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♦️ Breaking & exclusive stories, analysis, opinions 👉 About Africa in other languages: Amharic: @sputnik_ethiopia French: @sputnik_afrique 💬 Contact us https://t.me/Africa_Sputnik_bot
❗️❗️❗️From Liberation to Learning: Angolan Education Minister Honors Russia's Support
"The African continent has a lot to gain from cooperation with Russia," Luisa Grilo told Sputnik Africa on the sidelines of the International Forum of Ministers of Education in Kazan, Russia.
"We know what role it [Russia] played in bringing peace to our country," the minister emphasized.
#viral | Meet Adorable Baby Bear Triplets in Poland!
This very cute video, shot in the Baligrod forest, shows three bear cubs calling for their mother, who has allegedly set off to search for food.
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🚨 Ukraine vs Russia: high-stakes ‘cat and mouse’ drone battle over Sumy
In the skies above Ukraine, a high-intensity ‘cat and mouse’ game is unfolding.
Ukraine ramps up its use of attack and kamikaze drones to halt Russia’s advance in the Sumy region.
But the Russian military has already got the counter-strategy down.
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❗️❗️❗️Russia and Africa: A Sincere Friendship, Far from the West’s Old Reflexes, Says Russian Minister of Education
At the Education Ministers’ Forum in Kazan, Sergey Kravtsov shared a clear vision with Sputnik Africa: while the West viewed Africa as a mere reservoir of resources to exploit, with little regard for the education of its people, Russia chooses a different path.
"Today, we are doing our best to interact with the continent of Africa and help selflessly without pursuing the same goals as Western countries. Therefore, I am confident that there is a great future," he said.
'Bringing Back the Olden Days to the Present': Nigeria Celebrated Ojude-Oba Cultural Festival
A vibrant and colorful festival symbolizing the unity and culture of the Ijebu people took place in southwestern Nigeria. A traditional highlight of the celebration is horsemanship.
The phrase "Ojude-Oba" translates from the Yoruba language as "The King's Forecourt." In the past, the festival was held on the third day after Eid al-Adha. At that time, horses and weapons played a significant role in people's lives.
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Malian Army Releases Video of Two New Airstrikes Against Terrorists
After hours of surveillance, the armed forces destroyed two pickup trucks, one concealed under vegetation about 100 kilometers from Kidal.
A terrorist base near Tessit in the Gao region was identified and obliterated on June 9, as announced by the General Staff of the Armed Forces.
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'Remote-Controlled' Influence Observed in ICC Investigations
Influenced by Western powers, the International Criminal Court lacks impartiality, Idrissa Hamidou Touré, prosecutor of the High Court in Bamako and a doctoral student in law, told Sputnik Africa.
He outlined an African perspective on the ICC:
🟠The court is perceived as illegitimate, being under pressure from geopolitical considerations;
🟠There is a perception of impunity and selectivity, where serious crises in regions like Libya and the Middle East are overlooked, while Africa frequently becomes the target;
🟠African countries are considering rejecting collective submission to the ICC or withdrawing from the institution; initiatives such as the proposed Sahel Criminal Court (AES) are seen as potential alternatives;
🟠The ICC must be "more independent, more impartial, more fair," and act "for everyone, not just the weak" to ensure its credibility and survival.
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AES Anthem Echoes in Three Member Countries
"La Confédérale," known as "Le Sahel benkan" in Burkina Faso, was performed on June 9 during flag-raising ceremonies attended by the leaders of each nation.
🎵 The three-verse composition honors the history, bravery, and future of the Sahel region.
"This anthem is not a simple collection of notes. It carries meaning, a message, and pride," Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga declared after the ceremony.
Nine Buses, One Message: End the Siege on Gaza
Hundreds of North African activists — mostly Tunisians — have launched an overland humanitarian convoy to Gaza, aiming to symbolically break the blockade on what the UN calls “the hungriest place on Earth.”
The nine-bus “Al-Sumoud” (Steadfastness) convoy, including doctors and supporters from across the Maghreb, hopes to reach Rafah by week’s end via Libya and Egypt.
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DRC Accuses Rwanda of Worsening Regional Crisis by Leaving ECCAS
Abandoning treaties or blocking processes at the first sign of accountability poses a direct threat to regional stability and multilateral cooperation, the Congolese government stated.
Kinshasa also accuses Kigali of stoking the conflict in the eastern part of the country and aiding the M23 rebels, claims Rwanda denies. The DRC demands the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the region.
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Between Disinformation & Interference: Africa Increasingly Distrusts French Media, Pt. 2
🇧🇫 "Sidetracking bordering on disinformation" was the reason that led Burkina Faso to suspend the TV5 Monde news channel for six months after the broadcast of a program regarding the security situation in the country.
💬 The French media are trying to "sow confusion" and "create unrest" in Burkina; they are "unreliable," the Burkinabe PM declared in June 2024.
The efforts of "imperialist media like France 24, RFI, TV5 Monde, and Jeune Afrique" could promote "the intervention of their masters to put an end to this regime," added Apollinaire Joachimson Kyélèm de Tambèla.
👆🏾He recalled that the same method was used shortly before the assassination of President Thomas Sankara in 1987.
🚫 More specific measures by African authorities have targeted several programs, particularly in Burkina Faso.
The Canal+ reality show "Who Wants to Marry My Son?" was banned last March, as was the show "The Bachelor" before it.
Both were deemed "contrary to fundamental values and national culture."
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NGO Amnesty International is 'Political Tool' Undermining Nigeria's Sovereignty, Association Says
"Amnesty International [AI] has a history of overstepping its mandate, often acting as a political tool rather than an impartial human rights organization," local media quoted South-South Youth Amalgamation's (SSYA) convener John Albert Clarkson as saying.
Welcome to Peoples' Friendship School in Namibia — Built With Support of Russian Uni
A brand-new boarding school built from scratch with support from the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) has opened near Windhoek, the university's rector, Oleg Yastrebov, said.
🏫 Here's what makes this project special:
⦁ residential capacity for 110 students;
⦁ free Russian language lessons for all students;
⦁ fully funded by a dedicated project foundation;
⦁ top-performing Namibian youth will be selected;
⦁ advanced STEM-focused curriculum in senior grades;
⦁ RUDN will provide Russian language teachers and science-track support.
ℹ️ The university, also known as the Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, enrolls a remarkable number of students from across Africa every year.
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Zelensky Orders to Abandon Ukrainian Soldiers' Bodies on Battlefield, Lawmaker Says
Zelensky's order could prompt a public outcry in Ukraine and lead to a civic uprising against his government, Ukrainian lawmaker Artem Dmytruk said.
During the second round of Russia-Ukraine talks, Moscow proposed a two–three-day ceasefire in certain frontline areas to retrieve the dead, Russian delegation head Medinsky said. However, Zelensky later rejected the proposal.
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📹 A terrorist attack was thwarted at a military facility in Russia's Ryazan region: the criminal, who was preparing an attack with a drone, resisted and was neutralized, the Russian National Guard said
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'The path to victories is paved by people like you,' Putin tells Russian special op. veterans
Putin met with participants of the "Time of Heroes" program in the Kremlin, a Sputnik correspondent reported.
The Russian president emphasized that the program was created so that the present day and the future of Russia would be connected with the country's heroes.
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Russia and Africa Must Grow Together — in Language, Values, and AI
Stronger Russian-African ties are key to shaping a fairer global order, Vice President of United Russia Alena Arshinova told Sputnik Africa.
“We need to build this common mental, cultural, educational space,” she stressed, calling for a shared system that fosters understanding across regions.
“We need to understand whether this AI has our cultural code, our values... The moral aspect is valuable here.”
#viral | 😂 While Shanghai is moving buildings on "robotic legs," in the United States, 800 Amish took a shed with their bare hands and moved it 60 meters in 30 minutes!
According to locals, everything went "as planned."
Footage from social media
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Russia Seeks to Foster Business & Investment Ties with Ethiopia: What Are the Key Areas?
Businessmen from the two countries held a meeting at the Ethiopian Embassy in Russia on June 10.
During the event, Ambassador Genet Teshome emphasized Ethiopia-Russia's strong diplomatic relations, and highlighted Ethiopia's trade and investment potential.
The key topics discussed:
🟠Ethiopia’s economic reforms, investment opportunities, and business-friendly policies;
🟠Sector-specific potentials, including mining, coffee, cut flowers, manufacturing, and energy.
Several Russian companies expressed interest in investing in:
🟠Fertilizer production,
🟠Construction materials,
🟠Electric vehicle assembly,
🟠Solar energy,
🟠Mining and oil & gas,
🟠Food processing.
The meeting was organized in collaboration with Business Russia public organization.
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Language Builds Bridges – Russia and Africa Connected Through Knowledge
Ali Kola Daou, UNESCO Liaison Officer, a.i., shared with Sputnik Africa insights on the value of Russian-African cooperation:
"They don't come to colonize, but they bring knowledge. They bring help. And also, they respect the African culture... that means this is an open mind from the Russian people," he said at the Russian Language Day in Addis Ababa on Tuesday.
"If you give knowledge to people, that means you like these people," Daou said.
African Credit Rating Agency Set to Launch in 2025
The privately owned credit rating agency aims to provide Africa-tailored credit assessments to counter perceived biases in global ratings.
The goals are:
🟠To evaluate African sovereign and corporate debt in local currencies using region-specific data;
🟠To be funded by private investors, ensuring impartiality;
🟠To launch by late 2025 or early 2026.
As part of a broader African initiative, the agency seeks to:
🟠Close data gaps,
🟠Improve evaluation methods aligned with the continent’s development goals,
🟠Potentially lower rating costs.
