Nigerian rapper Falz has criticised celebrities and government officials over their response to the Kwara killings and lack of arrests. Nigerian rapper and activist Falz has criticised fellow celebrities, influencers, and government officials over their response to the recent killings in Kwara State , where nearly 200 people were reportedly killed. In a video shared on social media platform X on Monday, Falz questioned the continued public support for the federal government despite the absence of arrests or prosecutions following the attack. He expressed concern over what he described as widespread silence from influential figures in the entertainment industry. Falz also criticised political leaders and religious figures, arguing that official reactions to repeated violent attacks have remained limited to statements without concrete action. He further referenced ongoing political campaigns and the lack of accountability surrounding national security failures. The rapper additionally commented on the Senate’s position regarding amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly provisions related to real-time transmission of election results, linking governance failures to broader institutional weaknesses. The video has since sparked renewed debate online about accountability, public influence, and the role of prominent voices in addressing insecurity in Nigeria. Source: The Sun Nigeria Continue Reading Full Article ENTERTAINMENT Falz Criticises Celebrities, Government Over Kwara Killings By Witty Pascal Entertainment Editor Witty Pascal Home Comment Feb 9, 2026 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Nigerian rapper and activist Falz has criticised fellow celebrities, influencers, and government officials over their response to the recent killings in Kwara State , where nearly 200 people were reportedly killed. In a video shared on social media platform X on Monday, Falz questioned the continued public support for the federal government despite the absence of arrests or prosecutions following the attack. ADVERTISEMENT He expressed concern over what he described as widespread silence from influential figures in the entertainment industry. Falz also criticised political leaders and religious figures, arguing that official reactions to repeated violent attacks have remained limited to statements without concrete action. He further referenced ongoing political campaigns and the lack of accountability surrounding national security failures. ADVERTISEMENT The rapper additionally commented on the Senate’s position regarding amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly provisions related to real-time transmission of election results, linking governance failures to broader institutional weaknesses. The video has since sparked renewed debate online about accountability, public influence, and the role of prominent voices in addressing insecurity in Nigeria. ADVERTISEMENT TRENDING NOW How to Check if You Must Submit a SARS Tax Return . Tax and Revenue How to Book a SARS Appointment Online . Tax and Revenue Niger TV Shows Soldiers Detained After Niamey Mutiny . Justice & Crime KAA Warns of Flight Delays at Kenyan Airports . Transport and Airlines POPULAR TODAY Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars . Entertainment FOLA Leads 2026 Headies Nominations Ahead of Toronto . Entertainment Jub Jub Arrest Warrant Issued After Missed Court Appearance . Entertainment Black Coffee Wins R7 Million Court Battle Against Maserati . Entertainment Funke Akindele Faces Mixed Reactions Over Birthday Post . Source: The Sun Nigeria ADVERTISEMENT RELATED ARTICLE 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. . Entertainment FOLA Leads 2026 Headies Nominations Ahead of Toronto FOLA earned 10 nominations as The Headies prepares its October ceremony in Toronto . Entertainment Jub Jub Arrest Warrant Issued After Missed Court Appearance The warrant was held over after Jub Jub missed court citing illness and will not be enforced yet. . Entertainment Black Coffee Wins R7 Million Court Battle Against Maserati The High Court ordered Maserati to repay Soulistic Music over an undelivered customised MC20 Cielo. . Tags Entertainment Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigeria Nigeria comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.

UK pledges £500 million to support Congo’s mining sector as Kinshasa courts investors and reclaims sovereignty under Tshiseked The Democratic Republic of Congo returned to centre stage in London this October as the Financial Times Africa Summit 2025 brought together policy‑makers and investors to discuss critical minerals and sustainable investment. Speaking on the margins of the 21–22 October summit, Mines Minister Louis Kabamba Watum courted international financiers with a powerful message: the DRC is open for business yet committed to sovereign control of its resources. Only about 10 % of the national territory has been explored, he reminded participants. Under President Félix‑Antoine Tshisekedi’s leadership, the country wants to transform itself into a global hub for processing and valorising strategic minerals essential for the energy transition Key outcomes: guarantees, missions, and commitments £500 million UKEF guarantee The highlight of Mr Watum’s London mission was the announcement that UK Export Finance (UKEF) will guarantee £500 million to support British companies operating in the DRC’s mining and infrastructure sectors. This guarantee, brokered through the UK’s Department for Business and Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, signals a revival of bilateral economic cooperation after years of limited engagement. British investor mission to Kinshasa Alongside the guarantee, a delegation of British investors will travel to Kinshasa in January 2026. Organised in partnership with UKEF, the Department for Business and Trade, and the British Embassy, the mission will give UK businesses direct access to priority mining, energy, and infrastructure projects. Developing Markets Associates, which is coordinating the trip, says the mission will allow investors to explore bankable projects and build partnerships. The trip’s scheduling underscores confidence that the DRC offers viable opportunities in critical mineral value chains. Nigerian finance and bank support British enthusiasm was matched by Nigerian and pan‑African financial institutions. Standard Bank, which operates across Africa, reiterated that it has invested over US$1 billion in Congo’s mining sector. The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), a multilateral development financier headquartered in Lagos, announced its willingness to invest up to US$5 billion in new mining and energy infrastructure. AFC has already mobilised over US$14 billion across Africa and counts the Kamoa‑Kakula copper mine among its notable mining investments Kinshasa’s strategic mineral ambition Continue Reading Full Article BUSINESS & INVESTMENT Congo – UK Partnership Revived with £500 Million Mining Guarantee By Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Political Analyst Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Home Comment Oct 27, 2025 May 15, 2026 5 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: The Democratic Republic of Congo returned to centre stage in London this October as the Financial Times Africa Summit 2025 brought together policy‑makers and investors to discuss critical minerals and sustainable investment. Speaking on the margins of the 21–22 October summit, Mines Minister Louis Kabamba Watum courted international financiers with a powerful message: the DRC is open for business yet committed to sovereign control of its resources. Only about 10 % of the national territory has been explored, he reminded participants. Under President Félix‑Antoine Tshisekedi’s leadership, the country wants to transform itself into a global hub for processing and valorising strategic minerals essential for the energy transition Key outcomes: guarantees, missions, and commitments £500 million UKEF guarantee The highlight of Mr Watum’s London mission was the announcement that UK Export Finance (UKEF) will guarantee £500 million to support British companies operating in the DRC’s mining and infrastructure sectors. This guarantee, brokered through the UK’s Department for Business and Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, signals a revival of bilateral economic cooperation after years of limited engagement. British investor mission to Kinshasa Alongside the guarantee, a delegation of British investors will travel to Kinshasa in January 2026. Organised in partnership with UKEF, the Department for Business and Trade, and the British Embassy, the mission will give UK businesses direct access to priority mining, energy, and infrastructure projects. Developing Markets Associates, which is coordinating the trip, says the mission will allow investors to explore bankable projects and build partnerships. The trip’s scheduling underscores confidence that the DRC offers viable opportunities in critical mineral value chains. ADVERTISEMENT Nigerian finance and bank support British enthusiasm was matched by Nigerian and pan‑African financial institutions. Standard Bank, which operates across Africa, reiterated that it has invested over US$1 billion in Congo’s mining sector. The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), a multilateral development financier headquartered in Lagos, announced its