Belgium Files Declaration to Join ICJ Genocide Case Against Israel as South Africa Leads Legal Action Over Gaza War

Belgium has formally filed a declaration of intervention at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to join the genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel over alleged violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention in Gaza. The ICJ confirmed Belgium’s move on December 23, 2025, noting that the intervention was made under Article 63 of the Court’s Statute, which allows non-party states to participate in cases involving the interpretation of international treaties to which they are signatories.

As a party to the Genocide Convention, Belgium said its intervention focuses on the interpretation of Articles I to VI, particularly Article II, which defines the intent required to establish genocide. Any legal interpretation adopted by the Court will be binding on Belgium and other intervening states. South Africa and Israel have been invited to submit written observations on Belgium’s declaration in line with ICJ procedural rules.

The case, originally filed by South Africa in December 2023, accuses Israel of breaching its obligations under the Genocide Convention in relation to military operations in the Gaza Strip. The ICJ has already issued provisional measures in January, March, and May 2024. Belgium joins a growing list of countries—including Ireland, Spain, Brazil, Türkiye, and Colombia—that have intervened or sought to intervene, underscoring increasing international scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the expanding global legal response to the conflict.


#ICJ
#GazaConflict
#InternationalLaw

WHEN A TERRORIST TESTIFIES BEFORE THE WORLD:

BELLO TURJI SPEAKS, AND NIGERIA STANDS ACCUSED

By
Sa'adiyyah Adebisi Hassan

What does it mean when a country’s Minister of Defence becomes the subject of a public rebuttal by a self-confessed terrorist?

What do we call a nation where a mass murderer feels confident enough to issue a sermon, clarify figures, confirm negotiations, and invoke God while the state watches in silence?

Nigeria no longer needs analysts.
Nigeria now has testimony.

FULL STATEMENT BY BELLO TURJI (UNEDITED, QUOTED IN FULL)

Bello Turji, a globally wanted terrorist leader responsible for mass killings, kidnappings, and terror across Nigeria’s North-West, released a video message. Below is his statement quoted word for word, from A to Z, as spoken:

“In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

People of the world, I greet you with the Islamic greeting: Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.

My Muslim brothers and sisters in Nigeria and across West Africa, I wish you well. I do not need to mention my name, everyone knows who I am. I am Muhammad Bello Turji.

We make demands on the government, and if the government listens and changes its ways, by Allah, there will be peace. But if the government refuses, then by Allah, you know who I am. I am Bello Turji.

I am here to send a message to those who have turned our lives in Nigeria into dust. They keep killing us, and they keep arguing among themselves, blaming one another for what is happening.

I listened to the confession of Musa Kamarawa, who does not know what he is doing. This same Musa is claiming he has evidence, especially after Matawalle sued the cleric Murtala Asada.

Musa Kamarawa, by your own words you have now admitted that you are a terrorist like us. Yes, I agree that the Zamfara State Government under Matawalle asked you to act as an intermediary between us and the government in order to negotiate peace. But about three percent of what you are saying is a lie.

You claimed that we came to the Government House and that Matawalle gave me ₦30 million. I swear by Allah, since the day I was born, Matawalle has never given me even ₦5 million. I am not here to defend Matawalle.

In this world, the person I hate most is Matawalle. During his tenure as governor, there was a day when we buried 70 people - men, women, and children - killed by a bomb blast. It was also during his tenure that my father was unjustly arrested and sent to prison. You know this very well. So tell me, how can I love Matawalle?

However, I will not allow you to use my name to defame someone or lie against anyone. Yes, during Matawalle’s era, negotiations took place. Anything you say, I can defend myself alongside the late Kachalla Halilu, who is no longer alive.

Musa, you are a hypocrite. You claimed Matawalle gave us ₦30 million - were you the one who held the money? I am a witness. Morsidi and I went to see Matawalle, but he did not give me even ₦3 million. I swear to Allah.

