NEWS

In a major move to promote unity and easier travel across the continent, Ghana has announced that it will introduce visa-free entry for all African nationals beginning May 25, 2026.

The announcement was made by President John Dramani Mahama during a state visit by Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

This bold move is similar to how the CBN introduced new rules for diaspora remittances to improve financial flows and transparency.”

According to the president, the new policy is designed to celebrate Africa Day and strengthen ties between African countries.

From May 25, citizens from all 54 African nations will be able to enter Ghana without needing a visa for short stays.

This new “Free Visa Regime” will form part of Ghana’s upcoming e-Visa policy, which is scheduled to launch next month.

The government hopes the move will boost tourism, business, and cultural exchange within Africa.

President Mahama described the decision as a bold step towards true African integration and free movement of people. He emphasized that Ghana wants to lead by example in making travel easier for fellow Africans.

The timing is significant—May 25 is Africa Day, which commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (now African Union).

By removing visa barriers on this symbolic date, Ghana is sending a strong message of Pan-African solidarity.

This development is also good news for Ghanaians, as the country has already negotiated 23 visa waiver agreements with other nations in recent years.

The new policy is expected to encourage more African countries to offer reciprocal visa-free access to Ghanaians.

For travelers, this means easier and cheaper movement across the continent without the usual hassle of applying for visas. Business people, tourists, students, and families will benefit the most from this policy.

The announcement has been warmly received by many across Africa, with several observers calling it a practical step towards the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) goals.

Ghana is positioning itself as one of the most open and welcoming countries in Africa, and this bold visa-free policy is expected to significantly increase visitor numbers in the coming years.

Iran has carried out its first direct attack on a facility linked to a major US tech company. Early reports confirm that Iranian missiles struck the headquarters of Batelco, Bahrain’s largest telecommunications provider, in the Hamala area.

Batelco hosts Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure, and the strike has reportedly caused damage to these facilities.

This development comes just one day after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) publicly threatened to target American technology giants, including Google, Apple, and Meta if more Iranian leaders were assassinated.

According to local sources and initial reports from Rerum Novarum, the missile attack occurred on Tuesday, marking a dangerous escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict.

This is believed to be the first time Iran has directly struck a site connected to US tech interests in the region.

Why This Attack Is Significant

The targeting of Batelco is particularly notable because the company serves as a critical digital infrastructure hub in the Gulf.

Damage to its facilities could affect telecommunications services across Bahrain and potentially disrupt Amazon Web Services operations in the area.

This incident appears to be Iran following through on its recent warning that US technology companies would be considered “legitimate military targets.”

The move significantly raises the stakes in the conflict, bringing the war closer to critical digital and economic infrastructure.

As of now, there has been no official confirmation from Iranian authorities or Amazon Web Services regarding the extent of the damage.

Bahraini security forces and emergency teams are reported to be at the scene.

This attack adds to the growing list of bold actions by Iran amid rising tensions with the United States and Israel.

The international community will be closely watching how the US and its allies respond to this direct strike on commercial infrastructure.

The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as more details emerge.

At least 20 people were killed and several others injured in a deadly attack on Palm Sunday evening in the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos, Plateau State.

The incident occurred between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. when gunmen stormed the Gari Ya Waye community within Angwan Rukuba.

Residents were reportedly observing the iftar meal to break the Ramadan fast when the attackers struck, causing widespread panic across the area.

The attack has left the community in mourning as families grieve the loss of loved ones. Many victims sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

As of now, security agencies are yet to release an official statement on the identity of the attackers or the exact number of casualties, but investigations are ongoing.

Plateau State Government Imposes 48-Hour Curfew

In response to the tragic incident, the Plateau State Government, under Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has imposed an immediate 48-hour curfew in Jos North Local Government Area.

The curfew, which started at midnight on Sunday, March 29, 2026, will run until April 1, 2026.

The state government strongly condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric and unprovoked.” In a press release signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt.

This latest attack adds to the long list of security challenges in Plateau State, a region that has witnessed repeated violent incidents in recent years.

It comes after NAF airstrikes that killed top ISWAP commanders in Sambisa Forest, showing that while progress is being made in some areas, violence continues to plague parts of northern and central Nigeria.

Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, the government assured residents that all necessary steps are being taken to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Citizens have been urged to remain calm, stay vigilant, and cooperate with security agencies by providing any useful information that could aid the investigation.

This latest attack adds to the long list of security challenges in Plateau State, a region that has witnessed repeated violent incidents in recent years.

Many residents are calling for stronger security measures and urgent action from both state and federal authorities to restore peace in the area.

The situation remains tense, and more updates are expected as security forces continue their operations in the affected communities.

The tragic Palm Sunday attack in Jos has once again highlighted the urgent need for sustainable peace, as recently emphasized by President Tinubu’s approval of N2 billion relief for Plateau attack victims while urging local leaders to find lasting solutions.

On March 25, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly took a historic step by adopting a resolution that officially declares the transatlantic slave trade as the “gravest crime against humanity.”

The resolution, strongly championed by Ghana and backed by the African Union, passed with 123 votes in favor. The United States, Israel, and Argentina were the only countries that voted against it.

This landmark vote is the strongest international statement yet on the horrors of the slave trade that forcibly took millions of Africans across the Atlantic between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Although the resolution is not legally binding, it carries significant moral weight and explicitly urges countries involved in the historical trade to consider reparations for the “historical wrongs” committed.

Many African nations and the African Union hailed the resolution as a long-overdue acknowledgment of the immense suffering and generational damage caused by centuries of enslavement.

Ghana’s leadership played a central role in pushing the agenda, describing the vote as a victory for truth, justice, and the dignity of millions of descendants of enslaved Africans.

The resolution calls on the international community to promote education about the slave trade, support memorial projects, and take concrete steps toward addressing its lasting economic and social impacts.

Supporters argue that true healing and global equity cannot happen without confronting this dark chapter of human history.

The United States, which voted against the resolution, has historically resisted formal reparations discussions at the international level.

Israel and Argentina also opposed the text, though they did not issue detailed explanations immediately after the vote.

For many Africans and people of African descent worldwide, today’s decision at the UN represents a powerful symbolic victory.

While it does not immediately translate into financial reparations, it strengthens the global conversation and puts moral pressure on former colonial powers and slave-trading nations to engage more seriously with the issue.

“This landmark resolution carries significant moral weight and explicitly urges countries involved in the historical trade to consider reparations for the “historical wrongs” committed.

It strengthens the global conversation on justice, similar to ongoing discussions around gender equality progress being painfully slow according to the UN. “

As the world reflects on this resolution, the focus now shifts to what practical steps will follow. Education, remembrance, and meaningful dialogue about reparative justice are expected to take center stage in the coming years.

The United Kingdom and Nigeria have signed a fresh migration agreement that could see up to 2,000 Nigerians deported in the coming months.

The deal focuses on failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers, and convicted offenders, marking a major step in bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Under the new pact, the UK will fast-track the return of Nigerians who do not qualify for asylum or have breached immigration rules.

Nigerian authorities have agreed to issue travel documents more quickly and accept the return of their citizens, including those convicted of crimes in Britain.

This is part of the UK’s wider push to reduce irregular migration and clear backlog cases.

Many of those facing deportation have lived in the UK for years. Some arrived as asylum seekers but had their claims rejected, while others overstayed visas or committed offenses.

The agreement includes safeguards to ensure returns are done humanely and in line with international law.

Why This Deal Matters Now

The UK has been under huge pressure to cut immigration numbers. With thousands of Nigerians currently in the asylum system or living without legal status, this new arrangement gives British authorities a clearer pathway for removals.

For Nigeria, it strengthens diplomatic ties and opens the door for more cooperation in other areas like trade and security.

Nigerian officials say they will work closely with the UK to verify identities and ensure smooth reintegration for those returning.

The government has also promised to support returnees with skills training and job placement programmes to help them settle back home.

This is not the first time the two countries have worked on migration issues, but the scale of the current deal — potentially affecting 2,000 people — makes it one of the most significant in recent years.

Both sides describe it as a “win-win” that respects the rule of law while addressing long-standing challenges.

The development comes at a time when many Nigerians in the UK are anxiously waiting to hear their fate. For those affected, the coming months could bring major life changes.

The agreement comes amid economic pressures in Nigeria, including petrol prices hitting over N1,000 per liter and rising public debt to N153.29 trillion.“