willingness to invest up to US$5 billion in new mining and energy infrastructure. AFC has already mobilised over US$14 billion across Africa and counts the Kamoa‑Kakula copper mine among its notable mining investments Kinshasa’s strategic mineral ambition Congo’s pitch rests on its unique resource endowment. Minister Watum reminded investors that the DRC has an estimated US$20 trillion in untapped mining opportunities and supplies more than 70 % of the world’s cobalt, a metal critical for electric‑vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage. Advances in remote sensing, advanced geoscience, and artificial intelligence make it possible to shorten exploration times, enabling the DRC to accelerate discoveries while respecting environmental standards. The government has attracted over US$40 billion in investment from companies such as Zijin Mining, Ivanhoe Mines, CMOC‑Tenke Fungurume, Glencore, and Barrick Gold. National copper production now exceeds three million tonnes per year, underlining the DRC’s role as a cornerstone of the global energy transition. Louis Kabamba Watum: economic diplomat in action Mr Watum used his London visit to personify economic diplomacy as a tool of sovereignty and development. After the summit, he visited the London Metal Exchange to discuss listing Congolese mining companies and improving price‑setting mechanisms. He also engaged the DRC‑UK Chamber of Commerce and business leaders, where the UKEF guarantee and the January investor mission were agreed. Throughout his engagements, he stressed that the DRC offers investors security, transparency, and balanced partnerships, highlighting reforms that attracted tens of billions of dollars and won support from the World Bank and IMF. His diplomatic charm offensive projected competence and confidence, portraying the DRC as a trustworthy destination for long‑term investment. ADVERTISEMENT Sovereignty and President Tshisekedi’s vision Under President Félix‑Antoine Tshisekedi, economic policy has shifted towards adding value at home rather than simply exporting raw minerals. The president has publicly rejected the idea of auctioning Congo’s resources; instead, his government seeks partnerships to develop infrastructure and downstream processing. Analysts note that Kinshasa’s focus on local industrialisation and job creation is essential if the country is to avoid remaining a passive supplier of raw materials. In New York, Mr Tshisekedi pledged not to allow external pressure to compromise this strategy, reinforcing an approach that aligns sovereign control with global energy transition objectives. A confident path forward The £500 million UKEF guarantee, the January British investor mission, and multi‑billion‑dollar commitments from Standard Bank and the Africa Finance Corporation demonstrate that international investors recognise the DRC’s strategic importance. These developments, secured through proactive diplomacy by Minister Louis Kabamba Watum, suggest a renaissance in Congo–UK economic relations. With reforms improving governance and transparency, and with a government determined to process its minerals at home, the DRC is positioning itself as a global hub for strategic minerals and a cornerstone of the green energy transition. As investors prepare to descend on Kinshasa in 2026, Congo’s message is clear: economic sovereignty and international partnership can coexist, propelling the nation toward a future of inclusive growth and industrial transformation. ADVERTISEMENT TRENDING NOW How to Check if You Must Submit a SARS Tax Return . Tax and Revenue How to Book a SARS Appointment Online . Tax and Revenue Niger TV Shows Soldiers Detained After Niamey Mutiny . Justice & Crime KAA Warns of Flight Delays at Kenyan Airports . Transport and Airlines POPULAR TODAY Infrastructure DRC Opens Lonshi Border Post to Expand Zambia Trade . Infrastructure DRC Prepares $1.258 Billion Lobito Corridor Railway Contract . Regional Economy DRC and Tanzania Advance Central Corridor Plan to Cut Trade Costs . Regional Economy Tanzania and DRC Move to Deepen Trade, Mining and Infrastructure Ties . Business & Investment DRC Advances $491.3M Package for Education, Health and Businesses . ADVERTISEMENT RELATED ARTICLE Infrastructure DRC Opens Lonshi Border Post to Expand Zambia Trade New facility strengthens migration control, security and formal cross-border commerce . Infrastructure DRC Prepares $1.258 Billion Lobito Corridor Railway Contract The $1.258 billion project would modernize 1,004.5 km of railway linking Grand Katanga . Regional Economy DRC and Tanzania Advance Central Corridor Plan to Cut Trade Costs Ports, rail, lake transport, fibre and a planned Congolese dry port could strengthen regional trade. . Regional Economy Tanzania and DRC Move to Deepen Trade, Mining and Infrastructure Ties Samia Suluhu Hassan and Félix Tshisekedi push for stronger trade, connectivity and mining ties. . Tags DRC Economy DRC Economy DR.Congo DR.Congo Invest In Congo Invest In Congo comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.

Erling Haaland's double secured Manchester City a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, bringing them within reach of a fourth consecutive Premier League title. Haaland scored early in the second half and sealed the win with a stoppage-time penalty, marking his 27th league goal of the season. Despite a lackluster first-half performance and key saves by substitute keeper Stefan Ortega, City ended their winless streak at Tottenham's new stadium. With 88 points, they lead Arsenal by two points and can clinch the title by defeating West Ham United on Sunday . Pep Guardiola praised Ortega's crucial saves, which kept City's destiny in their own hands. Tottenham's defeat dashed their hopes of a top-four finish, while City, unbeaten in 22 league games, remain poised to make history with another title. Continue Reading Full Article By Author Name Author Name Home Comment May 15, 2024 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Erling Haaland's double secured Manchester City a 2-0 victory Erling Haaland's double secured Manchester City a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, bringing them within reach of a fourth consecutive Premier League title. Haaland scored early in the second half and sealed the win with a stoppage-time penalty, marking his 27th league goal of the season. Despite a lackluster first-half performance and key saves by substitute keeper Stefan Ortega, City ended their winless streak at Tottenham's new stadium. ADVERTISEMENT With 88 points, they lead Arsenal by two points and can clinch the title by defeating West Ham United on Sunday . Pep Guardiola praised Ortega's crucial saves, which kept City's destiny in their own hands. Tottenham's defeat dashed their hopes of a top-four finish, while City, unbeaten in 22 league games, remain poised to make history with another title. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT TRENDING NOW How to Check if You Must Submit a SARS Tax Return . Tax and Revenue How to Book a SARS Appointment Online . Tax and Revenue Niger TV Shows Soldiers Detained After Niamey Mutiny . Justice & Crime KAA Warns of Flight Delays at Kenyan Airports . Transport and Airlines POPULAR TODAY ADVERTISEMENT RELATED ARTICLE Tags comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.

Kenya Red Cross vehicles were attacked, and staff injured during recent anti-tax protests, the organization reported on Tuesday. The Kenya Red Cross emphasized the importance of safety and access for its personnel to deliver life-saving interventions, noting that their humanitarian efforts are severely hindered without these assurances. In a statement, the organization stressed the urgency of ensuring their operations continue uninterrupted, stating, "We can't provide life-saving interventions without access and safety for our staff and volunteers. It is crucial that we are granted access to continue our humanitarian efforts without hindrance." The statement did not specify the perpetrators behind the attacks on their vehicles or the injuries sustained by their staff and volunteers. By Author Name Author Name Home Comment Jun 25, 2024 May 15, 2026 1 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Kenya Red Cross vehicles were attacked, and staff injured during recent anti-tax protests, the organization reported on Tuesday. The Kenya Red Cross emphasized the importance of safety and access for its personnel to deliver life-saving interventions, noting that their humanitarian efforts are severely hindered without these assurances. In a statement, the organization stressed the urgency of ensuring their operations continue uninterrupted, stating, "We can't provide life-saving interventions without access and safety for our staff and volunteers. ADVERTISEMENT It is crucial that we are granted access to continue our humanitarian efforts without hindrance." The statement did not specify the perpetrators behind the attacks on their vehicles or the injuries sustained by their staff and volunteers. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT TRENDING NOW How to Check if You Must Submit a SARS Tax Return . Tax and Revenue How to Book a SARS Appointment Online . Tax and Revenue Niger TV Shows Soldiers Detained After Niamey Mutiny . Justice & Crime KAA Warns of Flight Delays at Kenyan Airports . Transport and Airlines POPULAR TODAY ADVERTISEMENT RELATED ARTICLE Tags comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.

