*Evening News Round-up:Monday 26 May 2025* *Headlines* *Human Rights Defenders Worry Over Lack Of Political Will To Resolve Gukurahundi Massacres, Commitment To Reparations, Justice For Victims* *Kariba Power Generation To Rise To 500MW This Winter* *Two Suspected Drug Dealers Nabbed* *African Development Bank To Pick New Head To Confront US Funding Cuts* *Ex-DR Congo President Returns From Self-imposed Exile, Party Says* *Separatists' Sit-at-home Protests Lead To 700 Deaths In Nigeria's Southeast, Report Says* *Trump Calls Putin 'Crazy' After Largest Russian Aerial Attack On Ukraine* *Palestinian Official Says Hamas Agrees To Gaza Proposal, Israel Dismisses It* *Fake Discounts On Shein 'Breach Law', EU Says* *Kylian Mbappe Wins European Golden Shoe Award For First Time* Join our *Ad-free* News Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F *Stories in Detail:* *Human Rights Defenders Worry Over Lack Of Political Will To Resolve Gukurahundi Massacres, Commitment To Reparations, Justice For Victims* A HUMAN rights lobby group has called for the compensation and justice for Africans and their descendants, who have been victimised during slavery, colonialism and genocides, including the 1980s Gukurahundi in Zimbabwe that claimed an estimated 20,000 people. To observe Africa Day, Crisis ln Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) spokesperson, Marvellous Kumalo said his organisation was strongly behind principles to promote truth-telling, reconciliation and healing. "The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition joins progressive forces within the continent in amplifying calls for a global commitment to reparations and justice for Africans and people of African descent, who have been victims of past injustices that include genocide, slave trade, colonialism as well as apartheid. "This year’s Africa Day theme; ‘Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations’ signifies the importance of truth telling, reconciliation and healing for Africans and people of African descent in the wake of past injustices," said Kumalo. He said the reparations are critical to address inequalities and injustices that resulted from the heinous acts of slavery, colonialism and apartheid hence our call for a renewed and firm global commitment. "This calls for political will and genuine commitment to the reparations process- a genuine expectation from Africans and the People of African Descent. "The reparation process, which should be aligned to the African Union (AU) frameworks on peace-building, development and global advocacy is critical in creating a just, peaceful and equitable world that respects and upholds the dignity of every person while addressing present dynamics to give Africa an equal footing at the global level. "Engagement is thus key and African governments must be implored to ensure their citizens—directly and indirectly affected by past injustices—are able to reap benefits from the reparation process." CiZC noted that it is incumbent for perpetrators of past injustices to initiate the reparation process and lead the globe towards a path of healing, reconciliation and justice. "Financial compensation, economic empowerment, the return of stolen assets, social justice initiatives, cultural restoration, restorative justice and reforms aimed at addressing inequalities resulting from past injustices should also inform the reparation process," further noted CiZC. Kumalo said the role of regional and continental bodies, including the church in negotiating the reparation process cannot be overemphasised. "The Coalition reiterates the need for a comprehensive approach which calls for engagement with entities that benefitted from past injustices on Africa. "The Coalition hereby makes a clarion call for collaboration between governments, civil society and regional organisations to create a system to compensate Africans and people of African descent for the enduring legacies of colonialism, slavery, apartheid and genocide. "We acknowledge and applaud the statements from speakers at the Fourth Session of the United Nations (UN) Permanent Forum on African Descent in April 2025 to the effect that "calls for reparatory justice can no longer be ignored". As Zimbabwe joined Africa and the rest of the world in commemorating Africa Day 2025, Kumalo said it is also important to reflect on progress in terms of addressing past injustices at the local level. "The Coalition notes with concern the intransigence on the part of the Zimbabwean government in addressing past injustices that include the Gukurahundi massacres which led to the death of more than 20 000 civilians at the hands of the North Korean trained Fifth Brigade, political violence that resulted in the death and torture of opposition and civil society activists, Operation Murambatsvina, the August 2018 army shootings and the January 2019 shootings among various acts of state sponsored brutality. "We implore the political leadership to show renewed and genuine commitment in moving the country towards a trajectory of truth telling, healing and reconciliation. This is critical for nationhood and ultimately development," he said. "Of late we have witnessed cosmetic approaches in addressing past injustices and current and past efforts have