Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

During an interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes that aired Sunday, Trump was asked by host Norah O’Donnell whether he believed Maduro’s regime was nearing its end.

“I would say yeah. I think so,” Trump responded, highlighting the growing pressure the U.S. is placing on Caracas.

While the president did not explicitly call for military intervention, his comments reflect the U.S. administration’s ongoing focus on applying pressure to Maduro’s government. In recent months, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the Caribbean, citing concerns over regional security and the activities of criminal networks alleged to be linked to Maduro’s administration.

The Trump administration has accused the Venezuelan government of involvement in drug trafficking, indicting Nicolás Maduro and other senior officials on federal drug-related charges, and has repeatedly stated that it will not shy away from confronting these activities.

However, Trump emphasised that military action is not yet on the table, though continued pressure remains a key part of U.S. policy.

“I wouldn’t be inclined to say that I would do that,” Trump said when asked about potential military strikes inside Venezuela, without providing further details. On Friday, he also denied media reports suggesting that attacks on Venezuelan military installations could be imminent.

Several U.S. media outlets had reported that the administration planned strikes on military targets in Venezuela as part of its efforts against “narco-terrorism,” with the possibility of operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

Washington has accused Maduro of leading the Cartel de los Soles, a criminal network designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization earlier this year. At least 14 U.S. strikes have reportedly been carried out since early September, resulting in over 60 deaths.

Rights groups and legal experts have raised concerns over the legality of these operations, arguing that strikes on alleged drug vessels may violate international law. UN human rights chief Volker Türk called the attacks “unacceptable” and urged an independent investigation into what his office described as extrajudicial killings.

Meanwhile, Maduro has dismissed U.S. allegations as “vulgar” and “totally fake,” insisting that Venezuela does not produce cocaine leaves. He warned that U.S. military movements near the country’s coast signal preparations for “a new, eternal war.” Maduro also accuses Trump of seeking regime change in Venezuela to steal the country’s oil.

The inauguration ceremony was held at a military base in the administrative capital, Dodoma, amid restrictions following violent protests that marred the election, during which opposition leaders say hundreds were killed. The event, closed to the public, was broadcast live on state television.

Wearing a red headscarf and dark glasses, Suluhu, 65, officially took the reins of power and will be deputised by Emmanuel Nchimbi.

Suluhu, of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, was declared the winner on Saturday with 97.66% of the vote. She faced little opposition, with leading rival Chadema’s Tundu Lissu detained on treason charges.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Suluhu secured more than 31.9 million votes, with nearly 87 percent of Tanzania’s 37.6 million registered voters turning out.

Suluhu first became president in 2021 after the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli. She is the first woman to hold the Tanzanian presidency and the first to be born in Zanzibar.

A long-serving member of CCM, Suluhu began her political career in Zanzibar and later served in multiple ministerial roles. In 2010, she was elected to Tanzania’s National Assembly and appointed Minister of State for Union Affairs. She also served as vice chair of the Constitutional Assembly, tasked with drafting the country’s new constitution.

In 2015, she made history as Tanzania’s first female deputy president alongside Magufuli. Monday’s inauguration marks the start of her first full term as an elected president.

“We strongly condemn the false accusations made by U.S. Central Command regarding the alleged looting of an aid truck,” Hamas said in a statement. It described the U.S. allegations as “baseless and unjustified,” accusing Washington of trying to justify “further reductions of already limited humanitarian aid.”

Hamas said no international or local aid agencies, nor any drivers working with convoys, had reported such an incident.

“The continued U.S. adoption of the Israeli narrative only deepens its immoral bias and makes it a partner in the blockade and the suffering of the Palestinian people,” the group said.

U.S. Central Command said Saturday that a U.S. drone had observed suspected Hamas operatives seizing an aid truck from a convoy in southern Gaza. CENTCOM said the truck was part of a humanitarian convoy carrying supplies provided by Israel and that the driver’s fate remained unknown.

In a post on X on Sunday, U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos, said he held an in-depth discussion with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, focused on consolidating peace and prosperity across the region.

Boulos said the talks focused on reviewing progress made under the Washington Peace Agreement, particularly the implementation of its Concept of Operations, and on advancing the Doha track, which complements U.S. efforts to secure a peaceful resolution between the DRC and the AFC/M23 rebel coalition.