Explore Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr, the three Maasai male rites UNESCO placed on its Urgent Safeguarding List in 2018. For Maasai communities , growing older is not simply a private biological process. Historically, age sets, public ceremonies, mentorship and shared responsibilities have helped people understand where they stand in relation to family, community and the generations before them. Three connected male rites Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr make that journey especially visible.In 2018, UNESCO placed the Kenyan nomination of these rites on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The inscription recognised their importance, but it also warned that the spaces, knowledge and opportunities needed to transmit them were weakening. These are living practices, not museum performances, and details differ across Maasai sections, places and generations. What are the three UNESCO-safeguarded Maasai rites of passage? Enkipaata inducts boys towards initiation and age-set membership; Eunoto marks morans’ movement towards adult responsibilities; and Olng’esherr closes moranism and opens eldership. Together, the rites transmit knowledge, discipline, relationships and responsibility, although their timing and performance vary among Maasai communities. Who Are the Maasai? The Maasai are Indigenous East Africans whose homeland crosses southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They speak Maa and have historically organised much of community life around cattle, land, kinship, age sets and ceremony. Today, Maasai people are also farmers, teachers, health workers, entrepreneurs, activists and urban professionals, as XTRAfrica’s broader guide to Maasai culture and modern life explains. That cross-border identity requires an important clarification. UNESCO’s 2018 inscription was submitted by Kenya and concerns the element as documented with Kenyan Maasai communities. Related rites are also practised in Tanzania, but the UNESCO listing should not be presented as proof that every Maasai section in both countries follows one identical script. Oloibonok: Traditional Maasai Healers and Spiritual Guides Traditional Maasai healers and spiritual guides are known as oloibonok singular oloiboni, also written laiboni or loibon. Their work may include divination, healing and spiritual guidance. Historically, influential oloibonok also advised elders, interpreted difficult events, directed important ceremonies and offered prophecies during drought, disease, conflict or other communal crises. An oloiboni may use sacred objects such as an enkidong, a calabash containing stones used in divination. Some documented healers cast stones onto cowhide, prepare plant medicines or keep ritual materials inside animal horns. Continue Reading Full Article AFRICAN CULTURE Maasai Sacred Rites: Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr By Neema Asha Mwakalinga Travel & Culture Expert Neema Asha Mwakalinga Home Comment Jul 22, 2026 Jul 22, 2026 15 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: For Maasai communities , growing older is not simply a private biological process. Historically, age sets, public ceremonies, mentorship and shared responsibilities have helped people understand where they stand in relation to family, community and the generations before them. Three connected male rites Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr make that journey especially visible.In 2018, UNESCO placed the Kenyan nomination of these rites on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The inscription recognised their importance, but it also warned that the spaces, knowledge and opportunities needed to transmit them were weakening. These are living practices, not museum performances, and details differ across Maasai sections, places and generations. What are the three UNESCO-safeguarded Maasai rites of passage? Enkipaata inducts boys towards initiation and age-set membership; Eunoto marks morans’ movement towards adult responsibilities; and Olng’esherr closes moranism and opens eldership. Together, the rites transmit knowledge, discipline, relationships and responsibility, although their timing and performance vary among Maasai communities. Who Are the Maasai? The Maasai are Indigenous East Africans whose homeland crosses southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They speak Maa and have historically organised much of community life around cattle, land, kinship, age sets and ceremony. Today, Maasai people are also farmers, teachers, health workers, entrepreneurs, activists and urban professionals, as XTRAfrica’s broader guide to Maasai culture and modern life explains. That cross-border identity requires an important clarification. UNESCO’s 2018 inscription was submitted by Kenya and concerns the element as documented with Kenyan Maasai communities. Related rites are also practised in Tanzania, but the UNESCO listing should not be presented as proof that every Maasai section in both countries follows one identical script. Oloibonok: Traditional Maasai Healers and Spiritual Guides Traditional Maasai healers and spiritual guides are known as oloibonok singular oloiboni, also written laiboni or loibon. Their work may include divination, healing and spiritual guidance. Historically, influential oloibonok also advised elders, interpreted difficult events, directed important ceremonies and offered prophecies during drought, disease, conflict or other communal crises. An oloiboni may use sacred objects such as an enkidong, a calabash containing stones used in divination. Some documented healers cast stones onto cowhide, prepare plant medicines or keep ritual materials inside animal horns. However, practices differ among specialists and communities: an oloiboni is not the leader of every prayer, and Maasai women, elders and families also perform blessings and approach Enkai directly. Why These Three Rites Belong Together The official UNESCO inscription describes Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr as interrelated stages rather than separate festivals. In simplified form, they move a male age group towards initiation, through moranhood and adult responsibility, and eventually into eldership. The organising principle is the age set: a group of people initiated within the same broad period who carry a shared identity as they move through life. Age-set bonds create obligations that reach beyond friendship. ADVERTISEMENT They can organise cooperation, discipline, leadership, livestock responsibilities and mutual support. XTRAfrica’s account of Maa language and Maasai history provides useful context for the language through which much of this knowledge is taught. UNESCO says the ceremonies transmit more than ritual actions. Songs, proverbs, riddles, legends, oral instruction, practical skills and spiritual knowledge can all be carried within them. Their heritage value therefore lies partly in what participants do and partly in the relationships through which elders, women, mentors and age-mates teach one another. Enkipaata: Entering an Age Set Enkipaata is the opening stage in UNESCO’s three-part sequence. It inducts boys towards initiation and formally gathers a new generation into an age-set structure. It is better understood as a period of collective formation than as a single dramatic moment. © Danson Siminyu, Kenya, 2017 A community-authored account from the Maasai Association describes fathers and elders organising the rite, boys travelling together, temporary ceremonial settlement and sustained instruction. Those details belong to the account’s setting and should not automatically be imposed on every section. Across descriptions, however, a common purpose is clear: young participants learn that adulthood carries obligations to others. Recent practice shows how continuity can coexist with change. In 2025, an Associated Press report from Olaimutiai in Narok County documented an Enkipaata camp involving 900 selected teenagers from Kenya and Tanzania. The programme had been shortened to one month to fit school holidays. Participants used sticks rather than blades, lion killing was excluded, and education was treated as part of their future responsibility. AP also recorded women building shelters and caring collectively for the boys. That example challenges two common assumptions. The first is that a changed ceremony is no longer authentic. The second is that a “male rite” involves only men. Women may prepare spaces, provide food, sing, bless, advise or perform other responsibilities, although their roles vary locally. Ceremonial dress and ornaments can also connect the rites to women’s work, a subject explored in XTRAfrica’s guide to Maasai beadwork and changing design . Eunoto: Leaving Moranhood Behind Eunoto marks a decisive change in the life of morans. UNESCO summarises it through the shaving of the morans, a visible act that opens the way towards adulthood and new responsibilities. Hair, appearance and ceremony make a social transition publicly recognisable, but the rite is not merely a haircut. The deeper change concerns status. Bonds formed during moranhood continue, while expectations shift towards family, work, decision-making and the responsibilities associated with mature community membership. The UNESCO audiovisual archive explains that knowledge is transmitted through apprenticeship, mentorship, guidance and consultation with elders. In the Maasai Association’s account, a mother shaves her graduating son during Eunoto. That detail reveals an important emotional dimension: departure from warrior life is not achieved by young men alone. Mothers, families, elders and the wider age set participate in making the new status socially meaningful. Eunoto can also involve loss as well as celebration. A recognised identity, appearance and way of living together are being left behind. The rite helps manage that change publicly. It tells the individual and the community that new freedoms come with new duties. In this sense, Eunoto is not a graduation from culture but a movement into another place within it. ADVERTISEMENT Olng’esherr: From Moranism to Eldership A Maasai elder blesses the celebrants during the Olng'esherr (meat-eating) passage ceremony to unite two age-sets; the older Iipaamu and the younger Ilaitete into senior elderhood as the final rite of passage in Maparasha Hills, Kajiado on September 23, 2020. PHOTO | REUTERS Olng’esherr is the third rite in the UNESCO sequence. It is described as a meat-eating ceremony that marks the end of moranism and the beginning of eldership. The shared meal should not be reduced to spectacle. It belongs to a wider transfer of responsibility, recognition and authority. Eldership does not mean that every participant instantly gains equal political or spiritual power. Authority still depends on knowledge, character, family relationships, seniority and local institutions. The ceremony instead gives public form to a generational shift. Men who were once instructed are increasingly expected to guide others, support households, contribute to deliberation and carry knowledge forward. Food in this context is social as well as nutritional. Meat sharing can express age-set fellowship and community inclusion, although the animals used, procedures and meanings should not be generalised beyond verified local accounts. The meal’s significance comes from its ceremonial relationships, not simply from meat as an ingredient. The three rites therefore create a long arc. Enkipaata gathers and prepares; Eunoto releases morans towards adult responsibility; Olng’esherr recognises the passage into eldership. None works fully in isolation because each depends on memory of what came before and expectations of what follows. Why UNESCO Said Urgent Safeguarding Was Needed UNESCO’s first decision on the nomination is revealing. In 2013, the committee agreed that the rites transmitted identity, values and knowledge and faced serious pressures, but it did not inscribe them because the safeguarding plan and evidence of broad community participation were not yet strong enough. The improved Kenyan file was accepted in 2018 through Decision 13.COM 10.a.5 . The threats named across UNESCO records include changing land tenure, reduced access to ceremonial spaces, movement away from pastoral livelihoods, climate pressure, employment migration and the demands of formal education. These forces do not automatically erase culture, but they can make it harder to gather an age set, maintain mentorship over time or reach land associated with ceremony. The loss of territory has a much longer history in Kenya. XTRAfrica’s investigation of Maasai land loss and the 1913 court case shows how colonial removals disrupted grazing, mobility and access to significant landscapes. Present land pressures differ by country and locality, yet the central lesson remains: intangible heritage still needs physical space. The Uganda Railway and surrounding territories in British East Africa, circa 1903. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. It helps readers understand Masai land loss to infrustructure. This relationship is visible in Tanzania too, although Tanzania was not the submitting state for the 2018 inscription. In 2024, the Oakland Institute documented Enkipaata in Ngorongoro , where a mentor said the rite “brings people together” and builds equality and mutual understanding. The same report recorded community fears that displacement would remove access to places needed for ceremony. These claims form part of an ongoing land-rights dispute and should be attributed, not treated as a neutral UNESCO finding. What Safeguarding Actually Means UNESCO did not take ownership of the rites or declare one version permanently correct. Its guidance on safeguarding living heritage says safeguarding should not freeze a practice in a supposedly pure form. A tradition survives when the community that carries it can continue transmitting, recreating and adapting it. For these Maasai rites, safeguarding has included documentation, community-based inventorying, mapping important cultural spaces, strengthening mentorship and involving younger people. UNESCO’s Kenya profile records US$144,430 in international assistance for a project implemented from 2017 to 2020. Money and inscription can support the work, but elders, practitioners, families and young people remain the actual bearers of the heritage. ADVERTISEMENT TRENDING NOW How to Check if You Must Submit a SARS Tax Return . Tax and Revenue How to Book a SARS Appointment Online . Tax and Revenue Niger TV Shows Soldiers Detained After Niamey Mutiny . Justice & Crime KAA Warns of Flight Delays at Kenyan Airports . Transport and Airlines POPULAR TODAY 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 . Travel Tips Getting Around Tanzania: Flights, Trains, Buses and Ferries . Safeguarding is also not a blanket endorsement of every practice associated with initiation. The 2003 UNESCO Convention considers only intangible heritage compatible with international human-rights instruments, mutual respect and sustainable development. Communities can preserve teaching, age-set solidarity, songs, blessings and responsibility while changing actions that conflict with law, health, conservation or the choices of participants. Maasai representatives work with Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum to identify, interpret and document ancestral objects, creating accurate records that safeguard cultural knowledge and centre Maasai voices in the collection. That is why the 2025 Enkipaata documented in Narok matters. Its shorter calendar, rejection of lion killing and accommodation of school did not empty it of meaning. The changes showed a community negotiating how cultural education can remain relevant. The experiences of modern Maasai professionals balancing city life and cultural responsibility reveal the same principle: continuity often depends on adaptation, travel and deliberate return. Why the Rites Still Matter Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr survive because they answer a human question: how does a community prepare people for responsibility and recognise that they have changed? Their answer is collective. A person moves forward with an age set, receives instruction from older generations and becomes accountable to those who will follow. The rites also remind readers that Maasai culture cannot be reduced to red cloth, jumping dances or tourism photographs. Its strength lies in systems of relationship: language, mentorship, family labour, land, memory and public responsibility. XTRAfrica’s wider survey of African rites of passage still practised today places that work within a continent of distinct, changing traditions. UNESCO recognition can bring attention and resources, but the future of the rites depends on something more demanding: Maasai communities having the authority, space and opportunity to decide what to carry forward. Safeguarding succeeds when young people can inherit living knowledgenot when outsiders preserve a performance while the relationships and landscapes supporting it disappear. Frequently Asked Questions What are the three UNESCO-listed Maasai rites? They are Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr. UNESCO describes them as connected male rites moving participants towards initiation and age-set membership, through the end of moranhood, and into eldership. When did UNESCO inscribe the Maasai rites? The Intergovernmental Committee inscribed the Kenyan element in 2018 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Does UNESCO recognition cover every Maasai community? No. Kenya submitted the inscription, although Maasai communities and related rites also cross into Tanzania. Practice varies by section, place and generation, so the listing should not be treated as one universal rulebook. Are women involved in these male rites? Yes. UNESCO notes that women undertake certain tasks, and documented ceremonies include women preparing spaces, supporting participants and taking roles such as mothers shaving sons. Exact responsibilities vary between communities. Does safeguarding mean the ceremonies cannot change? No. UNESCO explicitly says safeguarding does not mean freezing intangible heritage. Community-led adaptation can help a practice remain meaningful while responding to school, work, law, health, conservation and changing social life. Sources and Further Reading UNESCO. 2018. “ Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr, Three Male Rites of Passage of the Maasai Community .” UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee. 2018. “ Decision 13.COM 10.a.5 .” UNESCO. “ Safeguarding of Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr .” UNESCO. “ Safeguarding Without Freezing .” UNESCO. 2003. “ Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage .” Maasai Association. “ Maasai Cultural Ceremonies .” Musambi, Evelyne. 2025. “ A New Generation of Maasai Warriors Is Born in Kenya .” Associated Press. Oakland Institute. 2024. “ Tourism over Cultural Heritage .” ADVERTISEMENT RELATED ARTICLE 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. . African Culture Tanzania Visa and Entry Requirements: What Travellers Need Check visa eligibility, passport rules, health documents and Zanzibar insurance before travel. . Tags Visit Tanzania Visit Tanzania Kenya Kenya Tanzania Tanzania The Maasai People The Maasai People African Culture African Culture comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.

Wizkid says he lives a quiet, routine life despite fame, describing himself as “boring” during a recent interview with Asake. Grammy Award-winning Nigerian artist Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has shared a rare personal insight, saying his life away from the spotlight is far less glamorous than many fans might expect. The singer made the comments during a recent episode of Close Friends Only Speed Round , where he appeared alongside fellow Nigerian artist Asake. When asked to reveal an interesting fact about himself that fans may not know, Wizkid described his lifestyle as simple and routine. According to the singer, his days largely revolve around family responsibilities and everyday activities. He explained that he wakes up early, takes his children to school, and follows a normal schedule, stressing that fame has not distanced him from regular life. Wizkid also used the moment to highlight a broader point about celebrity culture, noting that public figures often lead ordinary lives beyond their professional success and public image. During the conversation, the artist identified the most important priorities in his life as his daughter Morayo, his music career, and his faith. He further reflected on longevity in the music industry, emphasizing that authenticity, consistent hard work, and well-chosen collaborations are essential for sustaining long-term success. Source: Tribune Online Continue Reading Full Article ENTERTAINMENT Wizkid Says His Life Is “Boring” Despite Global Stardom By Witty Pascal Entertainment Editor Witty Pascal Home Comment Dec 19, 2025 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Grammy Award-winning Nigerian artist Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has shared a rare personal insight, saying his life away from the spotlight is far less glamorous than many fans might expect. The singer made the comments during a recent episode of Close Friends Only Speed Round , where he appeared alongside fellow Nigerian artist Asake. When asked to reveal an interesting fact about himself that fans may not know, Wizkid described his lifestyle as simple and routine. According to the singer, his days largely revolve around family responsibilities and everyday activities. He explained that he wakes up early, takes his children to school, and follows a normal schedule, stressing that fame has not distanced him from regular life. ADVERTISEMENT Wizkid also used the moment to highlight a broader point about celebrity culture, noting that public figures often lead ordinary lives beyond their professional success and public image. During the conversation, the artist identified the most important priorities in his life as his daughter Morayo, his music career, and his faith. He further reflected on longevity in the music industry, emphasizing that authenticity, consistent hard work, and well-chosen collaborations are essential for sustaining long-term success. ADVERTISEMENT Source: Tribune Online ADVERTISEMENT TRENDING NOW How to Check if You Must Submit a SARS Tax Return . Tax and Revenue How to Book a SARS Appointment Online . Tax and Revenue Niger TV Shows Soldiers Detained After Niamey Mutiny . Justice & Crime KAA Warns of Flight Delays at Kenyan Airports . Transport and Airlines POPULAR TODAY Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars . Entertainment FOLA Leads 2026 Headies Nominations Ahead of Toronto . Entertainment Jub Jub Arrest Warrant Issued After Missed Court Appearance . Entertainment Black Coffee Wins R7 Million Court Battle Against Maserati . Entertainment Funke Akindele Faces Mixed Reactions Over Birthday Post . ADVERTISEMENT RELATED ARTICLE 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. . Entertainment FOLA Leads 2026 Headies Nominations Ahead of Toronto FOLA earned 10 nominations as The Headies prepares its October ceremony in Toronto . Entertainment Jub Jub Arrest Warrant Issued After Missed Court Appearance The warrant was held over after Jub Jub missed court citing illness and will not be enforced yet. . Entertainment Black Coffee Wins R7 Million Court Battle Against Maserati The High Court ordered Maserati to repay Soulistic Music over an undelivered customised MC20 Cielo. . Tags Entertainment Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigeria Nigeria comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.

