Samira Sawlani
@samirasawlani.bsky.social
Journalist. Writer. (Bylines- AJE, NYT, Vice).
East Africa with an eye on the rest of the African Continent.
I lift weights.
Love books. Londoner in Nairobi.
East Africa with an eye on the rest of the African Continent.
I lift weights.
Love books. Londoner in Nairobi.
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara confirms that he will be vying for a fourth term in this year’s elections.
The 83-year-old stated that his decision was guided by “the interests of the nation” & because he wants the country to “remain prosperous, peaceful and safe”.
Statement below:
The 83-year-old stated that his decision was guided by “the interests of the nation” & because he wants the country to “remain prosperous, peaceful and safe”.
Statement below:
July 30, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara confirms that he will be vying for a fourth term in this year’s elections.
The 83-year-old stated that his decision was guided by “the interests of the nation” & because he wants the country to “remain prosperous, peaceful and safe”.
Statement below:
The 83-year-old stated that his decision was guided by “the interests of the nation” & because he wants the country to “remain prosperous, peaceful and safe”.
Statement below:
Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has announced that he will be vying for an 8th term.
The 92-year-old, who has been in office for over 42 years, stated that “much remains to be done”.
The country’s election is scheduled for October 12 2025.
The 92-year-old, who has been in office for over 42 years, stated that “much remains to be done”.
The country’s election is scheduled for October 12 2025.
July 14, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has announced that he will be vying for an 8th term.
The 92-year-old, who has been in office for over 42 years, stated that “much remains to be done”.
The country’s election is scheduled for October 12 2025.
The 92-year-old, who has been in office for over 42 years, stated that “much remains to be done”.
The country’s election is scheduled for October 12 2025.
Last week in Mali the National Transitional Council adopted a bill allowing the transitional president, General Assimi Goïta, to remain in power for 5 years- renewable- until “the pacification of the country”.
Gen Goita came into office following back to back coups in 2020 & 2021
Gen Goita came into office following back to back coups in 2020 & 2021
July 8, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Last week in Mali the National Transitional Council adopted a bill allowing the transitional president, General Assimi Goïta, to remain in power for 5 years- renewable- until “the pacification of the country”.
Gen Goita came into office following back to back coups in 2020 & 2021
Gen Goita came into office following back to back coups in 2020 & 2021
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights say 10 people were killed during today’s protests marking the anniversary of Saba Saba day.
Police barricades on major roads, distressed patients unable to access health facilities, + observed police officers not in uniform:
Police barricades on major roads, distressed patients unable to access health facilities, + observed police officers not in uniform:
July 7, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights say 10 people were killed during today’s protests marking the anniversary of Saba Saba day.
Police barricades on major roads, distressed patients unable to access health facilities, + observed police officers not in uniform:
Police barricades on major roads, distressed patients unable to access health facilities, + observed police officers not in uniform:
Deputy Inspector-General of Kenya Police, Eliud Langat, has “stepped aside” from his role until the completion of investigations into the death of Albert Ojwang, a young man who died in police custody.
Kenyans have been demanding Mr Langat resign and be prosecuted.
Kenyans have been demanding Mr Langat resign and be prosecuted.
June 16, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Deputy Inspector-General of Kenya Police, Eliud Langat, has “stepped aside” from his role until the completion of investigations into the death of Albert Ojwang, a young man who died in police custody.
Kenyans have been demanding Mr Langat resign and be prosecuted.
Kenyans have been demanding Mr Langat resign and be prosecuted.
Canadian mining firm Barrick Gold says arbitration process between it & Govt of Mali is underway.
Barrick & Govt of Mali have been in a dispute over the country’s new mining code.
A tribunal in Bamako has issued a ruling placing the Loulo-Gounkoto mine under temp administration.
Barrick & Govt of Mali have been in a dispute over the country’s new mining code.
A tribunal in Bamako has issued a ruling placing the Loulo-Gounkoto mine under temp administration.
June 16, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Canadian mining firm Barrick Gold says arbitration process between it & Govt of Mali is underway.
Barrick & Govt of Mali have been in a dispute over the country’s new mining code.
A tribunal in Bamako has issued a ruling placing the Loulo-Gounkoto mine under temp administration.
Barrick & Govt of Mali have been in a dispute over the country’s new mining code.
A tribunal in Bamako has issued a ruling placing the Loulo-Gounkoto mine under temp administration.
Authorities in Togo have suspended the broadcast of Radio France International and France24 for 3 months- accuse both media houses of reporting inaccurate & biased information which undermines the country’s image.
June 16, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Authorities in Togo have suspended the broadcast of Radio France International and France24 for 3 months- accuse both media houses of reporting inaccurate & biased information which undermines the country’s image.