He noted that the discussions also covered the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF), a U.S.-backed initiative aimed at promoting peace and stability through cooperation in trade, infrastructure, energy, and transparent mineral supply chains.

The U.S. envoy stressed that lasting peace in the Great Lakes region hinges on the full and timely implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement, adding that Washington remains confident in President Kagame’s commitment to achieving that goal.

“We are relying on President Kagame’s continued commitment to lasting peace and prosperity,” Boulos said.

Boulos’ statement came shortly after another post on his meeting with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, on the progress made under the Washington Peace Agreement and the parallel Doha track aimed at restoring sovereignty and reinforcing regional stability.

He noted that a foundation of peace and stability would pave the way for greater U.S. investment in transparent mineral supply chains and infrastructure benefiting the Congolese people.

The renewed diplomatic engagement follows Boulos’s visit to Rwanda in October, when he met President Paul Kagame for talks focused on the U.S.-mediated peace process and regional security.

According to the Rwandan Presidency, the discussions at the time underscored “ongoing efforts to advance peace in the Great Lakes region, and Rwanda’s continuous commitment to lasting peace and security.”

The Washington Accord, signed on June 27, 2025, was brokered by the United States to normalise relations between Rwanda and the DRC. The agreement aims to dismantle the FDLR militia, composed of remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and lead to the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive posture along its western border.

However, progress has not been without challenges. Tensions resurfaced last month after the DRC declined, at the last minute, to sign the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF), a key pillar of the peace process designed to strengthen economic cooperation between Kigali and Kinshasa.

“The Rwandan delegation in Washington, D.C. was ready to sign the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF), which benefits both our countries and the region,” Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo wrote on X on October 4.

“We are puzzled by the DRC’s last-minute decision not to sign the agreement, given the positive atmosphere of the negotiations … and the diligent mediation work of Senior Advisor Massad Boulos and the State Department,” she added.

Despite the setback, Rwanda has maintained its commitment to the peace accord and the broader U.S.-led process.

“Rwanda believes in the peace agreement and in the approach of the U.S. mediation, and hopes that the REIF will eventually be signed,” Makolo noted. “The peace process must succeed. It is the best chance for stability and economic development for our region.”

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi officially inaugurated the colossal museum complex on the Giza Plateau in a ceremony attended by 79 delegations from around the world, including heads of state, members of royal families, and government officials.

In his speech, al-Sisi hailed the opening of the museum as “a living testament to the genius of the Egyptian people.”

“The Egyptian people were and still are builders of civilizations, creators of glory, and messengers of peace,” he said, describing the opening of the GEM as “writing a new chapter in the history of the present and the future.”

According to the Egyptian president, the GEM is the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization, the civilization of Egypt.

Spanning nearly 500,000 square meters, the museum will house an unprecedented collection of over 100,000 artifacts spanning thousands of years of Egyptian history. Its undisputed centerpiece is the complete collection of the boy-king Tutankhamun, some 5,992 pieces, including his iconic golden mask and two coffins. This priceless collection will be displayed together for the first time since the discovery of his tomb in 1922.

The museum occupies a symbolically significant site on the Giza Plateau, where the ancient pyramids are located, offering panoramic views of the pyramids and forging a direct connection between these ancient wonders and the new monumental cultural institution.

The inauguration ceremony, staged in the museum courtyard with the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx as a backdrop, featured cultural events and artistic performances celebrating Egypt’s rich heritage. Festivities included musical performances, a light show, and a fireworks display.

The GEM is expected to act as a major catalyst for Egypt’s vital tourism sector, with officials anticipating a substantial annual influx of visitors that will significantly enhance the country’s tourism revenue.

“The museum will completely change the map of cultural tourism in Egypt and significantly aid the tourism industry,” said Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.

CEO of the GEM Ahmed Ghoneim hailed the museum as “Egypt’s gift to the world,” noting that the museum “changes the context of tourism in Egypt and enhances cultural tourism.”

“It is not only the heritage that we have, but rather how we show it,” he told Xinhua.

