as rising temperatures reshape habitats a haunting message made more poignant in the Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest rainforest . After heavy Kinshasa rains, parts of the garden were literally submerged ,creating mirror-like puddles that photographers adored). Entry: CDF 2 500 (≈ US $1.14)🍹 Snacks/Drinks: CDF 3 000–6 000 (≈ US $1.37–2.74) from local vendors . Pro tip: Go on weekday mornings after a rain shower the light is gorgeous, the mud glistens, and the crowds are still nursing their Primus hangovers. The Prayer Park Once inside, follow the dappled paths beneath towering eucalypts and frangipani . You’ll share the shade with couples doing engagement shoots, kids hustling as guides, and prayer groups raising the volume on divine connection . Captured at the Jardin Botanique de Kinshasa , this joyful moment shows members of Ecodim de la Louange Lemba 1 celebrating a heartfelt exchange of vows a scene filled with laughter, music, and faith. As their caption quotes from Psalms 133:1 , “How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity,” the photo radiates exactly that unity, happiness, and the warmth of community under Kinshasa’s sunlit palms. Continue Reading Full Article TRAVEL GUIDE How to Tour Kinshasa Botanical Garden like a Local By Neema Asha Mwakalinga Travel & Culture Expert Neema Asha Mwakalinga Home Comment Nov 5, 2025 May 15, 2026 7 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: The Jardin Botanique de Kinshasa isn’t just a patch of green it’s a cinematic set where Congolese history, climate activism and sweaty prayer sessions collide. Established during the colonial era, its once-labeled trees and scientific mission have faded into a wilder, more lived-in space . Climate Art in the Mud Peaceful garden path surrounded by lush plants and open green space at Kinshasa Botanical Garden. In April 2025 , the garden hosted The Herds , a poetic performance where life-sized cardboard animals were guided through flooded clearings to highlight the climate crisis. As it was reported, the marionettes symbolized animals forced to flee their homes as rising temperatures reshape habitats a haunting message made more poignant in the Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest rainforest . After heavy Kinshasa rains, parts of the garden were literally submerged ,creating mirror-like puddles that photographers adored). Entry: CDF 2 500 (≈ US $1.14)🍹 Snacks/Drinks: CDF 3 000–6 000 (≈ US $1.37–2.74) from local vendors . Pro tip: Go on weekday mornings after a rain shower the light is gorgeous, the mud glistens, and the crowds are still nursing their Primus hangovers. ADVERTISEMENT The Prayer Park Once inside, follow the dappled paths beneath towering eucalypts and frangipani . You’ll share the shade with couples doing engagement shoots, kids hustling as guides, and prayer groups raising the volume on divine connection . Captured at the Jardin Botanique de Kinshasa , this joyful moment shows members of Ecodim de la Louange Lemba 1 celebrating a heartfelt exchange of vows a scene filled with laughter, music, and faith. As their caption quotes from Psalms 133:1 , “How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity,” the photo radiates exactly that unity, happiness, and the warmth of community under Kinshasa’s sunlit palms. By mid-2025, over 20 prayer groups were holding sessions in the garden’s clearings , turning what was once a scientific sanctuary into a kind of open-air chapel. Long-time visitors lament that most plant labels have vanished, and the focus has shifted from botany to leisure and faith . ADVERTISEMENT Still, it’s a rare breather from Kinshasa’s honking chaos. Arrive early, pack mosquito repellent, and stay curious you might catch leftover cardboard elephants drying in the sun, or teens using puddles as selfie mirrors. That striking hanging pod in photo belongs to the Sausage Tree ( Kigelia africana ) one of the quirkiest sights you’ll find in the Kinshasa Botanical Garden . Locals jokingly call it “arbre à saucisses” for obvious reasons: its heavy, sausage-shaped fruit can weigh up to 10 kg and dangle dramatically from long rope-like stems. Under its broad canopy, you’ll often see photographers or kids posing in awe of its oddity. Though the fruit isn’t edible raw, it’s used across Africa in traditional medicine and even in brewing herbal skin tonics. In the garden, the sausage tree’s bright scarlet flowers attract bats at dusk, adding a touch of nocturnal theatre to Kinshasa’s green heart. Flanked by tall Euphorbia candelabrum (often mistaken for cacti), the path stretches through a corridor of tropical calm palms, manicured lawns, and bursts of color from flowering shrubs This serene walkway in the Kinshasa Botanical Garden is where the city seems to exhale. The benches, though modest, invite you to slow down and take in the rhythm of Kinshasa’s green lungs. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Culture & Tourism People's Palace Kinshasa: History, Architecture and Parliament . Visit DR Congo Maï-Ndombe River: Discover a Hidden Natural Treasure Near Kinshasa . Entertainment Papa Wemba: The Enduring Voice of Congo and His Lasting Legacy . Visit DR Congo Lake Ma Vallée: Kinshasa's Historic Nature Escape . Visit DR Congo Zongo Falls: A Complete Travel Guide to Kongo Central’s Natural Escape . ADVERTISEMENT In the mornings, joggers and school groups drift past; by afternoon, couples claim the shady corners. It’s the kind of spot where you hear birds gossip louder than people a rare, peaceful pause in the heart of Congo’s capital. Enjoying a calm day at the Kinshasa Botanical Garden, taking photos among the tall trees and bright flowers a perfect spot to capture nature and city peace in one frame. After the Garden: Beer & River Breeze After your stroll, grab a cold Primus beer at a nearby kiosk and wander down to the Congo River , just a short walk away. Between the breeze, the river glint, and the chorus of city sounds, you’ll see why Kinois describe this garden as a pocket of wild magic in the heart of the capital. Kinshasa’s Botanical Garden is messy, magical, and unapologetically alive . It’s not the manicured oasis you might expect it’s muddy paths, spontaneous art, and birdsong spliced with gospel echoes. Go with an open mind and a sense of humour, and you’ll get it: this is Kinshasa in miniature chaotic, creative, and always evolving . ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Culture & Tourism People's Palace Kinshasa: History, Architecture and Parliament Discover how a China-backed project under Mobutu became the home of Congo's Parliament. . Visit DR Congo Maï-Ndombe River: Discover a Hidden Natural Treasure Near Kinshasa Explore the river's geography, dark waters, local communities and potential for responsible tourism . Entertainment Papa Wemba: The Enduring Voice of Congo and His Lasting Legacy From rumba and SAPE to La Dernière Symphonie, explore Papa Wemba's legacy ten years after his death. . Visit DR Congo Lake Ma Vallée: Kinshasa's Historic Nature Escape Discover the history, activities and environmental importance of this green retreat in Mont-Ngafula . 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Meet Johnstone Makhubu, South Africa’s SARS Commissioner, and learn about his career, education, family and Modernisation 3.0 programme. Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu is the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the institution responsible for collecting national revenue and administering customs. He entered the post on 1 May 2026 after rising through senior operational and financial roles inside SARS. Makhubu drew renewed attention at the 2026 Tax Indaba in Sandton, where he presented a strategy built around trust, stronger institutional capability and technology. Its central programme, Modernisation 3.0, aims to use data, automation and artificial intelligence to improve service and make enforcement more precise. Who is Johnstone Makhubu? Johnstone Makhubu is a South African engineer, executive and tax administrator who became SARS Commissioner in May 2026. A former SARS chief procurement, finance and revenue officer, he now leads the authority’s Modernisation 3.0 programme and serves as chairperson of the African Tax Administration Forum. His first Tax Indaba agenda as commissioner At the 13th Annual Tax Indaba, Makhubu said South Africa needed a revenue service that could collect effectively while maintaining public confidence. The official SARS account of his keynote identified four strategic priorities: capable and ethical employees, faster modernisation, sustainable funding and stronger relationships across the tax system. Modernisation 3.0 is the technological core of that agenda. SARS says it will combine data, automation and AI with modernised VAT, customs, digital-identity and case-management systems. Makhubu has insisted that technology should support staff rather than displace them. As he told the gathering in a line also carried by SAnews : “Technology must strengthen human capability, not replace it.” XTRAfrica’s guides to SARS eFiling and checking a tax-refund status explain the digital services taxpayers already use. Continue Reading Full Article BIOGRAPHY Who Is Johnstone Makhubu? Biography of the SARS Chief By Kamau Bahati Entertainment Editor Kamau Bahati Home Comment Sep 15, 2026 Sep 15, 2026 8 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu is the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the institution responsible for collecting national revenue and administering customs. He entered the post on 1 May 2026 after rising through senior operational and financial roles inside SARS. Makhubu drew renewed attention at the 2026 Tax Indaba in Sandton, where he presented a strategy built around trust, stronger institutional capability and technology. Its central programme, Modernisation 3.0, aims to use data, automation and artificial intelligence to improve service and make enforcement more