Author: Tunde

Sierra Leone’s government has accused the Netherlands and its Justice and Security Minister, David van Weel, of orchestrating a media campaign to damage the country’s reputation amid a contentious extradition dispute. Chief Minister Dr David Sengeh recently condemned van Weel as a “bad politician,” alleging that he is pushing a “neo-colonial ideology” to portray Sierra Leone unfavourably to international partners. The tension centres on Sierra Leone’s refusal to extradite Dutch national Joseph “Jos” Leijdekkers, who is wanted in the Netherlands for large-scale drug trafficking. Van Weel has publicly linked the extradition deadlock to the suspension of €18 million in aid…

At least 139 migrants died after their boat sank off the coast of Djibouti overnight on October 8-9, according to a United Nations agency. Initially, the toll was reported at 109, including 15 children, with around 116 missing. The updated figures include an additional 30 bodies found, leaving 84 people still unaccounted for. Survivors revealed that the vessel, carrying 350 people from Djibouti to Yemen, capsized north of the Djiboutian town of Obock. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has deployed teams to provide emergency assistance in coordination with local authorities. “This is a devastating loss of life. Our thoughts…

Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume has supported EU proposals aimed at strengthening the bloc’s automotive industry, stating that European car manufacturers must be able to compete on equal terms with their Chinese counterparts. Speaking in Paris ahead of this week’s motor show, Blume highlighted the need for “Made in Europe” regulations that would ensure genuine value is created within Europe. These new rules, known as the Industrial Accelerator Act, are designed to combat the increasing presence of affordable Chinese brands in Europe, which have contributed to difficulties in various sectors, including the automotive industry. Volkswagen, as Germany’s largest carmaker, is feeling…

President Donald Trump has cast doubt on the integrity of U.S. elections for 440 days since returning to office in January 2025, according to a report by The New York Times. This represents more than 70 per cent of his time in office. One of Trump’s most common claims is that the 2020 election was fraudulent, insisting that Joe Biden was not legitimately elected. Investigations, recounts, and court proceedings, even those involving Trump’s allies, have found no evidence of widespread fraud that would alter the election results. Shortly after his inauguration, Trump claimed the 2020 race was “rigged” and continued…

Al tijden is justitie in Nederland er zeker van dat Jos Leijdekkers, aka Bolle Jos, in Sierra Leone zit. Toch doet het West-Afrikaanse land er niets aan om hem uit te zetten. Hoe dat zit – en waarom Bolle Jos juist dáár zit – vertelt Frederica je in deze video. Met dank aan: Kars de Bruijne (Sierra Leone-expert bij Clingendael), Maurice Lede (Afrika-correspondent) en Remco Andringa (politie- en justitieredacteur bij de NOS) voor hun waardevolle feedback en het lezen van ons script. 00:00 Hoe kreeg Bolle Jos Sierra Leone in z’n greep? 01:25 Bloedige geschiedenis 04:22 Waarom Sierra Leone? 07:03…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published a list of candidates approved to run for seats in the State Houses of Assembly during the forthcoming 2027 general elections. The list, authorised by the Commission’s secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, includes candidates nominated by political parties for the state legislative positions across the country. The finalised list was made public on 10 October 2026, ahead of the elections scheduled for 6 February 2027. Source link

The legal battle against climate change is escalating, even as political efforts appear to be stalling. In the last decade, legal activists have successfully challenged several national governments, prompting more climate-friendly policies in countries like the Netherlands, Pakistan, Switzerland, and South Korea. Dennis van Berkel from the Climate Litigation Network remarked, “There is momentum for climate litigation in the courts,” highlighting the increasing trend of lawsuits regarding climate issues. Recently, Australia’s highest court blocked the expansion of a coal mine in New South Wales due to its environmental impact. Margaret Young, a law professor at the University of Melbourne, noted…

The Enugu State Police Command has secured the conviction of Ejike Nnam, a 34-year-old man, for phone theft. He received a three-year sentence for conspiracy and a five-year sentence for robbery, with both terms to run concurrently. The details were shared on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, via the command’s official Facebook page. According to the statement, Nnam was arrested on October 8, 2026, after allegedly snatching an iPhone XR worth 240,000 naira from a woman in Enugu, with an accomplice still at large. He was charged the next day in the Enugu North Magistrate Court,…

US President Donald Trump has called for a change in Ukraine’s leadership, claiming President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has failed to adequately pursue peace amid Russia’s ongoing invasion. Speaking to reporters at the White House before heading to Tennessee on Saturday, Trump said, “I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal because he could have made many deals and for some reason he never does.” Trump’s comments were praised by Kirill Dmitriev, a top economic adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who described Trump’s remarks as “iconic and historic.” Dmitriev stated that many believe Ukraine needs leadership focused…

Uganda marks 64 years of independence this month, but the political landscape remains troubled. Since gaining freedom from British rule on 9th October 1962, the nation has endured civil wars, economic challenges, and recent democratic declines. President Yoweri Museveni’s rise to power in January 1986 brought initial optimism for a new era of leadership. His government instigated relevant constitutional reforms in 1995, introducing safeguards like presidential term limits and age restrictions, designed to prevent abuses of power. Additionally, laws aimed at enhancing women’s participation in politics further sparked hope for a more inclusive democracy. Yet, this optimism dwindled when the…