Gweru City Council issues a 14-day ultimatum for residents to remove livestock and animal-drawn carts from urban areas, citing safety and urban-planning concerns ( image source ) Gweru City Council has issued a firm 14-day ultimatum ordering residents to remove all cattle, donkeys and animal-drawn carts from within municipal boundaries, in what officials describe as a long-overdue step to restore order in the city’s suburbs and central business district. The directive, announced through a public notice and amplified across official communication channels, forms part of a broader urban-management push aimed at curbing traffic hazards, property damage and sanitation risks linked to free-roaming livestock. In its statement, council warned that enforcement would begin immediately, with animals found straying into streets or tied within residential areas liable to impoundment. Municipal officials say the decision follows a high-level meeting of senior local government officers and councillors earlier this month, where the growing visibility of livestock in the city was identified as both a public-safety issue and a symptom of weak by-law compliance. According to the council, roaming cattle and donkey-drawn carts have contributed to an increase in minor road accidents, clogged intersections and disputes between residents and informal operators. “We cannot maintain a functional, modern urban environment when animals are competing with motorists and pedestrians for space,” one senior official said, stressing that the ultimatum is meant to protect vulnerable road users and reinforce urban planning standards. The move is not without precedent. For years, municipal authorities have issued periodic warnings to vendors operating donkey-drawn carts, urging them to keep animals out of residential zones amid persistent complaints of noise, litter and road congestion. Past crackdowns, however, have yielded only temporary compliance, with carts and livestock gradually returning to suburbs as enforcement waned. This time, officials say, the city intends to sustain the effort. The municipality is exploring the creation of a designated equine and livestock compound to accommodate animals removed from urban areas, while offering a regulated space for vendors who rely on animal-drawn transport for waste collection, scrap delivery and small-goods distribution. Council spokespersons say the facility will be developed in consultation with residents, vendors’ associations and other stakeholders to ensure both livelihood protection and orderly urban management. Local reporting indicates the 14-day deadline is already in effect, with enforcement teams expected to ramp up monitoring in the CBD, Mkoba, Senga, Ivene and other high-traffic suburbs. The mayor’s office has framed the policy as part of a wider urban-renewal agenda, encouraging affected residents to engage city officials early to avoid penalties. For Gweru, the directive signals a renewed attempt to balance modern planning expectations with the realities of informal urban economies and to assert that livestock no longer has a place inside one of Zimbabwe’s fastest-growing provincial cities.

Residents petition Parliament over worsening Lake Chivero pollution, urging urgent action to stop sewage flows, enforce environmental laws and restore water quality ( image source ) A recent scientific review warns that Lake Chivero’s contamination poses serious health and ecological risks, noting chemical and biological hazards that have already prompted a fishing ban after mass fish deaths and wildlife impacts last year. Local reporting and investigations link the deterioration to years of untreated sewage and industrial waste entering the lake and its feeder rivers, a pattern critics say reflects institutional failure and regulatory gaps. Environmental commentators describe the lake’s decline as an ecological disaster that threatens Greater Harare’s water security and biodiversity, and they say visible signs—foul odours, algal blooms and dead fish—have become commonplace around the reservoir. In response, a coalition of residents, ratepayers and civic groups led by the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) tabled a petition in Parliament demanding immediate remedial action and stronger enforcement of the Environmental Management Act; petitioners singled out raw sewage from Harare, Chitungwiza and Epworth and alleged industrial discharges into municipal sewers as primary drivers of pollution. Residents who signed the petition told reporters they fear for their families’ health and livelihoods, and some urged the President to declare the situation a national emergency to unlock resources for repairs and clean-up. The petitioners argue that municipal incapacity to maintain sewer infrastructure has allowed trunk-line collapses and illegal discharges to persist unchecked. The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has escalated enforcement: the agency has taken legal action against Harare City Council (HCC), accusing the municipality of failing to repair a “deplorable water reticulation system” and of repeatedly allowing raw sewage into waterways—a move that underlines the regulatory breakdown petitioners cite. EMA officials say they have issued multiple environmental protection orders and fines to the city and have now sought High Court intervention to compel repairs and compliance; the agency’s public statements emphasise that enforcement alone cannot substitute for urgent infrastructure investment and coordinated governance. “Unchecked pollution at Lake Chivero is undermining our national development priorities and the health of current and future generations.” Resident coalition statement, as presented in the petition. Parliamentary procedure allows petitions to be referred to relevant portfolio committees for inquiry and recommendations; petitioners are urging the National Assembly to fast-track hearings, summon municipal and national agencies, and recommend emergency funding and a clear timetable for sewer rehabilitation and industrial compliance monitoring. Environmental experts and public-health practitioners told petitioners and lawmakers that practical steps must include immediate repairs to collapsed sewer trunk lines, mandatory effluent treatment for industries, transparent monitoring of discharge permits, and a public-facing remediation plan with measurable milestones—actions EMA says fall within its mandate but require political will and budgetary support to implement effectively. Parliament will now decide whether to convert the petition into a formal inquiry; residents say they will maintain pressure until they see concrete action to stop sewage flows, restore water quality and protect the city’s primary water source.