You also spoke about dusa. The dusa was given after negotiations, when we agreed to stop killing and the government also agreed to stop killing us. Your committee was given the responsibility to buy the dusa, at ₦650,000 per bag.

Musa, you do not fear Allah. You are a bad person. Even if Matawalle is killed today and only you are left, you will not live forever. Fear Allah, Musa Kamarawa. Fear Allah.

If terrorists are truly what the authorities are looking for, then they should arrest your godfathers - the former governor of Sokoto State and Yarima. We have heard that what is happening in Zamfara and Sokoto began with them. Were they not the ones who destroyed Fulani houses? Were they not the ones who created local vigilante groups to kill Fulani people?

Musa Kamarawa, you know me and I know you. The house you live in, in Isa Local Government - about one kilometre away - was it not your godfather who bought Fulani settlements and cleared them? Yet you still ask who brought trouble to Zamfara? Your godfathers are the source.

Subhanallahi, wa iyyazu billahi.

Before Matawalle became governor - during Shehi’s era - who then was sponsoring us ? We come from Rabbil ‘Alamin, from Almighty Allah. No one is bankrolling us.

If you are attempting blackmail, know this: no one can use us for politics. We have nothing to do with politicians. No one can use me to blackmail anyone.

Matawalle cheated me, and I leave him to Rabbil ‘Alamin.”

That is the full statement.
Nothing added. Nothing removed.

WHAT THIS CONFESSION ACTUALLY MEANS

Strip away the religious language and personal grudges, and what remains is devastating:

1. A terrorist publicly admits to negotiations with a state government.

2. He confirms intermediaries were officially used.

3. He confirms material items (“dusa”) were provided after negotiations.

4. He disputes amounts - not the act itself.

This is not denial.
This is damage control between criminals and power.

INTERNATIONAL LAW: THIS IS TERRORISM FINANCING - FULL STOP

Under international law, none of this is ambiguous.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373

Criminalizes:

Direct or indirect support to terrorist groups

Provision of funds, goods, food, or logistics

Negotiations that involve material benefit

There is no “peace talks” exception when:

terrorists remain armed,

no formal disarmament occurs,

and killings continue.

Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

Defines terrorism financing as:

“The provision or collection of funds or assets, directly or indirectly, with the intention or knowledge that they be used by a terrorist organisation.”

Food, vehicles, cash, livestock feed - all qualify as assets.

Comparative Reality

In Colombia, officials went to prison for negotiating with FARC.

In Italy, governments collapsed over mafia talks.

In Pakistan, ministers were removed for “contacts.”

In France or the UK, a defence official would be suspended within hours.

In Nigeria, a terrorist clarifies the deal on video.

THE MOST DAMNING PART: THE CONFIDENCE

Bello Turji did not hide. He did not run. He did not whisper.

He spoke calmly. He invoked God. He corrected records. He warned others.

That confidence is not accidental.

It comes from a system that has lost its fear of law.

THIS IS STATE FAILURE IN REAL TIME

This is no longer about politics. Not about parties. Not about religion.

This is about whether Nigeria still qualifies as a sovereign state under international norms.

When terrorists speak like insiders,
when defence officials remain untouched,
when confessions meet silence,

the world draws its own conclusions.

Nigeria is crying and the evidence is speaking for itself.

Ex-Kano Anti-Graft Boss Compares Corrupt Nigerian Politicians to Deadly Drug Cartels

Former Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, says combating corruption in Nigeria is as dangerous as confronting Colombian drug cartels. Speaking at the launch of the 19th Compendium on 100 High-Profile Corruption Cases in Lagos, he revealed that investigations during his tenure exposed billions in diverted public funds, fraudulent PPP projects, and illicit IGR schemes linked to powerful political figures, including former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. Magaji warned that corruption fuels poverty, insecurity, and banditry in the North, describing corrupt politicians as ruthless actors willing to kill to protect stolen wealth. He alleged that some policemen are being used against him despite having legal authorization to prosecute cases. The event, organized by HEDA to mark International Anti-Corruption Day, emphasized youth involvement in shaping a future of integrity.