turned out to be acts of mere politicking. "Truth telling, engagement with victims, healing and compensation is critical in addressing past injustices and building a peaceful and prosperous Zimbabwe. "There is also a need for serious policy reforms to address structural inequalities resulting from colonialism and post independence injustices such as the Gukurahundi massacres," CiZC noted. *NewZW* *Kariba Power Generation To Rise To 500MW This Winter* Power generation at Kariba South Hydropower Station is set to rise to around 500 megawatts (MW) this winter, following an improved water allocation from the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) to Zimbabwe’s power utility, Zesa. The hydropower facility is currently producing approximately 400MW daily, but Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo told Parliament on Wednesday that better water inflows into Lake Kariba in recent months had allowed the ZRA to increase the allocation to both Zimbabwe and Zambia. "We have been allocated water enough to generate 485MW by ZRA," said Minister Moyo during a Question and Answer session. "However, we can even produce about 500MW so that winter crop farmers have adequate electricity, while being mindful we do not exhaust our annual allocation." The increase in water levels at Lake Kariba — from under 7 percent earlier this year to over 16 percent — has offered both countries more flexibility in electricity production. The ZRA monitors water inflows into the lake from the Zambezi River and other tributaries, setting annual maximum usage volumes for power generation to ensure sustainable levels are maintained. "We are now confident that the ZRA will be able to increase what it allows both Zesa and Zambia’s Zesco to generate," Minister Moyo said. "We think that with tight management, we can assure wheat growers that they will not be switched off." To support farmers during the winter cropping season, the government is encouraging the installation of prepaid electricity meters. Minister Moyo said this would ensure reliable electricity access throughout the season. "It is for their benefit to have electricity prepaid meters," he explained. "At financial institutions where they are getting seed and fertilisers, they can also get assistance on getting prepaid electricity meters. This way, they are guaranteed of always having electricity." The government has ambitious targets under its 2025 winter cereals programme — including 600,000 tonnes of wheat, 39,000 tonnes of barley, and 236,000 tonnes of potatoes — which require a stable power supply. As of Friday, Zimbabwe’s total electricity generation stood at 1,619MW. Hwange Power Station accounted for the bulk of it with 1,176MW, Kariba contributed 400MW, and independent power producers added 43MW. Zimbabwe has faced chronic power shortages in recent years due to droughts and ageing infrastructure. However, output has improved significantly to between 800MW and 1,000MW per day, largely due to the commissioning of Hwange Units 7 and 8 last year. *Two Suspected Drug Dealers Nabbed* Police in Manicaland have arrested two suspects who were allegedly found in possession of an assortment of drugs, said a senior police officer. National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the suspects, Erick Manyangadze (42) and his passenger Susan Mutasa also aged 42 are now assisting police with investigations. "On 22 May 2025, detectives from Criminal Investigations Department (CID) drugs and narcotics, Manicaland intercepted a Toyota Wish vehicle and arrested the driver, Erick Manyangadze (42) and passenger, Susan Mutasa (42) in connection with unlawful possession of 22 kilogrammes of skunky dagga and unregistered medicines comprising of Broncleer cough syrup and Benylin cough strup," said commissioner Nyathi. Meanwhile, commissioner Nyathi said police in Marondera are looking for information which may assist in the investigation of a fatal hit and run road traffic accident which occurred at the 119 km peg along Harare Mutare highway on 24 May this year at around 07:40 pm. "An unknown motorist hit a male juvenile (16) and did not stop after the accident. The victim sustained head injuries and died on the spot," said commissioner and appealed to anyone with information to report at any nearest police station. In Goromonzi, police are investigating circumstances surrounding a suspected case of murder in which Nelson Kaingidza (34) was found dead floating in Hunyani Dam at Maikoro Farm on 23 May this year. Commissioner Nyathi said the deceased had some marks on his legs, suggesting a foul play. *New Ziana* *African Development Bank To Pick New Head To Confront US Funding Cuts* The African Development Bank is meeting in Ivory Coast this week to pick a new president at a time when the continent's biggest multilateral lender faces unprecedented challenges from funding cuts by the U.S. government. Washington wants to cut $555 million in funding to the AfDB and its African Development Fund, which offers low-priced financing to the continent's poor nations. "This is going to be a major task and it is effectively the new president's first test," said Hannah Ryder, founder of Development Reimagined, an Africa-focused consultancy. The annual gathering of heads of state