Renowned Afrobeat artist Seun Kuti delivered a powerful performance at the 2025 edition of Coachella, one of the world’s biggest music festivals.
Known for its global appeal, Coachella draws thousands of music lovers annually to experience top-tier performances from international stars. Seun Kuti, who made history in 2012 as the first Nigerian artist to perform at the festival, returned this year with his legendary band, Egypt 80.
The Grammy-nominated musician opened the festival with a headlining performance, setting the tone ahead of pop icon Lady Gaga’s set. This marks Seun Kuti’s third appearance at Coachella, making him the Nigerian artist with the highest number of performances at the festival to date.
Other Nigerian artists who have performed on the iconic stage include Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, Fireboy, Ckay, and DJ Spinall. Rising star Rema is also expected to take the stage this year.
The Federal High Court in Lagos has begun hearing a case against Jude Okoye, former manager of the music duo P-Square, who is accused of money laundering involving ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed seven counts against Jude and his company, Northside Music Limited, related to alleged financial misconduct.
On April 14, 2025, Peter Okoye, one half of P-Square and Jude’s younger brother, appeared as the EFCC’s first witness. He told the court that disputes over the group’s finances surfaced after P-Square’s 2017 breakup and 2021 reunion.
Peter alleged that Jude had sole control over the duo’s accounts at Ecobank, Zenith Bank, and FCMB, acting as the only signatory. This arrangement, he claimed, led to a lack of transparency, including Jude’s sudden decision to halt funding for Peter’s personal housing project in Ikoyi, Lagos, without explanation.
A central charge accuses Jude and Northside Music Limited of purchasing a property in 2022 at No. 5 Tony Eromosele Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, valued at ₦850 million, with funds the EFCC alleges were proceeds of illegal activities. Another count claims Jude used a bureau de change to convert $1,019,762.87 into naira and funneled it into various accounts to obscure its source, violating the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Peter testified that he uncovered Northside Music Limited, a company allegedly established by Jude and his wife without his or his twin brother Paul’s involvement. He stated that Jude’s wife held 80% of the shares and Jude 20%, and that the company was used to siphon P-Square’s royalties.
When Peter requested financial statements, he said Jude and bank officials refused access, with a Zenith Bank officer reportedly stating that only a court order would release the records. Peter also alleged that Jude manipulated royalty data, causing a potential buyer to slash an $8,000 offer for P-Square’s music catalogue to $500.
Jude has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial, overseen by Justice Alexander Owoeye, has been adjourned to June 4, 2025, for Peter’s cross-examination.
A Chief Magistrate has become the second high-ranking official to resign from the Rivers State government following the declaration of a state of emergency. This follows the earlier resignation of George Nweke, the former Head of Service.
The Chief Magistrate, Ejike King George, attributed his resignation to discomfort with what he described as “quasi-military rule” now governing the state.
In a letter dated April 11, 2025, written from his office at the Rivers State High Court Complex on Nnamdi Azikiwe Road, Port Harcourt, and addressed to the Chief Judge of the Rivers State Judiciary, King George announced his voluntary retirement. The letter was sent via the Secretary of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission and titled “Voluntary Retirement from Service.”
“This present letter is intended to convey my decision to voluntarily retire from my appointment as a Magistrate of the Judiciary of Rivers State,” he wrote.
“This difficult and regrettable decision is informed largely by my discomfort with the recent appointment of a quasi-military administration to run the affairs of a modern State like ours.”
He added: “My lord will agree with me that this type of governance system is not only alien but also runs antithetical to our hallowed profession as legal practitioners and adjudicators.”
Having served 16 years of his 22-year legal career as a Magistrate in Rivers State under several democratic governments, King George explained: “I find it difficult to work with the current setting, as doing so would amount to a tacit and naïve acquiescence.” “Thanks, My lord, for the opportunity to serve,” he concluded.
His resignation follows that of George Nweke, whose sudden exit made headlines after a viral video surfaced. In the footage, Nweke accused suspended governor Siminalayi Fubara and his chief of staff, Edison Ehie, of being involved in the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The controversy has since escalated, leading to a N2 billion lawsuit filed in a state high court.
