News updates from the African continent for June 16th, 2025:
Trump Administration Eyes Major Expansion of Travel Ban, Targeting 36 More Countries
What’s Happening: The Trump administration is weighing a sweeping expansion of its travel ban, potentially restricting entry to citizens from 36 additional countries — including 25 in Africa — according to a State Department memo obtained by The Washington Post.
If enacted, the move would mark one of the most aggressive immigration crackdowns in Trump’s second term, drawing parallels to the original “Muslim ban” from his first term and triggering renewed backlash from critics who see it as discriminatory and xenophobic.
Source: The Washington Post
Heavy rains in dry season cause havoc in DR Congo’s capital
What’s Happening: At least 29 people have been killed in flood waters and landslides in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, following unusually heavy rains in the dry season.
Homes were swept away, roads were flooded, and widespread power cuts were recorded as a third of the city was affected by the downpour.
DR Congo’s meteorological agency Mettelsat said that 90mm (3.5in) of rain was recorded on Saturday morning – higher than that of the rainy season that lasts from November through to May.
Source: BBC News
Uganda leader signs law reintroducing military trials of civilians
What’s Happening: Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has signed legislation that allows military tribunals to try civilians.
Opposition leaders said the move violates a Supreme Court ruling.
Rights campaigners have long alleged that the government has used military courts to persecute political opponents of Museveni, who has been in power for almost 40 years.
His aides have denied this, saying only civilians who use guns for political violence are prosecuted in such tribunals.
Source: Reuters
