Special Rapporteur Irene Khan examines freedom of expression amid accusations of arrests, censorship, and restrictions.

United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene Khan has begun a 10-day visit to Zambia to investigate allegations that the government is suppressing dissent and restricting freedom of expression. Her visit will focus on Zambia’s legal framework, the safety of journalists and activists, and broader human rights concerns.

The timing of Khan’s visit comes amid mounting accusations against the Zambian government for arbitrary arrests and censorship. Last year, opposition lawmakers and activists faced espionage charges after implicating the government in the alleged abduction of an independent MP. Additionally, journalist Thomas Zgambo, known for his government-critical articles, has been repeatedly arrested on sedition charges.

In response to criticism, Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mulambo Haimbe, emphasized the government’s commitment to constitutional freedoms, citing Articles 11 and 20, which guarantee the right to expression and opinion. However, opposition leader Chishala Kateka of the New Heritage Party contends that opposition members face targeted arrests and selective application of the law.

Human rights groups have also raised concerns about attempts to tighten cybersecurity laws, which were withdrawn after public outcry. Activists see Khan’s visit as an opportunity for independent scrutiny and a chance to provide recommendations that could safeguard fundamental freedoms.

The U.N.’s examination could cast a spotlight on Zambia’s political and human rights trajectory, particularly as the rapporteur gathers input from multiple stakeholders. As Khan conducts her evaluation, Zambians await her findings, which could influence both domestic reforms and international perceptions of the country’s commitment to democracy.

Hegseth outlines plans for border security, accountability, and defense overhauls in his first day at the Pentagon.

New U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a decorated veteran and former Fox News host, began his tenure by promising agility and accountability in the Defense Department. Speaking before entering the Pentagon on his first full day, Hegseth emphasized swift execution of presidential orders and holding officials accountable, signaling a significant shift in how the department will operate.

Hegseth, confirmed by a narrow 51-50 Senate vote with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie, pledged unwavering support for allies and a tough stance against adversaries. He announced upcoming executive orders from President Donald Trump, including the development of a U.S. version of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, the removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives from the Pentagon, and reinstating troops dismissed for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.

Highlighting border security as a priority, Hegseth stated that the Defense Department will allocate all necessary resources, including active-duty troops and reservists, to secure the southern border. On Afghanistan, he promised accountability for the U.S. withdrawal and continued support for Afghan allies. Hegseth also expressed his intent to work closely with General Charles Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but avoided commenting on potential leadership changes.

Guterres calls for withdrawal of Rwandan troops and halt to support for M23 rebels near Goma

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made a direct appeal for the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as the M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, advances on the key city of Goma. The crisis has drawn sharp international condemnation, sparked a humanitarian emergency, and reignited tensions in the volatile Great Lakes region.

M23 rebels, bolstered by several thousand Rwandan troops according to U.N. reports, have made significant territorial gains, threatening Goma, a city of over a million people near DRC’s eastern border. Guterres, in a rare explicit condemnation, called on the Rwanda Defense Forces to cease support for M23 and withdraw from Congolese territory. His statement follows the deaths of three U.N. peacekeepers in the escalating conflict.

The U.N. chief’s remarks coincide with an emergency Security Council meeting, during which Western powers, including France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, unequivocally demanded Rwanda halt its support for M23 and withdraw its forces. However, divisions among Council members emerged, with nations like China and several African representatives stopping short of naming Kigali directly.

Guterres emphasized that attacks on U.N. personnel may constitute war crimes, underscoring the increasing risks faced by peacekeepers in the region. As violence intensifies, the U.N. has begun evacuating non-essential staff from Goma, signaling the gravity of the situation.

Rwanda has consistently denied allegations of supporting M23, dismissing them as baseless accusations aimed at deflecting attention from Kinshasa’s governance failures. Rwanda’s ambassador to the U.N., Ernest Rwamucyo, accused the Congolese government of escalating the crisis and claimed that U.N. peacekeepers had aligned with forces seeking regime change in Rwanda.

Despite Kigali’s denials, multiple U.N. reports and Congolese officials have accused Rwanda of deploying troops in eastern DRC and backing M23’s operations. Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner went so far as to label Rwanda’s actions a “declaration of war,” urging the Security Council to impose sweeping sanctions on Kigali.

Eastern DRC has long been a hotbed of instability, with its vast mineral wealth fueling competition among armed militias. The region has witnessed cycles of violence since the 1990s, displacing millions and perpetuating a complex web of conflicts involving local, regional, and international actors.

