“Due to the complete interruption of electricity supply, a water crisis occurred as the Nile stations and wells went out of service,” the Khartoum State government said in a statement, attributing the power outage and water shortage to the RSF drone attack on the Merowe Dam, a hydroelectric dam on the Nile River.
“We are making intensive efforts to implement some urgent solutions to address the drinking water crisis,” it added.
The Merowe Dam, located about 350 km north of Khartoum, is one of the largest hydropower projects in Africa.
Governor of Khartoum State, Ahmed Osman Hamza, inspected a number of wells in the western districts of Al-Thawra neighborhood, checking the operation of wells with generators, the state’s media office said Saturday.
It noted that the governor has instructed authorities to supply citizens with water from Al-Manara water station’s reserve.
Meanwhile, Khartoum State Water Corporation said its engineers were working on implementing emergency measures to operate the water wells and restore water flow into the national network.
It revealed that 15 wells have been activated in several neighborhoods, which has significantly contributed to providing water supply to some areas.
Omdurman, Sudan’s second most populous city, has seen a surge in population after it became one of the safest areas in the state, prompting thousands of displaced people to move to the city. Amid the severe water shortage, residents have to stand in long queues to obtain water from old wells or water trucks.
Sudan has been gripped by a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF since mid-April 2023, which claimed at least 29,683 lives and displaced nearly 15 million people, either inside or outside Sudan, according to the latest estimates by international organizations.
The claims were made by outgoing U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee, during an interview with AFP.
Nduhungirehe termed the allegations as “totally false” in a statement shared on X late on Saturday, January 18, 2024.
Nduhungirehe clarified that Rwanda was never involved in any negotiations regarding the Lobito Corridor, nor did it oppose its extension.
“Rwanda was NEVER associated in any way in the negotiations for the Lobito Corridor. Therefore, our country NEVER opposed any extension of this corridor to the eastern DRC and was NEVER invited to the Lobito Summit held in December 2024 in Angola,” he stated.
The Lobito Corridor project, championed by the United States, seeks to connect the Lobito port in Angola to key regions in the DRC and Zambia, enhancing regional trade and economic integration.
Phee had in the interview indicated that Washington proposed “positive incentives” to both Rwanda and the DRC to reach an agreement, including a potential extension of the corridor to eastern DRC. However, she claimed that Rwanda distanced itself from the initiative, citing President Paul Kagame’s absence from the Luanda Summit in December 2024 as “evidence”.
Phee also noted that the extension of the Lobito Corridor project heavily relied on Kinshasa’s commitment to combat (FDLR), a terrorist group comprising remnants of persons responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. According to Phee, the Congolese government failed to act decisively, forcing the United States to reset its approach.
This "information" provided by the outgoing US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa is totally false. Rwanda was NEVER associated in any way in the negotiations for the Lobito Corridor. Therefore, our country NEVER opposed any extention of this corridor to the eastern DRC and… https://t.co/xiXn6GoCSl
The security situation in eastern DRC remains volatile due to the ongoing conflict between government and allied forces and the M23 militia group, which accuses the Congolese government of marginalizing and persecuting Congolese Tutsis.
M23 first emerged in 2012, launching an armed struggle to demand that the DRC government honour agreements made with the former National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP). The agreements aimed to restore the rights of Congolese Tutsis and end the violence they had endured.
Between 2012 and 2013, M23 captured significant areas in North Kivu province, including the city of Goma. However, these territorial gains were reversed following a decision by regional heads of state, who assured M23 that the DRC government would address the grievances of the Congolese in the east.
Despite these promises, the DRC government failed to fulfil its commitments. After eight years of waiting, former M23 fighters came under attack by DRC forces in November 2021, reigniting the conflict.
M23 maintains that it does not kill civilians or commit any form of abuse. Instead, the group claims to ensure civilian safety—a sharp contrast, it says, to the DRC government’s forces, who are accused of harming the very civilians they are meant to protect. M23 continues to urge the government to respect the terms of the agreements.
The Chinese-owned platform, beloved by 170 million Americans, now faces an uncertain future, though President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at a potential 90-day reprieve after his inauguration on Monday.
In a message displayed to users attempting to access the app, TikTok announced: “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned.”
The shutdown comes after years of escalating tensions over TikTok’s ownership by China-based ByteDance, with U.S. lawmakers citing national security concerns.
