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Washington/Monrovia. Donald Trump’s administration said on Friday it has reached an agreement with Liberia to accept Kilmar Abrego, the migrant whose wrongful deportation to El Salvador in March became a flashpoint in the Republican president’s immigration crackdown.

The Justice Department said in a court filing that Abrego could be deported to the African country as soon as October 31. Maryland-based US District Judge Paula Xinis has temporarily blocked the US government from deporting Abrego while she considers his bid to be released from immigration detention. It is unclear how the administration’s agreement with Liberia will influence the judge’s decision.

Abrego also could seek to challenge his removal by claiming fear of torture or persecution. Liberia said it agreed to take Abrego “on a strictly humanitarian and temporary basis” following a request from the United States.

Liberia’s information ministry said in a statement that it would ensure that Abrego is not removed to “any country where he may face substantial risk of persecution, torture or other serious harm.” Liberia is the first country in Africa to agree to accept Abrego after the administration unsuccessfully floated Uganda, Eswatini and Ghana as options for a potential second deportation.

Abrego, a sheet metal worker who entered the United States illegally, had been living in Maryland with his wife, their child and two of her children – all of whom are American citizens – when he was arrested and sent to his native El Salvador. He was deported to El Salvador, where he spent time in a mega-prison known for its harsh conditions, in violation of a prior US court order.

Abrego was sent back to the United States in June, and Trump’s Justice Department brought criminal charges accusing him of smuggling migrants. He has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have accused the administration of vindictive prosecution.

The administration also has said Abrego was a member of the MS-13 gang, an accusation his lawyers deny. A lawyer for Abrego, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, said Abrego has no personal connection to Liberia, and added that the country is far from his wife and children in Maryland.

“The government has chosen yet another path that feels designed to inflict maximum hardship,” Sandoval-Moshenberg said in a statement. “Their actions are punitive, cruel and unconstitutional.

” His lawyers in the past have accused the administration of violating Abrego’s rights to due process under the US Constitution. A deportation in the coming days could also impact a court hearing in his criminal case scheduled for November 4 and 5 in Nashville, Tennessee, that will examine whether Abrego was improperly charged in retaliation for his decision to bring a legal challenge to his March deportation.

Abrego’s lawyers have sought testimony from several Justice Department officials. The administration vowed to remove Abrego again from the United States after he was in August.

Abrego’s lawyers have indicated a preference for Costa Rica, a Spanish-speaking country in Central America that has said it would take in Abrego, but the administration has so far not agreed to send him there. The Justice Department highlighted Liberia’s historic ties to the United States, its “humane treatment of refugees” and its “robust” human rights protections.

A 2024 US State Department report flagged significant rights issues in the West African country, including extrajudicial killings. Liberia was one of five African countries the Trump administration pressed in July to accept migrants being deported to countries other than their own.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania Mainland champions Young Africans SC (Yanga) have booked their place in the CAF Champions’ League group stage after a convincing 20 victory over Malawi’s Silver Strikers at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

The result saw Yanga overturn a 10 deficit from the first leg in Lilongwe, advancing 21 on aggregate to the delight of thousands of home supporters. Early goal sets the tone Yanga began the match with intensity and purpose, immediately pressing their opponents in search of an early breakthrough.

Their efforts paid off in the 6th minute when defender Dickson Job rose highest to meet a corner from Mohamed Doumbia, nodding home to send the crowd into jubilation. The goal not only gave Yanga belief but also forced Silver Strikers to come out of their defensive shell.

Pacome doubles the lead The Jangwani giants continued to dominate possession, showing composure and creativity in midfield through Doumbia and Maxi Nzengeli. Their dominance was rewarded in the 34th minute when Nzengeli delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Pacome Zouzoua, who calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper George Chikooka to make it 20. The Ivorian attacker’s goal proved to be the decider in the two-legged tie, putting Yanga firmly in control.