precise. Who is Johnstone Makhubu? Johnstone Makhubu is a South African engineer, executive and tax administrator who became SARS Commissioner in May 2026. A former SARS chief procurement, finance and revenue officer, he now leads the authority’s Modernisation 3.0 programme and serves as chairperson of the African Tax Administration Forum. Public Figure Snapshot Details Full name Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu Known for Leading the South African Revenue Service Country / connection South Africa; continental role through the African Tax Administration Forum Current role SARS Commissioner and ATAF chairperson Fresh trigger Tax Indaba keynote outlining Modernisation 3.0 on 14 September 2026 Verification Confirmed, as of 15 September 2026 His first Tax Indaba agenda as commissioner At the 13th Annual Tax Indaba, Makhubu said South Africa needed a revenue service that could collect effectively while maintaining public confidence. The official SARS account of his keynote identified four strategic priorities: capable and ethical employees, faster modernisation, sustainable funding and stronger relationships across the tax system. Modernisation 3.0 is the technological core of that agenda. SARS says it will combine data, automation and AI with modernised VAT, customs, digital-identity and case-management systems. Makhubu has insisted that technology should support staff rather than displace them. As he told the gathering in a line also carried by SAnews : “Technology must strengthen human capability, not replace it.” XTRAfrica’s guides to SARS eFiling and checking a tax-refund status explain the digital services taxpayers already use. ADVERTISEMENT A leadership path built inside SARS President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Makhubu for a five-year term beginning on 1 May 2026. The appointment followed a unanimous recommendation from a selection panel convened by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Makhubu succeeded Edward Kieswetter, whose term ended on 30 April. The choice represented continuity rather than an outsider-led reset. According to the official SARS commissioner profile , Makhubu had already held four senior posts at the authority: chief procurement officer from 2016, chief officer for finance from 2018, chief revenue officer from 2021 and deputy commissioner for taxpayer engagement and operations from 2023. He also helped shape SARS strategy from 2020. Before his public-revenue career, he worked across fast-moving consumer goods, mining and power generation. Engineering, commerce and leadership studies Makhubu’s education crosses technical, commercial and organisational disciplines. The current SARS profile lists bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering and commerce, a master’s in business leadership and a PhD in Leadership from the University of Pretoria. The SARS announcement of his appointment said he had more than 17 years of senior leadership experience across the public and private sectors. Public authorities have not published a reliably verifiable birth date for Makhubu. Consequently, his precise age should not be presented as established fact. Online claims about his wealth are similarly unsupported by an audited filing or authoritative financial record and are excluded from this profile. A continental responsibility through ATAF Makhubu also became chairperson of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) on 1 May 2026. SARS describes ATAF as a platform through which African revenue authorities cooperate on training, technical assistance, research and domestic-resource mobilisation. During July engagements in The Gambia, an official SARS report said he led discussions on institutional leadership, economic sovereignty and domestic revenue. His ATAF role extends his responsibilities beyond South Africa. Family, faith and long-distance running Outside revenue administration, Makhubu is an ordained pastor, author and long-distance runner. An author profile published by Hope Restoration Ministries says he completed six Comrades Marathons and wrote Life Is a Marathon: Live It Like One! , drawing leadership lessons from endurance running. ADVERTISEMENT The same first-party profile identifies Nomthandazo Makhubu as his wife and says they have two children. That account is supported by a South African press profile . Their children’s names are withheld here because they are not necessary to explain his public role. Personal & Family Status Details Marital status Married, as of September 2026 Spouse or partner Nomthandazo Makhubu Children Two; names withheld for privacy Johnstone Makhubu career timeline Year Event Significance 2016 Became SARS chief procurement officer Began his documented senior-leadership path inside the revenue authority 2018 Appointed chief officer for finance Added responsibility for institutional financial stewardship 2021 Became chief revenue officer Moved into a central revenue-collection leadership role 2023 Appointed deputy commissioner for taxpayer engagement and operations Took charge of major taxpayer-facing and operational functions 2024 Completed a PhD in Leadership Added advanced research on leadership to his technical and business education 2026 Became SARS Commissioner and ATAF chairperson Assumed national and continental tax-administration responsibilities 2026 Presented Modernisation 3.0 at Tax Indaba Set out his technology, trust and capability agenda What his leadership could mean for taxpayers Makhubu’s stated direction combines easier digital compliance for taxpayers who follow the rules with more targeted enforcement against evasion and illicit activity. Moneyweb’s report on his Tax Indaba address says the programme includes digital identity, intelligent case management and more modern VAT and customs systems. These are policy intentions, not guaranteed outcomes. Success will depend on implementation, data safeguards, reliable systems and fair dispute resolution. Taxpayers must still check whether they need to submit a SARS return and meet the applicable 2026 filing deadlines . Johnstone Makhubu FAQs What is Johnstone Makhubu’s full name? His full public name is Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu. When did Johnstone Makhubu become SARS Commissioner? His five-year term began on 1 May 2026. Who did Johnstone Makhubu replace? He succeeded Edward Kieswetter, whose term ended on 30 April 2026. What qualifications does Johnstone Makhubu have? SARS lists bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering and commerce, a master’s in business leadership and a PhD in Leadership from the University of Pretoria. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Elections Monitoring South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Business Trends Killarney Mall Transfer Completed in R397.5 Million Deal . Elections Monitoring South Africa Election 2026: ANC Leads, MK Wins KZN Councils . Elections Monitoring South Africa Election Results: How to Read the Count . Elections Monitoring South Africa Elections 2026: Voting Hours, IDs and Ballots . ADVERTISEMENT How old is Johnstone Makhubu? His precise age is not publicly confirmed as of September 2026 because authoritative profiles do not provide a verified birth date. Who is Johnstone Makhubu’s wife? His wife is Nomthandazo Makhubu, according to Hope Restoration Ministries and South African press reporting. Does Johnstone Makhubu have children? Yes. Public sources say he and his wife have two children. Their names are withheld here for privacy. What is SARS Modernisation 3.0? It is SARS’s programme to develop a more intelligent tax and customs platform using data, automation, AI, digital identity and modernised case-management systems. What is Johnstone Makhubu’s ATAF role? He has served as chairperson of the African Tax Administration Forum since 1 May 2026. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Elections Monitoring South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances Gauteng's DA lead and other council results show why the municipal count remains unsettled. . Business Trends Killarney Mall Transfer Completed in R397.5 Million Deal Octodec confirms the sale, while AJP’s plans include support for two black women entrepreneurs. . 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At 14, Champz becomes the youngest African artist to surpass 1M Spotify monthly listeners following the success of his debut EP. Fourteen-year-old Boluwatife Balogun, popularly known as Champz, has become the youngest Nigerian and African artist to surpass one million monthly listeners on Spotify. Current figures place his listenership at approximately 1,004,060, marking a significant milestone for the emerging musician. The achievement comes less than three weeks after the release of his debut EP, Champion’s Arrival , released on 11 November 2025. The five-track project blends rap, afro-swing and Afrobeats, presenting a bold artistic direction for a teenage newcomer. Within hours of its release, the EP reached No. 1 on the Apple Music Nigeria Top Albums chart, making Champz the youngest artist to top the platform in the country. It has also charted in 16 countries and secured a spot at No. 71 on the UK Apple Music Top Albums chart. Industry observers have praised Champz for his confident delivery and distinctive sound, noting that his growing popularity extends beyond his connection to his father, Afrobeats star Wizkid. The EP features no guest artists, keeping the focus solely on his vocal and stylistic range. His mother, Oluwanishola Ogudu, expressed her appreciation to supporters on social media, thanking listeners for embracing her son's debut project. A viral courtside video also captured Wizkid acknowledging his pride and suggesting the possibility of a future collaboration. As Champz continues to gain momentum, many fans and analysts believe his early success could set new standards for young talent in the Afrobeats and global music scene. Continue Reading