A Congolese trader accuses CIO and immigration officers of unlawful detention, asking the ZICC to investigate amid rising downtown Harare tuckshop tensions ( image source ) A Congolese refugee and downtown Harare businessman, Desire Nsengimana, has lodged a formal complaint with the Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission (ZICC), accusing State security and immigration officials of harassment and unlawful detention amid an intensifying “tuckshop” turf war in the city centre. In a letter submitted by his lawyers, Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners, and seen by local media, Nsengimana alleges that he was seized by officers from the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and subjected to treatment he describes as arbitrary and intimidating. The complaint asks the ZICC to investigate whether proper procedures were followed and to recommend remedial action and protection. The incident, the lawyers argue, forms part of a broader pattern of pressure on informal traders, where competition over prime retail spots has escalated into what some vendors describe as a “tuckshop war.” According to the filing, Nsengimana says he has been repeatedly targeted by state agents in ways that exceed routine enforcement. His lawyers are requesting that the ZICC assess whether the conduct of security and immigration personnel complied with the law and human-rights standards, and whether any abuse of power occurred. They have also asked for urgent protective measures during the inquiry. The ZICC—mandated to receive and investigate complaints against security services—has statutory authority to probe alleged misconduct and make recommendations to oversight bodies. Nsengimana’s lawyers say they turned to the commission because ordinary channels had proved ineffective or risky for a complainant who fears reprisals. Tuckshops—small informal retail outlets that serve local communities and commuter flows—remain a backbone of downtown Harare’s economy. But recent months have seen rising tensions between operators, and between traders and municipal or security agencies. Vendors say competition for lucrative locations, combined with inconsistent regulation and enforcement, has created fertile ground for disputes. Foreign-owned tuckshops, including those run by refugees and migrants, are often more vulnerable; lacking the protections of local operators, they become easy targets for harassment, extortion or arbitrary action. Civil-society groups warn that heavy-handed tactics by security agencies risk aggravating tensions and undermining the rule of law when misconduct allegations go uninvestigated. At the time of filing, the CIO and immigration authorities had not publicly responded to the allegations. Standard journalistic practice requires that such agencies be offered an opportunity to comment. Nsengimana’s lawyers say they intend to forward the ZICC’s findings to relevant bodies and may pursue further legal remedies if necessary. The ZICC has previously handled high-profile complaints and can recommend disciplinary or administrative action. Observers say the current case will test the commission’s independence and its ability to protect vulnerable complainants from abuses of power. If substantiated, the allegations raise serious questions about due process, the treatment of refugees and migrants, and the conduct of security personnel in commercial disputes. Unlawful detention, harassment and denial of legal counsel touch on domestic law and international human-rights obligations. Nsengimana’s legal team has signalled readiness to seek civil or criminal remedies based on the inquiry’s outcome. The next step is for the ZICC to formally acknowledge the complaint and determine its admissibility. A full investigation could include requesting statements from implicated agencies, interviewing witnesses and gathering corroborating evidence. The lawyers have urged swift action, citing fear of further harassment. For now, the case spotlights the tense intersection of informal urban economies, state authority and migrant vulnerability in Harare’s central business district. It also underscores the importance of independent oversight mechanisms in resolving disputes that pit small traders against powerful state actors. The ZICC’s response will reveal whether those mechanisms can deliver timely accountability and meaningful protection.

