Rachel Savage
@rachelmsavage.bsky.social
Southern Africa Correspondent at The Guardian. Brit abroad.
The "protest" at the opening of the Museum of West African Art in Benin, Edo state looks bad for Nigeria.
The museum was meant to host returned Benin Bronzes, but now won't due to rivalry between the ex & former Edo governors. As a Nigerian friend said, "Who wants to return the Bronzes to us now?"
The museum was meant to host returned Benin Bronzes, but now won't due to rivalry between the ex & former Edo governors. As a Nigerian friend said, "Who wants to return the Bronzes to us now?"
Protesters target major new Nigerian museum embroiled in looted artefacts row
Protest at Mowaa comes amid dispute over ownership of Benin bronzes looted by British colonial forces
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:35 PM
The "protest" at the opening of the Museum of West African Art in Benin, Edo state looks bad for Nigeria.
The museum was meant to host returned Benin Bronzes, but now won't due to rivalry between the ex & former Edo governors. As a Nigerian friend said, "Who wants to return the Bronzes to us now?"
The museum was meant to host returned Benin Bronzes, but now won't due to rivalry between the ex & former Edo governors. As a Nigerian friend said, "Who wants to return the Bronzes to us now?"
This is such a lame hit job on @meghamohan.bsky.social, who is an incredibly talented, sensitive, thoughtful journalist, unlike those at the Telegraph who wrote, edited and signed off on this.
Also, digging out an email sent in 2018? Extra lame.
Also, digging out an email sent in 2018? Extra lame.
November 10, 2025 at 3:28 PM
This is such a lame hit job on @meghamohan.bsky.social, who is an incredibly talented, sensitive, thoughtful journalist, unlike those at the Telegraph who wrote, edited and signed off on this.
Also, digging out an email sent in 2018? Extra lame.
Also, digging out an email sent in 2018? Extra lame.
Reposted by Rachel Savage
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
Whew this pulls absolutely no punches
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Whew this pulls absolutely no punches
Reposted by Rachel Savage
Professor Alex de Waal quoted in a piece on the devastation of El Fasher, Sudan, at the hands of the paramilitary group RSF. @theguardian.com @rachelmsavage.bsky.social @elenamorresi.bsky.social @worldpeacefdtn.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
A Sudanese massacre foretold: the grim familiarity of the RSF’s rampage through El Fasher
Atrocities unfolding in El Fasher since it fell to paramilitary forces follow a bleak pattern seen in Rwanda, Liberia and Sudan itself, including lack of international action
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Professor Alex de Waal quoted in a piece on the devastation of El Fasher, Sudan, at the hands of the paramilitary group RSF. @theguardian.com @rachelmsavage.bsky.social @elenamorresi.bsky.social @worldpeacefdtn.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Not surprising, but still such a huge shame. Teen Vogue did really interesting journalism and their US politics coverage was great
thank you for all the support; the statement from our union is now live here with some more reporting.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
November 4, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Not surprising, but still such a huge shame. Teen Vogue did really interesting journalism and their US politics coverage was great
I had a really fun day in Johannesburg recently hanging out with female cycling group Girls On Bikes and "stance" crew Sentech Croozers.
"It is a political statement to see people of colour on bikes, in suburbs."
"It is a political statement to see people of colour on bikes, in suburbs."
‘You can do hard things!’ The young cycling enthusiasts reclaiming the streets of Johannesburg
Bike culture, once seen as an elite hobby or a last resort for the poor, is flourishing in the post-apartheid City of Gold
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:40 AM
I had a really fun day in Johannesburg recently hanging out with female cycling group Girls On Bikes and "stance" crew Sentech Croozers.
"It is a political statement to see people of colour on bikes, in suburbs."
"It is a political statement to see people of colour on bikes, in suburbs."
A massacre foretold: the reports of atrocities that emerged from the Sudanese city of El Fasher after it fell to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces last weekend followed a grimly familiar pattern.
"I don’t think that there can be a head of state or a foreign minister who wasn’t warned."
"I don’t think that there can be a head of state or a foreign minister who wasn’t warned."
