Nigeria Orders Crackdown After Dozens Killed in Key Farm Region

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu ordered security agencies to hunt down the perpetrators of a massacre in a key food-producing region that's highlighted growing insecurity in the West African nation.
Unidentified assailants killed more than 100 people in an attack in the southeastern state of Benue that began on the night of June 13 and lasted several hours, with homes set on fire and people shot, according to the police. Thousands of people have died in a yearslong conflict over access to land and water in Benue between nomadic herders and mostly sedentary farmers.

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No basketball training in US for Senegal after team's visas rejected

A training session for the Senegalese women's basketball team in the US has been scrapped, with the West African nation's prime minister saying he cancelled it because some of the squad were denied US visas. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said the team would now train in Senegal's capital, Dakar, "in a sovereign and conducive setting". It comes amid reports that the US plans to impose fresh travel restrictions on 25 more African countries, including Senegal. Earlier this month the US announced a ban on citizens from 12 countries, including seven from Africa. There were also partial travel restrictions on nationals from a further seven countries, with three from Africa. It remains unclear why the Senegalese athletes were denied visas, as the US Embassy is yet to publicly comment on the matter. "Informed of the refusal of issuing visas to several members of the Senegal women's national basketball team, I have instructed the Ministry of Sports to simply cancel the ten-day preparatory training initially planned in the United States of America," Sonko said on Thursday in a statement shared to social media. Reports say five Senegalese basketball players and 13 team officials were travelling to meet other members of the squad and their coach who were already in the US, to warm up for the 2025 Women's AfroBasket tournament in Ivory Coast next month. But their visa applications were not approved. Chad halts US visas in revenge for Trump travel ban Trump's tariffs could be death knell for US-Africa trade pact The visa refusals are raising eyebrows because, according to the recently leaked diplomatic cable containing details of the extended travel restrictions, targeted countries were given up to 60 days to address the concerns raised by the US. These reportedly include people overstaying their visas, lack of co-operation with deportations, links to terror attacks in the US, anti-semitism or anti-American activity. Following the reported new travel restrictions, Senegal's foreign ministry urged nationals to comply with their permitted periods of stay in the US. Although it did not directly comment on Senegal's possible inclusion in the latest list of restricted countries, the government statement underscored that diplomatic and consular services were working in close collaboration with the US administration. Meanwhile, Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yussuf Tuggar said the expanded travel bans could impede possible energy and rare earth mineral deals which West African countries can offer the US. The Trump administration insists national security concerns and the high rate of visa overstays from some countries must be addressed. Additional reporting by Natasha Booty Why Baye Fall Muslims worship through work and community Born in France but searching for a future in Africa Senegal starts producing oil as president promises benefits Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa This Is Africa

Bloomberg

2 hours ago

• Bloomberg

Kenya Protests Over Taxes

Kenyan lawmakers turned down Treasury's proposals to scrap tax breaks on a range of goods and services, citing concerns over inflation and dwindling investor confidence. Lawmakers are wary about tax changes after the government's push last year for more revenue sparked deadly protests that left at least 60 people dead. Bloomberg's Jennifer Zabasajja reports from Johannesburg. (Source: Bloomberg)

Yahoo

2 hours ago

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Niger to nationalise Somair uranium venture operated by France's Orano

NIAMEY (Reuters) -Niger's government announced plans to nationalise the Somair uranium joint venture operated by French nuclear fuels company Orano, according to a statement read out on national television in the West African nation on Thursday. The decision is an escalation of a dispute between the Niger government and the French company, following a deterioration of relations between France and Niger after a military coup in July 2023. The statement cited a series of grievances including the expiration of the latest mining agreement in December 2023. "Faced with this irresponsible, illegal, and unfair behaviour by Orano, a company owned by the French state — a state openly hostile toward Niger since July 26, 2023 ... the government of Niger has decided, in full sovereignty, to nationalise Somair," the statement said. A spokesperson for Orano declined to comment. Orano holds a 63% stake in Somair, while Niger's state-owned Sopamin owns the remainder, but the French operator has been shut out since the military-led government seized control of the uranium mine. Orano, which has been pursuing arbitration against Niger and has filed lawsuits in the country against the state's actions, has been warning of government interference at Somair, which it said was damaging the mine's financial situation. According to a Financial Times report in May, the company was also exploring the potential sale of its stake in the uranium venture.