The For And Against ProtestIn Rivers State
Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has strongly criticized the Nigeria Police for what he described as their excessive response to protesters opposing the state of emergency in Ahoada East. He labeled the actions “double standards” and a threat to democratic rights.
This development comes amid rising political unrest in Rivers State, following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency and the appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the sole administrator. Just three days after a group of women protested to demand Fubara’s reinstatement and an end to the emergency rule, two separate women’s groups staged new demonstrations in different areas of the state.
The first group, dressed entirely in white and allegedly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, maintained that the emergency rule is lawful.
The women began their march from Garrison Junction around 7:00 a.m. and arrived at Iseac Park in Port Harcourt City Local Council by 9:00 a.m.
During the protest, they chanted songs and carried placards with messages such as: ‘Emergency rule is constitutional,’ ‘Rivers women voted for you but you made us your slaves,’ ‘Investigate Fubara’s bloated contracts awards,’ ‘Say no to dictatorship,’ and ‘Rivers women need peace in our state.’
The march was led by former Commissioner for Social Welfare, Inime Aguma, a staunch Wike supporter who had previously resigned from the cabinet amid the intensifying crisis between Fubara and Wike.
The women dismissed claims that they were paid or hired to support the emergency rule, asserting that the regime has ushered in a period of relative peace in the state.
Meanwhile, another group of women from the Ekpeye region of Rivers also held a peaceful protest at Mbiama Junction on the East-West Road. This group opposed Fubara’s removal, calling it unconstitutional.
Dressed in black, these protesters also chanted songs, demanding Wike’s withdrawal from the state’s affairs. Their placards bore messages such as: ‘Ibas should leave us alone,’ ‘End to emergency rule in Rivers,’ and ‘Bring back our governor, bring back Sim.’
In a display of support for the emergency administration, Aguma commended the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd.) as Sole Administrator, stating that his leadership has ushered in peace and good governance in Rivers State.
Ibas Demands N300m Refund From NBA
Ibas has asked the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to return the N300 million the Rivers State Government paid for the hosting rights of the 2025 Annual General Conference.
In a statement released in Port Harcourt through his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo, Ibas said: “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association, despite its ‘principled position’, didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.
“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.
“We find the reasons cited for this decision shift in venue, particularly the insinuation that the Sole Administrator’s actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law to be misleading, uncharitable, and unbecoming of an association that prides itself on upholding justice and fairness.
“The NBA’s statement overlooks the constitutional basis for the current administration in Rivers State,” he added.
The NBA responded to Ibas’ request in a statement from Mr. Emeka Obegolu, SAN, Chairman of its Conference Planning Committee.
He said: “We wish to clarify that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject of any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights.
“The host city has no hosting right and there is no representation by the NBA that the conference must be held in a chosen city.
“Traditionally, because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organisations, agencies of government and state governments for support, and the support requested for is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever.
“The money from Rivers State was a gift and was not tied to any purported hosting right for the NBA AGC.
“We are committed to delivering a world-class conference to members of the Bar and will not be drawn into any unnecessary controversy over this issue.”
In recent weeks, “Cbex” has surged across Nigerian social media platforms, drawing attention from hopeful investors and skeptical observers alike. Since Friday, there have been concerns over the operations of the platform, with some users warning that it showed signs of being a Ponzi scheme.
The growing concerns followed the platform’s instability, with many users fearing that their money is now stuck.
What Is Cbex and Why Is It Trending?
Cbex presents itself as a digital investment platform, offering users the opportunity to earn large profits through cryptocurrency and forex trading. Cbex caught people’s attention by sharing flashy success stories and using a “bring-a-friend” system where users earn more by inviting others. This helped the platform spread like wildfire. For many Nigerians trying to escape the daily grind and make quick cash, the promise of fast, juicy profits felt like a lifeline. But behind the sweet talk, there’s little to no info about who’s really running the show or how the money is being managed — and that’s got financial experts and regulators seriously worried.
Is Cbex a Ponzi Scheme?
While Cbex has not been officially labeled a Ponzi scheme by Nigerian authorities, its operational model exhibits characteristics commonly associated with such fraudulent schemes. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Nigeria has consistently warned the public about investment platforms that promise unrealistic returns without transparent business models.