Aliko Dangote signs a US$1bn cooperation deal with Zimbabwe, including plans for a 2,000km+ Walvis Bay fuel pipeline and major industrial investments ( image source ) Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote signed a cooperation agreement with Zimbabwean authorities that covers investments in cement, power, fertiliser and petroleum infrastructure, and includes plans for a transnational pipeline linking Walvis Bay in Namibia to Zimbabwe—a project described by officials as spanning more than 2,000km and potentially exceeding 2,200km depending on routing through neighbouring states. Dangote said the deal aims to secure fuel supplies, reduce logistics costs and underpin industrial expansion in Zimbabwe. Government spokespeople framed the agreement as a major vote of confidence in Zimbabwe’s investment climate and a potential catalyst for job creation and industrialisation. The initial package signed at State House is reported to be worth around US$1 billion, with scope to grow as project feasibility studies and financing arrangements are finalised. Officials emphasised that the pipeline would be part of a broader energy and refining strategy that could include storage and local distribution hubs to serve domestic and regional markets. Analysts cautioned that the headline announcement is an early step: detailed feasibility work, environmental assessments, cross-border regulatory approvals and financing will determine whether the pipeline and refinery plans proceed to construction. If realised, the corridor could shift regional fuel logistics away from road haulage and create economies of scale for Zimbabwean industry, but it will also require complex negotiations over transit rights, tariffs and security along the route. For now, the agreement signals renewed investor interest and opens a window for Zimbabwe to leverage private capital for strategic infrastructure. Observers will watch the next phases closely: formal project documents, financing commitments and the timetable for feasibility and environmental studies will be decisive in turning the announcement into concrete construction and jobs.

Harare’s Master Plan 2025–2045 bans mishikashika and phases out kombis by 2028, sparking debate over transport modernisation, safety, and commuter livelihoods ( image source ) Harare’s newly adopted Master Plan 2025–2045 includes a controversial policy to outlaw pirate taxis, commonly known as mishikashika, with immediate effect and to phase out commuter omnibuses (kombis) over the next three years — a move city planners say is necessary to reduce road fatalities, ease congestion and modernise the capital’s transport network. Transport Minister Felix Tapiwa Mhona has publicly framed the measure as part of a broader strategy to build a “resilient and modern transport network,” saying the sector needs a holistic approach that combines regulation, infrastructure investment and public-private partnerships to be sustainable. City officials and the master plan cite repeated accidents, unregulated routes and vehicle safety concerns as drivers for the ban, and identify Policy 109 and Policy 110 as the instruments that will guide enforcement and the transition to regulated services. The plan sets out spatial and regulatory changes intended to integrate public transport with urban redevelopment and road-safety programmes. Operators and commuter groups have reacted sharply. Kombi associations warn that an abrupt ban will displace thousands of drivers and conductors who depend on daily fares, and call for a phased, consultative approach that includes compensation, retraining and formalisation pathways for informal operators. Street-level operators say many commuters rely on kombis and mishikashika for affordable, flexible travel where formal bus services are sparse. The policy includes an immediate ban on pirate taxis and a phased-out kombi system by 2028, with city planners emphasising that enforcement will be paired with route rationalisation and investment in regulated minibus services. Transport analysts say the success of the policy will hinge on implementation details such as clear timelines, replacement services, and enforcement that targets unsafe operators rather than sweeping criminalisation of informal livelihoods. Without alternatives, analysts warn, commuters could face higher fares and longer journeys, while displaced drivers may turn to other informal or unsafe work. “A holistic approach is essential if we are to effectively address the challenges facing our sector,” said Transport Minister Felix Tapiwa Mhona. Practical steps recommended by urban planners include a phased licensing programme for existing operators, investment in regulated feeder services, and targeted road-safety enforcement that prioritises vehicle inspections and driver training over blanket bans. The master plan also points to public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a mechanism to finance fleet renewal and depot infrastructure. City council has signalled it will begin stakeholder consultations and regulatory drafting immediately, but union leaders and kombi owners say they have not yet been given meaningful input. The coming weeks will test whether Harare can reconcile safety and modernisation goals with the economic realities of informal transport workers and the mobility needs of low-income commuters.