and finance officials, taking place this year in Abidjan, is one of the biggest finance meetings on the continent. It comes as heavily indebted governments in the region are searching for new sources of financing to bankroll their development projects. AfDB, which is Africa's largest development finance institution with $318 billion capital, is owned by 54 African states and G7 nations such as the U.S. and Japan. Its biggest shareholder is Nigeria. The next round of replenishment for the ADF, which is held on a three-year cycle, is scheduled to take place in November. It is targeting to raise $25 billion, up from $8.9 billion in the last round. The new president will have to try to persuade the U.S. to reinstate the funding, seek additional funds from non-regional members of the bank like China, or Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in return for more say, or ask African states to contribute more, Ryder said. Five candidates - from South Africa, Senegal, Zambia, Chad and Mauritania - are vying to replace outgoing President Akinwumi Adesina, who will step down in September after serving the maximum two five-year terms. AfDB will focus on boosting electricity connections, increasing food production, fostering industries, integrating economies on the continent and lifting people's living standards over the next decade, Adesina told a media reception at the meeting on Monday. The winner, who must secure at least 50.01% of the votes from the 54 African member states of the bank, and in a second vote from all 81 members, including non-African ones, will be announced on Thursday. The bank is grappling with the challenges of a changing global economy after U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House, including higher U.S. import tariffs. "We expect the meeting to discuss implications of current global events arising from the Trump administration," said Fred Muhumuza, a lecturer at Makerere University's business school in Kampala. "Many of the key contributors have been cutting bilateral support to African countries." *Reuters* *Ex-DR Congo President Returns From Self-imposed Exile, Party Says* Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila is back in the country for the first time in two years, having arrived in the rebel-held eastern city of Goma, spokespersons for the rebels as well as a youth leader from his party have said. Kabila's arrival comes after senators stripped him of his immunity over alleged support for the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group which has been fighting the Congolese army. Kabila, who has previously denied links with the rebel group, recently decried the justice system , alleging it was "exploited for political ends". The 53-year-old led DR Congo for 18 years, after succeeding his father Laurent, who was shot dead in 2001. He handed power to President Félix Tshisekedi in 2019, but they later fell out. Speaking to the BBC, a Goma youth leader for Kabila's People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), confirmed earlier reports from the M23 that Kabila had arrived in Goma. "Kabila should be allowed full access to the country. For us it is like a father has returned to his children," Innocent Mirimo told BBC Swahili. Last month, the PPRD was banned by the authorities in the capital, Kinshasa, who accused of having an "ambiguous attitude" towards the capture of Congolese territory by the M23. In a message on X, rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka welcomed Kabila to Goma saying: "We wish him a pleasant stay in the liberated areas." A similar message was shared by another spokesperson, Willy Ngoma. The Congolese authorities accuse Kabila of war crimes and treason, alleging there is a "substantial body of documents, testimony and material facts" that link the former leader to the M23. In a now-deleted YouTube video released on Friday, Kabila called the Congolese government a "dictatorship", and said there was a "decline of democracy" in the country. Congolese government spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya, rejected Kabila's allegations, saying he had "nothing to offer the country". Fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 first broke out in 2012 and ended in a peace deal the following year. But in 2021 the group took up arms again, saying the promises made in the deal had been broken. Since the beginning of this year, the M23 has made major advances in the mineral-rich east, including taking Goma in January. The conflict has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians in the last few months. Kabila has been living outside the country, in South Africa, for the past two years. At the beginning of last month he said he would be returning to help find a solution to the conflict. *BBC* *Separatists' Sit-at-home Protests Lead To 700 Deaths In Nigeria's Southeast, Report Says* A sit-at-home order by banned separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra in Nigeria's southeast has led to the death of over 700 people in the region over the past four years, an intelligence consultancy said in a new report. The IPOB, campaigning for the secession of the southeast that is predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group, has been