Stories of Individuals Affected
Numerous Nigerians have shared their experiences with Cbex, many of which are cautionary tales.
@introvertdey on X says My neighbor gave his wife 1.2 million Naira. She put it in CBEX. He found out today and has been out of home since morning. She’s sad and doesn’t know what’s next.
Also @yeankhr on X said Cant even blame people who lost their money to Cbex. Everyone is trying to stay afloat in this country, it’s the mess we put ourselves in. If another one drops tomorrow, people will still rush it.
Similarly, an X user @wit_sender advised Dear Nigerians,I know the economy is a mess, but y’all should learn from this CBEX SCAM! Stop investing on any platform that comes with a trade like scheme, jeez how can you put your entire life worth on a platform you can’t hold anyone responsible for ?. These stories underscore the potential dangers of investing in unregulated platforms that lack accountability.
What Is the SEC Saying?
In a statement on Sunday, the SEC clarified that, in accordance with the ISA 2025 recently signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is now an offence for any entity to operate an online forex trading platform or provide related services without prior registration with the commission.
The commissioner noted that “Under the newly enacted legislation, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is now empowered to regulate a broader scope of market activities as Section 3(3)(b) of the Act explicitly mandates the commission to “register and regulate securities exchanges, commodity exchanges, virtual and digital asset exchanges, and other market venues.”
Earlier, the commissioner had said promoters and operators of Ponzi schemes, under the new law, face a jail term of 10 years or more and a minimum fine of N20 million
When it comes to money-making platforms like this, it’s super important not to dive in headfirst. A little homework and healthy doubt can save you from big regrets. Staying sharp and asking the right questions could be the difference between growing your money and kissing it goodbye.
The Federal Government is scrambling to avert a possible blackout across the country as electricity generation companies (GenCos) threaten to down tools over an outstanding debt of about ₦4 trillion.
Investigations revealed that the GenCos are owed over ₦2 trillion in legacy debts and about ₦1.97 trillion for the year 2024 alone. This comes as the Federal Government has also failed to settle ₦450 billion owed to power distribution companies (DisCos) as part of the electricity subsidy for 2024.
The Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Dr. Joy Ogaji, said GenCos are under immense pressure due to the financial shortfall. She warned that the sustainability of power generation is at risk if the debts remain unpaid.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, acknowledged that the subsidy burden is becoming unsustainable and emphasized the need for a more targeted subsidy model. He also noted that poor investment by DisCos in network infrastructure has affected the shift of consumers to cost-reflective tariffs, worsening the situation.
The GenCos have made several demands, including the immediate implementation of a debt repayment plan and the provision of a payment security mechanism backed by international financial institutions. They are also asking the government to ensure full settlement of their invoices and cover obligations in the recent MYTO Supplementary Order and the Distribution Reimbursement Obligation.
Stakeholders warn that if these issues are not urgently addressed, Nigeria could be plunged into a major electricity crisis, with widespread blackouts and grid instability.
On April 8, 2025, Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia instructed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to release records tied to a 1990s drug probe involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This decision followed a lawsuit filed in June 2023 by American transparency advocate Aaron Greenspan under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The lawsuit challenged the agencies’ use of the “Glomar response,” a legal stance that permits them to neither confirm nor deny the existence of certain records.
Judge Howell ruled that invoking the Glomar response was “neither logical nor plausible,” especially as Tinubu’s link to the case had already been acknowledged.
Consequently, the court directed the FBI and DEA to remove redactions and make the documents public. A joint status report from the agencies is expected by May 2, 2025.
What is the Drug-Related Allegations all about
Recently released documents from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois have revealed more details about Bola Tinubu’s past encounters with U.S. authorities regarding allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering.
As a former governor of Lagos State and the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Tinubu faced persistent scrutiny over his alleged involvement in a drug case in Chicago in the early 1990s.
Though the controversy has resurfaced periodically since the mid-2000s, Tinubu has consistently chosen not to address it publicly. Instead, he highlights his professional background in accounting, consultancy, and support for democratic governance.
According to his official declaration to Nigeria’s electoral commission, INEC, he claimed he has never been convicted of any crime.