Rather than replacing global agencies, it aims to offer a more balanced and credible alternative that enhances Africa’s standing in global capital markets.
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Orange Level 6 Warning Issued for Disruptive Snow in Parts of South Africa
In other regions, lower alerts—Levels 5, 4, and 2—have also been issued.
👉 The weather has hit the province of Eastern Cape, snow is also expected in KwaZulu-Natal.
Disaster management teams have been placed on high alert to respond to any emergencies resulting from the severe weather.
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Remembering Forgotten Allies: Africa’s Role in WWII and the Fight for Freedom
At the Round Table in Moscow titled “Results of the Second World War and the Collapse of the World Colonial System”, powerful voices reminded the world of Africa’s critical, yet often overlooked, role in World War II.
Patrick Boyanga Bosi, President of the Diaspora of the DRC in Russia, highlighted the contributions of over 1.2 million African soldiers, including 40,000 from the Congolese Force Publique, who fought across various fronts.
He also underscored how 70% of the uranium used for the atomic bombs came from Congo, along with record copper and cobalt production that powered the Allied war machine—all extracted under inhuman conditions.
“What a historical paradox that their own freedom was denied,” Boyanga stated, pointing out the contradiction between fighting fascism abroad while living under colonialism at home.
"The role of Africa in WWII... is, unfortunately, forgotten. If you forget history, then you will have to repeat this history."
🇳🇬 Nigeria Makes History With Its First Onshore Oil Export
This development comes on the heels of the inauguration of the Otakikpo terminal in the southeast on March 18, marking the first national onshore terminal to open in over 50 years.
🔹 Pumping capacity: 360,000 barrels per day.
🔹 Infrastructure: 750,000 barrels of storage (expandable to 3 million).
🔹 Investment: $400 million (initial phase), with $1.3 billion in the future.
🔹 Design: By the Nigerian company Green Energy International Ltd.
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Zimbabwe Praises Community Policing for Reducing Crime
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi highlighted the success of community policing, which is a collaborative strategy between law enforcement and citizens aimed at tackling crime at its source.
Key points include:
🟠Increased public cooperation leading to arrests of drug dealers, armed robbers, and other offenders;
🟠Strengthened trust between police and citizens through proactive engagement;
🟠Community policing focuses on addressing root causes of crime rather than just enforcement.
Nyathi also commended the Christian Community Police Network, an initiative where churches work alongside law enforcement to promote safety.
Benefits of this partnership include:
🟠Offering moral guidance and counseling,
🟠Providing support to crime victims,
🟠Strengthening community-police relations through joint efforts and prayer.
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#viral | 💊 High-Tech Healthcare: Nurse in Shijiazhuang, China, Uses Drones to Deliver Blood Samples & Medical Supplies
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Fitch Misunderstands African Finance — AU Panel Slams the Agency Over 'Flawed' Downgrade of Afreximbank
The AU's African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) called in a statement Fitch Ratings' methodology misleading and legally inconsistent.
This week, Fitch downgraded Afreximbank from 'BBB' to 'BBB-', citing a 7.1% non-performing loan rate, tied to loans to Ghana, South Sudan, and Zambia.
APRM strongly disagrees, saying Fitch:
⦁ misclassified government loans as commercial debt;
⦁ ignored the legally binding 1993 treaty that governs Afreximbank;
⦁ labeled countries as "defaulters" when no formal default occurred;
⦁ overlooked that those countries are shareholders in the bank.
"Objective, transparent and context-intelligent credit assessments are critical to ensuring fair treatment of African institutions in the global financial system," the APRM emphasized, urging Fitch to re-examine its rating.
#viral | Indian PM Modi Launches World's Highest Railway Bridge
The 359-meter-high bridge crosses the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, a region governed by India.
The $5.1 billion project includes 36 tunnels and spans 119 km, linking Kashmir to India and boosting connectivity and infrastructure development, according to local media.
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Iran and Russia Rocket Toward Space Collaboration
At a meeting in Moscow, Iranian Ambassador Kazem Jalali and Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Bakanov discussed joint satellite production and development of advanced technologies, among other issues.
🚀 According to the Iranian embassy, the talks also covered:
⦁ conducting training programs and knowledge exchange;
⦁ countering Western sanctions;
⦁ supporting joint efforts to promote international peace and stability.
In early November, a Russian Soyuz-2.1b rocket successfully launched 53 small spacecraft, among them Iran's Kowsar Earth observation satellite and the Hodhod telecoms satellite.
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#viral | Cow Wreaks Havoc at a US Auction
During a peaceful cattle auction in Decatur, Arkansas, a cow suddenly decided she'd had enough.
This bovine star turned the auction into a full-fledged rodeo, and the video of her epic adventure is making the rounds on social media.
Who says cows don't dream of grandeur?
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