Twenty-One Economic Miracles Currently Happening Under President Tinubu

One: Our foreign reserves have crossed the $45 billion mark for the first time in six years. It is now the fourth-highest on the African continent.

Two: The prudent management of our foreign reserves under President Tinubu has led to a 3.93% GDP growth in the immediate past quarter and 4.23% growth in the quarter before that (Q2, 2025).

Three: Nigeria, under President Tinubu, has, within two years, moved from being Africa's biggest petrol importer to becoming West Africa's largest exporter of the same product.

Four: For the first time in over a decade, Nigeria has overshot its OPEC quota for three consecutive months and is set to do the same for the fourth month, producing an average of 1.71 million barrels per day.

Five: President Tinubu gave Nigerian airlines direct flights to London's Gatwick Airport, United Kingdom, London's Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom, São Paulo, Brazil, Bogotá, Colombia, Entebbe, Uganda, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Algiers, Algeria, and St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean.

Six: Oil theft has been reduced to less than 10,000 barrels per day, a sixteen-year low.

Seven: Nigeria achieved its revenue target for the entire year in August, a first in our history.

Eight: The Nigerian Stock Exchange rose above 130,000 All Share Index for the first time ever.

Nine: Our economy expanded by $67 billion in just two years, moving Nigeria's GDP from a ₦269.29 trillion economy on May 29, 2023, when Asiwaju became President, to ₦372.8 trillion today.

Ten: Between January and August 2025, non-oil tax revenue was ₦20.59 trillion, a 40.5% increase from the ₦14.6 trillion recorded in the corresponding period in 2024.

Eleven: MTN Nigeria Limited hit a record valuation of ₦10 trillion, the first Nigerian company to do so.

Twelve: Food prices have fallen significantly, resulting in a drop in inflation to 16.05% at present, down from 20.12% in August 2025, a 1.76% decline from July's 21.88%.

Thirteen: Dangote and other retailers have crashed fuel prices below ₦1000.

Fourteen: The Naira has stabilised and is now below ₦1500 to $, making it among the world's best-performing currencies, according to Fitch Ratings.

Fifteen: Nigeria broke its power generation record with a peak generation of 5,801.84MW and maximum daily energyoutput of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours (MWh), the highest ever attained in the history of the electricity industry in Nigeria.

Sixteen: After a record trade surplus last year, Nigeria appears set to beat its 2024 figure. Our trade surplus rose 44.3% in Q2 to ₦7.46 trillion, up from ₦5.17 trillion in Q1.

Seventeen: In a sign of an improving economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria reduced interest rates by 50 basis points to 27%, the first time since the #COVID19 pandemic.

Eighteen: Fitch and S&P Global Ratings upgraded Nigeria's economy to a Stable B.

Nineteen: Two PhDs in economics, in the persons of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, and the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and incumbent Governor of Anambra, Dr Chukwuma Soludo, both confirmed that President Tinubu has "stabilised the economy".

Twenty: Rail transport expanded in Nigeria by 43.08% in Q2 2025.

Twenty-one: Road transport expanded by 24.50% in Q2 2025, driven by the ₦13 trillion 1,068-kilometre Illela-Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, and the ₦15 trillion 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, currently under construction.

Bonus: Student loans were awarded to an unprecedented 500,000 students, with hundreds of thousands more awaiting their loans.

Effective rebranding projects a positive image of what is happening. It is the best way to neutralise enemies of the nation who want to overwhelm the airwaves with negative information. If you are a patriot who loves Nigeria and wants your country to progress, please spread this truthful message.

Reno Omokri

Colombian Fisherman’s Family Files Human Rights Complaint Over Deadly US Boat Strike




The family of Colombian fisherman Alejandro Carranza, killed in a U.S. military boat strike on Sept. 15, has filed a complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights accusing the U.S. government of illegally killing him. The petition claims Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered attacks without knowing who was on the boats. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has also accused the U.S. of murder, insisting Carranza was a harmless fisherman showing distress signals. The incident is part of a wider U.S. strike campaign against alleged drug boats under President Donald Trump, which has killed more than 80 people and drawn bipartisan scrutiny in Congress over legality and possible war crimes — especially amid reports that survivors of an earlier strike were killed in a second attack.




