12 February 2025

1. Ethiopia –South Africa- AU

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Minister Ronald Lamola, has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, leading the South African delegation to the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU on 12 and 13 February 2025.

The Council will convene under the agreed AU theme for 2025, Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations, which will be officially launched by the Assembly.

Throughout 2025, all AU Member States will review and assess the achievements made by the Continent towards the attainment of long overdue justice and reparations following decades of colonialism, apartheid, slavery, the slave trade, and the transatlantic slave trade.

1. Afrika: Seychelles, Cape Verde, Rwanda Least Corrupt Countries in Africa

Seychelles has emerged as Africa's top performer in the newly released 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), scoring 72 out of 100.

The report by Transparency International ranks Seychelles 18th globally out of 180 countries, making it the nation with the largest improvement worldwide, gaining 20 points since 2012.

Transparency International attributes Seychelles' high ranking to its active prosecution of corruption cases and improved transparency in financial ownership.

1. Niger – Niamey

UN calls for immediate release of former Niger leader Mohamed Bazoum

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention called for the immediate release of Mohamed Bazoum and his wife, Hadiza, this week.

Bazoum was overthrown in a coup in July 2023. Since then, he and his wife have been cut off from all outside contact. They have been detained for a year and a half in a wing of the presidential residence in Niamey. Only his doctor is allowed to visit him.

1. Mozambique – Sweden

Government of Sweden donates $11 million for children, youths in Palma district – Cabo Delgado

Sweden has donated $11 million (€10.6 million) to a programme to support children and young people in the district of Palma, in the Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, which has been facing an armed insurgency since 2017.

1. In our historical archives, it was on this day 12 February 1988 when Samuel Thwane Galeboe was detained, beaten and subjected to electric shock treatment by members of the Special Branch in Mafikeng, Bophuthatswana, after an attempted coup in the homeland.

Guest: Gerhard Papenfus: National Employers Association of South Africa Ceo

Guest: Lauren Kansley: Spokesperson Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s (CPUT)

Guest: Roland Henwood: Political Scientist And Commentator University of Pretoria

Guest: Prof Janis van der Westhuizen: Department of Political Science, Stellenbosch University

Guest: Dr Nechama Brodie: Author of Farm Killings in South Africa 

Guest: Dr Lennox Xolile Mtshagi: National President Black Farmers Association SA 

Guest: Karel Swart: National Organiser, Commercial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers Union.(CSAAWU) 

Guest: Khulekani Mathe: Business Unity SA CEO  

Guest: Toivo Ndjebela - Editor-in-Chief: Namibian Sun Newspaper 

10 February 2025  

1. Namibia- Windhoek 

Namibia's founding father Mkhulu Samuel Shafiishuna Daniel Nujoma dies at 95 

Sam Nujoma, the fiery, white-bearded freedom fighter who led Namibia to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990 and served as its first president for 15 years, and became known as the father of his nation, has died. He was 95. 

The news of the passing of Mkhulu Samuel Shafiishuna Daniel Nujoma cut like a rugged dagger through our hearts. 

Nujoma's death was announced Sunday by current Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba, who said Nujoma died on Saturday night after being hospitalised in the capital, Windhoek. 

1. Tanzania- EAC and SADC 

African leaders call for immediate ceasefire in Congo 

Leaders from eastern and southern Africa on Saturday called for an immediate ceasefire in eastern Congo, where rebels are threatening to overthrow the Congolese government, but also urged Congo's president to directly negotiate with them. 

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, who attended the summit in the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam by video conference, has previously said he would never talk to the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels he sees as driven to exploit his country’s vast mineral wealth. 

1. Ivory Coast – France 

February 20 marks official handover of French base in Abidjan 

On December 31, during his address to the nation, Alassane Ouattara, the Ivorian president, announced the official return of military responsibilities, marking a new phase in the withdrawal of French troops from Africa. 

The French military base in Abidjan will officially be handed over to Ivory Coast on February 20 during a ceremony attended by the defense ministers of both countries, according to sources close to the matter 

4.Sudan – Khartoum  

Sudan to form new government after regaining Khartoum, say military sources 

The formation of a new Sudanese government is expected to happen after the recapture of Khartoum is completed, military sources told Reuters on Sunday, a day after army head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said he would form a technocratic wartime government. 

1. In our historical archives, it was on this day 10 February 1987 when the United States under President Ronald Reagan made a significant adjustment in its foreign policy towards South Africa, reflecting the international community’s growing condemnation of apartheid