Africa
129 die in DR Congo jailbreak attempt

129 die in DR Congo jailbreak attempt
At least 129 prisoners were killed in a failed escape attempt from the central Makala prison in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), authorities reported.
Interior Minister Shabani Lukoo announced on Tuesday that the incident occurred on Monday when a fire broke out, engulfing the prison’s administrative buildings, including the infirmary.
The chaos during the fire led to a mass breakout attempt, which ended in tragedy.
Lukoo disclosed that of the 129 fatalities, 24 were shot after warnings were issued. An additional 59 people were injured in the incident, which also caused significant material damage to the facility.
Makala prison, the DRC’s largest, was built to house 1,500 inmates but currently holds between 14,000 and 15,000 detainees.
Overcrowding has been a longstanding issue, with most of the inmates still awaiting trial, according to Amnesty International.
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This is not the first escape attempt from Makala prison; in 2017, over 4,000 prisoners fled after an armed assault on the facility.
Efforts had been underway to alleviate overcrowding, including the recent release of dozens of inmates.
Justice Minister Constant Mutamba described the incident as a “premeditated act of sabotage” aimed at destabilizing ongoing efforts to improve prison conditions.
He vowed that those responsible for orchestrating the escape attempt would be identified and face severe consequences.
In response to the incident, authorities have imposed a ban on inmate transfers from Makala prison and are planning to build a new facility to help mitigate overcrowding issues.
Meanwhile, calm has reportedly been restored at the prison following the violence.
President Felix Tshisekedi, who is currently on an official visit to China, has yet to publicly comment on the incident.
129 die in DR Congo jailbreak attempt
Africa
Fuel hits N8,000/litre in Niger, country seeks help from Nigeria

Fuel hits N8,000/litre in Niger, country seeks help from Nigeria
With the fuel crisis bedevilling the Republic of Niger, some of its military officials have visited Abuja to seek support from Nigeria to tackle the shortage of Premium Motor Spirit in the country.
It was gathered that the delegation successfully got the approval for 300 trucks of fuel from the Nigerian government.
Trouble started for Niger -which has been reliant on a Chinese refinery – after the refinery was shut down due to some misunderstanding with the supplier.
This led to Niger turning to Nigeria for help to ameliorate the fuel shortage experienced by the country.
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Officials from the Nigerian government noted that the deal was approved with the hope of using it as a bargaining tool with Niger.
“We do not want to blow our trumpet. Rather, we want to use it as a bargaining chip for negotiation, as we continue to engage with them to bring them back to ECOWAS.
“Let them get more from us. I am confident that gradually they will come back to ECOWAS because they do not have enough resources to import food to sustain their citizens,” the official said while pleading anonymity.
Sources stated that fuel prices in Niger were hitting N8,000 per litre
However, some transborder businessmen have attributed the fuel scarcity in Niger to the lingering relationship between the country and Nigeria.
They noted that in some cross-border towns to Niger, fuel is being sold for between 1,200 CFA and N3,500 (N2,500 and N8,500).
Fuel hits N8,000/litre in Niger, country seeks help from Nigeria
Africa
ECOWAS activates standby force against insurgency

ECOWAS activates standby force against insurgency
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has activated its Standby Force to curb terrorism and other transborder crimes in the subregion.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, who disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday at the Forty-third ordinary meeting of ECOWAS Committee Chiefs of Defence Staff said the economic growth of the region is dependent on stable peace.
The minister added that there is a need for members of ECOWAS to close ranks against all forms of threats against the region.
On January 29, 2025, ECOWAS recognised the exit of three of its former members Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic upon the expiration of a one-year notice period.
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However, in “the spirit of regional solidarity”, ECOWAS asked its member countries to still recognise the national passports of the three exiting countries bearing the ECOWAS logo until further notice.
Their departure from the bloc has fractured the region and is leaving the ECOWAS grouping with an uncertain future.
The three junta-led countries formally notified ECOWAS of their plan for an “immediate” withdrawal in January 2024, citing the organisation’s excessive dependence on France in particular.
Paris has become the common enemy of the three juntas, which now favour partnerships with countries such as Russia, Turkey and Iran.
However, ECOWAS required one year’s notice for the departure to be effective — that deadline falls on January 29, 2025.
The three Sahelian countries have teamed up to form a separate confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
ECOWAS activates standby force against insurgency
Africa
Policewoman arrested for murder of husband, female friend

Policewoman arrested for murder of husband, female friend
A 42-year-old police sergeant, Nyiko Nyathi was arrested in connection with the kidnapping and brutal murder of her husband and his ‘female friend’ in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
The officer handed herself over to authorities at Bushbuckridge police station, according to Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli.
She appeared before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on Monday, March 10, 2025, facing charges for the m8rder of her husband and another woman.
“According to information, in February 2024, Lawrence Alba Mashego, 44, was reportedly attacked by a group of armed men at his house in Boikhutsong Trust in Bushbuckridge. The armed men robbed him of his Toyota Quantum and Ford Escort, then he got kidnapped,” said Mdhluli.
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“The two vehicles were reportedly used by the armed suspects as a mode of transport to reach a certain house in Zoeknog. At the house, they found Victoria Lebyane, 44, Mashego’s female friend, in possession of Mashego’s bank cards.”
Lebyane was then robbed of about R4,000 cash as well as some bank cards belonging to Mashego. After that, Mashego and Lebyane were m8rdered by the assailants.
“The matter was probed by the men and women in blue, where a thorough investigation was carried out, leading to the arrest of four suspects in connection with the incident. One of the suspects then pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 77 years imprisonment,” said Mdhluli.
As the police intensified their investigations, the police sergeant was implicated in the m8rder of her husband Mashego, and Lebyane.
Following the court appearance on Monday, the case was postponed to Wednesday, for a formal bail application.
Meanwhile, acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has welcomed Nyathi’s arrest.
He emphasised that the law will take its course on anyone suspected to have committed crime, regardless of their social status or position.
“The SAPS remains resolute to be intolerant to any criminality within our ranks,” said Mkhwanazi.
Policewoman arrested for murder of husband, female friend
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