United News of Bangladesh

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday pledged to deepen bilateral relations despite lingering tensions rooted in their wartime history, as both countries navigate global uncertainty and pressure from the United States. The meeting, held in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, marked their first summit and came ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. It followed visits by U.S. President Donald Trump to both Tokyo and Seoul, where he urged the two key American allies to fulfill their multibillion-dollar investment commitments in the United States. President Lee said South Korea and Japan face “rapidly changing international dynamics and trade conditions,” stressing that forward-looking cooperation between the two nations is more vital than ever. Prime Minister Takaichi, for her part, emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation among Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington “under the current strategic environment,” according to a statement from the South Korean presidential office. Both leaders agreed to continue their “shuttle diplomacy,” taking turns to host future summits. “Our talks were very enjoyable and meaningful,” Takaichi said, adding that she looked forward to hosting Lee in Japan next time. Takaichi’s election on October 22 had raised concerns in Seoul due to her right-leaning stance on historical issues. She has previously resisted acknowledging Japan’s wartime aggression and denied coercion in the use of Korean laborers and women forced into sexual slavery during World War II. Despite these concerns, analysts believe Seoul and Tokyo are likely to continue strengthening cooperation, as both seek to safeguard their economic interests amid Trump’s push to overhaul global trade rules. The two countries also share other pressing challenges, including supply chain vulnerabilities and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. President Lee’s rise to power in June initially sparked apprehension in Japan, given his past criticism for leaning toward North Korea and China. However, under his policy of “pragmatic diplomacy,” Lee has repeatedly vowed to reinforce ties with Japan and the U.S., prioritizing trilateral security collaboration. Both governments have also pledged massive investment packages in the United States. Seoul had been negotiating for weeks with Washington over the structure of its proposed $350 billion investment plan. Following Lee’s summit with Trump on Wednesday, South Korea announced it had made progress toward finalizing a trade deal. According to South Korean officials, the country will provide $200 billion in direct U.S. investments over the next decade and another $150 billion — including loan guarantees — to help rejuvenate America’s shipbuilding industry. In exchange, Washington has agreed to reduce tariffs on Korean cars and auto parts from 25% to 15%, while also promising to share technology that would allow South Korea to develop nuclear-powered submarines. Trump’s visit to South Korea, which included a separate summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, followed his trip to Japan earlier this week. In Tokyo, Trump and Takaichi unveiled several major U.S.-based energy and technology projects funded by Japan, with American officials estimating up to $490 billion in Japanese investments tied to the new trade deal. As both Seoul and Tokyo work to balance their alliance with Washington and manage regional rivalries, Thursday’s summit reflected cautious optimism that pragmatic cooperation could prevail over historical grievances.    

Protests in Tanzania entered a second day on Thursday following a disputed election, with Amnesty International reporting that two people have died amid unrest. The demonstrations began Wednesday after the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, in power since independence in 1961, sought to extend its rule in an election that barred candidates from the two main opposition parties. President Samia Suluhu Hassan faced 16 candidates from smaller parties who conducted minimal campaigning. Early results announced Thursday by the electoral body on state television showed President Hassan leading with 96.99% of votes in eight of the 272 constituencies counted so far. Turnout was low, and violence erupted in Dar es Salaam, with protesters burning a bus and a gas station, attacking police stations, and vandalizing polling centers. Authorities responded with an internet shutdown, a nationwide curfew, and military deployment to control the unrest. Roadblocks were set up across the country, and public servants were instructed to work from home. Protesters attempted to reach the main airport but were blocked by security forces. Ferry services to Zanzibar, whose electoral body is expected to announce results Thursday, were suspended. Two fatalities—a civilian and a police officer—were reported by Amnesty International, which also called for investigations into police use of force. The European Parliament condemned the elections as “neither free nor fair” and urged democratic partners to defend human rights and democratic processes. The main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, remains in prison after being charged with treason for advocating electoral reforms. Another presidential candidate from the second largest opposition party, Luhaga Mpina, was barred from running. Tanzanians voted for president, members of parliament, and ward councilors in Wednesday’s polls, which have sparked nationwide protests amid mounting criticism over the fairness of the electoral process.    

