Latest news and political developments across Africa and the diaspora
As the holy month of Ramadan begins, millions of Muslims across Africa are observing daily fasts and nightly prayers under the weight of deepening economic hardship, climate disasters, and escalating insecurity.
The deportation of a 21-year-old gay Moroccan woman by the United States has reignited scrutiny over U.S. immigration enforcement policies and the treatment of LGBTQ asylum seekers returned to countries where homosexuality is criminalized.
African heads of state have renewed calls for African-led solutions to the continent's peace and security challenges and demanded stronger representation on the United Nations Security Council, as the African Union (AU) concluded its 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has strongly criticized a United States-funded hepatitis B vaccine trial planned in Guinea-Bissau, warning that it raises serious ethical concerns by delaying a proven life-saving birth-dose vaccine for some newborns.
South African police have confirmed that all six victims killed in the Meyerton shooting were Lesotho nationals, after gunmen ambushed a minibus taxi traveling along the R59 road in Gauteng province, south of Johannesburg.
South Africa will withdraw its troops from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo by 2026, signaling a major recalibration of Pretoria’s regional security commitments after nearly three decades of continuous deployment.
The United States has moved to recalibrate its strained relationship with Mali, signaling a pragmatic shift driven by deteriorating security conditions in the Sahel and strategic and economic interests.
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, South Africa's Zulu monarch, is facing mounting backlash after using a derogatory term for foreign nationals during a public address, reigniting concerns about xenophobia and the treatment of African migrants in the country.
Britain's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has launched an official visit to Ethiopia, positioning economic investment and enhanced law-enforcement cooperation at the center of the United Kingdom's strategy to curb irregular migration from the Horn of Africa.
The America First Global Health Strategy is reshaping Africa–U.S. health partnerships, raising concerns over sovereignty, data sharing, and global health governance.
Thousands of families have been displaced following renewed demolitions in Makoko, one of Nigeria's oldest waterfront fishing communities, reigniting long-standing concerns over forced evictions, urban renewal, and housing rights in Africa's largest city.
Botswana's President Duma Boko has moved to quell public anxiety over proposed judicial reforms, firmly rejecting claims that the creation of a Constitutional Court would legalize same-sex marriage or abolish the death penalty.
China has reaffirmed its strategic partnership with Lesotho, pledging to deepen bilateral cooperation across key development sectors following an official visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Southern Africa is grappling with a deepening humanitarian emergency as relentless torrential rains continue to inundate large swathes of the region, triggering deadly floods, mass displacement and widespread infrastructure damage across South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Sudan's government has formally reestablished its presence in the capital, Khartoum, months after intense fighting forced officials to flee the city, marking what authorities describe as a critical turning point in the country's war with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Somaliland has come under renewed international scrutiny after a senior Somali official alleged that Israel had considered relocating Palestinians from Gaza to the self-declared republic in northern Somalia, claims that authorities in Hargeisa have firmly denied.
The United Nations has warned that women in Sudan are facing rapidly worsening food shortages, underscoring the gendered toll of the country’s protracted humanitarian crisis.
The Zambian Kwacha has emerged as one of Africa's strongest-performing currencies against the US dollar, gaining nearly 10 percent over the past two years as Lusaka accelerates policies aimed at stabilizing its once heavily dollarized economy.
Newly re-elected Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has formally invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Bangui.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has begun his annual New Year diplomatic tour of Africa, underscoring Beijing's push to deepen trade access across Eastern and Southern Africa while securing critical shipping routes and long-term resource supply lines.
Nigeria has confirmed its cooperation with the United States following a U.S. airstrike carried out in the country’s north-west on Christmas Day, an operation that has drawn international attention to both Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy and its rejection of claims that Christians are being disproportionately targeted in the conflict.
Across Africa, a persistent question looms: why do so many leaders overstay in power? While the familiar refrain is that "power is sweet," the roots run deeper. Many African states evolved from kingdoms and chieftaincies where authority was unquestioned and lifelong, an ethos that continues to shape modern politics.
Deposed Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has fled to Senegal after a military coup toppled his government just three days after the presidential election, officials confirmed.
Cameroonian opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary has fled to Gambia, citing fears for his safety following President Paul Biya’s contested re-election.
World leaders at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg adopted a joint declaration addressing climate change and key global challenges, despite a high-profile U.S. boycott and divisions over Europe’s response to a proposed U.S. peace plan for Ukraine.