Full Article ENTERTAINMENT Champz Becomes Youngest African Artist to Hit 1M Spotify Listeners By Witty Pascal Entertainment Editor Witty Pascal Home Comment Dec 7, 2025 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Fourteen-year-old Boluwatife Balogun, popularly known as Champz, has become the youngest Nigerian and African artist to surpass one million monthly listeners on Spotify. Current figures place his listenership at approximately 1,004,060, marking a significant milestone for the emerging musician. The achievement comes less than three weeks after the release of his debut EP, Champion’s Arrival , released on 11 November 2025. The five-track project blends rap, afro-swing and Afrobeats, presenting a bold artistic direction for a teenage newcomer. Within hours of its release, the EP reached No. 1 on the Apple Music Nigeria Top Albums chart, making Champz the youngest artist to top the platform in the country. It has also charted in 16 countries and secured a spot at No. 71 on the UK Apple Music Top Albums chart. ADVERTISEMENT Industry observers have praised Champz for his confident delivery and distinctive sound, noting that his growing popularity extends beyond his connection to his father, Afrobeats star Wizkid. The EP features no guest artists, keeping the focus solely on his vocal and stylistic range. His mother, Oluwanishola Ogudu, expressed her appreciation to supporters on social media, thanking listeners for embracing her son's debut project. A viral courtside video also captured Wizkid acknowledging his pride and suggesting the possibility of a future collaboration. ADVERTISEMENT As Champz continues to gain momentum, many fans and analysts believe his early success could set new standards for young talent in the Afrobeats and global music scene. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars . Entertainment FOLA Leads 2026 Headies Nominations Ahead of Toronto . ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs Inside the Nigerian dancer’s rise from Ojo street shows to Afrobeats stages, music and global fame. . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life How Eric Omondi rose through Churchill Show and became a prominent Kenyan activist. . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? The neuroscientist and educator became Eritrea’s first Miss World entrant and reached the Top 6 . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars The dancer faces five sexual offence charges and returns to court on September 15. . Tags Entertainment Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigeria Nigeria

Compare Serengeti and Ngorongoro safaris by wildlife, migration, costs, crowds and trip length to decide which park suits you best Serengeti and Ngorongoro are neighbours within the same northern Tanzania wildlife system, but they do not deliver the same safari. Serengeti rewards time: several days, changing landscapes and wildlife encounters that unfold over distance. Ngorongoro Crater compresses a remarkable variety of animals and scenery into one demanding but highly productive game-drive day. If your itinerary can hold both, this is not an either-or decision. If time or budget forces a choice, trip length matters more than fame. Serengeti is usually the stronger standalone safari; Ngorongoro is the more efficient addition to a short northern circuit. Should you choose Serengeti or Ngorongoro for safari? Choose Serengeti for a multi-day safari, the Great Migration and a wider range of habitats and predators. Choose Ngorongoro for a shorter trip, crater scenery and concentrated wildlife viewing. With five or more safari days, combine them: they complement each other far better than either can substitute for the other. Where Serengeti and Ngorongoro Are and Why It Matters Serengeti National Park spreads across a vast savannah landscape west of the Ngorongoro highlands and south of Kenya's Maasai Mara. UNESCO records the park at 1,476,300 hectares and describes it as the core of the wider Serengeti ecosystem. Its central, western, northern and southern areas become more or less useful according to rainfall, grazing and the traveller's priorities. Ngorongoro is not simply a smaller national park. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a multiple-use landscape of highlands, plains, archaeological sites and resident pastoral communities. Its famous crater is one attraction within that larger area. UNESCO's Ngorongoro listing covers 809,440 hectares and recognises both natural and cultural significance, including Olduvai Gorge and Laetoli. The two protected areas meet along the northern circuit, so road itineraries commonly pass through Ngorongoro on the way to or from Serengeti. XTRAfrica's Tanzania travel guide explains where that route sits within the country's wider safari geography. Serengeti Wins for Scale, Migration and Predator Watching Serengeti's advantage is not merely size. Space changes the way a safari feels. A game drive may move from open short-grass plains to granite kopjes, riverine woodland or a watercourse where predators wait. The park supports resident wildlife throughout the year, while the migratory herds move through different parts of the ecosystem. Continue Reading Full Article AFRICAN CULTURE Serengeti vs Ngorongoro: Which Tanzania Safari Should You Choose? By Neema Asha Mwakalinga Travel & Culture Expert Neema Asha Mwakalinga Home Comment Aug 11, 2026 Aug 12, 2026 15 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Serengeti and Ngorongoro are neighbours within the same northern Tanzania wildlife system, but they do not deliver the same safari. Serengeti rewards time: several days, changing landscapes and wildlife encounters that unfold over distance. Ngorongoro Crater compresses a remarkable variety of animals and scenery into one demanding but highly productive game-drive day. A panoramic sunrise illuminates the plains of Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania. Photo: © Giles Laurent, gileslaurent.com, via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. If your itinerary can hold both, this is not an either-or decision. If time or budget forces a choice, trip length matters more than fame. Serengeti is usually the stronger standalone safari; Ngorongoro is the more efficient addition to a short northern circuit. Should you choose Serengeti or Ngorongoro for safari? Choose Serengeti for a multi-day safari, the Great Migration and a wider range of habitats and predators. Choose Ngorongoro for a shorter trip, crater scenery and concentrated wildlife viewing. With five or more safari days, combine them: they complement each other far better than either can substitute for the other. Where Serengeti and Ngorongoro Are and Why It Matters An umbrella thorn acacia (Vachellia tortilis) rises above the grasslands of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Photo: Diego Delso via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Serengeti National Park spreads across a vast savannah landscape west of the Ngorongoro highlands and south of Kenya's Maasai Mara. UNESCO records the park at 1,476,300 hectares and describes it as the core of the wider Serengeti ecosystem. Its central, western, northern and southern areas become more or less useful according to rainfall, grazing and the traveller's priorities. Ngorongoro is not simply a smaller national park. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a multiple-use landscape of highlands, plains, archaeological sites and resident pastoral communities. Its famous crater is one attraction within that larger area. UNESCO's Ngorongoro listing covers 809,440 hectares and recognises both natural and cultural significance, including Olduvai Gorge and Laetoli. The two protected areas meet along the northern circuit, so road itineraries commonly pass through Ngorongoro on the way to or from Serengeti. XTRAfrica's Tanzania travel guide explains where that route sits within the country's wider safari geography. Serengeti Wins for Scale, Migration and Predator Watching Serengeti's advantage is not merely size. Space changes the way a safari feels. A game drive may move from open short-grass plains to granite kopjes, riverine woodland or a watercourse where predators wait. The park supports resident wildlife throughout the year, while the migratory herds move through different parts of the ecosystem. The Great Migration is the decisive reason to choose Serengeti, but it is also the reason to plan carefully. The herds do not follow a guaranteed calendar. Rain and fresh grazing influence their movement, and dramatic river crossings cannot be booked like performances. XTRAfrica's guide to tracking Tanzania's wildebeest and their predators gives the ecological context without promising an exact location or event. Serengeti also offers the stronger extended predator safari. Lions, spotted hyenas, cheetahs and leopards use different habitats, and several days allow guides to follow tracks, revisit territories and search beyond a single circuit. UNESCO highlights the park's globally important predator-prey interactions, but no species or hunt should be guaranteed. The drawback is time. A rushed one-night visit can turn Serengeti into a long transfer with too little wildlife viewing. Central Serengeti is dependable for a first visit because of resident game and year-round camps, yet it can attract many vehicles around big-cat sightings. Migration-focused travellers may need a more distant seasonal sector, increasing driving or flight costs. Choose Serengeti if the safari itself is the centre of the holiday rather than one stop among many. ADVERTISEMENT Ngorongoro Wins for Concentration and a Shorter Itinerary Ngorongoro Crater offers a different form of abundance. After descending from the forested rim, vehicles enter a comparatively confined floor of grassland, marsh, woodland and Lake Magadi. Large herbivores and predators remain in the crater throughout the year, although individual sightings still depend on movement, weather and luck. For a traveller with one serious game-drive day, Ngorongoro is usually the safer choice. The compact geography increases the chance of seeing several large-mammal species without driving across a vast region. It is also one of northern Tanzania's better-known places to look for black rhinoceros, but distance, vegetation and animal behaviour can make sightings brief or impossible. The crater's limitation is the same concentration that makes it efficient. Vehicles share a finite road network, and the most visible animals can attract clusters. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority's photography guidance states that off-road driving is prohibited. A driver cannot leave the track to improve a sighting or escape every busy location. Ngorongoro becomes richer when travellers look beyond the crater floor. The conservation area includes Olduvai Gorge, Empakaai and Olmoti craters, highland walking opportunities and parts of the southern Serengeti ecosystem. Those additions need extra time, permissions or guides; they should not be squeezed around a crater descent simply to collect more names. Choose Ngorongoro if you want one high-yield safari day, dramatic geology and a route that still leaves time for Tarangire, Lake Manyara or another part of Tanzania. Which Is Better for the Great Migration? Serengeti is the answer for most migration-focused trips. Depending on conditions, large herds may occupy the southern plains, move west, reach northern river country or disperse between recognised seasonal zones. A well-planned Serengeti stay positions travellers near the most likely area and provides multiple viewing days. Blue wildebeest gather along the rocky bank of the Mara River in northern Serengeti before a possible river crossing. Photo: Agness Abubakar Saidi via Wikimedia Commons. Released under CC0 1.0. Ngorongoro still belongs to the migration story. UNESCO notes that the short-grass plains used for calving straddle the boundary between the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park. During the broad January-to-March calving period, the Ndutu area can be central to an itinerary even though it is not the crater floor. That distinction matters when booking. “Ngorongoro” on an itinerary may mean the crater, a lodge on the rim, the wider conservation area or Ndutu. Ask for the exact camp, gate and daily driving plan. XTRAfrica's best-time guide to Tanzania helps match safari regions with broader seasonal priorities. Time, Transfers and the Better Route Ngorongoro is easier to fit into a short road safari from Arusha. Many itineraries overnight around Karatu or on the crater rim, descend the next morning and continue after the game drive. Rim accommodation may reduce the approach to a descent road but is not automatically the best value; the room price, view, gate position and departure plan all matter. ADVERTISEMENT A safari vehicle crosses the Ngorongoro landscape, where wildlife viewing can be concentrated into a single crater-floor game drive. Photo: DipaliLath via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Serengeti requires a larger time commitment. Driving from the Ngorongoro highlands into the park is part transfer and part game drive, but travellers should not count every hour in the vehicle as equal wildlife time. Flying reduces road fatigue and can be useful for a short or premium itinerary. Current Coastal Aviation schedules show connections between Serengeti airstrips, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and Lake Manyara; operating days, stops, baggage rules and arrival airstrips must be reconfirmed before payment. A practical allocation is: Two safari nights: choose Ngorongoro plus Tarangire or Lake Manyara; Serengeti is likely to feel rushed. Three to four safari nights: choose Serengeti alone, or combine one Ngorongoro descent with two Serengeti nights while accepting a fast pace. Five to seven safari nights: combine both comfortably and consider adding Tarangire. Migration-specific trip: give Serengeti or Ndutu most of the nights and treat the crater as a complement. Which One Costs More? Serengeti usually costs more in total because it deserves more nights and may require a longer road transfer or bush flight. Remote camps, seasonal migration locations and private vehicles can raise the price further. A road-based group safari can reduce the per-person transport cost. Ngorongoro can be expensive per day. Its charge structure includes conservation entry, a motor-vehicle permit and a crater service fee levied per vehicle trip. Serengeti uses TANAPA's national-park tariff system, with entry categories and additional accommodation or concession charges depending on the itinerary. Do not rely on an old dollar figure copied by a tour website. The NCAA tariff page warns that charges can change without notice, while the public TANAPA tariff page visible during this review still labels its headline schedule “Financial Year 2023/2024.” Ask the operator for an itemised 2026 quotation and written confirmation of the official tariff applied. A critically endangered black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis ) in Ngorongoro, one of northern Tanzania’s most important refuges for the species. Photo: Raf24 via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. XTRAfrica's Tanzania safari cost guide explains how park fees, vehicle sharing, accommodation level and domestic flights alter the final price. Compare the whole itinerary, not a single nightly rate. Families, Photography and Accessibility Ngorongoro often works well for a family that wants maximum variety from one day, but the crater drive can be long and toilet or picnic stops are limited to designated places. Serengeti gives families more freedom to return to camp between drives when the camp location and schedule allow, although reaching the park can demand more travel time. Great white pelicans rest beside wetland vegetation in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, highlighting the destination’s birdlife beyond its famous mammals. Photo: Rasheedhrasheed via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photographers should choose Serengeti for changing light, habitat variety and multiple attempts. Ngorongoro supplies an exceptional wide landscape and dense wildlife, but road restrictions and other vehicles limit positioning. Neither destination permits a photographer to pressure a guide into disturbing animals or leaving authorised routes. Reliable destination-wide accessibility information is insufficient. Before booking, request exact details on vehicle steps, seat transfers, room paths, bathroom access, aircraft boarding and the amount of assistance staff can provide. A “wheelchair-friendly” label without measurements is not enough. The wider Ngorongoro landscape is also home to Maasai communities. Residents are people and rights-holders, not safari props. NCAA prohibits casual photography of community members along the road and directs authorised photography to designated settings. XTRAfrica's guide to visiting Maasai land respectfully covers consent, local ownership and respectful conduct. The Verdict: Serengeti, Ngorongoro or Both? Choose Serengeti if you can give it at least two full wildlife-viewing days and want a safari built around animal behaviour, predators, open landscapes or the migration. It is the stronger single destination for most first-time safari travellers with enough time. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Travel and Immigration Barrick Confirms Tanzania’s 15-Year North Mara Mining Licence Renewal . Travel Guide Stone Town Travel Guide: History, Food and a Walking Route . Travel Guide Mafia Island Travel Guide: Diving, Whale Sharks and When to Go . African Culture Nyerere vs Ruaha: Choosing a Southern Tanzania Safari . African Culture Tanzania Visa and Entry Requirements: What Travellers Need . ADVERTISEMENT Choose Ngorongoro if your schedule is tight, you value geological drama or you want one concentrated wildlife drive within a broader northern Tanzania trip. It is a powerful short visit, but the crater alone does not replace several days in Serengeti. Choose both when you have five or more safari days. The road connection is logical, the scenery changes completely, and each corrects the other's weakness: Ngorongoro supplies concentration, while Serengeti supplies space and time. Before departure, reconfirm fees, road conditions, camp dates and flight details. Read a current official advisory such as the UK FCDO Tanzania guidance and buy insurance appropriate to the full itinerary. Its warning checked on 11 August 2026 concerns a defined area near the Mozambique border, not Serengeti or Ngorongoro, but travellers should read the complete advice because conditions can change. Frequently Asked Questions Is Serengeti better than Ngorongoro? Serengeti is generally better for a standalone, multi-day safari because it offers more habitats, longer wildlife observation and migration possibilities. Ngorongoro is better when time is short and the priority is seeing varied wildlife within one dramatic landscape. Can you see the Big Five in both places? Both are associated with the Big Five, but a checklist should not drive expectations. Ngorongoro usually offers the stronger black-rhino prospect, while Serengeti gives more time and habitat for lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo. None is guaranteed. How many days do you need in Serengeti and Ngorongoro? Allow at least two full game-drive days in Serengeti, preferably three. One crater descent is sufficient for most visitors, with one or two nearby nights depending on the arrival and onward route. Is Ngorongoro inside Serengeti National Park? No. Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park are separate, adjoining protected areas managed by different authorities. They form connected parts of the wider Serengeti ecosystem and are commonly combined by road. Which is more crowded? Ngorongoro can feel more concentrated because vehicles share the crater floor's limited roads. Serengeti also has busy sightings and migration hotspots, especially around central Seronera and river crossings, but its greater area offers more scope to move elsewhere. Can you visit Serengeti and Ngorongoro in three days? It is possible, but the pace is tight and road time becomes a large part of the trip. Three or four nights is a more useful minimum; five to seven safari nights produces a better combined experience. Sources and Further Reading Tanzania National Parks: Park Fees and Tariffs Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority: Tourism Activities Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority: Tariffs UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Serengeti National Park UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Ngorongoro Conservation Area Coastal Aviation: Serengeti Routes UK FCDO: Tanzania Travel Advice ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Travel and Immigration Barrick Confirms Tanzania’s 15-Year North Mara Mining Licence Renewal The renewal supports long-term planning, but no new investment or hiring target has been announced. . Travel Guide Stone Town Travel Guide: History, Food and a Walking Route Stone Town occupies the western side of Unguja, the main island in the Zanzibar archipelago . Travel Guide Mafia Island Travel Guide: Diving, Whale Sharks and When to Go Plan Mafia Island by coast and season, with diving, whale sharks, transport, fees and places to stay. . African Culture Nyerere vs Ruaha: Choosing a Southern Tanzania Safari Compare wildlife, activities, access and costs before choosing Tanzania’s southern safari park. . Tags Visit Tanzania Visit Tanzania Tanzania Tanzania Visiting Tanzania Visiting Tanzania

Dakar, Senegal - In a significant move signaling transparency and change, Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has announced a thorough audit of the nation's oil, gas, and mining industries. This announcement came during a nationwide address, marking one of the president's initial policy declarations following his inauguration. Faye, a 44-year-old former tax inspector, ascended to the presidency after a decisive victory over the incumbent coalition's nominee in the recent March elections. This victory underscored the populace's strong desire for reform and accountability in the West African nation, home to approximately 18 million people. Underlining the significance of the nation's natural resources, President Faye stated, The stewardship of our natural assets, enshrined in the constitution as the collective wealth of our populace, will be a priority for my administration." He emphasized the government's commitment to revealing the actual stakeholders of extractive corporations and conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the mining, oil, and gas sectors. While specifics of the audit process were not disclosed, the president sought to balance this new direction with assurances to the international business community. "Investors should feel assured; their rights will be safeguarded alongside the state and citizenry's interests," President Faye reassured. This audit announcement comes at a pivotal moment, as Senegal stands on the brink of commencing production at its inaugural offshore oil venture. The Sangomar field, managed by Woodside Energy, is anticipated to yield approximately 100,000 barrels of oil daily starting mid-2024, heralding a new chapter in the country's economic development. President Faye's administration appears committed to fostering an environment of transparency and accountability, ensuring that the exploitation of Senegal's natural resources benefits its people and sustains investor confidence. Continue Reading Full Article By Author Name Author Name Home Comment Apr 4, 2024 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye Dakar, Senegal - In a significant move signaling transparency and change, Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has announced a thorough audit of the nation's oil, gas, and mining industries. This announcement came during a nationwide address, marking one of the president's initial policy declarations following his inauguration. Faye, a 44-year-old former tax inspector, ascended to the presidency after a decisive victory over the incumbent coalition's nominee in the recent March elections. This victory underscored the populace's strong desire for reform and accountability in the West African nation, home to approximately 18 million people. ADVERTISEMENT Underlining the significance of the nation's natural resources, President Faye stated, The stewardship of our natural assets, enshrined in the constitution as the collective wealth of our populace, will be a priority for my administration." He emphasized the government's commitment to revealing the actual stakeholders of extractive corporations and conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the mining, oil, and gas sectors. While specifics of the audit process were not disclosed, the president sought to balance this new direction with assurances to the international business community. "Investors should feel assured; their rights will be safeguarded alongside the state and citizenry's interests," President Faye reassured. ADVERTISEMENT This audit announcement comes at a pivotal moment, as Senegal stands on the brink of commencing production at its inaugural offshore oil venture. The Sangomar field, managed by Woodside Energy, is anticipated to yield approximately 100,000 barrels of oil daily starting mid-2024, heralding a new chapter in the country's economic development. President Faye's administration appears committed to fostering an environment of transparency and accountability, ensuring that the exploitation of Senegal's natural resources benefits its people and sustains investor confidence. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Tags

Late Nigerian icon Fela Kuti will receive a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his global impact on music. According to Tribune Online , Nigerian music legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti will be posthumously honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, nearly three decades after his death in 1997. The award, which has been presented by the Recording Academy since 1963, recognizes artists who have made lasting contributions to the recording industry. Fela Kuti becomes the first African musician to receive the distinction, marking a historic moment for African music on the global stage. Fela, widely regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat, blended West African rhythms with jazz, funk and politically charged lyrics to create a genre that reshaped modern African music. Over a career spanning roughly 30 years, he released more than 50 albums and used his work to openly challenge corruption, authoritarianism and social injustice in Nigeria. His son, musician Seun Kuti , welcomed the recognition, describing it as an acknowledgment of his father’s enduring influence. He said the honour reflects how deeply Fela’s music and message have resonated with people worldwide over time. Longtime friend and former manager Rikki Stein also described the award as overdue, noting that global institutions have historically overlooked African contributions to popular music. He said the recognition signals a shift in how African cultural influence is being acknowledged internationally. The announcement comes amid growing global attention on African music. In recent years, the Grammys have expanded their categories to reflect the rise of African and global sounds, including the introduction of the Best African Performance category in 2024. Fela Kuti, born Olufela Olusegun Oludoton Ransome-Kuti, was also known for his activism beyond music. His criticism of Nigeria’s military governments led to repeated arrests and violent reprisals, including the 1977 raid on his Kalakuta Republic compound, during which his mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, sustained fatal injuries. Family members, friends and collaborators are expected to receive the Grammy award on his behalf at the ceremony. Source: Tribune Online Continue Reading Full Article ENTERTAINMENT Fela Kuti to Receive Posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award By Witty Pascal Entertainment Editor Witty Pascal Home Comment Jan 30, 2026 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: According to Tribune Online , Nigerian music legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti will be posthumously honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, nearly three decades after his death in 1997. The award, which has been presented by the Recording Academy since 1963, recognizes artists who have made lasting contributions to the recording industry. Fela Kuti becomes the first African musician to receive the distinction, marking a historic moment for African music on the global stage. Fela, widely regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat, blended West African rhythms with jazz, funk and politically charged lyrics to create a genre that reshaped modern African music. Over a career spanning roughly 30 years, he released more than 50 albums and used his work to openly challenge corruption, authoritarianism and social injustice in Nigeria. ADVERTISEMENT His son, musician Seun Kuti , welcomed the recognition, describing it as an acknowledgment of his father’s enduring influence. He said the honour reflects how deeply Fela’s music and message have resonated with people worldwide over time. Longtime friend and former manager Rikki Stein also described the award as overdue, noting that global institutions have historically overlooked African contributions to popular music. He said the recognition signals a shift in how African cultural influence is being acknowledged internationally. ADVERTISEMENT The announcement comes amid growing global attention on African music. In recent years, the Grammys have expanded their categories to reflect the rise of African and global sounds, including the introduction of the Best African Performance category in 2024. Fela Kuti, born Olufela Olusegun Oludoton Ransome-Kuti, was also known for his activism beyond music. His criticism of Nigeria’s military governments led to repeated arrests and violent reprisals, including the 1977 raid on his Kalakuta Republic compound, during which his mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, sustained fatal injuries. Family members, friends and collaborators are expected to receive the Grammy award on his behalf at the ceremony. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars . Entertainment FOLA Leads 2026 Headies Nominations Ahead of Toronto . ADVERTISEMENT Source: Tribune Online ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs Inside the Nigerian dancer’s rise from Ojo street shows to Afrobeats stages, music and global fame. . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life How Eric Omondi rose through Churchill Show and became a prominent Kenyan activist. . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? The neuroscientist and educator became Eritrea’s first Miss World entrant and reached the Top 6 . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars The dancer faces five sexual offence charges and returns to court on September 15. . Tags Entertainment Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigeria Nigeria

Sébastien Desabre praises DR Congo's response after a 1-1 draw with Portugal at the 2026 World Cup. DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre believes his side's resilience and growing confidence were key factors behind the Leopards' hard-fought 1-1 draw against Portugal in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup . Speaking after the match in Houston, Desabre said his players showed the character needed to recover from an early setback and earn a valuable point. Portugal struck first in the opening minutes, but DR Congo gradually settled into the contest and began to challenge one of the tournament's strongest teams. The Leopards eventually found an equalizer and successfully protected the result until the final whistle, securing what many observers viewed as one of the biggest surprises of Matchday One. "I think the way the game unfolded was a little bit in our favor," Desabre told reporters after the match. "We conceded a goal very early and the Portuguese probably thought there wasn't really any danger." The French coach said his team remained calm despite the difficult start. He pointed to previous matches, including qualifiers against Nigeria, as evidence that the current squad has developed a strong mentality capable of handling pressure. "For our part, we gradually got into the game," Desabre explained. "We have the mental ability to manage a difficult start. I know my players are capable of reacting and getting the team back on track when the start of the game is complicated." The result marked an encouraging beginning for DR Congo's World Cup campaign. After returning to football's biggest stage for the first time in decades, the Leopards demonstrated that they can compete against elite opposition and remain in contention for a place in the knockout rounds. Group K remains tightly balanced following the opening round of matches. Colombia lead the group after defeating Uzbekistan 3-1, while DR Congo and Portugal sit level on one point each. Uzbekistan are fourth without a point. For Desabre and his squad, the focus now shifts to the next challenge. The draw against Portugal has provided confidence, but the Leopards know that their remaining group matches will determine whether this promising start can be transformed into a historic World Cup run. Continue Reading Full Article FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIER Desabre Eyes Next Step After DR Congo’s Draw With Portugal By Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Political Analyst Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Home Comment Jun 19, 2026 Jun 19, 2026 3 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre believes his side's resilience and growing confidence were key factors behind the Leopards' hard-fought 1-1 draw against Portugal in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup . Speaking after the match in Houston, Desabre said his players showed the character needed to recover from an early setback and earn a valuable point. Portugal struck first in the opening minutes, but DR Congo gradually settled into the contest and began to challenge one of the tournament's strongest teams. The Leopards eventually found an equalizer and successfully protected the result until the final whistle, securing what many observers viewed as one of the biggest surprises of Matchday One. ADVERTISEMENT "I think the way the game unfolded was a little bit in our favor," Desabre told reporters after the match. "We conceded a goal very early and the Portuguese probably thought there wasn't really any danger." The French coach said his team remained calm despite the difficult start. He pointed to previous matches, including qualifiers against Nigeria, as evidence that the current squad has developed a strong mentality capable of handling pressure. ADVERTISEMENT "For our part, we gradually got into the game," Desabre explained. "We have the mental ability to manage a difficult start. I know my players are capable of reacting and getting the team back on track when the start of the game is complicated." The result marked an encouraging beginning for DR Congo's World Cup campaign. After returning to football's biggest stage for the first time in decades, the Leopards demonstrated that they can compete against elite opposition and remain in contention for a place in the knockout rounds. Group K remains tightly balanced following the opening round of matches. Colombia lead the group after defeating Uzbekistan 3-1, while DR Congo and Portugal sit level on one point each. Uzbekistan are fourth without a point. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Policy and Reforms US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . War in Eastern DRC Muyaya: Congo's War Has Nothing to Do With the Constitution . Infrastructure DRC Signs Contracts to Modernise 13 Airports, First Deliveries in 2028 . Economic Reports DRC and IMF Reach Staff-Level Deal on Programme Reviews . | Economy DRC Opens London Forum Seeking Partnerships, Not Aid . ADVERTISEMENT For Desabre and his squad, the focus now shifts to the next challenge. The draw against Portugal has provided confidence, but the Leopards know that their remaining group matches will determine whether this promising start can be transformed into a historic World Cup run. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Policy and Reforms US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty Will Democrats support Kagame after the 2026 midterms? Blinken's statements, Biden's Rwanda policy . War in Eastern DRC Muyaya: Congo's War Has Nothing to Do With the Constitution In London, the DRC government spokesperson rejects constitutional politics as a cause of the eastern . Infrastructure DRC Signs Contracts to Modernise 13 Airports, First Deliveries in 2028 Four firms will rebuild runways and terminals from Kalemie to Muanda under a Treasury-funded plan . Economic Reports DRC and IMF Reach Staff-Level Deal on Programme Reviews Board vote set for December; minister says up to $771 million could follow if approved . Tags DR.Congo DR.Congo FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup DR Congo News DR Congo News DRC Leopards DRC Leopards DR Congo Rising DR Congo Rising

At the 45th SADC summit in Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina assumed leadership, with leaders focusing on industry, agriculture, energy, and Congo’s security crisis. The 45th Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit was held on Sunday, August 17, 2025, in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Seven Heads of State attended the gathering, alongside representatives from the 16-member bloc. The summit marked the handover of leadership from Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa to Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina. This year’s theme, “Industrialization, Transformation of the Agricultural System, and Energy Transition,” set the tone for discussions. Leaders pledged to prioritize industrial growth, modernize agriculture, and accelerate the region’s energy transition. In his opening address, President Rajoelina called for unity and bold action: The time is no longer one of dependence, but of sovereign affirmation… When we cultivate solidarity, prosperity germinates.” Congo’s Role at the Summit The Democratic Republic of Congo was represented by Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Guy Kabombo Mwadiamvita. The delegation raised concerns over insecurity in eastern DRC, highlighting Rwanda’s continued military involvement in North and South Kivu. Kabombo also held bilateral meetings on the sidelines to push for stronger regional mediation efforts aimed at ending the “senseless war of aggression” destabilizing the sub-region. Before the closing ceremony, President Mnangagwa formally handed the SADC gavel and pennant to President Rajoelina, who will serve a one-year term until August 2026. Rajoelina emphasized the importance of his mandate: Continue Reading Full Article REGIONAL DIPLOMACY 45th SADC Summit: Rajoelina Takes Over Leadership in Madagascar By Guerson Nabushi Nyonkourou Political Analyst Guerson Nabushi Nyonkourou Home Comment Aug 18, 2025 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: The 45th Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit was held on Sunday, August 17, 2025, in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Seven Heads of State attended the gathering, alongside representatives from the 16-member bloc. The summit marked the handover of leadership from Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa to Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina. This year’s theme, “Industrialization, Transformation of the Agricultural System, and Energy Transition,” set the tone for discussions. Leaders pledged to prioritize industrial growth, modernize agriculture, and accelerate the region’s energy transition. ADVERTISEMENT In his opening address, President Rajoelina called for unity and bold action: The time is no longer one of dependence, but of sovereign affirmation… When we cultivate solidarity, prosperity germinates.” Congo’s Role at the Summit The Democratic Republic of Congo was represented by Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Guy Kabombo Mwadiamvita. The delegation raised concerns over insecurity in eastern DRC, highlighting Rwanda’s continued military involvement in North and South Kivu. ADVERTISEMENT Kabombo also held bilateral meetings on the sidelines to push for stronger regional mediation efforts aimed at ending the “senseless war of aggression” destabilizing the sub-region. Before the closing ceremony, President Mnangagwa formally handed the SADC gavel and pennant to President Rajoelina, who will serve a one-year term until August 2026. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Health News Uganda HIV Self-Test Assembly: Prices, Jobs and Exports . Banking and Finance Absa Dubai Office: Services, Eligibility and Contacts . Business & Investment 5 Best Citizenship by Investment Programs for Africans . Scholarships 120 EAC Master’s Scholarships Open to EAC Students — How to Apply . Scholarships UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027 Opens to Africans . ADVERTISEMENT Rajoelina emphasized the importance of his mandate: I accept the mission of presiding over SADC, driven by the desire to strengthen our common work for a stronger, integrated, and prosperous Southern Africa.” In addition, H.E. Elias M. Magosi was reappointed as SADC Executive Secretary for a second four-year term. Leaders commended his stewardship of the regional integration agenda and pledged support for his continued leadership. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Health News Uganda HIV Self-Test Assembly: Prices, Jobs and Exports Mukono factory assembles OraQuick kits, but the UGX 7,000 price remains a target . Banking and Finance Absa Dubai Office: Services, Eligibility and Contacts What African businesses and Gulf investors need to know about Absa’s new DIFC office. . Business & Investment 5 Best Citizenship by Investment Programs for Africans Compare five Caribbean second-passport programs, their investment costs, family benefits.... . Scholarships 120 EAC Master’s Scholarships Open to EAC Students — How to Apply Up to 120 EAC Master’s scholarships are open to nationals of eight East African countries, . Tags Africa Africa

Equatorial Guinea’s Baltasar “Bello” Engonga was sentenced to 8 years for embezzlement, marking one of Africa’s most shocking political scandals. Equatorial Guinea’s political elite has been shaken by the dramatic fall of Baltasar Ebang Engonga, better known as “Bello.” Once seen as untouchable, the former senior official has been sentenced to eight years in prison for embezzlement. According to court officials in Malabo, the provincial court of Bioko also fined him CFA 125.4 million (about $222,000). He was tried alongside other senior officials accused of diverting public funds through fake travel expenses and mission allowances. Engonga became infamous long before his conviction. In November 2024, hundreds of sex tapes leaked online while he was in pre-trial detention at the notorious Black Beach prison. The videos, filmed in offices and private homes, showed him with multiple partners, including the wives of powerful officials. The scandal spread rapidly across Africa, inspiring memes, parody songs, and even a mock award dubbed the “Ballon d’Or 2024.” Social media users nicknamed him the face of an imaginary aphrodisiac called Balthazariem. Nicknamed “Bello” for his looks and flamboyant lifestyle, Engonga is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo’o, president of the regional CEMAC Commission. He rose quickly in Equatorial Guinea’s power circles, first as head of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), later at the Directorate-General of Insurance and Reinsurance. For years, he was considered close to President Teodoro Obiang’s ruling clan, with access to sensitive financial matters that gave him extraordinary influence. The trial began in June 2025 and attracted wide attention inside and outside Equatorial Guinea. Prosecutors accused Engonga and others of embezzlement, illicit enrichment, and abuse of power. They initially requested an 18-year sentence and fines exceeding CFA 900 million. Investigators presented evidence, including financial records of diverted funds and more than 400 sex tapes, which prosecutors argued showed a pattern of abuse of office and personal misconduct. In the end, the court sentenced him to eight years and imposed a fine, a sharp fall for a man once considered untouchable. For many young Africans, Engonga’s story has become more than just gossip. His downfall is seen as a symbol of the deep gap between political elites, who enjoy power, money, and impunity, and ordinary citizens struggling with unemployment and poverty. Continue Reading Full Article From Power to Prison: Baltasar Ebang Engonga Sentenced to 8 Years By Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Political Analyst Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Home Comment Aug 28, 2025 May 15, 2026 3 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Equatorial Guinea’s political elite has been shaken by the dramatic fall of Baltasar Ebang Engonga, better known as “Bello.” Once seen as untouchable, the former senior official has been sentenced to eight years in prison for embezzlement. According to court officials in Malabo, the provincial court of Bioko also fined him CFA 125.4 million (about $222,000). He was tried alongside other senior officials accused of diverting public funds through fake travel expenses and mission allowances. Engonga became infamous long before his conviction. In November 2024, hundreds of sex tapes leaked online while he was in pre-trial detention at the notorious Black Beach prison. ADVERTISEMENT The videos, filmed in offices and private homes, showed him with multiple partners, including the wives of powerful officials. The scandal spread rapidly across Africa, inspiring memes, parody songs, and even a mock award dubbed the “Ballon d’Or 2024.” Social media users nicknamed him the face of an imaginary aphrodisiac called Balthazariem. Nicknamed “Bello” for his looks and flamboyant lifestyle, Engonga is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo’o, president of the regional CEMAC Commission. He rose quickly in Equatorial Guinea’s power circles, first as head of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), later at the Directorate-General of Insurance and Reinsurance. For years, he was considered close to President Teodoro Obiang’s ruling clan, with access to sensitive financial matters that gave him extraordinary influence. ADVERTISEMENT The trial began in June 2025 and attracted wide attention inside and outside Equatorial Guinea. Prosecutors accused Engonga and others of embezzlement, illicit enrichment, and abuse of power. They initially requested an 18-year sentence and fines exceeding CFA 900 million. Investigators presented evidence, including financial records of diverted funds and more than 400 sex tapes, which prosecutors argued showed a pattern of abuse of office and personal misconduct. In the end, the court sentenced him to eight years and imposed a fine, a sharp fall for a man once considered untouchable. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Women football Congolese-Born Grace Geyoro Sets Record in Women’s Football Deal . Travel Guide How to Enter the Democratic Republic of Congo: Travel & Visa Guide . Entertainment Bioluminescence Cape Town 2025: Best Beaches, Dates & Viewing Guide . Agriculture Tshisekedi Launches Congo’s Agricultural Revival in Menkao . From Power to Prison: Baltasar Ebang Engonga Sentenced to 8 Years . ADVERTISEMENT For many young Africans, Engonga’s story has become more than just gossip. His downfall is seen as a symbol of the deep gap between political elites, who enjoy power, money, and impunity, and ordinary citizens struggling with unemployment and poverty. The case of “Bello,” from powerful official to convicted prisoner, is likely to remain one of the most talked-about scandals in African politics. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Women football Congolese-Born Grace Geyoro Sets Record in Women’s Football Deal Grace Geyoro’s €1.65m move to London City Lionesses breaks the women’s football transfer record . Travel Guide How to Enter the Democratic Republic of Congo: Travel & Visa Guide Planning a trip to DR Congo? Here’s your guide to DRC entry rules, visa types, tariffs & tips ... . Entertainment Bioluminescence Cape Town 2025: Best Beaches, Dates & Viewing Guide Discover Cape Town’s glowing beaches in 2025, best spots, times & tips for visitors. . Agriculture Tshisekedi Launches Congo’s Agricultural Revival in Menkao President Tshisekedi launches Congo’s agriculture revolution: tractors, seeds, and reforms to revive . Tags Top News Top News Africa Africa Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea

Kenya's High Court ordered agencies to produce missing lawyer Abshir Abdi on November 4. What the court ordered, family allegations and unanswered questions. NAIROBI, Kenya | 4 November 2026. The High Court in Nairobi ordered Kenyan security agencies on Wednesday to produce missing advocate Abshir Ahmedsadak Abdi at a 2:30 p.m. hearing and explain any legal authority for his arrest or detention. The direction, issued by Justice Alexander Muasya Muteti after an urgent application, has intensified questions about the lawyer's whereabouts. It does not amount to a judicial finding that police or intelligence officers abducted him. The order was reported with excerpts of the court's directions by Nairobi Leo shortly after 1 p.m. East Africa Time. A verified report of what happened at the scheduled 2:30 p.m. hearing was not available in the sources reviewed for this article as of the afternoon of 4 November. What did Kenya's High Court order in the Abshir Abdi case? On 4 November 2026, Justice Alexander Muasya Muteti instructed designated state respondents to produce the missing Nairobi advocate in court at 2:30 p.m. and present any warrants authorising his detention. The order demanded an account of his whereabouts; it did not identify his alleged abductors. Justice Muteti certified the application as urgent and ordered specified respondents to produce Abdi before the court. The directions also summoned relevant officials to appear personally or through lawyers and bring any lawful warrants authorising an arrest or detention. They were to explain why the advocate should not be released if he was being held. The Law Society of Kenya's account, reported by The Star , identifies the matter as HCCRMISCAPPL/E268/2026 at the Milimani High Court. The reported respondents include Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, senior Directorate of Criminal Investigations officials and other security-agency representatives. The society says it joined the habeas corpus proceedings as an interested party. Habeas corpus is a procedure intended to require an authority to account before a court for a person's detention. Naming an institution in an application, or ordering it to respond, does not establish that its officers carried out the disappearance. Nor does the court's formal wording directing production of the person, whether alive or dead, constitute evidence that Abdi has died. How the family describes the disappearance Abdi practises law in Nairobi and is identified in reporting as an advocate at Abshir & Njagi Advocates in Kilimani. His family says unidentified armed men seized him near Muchai Road, after which his white Toyota Premio was found abandoned. In an account drawing on the family's court filings , Eastleigh Voice reported that his brother, Zakaria Abshir, lodged a missing-person report at Kilimani Police Station and sought urgent judicial intervention. Published timelines differ slightly. Citizen Digital's November 3 family report describes the family's last contact with the advocate on October 31, while other court-application accounts place the alleged abduction in the early hours of November 1. Last contact and the reported seizure are separate events, and the precise sequence should be established through the sworn filings and investigation. Continue Reading Full Article CRIME PREVENTION Kenya Court Orders Agencies to Produce Missing Lawyer Abshir Abdi By The Editorial Staff Public Services The Editorial Staff Home Comment Nov 4, 2026 Nov 4, 2026 5 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: NAIROBI, Kenya | 4 November 2026. The High Court in Nairobi ordered Kenyan security agencies on Wednesday to produce missing advocate Abshir Ahmedsadak Abdi at a 2:30 p.m. hearing and explain any legal authority for his arrest or detention. The direction, issued by Justice Alexander Muasya Muteti after an urgent application, has intensified questions about the lawyer's whereabouts. It does not amount to a judicial finding that police or intelligence officers abducted him. The order was reported with excerpts of the court's directions by Nairobi Leo shortly after 1 p.m. East Africa Time. A verified report of what happened at the scheduled 2:30 p.m. hearing was not available in the sources reviewed for this article as of the afternoon of 4 November. What did Kenya's High Court order in the Abshir Abdi case? On 4 November 2026, Justice Alexander Muasya Muteti instructed designated state respondents to produce the missing Nairobi advocate in court at 2:30 p.m. and present any warrants authorising his detention. The order demanded an account of his whereabouts; it did not identify his alleged abductors. Justice Muteti certified the application as urgent and ordered specified respondents to produce Abdi before the court. The directions also summoned relevant officials to appear personally or through lawyers and bring any lawful warrants authorising an arrest or detention. They were to explain why the advocate should not be released if he was being held. ADVERTISEMENT The Law Society of Kenya's account, reported by The Star , identifies the matter as HCCRMISCAPPL/E268/2026 at the Milimani High Court. The reported respondents include Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, senior Directorate of Criminal Investigations officials and other security-agency representatives. The society says it joined the habeas corpus proceedings as an interested party. Habeas corpus is a procedure intended to require an authority to account before a court for a person's detention. Naming an institution in an application, or ordering it to respond, does not establish that its officers carried out the disappearance. Nor does the court's formal wording directing production of the person, whether alive or dead, constitute evidence that Abdi has died. How the family describes the disappearance Abdi practises law in Nairobi and is identified in reporting as an advocate at Abshir & Njagi Advocates in Kilimani. His family says unidentified armed men seized him near Muchai Road, after which his white Toyota Premio was found abandoned. In an account drawing on the family's court filings , Eastleigh Voice reported that his brother, Zakaria Abshir, lodged a missing-person report at Kilimani Police Station and sought urgent judicial intervention. Published timelines differ slightly. Citizen Digital's November 3 family report describes the family's last contact with the advocate on October 31, while other court-application accounts place the alleged abduction in the early hours of November 1. Last contact and the reported seizure are separate events, and the precise sequence should be established through the sworn filings and investigation. ADVERTISEMENT The family's application also refers to alleged earlier threats linked to Abdi's legal work. Such allegations are relevant to what investigators must examine, but they are not proof of a motive or the identity of the men who took him. No individual or agency should be described as responsible without reliable evidence. The Law Society of Kenya says it sought an expedited hearing after the application had initially been listed for November 9. Its president, Charles Kanjama, has called for the advocate's safe return and for state agencies to comply with the court. The society also said the DCI had indicated that it would investigate the disappearance. The case drew public demands for action from lawyers including former LSK president Faith Odhiambo and senior counsel Nelson Havi. In a report published before Wednesday's hearing , Havi urged the professional body to consider demonstrations if authorities failed to provide answers. These are calls by lawyers, not findings against any respondent. CCTV footage discussed in the reporting appears to show men pursuing and restraining an individual before placing him in a vehicle. The footage is a potential investigative lead, but it does not by itself establish the men's identities, employers or motives. The family, court and investigating agencies must still distinguish what the images show from what witnesses allege. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Government Announcements Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Political Appointments Muhoozi Clarifies Uganda CDF Exit Plan: Has He Resigned? . Agriculture Morocco Tomato Export Restrictions: Africa and Europe Explained . Investment Kenya Plans $500M Startup Fund: How It Could Work . Business Trends Killarney Mall Transfer Completed in R397.5 Million Deal . ADVERTISEMENT Why the procedural distinction matters The immediate question is whether Abdi can be located and, if he is detained by an authority, whether there is a lawful basis for that detention. A second question concerns who carried out the alleged abduction. Those questions may ultimately have different answers and require evidence from different sources. Kenya has faced other court disputes over police powers and personal liberty. XTRAfrica's earlier profile of Inspector-General Douglas Kanja , its coverage of the Ndiangui Kinyagia police-raid ruling , and its report on Eric Omondi's Nairobi detention concern separate facts and proceedings. None of those cases proves responsibility in Abdi's disappearance. For Abdi's case, the key next documents are an authenticated court record of the 2:30 p.m. appearance, any affidavit or response filed by the state agencies, and independently verifiable information about the advocate's whereabouts. Until those records are available, the court order is confirmed, but its compliance and the alleged abduction's perpetrators remain unresolved. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Government Announcements Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next Signed environmental grants put local delivery, community ownership and accountability in focus. . Political Appointments Muhoozi Clarifies Uganda CDF Exit Plan: Has He Resigned? Muhoozi says he may hand over Uganda's military command but has not announced a resignation date. . Agriculture Morocco Tomato Export Restrictions: Africa and Europe Explained New permits reportedly frozen, European shipments exempt; West African markets face uncertainty. . Investment Kenya Plans $500M Startup Fund: How It Could Work Kenya's NIFC wants to raise $500m for startups, with half targeted at technology and AI businesses. . Tags Breaking News Breaking News Kenya Kenya