South Africa: Mugabe Attempted Murder Case Resumes - South African News Briefs - April 17, 2026

[allAfrica] Mugabe and Co-Accused Return to Court Over Hyde Park Shooting Source

Cameroon: Pope Leo Excoriates 'Tyrants' Waging War Instead of Peace

[DW] Pope Leo XIV has admonished those waging war in the name of god and slammed "tyrants" destroying the world and its resources. The pontiff has stepped up his criticism of senseless violence, angering US President Trump. Source

Senegal: The Goethe-Institut Opens its New Building in Dakar

[DW] The Goethe-Institut's new building in Dakar champions sustainable architecture, made from the earth. Star architect Francis Kere has blended local materials with contemporary design. Source

Namibia: Fishrot Accused Asks for Trial to Proceed

[Namibian] The Fishrot fraud, corruption and racketeering trial should proceed while attempts to appeal against rulings given in the case continue, one of the lawyers involved in the matter argued in the High Court at Windhoek Correctional Facility yesterday. Source

Kenya: Parliament Begins Scrutiny of Bill Aimed At Lowering Fuel Costs

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- A Bill seeking to amend the Value Added Tax has been formally introduced in the National Assembly through a legislation process known as First Reading. Source

Nigeria: 'Since Buhari Completed His Eight Years, Tinubu Too Must Complete His Own' - Presidency

[Premium Times] Late President Muhammadu Buhari was from Katsina, Northern Nigeria, while Mr Tinubu is from Lagos, Southern Nigeria. Source

Nigeria: Court Orders Arrest of Former Humanitarian Minister Farouq, Top Official Over Fraud Charges

[Premium Times] Ms Farouq and a co-defendant ailed to appear for arraignment on fraud charges before the court on Thursday. Source

Rwanda: Rwanda Signs Medicines Deal With Swiss Drug Maker

[New Times] Rwanda has signed an agreement with Swiss pharmaceutical company Sandoz Group AG aimed at ensuring a stable supply of essential medicines, including antibiotics and cancer treatments. Source

Zimbabwe: Tragedy On Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road - 18 Die in Kombi Inferno

[263Chat] At least 18 people have died after a passenger kombi burst into flames on the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road near Gwanda tollgate, police say. Source

Central African Republic: UN Peacekeeping Missions Under Strain As Funding Cuts and New Threats Grow

[UN News] From election support in the Central African Republic to patrols in the disputed Abyei region, UN peacekeepers are operating in increasingly volatile environments - but shrinking resources and new threats, including drone warfare, are testing their ability to keep communities safe. Source

Ethiopia: Ethiopian Editor Seized From Addis Standard Newsroom By Unidentified Men

[CPJ] Nairobi -- The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Ethiopian authorities to do everything in their power to locate and free Addis Standard managing editor Million Beyene who was taken by unidentified men from his newsroom in the capital Addis Ababa on Wednesday morning. Source

Kenya: Relief At the Pump As MPs Slash Fuel Vat to 8 Percent

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- The National Assembly has approved the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, lowering VAT on petroleum products from 16 percent to 8 percent for a period of three months, in a move lawmakers say is aimed at cushioning Kenyans against rising fuel prices. Source