Missed chances but total control Despite their comfortable lead, Yanga could have won by a wider margin. Striker Prince Dube squandered a golden opportunity in the 82nd minute after a superb setup from Zouzoua, while substitute Edmund John saw his close-range effort brilliantly saved by Chikooka moments later.

The hosts’ attacking play was fluid and relentless, but poor finishing kept the scoreline respectable for the visitors. Silver Strikers show resilience Silver Strikers, who had impressed in the first leg, struggled to replicate their performance in Dar es Salaam.

Even so, players such as Maxwell Paipi, Daniel Sandukira, Uchizi Vunga, and Andulu Yosefe occasionally threatened with quick counterattacks. However, Yanga’s backline, marshalled by captain Bakari Nondo and the dependable Job, stood firm to repel every dangerous move.

Redemption and new beginnings The win marked a crucial turnaround for Yanga, whose supporters were left frustrated after the first-leg loss in Malawi. That defeat had led to the dismissal of head coach Romain Folz, with assistant coach Patrick Mabedi stepping in to guide the team through the decisive return leg.

Under Mabedi’s leadership, Yanga displayed renewed energy, tactical discipline, and a collective fighting spirit that earned them a place among Africa’s elite. Fans celebrate historic progress At the final whistle, the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium erupted in celebration.

Fans waved flags, sang club anthems, and hailed the players for restoring pride to Jangwani Street. The qualification marks another milestone in Yanga’s continental journey, as the club looks to emulate or even surpass last season’s run in the CAF Confederation Cup.

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Babati. Police in Manyara Region are holding a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), Boay Parish in Babati District, for allegedly engaging in acts of incitement.

Regional Police Commander Ahmed Makarani confirmed to The Citizen’s sister publication, Mwananchi, on Saturday, October 25, 2025, that Pastor Eleth Mtaita was arrested on Friday, October 24, 2025. According to Mr Makarani, the pastor is being questioned over claims that he incited his congregation not to participate in the forthcoming general election. “The pastor has not been abducted; he is in police custody for questioning after being accused of inciting church members not to go out and vote,” Mr Makarani said.

He further revealed that the police are also searching for Sheikh Juma Silima from a mosque in the same Boay area, who is similarly accused of urging people not to vote on October 29, 2025. Mr Makarani cautioned religious leaders against engaging in politics, emphasising that churches and mosques should remain places of worship. “Religious leaders should focus on matters of faith, not politics.

Places of worship are not platforms for political mobilisation,” he said. Meanwhile, confusion erupted on social media late Friday night and early Saturday after reports surfaced claiming that Pastor Mtaita had been abducted from his home by armed, unidentified individuals.

It was alleged that the men, armed with guns, stormed the pastor’s residence, threatened his family, and forced him into a Toyota Land Cruiser with no registration plates before speeding away. Manyara Regional Commissioner Queen Sendiga recently warned that the government would take stern measures against anyone inciting citizens to boycott voting in the general election.

“Anyone who discourages the public from turning out to vote will be violating the law and will face strict legal action,” Ms Sendiga said. .

Arusha. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) has announced an ambitious target of generating over Sh350 billion in revenue during the 2025/2026 financial year, building on a record-breaking 2024/2025 performance in which it far exceeded its collection goal.

In the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the Authority collected Sh269.9 billion, surpassing its projected Sh230 billion. This achievement has been attributed to strong leadership, efficient management, and the dedication of the NCAA workforce.

Speaking at the decoration ceremony of two newly appointed Senior Assistant Conservation Commissioners, on October 24, 2025 NCAA Board Chairman General (Rtd) Venance Mabeyo emphasised that the new revenue target reflects the Authority’s commitment to contributing more significantly to national development through sustainable tourism and effective conservation management. “This financial year, our goal is to collect over Sh350 billion, up from Sh269 billion last year, but this target cannot be achieved unless every officer diligently fulfils their responsibilities,” said General Mabeyo.