Fifty of the 303 students kidnapped by armed assailants from a Catholic boarding school in north-central Nigeria have escaped captivity and reunited with their families, school authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Central banks across Africa are preparing to cut interest rates in a bid to stimulate economic growth and attract new investment, following months of easing inflation and stabilizing prices.
South African authorities have launched a full investigation into a chartered flight carrying 153 Palestinians from Gaza that landed at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport and left passengers stranded on the tarmac for nearly 12 hours.
An attack in Kebbi State has left Nigeria reeling after unknown gunmen abducted 24 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in the town of Maga.
Somaliland has declared all visas issued to Somali passport holders null and void following a new special decree. This move has reignited long-standing political tensions with the Federal Government of Somalia.
Rwanda and Tanzania have launched bilateral talks to integrate their national retail payment systems, a move expected to sharply reduce cross-border remittance costs and expand financial inclusion across East Africa.
The African Union (AU) has issued an urgent call for international intervention following a surge in insurgent attacks in Mali that have triggered fuel shortages, disrupted daily life, and resulted in the kidnapping of foreign nationals.
Tanzania is facing a deepening political crisis after authorities charged more than 100 people with treason following violent protests triggered by last month’s disputed general elections.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed 39 charges against Joseph Kony, the elusive leader of Uganda’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between 2002 and 2005.
The 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit will be held in Johannesburg on November 22–23, marking the first time the global economic forum takes place on African soil.
South Africa has sharply criticized the United States over its recent decision to prioritize refugee applications from white Afrikaners, calling the move “miscalculated” and rooted in false narratives of persecution.
After nearly two decades on the ground, Burkina Faso has officially relaunched its national carrier, Air Burkina, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to revive its aviation industry and strengthen regional connectivity.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is fast-tracking the appointment of ambassadors to key global capitals following recent threats of military intervention by former U.S.
Nigeria has firmly dismissed claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that Christians are facing genocide in the country, calling the allegations “baseless” and “misleading.”
Four African countries have been removed from the global money-laundering greylist after implementing significant financial reforms, marking a major boost for the continent’s credibility in international markets
Angola has made a surprise move to acquire a majority stake in De Beers, intensifying competition with Botswana and reshaping the balance of power in Africa’s diamond industry.
South Africa’s health regulator, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), has approved a groundbreaking HIV prevention injection that provides six months of protection against the virus.
Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU-PF, has launched a controversial campaign to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule beyond his constitutional term, directing the government to enact the proposal into law within a year.
Nigerian authorities have dismissed as "entirely false" reports claiming that several military officers were detained over an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu.
Two people have been confirmed dead and more than 160 injured following a stampede at the state funeral of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium, according to local reports.
Madagascar has entered a new phase of political turmoil after Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of an elite military unit, announced on Tuesday that the army had seized control of the government.
At least 57 people were killed after Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched an attack on a displacement shelter in the besieged city of El-Fasher, according to local reports.
U.S. based Flagship Gold Corp has entered a partnership with Mali’s state-owned mining company to restart operations at the Morila gold mine, Reuters reports. The deal marks the first American investment under Mali’s new mining code, which took effect in August 2023.
An acute fuel shortage has hit Mali's capital, Bamako, as endless lines stretched before nearly all gas stations. This shortage is a result of the militia blockade on fuel imports, which began in early September
Senegal has launched a judicial inquiry into violent protests that took place between 2021 and 2024, under the regime of President Macky Sall. The hearings were aimed at investigating the events and ensuring accountability for abuses committed during the conflict.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Zimbabwe to outline a detailed strategy for transitioning to a mono-currency system by 2030, emphasizing that unclear policies could harm economic stability.
American senator Ted Cruz has accused Nigerian officials of ignoring and even facilitating the mass killings of Christians by Islamic Jihadists.
Israel doubled down on its months-long blockade of war-torn Gaza on Wednesday, October 1st, after detaining nearly 200 humanitarians and activists heading to deliver aid.
Niger has been ordered to halt all Uranium trading from the Somaïr mine, which the West African country's military government seized earlier this year from French nuclear company Orano SA.
Russia and Ethiopia have formalized an execution plan to advance Ethiopia's nuclear power ambitions, according to the Russian Information Agency (RIA).
Thousands of young Moroccans took to the streets of major cities this week, denouncing the government's neglect of essential services, including education and healthcare, while condemning its lavish spending on preparations for the 2030 FIFA Men's World Cup, which the country is set to co-host with Spain and Portugal.
