The United Nations says security in Haiti is deteriorating and the magnitude of the violence has sown panic among the Haitian population. María Isabel Salvador, the special representative for Haiti told the Security Council that stepping up international support for Haiti is more critical than ever and urged member states to support the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan.

Salvador commended Kenya’s steadfast leadership and thank all contributing member states. ‘Haiti’s humanitarian crisis has reached critical levels,” Salvador said. She added that all member states must increase support to Haiti security forces, particularly the Multinational Security Support Mission, “not as a matter of choice, but of necessity as no viable alternative remains” Kenya’s advisor to the president said an urgent expansion of the MSS personnel is essential in order to deliver the intended impact and meet the legitimate high expectations of the Haitian people.

Haiti’s ambassador Ericq Pierre, said Haiti is prepared to discuss and support, as appropriate, any initiatives of its traditional partners aimed at helping rid the country of gangs that terrorize the population.

The United States could soon radically change its diplomatic presence in Africa, according to a leaked memo from the US State Department.

As part of large overhaul plans for the State Department budget, Washington could close down as many as six of its embassies and two consulates in Africa.

The diplomatic representations marked for potential closure are the embassies of the Central African Republic, Eritrea, the Gambia, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, and South Sudan. The consulates that could be closed are in Douala, Cameroon, and Durban, South Africa.

But according to some analysts, the news of the potential diplomatic cuts may be part of a wider attempt by Washington to change the relationship between the US and the African continent.

According to reports by Politico, the new relationship sought by Washington would be based on more business ties but scale back on foreign aid and its diplomatic – and also military – presence on the ground.

While the plans need to be approved by the US Congress, they have already given rise to fears that China could take advantage of a reduced American presence on the continent and further expand its own influence.

Congolese authorities said Saturday they had suspended the party of former President Joseph Kabila.

An Interior ministry statement justifying the ban on the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) accused Kabila of of ‘overt’ activism.

It said the 53-year-old had been reluctant to condemn M23, the rebel group controlling North and South KIvu provinces.

Kinshasa has accused Kabila, in self-imposed exile since 2023 until Friday, of supporting separatist armed rebellion in the country’s east.

Kabila who ruled Congo until 2019 made a low key return to the country Friday.

He arrived in the rebel-held city of Goma through Rwanda.

Weeks before his return, Kabila said he wanted to make a contribution to peace in Congo without elaborating how.

Days ago, Congolese security forces raided two properties belonging to Kabila – a farm east of Kinshasa and a compound in the capital. The raids were confirmed by the Kabila family spokesperson.

There has been no word from the party on its suspension.

Separately, the justice ministry said that a prosecutor had started legal action against Kabila for his ties with M23, the rebel group that Kinshasa says is backed by Rwanda.