International Committee of the Red Cross suspends its activities in Niger after the government accused the organisation of “colluding” with armed groups.
June 9, 2025 at 9:18 PM
International Committee of the Red Cross suspends its activities in Niger after the government accused the organisation of “colluding” with armed groups.
Chad will no longer issue visas to American citizens, this after Washington placed a ban on Chadian citizens entering the US.
In a post on Facebook, Chad’s president Mahamat Deby wrote “Chad has no planes to offer, no billions of dollars to give but Chad has its dignity & pride”
In a post on Facebook, Chad’s president Mahamat Deby wrote “Chad has no planes to offer, no billions of dollars to give but Chad has its dignity & pride”
June 6, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Chad will no longer issue visas to American citizens, this after Washington placed a ban on Chadian citizens entering the US.
In a post on Facebook, Chad’s president Mahamat Deby wrote “Chad has no planes to offer, no billions of dollars to give but Chad has its dignity & pride”
In a post on Facebook, Chad’s president Mahamat Deby wrote “Chad has no planes to offer, no billions of dollars to give but Chad has its dignity & pride”
Zambia’s former President Edgar Lungu has died.
In a video posted on his party, The Patriotic Front’s, Facebook page, his daughter stated that Mr Lungu passed away while receiving medical care in South Africa.
In a video posted on his party, The Patriotic Front’s, Facebook page, his daughter stated that Mr Lungu passed away while receiving medical care in South Africa.
June 5, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Zambia’s former President Edgar Lungu has died.
In a video posted on his party, The Patriotic Front’s, Facebook page, his daughter stated that Mr Lungu passed away while receiving medical care in South Africa.
In a video posted on his party, The Patriotic Front’s, Facebook page, his daughter stated that Mr Lungu passed away while receiving medical care in South Africa.
Authorities in Zimbabwe have issued permits to cull 50 elephants’ in order to address “the growing elephant population in the region”.
Acc to Zimbabwe Parks, there are an est 2,550 elephants in Save Valley Conservancy which has a capacity for 800 elephants.
Acc to Zimbabwe Parks, there are an est 2,550 elephants in Save Valley Conservancy which has a capacity for 800 elephants.
June 4, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Authorities in Zimbabwe have issued permits to cull 50 elephants’ in order to address “the growing elephant population in the region”.
Acc to Zimbabwe Parks, there are an est 2,550 elephants in Save Valley Conservancy which has a capacity for 800 elephants.
Acc to Zimbabwe Parks, there are an est 2,550 elephants in Save Valley Conservancy which has a capacity for 800 elephants.
Over in Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa has signed into law the Broadcasting Services Amendment Act which will require all motorists who want to listen to the radio in their cars- to have a radio licence- the cost will be $23 per quarter or $92 for the whole year.
May 28, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Over in Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa has signed into law the Broadcasting Services Amendment Act which will require all motorists who want to listen to the radio in their cars- to have a radio licence- the cost will be $23 per quarter or $92 for the whole year.
National Dialogue of political actors in Mali has ended- recommendations made include:
Interim President General Assimi Goïta (who led coups in 2020 & 2021) shld be given a 5yr presidential term this year
+ temporarily suspend “electoral issues” & dissolve political parties.
Interim President General Assimi Goïta (who led coups in 2020 & 2021) shld be given a 5yr presidential term this year
+ temporarily suspend “electoral issues” & dissolve political parties.
April 30, 2025 at 3:11 PM
National Dialogue of political actors in Mali has ended- recommendations made include:
Interim President General Assimi Goïta (who led coups in 2020 & 2021) shld be given a 5yr presidential term this year
+ temporarily suspend “electoral issues” & dissolve political parties.
Interim President General Assimi Goïta (who led coups in 2020 & 2021) shld be given a 5yr presidential term this year
+ temporarily suspend “electoral issues” & dissolve political parties.
Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu has been charged with treason and publishing false information.
Mr Lissu was arrested yesterday after addressing a public rally - he and the Chadema opposition party have been calling for electoral reforms.
Charge sheets:
Mr Lissu was arrested yesterday after addressing a public rally - he and the Chadema opposition party have been calling for electoral reforms.
Charge sheets:
April 11, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu has been charged with treason and publishing false information.
Mr Lissu was arrested yesterday after addressing a public rally - he and the Chadema opposition party have been calling for electoral reforms.
Charge sheets:
Mr Lissu was arrested yesterday after addressing a public rally - he and the Chadema opposition party have been calling for electoral reforms.