The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, passed last year, required TikTok to be sold to a non-Chinese entity or face a ban. ByteDance, however, refused, arguing that divestment was “simply not possible: not commercially, not technologically, not legally.”
The app’s disappearance follows a series of court battles. On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law, rejecting TikTok’s argument that a ban violated free speech rights.
President Joe Biden’s administration left enforcement of the ban to the incoming Trump administration, with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating, “We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday.”
TikTok CEO Shou Chew expressed hope for a resolution under Trump’s leadership. “On behalf of everyone at TikTok and all our users across the country, I want to thank President Trump for his commitment to work with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok available in the United States,” he said in a video posted before the app went dark.
Despite Trump’s earlier support for the ban, his newfound appreciation for TikTok’s role in his 2024 presidential campaign has led him to suggest a temporary extension.
“The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,” he told NBC. “If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”
The sudden shutdown has left millions of American users and businesses scrambling. TikTok, a hub for small businesses, influencers, and cultural trends, warned that the app could face glitches and cybersecurity risks without regular maintenance.
Meanwhile, alternatives like China-based RedNote are already gaining traction among displaced users. “This is my new home now,” one user wrote on RedNote, tagging the post with “#TikTokRefugee” and “#Sad.”
Rival platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are also expected to see an influx of users, while searches for VPNs surged as Americans sought ways to bypass the ban. Marketing firms reliant on TikTok have described the situation as a “hair on fire” moment, rushing to adjust their strategies.
The ban has further strained U.S.-China relations, with Beijing accusing Washington of unfairly targeting TikTok. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington stated, “China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”
Back in the U.S., speculation swirls about TikTok’s future. Potential suitors, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations. Media reports also suggest that billionaire Elon Musk has been involved in talks about a possible sale, though ByteDance has denied the claims.
As TikTok’s fate hangs in the balance, its CEO plans to attend Trump’s inauguration, reportedly to seek a political resolution. Whether TikTok will return to U.S. devices remains unclear, but for now, an era of short-video dominance in the U.S. has come to an abrupt halt.
The announcement was made during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Kigali Convention Centre on Friday, January 17, 2025.
The project is being implemented as a public-private partnership (PPP). The Ruzizi III Regional Hydropower Project will hold a 70% stake, while the remaining 30% will be shared equally among the three participating countries.
Once completed, the project is expected to benefit all three nations, as the electricity produced will be distributed equally among them.
Mohsin Tahir, the project manager of Ruzizi III, explained that discussions about the project have been ongoing for over a decade among the three countries. However, the project is now in its final stages of preparation, and construction is expected to begin soon, with a timeline of five years for completion.
“This project will not only benefit Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC but will also have a significant impact across the continent. Ruzizi III is the first hydropower plant of its kind in the region,” Tahir said.
“We expect construction to take five years, and by 2030, the plant will begin supplying electricity. The construction phase alone will create over 2,000 jobs. This will be one of the most substantial infrastructure projects undertaken in the past 30 years, leveraging shared natural resources for the collective benefit of all involved nations.”
Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Gasore Jimmy, emphasized the importance of the project in addressing the region’s energy needs while promoting sustainable development.
“This project represents more than just a hydropower development. It is a beacon of hope for a sustainable and energy-secure future for the people of Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Minister Gasore stated.
The Minister reassured stakeholders that any political or diplomatic challenges among the participating countries would not hinder the project’s progress.
“Our confidence is based on past collaborations. For example, we have another joint project that has been operational since the 1990s and continues to function effectively. Meetings are held regularly, decisions are made collaboratively, and progress is achieved. For Ruzizi III, we have followed a similar approach, which has brought us this far.”
He further revealed that by September 2025, all stakeholders, including financiers, implementers, and the participating governments, are expected to reach a comprehensive agreement. This will allow construction to commence.
“We have already started issuing contracts to the builders. Once financial close is achieved, construction will begin in 2026 and is expected to take five years to complete,” Minister Gasore stated.
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Charles Vumbi Mbenga, the Director General of the Great Lakes Energy (EGL) company, which oversees energy projects in the East African Community, noted that all three countries are committed to implementing the project.
He urged security agencies in the respective countries to ensure safety in the areas where project activities will take place, as agreed by the participating nations in 2019.
The agreement to implement the Ruzizi III Hydropower Plant project was signed in Kinshasa on July 29, 2019.
The project is expected to cost $625.19 million, with $138.88 million provided by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and $50.22 million from a private-sector funding mechanism.