labelled a terrorist organisation by Nigerian authorities. SBM Intelligence reported that the fatalities resulted from the killing of civilians who defied the weekly stay-at-home order every Monday and on other specific days, as well as from clashes between the IPOB and Nigerian security forces. "IPOB's enforcement tactics, including arson, looting and targeted assassinations, have created a climate of fear," the SBM report said. "While there was a high rate of compliance with sit-at-home orders in 2021 (82.61%), surveys reveal that actual support is much lower (29%) now, with many complying under duress." An IPOB spokesperson denied the group was responsible for the deaths. "Those causing the killings are the kidnappers and criminals recruited by government to blackmail and demonize IPOB," the spokesperson said. The government did not respond to a request for comment. The IPOB launched the sit-at-home protest in August 2021 across the five states of Nigeria's southeast, using it as leverage to demand the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing trial in the capital Abuja on terrorism charges. The group suspended the weekly protest days later, citing a "direct order" from Kanu, who has been in custody since 2021, and reinstated it only on days the IPOB leader would be appearing in court. However, other armed groups claiming allegiance to IPOB and factions within the group have persisted in enforcing the weekly protest, launching attacks on government facilities and perceived pro-government individuals. Despite IPOB's attempts to disassociate itself from the region's violence, the police have accused the group of involvement in several incidents, including a 2021 attack on a prisonand the murder of over 30 travellers earlier this month. The IPOB denied responsibility for those two attacks. The SBM report added that beyond the deaths, the sit-at-home order, which suspends economic activities in the southeast every Monday and on days when Kanu appears in court, has resulted in economic losses surpassing 7.6 trillion naira ($4.79 billion). Civil war engulfed the restive Biafra region in the late 1960s, killing more than 1 million people. *reuters* *Trump Calls Putin 'Crazy' After Largest Russian Aerial Attack On Ukraine* Russia launched its biggest drone barrage on Ukraine just hours after Donald Trump called Vladimir Putin "crazy" for the attacks. The US president said on Truth Social on Sunday: "Something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely crazy. He is needlessly killing a lot of people." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump's comment was a "very important moment... connected to an emotional overload of everyone involved" but added the Russian president was taking decisions "necessary for the security" of Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said "only a sense of total impunity" could allow Russia to "carry out such strikes and continue increasing their scale". At least 13 people were killed and dozens injured in Ukraine in the night between Saturday and Sunday after Russia fired 367 drones and missiles in what was the largest combined aerial attack since Russia's full-scale invasion of February 2022. Then, between Sunday evening and Monday morning, Russia launched 355 drones and nine cruise missiles against Ukraine, according to Kyiv's air force. The Ukrainian air force said it was the largest attack yet conducted with drones alone. Sirens warning of incoming drones and missiles sounded again in many regions of Ukraine early on Monday. Several people were reported across the country bu regional authorities. Peskov said the latest aerial assaults were a response to Ukrainian attacks on Russia's "social infrastructure". The Russian defence ministry said on Monday morning that air defence systems destroyed 20 Ukrainian drones over several Russian regions. *BBC* *Palestinian Official Says Hamas Agrees To Gaza Proposal, Israel Dismisses It* A Palestinian official said on Monday that Hamas has agreed to a proposal by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff for a Gaza ceasefire, only for an Israeli official to deny that the proposal was Washington's and add that no Israeli government could accept it. Witkoff also rejected the notion that Hamas had accepted his offer for a hostage deal and a ceasefire in Gaza, telling Reuters that what he had seen was "completely unacceptable" and the proposal being discussed was not the same as his. The Palestinian official, who is close to Hamas, had told Reuters that the proposal would see the release of 10 hostages and a 70-day ceasefire and was received by Hamas through mediators. "The proposal includes the release of 10 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas in two groups in return for a 70-day ceasefire and a partial withdrawal from the Gaza Strip," the source said. It also included the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, including hundreds serving lengthy prison terms. An Israeli official dismissed the proposal, saying no responsible government could accept such an agreement and rejecting the assertion that the deal matched one proposed by Witkoff. On March 18, Israel effectively ended a January ceasefire agreement with Hamas and renewed its military campaign