Gabon Government suspends national football team after 2025 AFCON exit

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LIBREVILLE-(MaraviPost)-The Gabonese government has taken drastic measures against the country’s national football team following a disastrous exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament currently taking place in Morocco.

In a statement broadcast on national television, Gabon’s Minister of Sports, Simplice Désiré Mamboula, announced the immediate suspension of the entire national team, popularly known as The Panthers, until further notice. 

The decision comes after Gabon finished bottom of Group F, losing all three of their group matches.

As part of the shake up, the government dismissed head coach Thierry Mouyouma and dissolved the entire technical and coaching staff, citing poor performance and lack of discipline within the team setup.

The minister also revealed that senior players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga, who served as team captain, have been barred from future national team duties.

 Authorities accused the experienced players of failing to provide leadership during the tournament.

Gabon suffered defeats against Cameroon, Mozambique and Ivory Coast, exiting the competition without a single point. 

The poor showing sparked outrage among fans back home, with many calling for accountability and reforms in the country’s football administration.

Government officials described the AFCON campaign as “humiliating” and said the suspension is meant to allow time for reflection and restructuring of national football.

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Mutharika pardons 222 inmates for Christmas, New Year celebrations

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BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Ministry of Homeland Security announced on January 1, 2026, that President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has granted pardon to 222 prisoners as part of the 2025 Christmas and New Year festive season amnesty.

The release was authorized under Section 89(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, which empowers the President to exercise clemency.

In the official statement issued from Capital Hill, Lilongwe, the Ministry said the amnesty targets qualified prisoners who have served half of their sentences.

The beneficiaries include convicted prisoners, the elderly, female inmates, and those who are chronically ill.

The move is intended to provide relief during the festive season and reflects the government’s humanitarian approach to justice.

President Mutharika’s decision aligns with traditional holiday practices in Malawi, where seasonal pardons are used to decongest prisons and offer second chances to eligible inmates.

The general amnesty is also seen as a gesture of compassion toward vulnerable groups within the correctional system, such as the elderly and sick, who may face heightened health risks in prison environments.

The Ministry emphasized that the presidential pardon is part of ongoing efforts to balance justice with mercy, encouraging rehabilitation and social reintegration of former offenders. While the release reduces prison populations temporarily, authorities have assured that public safety will be maintained by focusing on prisoners who have demonstrated good behavior and met legal criteria for early release.

This year’s amnesty follows similar festive pardons in previous years, which have been praised for promoting national unity and humanitarian values during holiday celebrations.

The government hopes the gesture will inspire community support for reintegrating released individuals into society, reducing recidivism through rehabilitation programs.

The announcement has been welcomed by human rights groups and civil society organizations in Malawi, who view the amnesty as a positive step toward prison reform and humane treatment of inmates.

However, some legal experts have called for broader systemic reforms to address overcrowding and conditions in Malawi’s correctional facilities beyond seasonal measures.

The presidential amnesty will be implemented immediately, with the Ministry of Homeland Security coordinating the release process to ensure smooth transitions for the affected prisoners.

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Donald Trump Says Exercise Is Boring, Would Rather Golf

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President Donald Trump sees all you gym rats running on your treadmills and he just doesn’t get it … he thinks it’s too boring. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, POTUS remarked, “To walk on a treadmill or run on a treadmill for hours…

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Bobi Wine rails against regime brutality as campaign enters final lap

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KAMPALA-(MaraviPost)-Bobi Wine has written on his Facebook page, highlighting the challenges his presidential campaign has faced in Uganda.

The opposition leader stated that his campaign has been met with ongoing brutality and interference from the regime, including intimidation, teargassing, arrests, and attacks on supporters.

Wine claimed that his team has been blocked from accessing towns, main roads, and campaigning in some districts, severely hindering their efforts.

Bobi Wine

Despite these obstacles, Wine emphasized that the reception from the people has been overwhelmingly positive, with millions of Ugandans turning out to welcome him and assert their desire for change.

The opposition leader expressed his determination to reclaim the country and stand for a New Uganda, rallying his supporters to join him in this quest.