Coastguards in Mauritania have recovered 89 bodies of migrants from a boat that capsized in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday. Nine people, including a five-year-old girl, were rescued, but dozens more are missing. Survivors report that the vessel, a traditional fishing boat, set sail last week from the Senegalese-Gambian border area with 170 people on board. It capsized off Mauritania's south-western coast. Mauritania is a key transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe from West Africa , with thousands of boats departing from the country last year. The most common destination on this perilous route is Spain's Canary Islands. According to the Spanish government, nearly 40,000 people arrived there last year, doubling the number from the previous year. Desperate to reach Europe, migrants often travel in overloaded boats. More than 5,000 migrants died while trying to reach Spain by sea in the first five months of 2024, according to estimates by the Caminando Fronteras charity. In April, the EU granted Mauritania €210m (£177m; $225m) in aid, with almost €60m allocated to combat undocumented migration to Europe. By Author Name Author Name Home Comment Jul 5, 2024 May 15, 2026 1 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Coastguards in Mauritania have recovered 89 bodies of migrants from a boat that capsized in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday. Nine people, including a five-year-old girl, were rescued, but dozens more are missing. Survivors report that the vessel, a traditional fishing boat, set sail last week from the Senegalese-Gambian border area with 170 people on board. It capsized off Mauritania's south-western coast. Mauritania is a key transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe from West Africa , with thousands of boats departing from the country last year. ADVERTISEMENT The most common destination on this perilous route is Spain's Canary Islands. According to the Spanish government, nearly 40,000 people arrived there last year, doubling the number from the previous year. ADVERTISEMENT Desperate to reach Europe, migrants often travel in overloaded boats. More than 5,000 migrants died while trying to reach Spain by sea in the first five months of 2024, according to estimates by the Caminando Fronteras charity. In April, the EU granted Mauritania €210m (£177m; $225m) in aid, with almost €60m allocated to combat undocumented migration to Europe. ADVERTISEMENT TRENDING NOW How to Check if You Must Submit a SARS Tax Return . Tax and Revenue How to Book a SARS Appointment Online . Tax and Revenue Niger TV Shows Soldiers Detained After Niamey Mutiny . Justice & Crime KAA Warns of Flight Delays at Kenyan Airports . Transport and Airlines POPULAR TODAY ADVERTISEMENT RELATED ARTICLE Tags comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.

Nigeria's heavy reliance on steel imports, costing the nation approximately $3.3 billion annually, highlights a significant economic challenge and an opportunity for industrial advancement. Despite possessing the 12th largest steel deposits globally , with over three billion tonnes across states like Kogi, Enugu, Zamfara, and Kaduna, the country has yet to harness this potential fully. The situation is further exacerbated by inefficiencies and alleged corruption within key steel companies such as Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO). In a promising development, efforts are underway to reverse this trend and foster domestic steel production. A notable initiative is the establishment of a fully integrated mining and steel processing plant by African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, a subsidiary of the African Industries Group, in Gujeni village, Kaduna. This plant, with a mining capacity exceeding five million tonnes per annum, is poised to enhance Nigeria's standing in the global steel market , promoting economic growth and job creation. This strategic move is expected not only to reduce dependency on imports but also to position Nigeria as a significant player in the international steel industry. The focus on steel production aligns with broader efforts to revitalize Nigeria's mining and steel sectors, as evidenced by recent agreements aimed at resolving long-standing disputes and unlocking the potential of key assets like the Ajaokuta Steel Company. Continue Reading Full Article By Author Name Author Name Home Comment Mar 1, 2024 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Empowering Nigeria's Future: The Heartbeat of Industrial Progress Nigeria's heavy reliance on steel imports, costing the nation approximately $3.3 billion annually, highlights a significant economic challenge and an opportunity for industrial advancement. Despite possessing the 12th largest steel deposits globally , with over three billion tonnes across states like Kogi, Enugu, Zamfara, and Kaduna, the country has yet to harness this potential fully. The situation is further exacerbated by inefficiencies and alleged corruption within key steel companies such as Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO). In a promising development, efforts are underway to reverse this trend and foster domestic steel production. A notable initiative is the establishment of a fully integrated mining and steel processing plant by African Natural ADVERTISEMENT Resources and Mines Limited, a subsidiary of the African Industries Group, in Gujeni village, Kaduna. This plant, with a mining capacity exceeding five million tonnes per annum, is poised to enhance Nigeria's standing in the global steel market , promoting economic growth and job creation. This strategic move is expected not only to reduce dependency on imports but also to position Nigeria as a significant player in the international steel industry. The focus on steel production aligns with broader efforts to revitalize Nigeria's mining and steel sectors, as evidenced by recent agreements aimed at resolving long-standing disputes and unlocking the potential of key assets like the Ajaokuta Steel Company. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT TRENDING NOW How to Check if You Must Submit a SARS Tax Return . Tax and Revenue How to Book a SARS Appointment Online . Tax and Revenue Niger TV Shows Soldiers Detained After Niamey Mutiny . Justice & Crime KAA Warns of Flight Delays at Kenyan Airports . Transport and Airlines POPULAR TODAY ADVERTISEMENT RELATED ARTICLE Tags comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.

In April 1977, Ugandan President Idi Amin visited Zaire to support President Mobutu during the Shaba I conflict, offering military assistance against rebel forces. On April 23, 1977, Ugandan President Idi Amin Dada visited Kinshasa, Zaire, to offer support to President Mobutu Sese Seko during the Shaba I conflict. This visit highlighted the alliance between two of Africa's most prominent leaders during a period of regional instability A Show of Solidarity President Mobutu welcomed Idi Amin at Kinshasa Airport, marking a significant moment of unity between Uganda and Zaire. The visit was not merely ceremonial; it was a strategic move to demonstrate regional support amid the ongoing conflict in Zaire's Shaba Province. Military Support Offered During his visit, President Amin pledged military assistance to Zaire. He announced the deployment of 200 Ugandan soldiers to replace a previous contingent he referred to as a "suicide squad." This commitment underscored Amin's support for Mobutu's efforts to quell the rebellion in Shaba Province. Context: The Shaba I Conflict The Shaba I conflict involved an invasion by the Front for the National Liberation of the Congo (FNLC), a rebel group originating from Angola. The incursion threatened Zaire's control over its mineral-rich Shaba Province. In response, Mobutu's government sought assistance from international allies, including France and Morocco, to repel the rebel Diplomatic Implications Amin's visit had broader diplomatic ramifications. It signaled a strengthening of ties between Uganda and Zaire and demonstrated a united front against insurgent movements in the region. The collaboration also highlighted the complexities of African geopolitics during the Cold War era, where regional alliances were pivotal in addressing internal conflicts. Legacy of the Visit Continue Reading Full Article By Author Name Author Name Home Comment May 24, 2025 May 15, 2026 3 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: On April 23, 1977, Ugandan President Idi Amin Dada visited Kinshasa, Zaire, to offer support to President Mobutu Sese Seko during the Shaba I conflict. This visit highlighted the alliance between two of Africa's most prominent leaders during a period of regional instability A Show of Solidarity President Mobutu welcomed Idi Amin at Kinshasa Airport, marking a significant moment of unity between Uganda and Zaire. The visit was not merely ceremonial; it was a strategic move to demonstrate regional support amid the ongoing conflict in Zaire's Shaba Province. Military Support Offered During his visit, President Amin pledged military assistance to Zaire. He announced the deployment of 200 Ugandan soldiers to replace a previous contingent he referred to as a "suicide squad." This commitment underscored Amin's support for Mobutu's efforts to quell the rebellion in Shaba Province. ADVERTISEMENT President Idi Amin Dada came to support Mobutu in Kinshasa on April 23, 1977, Zaire. (Photo by Alain MINGAM/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) Context: The Shaba I Conflict The Shaba I conflict involved an invasion by the Front for the National Liberation of the Congo (FNLC), a rebel group originating from Angola. The incursion threatened Zaire's control over its mineral-rich Shaba Province. In response, Mobutu's government sought assistance from international allies, including France and Morocco, to repel the rebel Diplomatic Implications Amin's visit had broader diplomatic ramifications. It signaled a strengthening of ties between Uganda and Zaire and demonstrated a united front against insurgent movements in the region. The collaboration also highlighted the complexities of African geopolitics during the Cold War era, where regional alliances were pivotal in addressing internal conflicts. ADVERTISEMENT Legacy of the Visit The 1977 meeting between Idi Amin and Mobutu Sese Seko remains a notable example of inter-African solidarity during times of crisis. It reflects the efforts of African leaders to support each other's sovereignty and stability amidst external and internal challenges. Before the Conflict: Amin’s 1975 Visit to Kinshasa On July 5, 1975, General Idi Amin Dada, President of Uganda, made a diplomatic visit to Kinshasa, the capital of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). At that time, he was also the Chairman of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). ADVERTISEMENT TRENDING NOW How to Check if You Must Submit a SARS Tax Return . Tax and Revenue How to Book a SARS Appointment Online . Tax and Revenue Niger TV Shows Soldiers Detained After Niamey Mutiny . Justice & Crime KAA Warns of Flight Delays at Kenyan Airports . Transport and Airlines POPULAR TODAY Justice & Crime Tshisekedi: No Military Conquest Will Become Political Legitimacy" . War in Eastern DRC Rwanda Raises Interest Rate to 8.75% as Inflation Hits 14.5% . Peace For DRC Now Tshisekedi Launches DRC National Dialogue for Peace and Reform . PRESS RELEASE DRC Protects Students, Diplomas in AFC/M23-Held Areas . Infrastructure DRC and Angola Accelerate Joint Oil and Power Projects . President of Uganda, General Idi Amin, waves goodbye as he boards his plane to return to Uganda following his visit to Kinshasa, Zaire, 5th July 1975. via Getty Images President Mobutu Sese Seko welcomed him warmly. The visit focused on African unity, strengthening ties between their nations, and discussing shared goals in keeping power and stability across the region. Both Amin and Mobutu were strong, military-style leaders who ruled with force and personality. Though official details of their meeting were kept private, many believe the visit helped build trust between the two leaders. It also gave Amin a chance to show leadership across Africa and prepare the ground for future collaboration ADVERTISEMENT RELATED ARTICLE Justice & Crime Tshisekedi: No Military Conquest Will Become Political Legitimacy" Tshisekedi says armed groups cannot turn military conquest into political legitimacy, . War in Eastern DRC Rwanda Raises Interest Rate to 8.75% as Inflation Hits 14.5% Rwanda faces surging prices at home as US sanctions and tighter external financing add pressure abroad. . Peace For DRC Now Tshisekedi Launches DRC National Dialogue for Peace and Reform The three-month process will reach all 26 provinces and seek consensus on peace, cohesion and . PRESS RELEASE DRC Protects Students, Diplomas in AFC/M23-Held Areas Kinshasa says students will not restart their studies as temporary measures protect academic records, . Tags DR.Congo DR.Congo Uganda Uganda Cold War in Africa Cold War in Africa Mobutu Sese Seko Mobutu Sese Seko Zaire History Zaire History Idi Amin Dada Idi Amin Dada comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.