Repeated ZIMRA and police checks along the Beitbridge–Harare corridor, plus rising border fees, are undermining trade despite the upgraded border post ( image source ) The modernised Beitbridge Border Post was built as a public-private partnership to unclog the main artery between Zimbabwe and South Africa, with investors and operators promising faster clearances and improved facilities after a multi-million-dollar upgrade completed under a concession model. Despite the upgrade, cross-border traders say inland enforcement practices are eroding those gains: traders and transporters report repeated roadside inspections by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and police along the Beitbridge–Harare corridor, adding time and cost to journeys that already face long queues at the port of entry. Local advocacy groups and community leaders have pressed the government and the border operator to act. Crossborders for Economic Development (Crossborders 4ED) says it has reached a preliminary agreement with authorities to review user fees and operational procedures at Beitbridge to reduce the burden on small traders and light transporters. The border operator Zimborders publishes a schedule that shows fees ranging from US$6 for motorcycles to US$119 for heavy goods vehicles, with intermediate tariffs for light vehicles and coaches; traders say these charges, plus repeated inland checks, push informal margins into loss-making territory. Traders and civil-society leaders argue the problem is not only the headline tolls but duplicated enforcement. “Once cargo has been thoroughly checked at Beitbridge, there is no need for further inland searches,” said David Masomere, chairperson of Crossborders 4ED, describing the current system as “unnecessarily punitive” for small entrepreneurs who rely on fast turnarounds. “Once cargo has been thoroughly checked at Beitbridge, there is no need for further inland searches.” — David Masomere, Crossborders 4ED. Drivers and transport operators give mixed reports on the modernised port’s performance. While many praise the new infrastructure, some say the benefits are offset by the time lost to roadside stops. Truck driver Godfrey Kuzvidza told state media that the upgraded post has improved throughput—handling more than 27,000 trucks a month and a record 28,800 in July—but he also acknowledged that inland checks can still slow deliveries and raise costs for drivers and owners. Streamlining enforcement would protect the gains from the upgrade and help informal cross-border trade—a vital source of livelihoods in border districts—without weakening customs controls. Practical steps include single-window inspections, clearer protocols for inland checkpoints, and a transparent review of user fees tied to service levels at the port. For now, traders await the promised review of fees and procedures while continuing to move goods across the corridor that remains central to Zimbabwe’s informal and formal trade networks. The outcome will determine whether Beitbridge becomes a durable trade corridor or a bottleneck that simply shifts costs inland.