The latest fighting has displaced an estimated 230,000 people, adding to the region’s dire humanitarian crisis. The M23’s resurgence, combined with allegations of foreign interference, threatens to destabilize not only the DRC but the broader Great Lakes region.

While some U.N. Security Council members have unequivocally condemned Rwanda, others have taken a more cautious stance. French ambassador Nicolas de Riviere pledged to work on a Council statement that would explicitly address Rwanda’s involvement, calling for a united response to what he described as a “grave threat to regional peace and security.”

The DRC has called on the international community to impose economic and political sanctions on Rwanda, but achieving consensus within the Security Council remains a challenge.

The DRC crisis underscores the fragile dynamics of international diplomacy in addressing conflicts rooted in complex historical, political, and economic grievances. The Security Council’s ability—or failure—to act decisively could shape the trajectory of the conflict, with implications for regional stability and humanitarian relief efforts.

As tensions escalate, the world watches closely to see whether calls for accountability and peace will translate into tangible actions to address one of Africa’s most enduring and volatile crises.

Clashes with M23 rebels near Goma intensify, claiming the lives of peacekeepers and foreign soldiers amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Fighting in eastern Congo with the M23 rebel group has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers, according to United Nations and Congolese army officials. The violence near Goma, a city of approximately 2 million people and a critical hub for regional security and humanitarian efforts, has intensified, prompting the UN Security Council to advance an emergency meeting from Monday to Sunday at Congo’s request.

Congo’s army reported that it, alongside allied forces—including United Nations peacekeepers and troops from the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC)—successfully repelled an M23 offensive aimed at Goma. However, the clashes highlight the increasing risks to civilians and international personnel in the region.

The M23 rebel group, comprised mainly of ethnic Tutsis who defected from the Congolese army over a decade ago, has made substantial territorial gains in recent weeks. Amnesty International’s Kate Hixon suggested that M23 is exploiting the current U.S. presidential transition to escalate its actions, further endangering thousands of civilians.

Congo and United Nations experts have repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing M23, claims that Kigali denies. However, Rwanda has admitted to deploying troops and missile systems in eastern Congo, citing security concerns. UN estimates indicate that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops are operating in the region.

The recent violence has taken a heavy toll on peacekeeping forces. Among the casualties are two South African peacekeepers, a Uruguayan Blue Helmet, and three Malawian peacekeepers. Seven additional South African soldiers with SAMIDRC were killed in the last two days, South Africa’s defense department confirmed. Uruguay identified its fallen soldier as Rodolfo Alvarez, part of a battalion tasked with fulfilling the UN mandate and ensuring the evacuation of non-essential personnel from Goma.

Burning wreckage of UN-marked vehicles was visible along the road between Goma and Sake, where much of the recent fighting has concentrated. South African Defense Minister Angie Motshekga, who was visiting the country’s troops stationed in Congo on the day of the attacks, called the deaths a “tragedy” and vowed to assess measures to improve troop safety.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo, known as MONUSCO, has been active for over two decades and maintains approximately 14,000 personnel on the ground. Despite its presence, the M23 insurgency remains a significant challenge, threatening not only regional stability but also the safety of peacekeepers and civilians.

The situation underscores the urgency for a coordinated international response. The emergency UN meeting on Sunday will address the escalating violence and explore measures to prevent further destabilization near Goma. As the conflict continues, concerns grow for the millions of civilians caught in the crossfire and the peacekeepers tasked with protecting them.

Guilty plea marks another chapter in the largest pandemic-related fraud case in U.S. history, with $250 million misappropriated from child nutrition programs.

A Savage, Minnesota woman, Ayan Farah Abukar, has pleaded guilty to defrauding a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her admission is part of the largest pandemic-related fraud case in U.S. history, where over $250 million intended to feed underserved children was misappropriated.

Abukar, 43, founder of the nonprofit Action for East African People, admitted to conspiring to defraud the Federal Child Nutrition Program of $5.7 million. Court documents reveal that between 2020 and 2022, she falsely claimed to serve meals to as many as 5,000 children daily across multiple sites in Minnesota. Instead, the funds were diverted for personal enrichment, including purchasing a 37-acre commercial property in Lakeville, Minnesota, and an aircraft in Nairobi, Kenya.

