[The Herald] So much is happening in relationships that I find concerning, especially in the efforts to build strong families.

[New Dawn] Gov't fight back on torture allegations

[Liberian Observer] As the world focuses intently on the escalating conflict in Gaza, a horrific tragedy unfolds in the Darfur region of Sudan, marked by systematic massacres, displacement, and ethnic cleansing. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue to carry out brutal campaigns against ethnic Africans, yet there remains a disturbing silence from African governments and regional organizations. This apathy represents a betrayal of the principles of Pan-Africanism, solidarity, and the protection of human dignity.

[Liberian Investigator] Monrovia -- Just two days after a fire gutted the Capitol Building on December 18, 2024, Senator Prince Moye (UP, Bong County) proposed on the Senate floor that US$1.8 million be allocated in the national budget for the renovation of the fire-damaged joint chambers. However, the rationale behind the proposed amount remains unclear, prompting widespread criticism of the senator for what many deemed a hasty and premature suggestion. Questions have arisen regarding how he arrived at the figure.

[Premium Times] The year put Nigeria's commitment to democratic values--respect for human rights, the rule of law, and press freedom-- to test.

[The Herald] Angeline Gata, Deputy Minister Primary & Secondary Education

[AI London] Civilians under continued assault as warring factions M23 and Congolese Army ramp up use of explosive weapons

[allAfrica] Geneva -- Sudan's conflict is worsening, and the UN Human Rights Office chief Volker Türk says it is becoming even more dangerous for civilians after reports that dozens were brutally killed in ethnically targeted attacks in the southeastern state of Al Jazirah and amid reports of an imminent battle for control of the capital, Khartoum.

[Addis Standard] Addis Abeba -- Ethiopia has been listed among the worst jailers of journalists in Africa, with six journalists detained--five of whom are facing "terrorism" charges that could carry death sentences, according to the 2024 prison census by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), released Thursday.

[RFI] South African rescuers on Thursday ended their attempts to find anyone left in an illegal gold mine where at least 78 people died during a months-long police siege. The Giwusa labour union called the operation the "worst state-sponsored massacre" since the end of apartheid.

[Namibian] Academics Martha Akawa, Andreas Eckl and Matthias Häussler offer a collection of pieces in 'An Unresolved Issue: Genocide in Colonial Namibia', published by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Windhoek.

[Egypt Online] The Arab Republic of Egypt, the State of Qatar and the United States of America announce that the two parties of the conflict in Gaza have reached an agreement to release hostages in exchange of prisoners and return to sustainable calm, ultimately achieving a permanent ceasefire between the parties. The agreement is expected to come into effect as of 19 January 2025.

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- A coalition of religious leaders from Nairobi has issued a strong condemnation of recent remarks made by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi linking the NIS to the reported abduction of his son in June terming them "reckless".

[The Conversation Africa] Tanzania has a long and troubling history of evicting communities from their lands. This has happened under the guise of expanding protected conservation areas, which make up over 40% of its territory.

[HRW] Johannesburg -- Several governments across Southern Africa grew increasingly authoritarian and intolerant of dissent throughout 2024, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2025. The authorities adopted heavy-handed tactics that eroded civic space and the electoral process by harassing activists and journalists, introducing laws that contravened human rights, weaponizing the justice system against political opponents, and at times violently repressing protests.

[IFJ] The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns this act of aggression and intimidation by the police, meted out to journalists who simply reported on an issue of public interest.

[FrontPageAfrica] Ganta -- Thousands of Nimbaians gathered in a somber yet spirited procession on Tuesday, January 15, 2025, to receive the remains of their revered leader, Senator Prince Yormie Johnson, as his body arrived in Ganta from the nation's capital, Monrovia.

[HRW] Nairobi -- Crackdowns on Dissent, Civic Space; Impunity for Abuse

[HRW] Beirut -- The Tunisian government exacerbated its repression of critical voices and accelerated its crackdown on civil society groups, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2025. Authorities undermined the integrity of the October presidential election, escalating politically motivated arrests and arbitrary detentions, including of prospective challengers, and amending the electoral law just days before the vote.

[HRW] Nairobi -- Armed groups and government forces in West Africa have committed atrocities with impunity in 2024, with thousands of dead and injured, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2025.