UZ Wolves and Black Mambas lead the PVL title race as Zimbabwean volleyball teams gear up for a high-stakes championship weekend and Zone 6 prep ( image source ) With the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season reaching its decisive climax, teams and supporters are gearing up for a blockbuster championship weekend promising thrills, upsets, and high-stakes battles on the courts. Quarter-finals and semi-finals are scheduled for tomorrow at the University of Zimbabwe courts, before the action shifts to Sunrise Sports Club on Sunday for the men’s and women’s finals, along with the third-place playoff in the morning. All eyes are on the UZ Wolves men’s team, who enter the knockout stages as overwhelming favourites. The Wolves have been the standout side of the season, maintaining an unbeaten run with 33 sets won and only six lost across 11 matches. That dominant form has translated into 32 log points and a top-of-the-table finish, securing them a direct path into the finals. Their momentum was strengthened further by their triumph at the Harare Championships last weekend, reinforcing their status as the team to beat. The women’s division, however, has its own powerhouse: the Black Mambas, who completed the regular season with a perfect record of 11 wins from 11 matches. Their consistency, depth, and tactical discipline have turned them into one of the league’s most feared sides. Earlier this year, both the men’s UZ Wolves and women’s Black Mambas underlined their pedigree at the MNL Zim Open Championships, clinching titles in their respective categories—a performance that now amplifies expectations heading into the PVL finals. In the women’s quarter-finals, the Black Mambas will open their playoff campaign against eighth-seeded Southern Aces, while the UZ Wolves men face Chimoio in their quarter-final matchup. The knockout bracket leaves little room for error; teams know that a single dip in intensity could be the difference between glory and elimination. Fans attending the venues will pay US$3 for standard entry, while a US$5 premium ticket comes with a complimentary Volleyball TV annual subscription code—a move organisers say is aimed at growing the sport’s digital audience. This year’s championship carries even greater weight as teams look to wrap up the domestic season on a high ahead of the Zone 6 Club Championship, scheduled for Polokwane, South Africa, from December 9–22, 2025. Coaches and players frame this weekend as both a finale and a springboard toward regional competition. Additional Fixtures Men: Crocs v Black Rhinos; CUT v Shalom; Ruwa v Black Mambas Women: Harare City v Black Rhinos; UZ Wolves v Vipers; Raven Claw v CUT With form, rivalry, and silverware on the line, the PVL championship weekend is set for an electrifying finish.

Sungura veteran Gift Amuli is emerging as a strong contender for ZIMURA chairperson, with artists calling for creator-led leadership, reform and transparency ( image source ) Newly elected ZIMURA board member and Sungura veteran Gift Amuli has quickly become one of the names gaining traction in conversations about who should chair the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association. His reputation as a seasoned artist, his grassroots following, and his decade-spanning music career have prompted growing calls within the sector for an artist-led era at the country’s largest music rights body. “Artists need one of their own to lead this institution—someone who knows our struggles from inside the industry, not from behind a desk,” said a Harare-based producer who supported Amuli’s candidacy. Amuli was voted into the new ZIMURA board during an election widely interpreted as a push for renewal. After years of royalty disputes, communication breakdowns and recurring allegations of opaque operations, members demanded leadership that could reconnect ZIMURA to the real needs of creators. “People voted for change and Amuli symbolises that change,” said a veteran session guitarist. “We don’t just need administrators; we need leaders who understand why royalties matter to a musician feeding a family.” ZIMURA’s role in Zimbabwe’s creative economy is central: it licenses music use, collects royalties and distributes earnings to creators. Whoever chairs the board must balance rigorous governance with deep stakeholder trust—a combination that positions Amuli as a credible contender. Amuli’s artistic credentials are not symbolic; they are structural. With more than 20 years in the music industry, known popularly as Case, he has navigated the full spectrum of Zimbabwe’s performance landscape from township halls to national festivals. “He has lived the challenges that younger artists are facing today, especially unpaid royalties and event under-declarations,” noted a Bulawayo promoter. “That experience makes his advocacy more authentic than anything we’ve seen from past chairpersons.” Because he has personally confronted the failings of royalty tracking systems, outdated licensing structures and uneven enforcement, Amuli carries an insider’s understanding of where reforms must begin. His public visibility also carries strategic value. A ZIMURA chairperson who commands national attention can amplify reform discussions, attract media scrutiny, and mobilise membership pressure for transparency. Supporters argue that Amuli brings three critical strengths. Many creators believe an artist-chair would represent their experiences more accurately than a purely administrative leader. “We need someone who speaks our language—literally and figuratively,” said an upcoming rapper from Mbare. Amuli’s presence in growth points, rural concerts and indoor venues has given him a constituency far wider than elite Harare circles. As one DJ put it, “When Amuli talks about royalties, people listen. That’s leadership currency.” Still, industry experts stress that popularity is not enough. A former ZIMURA administrator explained, “Chairing the board requires discipline—financial transparency, strategic planning, and the courage to publish uncomfortable truths about royalty income. If Amuli shows that discipline, he will be a formidable chair.” If he aims for the chairpersonship, he must demonstrate: • commitment to quarterly financial reporting; • support for digital royalty tracking and automated cue sheets; • professional collaboration with legal and technical officers; • a roadmap for timely, predictable royalty payouts; • conflict–resolution skills to stabilise ZIMURA’s often polarised membership. Many in the sector believe that appointing a practising artist as chair would mark a decisive shift toward transparency and creator-centred governance. “We’ve tried everything else—maybe it’s time musicians themselves lead the fight for fair royalties,” said a Chitungwiza-based bass guitarist. Gift Amuli represents a credible, grounded and widely respected option for ZIMURA chairperson. His artistic legitimacy, public profile and grassroots constituency give him a unique advantage—provided he backs them with strong governance, reform-driven leadership and transparent administration. If he pairs lived experience with principled management, Amuli could usher ZIMURA into an unprecedented artist-centred era of accountability, modernisation and trust.