The Rubaya mine now sits at the center of Congo’s strategy to raise costs for M23 and Rwanda-backed operations. In late April 2024, the M23 insurgency, supported by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), seized the mining town of Rubaya in North Kivu and its adjoining coltan pits. United Nations experts later described how the rebels set up a parallel administration, controlling “mining, trade, transport and taxation” and monopolizing exports to Rwanda. By levying a $ 7-per-kilogram tax on coltan and enforcing exclusive trading routes, M23 collected at least $800 000 per month. Rubaya produces an estimated 15% of the world’s coltan, a tantalum-rich ore essential for electronics, and now funds a conflict that has displaced hundreds of thousands in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Kinshasa’s response has been to transform Rubaya from a revenue source for armed actors into a diplomatic trap for their backers. In February 2026, Reuters reported that President Félix Tshisekedi’s government quietly included the rebel‑held Rubaya coltan mine on a shortlist of strategic assets offered to the United States under a minerals‑cooperation framework. A senior Congolese official and a U.S. diplomat confirmed that the list was presented to a DRC‑U.S. meeting in Washington on 5 February 2026. By incorporating a mine he does not control into a bilateral partnership, Tshisekedi is asserting sovereignty, inviting American involvement, and raising the cost for Rwanda and M23 to hold the territory. In chess terms, it is not checkmate, but it is a forced sequence. How control of Rubaya funds conflict The UN Group of Experts on the DRC documented how the M23/RDF alliance transformed Rubaya into a revenue machine. After capturing the area on 30 April 2024, the rebels set up permits for miners and traders, doubled miners’ wages to keep production flowing, and imposed taxes on each kilogram of coltan or cassiterite. Convoys carrying up to 5 tons of coltan left twice a week, and UN investigators estimated that at least 120 tons per month were exported to Rwanda . Once across the border, Congolese ore was mixed with Rwandan production, creating “ the largest contamination of 3T mineral supply chains ” in the region. Reuters reporters who visited Rubaya in March 2025 were told by M23 officials that the group imposed a 15 % tax on coltan purchases. The UN concluded that M23 “levied at least $800 000 per month” from coltan and manganese. The capture of Rubaya fits into a broader pattern. UN Security Council resolution 2773 (2025) condemned M23’s offensives, ordered the group to cease hostilities and withdraw, and called on the Rwanda Defence Force to cease support and immediately withdraw from the DRC. A U.S. statement to the Security Council reiterated that “ M23 must fully withdraw … Rwanda must cease support for M23 and withdraw all troops ”. The EU, in a January 2025 statement, similarly urged “Rwanda’s military presence in the DRC [to] cease” and warned that those sustaining the conflict would face “all tools at its disposal”. Despite these admonitions, M23’s parallel administration has endured, financed by Rubaya’s ore and sheltered by Kigali’s denials. The Washington Peace Agreement and renewed pressure on Kigali In December 2025, the DRC and Rwanda signed the Washington Peace Agreement, brokered by the United States, Qatar, and the African Union. The pact is built on six pillars: respect for territorial integrity; cessation of hostilities; disarmament and conditional reintegration of non‑state armed groups; regional economic cooperation; protection of civilians; and a joint security mechanism. It requires the withdrawal of Rwandan troops, prohibits state support for armed groups, and establishes a joint oversight committee. Despite the agreement, M23 launched a major offensive in December 2025, seizing the city of Uvira. U.S. officials condemned the attack as a “clear violation” of the Washington Accords and warned that Rwanda’s military actions were a “grave mistake”. Lucy Tamlyn , U.S. ambassador to the DRC, said Washington was weighing “all possible tools” to uphold the framework. French media later reported that the United States considered sanctions on Rwandan officials and that withholding economic components of the Washington Accords could cost Kigali billions of dollars. By including Rubaya in the strategic asset list, Tshisekedi is effectively tying the mine to the U.S.–DRC Strategic Partnership Agreement, signed in December 2025. The agreement’s objectives include facilitating increased investment by U.S. persons, ensuring durable supply chains for critical minerals, promoting responsible mining, and combating the use of minerals to finance conflict. It establishes a Strategic Asset Reserve (SAR) : within 30 days, the DRC must designate priority mineral assets, and the list can only be updated in consultation with the United States. By placing Rubaya on this list, Kinshasa signals that any party obstructing its return to state control may jeopardize U.S. investment and invite sanctions. Turning a contested mine into a diplomatic lever Reuters reported that Kinshasa’s document emphasised that Rubaya could deliver a “fully traceable, conflict‑free” tantalum supply compliant with U.S. procurement rules. The DRC estimates the mine needs $50 million–$150 million to restart and ramp up commercial output, with rapid cost recovery expected due to soaring global demand. Rubaya’s ore, containing tantalum concentrations of 20-40 %, is essential for semiconductors and aerospace components. By offering this prize in a U.S. partnership, Tshisekedi internationalizes the conflict zone and invites American scrutiny of supply chains. It forces Rwanda to choose between maintaining M23’s occupation, risking U.S. sanctions, and exclusion from lucrative projects. Continue Reading Full Article WAR IN DR CONGO Tshisekedi’s Rubaya Strategy: A Calculated Warning to Rwanda and M23 By Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Political Analyst Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Home Comment Feb 20, 2026 May 15, 2026 7 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: In late April 2024, the M23 insurgency, supported by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), seized the mining town of Rubaya in North Kivu and its adjoining coltan pits. United Nations experts later described how the rebels set up a parallel administration, controlling “mining, trade, transport and taxation” and monopolizing exports to Rwanda. By levying a $ 7-per-kilogram tax on coltan and enforcing exclusive trading routes, M23 collected at least $800 000 per month. Rubaya produces an estimated 15% of the world’s coltan, a tantalum-rich ore essential for electronics, and now funds a conflict that has displaced hundreds of thousands in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Kinshasa’s response has been to transform Rubaya from a revenue source for armed actors into a diplomatic trap for their backers. In February 2026, Reuters reported that President Félix Tshisekedi’s government quietly included the rebel‑held Rubaya coltan mine on a shortlist of strategic assets offered to the United States under a minerals‑cooperation framework. A senior Congolese official and a U.S. diplomat confirmed that the list was presented to a DRC‑U.S. meeting in Washington on 5 February 2026. By incorporating a mine he does not control into a bilateral partnership, Tshisekedi is asserting sovereignty, inviting American involvement, and raising the cost for Rwanda and M23 to hold the territory. In chess terms, it is not checkmate, but it is a forced sequence. How control of Rubaya funds conflict The UN Group of Experts on the DRC documented how the M23/RDF alliance transformed Rubaya into a revenue machine. After capturing the area on 30 April 2024, the rebels set up permits for miners and traders, doubled miners’ wages to keep production flowing, and imposed taxes