Charge sheets:
Chocolate from Togo= 10/10
April 11, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Chocolate from Togo= 10/10
Save the Children say at least five children with cholera in South Sudan have died on an “arduous journey” to seek medical treatment, after foreign aid cuts forced their local health services to close:
April 9, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Save the Children say at least five children with cholera in South Sudan have died on an “arduous journey” to seek medical treatment, after foreign aid cuts forced their local health services to close:
Govt of South Sudan deny claim by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that it has failed to accept its repatriated citizens in a timely manner- state that this came as a result of Juba refusing to accept a non-South Sudanese national who had been deported to South Sudan.
April 7, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Govt of South Sudan deny claim by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that it has failed to accept its repatriated citizens in a timely manner- state that this came as a result of Juba refusing to accept a non-South Sudanese national who had been deported to South Sudan.
Govt of South Africa has described the newly imposed tariffs on South African exports to the United States of America
as “punitive” & that these affirm the urgency to negotiate a new trade agreement with the USA.
as “punitive” & that these affirm the urgency to negotiate a new trade agreement with the USA.
April 3, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Govt of South Africa has described the newly imposed tariffs on South African exports to the United States of America
as “punitive” & that these affirm the urgency to negotiate a new trade agreement with the USA.
as “punitive” & that these affirm the urgency to negotiate a new trade agreement with the USA.
Govt of Kenya has described the newly imposed tariffs on Kenyan exports to the United States of America by the Trump govt as presenting “both challenges and opportunities” for Kenya.
April 3, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Govt of Kenya has described the newly imposed tariffs on Kenyan exports to the United States of America by the Trump govt as presenting “both challenges and opportunities” for Kenya.
“The only darkness
we should allow into our lives
is the night,
and even then,
we have the moon”- Warsan Shire
(Tonight’s Nairobi Moon)
we should allow into our lives
is the night,
and even then,
we have the moon”- Warsan Shire
(Tonight’s Nairobi Moon)
April 2, 2025 at 6:28 PM
“The only darkness
we should allow into our lives
is the night,
and even then,
we have the moon”- Warsan Shire
(Tonight’s Nairobi Moon)
we should allow into our lives
is the night,
and even then,
we have the moon”- Warsan Shire
(Tonight’s Nairobi Moon)
Sudan’s Embassy in Kenya say that the decision to suspend all imports from Kenya has been implemented- and that since 11th March 2024, no Kenyan products have entered Sudan.
April 1, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Sudan’s Embassy in Kenya say that the decision to suspend all imports from Kenya has been implemented- and that since 11th March 2024, no Kenyan products have entered Sudan.
Authorities in Rwanda prohibit all NGOs, Faith-Based Orgs and Common-Benefit Foundations registered&operating in Rwanda from having any kind of cooperation with Govt of Belgium and its affiliated entities.
The move comes weeks after Kigali severed diplomatic relations with Brussels.
The move comes weeks after Kigali severed diplomatic relations with Brussels.
March 27, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Authorities in Rwanda prohibit all NGOs, Faith-Based Orgs and Common-Benefit Foundations registered&operating in Rwanda from having any kind of cooperation with Govt of Belgium and its affiliated entities.
The move comes weeks after Kigali severed diplomatic relations with Brussels.
The move comes weeks after Kigali severed diplomatic relations with Brussels.
US Embassy in Namibia has announced that from April 1, 2025, US citizen tourists will require a visa to enter the country.
In June last year Namibia announced plans to impose visa requirements for those countries which require Namibian passport holders to have a visa.
In June last year Namibia announced plans to impose visa requirements for those countries which require Namibian passport holders to have a visa.
March 25, 2025 at 6:16 PM
US Embassy in Namibia has announced that from April 1, 2025, US citizen tourists will require a visa to enter the country.
In June last year Namibia announced plans to impose visa requirements for those countries which require Namibian passport holders to have a visa.
In June last year Namibia announced plans to impose visa requirements for those countries which require Namibian passport holders to have a visa.
Two months after Senegal’s President Diomaye Faye announced an end to all foreign military presence in the country- France handed over the Maréchal and Saint-Exupéry military sites to Senegalese authorities today.
March 7, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Two months after Senegal’s President Diomaye Faye announced an end to all foreign military presence in the country- France handed over the Maréchal and Saint-Exupéry military sites to Senegalese authorities today.
Sudan has filed a case against the United Arab Emirates at the International Court of Justice- argue that the UAE “is complicit in the genocide on the Masalit through its direction of and provision of extensive financial, political, & military support for the rebel RSF militia”.
March 6, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Sudan has filed a case against the United Arab Emirates at the International Court of Justice- argue that the UAE “is complicit in the genocide on the Masalit through its direction of and provision of extensive financial, political, & military support for the rebel RSF militia”.