OK Zimbabwe faces a potential collapse after a US$25 million loss and a 52% revenue drop, as informal traders dominate urban markets and economic instability deepens pressure on formal retailers ( image source ) HARARE – November 11, 2025 — OK Zimbabwe Limited, one of the country’s largest retail chains, is teetering on the brink of collapse following a reported US$25 million loss and a 52% drop in revenue for the financial year ending March 31, 2025. The company’s chairman, Herbert Nkala, acknowledged the severity of the crisis, stating that recovery “will take some time to return to normal operations.” The group’s revenue fell to US$245 million, down sharply from the previous year despite an average inflation rate of 15.21%. Analysts say the figures reflect deeper structural issues in Zimbabwe’s formal retail sector, which is increasingly being outpaced by informal traders offering lower prices and more flexible payment options. “The informal sector is eating into our margins. We simply can’t compete on price or agility,” said a senior OK store manager in Harare, speaking on condition of anonymity. The rise of informal cross-border traders — especially active at Beitbridge and Chirundu — has reshaped consumer purchasing habits. These traders import goods from South Africa and Zambia, often bypassing formal customs processes, enabling them to sell products cheaply. According to the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR), informal trade now accounts for over 60% of consumer goods transactions in urban centers. “Formal retailers are being squeezed out,” said CZR president Denford Mutashu. “We need policy reform that levels the playing field.” OK Zimbabwe’s challenges are intensified by supply chain disruptions, exchange rate instability, and persistent liquidity shortages. The fluctuating Zimbabwe dollar continues to complicate inventory planning for retailers dependent on imported goods. “We’ve had to close several stores due to unsustainable operating costs,” Nkala confirmed. “The market has shifted, and we must adapt or perish.” The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has not yet announced any formal rescue package, though insiders suggest that discussions are underway to provide tax relief and foreign currency access to struggling retailers. Economist Dr. Prosper Chitambara says the crisis signals wider macroeconomic fragility. “Retail is a bellwether for consumer confidence. OK’s collapse signals distress in household incomes and purchasing power.” With the festive season approaching, OK Zimbabwe faces a crucial test. Failure to stabilize operations could see the company lose what remains of its market share to fast-moving informal competitors.