Construction of the museum began in 2005, but the project faced numerous delays over the years due to political instability and funding challenges. Now complete, the facility blends modern architectural design with elements inspired by ancient Egypt, featuring spacious halls and state-of-the-art display technologies.

The museum complex is set to officially open to the public on November 4.

In a statement released on Saturday, Tinubu stressed that Nigeria “stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.” He said his administration has maintained active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders since 2023 and continues to address security challenges affecting citizens across all faiths.

“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” Tinubu said, noting the government’s consistent efforts to safeguard freedom of religion and belief. “Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”

The statement follows Trump’s social media posts accusing Nigeria of allowing the “mass slaughter” of Christians by Islamic terrorists. Trump said he had instructed the U.S. Department of War to “prepare for possible action” and warned that military intervention could follow if Nigeria does not act. He also announced that U.S. aid to the country would be immediately halted unless protections were strengthened.

Nigeria’s officials, however, rejected the allegations as exaggerated. Tinubu’s press secretary described the claims as “a gross exaggeration,” noting that attacks in Nigeria affect both Christians and Muslims and are often linked to communal tensions, resource disputes, and extremist activity.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the government is committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of faith, and celebrated the country’s diversity as a national strength.

She made the call on October 31 during an engagement with judges and judicial staff from courts under the Musanze High Court Circuit.

Mukantaganzwa underscored the importance of efficiency in case management, reminding judges that cases should be heard in the order they are filed. She, however, acknowledged that some delays arise from factors beyond the courts’ control, such as adjournments or party-related interruptions.

Data presented during the session indicated that the Musanze Intermediate Court currently handles 1,499 cases, of which 1,096 are backlog cases.

Mukantaganzwa noted that measures previously introduced to address case backlogs are beginning to yield positive outcomes, though further effort is still required.

“It has long been established that backlog cases should not be allowed to stagnate in our courts. That is why, in their reports, you can see consistent progress in clearing old cases each year,” she stated.

She added that most of the remaining old cases date back to 2022, and are being prioritised for conclusion in line with judicial procedures.

“Our principle is straightforward: cases filed earlier should be heard first. However, delays sometimes result from adjournments requested by the parties involved, rather than from the court itself,” she explained.

The Chief Justice further reminded judges that any case pending for more than six months is classified as a backlog. She said this benchmark aims to ensure timely service delivery and public trust in the judiciary.

“Six months may not seem long, but we set that target to promote efficiency and fast-track justice, so that citizens do not have to wait unnecessarily for verdicts,” Mukantaganzwa said.

During the discussions, it was revealed that the Musanze High Court Circuit currently has 1,214 cases, with 95% being criminal and 5% civil. Of the backlog cases, 585 date from 2022, 97% of which are criminal.

The most frequent offences among the pending cases include drug-related crimes, child defilement, theft, murder, and assault.

In a statement, the Africa CDC said it is dispatching critical medical supplies after last week’s assault on the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher.

“The assault, which killed hundreds of patients and caregivers and led to the abduction of several health workers, has crippled one of the few remaining medical facilities in the region and raised grave concerns about the continuity of essential health services,” the Africa CDC said.

It warned that ongoing conflict, mass displacement, and restricted access to healthcare are worsening Sudan’s health crisis, as the country battles concurrent outbreaks of cholera, dengue fever, measles, and diphtheria.

The African Union’s specialized health agency said it has deployed emergency medical and laboratory experts to assess conditions on the ground and support outbreak control, sustain essential health services, and strengthen biosafety in affected areas.

Working in partnership with Sudan’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, the Africa CDC said it is verifying casualty figures, monitoring for potential disease outbreaks, and assessing the broader public health impact.

“This is not only a human tragedy but a public-health emergency,” the statement quoted Jean Kaseya, director general of Africa CDC, as saying. “Our immediate priority is to preserve life, prevent secondary outbreaks, and protect the health infrastructure that communities depend on. Health facilities and workers must never be targets of war.”

The agency urged all parties to the conflict to safeguard laboratories and biomedical facilities that store or handle dangerous pathogens, warning that any compromise could pose grave biosecurity and public health risks.

On Wednesday, Sudan’s government said more than 2,000 civilians had been killed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since their entry into El Fasher.

Sudan remains gripped by a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023. The war has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, plunging the country deeper into a humanitarian crisis.