His supporters often downplay the case, referring to it as an old matter with little relevance to present-day Nigerian politics due to its foreign and historic context.
However, many Nigerians continue to demand full disclosure from him, especially since court records indicate that he forfeited “$460,000 to U.S. authorities in 1993” as part of a case settlement.
The 56-page document released by the Chicago court does not introduce significantly new information but supports details previously reported in the media.
Public curiosity intensified after a report published on July 13 by journalist David Hundeyin in West Africa Weekly, which revisited the longstanding drug allegations.
Court-certified documents dated August 10 linked Tinubu, alongside individuals identified as “K.O. Tinubu and Alhaji Mogati,” to the laundering of drug-related funds via Heritage Bank and Citibank.
It’s still unclear if “Alhaji Mogati” was a clerical mistake for “Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji,” Tinubu’s late foster mother, who passed away in 2013.
In July 1993, the U.S. government moved to seize funds believed to be proceeds from narcotics. A resolution was reached allowing the Tinubu family to retain funds in Heritage Bank, while “$460,000 held in Citibank” was forfeited.
The case was officially dismissed “with prejudice” by a U.S. federal judge on September 21, 1993, ruling out the possibility of it being reopened in the United States. However, it’s uncertain if Nigerian authorities could initiate a new case based on the same allegations.
Public Reactions
The ruling has sparked widespread conversations online and offline:
Investigative journalist David Hundeyin shared his reaction on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “I’ve dreamt of this day since 2022, and it’s a shame that I can’t do this with my @DavidHundeyin account.
But long story short, Aaron Greenspan and I have won our FOIA lawsuit against the @FBI, @DEAHQ, @StateDept and @TheJusticeDept regarding @official Abates heroin trafficking records.
THE UNREDACTED FILES WILL BE RELEASED!”
I've dreamt of this day since 2022, and it's a shame that I can't do this with my @DavidHundeyin account.
Another X user, @iremide, questioned the legitimacy of the funds involved: “Omo forfeiting $460,000 in 1993 for that matter! Which legit work can give such a huge profit?”
Omo forfeiting $460,000 in 1993 for that matter! Which legit work can give such a huge profit?
Reacting to the U.S. court’s directive, the presidency issued a statement through Bayo Onanuga, a media aide to President Tinubu, emphasizing that the ruling does not imply wrongdoing on the president’s part.
According to Onanuga, the relevant FBI and DEA reports “have been in the public domain for over 30 years” and do not implicate the Nigerian president. He also mentioned that legal experts are currently reviewing the judgment.
“Journalists have sought the presidency’s reaction to the ruling last Tuesday by a Washington DC judge ordering the US FBI and DEA to release reports connected with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement reads.
“Our response is as follows. There is nothing new to be revealed. The report by Agent Moss of the FBI and the DEA report have been in the public space for more than 30 years. The reports did not indict the Nigerian leader. The lawyers are examining the ruling.”
Potential Implications for Nigeria’s Political Landscape
Should any new details emerge from the unredacted files, it could lead to political unrest in Nigeria. Questions may surface about the authenticity of President Tinubu’s mandate, potentially triggering investigations or demands for accountability within the country.
Although impeachment is legally possible, pursuing it would depend on political factors and the disposition of the National Assembly.
The opposition might use the situation to challenge the administration’s legitimacy. At the same time, civil society organizations and the media may ramp up calls for greater transparency.
Internationally, Nigeria’s reputation could suffer, particularly in discussions centered on governance, ethics, and anti-corruption standards.
Conclusively, how this matter evolves will largely depend on the responses of political leaders, institutions, and the Nigerian populace.
In southern Mauritania’s town of Sélibaby, Christians are gripped by fear following a violent protest on April 7, in which demonstrators, reportedly incited by Muslim leaders, desecrated the grave of a Christian man, exhumed his body, and dragged it through the streets before reburying it miles away.
Authorities had approved the protest, which advocacy group Middle East Concern (MEC) said was organized by Muslims opposed to the presence of Christians in the area.
“Christians in Sélibaby have grave concerns for their safety and lives as the incitement of hate against them by prominent religious and community leaders continues,” a MEC press statement read.
