Skip to main content

Featured

Nigeria’s St. Mary’s School Attack: Over 300 Abducted in Devastating Raid

  An interior view of the Christ Apostolic Church, the day after an attack by gunmen in which people were killed and the pastor and some worshippers kidnapped, in the town of Eruku, Kwara state, Nigeria. In one of the worst mass abductions in Nigeria’s recent history, more than 300 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger State, on November 21, 2025. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed the updated figures after conducting a verification exercise, raising the tally from an earlier count of 215 children. The attack unfolded when armed men stormed the Catholic institution in the early hours of Friday, targeting dormitories and classrooms. Witnesses reported chaos as students attempted to flee; tragically, 88 additional students were captured while trying to escape . The abduction marks the second major school attack in Nigeria within a week, following the kidnapping of 25 girls in Kebbi S...
Post a Comment
Read more

article

Labels

Empty Chair Diplomacy: U.S. Boycott Clouds Africa’s First G20

Banners of various G20 leaders are displayed along a Johannesburg freeway, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025


The historic G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa—the first ever held on African soil—has been overshadowed by a dramatic dispute over U.S. participation. What was meant to be a moment of continental pride has instead turned into a diplomatic standoff, with Washington and Pretoria trading barbs in the days leading up to the meeting.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the United States had signaled a last-minute reversal of its boycott, suggesting that American officials might attend in some capacity. This claim was quickly denied by the White House, which insisted that no U.S. representatives would take part in official talks. The contradiction sparked confusion and heightened tensions, leaving organizers scrambling to clarify the situation.

The controversy stems from President Donald Trump’s decision to boycott the summit, citing grievances over South Africa’s domestic policies, particularly claims about the treatment of white minority farmers. His refusal marks the first time in the G20’s 26-year history that a major member has opted out entirely. While Ramaphosa framed the alleged U.S. change of heart as a diplomatic victory, Washington dismissed the reports as “fake news,” further deepening the rift.

The fallout has been immediate. The so-called “empty chair” crisis has become a symbol of fractured global cooperation, undermining the unity the G20 is meant to project. Other nations, including Canada, have seized the opportunity to advance trade and climate discussions in the absence of U.S. leadership. Yet the dispute threatens to overshadow the summit’s broader agenda, which includes tackling climate disasters, global inequality, and economic recovery.

As leaders gather on November 22–23, the focus has shifted from Africa’s milestone moment to the diplomatic drama between two key players. Whether the U.S. ultimately participates or not, the episode underscores the fragility of multilateral forums in an era of rising geopolitical tensions.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment