Wednesday 24, Dec 2025 {HMC} A Libyan military delegation’s private jet crashed near Türkiye’s capital Ankara on Tuesday evening after the pilot issued multiple emergency signals, citing an electrical failure, Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure said on Wednesday.

In a detailed statement shared on X social network, Abdulkadir Uraloglu said the aircraft, bearing tail number 9H-DFS and registered with Malta Civil Aviation, departed Ankara’s Esenboga Airport at 8:17 pm local time (17:17GMT) for Mitiga Airport in Libyan capital Tripoli, and later suffered a fatal accident.

According to the official, the aircraft, operating under the call sign HMJ185, took off in line with standard procedures and was successively transferred from the airport control tower to approach control and then to area control units.

The flight was gradually cleared to climb and was last permitted to cruise at an altitude of 34,000 feet at 8:25 pm local time (17:25GMT), Uraloglu said.

Danger alert

At 8:31 pm local time (17:31GMT), while flying at approximately 32,000 feet, the pilot declared “PAN-PAN” three times, indicating an urgent situation one level below a MAYDAY call, and reported a general electrical failure, requesting radar vectors to return to the Turkish capital.

Air traffic control immediately instructed the crew on the heading and descent profile for an emergency return to Esenboga Airport, the statement said.

At 8:33 pm local time (17:33GMT), the pilot activated transponder emergency code 7700, the highest level of aviation emergency alert.

Shortly afterward, air traffic controllers lost the aircraft’s altitude data on radar.

Inaudible

Due to increasing interference in pilot-controller communications, controllers attempted audio checks at 8:34 pm local time (17:34GMT).

The aircraft was transferred back to approach control after confirming its descent level for an emergency return.

At 8:35 pm local time (17:35GMT), the crew again declared “PAN-PAN” and made contact with approach control, receiving updated radar vectors and assigned descent levels.

However, by 8:36 pm local time (17:36GMT), communication clarity deteriorated significantly, with the pilot’s voice becoming barely audible.

Disappears from radar

Partial losses of flight data were also observed on radar screens.

At 8:38 pm local time (17:38GMT), air traffic controllers reported that the aircraft had completely disappeared from radar.

Multiple attempts were made over different frequencies for approximately five minutes, but no response was received.

Search and rescue units were immediately notified, Uraloglu said.

Crash confirmed

As a precaution, due to the possibility of an emergency landing and the loss of aircraft position, all takeoffs and landings at Esenboga Airport were temporarily suspended to ensure air navigation safety, and maximum emergency measures were implemented.

Simultaneously, air and ground search and rescue operations were launched by the relevant authorities.

The Air Force Air Defence Notification Centre later confirmed that the aircraft had crashed near Kesikkavak village in Ankara’s Haymana district.

Following the crash, the Transportation Safety Investigation Centre was dispatched to the site in coordination with relevant institutions.

Detailed analysis of recorders

Examinations at the wreckage site led to the recovery of both the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and the flight data recorder (FDR), Uraloglu said.

A preliminary report has been initiated, and after initial assessments, both recorders will be sent to a neutral country for detailed analysis to determine the cause of the crash.

“Once the investigation is completed, all findings will be shared transparently with our nation and the international community,” Uraloglu said.

He also expressed condolences, saying: “We pray for God’s mercy for those who lost their lives in this tragic accident and extend our condolences to the friendly and fraternal state of Libya and its people.”

DNA analysis

Meanwhile, the bodies of those killed in the crash were transferred to the Ankara Forensic Medicine Institute.

The deceased include Libya’s Chief of General Staff Mohamed Ali al-Haddad, four accompanying members of the Libyan military delegation, and three crew members.

After examinations by the authorities of the two countries, autopsy procedures were initiated at the Ankara Forensic Medicine Institute Group Presidency.

DNA samples will be collected from relatives of the victims to assist with identification procedures, officials said.

Handover of remains to families

Once the forensic processes are completed, the bodies will be handed over to the families.

The remains are scheduled to be sent to their home country following an official ceremony to be held on Wednesday at the Murted Air Base Command in Ankara.

SOURCE TRT Afrika

Wednesday 24, Dec 2025 {HMC} Algeria’s parliament unanimously approved on Wednesday a law declaring France’s colonisation of the country a crime, and demanding an apology and reparations.

Standing in the chamber, lawmakers wearing scarves in the colours of the national flag chanted “long live Algeria” as they applauded the passage of the bill, which states that France holds “legal responsibility for its colonial past in Algeria and the tragedies it caused.”

Parliament Speaker Brahim Boughali told the APS state news agency before the vote that it would send “a clear message, both internally and externally, that Algeria’s national memory is neither erasable nor negotiable.”

The legislation lists the “crimes of French colonisation”, including nuclear tests, extrajudicial killings, “physical and psychological torture”, and the “systematic plundering of resources.”