The UAE’s media campaign on Sudan faces scrutiny as investigations link Dubai-based firms to RSF conflict-gold networks, raising questions of accountability and reform ( image source ) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched a well-funded media campaign including diplomatic statements, paid social-media posts and high-profile outreach to recast its role in the conflict in Sudan as primarily humanitarian. Yet that messaging is colliding with increasingly detailed investigative findings tying Dubai-based firms and markets to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the conflict-gold trade fueling Sudan’s war economy. On the ground in Darfur, survivors and aid workers say no amount of polished videos can erase what they have seen. After the fall of El-Fasher, anti-government forces besieged the city, reportedly killing hundreds and forcing thousands to flee in desperation. One displaced mother told aid workers she had to leave with only the clothes on her back after men with guns stormed her compound. Local hospitals were overwhelmed, and neighbourhoods were emptied in the face of the violence. “The tragedy unfolding in El-Fasher is not a surprise; it is the direct result of the international community’s inaction,” said Sudan’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva. UAE alleged drone strikes on Port Sudan ( image source ) Behind the humanitarian rhetoric, investigative groups trace a chilling second story: a sprawling network of companies based in the UAE helping the RSF monetize gold, deliver weapons and support military operations. The think-tank The Sentry reports that businessmen tied to the RSF set up jewellery firms, consultancies and trading houses in Dubai to facilitate the export of smuggled gold from Darfur and western Sudan, turn it into cash and invest in the war effort. One case cited by The Sentry involved a Dubai-based firm, Aoun Commercial Brokers, linked to the RSF’s procurement of hundreds of “technicals”—pickup trucks mounted with machine-guns—through UAE trade networks. While the UAE denies direct military backing of the RSF, and emphasises that its media campaign highlights humanitarian assistance and calls for cease-fires, critics say the timing and substance of the campaign reveal diversion rather than reform. The UAE’s narrative glosses over the trade-and-conflict link, sidestepping core allegations of complicity in war-economy financing even as public scrutiny expands. The campaign’s effectiveness is undermined by mounting data: According to Swiss-based NGO Swissaid, the UAE imported nearly 90% of Sudan’s official gold exports in the first half of 2025, while illicit exports largely controlled by armed groups like the RSF may be four times larger. Journalists and investigators now ask two critical questions: Will the UAE conduct transparent audits of gold-import flows and corporate registrations linked to conflict gold? And will international enforcement bodies—the United Nations, EU and US sanction authorities—trace those flows and hold enablers to account? Until these questions are addressed, the UAE’s media blitz threatens to be remembered not as a shift in policy but as damage control. Meanwhile, the people of Darfur continue to suffer, their lives and future overshadowed by financial networks and political manoeuvres. The core challenge remains: persuasive communications cannot erase the human cost, nor the business networks that sustain conflict. For Sudan’s civilians, more than words are required—accountability and reform are essential.

A drone identified at Wadi Seidna military base was 6.5m long and had a wingspan of 10m ( image source ) The United Arab Emirates has been implicated in covert arms transfers to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) through a network of cargo flights and re-exported Chinese weaponry, a flow investigators say has fuelled atrocities on the ground. Abu Dhabi’s role is documented in a confidential United Nations expert report that tracked a pattern of military-linked cargo flights from Emirati airbases to Chad—a staging ground for weapons and materiel bound for Sudan—creating what investigators call a “regional air bridge” into the conflict zone. The flights, often using large transport aircraft, were routed to Chadian airfields close to the Sudanese border, where cargo could be moved overland into RSF-held territory. Open-source investigators and regional reporters have since corroborated the UN findings, noting a surge in flights between Ras Al-Khaimah and Abu Dhabi and Chadian hubs such as Amdjarass and N’Djamena that appear designed to avoid scrutiny. Analysts say the pattern points to deliberate logistics planning: airlift to Chad, overland transfer, then distribution inside Sudan—a route that circumvents direct flights into Sudan and complicates enforcement of the UN arms embargo. A photo posted on X by @SudanSena geolocated by the BBC to Port Sudan airport suggested a weapons shipment ( image source ) Watchdog groups have pushed the probe further, linking Emirati-registered companies and business figures to recruitment networks and private security firms that supplied fighters and logistics to the RSF, including alleged recruitment of foreign mercenaries and the movement of personnel and equipment across borders. Corporate records and leaked documents reviewed by investigators show how private contractors and shell companies can mask the origin and destination of military cargo. Human-rights investigators have also identified Chinese-manufactured weapons—including guided bombs and heavy howitzers—in RSF arsenals and traced their likely re-export through the UAE, a finding that suggests the Emirates acted as a transit and re-export hub for sophisticated systems in breach of the embargo. Amnesty International’s forensic analysis of battlefield imagery and weapons fragments concluded that some systems were almost certainly re-exported via the UAE and later used in attacks that killed civilians. A PAX drones expert suggested this photo shows a Zajil 3 drone ( image source ) For survivors and aid workers the logistics debate is not abstract. A displaced teacher in North Darfur described convoys arriving with new weaponry and drones that changed the character of attacks, making bombardment more precise and deadly; aid agencies report that the arrival of heavier systems has coincided with escalations in civilian casualties and mass displacement. These field accounts underscore how supply chains translate directly into lives lost and communities uprooted. U.S. and Western intelligence reporting has echoed these concerns, noting an uptick in materiel—including drones and heavy weapons—flowing to the RSF in recent months and prompting calls in some capitals to reassess military cooperation with the UAE. The accumulation of UN, NGO and intelligence findings raises urgent questions for policymakers: will Emirati authorities open transparent audits of cargo manifests and corporate registrations, and will international bodies follow the financial and logistical trails to hold intermediaries to account? “Stopping the planes is only the start; the real test is whether states will follow the money and the paperwork,” one sanctions expert told investigators.