A Sudanese massacre foretold: the grim familiarity of the RSF’s rampage through El Fasher
Atrocities unfolding in El Fasher since it fell to paramilitary forces follow a bleak pattern seen in Rwanda, Liberia and Sudan itself, including lack of international action
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 6:59 AM
A massacre foretold: the reports of atrocities that emerged from the Sudanese city of El Fasher after it fell to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces last weekend followed a grimly familiar pattern.
"I don’t think that there can be a head of state or a foreign minister who wasn’t warned."
"I don’t think that there can be a head of state or a foreign minister who wasn’t warned."
Was about to pack black tea for a trip to East Asia and then realised what I was doing & thought better of it.
I am painfully British but I will be drinking lots of delicious Oolong, Puer and Jasmine tea ☕🍵
I am painfully British but I will be drinking lots of delicious Oolong, Puer and Jasmine tea ☕🍵
October 31, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Was about to pack black tea for a trip to East Asia and then realised what I was doing & thought better of it.
I am painfully British but I will be drinking lots of delicious Oolong, Puer and Jasmine tea ☕🍵
I am painfully British but I will be drinking lots of delicious Oolong, Puer and Jasmine tea ☕🍵
Sudan's RSF has arrested Abu Lulu, who appeared in numerous videos killing unarmed civilians in El Fasher.
“However, many Sudanese did not buy into this and launched a hashtag: ‘You are all Abu Lulu’ – meaning the entire militia acts like him," said Mohamed Suliman, a Sudanese researcher
“However, many Sudanese did not buy into this and launched a hashtag: ‘You are all Abu Lulu’ – meaning the entire militia acts like him," said Mohamed Suliman, a Sudanese researcher
Sudan’s RSF accused of ‘PR stunt’ after arresting fighters behind civilian killings
Reports of indiscriminate violence and ethnic targeting in El Fasher has led to growing global outrage
www.theguardian.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Sudan's RSF has arrested Abu Lulu, who appeared in numerous videos killing unarmed civilians in El Fasher.
“However, many Sudanese did not buy into this and launched a hashtag: ‘You are all Abu Lulu’ – meaning the entire militia acts like him," said Mohamed Suliman, a Sudanese researcher
“However, many Sudanese did not buy into this and launched a hashtag: ‘You are all Abu Lulu’ – meaning the entire militia acts like him," said Mohamed Suliman, a Sudanese researcher
Reposted by Rachel Savage
The Heritage Foundation created an entire program, Project Esther, to use antisemitism as a pretext to shut down US higher education. They are now defending a guy who has friendly chats with Holocaust deniers.
Never take these people seriously when they say they care about fighting antisemitism.
Never take these people seriously when they say they care about fighting antisemitism.
Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts stands by Tucker Carlson after the former Fox News host release his controversial interview with Nick Fuentes.
"The Heritage Foundation didn't become the intellectual backbone of the conservative movement by canceling our own people" x.com/KevinRoberts...
"The Heritage Foundation didn't become the intellectual backbone of the conservative movement by canceling our own people" x.com/KevinRoberts...
October 31, 2025 at 2:28 AM
The Heritage Foundation created an entire program, Project Esther, to use antisemitism as a pretext to shut down US higher education. They are now defending a guy who has friendly chats with Holocaust deniers.
Never take these people seriously when they say they care about fighting antisemitism.
Never take these people seriously when they say they care about fighting antisemitism.
Obsessed with this 🐦⬛
October 31, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Obsessed with this 🐦⬛
Today In Focus with our Caribbean Correspondent Natricia Duncan is a must listen.
Her bravery to keep reporting on Hurricane Melissa and the destruction it wrought on Jamaica, when she was also trying to keep her daughter & niece safe from the storm, is incredibly moving.
Her bravery to keep reporting on Hurricane Melissa and the destruction it wrought on Jamaica, when she was also trying to keep her daughter & niece safe from the storm, is incredibly moving.
Living through the horror of Hurricane Melissa
spotify.link
October 31, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Today In Focus with our Caribbean Correspondent Natricia Duncan is a must listen.
Her bravery to keep reporting on Hurricane Melissa and the destruction it wrought on Jamaica, when she was also trying to keep her daughter & niece safe from the storm, is incredibly moving.