He described the Senior Assistant Conservation Commissioners as the “engine” of NCAA’s success, urging them to uphold institutional ethics, laws, and procedures while ensuring that their respective departments operate efficiently and transparently. “I encourage you to strengthen financial oversight, manage resources prudently, and innovate new income streams, including the development of new tourism products, to help us achieve and even surpass our revenue targets,” he added.

General Mabeyo further noted that increased revenue collection would enable the government to improve essential social services such as healthcare, electricity, water supply, and education for Tanzanians. He also called on NCAA management to explore emerging tourist sites, including the Amboni Caves in Tanga and the Meteorite Site in Songwe, highlighting that proper investment and infrastructure could attract more visitors and boost national revenue.

Turning to technology, General Mabeyo urged stronger oversight of the ICT Department, noting its critical role in enhancing digital systems for tourism operations, improving communication, and countering misinformation about the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. “The world is changing rapidly with advances in science and technology.

It is our responsibility to ensure the NCAA’s ICT systems operate at international standards, providing top-quality services to tourists from across the globe,” he said. “We have also witnessed increasing misinformation about Ngorongoro.

It is our duty to ensure accurate information reaches the public promptly to protect the reputation of this globally renowned conservation area.” During the ceremony, Senior Assistant Conservation Commissioners Brown O.

Shimwela, responsible for Finance, and Dr Amani Makota, heading ICT and Statistics, were officially commissioned following completion of their Conservation Corps training. Earlier, Commissioner for Conservation Abdul-Razaq Badru stated that the new appointments strengthen NCAA leadership capacity in managing conservation, tourism, and community development activities aimed at boosting Tanzania’s economic growth.

He stressed the importance of close collaboration within management to improve tourism infrastructure, visitor services, the development of new tourism products, and the effective management of archaeological sites outside Ngorongoro to enhance their contribution to the national economy. Dr Amani Makota expressed gratitude for his appointment and pledged to transform the ICT department.

“We are committed to implementing President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directives to strengthen ICT systems and ensure interoperability with other government institutions. Our goal is to modernise our digital infrastructure and provide world-class services to tourists from across the globe,” he said.

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Dar es Salaam. A delegation of parliamentarians from the Great Lakes Region arrived in Tanzania today to observe next week’s General Election, urging all political actors and electoral authorities to safeguard peace, transparency, and integrity as the country heads to the polls.

The mission, operating under the Forum of Parliaments of Member States of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR), is led by former President of Burundi, Domitien Ndayizeye. It seeks to assess whether the October 29, 2025 elections are conducted fairly and transparently, in line with regional and international standards.

“We are honoured to stand with the people of Tanzania at this crucial moment. These elections should reflect the true will of the citizens,” said Mr Ndayizeye, adding that the Great Lakes Region places high expectations on Tanzania’s continued democratic leadership.

“Tanzania remains a key pillar of stability in our region, and we expect this election to further strengthen that legacy,” he noted. The delegation, comprising 23 lawmakers and election experts from Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia, will remain in the country from October 23 to 31, 2025. Members will be deployed across Dar es Salaam, the Coast Region, and Unguja in Zanzibar.

According to Mr Ndayizeye, the mission will assess the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC), while also monitoring inclusivity in the electoral process. “Young people, women, and persons with disabilities must have equal opportunities to participate freely and without intimidation,” he emphasised.

The team will also examine media freedom, campaign conduct, security, and respect for human rights during the election period to ensure that voters can express their will peacefully and without interference. Mr Ndayizeye explained that the mission operates under established regional frameworks, including the ICGLR Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

“Our role is to observe and report independently, while encouraging improvements where needed,” he said, stressing that transparency, professionalism, and neutrality from all stakeholders are vital for maintaining public trust. “We urge all actors to uphold the law and prioritise the interests of Tanzanians.

A peaceful election is a shared responsibility,” he concluded. Tanzanians will head to the polls on Wednesday to elect the President, Members of Parliament, and Councillors, marking the country’s sixth multi-party General Election since the reintroduction of political pluralism in 1992. The FP-ICGLR mission is expected to release its preliminary findings on October 31, 2025 in Dar es Salaam.

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