on each kilogram of coltan or cassiterite. Convoys carrying up to 5 tons of coltan left twice a week, and UN investigators estimated that at least 120 tons per month were exported to Rwanda . Once across the border, Congolese ore was mixed with Rwandan production, creating “ the largest contamination of 3T mineral supply chains ” in the region. Reuters reporters who visited Rubaya in March 2025 were told by M23 officials that the group imposed a 15 % tax on coltan purchases. The UN concluded that M23 “levied at least $800 000 per month” from coltan and manganese. ADVERTISEMENT The capture of Rubaya fits into a broader pattern. UN Security Council resolution 2773 (2025) condemned M23’s offensives, ordered the group to cease hostilities and withdraw, and called on the Rwanda Defence Force to cease support and immediately withdraw from the DRC. A U.S. statement to the Security Council reiterated that “ M23 must fully withdraw … Rwanda must cease support for M23 and withdraw all troops ”. The EU, in a January 2025 statement, similarly urged “Rwanda’s military presence in the DRC [to] cease” and warned that those sustaining the conflict would face “all tools at its disposal”. Despite these admonitions, M23’s parallel administration has endured, financed by Rubaya’s ore and sheltered by Kigali’s denials. The Washington Peace Agreement and renewed pressure on Kigali In December 2025, the DRC and Rwanda signed the Washington Peace Agreement, brokered by the United States, Qatar, and the African Union. The pact is built on six pillars: respect for territorial integrity; cessation of hostilities; disarmament and conditional reintegration of non‑state armed groups; regional economic cooperation; protection of civilians; and a joint security mechanism. It requires the withdrawal of Rwandan troops, prohibits state support for armed groups, and establishes a joint oversight committee. Despite the agreement, M23 launched a major offensive in December 2025, seizing the city of Uvira. U.S. officials condemned the attack as a “clear violation” of the Washington Accords and warned that Rwanda’s military actions were a “grave mistake”. Lucy Tamlyn , U.S. ambassador to the DRC, said Washington was weighing “all possible tools” to uphold the framework. French media later reported that the United States considered sanctions on Rwandan officials and that withholding economic components of the Washington Accords could cost Kigali billions of dollars. ADVERTISEMENT By including Rubaya in the strategic asset list, Tshisekedi is effectively tying the mine to the U.S.–DRC Strategic Partnership Agreement, signed in December 2025. The agreement’s objectives include facilitating increased investment by U.S. persons, ensuring durable supply chains for critical minerals, promoting responsible mining, and combating the use of minerals to finance conflict. It establishes a Strategic Asset Reserve (SAR) : within 30 days, the DRC must designate priority mineral assets, and the list can only be updated in consultation with the United States. By placing Rubaya on this list, Kinshasa signals that any party obstructing its return to state control may jeopardize U.S. investment and invite sanctions. Turning a contested mine into a diplomatic lever Reuters reported that Kinshasa’s document emphasised that Rubaya could deliver a “fully traceable, conflict‑free” tantalum supply compliant with U.S. procurement rules. The DRC estimates the mine needs $50 million–$150 million to restart and ramp up commercial output, with rapid cost recovery expected due to soaring global demand. Rubaya’s ore, containing tantalum concentrations of 20-40 %, is essential for semiconductors and aerospace components. By offering this prize in a U.S. partnership, Tshisekedi internationalizes the conflict zone and invites American scrutiny of supply chains. It forces Rwanda to choose between maintaining M23’s occupation, risking U.S. sanctions, and exclusion from lucrative projects. This strategy draws on precedents. In July 2024, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned PARECO‑FF and associated companies for illegal mining operations and taxation schemes in Rubaya, noting that minerals smuggled through Rwanda fuelled conflict. Under Secretary John K. Hurley warned that the Treasury “will not hesitate to take action against groups that deny the United States and our allies access to the critical minerals vital for our national defense”. These sanctions show Washington’s readiness to punish entities operating in Rubaya’s illicit supply chains. A senior M23 official acknowledged to Reuters that Kinshasa’s decision to list Rubaya “aims to draw the U.S. into recovering the area militarily,” a telling admission that the rebels view the minerals partnership as a threat. ADVERTISEMENT TRENDING NOW How to Check if You Must Submit a SARS Tax Return . Tax and Revenue How to Book a SARS Appointment Online . Tax and Revenue Niger TV Shows Soldiers Detained After Niamey Mutiny . Justice & Crime KAA Warns of Flight Delays at Kenyan Airports . Transport and Airlines POPULAR TODAY War in Eastern DRC Fresh Masisi Fighting Forces More Congolese Families to Flee . War in Eastern DRC US Expects Rwandan Troop Withdrawal by Mid-Next Month, Says Rubio . Washington Peace Accord Trump Administration Blocked Kagame From Re-Entering the US . War in Eastern DRC Kagame Refuses to Withdraw Troops from Congo, Defying U.S. Pressure . War in DR Congo Tshisekedi’s Rubaya Strategy: A Calculated Warning to Rwanda and M23 . Endgame logic: narrowing Kigali’s room to manoeuvre The Rubaya illustrates the strategic contest between Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame. Kigali’s advantage has long rested on plausible deniability: the ability to support M23 while claiming to protect Rwanda’s security and to profit from coltan without being held accountable. Tshisekedi’s Rubaya strategy seeks to raise the diplomatic and economic cost of this posture. By internationalizing a contested mine, tying its future to U.S. supply‑chain security and embedding it in a treaty that mandates responsible mining, Kinshasa is shaping the terms of engagement. The listing sends a message: if Rwanda continues to back M23, it risks losing access to U.S. investment and facing new sanctions, consequences that may weigh heavily as Kigali seeks to diversify its economy and maintain its global partnerships. Ultimately, the move is less about selling what Kinshasa does not control and more about asserting sovereignty over its mineral wealth and leveraging Washington’s commitment to secure critical supplies. The UN, EU, and United States have all publicly connected Rwanda to M23 and denounced the illegal exploitation of Congolese resources . By drawing Rubaya into the U.S. partnership, Tshisekedi limits Kigali’s options. Rubaya’s listing forces a sequence in which continued occupation becomes increasingly costly, diplomacy becomes conditional on compliance, and the international spotlight intensifies on those profiting from Congo’s minerals. ADVERTISEMENT RELATED ARTICLE War in Eastern DRC Fresh Masisi Fighting Forces More Congolese Families to Flee AFC/M23 advances and clashes with Wazalendo trigger new displacement as Doha monitoring begins. . War in Eastern DRC US Expects Rwandan Troop Withdrawal by Mid-Next Month, Says Rubio Washington says sanctions were needed after poor compliance with the DRC-Rwanda peace agreement . Washington Peace Accord Trump Administration Blocked Kagame From Re-Entering the US The reported visa issue comes amid rising US pressure over Rwanda’s role in eastern Congo. . War in Eastern DRC Kagame Refuses to Withdraw Troops from Congo, Defying U.S. Pressure Kagame refuses to withdraw Rwandan troops from DR Congo despite U.S. pressure. . Tags Washington Peace Accord Washington Peace Accord DR.Congo DR.Congo Rwanda Rwanda DRAFT DRAFT Paul Kagame Paul Kagame Felix Tshisekedi Felix Tshisekedi comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.