Ruzizi III is part of the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) and will be constructed along the Ruzizi River, located between Rwanda and the DRC. The project will also include infrastructure for distributing electricity.
This initiative is expected to address energy shortages in Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC, which have been exacerbated by rapid population growth outpacing the development of energy infrastructure.
In a statement released on Friday, January 17, 2025, the management attributed the move to sustained market challenges, including economic pressures, currency depreciation and rising operational costs.
“Over the past 40 years, CMC Motors Group has played a vital role in supporting East Africa’s agricultural sector through the delivery of quality service, mechanization solutions, and steadfast support to its customers. However, despite restructuring efforts and a transformation program initiated in 2023, the market conditions have not provided a sustainable path forward,” the statement reads in part.
According to the company, the gradual winding down of operations in the three countries will be done in “full compliance with local regulations and distributorship agreements.”
“The company is committed to supporting its employees during this transition and will ensure a smooth and orderly wind-down in adherence to all relevant agreements and regulations,” the management added.
CMC Motors Group Ltd, owned by CMC Holdings Ltd, was acquired in 2014 by the Al-Futtaim Group, a multinational conglomerate based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Other trading subsidiaries owned by CMC Holdings Ltd include Cooper Motor Corporation (Uganda) Ltd, Hughes Motors (Tanzania) Ltd, and Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers Ltd (33% Shareholding).
The company deals in a comprehensive range of automotive and related products and services, making it a key player in the East African market. This includes the sales and distribution of a variety of vehicles, from passenger cars to commercial vehicles such as UD Trucks, Eicher Trucks, and MAN Trucks.
They also cater to the construction and agricultural sectors, distributing Bobcat and Case construction equipment, and New Holland tractors with various farming implements. Beyond sales, CMC Motors Group provides extensive after-sales services through its network of showrooms and service centers, offering maintenance, repairs, and spare parts.
Additionally, they have a specialized engineering division, CMC Engineering, which designs and builds custom truck bodies, trailers, and other fabrications, along with an accident repair workshop equipped for dent repair and re-spraying.
In April 2023, CMC Motors Group declared 169 of its workers in Kenya redundant after three vehicle brands namely Mazda, Ford and Suzuki terminated their distribution deals with the company.
Speaking during a press conference at ACT-Wazalendo headquarters on Thursday, January 16, 2025, the party leader outlined several critical issues driving her decision to seek the highest office including declining economic growth, the rising cost of living, youth unemployment, and alleged mismanagement of the country’s natural resources.
“Tanzania needs new leadership that will protect national interests, foster a strong economy, promote equal opportunities, and ensure transparent governance,” Semu stated.
Semu claimed that Tanzania’s economic downturn was a key concern, citing the World Bank’s 2024 report, which recorded a decline in growth from 6.8% in 2019 to 4.6% in 2023. She attributed the slowdown to unstable investment policies and the ineffective implementation of development projects.
She also emphasized the impact of inflation, which stood at 3.1% in December 2024 according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and lamented over what she termed as the country’s failure to invest in job-creating sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology.
Semu has over a decade of political experience and previously served in public administration for 17 years.
In 2022, she was appointed Prime Minister of the party’s shadow cabinet, which was created to ensure accountability within the government.
She expressed confidence in her readiness to lead Tanzania, saying “I am not entering this race to lose.”
“I have been groomed for this role, and my party is equipped with the vision and strategies needed to build a prosperous Tanzania,” she stated.
Semu also expressed openness to collaborating with other opposition parties to challenge CCM, which has been in power for nearly five decades since its formation in 1977.
“We are ready to work with serious opposition parties, but first, we must ensure our own house is in order,” she said.
Semu’s announcement follows ACT-Wazalendo’s recent call for party members to declare their candidacy for the upcoming polls, as well as a similar declaration by party chairperson Othman Masoud Othman, who seeks to run for Zanzibar’s presidency.
If nominated by ACT-Wazalendo, Semu will face President Suluhu, who is expected to seek re-election under CCM.
President Suluhu ascended to the presidency in March 2021 following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli.
The late Magufuli had secured a second term in the October 2020 presidential election with a landslide victory, garnering over 84% of the vote. His main opponent, Tundu Lissu of Chadema party, received just 13% of the vote.
The incident occurred at 5:38 p.m. EST (2238 GMT) when SpaceX mission control lost contact with the newly upgraded Starship during its test flight. The rocket, carrying its first payload of mock satellites but no crew, disintegrated eight minutes after liftoff from SpaceX’s South Texas launch facilities.