Her bravery to keep reporting on Hurricane Melissa and the destruction it wrought on Jamaica, when she was also trying to keep her daughter & niece safe from the storm, is incredibly moving.
Egypt's cast $1bn antiquities museum will finally open tomorrow, near the Pyramids of Giza, after two decades under construction.
Egypt’s vast $1bn museum to open in Cairo after two-decade build
Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza pyramids billed as world’s largest archaeological facility for single civilisation
www.theguardian.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Egypt's cast $1bn antiquities museum will finally open tomorrow, near the Pyramids of Giza, after two decades under construction.
That run chase by India, WOW! Just extraordinary 🥹
Defeating Australia! At home! The highest run chase in a cricket world cup knockout match, men or women! Onions all round.
Defeating Australia! At home! The highest run chase in a cricket world cup knockout match, men or women! Onions all round.
October 30, 2025 at 5:16 PM
That run chase by India, WOW! Just extraordinary 🥹
Defeating Australia! At home! The highest run chase in a cricket world cup knockout match, men or women! Onions all round.
Defeating Australia! At home! The highest run chase in a cricket world cup knockout match, men or women! Onions all round.
This is so grimly telling
Please forgive me for making a dark joke in print about a very serious story
October 30, 2025 at 9:39 AM
This is so grimly telling
Yesterday was painful. I had to switch off to focus on work, but I probably would have done so anyway as I can't bear to watch when wickets are tumbling 😂
Also England's collapse doesn't negate how outstanding Wolvaardt was. At one point the forecasts were for 260 and then she smashes out 169!
Also England's collapse doesn't negate how outstanding Wolvaardt was. At one point the forecasts were for 260 and then she smashes out 169!
FWIW, here was my takeaway from what Charlotte Edwards said on Sky last night - she IS looking to move on:
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/o...
‘This will hurt’: Edwards looks to next generation after England’s World Cup drubbing
The England head coach, Charlotte Edwards, has hinted strongly that she will look to a new generation of England players for the next World Cup cycle
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Yesterday was painful. I had to switch off to focus on work, but I probably would have done so anyway as I can't bear to watch when wickets are tumbling 😂
Also England's collapse doesn't negate how outstanding Wolvaardt was. At one point the forecasts were for 260 and then she smashes out 169!
Also England's collapse doesn't negate how outstanding Wolvaardt was. At one point the forecasts were for 260 and then she smashes out 169!
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces killed hundreds of patients and staff inside a hospital in El Fasher, according to the World Health Organization and the Sudan Doctors Network.
“We’re not looking at small numbers, we’re looking at dozens and hundreds and, eventually, there will be thousands.”
“We’re not looking at small numbers, we’re looking at dozens and hundreds and, eventually, there will be thousands.”
Hundreds reportedly killed at Sudanese hospital as evidence of RSF atrocities mounts
Rapid Support Forces, which claimed control of El Fasher on Sunday, reportedly killed at least 460 people ‘in cold blood’
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces killed hundreds of patients and staff inside a hospital in El Fasher, according to the World Health Organization and the Sudan Doctors Network.
“We’re not looking at small numbers, we’re looking at dozens and hundreds and, eventually, there will be thousands.”
“We’re not looking at small numbers, we’re looking at dozens and hundreds and, eventually, there will be thousands.”
Violent protests have broken out in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania's largest city, after an election where the two main opposition candidates were disqualified and government critics abducted, arrested or killed
Violent protests erupt as Tanzanian president nears election victory
Government critics abducted, killed or arrested in run-up to vote as global monitor records internet blackout
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Violent protests have broken out in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania's largest city, after an election where the two main opposition candidates were disqualified and government critics abducted, arrested or killed
The videos that seem to be coming out of El Fasher are truly horrific. I just watched one, which I must emphasise I have not verified, that appears to show bodies strewn around a hospital and an RSF fighter shooting a seated man in the head at close range.
October 29, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The videos that seem to be coming out of El Fasher are truly horrific. I just watched one, which I must emphasise I have not verified, that appears to show bodies strewn around a hospital and an RSF fighter shooting a seated man in the head at close range.
Most African countries are urbanising rapidly, but public transport is failing to keep up.