Sudan’s two-year war took a dangerous turn this week as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured the entire Darfur region, including its capital, el-Fasher, after ousting the Sudanese army from its last stronghold. The conflict has killed over 40,000 people and displaced more than 14 million, creating the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The RSF, led by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, has roots in the Janjaweed militias that carried out mass killings and forced displacements in Darfur during the early 2000s. Initially formed to impose discipline on these militias, the RSF has been accused of torture, extrajudicial killings, mass rapes, and plunder. Dagalo, a native of Darfur from an Arab camel-trading tribe, used his family’s livestock and gold mining operations to build support and expand the militia. Since the overthrow of former President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, he has emerged as Sudan’s main power broker, competing for control with army chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan. The RSF has also courted regional allies. Its fighters have served in Yemen and Libya, and the group has been involved in European Union border deals. The army has accused the UAE and Libya’s Khalifa Haftar of supporting the RSF, charges denied by both parties. After losing control of Khartoum earlier this year, the RSF regrouped in Darfur and Kordofan, strengthening its position with local alliances and foreign-supplied drones and weapons. Dagalo claims he is forming a rival government to rule RSF-controlled areas. The capture of Darfur raises fears of renewed fragmentation in Sudan, nearly 15 years after South Sudan gained independence, and signals a possible expansion of the RSF’s campaign toward central Sudan.  

Sudan’s two-year war has reached a critical turning point after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized full control of Darfur, ousting the army from its final stronghold in the region. The takeover of El-Fasher, North Darfur’s capital, has heightened concerns that the country could fragment, nearly 15 years after South Sudan’s independence. Led by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, the RSF evolved from the Janjaweed militia, accused of atrocities during the early 2000s Darfur conflict that left about 300,000 dead and millions displaced. Originally backed by former ruler Omar al-Bashir, Hemedti built his power base through gold mining and regional alliances, deploying fighters to conflicts in Yemen and Libya with Gulf support. The RSF has been accused of war crimes, including mass killings and sexual violence. Despite sanctions from the former U.S. administration, Dagalo expanded his influence after Bashir’s fall in 2019, becoming a key player in Sudan’s turbulent politics. His forces now control large swaths of western and central Sudan, while the army, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, remains entrenched in the east. Both sides have relied on foreign fighters and drone weaponry supplied by countries such as Turkey, Iran, China, and Russia. The RSF’s capture of Darfur—Sudan’s vast western region—marks one of its biggest victories since the war began, deepening the humanitarian crisis that has already displaced more than 14 million people and killed over 40,000. Dagalo has since declared plans to form a rival government, signaling the possible breakup of Sudan if peace efforts fail.

Polling began across Tanzania on Wednesday in an election overshadowed by arrests of opposition members and concerns raised by international rights groups. President Samia Suluhu Hassan is seeking a second term, representing the long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has remained in power since the country’s independence in 1961. Voting started at 7 a.m. local time and will continue until 4 p.m., with initial results expected within 24 hours. However, the electoral commission has up to seven days to declare the final outcome. Reporters from the Associated Press observed orderly queues at several polling centers early in the day. The main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu of the CHADEMA party, remains behind bars facing treason charges after calling for electoral reforms, while another major opposition candidate was disqualified from contesting. Amnesty International said the pre-election environment was marred by “fear and intimidation,” citing verified incidents of enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings. The group warned that such abuses threaten the credibility of the vote. Hassan, who completed the term of her late predecessor John Pombe Magufuli after his sudden death in 2021, is now seeking her first full mandate. Sixteen candidates from smaller opposition parties are also in the race. Tanzania has over 37 million registered voters—up 26 percent from the 2020 polls—but analysts say voter apathy remains high amid expectations of an easy victory for the incumbent. The CHADEMA party has called for peaceful protests on election day, alleging government interference and unfair practices. Source: AP