According to MEC, an Islamist mob stormed a cemetery, broke the tombstone of a deceased Christian, exhumed the body, and dragged it through the streets before transporting it to a distant village for reburial.
“Tensions eased by evening, but social media posts describing Christians as infidels and apostates, urging ‘action’ against them, intensified the following day,” MEC stated. “They called for a total ostracism of Christians. Some of the leaders have been warned by their clans and relatives, not to contact them. The situation remains volatile.”
The day after the demonstration, authorities fired local security leaders after an investigation. However, rights advocates say the move is not enough. Human rights defender Cheikh Mkhaitir criticized the government’s handling of the situation.
“He is reburied 30 kilometers from the city, far from a normal cemetery,” Mkhaitir said, according to Jubilee Campaign. “Mauritania is a country that is very dangerous for non-Muslims, even for the deceased.”
Mkhaitir, who was once sentenced to death for “apostasy” in 2014 and later released due to international pressure, emphasized the need for global accountability.
“The countries that still practice laws of apostasy and blasphemy in spite of the U.N. conventions that they signed would not continue to violate the conventions unless they were sure that all those agreements and conventions are on paper only,” he said. “And, they will continue to be on paper only, and people will continue to suffer in prisons and even the gallows, unless some real mechanism pushes these countries to adhere to the conventions they have signed, irrespective of the country’s status in international economics.”
Jubilee Campaign confirmed the spread of disturbing videos of the desecration on social media and on CRIDEM, Mauritania’s primary French-language news portal. The footage showed several perpetrators dragging the body while a crowd filmed the act.
According to Jubilee Campaign, Mauritania still has the death penalty for apostasy and blasphemy, though a moratorium is in place. “It has not stopped them from sentencing Cheikh to death in 2014 and continues to use the law to threaten Christian converts and other non-Muslims with silence and eradication,” the group said.
“Mauritania’s repeated cosmetic adjustments after pressure are evidence that the country desires acceptance on the world stage.”
Despite international trade partnerships and recent meetings with NATO on security cooperation, Jubilee Campaign says these diplomatic moves are not enough.
“The recent action in Sélibaby is a pressing example that piecemeal solutions are not enough,” the organization stated. “The death penalty for apostasy and blasphemy needs to be repealed completely for the recognition of the rights and protection of Christians, non-Muslims and all the citizens of Mauritania. Otherwise, we will return to another Sélibaby, another youth robbed of six years of his life and even an extrajudicial execution.
Temporary security and trade deals are not worth the suffering of generations.”
Mauritania’s laws are a blend of French civil code and Islamic sharia law. The 2018 amendment to Article 306 of its penal code states: “Any Muslim who explicitly apostatizes from Islam, or who says or does something that would require or include that, or who renounces what he knows to be required by the religion, shall be imprisoned for three days, during which time he will be asked to repent. If he does not repent, he will be sentenced to death for blasphemy, and his property will be transferred to the treasury of the Muslims.”
The U.S. State Department’s 2022 religious freedom report noted public calls for stronger enforcement of sharia law and highlighted severe restrictions on non-Islamic religious practices.
“The law prohibits apostasy and blasphemy,” the report states. “The criminal code mandates a death sentence for any Muslim convicted of apostasy or blasphemy, but the government has never applied capital punishment for apostasy or blasphemy.”
Faith-based NGOs are barred from proselytizing or promoting any religion other than Islam, and religious gatherings—even in private homes—require prior government approval.
“Authorized churches were able to conduct services within their premises but could not proselytize,” the report adds. “An unofficial government requirement restricted non-Islamic worship to the few recognized Christian churches.”
In late 2023, a video of a baptism in Sélibaby sparked outrage among Muslims, leading to the arrest of up to 18 Christians and their family members. By December 18, they had been released.
Open Doors ranked Mauritania 23rd on its 2025 World Watch List of countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.
Gabon’s interior minister announced that Brice Oligui Nguema, who seized power in a coup in August 2023, won the presidential election held on Saturday with 90.35% of the vote, based on provisional results released Sunday.
This landslide victory further consolidates Nguema’s grip on leadership, 19 months after the military ousted the Bongo family, ending their five-decade reign over the oil-rich Central African nation of 2.5 million people.