#USNews #Colombia #AlejandroCarranza #BoatStrike #HumanRights #IACHR #PeteHegseth #DonaldTrump #DrugWar #Caribbean #GustavoPetro #WarCrimes #MilitaryStrikes #ABCNews #InternationalLaw

Trump Calls Colombian President Petro ‘Illegal Drug Dealer’, Halts U.S. Aid To South American Country.

Trump accused President Petro of actively encouraging drug production across Colombia, describing the practice as a major threat to the United States.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump, in a social media post on Sunday, referred to Colombian President Gustavo Petro as “an illegal drug dealer” who is “low rated and very unpopular.”

Trump accused President Petro of actively encouraging drug production across Colombia, describing the practice as a major threat to the United States.

Trump claimed that drug cultivation in both large and small fields has become Colombia’s “biggest business by far” and accused Petro of failing to stop it despite significant U.S. financial support.

The president announced that, effective immediately, the United States would no longer make any payments or provide subsidies to Colombia.

“President Gustavo Petro, of Columbia, is an illegal drug leader strongly encouraging the massive production of drugs, in big and small fields, all over Columbia,” Trump wrote.

“It has become the biggest business in Columbia, by far, and Petro does nothing to stop it, despite large scale payments and subsidies from the USA that are nothing more than a long term rip off of America. AS OF TODAY, THESE PAYMENTS, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF PAYMENT, OR SUBSIDIES, WILL NO LONGER BE MADE TO COLUMBIA.”

Trump warned that if the Colombian government did not take immediate action to shut down the drug fields, the United States would intervene directly.

“The purpose of this drug production is the sale of massive amounts of product into the United States, causing death, destruction, and havoc,” he said.

“Petro, a low rated and very unpopular leader, with a fresh mouth toward America, better close up these killing fields immediately, or the United States will close them up for him, and it won't be done nicely.”

Earlier on Sunday, President Petro accused the U.S. government of carrying out an assassination and demanded answers following the latest American strike in Caribbean waters.

The U.S., however, confirmed on Saturday that it was repatriating two survivors of the attack to Colombia and Ecuador.

This marked the sixth U.S. strike in the region since early September, which has reportedly killed at least 29 people. Washington maintains that the strikes are targeting alleged drug traffickers.

US Reportedly Revokes Visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro Over Pro-Palestinian Protest Remarks

The United States has revoked the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro following remarks he made during a pro-Palestinian protest in New York on Friday.

In a post on X, the US State Department said Petro’s “reckless and incendiary actions” prompted the decision. Addressing demonstrators outside the UN headquarters in Manhattan, Petro called for the creation of a global armed force to liberate Palestinians, saying it “must be stronger than the United States.”

He went further by urging American soldiers to defy President Donald Trump’s orders: “Do not point your guns at people. Disobey Trump’s orders. Obey the orders of humanity,” he declared in Spanish.

It was unclear if Petro remained in New York afterward, as his office and Colombia’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Trump administration has tightened its stance on pro-Palestinian voices even as countries such as France, Britain, Australia, and Canada have formally recognized a Palestinian state, moves that have strained relations with Israel and Washington.

Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president and a strong critic of Israel’s war in Gaza, had earlier accused Trump of being “complicit in genocide” during his UN General Assembly address. He also called for criminal proceedings against the US over missile strikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean.

Canada Rejects Over 1,596 Nigerian Asylum Claims in 2025.

Canada has denied 1,596 asylum applications from Nigerians between January and August 2025, fresh data from the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) show. 

Out of 3,548 claims filed so far, 2,292 were accepted—an approval rate of about 65 per cent, higher than in previous years.

Nigeria remains one of the top sources of asylum seekers in Canada, alongside Mexico, India, Haiti and Colombia. Analysts link the surge to insecurity caused by Boko Haram and economic hardship. Most claimants are hosted in Ontario and Alberta.