Wine’s New Year address has galvanized support for his #ANewUgandaNow campaign, with many calling for a #ProtestVote2026 to bring about change in Uganda.

The hashtag #PeoplePowerOurPower has trended, reflecting the growing momentum behind Wine’s presidential bid.

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Mangochi South West chiefs praise Namalomba for post election engagement

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MANGOCHI-(MaraviPost)-Traditional leaders in Mangochi South West Constituency have commended their legislator, Dr. Shadric Namalomba, for taking time to thank his constituents following the September 16 general elections.

The chiefs, led by Senior Chief Chilipa and Sub Traditional Authority Masapi, made the remarks on Tuesday during two separate meetings held in their respective areas. 

The meetings were organised by  Namalomba who also serves as Minister of Information and Communications Technology to express gratitude for the peaceful conduct of the elections and the support rendered to him and President Professor Peter Mutharika.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional leaders, the chiefs most of whom were Group Village Heads said it is uncommon for elected leaders to return to their communities simply to express appreciation after securing victory at the polls. They therefore described Namalomba’s gesture as commendable and respectful.

The chiefs also thanked President Professor Peter Mutharika for appointing  Namalomba to the Cabinet as Minister of Information and Communications Technology, saying the appointment was a source of pride for the constituency and should not be taken for granted.

During the meetings, the traditional leaders used the opportunity to present several development concerns.

 Among the key issues raised were challenges in the delivery of subsidised fertiliser under the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP), the need to replace a damaged electricity transformer at Chilipa Trading Centre, and calls for the construction of the Mangochi–Chilipa–Balaka road.

In his address, Namalomba expressed deep appreciation for the overwhelming support shown by traditional leaders and their subjects, who voted for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidates at all levels ward councillors, Member of Parliament, and President during the September 16 polls.

He urged the chiefs to continue promoting unity and active community participation in development initiatives and he also called for the protection of Phirilongwe Forest, which he said is facing serious deforestation, and warned traditional leaders against engaging in corrupt practices, particularly in the implementation of government programmes such as FISP.

Responding to the concerns raised,  Namalomba assured the chiefs that measures have already been put in place to ensure timely distribution of subsidised fertiliser across all areas. He further said government plans include upgrading Chilipa to a rural growth centre and facilitating the construction of the Chilipa road to improve connectivity and economic activity in the area.

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NBM plc renovates Nankhwali Health Centre in Mangochi 

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BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-National Bank of Malawi (NBM) has handed over a completed floor upgrade work worth K12 million at Nankhwali Health Centre in Mangochi, boosting healthcare service delivery in the area.

Established in 1956, the facility serves a catchment population of more than 11,000 people. 

Over time, the health centre faced a number of infrastructural challenges, including a damaged floor that affected daily operations and service provision.

Speaking during the handover ceremony on Tuesday in Mangochi, NBM plc Chief Executive Officer, Harold Jiya, said the upgrade was implemented under the bank’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme, aimed at supporting institutions that deliver essential services to Malawians.

“As the ‘Bank of the Nation’, NBM plc, takes pride in serving the people of Malawi. This year, we committed K1 billion towards our CSI initiatives. When Nankhwali Health Centre approached us, we found it necessary to support the facility due to the large population it serves,” said Jiya.

He further commended the health centre’s administration for its dedication to improving the well-being of surrounding communities, adding that partnerships remain key to sustainable development.

In his remarks, the Right Reverend Montfort Sitima, Bishop of the Mangochi Diocese, welcomed the intervention, describing it as a timely intervention that will enhance healthcare delivery.

“As a health facility, we face numerous challenges in meeting the growing demand for services. We are often overwhelmed, but this support from the National Bank of Malawi will help us improve the quality of care we provide to our people,” said Bishop Sitima.

Speaking on behalf of patients, guardian Fatima Elison said the challenges they previously faced at the facility would now be a thing of the past.

“We experienced several challenges, including damaged floors that disrupted services. With this support, the hospital is now operating efficiently, and more women are confident to seek care here. We are grateful,” said Elison

During the handover ceremony, NBM plc also donated assorted items to mothers in the maternity ward as part of its Christmas season goodwill gesture.

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