Cyril Ramaphosa has been sworn in for a second term as South Africa's president, despite his African National Congress (ANC) failing to secure a majority in last month's parliamentary elections. Lawmakers re-elected him last week following a coalition deal between the ANC, its long-time rival Democratic Alliance (DA), and other parties. The ANC, which has governed since the end of apartheid in 1994, lost its majority for the first time after the 29 May election produced no outright winner. Several dignitaries, including African heads of state, attended the ceremony. Ramaphosa pledged to uphold the constitution and laws of the republic, with Chief Justice Raymond Zondo administering the oath of office. The ceremony included the national anthem, a 21-gun salute, and a fly-past by army helicopters, followed by Ramaphosa's inaugural address. The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, formed six months ago by former President Jacob Zuma, did not participate in the inauguration, calling it a "farcical" event. The MK party, which won 15% of votes and obtained 58 parliamentary seats, also boycotted parliament’s first sitting last Friday. Ramaphosa has retained the presidency despite the ANC's vote share falling by 17 percentage points and losing 70 seats in parliament. This was achieved through a power-sharing agreement with the pro-business DA and other parties. The ANC received 40% of the vote, while the DA came second with 22%. This coalition, moving towards the political centre, excludes the ANC’s left-wing and populist breakaway parties. In the coming days, Ramaphosa is expected to appoint a cabinet that includes his coalition partners – the DA and three smaller parties. Together, the coalition accounts for 68% of seats in parliament. The president is also anticipated to outline plans to rescue the struggling economy, which has suffered from power cuts, rising crime, and unemployment under his leadership. Ramaphosa first assumed the presidency in 2018 after his predecessor, Jacob Zuma, resigned amid corruption allegations, which Zuma denied. By Author Name Author Name Home Comment Jun 19, 2024 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Cyril Ramaphosa has been sworn in for a second term as South Africa's president, despite his African National Congress (ANC) failing to secure a majority in last month's parliamentary elections. Lawmakers re-elected him last week following a coalition deal between the ANC, its long-time rival Democratic Alliance (DA), and other parties. The ANC, which has governed since the end of apartheid in 1994, lost its majority for the first time after the 29 May election produced no outright winner. Several dignitaries, including African heads of state, attended the ceremony. Ramaphosa pledged to uphold the constitution and laws of the republic, with Chief Justice Raymond Zondo administering the oath of office. The ceremony included the national anthem, a 21-gun salute, and a fly-past by army helicopters, followed by Ramaphosa's inaugural address. ADVERTISEMENT The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, formed six months ago by former President Jacob Zuma, did not participate in the inauguration, calling it a "farcical" event. The MK party, which won 15% of votes and obtained 58 parliamentary seats, also boycotted parliament’s first sitting last Friday. ADVERTISEMENT Ramaphosa has retained the presidency despite the ANC's vote share falling by 17 percentage points and losing 70 seats in parliament. This was achieved through a power-sharing agreement with the pro-business DA and other parties. The ANC received 40% of the vote, while the DA came second with 22%. This coalition, moving towards the political centre, excludes the ANC’s left-wing and populist breakaway parties. In the coming days, Ramaphosa is expected to appoint a cabinet that includes his coalition partners – the DA and three smaller parties. Together, the coalition accounts for 68% of seats in parliament. The president is also anticipated to outline plans to rescue the struggling economy, which has suffered from power cuts, rising crime, and unemployment under his leadership. Ramaphosa first assumed the presidency in 2018 after his predecessor, Jacob Zuma, resigned amid corruption allegations, which Zuma denied. ADVERTISEMENT TRENDING NOW How to Check if You Must Submit a SARS Tax Return . Tax and Revenue How to Book a SARS Appointment Online . Tax and Revenue Niger TV Shows Soldiers Detained After Niamey Mutiny . Justice & Crime KAA Warns of Flight Delays at Kenyan Airports . Transport and Airlines POPULAR TODAY ADVERTISEMENT RELATED ARTICLE Tags comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.

Félix Tshisekedi will attend DR Congo's World Cup opener against Portugal as the Leopards return after 52 years President Félix Tshisekedi is expected to travel to Houston, Texas, to support the Democratic Republic of Congo during its opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Portugal on June 17, according to Sports Minister Didier Budimbu. The visit underscores growing national support for the Leopards as they prepare for their first World Cup appearance in more than five decades as cited by local media . Budimbu announced the president's planned attendance during an exchange on social media platform X, stating that Tshisekedi would travel with an official delegation. The minister said members of the delegation underwent health screening in Kinshasa before departure amid heightened international vigilance linked to the Ebola outbreak affecting eastern DR Congo. The government's support comes as excitement builds around the Leopards' return to football's biggest stage. DR Congo qualified for the World Cup for the first time since the 1974 tournament, when the country, then known as Zaire, made its only previous appearance. Reuters reported that supporters in Houston have created a vibrant atmosphere around the team, with fans expressing confidence that the Leopards can compete strongly against Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan in Group K. Budimbu also announced plans to strengthen support from the Congolese diaspora. According to the minister, 1,150 tickets will be made available to Congolese supporters for each of DR Congo's World Cup matches. The initiative aims to ensure a visible Congolese presence in stadiums throughout the tournament. However, the minister acknowledged that travel restrictions remain a challenge. Speaking during a discussion hosted by ACTUALITE.CD , he said supporters, entertainers, and some organizers have faced difficulties obtaining U.S. and Canadian visas, with Ebola-related concerns complicating approval processes. Despite those obstacles, optimism remains high around the national team. The Leopards have been welcomed by Houston's sizable Congolese community and arrive at the tournament carrying the hopes of a nation eager to make history after a 52-year absence from the World Cup. The match against Portugal will be one of the most anticipated fixtures of the group stage, with global attention focused on whether DR Congo can begin its long-awaited World Cup return with a strong performance against one of Europe's football powers. Continue Reading Full Article FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIER DR Congo Plans World Cup Push as Tshisekedi Heads to Houston By Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Political Analyst Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Home Comment Jun 15, 2026 Jun 15, 2026 3 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: President Félix Tshisekedi is expected to travel to Houston, Texas, to support the Democratic Republic of Congo during its opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Portugal on June 17, according to Sports Minister Didier Budimbu. The visit underscores growing national support for the Leopards as they prepare for their first World Cup appearance in more than five decades as cited by local media . Budimbu announced the president's planned attendance during an exchange on social media platform X, stating that Tshisekedi would travel with an official delegation. The minister said members of the delegation underwent health screening in Kinshasa before departure amid heightened international vigilance linked to the Ebola outbreak affecting eastern DR Congo. ADVERTISEMENT The government's support comes as excitement builds around the Leopards' return to football's biggest stage. DR Congo qualified for the World Cup for the first time since the 1974 tournament, when the country, then known as Zaire, made its only previous appearance. Reuters reported that supporters in Houston have created a vibrant atmosphere around the team, with fans expressing confidence that the Leopards can compete strongly against Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan in Group K. ADVERTISEMENT Budimbu also announced plans to strengthen support from the Congolese diaspora. According to the minister, 1,150 tickets will be made available to Congolese supporters for each of DR Congo's World Cup matches. The initiative aims to ensure a visible Congolese presence in stadiums throughout the tournament. However, the minister acknowledged that travel restrictions remain a challenge. Speaking during a discussion hosted by ACTUALITE.CD , he said supporters, entertainers, and some organizers have faced difficulties obtaining U.S. and Canadian visas, with Ebola-related concerns complicating approval processes. Despite those obstacles, optimism remains high around the national team. The Leopards have been welcomed by Houston's sizable Congolese community and arrive at the tournament carrying the hopes of a nation eager to make history after a 52-year absence from the World Cup. ADVERTISEMENT TRENDING NOW How to Check if You Must Submit a SARS Tax Return . Tax and Revenue How to Book a SARS Appointment Online . Tax and Revenue Niger TV Shows Soldiers Detained After Niamey Mutiny . Justice & Crime KAA Warns of Flight Delays at Kenyan Airports . Transport and Airlines POPULAR TODAY Justice & Crime Niger TV Shows Soldiers Detained After Niamey Mutiny . Transport and Airlines KAA Warns of Flight Delays at Kenyan Airports . Sports Trends Gobena Sets Sydney Record as Jepchirchir Wins Women’s Race . International Justice FBI Sends Tinubu Records to US Judge for Private Review . Justice & Crime Three More Arrested in Dr Victoria Mutiso Murder Probe . The match against Portugal will be one of the most anticipated fixtures of the group stage, with global attention focused on whether DR Congo can begin its long-awaited World Cup return with a strong performance against one of Europe's football powers. ADVERTISEMENT RELATED ARTICLE Justice & Crime Niger TV Shows Soldiers Detained After Niamey Mutiny RTN footage and new reporting add arrests and Russian support to the official Base 101 account. . Transport and Airlines KAA Warns of Flight Delays at Kenyan Airports Passengers should confirm departing flights with airlines as KAA manages disruptions . Sports Trends Gobena Sets Sydney Record as Jepchirchir Wins Women’s Race Ethiopia’s Addisu Gobena broke the course record as Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir claimed her fourth major . International Justice FBI Sends Tinubu Records to US Judge for Private Review The sealed FOIA filing is not public and makes no new finding against Nigeria’s president. . Tags Breaking News Breaking News Africa Africa DR.Congo DR.Congo FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Sports Sports DR Congo Rising DR Congo Rising DR Congo News DR Congo News comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.