Under Canadian law, the IRB grants protection if applicants meet the UN definition of refugees or face risks such as tort¥re or cruel treatment in their home countries. 

Social groups considered include women, LGBTQ+ individuals and people living with HIV/AIDS. Claims are usually filed at ports of entry or through immigration officers before referral to the Refugee Protection Division.

Despite the recent rise in approvals, Nigerian claims have historically faced high rejection rates. Between 2013 and 2024, the IRB denied 13,171 applications and accepted 10,580. Rejections peaked in 2019 with 3,951 cases. In 2024 alone, 811 were denied, while 2,230 were approved.

Nigeria ranked eighth among the top 10 countries with the most successful claims last year, following Turkiye, Mexico, Colombia, Iran, Pakistan, Haiti, and Afghanistan.

Speaking on the trend, Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi, Executive Director of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, said many Nigerians misunderstand refugee laws, leading to rejections. 

“Documentation is crucial. Coming irregularly gets you rejected. But migration must be safe, orderly and regular, and those truly in need of protection should be protected,” she said.

Drogba, Akide Join FIFA’s Anti-Racism Players’ Voice Panel

FIFA has unveiled a 16-member “Players’ Voice Panel” aimed at combating racism in football, with African legends Didier Drogba and Mercy Akide among those named.

Led by former Ballon d’Or winner and ex-Liberian President George Weah, the panel includes current and former football stars from 14 countries, who will advise on anti-racism strategies, support education programmes, and drive cultural reforms in global football.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the panel’s role in delivering real action rather than symbolic gestures, saying:

“Racism and discrimination are not simply wrong — they are crimes. All incidents must be fully punished.”

The initiative follows high-profile incidents of racist abuse in football, including the recent case involving Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo at Liverpool.

The Players’ Voice Panel includes:

George Weah (Liberia)

Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)

Mercy Akide (Nigeria)

Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo)

Formiga (Brazil)

Ivan Cordoba (Colombia)

Jessica Houara (France)

Sun Jihai (China PR)

Blaise Matuidi (France)

Lotta Schelin (Sweden)

Aya Miyama (Japan)

Juan Pablo Sorin (Argentina)

Mikael Silvestre (France)

Briana Scurry (USA)

Maia Jackman (New Zealand)

Khalilou Fadiga (Senegal)

FIFA has also toughened its disciplinary code, raising fines for racist abuse to a maximum of 5 million Swiss francs, and adopted a three-step anti-discrimination protocol during matches.

#SayNoToRacism #FootballUnites #FIFAPlayersVoice

Today, I welcomed Vice President Francia Márquez of Colombia to the Aso Villa. Her words about returning to “the land of our ancestors” remind us that no ocean can separate a shared heritage.

For centuries, history may have created divisions between Africa and Latin America, but we are committed to fostering new collaboration and building connections across sectors. Our shared history can lead us to a brighter future of mutual prosperity.

VP Kashim Shettima and his team have done an excellent job laying the groundwork for this cooperation. Our business opportunities with Colombia have already been enhanced, and I support every aspect of the agreements reached.

Particularly with Colombia, Nigeria's recent agreement with Brazil can easily be replicated in aviation, and our diplomatic relations can be enhanced. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will accelerate this.

Nigeria brings the energy of a young, skilled population; Colombia brings opportunity and heritage. We must keep collaborating to drive inclusive growth, social justice, and stronger South–South cooperation.

As Africa’s largest democracy, Nigeria will continue to lead in forging these new partnerships with Latin America and the Caribbean.

No ocean is wide enough to divide us any longer.

~ President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Nigeria and Colombia are working towards establishing direct flight connections as part of efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries

Colombian Vice President Visits Nigeria, To Meet Shettima, Business Leaders
A key highlight of the visit is the signing of memoranda of understanding in strategic areas of the economy, including women's empowerment, trade, aviation, manufacturing, agriculture, and culture, among others.