Eleven people, mostly foreign tourists, were killed Tuesday when a plane crashed in Kenya’s coastal Kwale region while flying to Maasai Mara National Reserve. Mombasa Air Safari confirmed that eight Hungarian and two German passengers, along with the Kenyan pilot, were on board. The aircraft went down in a hilly, forested area about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Diani airstrip. Authorities said the pilot failed to communicate after takeoff, and air traffic controllers tried unsuccessfully to contact him for 30 minutes before locating the wreckage. Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde said investigators are examining the cause of the crash, which occurred at 5:30 a.m. local time, though the Transport Ministry later cited 8:35 a.m. Heavy rain was reported in the region at the time. Witnesses described hearing a loud bang, and the plane burst into flames, leaving only charred remains at the site. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority initially reported 12 people aboard the Cessna Caravan-type aircraft. Maasai Mara National Reserve, located west of the coast, is a two-hour flight from Diani and is a major tourist destination, famous for the annual wildebeest migration from Tanzania’s Serengeti. The Kenyan coastline is also popular for its white sand beaches along the Indian Ocean. A 2018 International Civil Aviation Organization safety oversight audit noted that Kenya fell below the global average in accident investigation standards. Source: AP

Cameroon’s Constitutional Council on Monday confirmed President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest leader at 92, as the winner of the Oct. 12 presidential election. Biya, in power since 1982, received 53.66% of the votes, while former ally-turned-opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary won 35.19%, with a voter turnout of 57.7%. The announcement followed violent clashes between security forces and opposition supporters. At least four protesters were killed and hundreds arrested in cities including Douala, Garoua, and Maroua. Tchiroma had earlier claimed victory based on party-collected results, which Biya dismissed. The election has stirred tensions, particularly among young Cameroonians who make up over 70% of the nearly 30 million population. Critics accuse Biya of using state machinery to influence the vote and of sidelining strong rivals. Biya’s long tenure has coincided with persistent crises, including Boko Haram attacks in the north and a secessionist insurgency in the English-speaking regions, which has killed thousands and displaced over a million. Despite modest economic growth, many young people remain in informal jobs and see little benefit from the nation’s oil wealth. Experts warn that dissatisfaction among youth and continued unrest could threaten stability in Cameroon as hopes for meaningful political change remain unfulfilled.  

Mali is grappling with a severe fuel shortage after jihadi militants imposed an unusual blockade on imports, heightening pressure on the landlocked West African nation. Education Minister Amadou Sy Savane said late Sunday that schools across the country will remain closed for two weeks, citing fuel scarcity that prevents teachers and other workers from commuting. The blockade, targeting fuel imports from Senegal and Ivory Coast, has disrupted Mali’s economy and military operations. Hundreds of fuel trucks remain stranded at the borders, while rising fuel prices are deepening hardships for millions of Malians. Militants from the al-Qaida-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) launched the ban in early September, retaliating against government measures earlier this year that limited fuel supply to remote areas to pressure insurgents. Analysts say the blockade is a show of strength and a tactic to undermine the Malian military junta, which has struggled to contain decades-long jihadi threats. JNIM’s operations have forced transport companies to halt fuel deliveries along major routes. Mali’s 2020 military coup promised stability, but violence has surged, with some attacks this year the deadliest in over three years, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. Despite support from Russian mercenaries and partnerships with neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso, the security situation remains dire. The fuel crisis has forced residents in Bamako to queue for hours, sometimes overnight, at gas stations. The military has attempted to escort fuel trucks to the capital while striking JNIM positions, but attacks continue to disrupt deliveries. Experts warn that the ongoing blockade is worsening economic and social conditions in one of the world’s least developed nations, where nearly half of the population lives below the poverty line despite Mali being a leading gold producer.  