Fiery debris was spotted streaking across the skies of the Caribbean, with videos shared online showing orange trails over Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
“We did lose all communications with the ship—that is essentially telling us we had an anomaly with the upper stage,” said SpaceX Communications Manager Dan Huot. Minutes later, SpaceX confirmed the rocket’s loss.
The disruption extended beyond the launch site, as dozens of commercial flights were forced to divert or alter their routes to avoid the debris field.
At Miami International Airport, some flights were temporarily grounded, according to eyewitness accounts.
Data from FlightRadar24 indicated that air traffic across the region had been rerouted, and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a brief airspace restriction.
The FAA, responsible for regulating private space activities, stated that normal operations had resumed shortly after the debris cleared. The agency regularly closes airspace for rocket launches and reentries but expands these closures if anomalies occur.
Elon Musk responded to the incident with characteristic optimism, posting on X: “Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!”
Preliminary assessments from SpaceX pointed to an internal liquid oxygen fuel leak as the cause of the rocket’s failure.
The mishap comes amid fierce competition in the private space race.
A day earlier, Blue Origin, founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, successfully launched its New Glenn rocket into orbit for the first time. SpaceX’s Starship—standing 2 meters taller in its latest version—was designed with significant upgrades for long-distance space missions, including Mars exploration and satellite deployment.
Despite the setback, Musk has reiterated his commitment to an aggressive testing schedule, aiming for up to 12 Starship flights this year. He downplayed the potential for significant delays, stating that “nothing so far suggests pushing next launch past next month.”
However, the FAA’s forthcoming mishap investigation could affect timelines, especially if debris is found outside designated zones or near populated areas.
Thursday’s test marked the seventh Starship flight since 2023, as part of SpaceX’s test-to-failure approach. While the method has resulted in high-profile failures, it has been instrumental in advancing the engineering limits of reusable rockets. The explosion, however, occurred during a mission phase that SpaceX had successfully completed in prior tests.
The towering Super Heavy booster, a crucial part of the Starship system, performed flawlessly, returning to its launchpad seven minutes after liftoff. The booster executed a controlled descent by reigniting its Raptor engines and latching onto giant mechanical arms affixed to the launch tower—a bright spot in an otherwise troubled mission.
Addressing members of the diplomatic corps during a luncheon hosted at the Kigali Convention Center, the Head of State reiterated the necessity for global powers to align their actions with the values they advocate.
“If you have taken responsibility, global responsibility, to say there are certain values you are going to insist on and push for as hard as you can, that’s fine. But it also gives you the responsibility to really walk the talk,” President Kagame remarked.
He questioned the integrity of some of the Western nations’ commitment to principles like democracy, human rights, and peace when their actions, especially in Africa, seem to contradict the ideals.
“The values you talk about must not be incompatible with the truth, with the facts, or with evidence. If you want peace, there’s a way to get peace by addressing the root causes and doing things the right way. But we see double standards and hypocrisy that add up to really nothing,” he stated.
The president drew specific attention to the persistent security and humanitarian crisis in Eastern Congo, where he criticized the international community, particularly the UN and Western nations, for their failure to resolve longstanding issues.
He pointed out the prolonged presence of UN peacekeepers in the country, now nearing three decades, without significant progress in stabilizing the troubled region.
“After nearly 30 years, what are the returns for that investment?” Kagame posed, insisting that the continued turmoil reflects a failure to address the root causes of the conflict, including the presence of genocidal ideologies and armed groups, such as FDLR, which enjoys support from the Congolese government.
Kagame dismissed allegations of Rwanda’s involvement in the instability in Congo. He termed the claims as a distortion of facts used as an excuse by some to evade responsibility.
He challenged those criticizing Rwanda to look beyond superficial narratives and understand historical contexts, such as colonial border drawing, which has led to the persecution of Congolese Tutsis in the neighbouring country and contributed to the rise of the M23 rebel group, fighting against marginalization.
The President also accused the Western leaders of selective application of values, pointing out the inconsistency in how Western nations treat different African leaders and nations.
“The person causing problems between Rwanda and the DRC has never been elected, and you know it,” he remarked, referring to the leadership in the Democratic Republic of Congo under President Felix Tshisekedi.
“So what values are you talking about that you beat others for and others you don’t know what to do?” he added.