Algeria demands damages

It states that “full and fair compensation for all material and moral damages caused by French colonisation is an inalienable right of the Algerian state and people.”

France’s rule over Algeria from 1830 until 1962 remains a sore spot in relations between the two countries.

The period was marked by mass killings and large-scale deportations, all the way up to the war of independence from 1954-1962.

Algeria says the war killed 1.5 million people, while French historians put the death toll at 500,000 in total, 400,000 of them Algerian.

French President Emmanuel Macron has previously acknowledged the colonisation of Algeria as a “crime against humanity”, but has stopped short of offering an apology.

SOURCE TRT Afrika

Wednesday 24, Dec 2025 {HMC} Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has hailed the East African nation’s strong ties with Türkiye and commended Turkish companies for their contributions to Uganda’s infrastructure development.

Speaking at the commissioning of Uganda’s largest sports complex in western Uganda, constructed by Turkish company SUMMA, President Museveni described the project as a strategic investment in youth development, sports tourism, and national pride.

The state-of-the-art facility is one of the most advanced sports complexes in East Africa and is set to host both domestic and international games, including matches for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Uganda will co-host alongside Kenya and Tanzania.

Turkish Ambassador to Uganda, Fatih Ak, highlighted the robust and growing partnership between the two countries.

‘Excellent relations’

“Türkiye and Uganda enjoy excellent political and economic relations, grounded in mutual respect and shared aspirations. Under the strong and visionary leadership of President Museveni and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, our cooperation has grown into a strategic partnership. Hoima City Stadium stands today as a visible and lasting symbol of that friendship,” he said.

Ambassador Ak also emphasised the role of Turkish companies in Uganda’s infrastructure development.

“I am proud to say that this landmark project was built by SUMMA, a leading Turkish construction company whose professionalism, efficiency, and commitment to quality are recognised worldwide. I commend all Turkish companies operating in Uganda for their dedication and for being strong partners in Uganda’s development journey,” he added.

Other Turkish firms contributing to Uganda’s infrastructure include Yapı Merkezi, which is constructing the Standard Gauge Railway, and Polat Yol Yapi Sanayi, currently upgrading the 92-kilometre Muyembe–Nakapiripirit road.

Bridge of friendship

Highlighting Uganda’s football achievements, Ambassador Ak mentioned Majid Musisi, who set a record transfer fee of $1 million when he joined Turkish team Bursaspor in 1994.

“Majid Musisi proudly represented Uganda and left a lasting impression in Türkiye. His famous ‘crocodile walk’ goal celebration remains unforgettable. Today, we pay tribute to him as a football icon and as a bridge of friendship between Uganda and Türkiye,” he said.

According to Selim Bora, SUMMA’s chairperson, the stadium will host football and indoor games, while also serving as a hub for sports tourism and corporate events.

Uganda’s Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, told TRT Afrika that the government has earmarked funds for additional sports facilities across the country to boost the sector.

Job creation

“President Museveni approved $130 million for the construction of Hoima City Stadium. Similar projects are in the pipeline,” he said.

The construction of the stadium created over 1,060 jobs, 69% of which were filled by Ugandans, according to Bernard Patrick Ogwel, the General Secretary of Uganda’s National Council of Sports. The complex spans 16.8 hectares and includes parking for more than 800 vehicles.

SOURCE TRT Afrika

Wednesday 24, Dec 2025 {HMC} The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, welcomes the decision of the United Nations Security Council to renew the Mission’s mandate for another year.

Yesterday, at its 10078th meeting, the UN Security Council, under Resolution 2809 (2025), renewed AUSSOM’s mandate until 31 December 2026. Ambassador Diene said this decision reaffirms the UN Security Council’s continued confidence in, and support for, African Union’s efforts for Somalia’s peace, security and stability.

He added that the resolution also highlights the international community’s recognition of the critical role that AUSSOM plays in support of Somali-led security priorities during this critical phase of the security transition.

“AUSSOM is fully committed to working with the Federal Government of Somalia, the Somali Security Forces, United Nations, and international and regional partners as we aim to consolidate the gains so far, and achieve lasting peace and stability in Somalia,” Ambassador Diene said.

“As we move forward under the renewed mandate, AUSSOM will continue to support the Somali-led process and adapt its assistance in line with evolving realities on the ground, while advocating for predictable and sustainable resources to enable the Mission to effectively deliver on all its responsibilities.”

The SRCC further acknowledged the important role played by Great Britain as the pen holder and the A3 Plus, including Somalia as the latest member of the Security Council, in articulating and defending Somalia’s national priorities and African positions throughout the Council’s deliberations on the resolution.

AUSSOM expressed its deep appreciation to the UNSC for its sustained engagement, and to Troop- and Police-Contributing Countries, Somali forces and civilians for their continued sacrifice and dedication in pursuit of Somalia’s peace.