Somali-American Leader Sentenced to 17 Years for Role in $250M Feeding Our Future Fraud

The scheme was facilitated through $330,000 in kickbacks paid by Abukar to a Feeding Our Future employee. Prosecutors noted that the fraud took advantage of relaxed federal oversight designed to ensure children’s access to meals during school closures.

The Feeding Our Future fraud case has implicated 70 individuals and exposed a wide network of corruption. This multi-agency investigation, led by the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigations, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, has already resulted in 24 guilty pleas and five convictions at trial.

Among those sentenced is Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff, who received a 17.5-year prison term for his role in diverting $47.9 million. His sentencing included an order to pay restitution of nearly $48 million. Another key figure, Mohamed Jama Isamli, was sentenced to 12 years in prison in October 2024 for similar charges.

The scandal has not only highlighted financial fraud but also revealed attempts to undermine the judicial process. During a June 2024 trial, a juror reported receiving a $120,000 bribe in a Hallmark gift bag, along with promises of further payments for an acquittal. The juror immediately notified authorities, leading to the replacement of the juror and new charges against five individuals, including defendants from the original trial.

Among those involved in the bribery scheme, Seattle resident Ladan Mohamed Ali pleaded guilty in September 2024 to delivering the bribe. Her sentencing is pending.

The trial of Aimee Bock, the founder of Feeding Our Future, is scheduled to begin on February 3, 2025. Bock and three co-defendants are accused of orchestrating the fraud, with allegations of widespread misappropriation of federal funds intended for child nutrition programs.

While sentencing for Abukar has not yet been scheduled, her guilty plea adds another chapter to this far-reaching investigation, exposing systemic abuse of programs intended to support vulnerable children during the pandemic. The case continues to shed light on the broader implications of pandemic-related fraud, undermining trust in public assistance programs and prompting calls for increased accountability and oversight.

High-ranking officials from Somalia and Somaliland attend celebrations in Ethiopia, highlighting cross-border engagement.

Delegations from Somalia’s Federal Government and the self-declared independent region of Somaliland traveled to Jigjiga, Ethiopia, on Thursday to participate in the anniversary celebrations of the Somali Regional State. The annual event, commemorating the region’s establishment in 1993, brought together officials, dignitaries, and members of the Somali diaspora.

Somalia’s Delegation
The Federal Government of Somalia’s delegation included Deputy Minister of Information Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala and Deputy Minister of Petroleum. Somali Regional State officials warmly welcomed the delegation upon their arrival at Garaad Wiil-Waal Airport in Jigjiga.

Somaliland’s Delegation
Representing Somaliland, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ali Hamud Jibriil and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Abdullahi Jama led the delegation. They were received in the border town of Wajaale before making their way to Jigjiga for the celebrations.

About the Somali Regional State
The Somali Regional State, one of Ethiopia’s federal regions, was established in 1993 with its original capital in Godey. It later moved its administrative center to Jigjiga, which has since become a hub for political and cultural activities in the region. The anniversary celebration on January 23 serves as a platform to showcase the region’s progress and foster connections among Somalis from Ethiopia, Somalia, Somaliland, and the diaspora.

Significance of the Event
The presence of delegations from both Somalia and Somaliland at the celebration highlights shared cultural and historical ties, despite the political divisions between the two regions. The event serves as an opportunity for cross-border dialogue and underscores the importance of cooperation in the Horn of Africa.

As Jigjiga continues to grow as a regional hub, such events foster goodwill and collaboration among the Somali communities in Ethiopia and beyond. The anniversary remains a significant occasion for celebrating unity, heritage, and the progress of the Somali Regional State.

As Trump’s second term begins, Keir Starmer’s government faces seismic challenges in maintaining U.S.-U.K. ties amid global uncertainty.

As Donald Trump begins his second term as U.S. president, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government is confronting a series of challenges that could reshape the “special relationship” between the two nations. With Trump’s isolationist policies, unpredictable diplomacy, and potential shifts in NATO, Ukraine, and global trade, Britain finds itself on uncertain footing.

Trump’s aggressive tariff policies remain a top concern for Britain, with threats of up to 20% tariffs globally and 60% for China looming large. These measures could disrupt U.K. exports and increase the cost of living. Starmer’s government is keen to explore carve-outs to protect British industries, especially as it seeks to rebuild ties with the European Union while deepening U.S. relations.

A U.S.-U.K. free trade deal—promised as a Brexit dividend—remains elusive. Successive governments, including Boris Johnson’s, failed to secure one during Trump’s first term or Biden’s presidency. Starmer now hopes to restart federal-level trade talks within weeks, aiming for progress where others have faltered.

