Reasons to embrace cultural immersion when travelling

The Congolese government has prohibited media from reporting on former President Joseph Kabila and his party following his return to the country amid rising tensions with current President Félix Tshisekedi. The ban is enforced by the Supreme Council of Audiovisual and Communication (CSAC) and violations may lead to suspension, while Kabila faces accusations of treason linked to the M23 rebels, which he denies. Despite the ban, Kabila's party has criticized the decision as "arbitrary," and...

SummaryFloyd Shivambu has been dismissed as secretary-general of South Africa's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party after attending an Easter service at the church of controversial Malawian pastor Shepherd Bushiri, who faces fraud charges and fled South Africa. The MK party stated that Shivambu's actions were against its constitution, although he remains a member and will represent MK in the National Assembly. Shivambu accepted the decision and previously faced criticism for praising Bushiri, who has a history...

Kenyan free-speech advocates have criticized the arrest of author Webster Ochora Elijah for publishing an unauthorized biography of Charlene Ruto, daughter of President William Ruto. Accused of impersonation for "misusing" her name without permission, he pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. Critics argue that the prosecution undermines free expression, as the book's contents were not challenged, and emphasize that public figures should expect scrutiny; similar instances in the past have raised concerns about...

Nobody in South Africa knows the whereabouts of James Neo Tshoaeli, nicknamed Tiger, who has evaded police since his escape from custody after being linked to illegal mining operations where 78 corpses were found. His family in Lesotho, including his mother and younger brother, have not seen him in eight years and are deeply concerned for his safety, given the dangerous nature of illegal mining. Local miners describe him as a middle manager rather than...

Five members of a UN aid convoy were killed in an attack near el-Koma, North Darfur, as they attempted to deliver food and nutrition supplies to the famine-stricken city of el-Fasher. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the regular army have accused each other of using drones in the assault, while the UN has called for an investigation into the incident. The ongoing civil war in Sudan, which began in 2023, has led to...

A Kenyan activist, Boniface Mwangi, has recounted his harrowing experience of alleged sexual torture while detained in Tanzania last month after showing solidarity with opposition politician Tundu Lissu. He described being stripped, beaten, and assaulted, and claimed he was threatened with footage of the abuse being leaked if he spoke out. The Tanzanian police chief dismissed Mwangi's allegations as hearsay, while rights groups have called for investigations into the reported abuses amid growing repression by...