In the eight-candidate race, Nguema’s primary challenger was Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, a former prime minister under ousted President Ali Bongo. According to the results, Nze secured just 3.02% of the votes.
Nguema, seen wearing a baseball cap bearing his “We Build Together” campaign slogan, positioned himself as a reformist ready to take on corruption linked to the previous regime.
He promised to reduce Gabon’s heavy dependence on oil and boost sectors like agriculture, tourism, and industry. Currently, about one-third of Gabon’s population lives below the poverty line.
The voter turnout stood at 70.40%, a significant increase from the 56.65% recorded in the August 2023 election that preceded the coup.
That earlier election had declared Bongo the winner of a third term, but widespread allegations of fraud surrounded the outcome. The military took control shortly after the results were made public.
With $3 billion in outstanding international bonds, global investors have been closely monitoring Gabon’s political trajectory to gauge whether the country would regain democratic legitimacy through transparent elections.
“Prolonged political uncertainty and fears of extended military rule have constrained Gabon’s economic growth, exacerbating the country’s budget deficit and debt levels,” said Mucahid Durmaz, senior Africa analyst at risk intelligence firm Verisk Maplecroft.
“A democratically elected government with a clear mandate will be better positioned to engage with multilateral partners and to pursue fiscal reforms and debt restructuring, which are essential to establishing macroeconomic stability.”
The World Bank reported that Gabon’s economy grew by 2.9% in 2024, up from 2.4% the previous year, driven by increased infrastructure projects and a rise in production of oil, manganese, and timber.
Nguema’s win earns him a seven-year term, renewable once, as per the new constitution ratified in November.
Although he vowed to break from the legacy of the Bongo regime, which faced criticism for concentrating the country’s oil wealth among elites, Nguema has ties to the previous government. He formerly served as an aide-de-camp to Omar Bongo, Ali Bongo’s father, who ruled Gabon for over 40 years until his death in 2009.
Algeria has given 12 French officials a 48-hour deadline to leave the country, as confirmed by the French foreign minister.
This move is widely seen as a response to the recent arrest of three Algerian nationals in France.
“I am asking Algerian authorities to abandon these expulsion measures… if the decision to send back our officials is maintained, we will have no other choice but to respond immediately,” said Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
A diplomatic source noted that among those asked to leave are members of the French interior ministry.
The diplomatic fallout follows the indictment of three Algerians, including a consular official, by French prosecutors on Friday. They are suspected of being involved in the April 2024 abduction of Algerian influencer Amir Boukhors in a suburb of Paris.
Boukhors, known online as “Amir DZ,” is a prominent critic of the Algerian government. He has more than a million followers on TikTok and was granted political asylum in France in 2023.
The Algerian government is calling for Boukhors’ extradition to face legal charges and has issued nine international arrest warrants accusing him of fraud and terrorism.
This development adds to the strain on an already delicate relationship. For years, the dynamic between Paris and Algiers has been marked by complexity, despite various diplomatic efforts to foster improved ties.
On Monday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa named former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas as a special envoy to the United States.
Jonas, who currently serves as the independent non-executive chairman of MTN Group, a major telecommunications company, will maintain his role at MTN while undertaking his new diplomatic responsibilities.
“Jonas is entrusted with the responsibility to advance South Africa’s diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities. He will lead negotiations, foster strategic partnerships and engage with U.S. government officials and private-sector leaders to promote our nation’s interests,” said a statement from President Ramaphosa’s office.
The appointment comes at a time when relations between South Africa and the United States have worsened since President Donald Trump returned to office in January.
The U.S. has slashed financial aid to South Africa, citing concerns over its land reform agenda and its legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Additionally, Washington expelled South Africa’s ambassador last month.
Jonas previously held the position of deputy finance minister from 2014 to 2017. He gained recognition for speaking out against corruption and played a key role in the judicial inquiry that examined graft and undue influence during former President Jacob Zuma’s administration.
During the inquiry, Jonas testified that the Gupta brothers known associates of Zuma offered him the finance minister post and a large sum of money. Both Zuma and the Guptas have denied any wrongdoing.
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