Cardoso: Foreign Reserves now $49 billion

Nigeria’s net foreign reserves have risen to $49 billion in a remarkable sustained recovery from about $3 billion recorded in May 2023. 

Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, said the nation’s net foreign reserves hit $49 billion by February 5, 2026 as inflows from remittances, non-oil exports and other individual and institutional sources continued to provide strong buffers for the nation’s currency stability.

Cardoso spoke yesterday in Abuja at the second edition of National Economic Council (NEC) Conference.

By Nduka Chiejina

Full story at Pulse NG

South Africa withdrawing more than 700 troops from UN mission in Democratic Republic of Congo

South Africa has decided to withdraw its troop contribution to the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), ending nearly three decades of involvement in UN peacekeeping operations in the country.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of the South African government’s decision, which was conveyed during a telephone conversation on 12 January 2026.

South Africa ranks among the top 10 troop-contributing countries to MONUSCO, with a force presence of over 700 soldiers deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo in support of the mission’s peacekeeping mandate, according to the Presidency in Pretoria.

Full story at IOL

By Jonisayi Maromo

Nigeria: Late Submission of Audit Reports Affecting Our Work, Reps Panel Cries Out

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives has lamented the delay in the submission of audit reports by the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation (OAuGF) was affecting its legislative oversight work.

This is just as the committee vowed to ensure timely submission of the 2023, 2024 and 2025 Reports by the OAuGF.

The committee's chairman, Hon. Bamidele Salam, stated this while speaking at a retreat held for members of the legislative panel and its staff as well as other stakeholders held in Ghana over the weekend.

By James Kwen

Full story at All Africa

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‘He is Satan’: Malema blasts Trump after court appearance

EFF leader Julius Malema has launched a scathing attack on US President Donald Trump, criticising his leadership and his impact on global stability.

Addressing party members after the postponement of his pre-sentencing proceedings for firearm-related convictions, Malema took the opportunity to lash out at his local detractors and the American head of state.

“Whether he likes it or not, Trump’s term is coming to an end and he is going to jail, unless he does the quickest thing and drinks poison,” Malema said.

By Innocentia Nkadimeng
Full story at Times Live

‘The Presidency is the perpetrator’: Zuma says he’s a victim and innocent recipient of R28 million

Counsel for former president Jacob Zuma has argued that the former head of state was not responsible for the unlawful government payments made towards his legal fees and should therefore not be compelled to repay the millions in question.

Earlier on Thursday, IOL reported that the High Court in Pretoria was set for a high-stakes showdown as the Presidency and the State Attorney seek to recover more than R28 million spent on Zuma’s legal battles.

The application stems from a 2024 Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling that found Zuma was not entitled to taxpayer-funded legal support and that the state must be reimbursed.

By Jonisayi Maromo

Full story at IOL

Cameroon election tensions mount as opposition leader claims victory

Political tension is escalating across Cameroon as rival camps loyal to incumbent 92-year-old President Paul Biya and his main challenger Issa Tchiroma Bakary clash over the outcome of the country’s presidential vote.

On Tuesday, Tchiroma, 79 — Biya’s former ally — declared himself the winner of Sunday’s vote in a Facebook post from his northern hometown of Garoua. He urged Biya to “honour the truth of the ballot box” and concede defeat. Tchiroma’s declaration marked a stunning resistance to his former mentor, whose government he previously served as spokesperson, and signaled a deepening political confrontation building between the two men.

The self-proclaimed victory has defied government warnings against announcing final results before official publication, which is expected by Oct. 26 at the latest.

By Amindeh Blaise Atabong

Full story at Yahoo News