From Kwekwe to Cape Town and beyond, Zimbabwean artist King Ashwet’s journey spans music, acting, and radio ( image source ) Born in 1976 in the mining town of Kwekwe, Ashwet Phiri, known to the music world as King Ashwet, has spent a lifetime chasing the rhythm that first stirred in him as a child. His story is one of persistence, creative adventure, and cultural pride — a journey that began in the dusty schoolyards of the 1980s and has since crossed continents, airwaves, and generations. King Ashwet’s musical path started early, his young voice echoing through primary school halls during talent shows that hinted at the destiny ahead. His first major public breakthrough came in 1993 when he participated in Star Brite, Zimbabwe’s pioneering televised talent show. The program, later aired on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Television (ZTV) in 1994, introduced the nation to a new voice — soulful, raw, and full of promise. In the years that followed, Ashwet collaborated with notable artists such as ManSoulJah and Pace in Gweru, refining his sound and deepening his connection to reggae, roots, and fusion rhythms that define his artistry. But his most historic contribution came in 2005, when he teamed up with William Hillman, a gifted drummer who would later play with Andy Brown’s celebrated band The Storm. Together, they created what became known as Zimbabwe’s first riddim — the Kwekwe Riddim — a groundbreaking project that laid the foundation for the country’s digital reggae evolution. Ashwet’s musical pilgrimage has been nothing short of global. From the studios of Cape Town to the coastal rhythms of Costa Rica and the heart of Jamaica, his sound has absorbed textures of diverse cultures while staying rooted in his Zimbabwean identity. Now back home, he continues to record and collaborate, infusing new life into the local scene with his unique blend of reggae, soul, and social consciousness. But King Ashwet is more than a musician — he is a storyteller across mediums. As an actor, he has appeared in local productions that mirror Zimbabwe’s evolving cultural landscape. As a disc jockey, he has kept dance floors alive in local nightclubs, performed at Bush Radio in Cape Town, and hosted reggae sessions on Mambokadzi Dream Radio, an online station broadcasting from Botswana, where he continues to present from Zimbabwe. His radio presence bridges nations, uniting listeners through rhythm and reflection. Online, his music reaches a growing global audience. His songs — including “Roots,” “Hosanna (feat. General Waspy),” and “When Life Is Low” — can be streamed on Apple Music, JioSaavn, and Shazam. His Singles Collection showcases the depth of his artistry, blending spirituality, struggle, and hope into melodies that speak to the soul. Through it all, King Ashwet remains a symbol of creative endurance — a man who never stopped singing, no matter where life led him. From Kwekwe’s humble beginnings to the world’s digital stages, his journey is a testament to what it means to follow the music within and let it lead you home. Discover King Ashwet: 🎵 [ JioSaavn – “Roots” ] 🎵 [ Shazam – “When Life Is Low” ] 🌐 [ Facebook – King Ashwet Official ] 🌐 [ Facebook – Ashwet Phiri ]