News

Lusaka, Zambia — Eight member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) are expected to record sharp declines in trade volumes this year following new reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States, the regional bloc said Friday. The countries most affected include the Democratic Republic of Congo (11% decline), Libya...

Burundians went to the polls Monday to elect local administrators, with the country’s electoral commission reporting that voting materials were in place nationwide and polling stations opened as scheduled. Prosper Ntahorwamiye, president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), said turnout at 6 a.m. was lower than in previous elections but expected participation to...

Burundi president Evariste Ndayishimiye recently made a cabinet reshuffle, appointed new government including Arthémon Katihabwa the country's minister of justice and Human Rights. He spoke to Burundi Times about his life, journey and vision to serve justice in Burundi. Q: Minister, could you start by introducing yourself to our readers?I am Katihabwa Arthemon,...

Armed groups fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have carried out horrific abuses against civilians, including gang rapes, abductions and summary executions, Amnesty International said Wednesday in a new report that warns the atrocities may amount to war crimes. The London-based rights group said both the Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement (M23) and...

The TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 has entered its knockout stage, with East Africa firmly in the spotlight after Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda all booked their places in the last eight. The historic co-hosting by the three nations has kept stadiums packed and the “Pamoja” theme alive, with fans set for another round of high-intensity football...

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia— Ethiopia’s financial sector is accelerating its shift toward digital transformation, with banking executives, fintech leaders and regulators gathering Wednesday in Addis Ababa for the 23rd Connected Banking Summit. The event, which also featured the Innovation & Excellence Awards 2025, brought together key players to discuss strategies shaping the future of banking...

Bujumbura, Burundi — Burundi’s president Evariste Ndayishimiye, recently welcomed a high-level delegation from the Al Mansour Holding Group in Bujumbura. The delegation, led by His Highness Prince Sheikh Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani, arrived to convey Qatar’s continued commitment to investing in Burundi, a country increasingly seen with economic opportunities. The Al Mansour...

NAIROBI, Kenya — East and Southern African leaders have endorsed a plan to merge regional mediation efforts under the African Union while pledging to align them with recent global peace initiatives, in a push to end the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Meeting virtually on Aug. 13, the Joint Extraordinary Summit...

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin began a five-day visit to Burundi on Tuesday, August 12, where he was received by Vice President Prosper Bazombanza. Speaking to reporters at the airport, Parolin said he brought a message similar to that of Pope John Paul II during his visit to the...

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday announced sanctions on an armed group and several companies accused of fueling violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo through the illicit trade of critical minerals. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said the measures target the Coalition des Patriotes Résistants Congolais–Force de Frappe...