Somali Pirates Capture Tanzanian-Flagged Oil Tanker in Gulf of Aden
Pirates have seized a Tanzanian-registered oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen’s coast, marking the latest in a series of attacks that indicate a resurgence of Somali piracy. UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed the vessel was boarded by unauthorised personnel, while Puntland security officials identified the ship as the MT Asana, alleging it was taken by seven Somali gunmen en route to Bososo. This incident, the second tanker hijacking in the region since May, raises concerns about maritime security in the sparsely patrolled Gulf of Aden.
More Than 900,000 Require Aid in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province
Humanitarian organizations have warned that the crisis in Mozambique’s conflict‑affected Cabo Delgado province is intensifying. Approximately 919,000 people require assistance, yet only about half are receiving aid. Johanniter International Assistance identified healthcare, food, education and protection as the most urgent needs. The United Nations reports that more than 26,000 individuals have been displaced by violence since the beginning of the year, predominantly women and children. Funding shortfalls have further strained response efforts, with only 34% of the UN’s $348 million appeal for Mozambique’s 2026 response plan secured to date.
ZANU-PF thanks supporters for endorsing Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3
ZANU-PF organized ‘CAB3 Thank‑You’ rallies in all ten provinces to thank supporters for backing Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, now signed into law. The Mashonaland West gathering took place at Chakari Grounds, where thousands of party loyalists joined senior leadership to celebrate the bill’s passage. Provincial Chairman Mary Mliswa expressed gratitude to the supporters, noting the province’s unity, and explained that the amendment was sought to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term to 2030. Leaders urged members to stay united and continue supporting government programmes.
Algeria and Germany Deepen Energy Partnership
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s first official visit to Germany since assuming office in 2019 underscored the deepening partnership between the two nations. Both parties pledged to strengthen long‑term energy cooperation. Germany regards Algeria, Africa’s leading natural gas producer, as a crucial partner for enhancing Europe’s energy security through increased gas supplies and a planned hydrogen corridor linking North Africa to Germany. Algeria’s strategic relevance has risen amid global energy and geopolitical uncertainty, and its involvement in migration management, regional security and diplomacy further elevates its stature. Nonetheless, analysts note that the country continues to grapple with domestic issues, such as high youth unemployment and concerns over political freedoms and human rights.
UN Warns West African Terror Groups Leveraging Drones and Cryptocurrencies
The United Nations has warned that terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria and across West Africa and the Sahel are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using drones, advanced communications technology and cryptocurrencies to strengthen their operations. The warning came during a briefing to the United Nations Security Council by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Simão, who presented the Secretary-General’s latest report on developments in the region covering the period from November 29, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Simão said the groups are increasingly linked to organised crime and continue to fuel violence, displacement and humanitarian crises across the region. At least 6.8 million people have been displaced. Council members agreed that military action alone would not defeat extremism, calling for greater regional cooperation and increased investment in governance, education, jobs and humanitarian assistance to address the root causes of insecurity.