World leaders have expressed shock and condemnation following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, where a gunman attempted to storm the event attended by President Donald Trump.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned.” Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “shocked by the attempted assassination” of Trump. Indian PM Narendra Modi said, “Violence has no place in a democracy.”

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The sole suspect, armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives, has been detained.
Canadian PM Mark Carney said, “Political violence has no place in any democracy.”
Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez condemned the attack, saying “violence is never the answer.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said, “Violence must never be the way.”
Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif sent prayers and wished Trump continued safety.

Global leaders united in condemning the attack and expressing relief that Trump and others were unharmed.

Sources: Vanguard, Punch

Mali’s Defence Minister, Sadio Camara, has been killed in a coordinated wave of attacks by jihadist and separatist forces that struck multiple locations, including the capital Bamako.

A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated outside his residence in a rare collaborative attack by JNIM (an al-Qaeda affiliate) and the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA). Gunfire and explosions were also reported near the airport and main military base.

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Camara was central to the coup that brought Mali’s military government to power.
The US Embassy in Mali advised against all travel due to the deteriorating security.
Analysts said nothing indicates an imminent collapse of the Malian state.
Several JNIM militants were killed, with others reportedly lynched by crowds.
The attacks underscore the entrenched presence of jihadists across the Sahel.

The killing of the defence minister is a major blow to Mali’s military government.

Sources: Premium Times (Yakubu Mohammed)

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has warned against the weakening of opposition political parties in Nigeria, saying such could have severe consequences for the country’s democracy.

Speaking at the opposition leaders’ summit in Ibadan, Makinde said: “If we allow opposition to weaken, whether by design or by neglect, then we all bear the consequences.” The summit, chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, attracted leaders from PDP, ADC, NNPP, and other political groups.

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Makinde said the goal is to promote thoughtful engagement across party lines.
David Mark alleged INEC has taken sides and is no longer an impartial umpire.
Mark described the opposition’s task as a “national rescue mission.”
The summit theme was ‘That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy.’
Leaders agreed Nigeria cannot win as fragmented segments.

The summit underscored the opposition’s push for unity ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sources: Daily Trust