Moreover, Kagame recounted Rwanda’s experiences with international trade policies, like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), where he felt Rwanda was unfairly punished for decisions aimed at protecting its own industries, contrasting with how other countries with different resources or geopolitical leverage were treated.
Citing the blame game and threats against Rwanda, the President called for a partnership based on mutual respect and genuine commitment to shared values, emphasizing that Rwanda will not be forced back into the suffering it endured 30 years ago during the Genocide against the Tutsi, regardless of external pressures.
“We have paid the highest price ever in our lives. I don’t think we can be made to suffer in any other way. We will never go back to paying that same price we paid 30 years ago. It doesn’t matter who anyone is,” he stated.
“We can work together to examine the causes if we are to talk to each other and address the problem the right way,” he added.
The World Health Organization (WHO) had issued a health alert on Tuesday, indicating that nine suspected cases of Marburg virus disease had been reported over the past five days in the Kagera region, with at least eight people having died.
The global health agency, citing reliable information from local sources, noted that the cases were reported in the districts of Biharamulo and Muleba, where symptoms such as high fever, vomiting with blood, and severe weakness were observed in the affected patients.
However, Tanzania’s Health Minister, Jenista Mhagama, announced on Wednesday that after laboratory tests, all samples from the suspected cases had returned negative for the Marburg virus.
She reassured the international community that the country had strengthened its disease surveillance systems and monitoring efforts, emphasizing that authorities would continue to keep WHO and other global organizations updated on any developments.
“We would like to assure the international organisations, including WHO, that we shall always keep them up to date with ongoing developments,” Mhagama stated in a statement.
Tanzania experienced its first Marburg outbreak in March 2023 in the Bukoba district in the Kagera region. It killed six people and lasted for nearly two months.
The Kagera region is known to harbour zoonotic reservoirs, such as fruit bats, which are natural hosts of the Marburg virus.
WHO had assessed the national risk level as high due to the outbreak’s high case-fatality ratio (CFR) of 89%, its geographic spread across two districts, and the involvement of healthcare workers among the suspected cases.
The condemnation follows a statement released on January 16, 2025, by the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs, which stated, “issues caused by M23 and FDLR should be urgently addressed.”
Minister Nduhungirehe stressed that equating threats arising from M23 and FDLR is “inappropriate” and that the U.S. should not compare a genocidal group to M23, which fights for civilians targeted by genocidal forces.
“This narrative of equating the ‘threats of M23 and FDLR’ is inappropriate. It’s even offensive for the outgoing U.S. administration to compare a genocidal force with a movement that defends a community threatened and persecuted by the same genocidal force,” he wrote on X.
In October 2023, the FDLR and groups from the Wazalendo coalition, in collaboration with the DRC army, fought against M23, burning down homes of Congolese Tutsis in Nturo village, located in the Masisi territory, which were completely destroyed.
Minister Nduhungirehe explained that when FDLR and these groups carried out this attack, both the DRC and Burundian forces were present, and pointed out that the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs did not comment on the incident.
“I recall that when 300 homes of Congolese Tutsis were burned down in October 2023 in Nturo village, Masisi territory, by the FDLR, the Wazalendo, and the Nyatura militias, in the presence of FARDC and Burundian forces, a statement or a tweet from the Bureau of African Affairs was nowhere to be seen,” he added.
He stressed that the U.S. and the international community should stop making statements that deliberately ignore the root causes of the security issues in Eastern DRC.
“It is time for the U.S. and the international community to stop recycling these formulas and focus on the root causes of the crisis in Eastern DRC,” he said.
M23 has been active since 2012 when it launched an armed struggle demanding that the DRC government honour the agreements made with the former CNDP (National Congress for the Defense of the People). These agreements were meant to restore the rights of Congolese, particularly Tutsis, and end the violence they were subjected to.
From 2012 to 2013, M23 captured large areas in North Kivu province, including the city of Goma. However, these gains were reversed following a decision by the regional heads of state, who promised that the DRC government would address the issues faced by the Congolese in the east.
The promise made to M23 was never fulfilled, as the DRC government failed to honour it. After eight years of waiting, former M23 fighters were attacked by DRC forces in November 2021, sparking renewed fighting.
M23 clarifies that it does not kill civilians or commit any form of abuse. Instead, it ensures their safety, which contrasts sharply with the DRC government’s forces, who are supposed to protect civilians but end up killing them. M23 continues to call on the government to respect the terms of the agreements.