in Gaza. Hamas and allied factions began firing rockets and attacks two days later. Hamas has said it is willing to free all remaining hostages seized by its gunmen in attacks on communities in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and agree to a permanent ceasefire if Israel pulls out completely from Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel would only be willing to agree to a temporary ceasefire in return for the release of hostages, vowing that war can only end once Hamas is eradicated. Israel launched an air and ground war in Gaza after the Hamas-led militants' cross-border attack, which killed 1,200 people by Israeli tallies, with 251 hostages abducted into Gaza. The conflict has killed nearly 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and devastated the coastal strip. Aid groups say signs of severe malnutrition are widespread. *Reuters* *Fake Discounts On Shein 'Breach Law', EU Says* Fake discounts, pressure selling, and other practices on Chinese fast-fashion website Shein breach the law, the European Union (EU) has said. The bloc said it has given Shein one month to respond to its findings or face fines based on its sales in the EU countries where it says it has breached the law. "It's now for Shein to step up, respect the rules and bring its practices fully in line with EU consumer standards," said EU justice commissioner Michael McGrath. A Shein spokesperson said: "Our priority remains ensuring that European consumers can have a safe, reliable, and enjoyable online shopping experience." The EU said on Monday its ongoing investigation from the EU's consumer rights enforcer found "a broad range of practices with which consumers are confronted while shopping on Shein and that are in breach of EU law". This included misleading information, deceptive product labels, misleading sustainability claims, and hidden contact details. It also found instances of pretending to offer better deals by showing price reductions that were not based on the actual prior prices, and fake deadlines to put costumers under pressure to buy. The EU has also asked Shein to make sure its product reviews and ratings are "not presented to consumers in a misleading manner". "All companies reaching out to EU consumers must play by our rules. Today's action sends a clear message: we will not shy away from holding e-commerce platforms to account, regardless of where they are based," said McGrath. A Shein spokesperson said it has been "working constructively with national consumers authorities and the EU Commission to demonstrate our commitment to complying with EU laws and regulations, and we are continuing to engage in this process to address any concerns". Shein has come under fire for its business practices before, with a January BBC report revealing some staff were working 75-hour weeks, in breach of Chinese labour laws. That same month, Shein was accused of "wilful ignorance" by MPs in the UK after its lawyer repeatedly refused to answer questions about where the retailer sources its cotton. In response to the BBC investigation into worker conditions, Shein said it is "committed to ensuring the fair and dignified treatment of all workers within our supply chain", and that it is investing tens of millions of dollars in strengthening governance and compliance. "We strive to set the highest standards for pay and we require that all supply chain partners adhere to our code of conduct," it said. *BBC* *Kylian Mbappe Wins European Golden Shoe Award For First Time* Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe has ended his first season in Spain by collecting the European Golden Shoe award. Mbappe, who also won the Pichichi Trophy for being the top goal scorer in La Liga, scored twice in Real’s final league game on Saturday to overtake Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres at the top of the weighted table, which counts only league goals. Mbappe, 26, ended with 31 league goals and became the third Real Madrid player to win the award after Hugo Sanchez and Cristiano Ronaldo. The last Frenchman to collect the Golden Shoe was Thierry Henry, who won it in 2004 and 2005 with Arsenal. Mbappe could have been caught on Sunday while he was in Monaco watching the Formula One Grand Prix. Mohamed Salah, who needed a hat-trick in English champions Liverpool’s last league game, scored once to finish third with 29 goals. Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona, already certain to finish ahead of Real Madrid in the race for the Spanish league title, scored twice on Sunday at Bilbao. He achieved a total of 27 goals for fourth place in Europe and second in the Pichichi. The Pole won the Golden Shoe twice with Bayern Munich and claimed the Pichichi in 2023. Last year’s Golden Shoe winner, Harry Kane, finished fifth with 26 Bundesliga goals to go with his league champions medal at Bayern. Mateo Retegui with 25 for Atalanta was the top Serie A player in sixth place. Below that, a goal is just a goal. In the final calculations, the top five in the rankings were as follows: Mbappe (62 points), Gyokeres (58.5), Salah (58), Robert Lewandowski (54) and Harry Kane (52). Mbappe, the top scorer in the 2022 World Cup, hit 43 goals in all competitions for Real this season. *Al Jazeera*