Britain has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022, but Trump’s ambiguous stance on NATO and perceived affinity for Vladimir Putin could complicate matters. There is growing concern in London that Trump might broker a peace deal favoring Russia, potentially emboldening Putin.

Starmer has doubled down on Britain’s support for Ukraine, even hinting at deploying U.K. troops to enforce a potential peace agreement. However, Trump’s position could shift European solidarity, forcing Britain to navigate a delicate diplomatic path.

Starmer’s nomination of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the U.S. has sparked controversy, with Trump’s allies reportedly skeptical of the Labour veteran’s ties to the EU and China. Nigel Farage, a Trump ally, has publicly campaigned for the role, adding to tensions. Downing Street remains firm, with officials describing Mandelson as an “excellent candidate” who will serve the national interest.

Trump’s second term also forces Britain to reconcile past antagonisms. Starmer’s team has made overtures to repair relations, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy leading the charge despite his previous harsh critiques of Trump. Lammy recently praised Trump’s hospitality and warmth toward the U.K., signaling an effort to rebuild bridges.

A potential White House visit by Starmer in the coming weeks could test whether this diplomatic charm offensive will pay off, especially as Britain seeks to solidify its relevance in Trump’s “America First” world.

The fate of the Chagos Archipelago presents another challenge. Under Biden, Britain negotiated a deal to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while maintaining the critical Diego Garcia airbase. However, Trump’s allies, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have cast doubt on the agreement, citing national security concerns about China.

With Trump now back in the Oval Office, Britain’s hopes hinge on Pentagon and State Department assessments to secure his approval. The outcome of this negotiation could significantly impact U.K.-U.S. defense cooperation.

As Trump’s second term takes shape, the U.K. faces a turbulent diplomatic landscape. Balancing trade ambitions, NATO commitments, and the “special relationship” requires deft political maneuvering. Starmer’s government must navigate Trump’s unpredictable leadership while ensuring Britain remains a critical U.S. partner on the global stage.

Whether Starmer can leverage Trump’s presidency to achieve these goals remains uncertain, but the stakes for Britain’s economy, security, and international standing could not be higher. The weeks ahead will reveal whether this renewed partnership strengthens—or fractures further.

Kenya leads efforts to foster regional security and counter-terrorism collaboration in the Horn of Africa.

President William Ruto has reiterated the importance of regional collaboration in addressing terrorism and organized crime, urging countries in the Horn of Africa to join forces in a collective fight against insecurity. During a meeting with Ethiopia’s Director General of the National Intelligence Security Service, Ambassador Redwan Hussien, at State House in Nairobi, Ruto highlighted Kenya’s proactive commitment to ensuring stability across the East African Community (EAC) and beyond.

The persistent threat posed by the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militant group underscores the urgency of Ruto’s call. The group has orchestrated devastating attacks across the region, including the 2013 Westgate Mall siege in Nairobi and the 2015 Garissa University massacre. Uganda, too, has faced Al-Shabaab’s wrath, most notably in the 2010 Kampala bombings that killed 74 people. These incidents have destabilized communities, disrupted economies, and shaken regional governance.

Regional Cooperation: A Strategic Imperative

Kenya has been at the forefront of counter-terrorism efforts, deploying troops to Somalia under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and bolstering border security. Ruto’s meeting with Ethiopia’s Ambassador Hussien reflects an effort to strengthen intelligence-sharing and counter-terrorism strategies with key regional partners. Ethiopia’s proximity to Somalia and its geopolitical role in the Horn of Africa make it a vital ally in combating extremist threats.

Ruto’s proposed unified strategy focuses on enhanced intelligence-sharing, joint security training, and economic initiatives to address underlying causes of radicalization, such as poverty and unemployment. This holistic approach aims to dismantle the operational networks of groups like Al-Shabaab while preventing future recruitment through sustainable development.

Kenya’s Global Vision

Kenya’s commitment to regional and global partnerships aligns with its foreign policy agenda of fostering peace and stability in Africa. Ruto’s emphasis on a secure and thriving region reflects a vision where regional unity transcends individual national interests, creating a cohesive front against shared threats.

As President Ruto succinctly put it, “Peace is non-negotiable. We owe it to our people to create a secure environment where they can thrive.” With enhanced collaboration, East Africa stands poised to make meaningful progress in overcoming terrorism and ensuring long-term stability.