Voters in Ivory Coast went to the polls Saturday as President Alassane Ouattara pursues a fourth term, with key opposition figures barred from contesting, raising concerns over the credibility of the election. Five candidates are officially running for the presidency, but the 83-year-old Ouattara, who has led the world’s top cocoa-producing nation since 2011, is widely expected to retain power. If re-elected, he will extend his nearly two-decade rule. His party, the Rally of Houphouetistes for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), also holds a parliamentary majority. Ouattara has overseen post-civil war economic recovery, achieving annual growth of around 6%, driven largely by cocoa exports. Despite these gains, about 37.5% of the country’s 30 million people still live in poverty, and youth unemployment remains high. Ouedraogo Issiaka, a scrap metal dealer in Abidjan, said he voted to “show my support” for Ouattara but sympathized with those whose preferred candidates were excluded. Polling stations opened shortly after 0800 GMT following minor delays. Some 8.7 million voters were registered, with turnout in previous elections only slightly above 50%. The election campaign has been overshadowed by the exclusion of major opposition figures, including former Credit Suisse executive Tidjane Thiam and former President Laurent Gbagbo, whose supporters have protested and faced arrests. Analysts warn the disqualifications echo past electoral crises that claimed thousands of lives in 2010–2011 and nearly 100 in 2020. Ouattara has denied suppressing opposition, while international scrutiny has been limited. “The geopolitical context is favorable to him,” said Séverin Yao Kouamé, a University of Bouaké professor, citing other global priorities. Among the candidates challenging Ouattara are former first lady Simone Gbagbo and ex-commerce minister Jean-Louis Billion. They have promised new agricultural policies and job creation, but analysts consider their chances of winning slim. At his final rally in Abidjan on Thursday, Ouattara told supporters, “The growth has been huge, but we need to continue.” The former IMF deputy managing director has invested heavily in infrastructure and public services, earning backing from his supporters. Vote counting will start immediately after polling ends, with provisional results expected within 48 hours.  

Hopes that Tanzania’s first woman president Samia Suluhu Hassan would ease political repression have faded as she seeks a fresh mandate in elections on Oct. 29, with critics warning of intensified crackdowns on opposition leaders and activists. Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 after the death of former President John Pombe Magufuli, initially moved to create political space and engage opponents. However, opponents now accuse her of showing an authoritarian streak similar to her predecessor’s rule. Amnesty International said this week that repression has “intensified” under Hassan, citing arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Hassan’s ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has been in power since independence in 1961 and has never handed over leadership through elections. The main opposition party Chadema has long tried to challenge the dominance but faces growing restrictions. Chadema leader Tundu Lissu, who survived an assassination attempt in 2017, remains jailed on treason charges. The party has refused to participate in the polls without key reforms, leading election authorities to bar it from the race. Another popular politician, Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo party, has also been disqualified from contesting. With only minor rivals on the ballot, Hassan is expected to easily win, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project, which tracks political violence. The group said CCM aims to avoid the electoral pressure faced by ruling parties elsewhere in Africa and has “neutered Tanzania’s opposition through administrative, legal, and extra-legal means” since it received its lowest vote share in 2015. Rights concerns have deepened in recent months. A UN panel of experts reported more than 200 enforced disappearances since 2019 and voiced alarm over “a pattern of repression” ahead of the election. Two East African activists who traveled to Tanzania to attend Lissu’s trial said they were sexually assaulted before being deported. The disappearance of Humphrey Polepole, a former ambassador to Cuba who resigned after criticizing the government, has also raised concern. He was reportedly taken from his home in Dar es Salaam earlier this month and has not been seen since. It was not possible to obtain a comment from Hassan, and the presidential office did not respond to questions emailed by the AP. Analysts say Hassan briefly lifted hopes by reversing harsh Magufuli-era restrictions, including the ban on opposition rallies. Yet she has since shown a willingness to tighten control. Amnesty’s Roland Ebole said her role as head of state and commander-in-chief “places her directly in charge” of the security agencies and the ongoing abuses. Hassan has sought to consolidate her power inside CCM by reshuffling her security chiefs, including appointing three different directors to the intelligence service in about three years. She is campaigning under the slogan “Work and Dignity,” promising expanded opportunities in farming and livestock. Her policy platform, known as the “Four Rs,” calls for reconciliation, reforms, rebuilding and resilience. Foreign investment has picked up after years of strained relations with international businesses under Magufuli’s policies. Yet critics argue Hassan has not used that momentum to become a unifying leader. Many Tanzanians still express hope for genuine change. “We expected more freedom, especially for political rallies and the press,” said a resident of Dar es Salaam who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation. “However, it feels like things are going back to the old ways.”