Me and my colleagues joined commuters in Johannesburg, Abidjan and Nairobi to take readers on a typical journey across our cities.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Me and my colleagues joined commuters in Johannesburg, Abidjan and Nairobi to take readers on a typical journey across our cities.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
‘Every day’s a fight’: join the commuters in Africa’s rapidly growing cities
With more and more people moving to big cities such as Nairobi and Abidjan, daily commutes are becoming tougher
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Most African countries are urbanising rapidly, but public transport is failing to keep up.
Me and my colleagues joined commuters in Johannesburg, Abidjan and Nairobi to take readers on a typical journey across our cities.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Me and my colleagues joined commuters in Johannesburg, Abidjan and Nairobi to take readers on a typical journey across our cities.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by Rachel Savage
Public transport has failed to keep up with rapid urban growth in Africa, with hours-long traffic jams a common feature of many metropolises. Carlos Mureithi, @rachelmsavage.bsky.social & @eromoegbejule.bsky.social talk to commuters in Nairobi, Joburg, & Abidjan
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
‘Every day’s a fight’: join the commuters in Africa’s rapidly growing cities
With more and more people moving to big cities such as Nairobi and Abidjan, daily commutes are becoming tougher
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Public transport has failed to keep up with rapid urban growth in Africa, with hours-long traffic jams a common feature of many metropolises. Carlos Mureithi, @rachelmsavage.bsky.social & @eromoegbejule.bsky.social talk to commuters in Nairobi, Joburg, & Abidjan
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
African gerontocrats are having a bumper year. In another surprise to no one, Alassane Outtara, 83, has won a fourth term as Ivory Coast's president.
I was surprised, though, by the magnitude of victory - 89.77% of the vote. It helps to disqualify your biggest opponents and clamp down on protests.
I was surprised, though, by the magnitude of victory - 89.77% of the vote. It helps to disqualify your biggest opponents and clamp down on protests.
Alassane Ouattara wins landslide fourth term as Ivory Coast’s president
Low turnout said to have made for most peaceful election in years, as 83-year-old accused of clampdown on dissent wins 89.77% of vote
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:10 AM
African gerontocrats are having a bumper year. In another surprise to no one, Alassane Outtara, 83, has won a fourth term as Ivory Coast's president.
I was surprised, though, by the magnitude of victory - 89.77% of the vote. It helps to disqualify your biggest opponents and clamp down on protests.
I was surprised, though, by the magnitude of victory - 89.77% of the vote. It helps to disqualify your biggest opponents and clamp down on protests.
Former Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh says he will return to the country from exile in November, nine years after he was ousted.
Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission found Jammeh responsible for murders, torture, sexual violence & enforced disappearances.
Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission found Jammeh responsible for murders, torture, sexual violence & enforced disappearances.
The Gambia faces reckoning as exiled former president Jammeh vows November return - The Africa Report.com
Nearly nine years after fleeing into exile in Equatorial Guinea, the former dictator says he’s returning home – a defiant move that exposes President Barrow’s fragile grip, a stalled justice process a...
www.theafricareport.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Former Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh says he will return to the country from exile in November, nine years after he was ousted.
Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission found Jammeh responsible for murders, torture, sexual violence & enforced disappearances.
Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission found Jammeh responsible for murders, torture, sexual violence & enforced disappearances.
Sudan's army admitted it has withdrawn from El Fasher, its last urban stronghold in Darfur.
The UN human rights office said that the RSF reportedly carried out “summary executions” of fleeing civilians, “with indications of ethnic motivations for killings”.
The UN human rights office said that the RSF reportedly carried out “summary executions” of fleeing civilians, “with indications of ethnic motivations for killings”.
Sudan army withdraws from Darfur’s el-Fasher, UN warns of RSF atrocities
Army chief admits retreat from last stronghold in Darfur as fears grow for the civilians trapped in the city.
www.aljazeera.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Sudan's army admitted it has withdrawn from El Fasher, its last urban stronghold in Darfur.
The UN human rights office said that the RSF reportedly carried out “summary executions” of fleeing civilians, “with indications of ethnic motivations for killings”.
The UN human rights office said that the RSF reportedly carried out “summary executions” of fleeing civilians, “with indications of ethnic motivations for killings”.