More than 70 people were killed when a drone struck a mosque during morning prayers in El Fasher, the besieged capital of North Darfur, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
Former Malawi President Peter Mutharika was declared the winner of the September 18 presidential vote, defeating the incumbent Lazarus Chakwera and reclaiming the presidency for a second term.
Donald Trump's administration has recently come under fire for a plan to destroy a $10 million consignment of medical supplies, including contraceptives earmarked for women in sub-Saharan Africa.
Former Ivorian First Lady, Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, has been cleared to run for the presidency by the Independent Electoral Commission in the October elections.
A group of UN experts have accused Shell, Eni, ExxonMobil, and TotalEnergies for violating international human rights law by selling their Nigerian assets without addressing decades' worth of pollution in the Niger Delta region, Climate Home News reported.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), coffee production is struggling to survive as ongoing conflict in the eastern region that has killed thousands and displaced many farming households.
Ethiopia has concluded its Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS-2), securing pledges of more than $100 billion under the Africa Green Industrialization Initiative to advance climate-resilient infrastructure.
Nkosinathi Biko, the son of South Africa's anti-apartheid hero Steve Biko, says he is confident that the latest inquest into the killing of his father will lead to a definite prosecution.
Malawi is heading for a high-stakes election that will see President Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) face off against his predecessor, Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
South Africa’s Communications and Digital Technologies Minister, Solly Malatsi, toured Equinix’s JN1 Data Centre in Johannesburg on September 4 as part of efforts to attract greater investment in the country’s digital infrastructure. The visit was shared on his official X and LinkedIn accounts.
Boko Haram militants carried out a deadly nighttime assault on a village in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State, leaving more than 60 people dead, including seven soldiers, according to local sources cited by Reuters. The victims were largely residents who had only recently returned to their homes after years of displacement.
While US President Donald Trump imposes broad tariffs on African imports—a flat 10% levy on most goods and up to 50% for select countries—Uganda and Kenya are pursuing regional trade strategies emphasizing cooperation and diversification.
The Trump administration has been accused of violating due process in the case of five men deported to Eswatini, their lawyers say.
A toxic discharge from a Chinese-owned mining operation has sparked public outrage in Zambia, following revelations that the company attempted to downplay the extent of contamination in one of the country's major rivers.
The Republic of Congo has awarded new offshore exploration licenses to QatarEnergy, one of the world's largest energy firms, allowing it to explore and extract oil reserves within its territory.
Three months after a mass crackdown on protesting doctors, Ethiopia's healthcare system continues to grapple with unresolved grievances over low pay and poor working conditions.
Malian authorities have detained more than 50 soldiers accused of plotting to overthrow the country’s military government, security sources told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has unveiled new long-acting contraceptive options in Kenya, part of a US$2.5 billion investment to expand women's health services across Africa and accelerate global research.
South Africa’s Pretoria High Court has ruled in favor of the Zambian government in its bid to repatriate the body of former President Edgar Lungu, despite objections from his family. Lungu, who died in South Africa on June 5, 2025, was initially set to be buried privately there at the request of his relatives.
African exporters are bracing for both challenges and opportunities as they prepare to adapt to new sustainability and environmental regulations, driven by the European Union's forthcoming Circular Economy Act, expected to be approved in 2026.
Daimler Truck, a division of Mercedes-Benz, has announced plans to establish a truck assembly plant in Senegal, marking a significant boost for West Africa's automotive sector.
Chadian opposition leader and former Prime Minister Succès Masra has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for allegedly inciting unrest through xenophobic and racist remarks.
Despite financial inclusion being vital to long-term economic growth, many Namibians remain excluded from formal financial markets and services.
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) statement, Kenya has become the tenth nation to achieve the significant milestone of eliminating sleeping sickness, also known as human African trypanosomiasis (HAT).
South African police have arrested nearly 1,000 undocumented migrants at the Sheba Gold Mine in Barberton, an area close to the Mozambican and Eswatini borders.
Islamic State-linked militants have freed four Moroccan truck drivers kidnapped in the Sahel, Mali's state broadcaster reported.
Thousands in Abidjan protest disqualification of key opposition figures from October election.
Lesotho's textile industry is grappling with mounting challenges as factory closures and job losses loom, despite a recent U.S. tariff cut.
Hundreds of Tunisians poured into the streets of the capital, Tunis, on Sunday in a powerful display of solidarity with Palestinians, as Gaza's humanitarian crisis worsens under the Israeli blockade.
At least 68 African migrants are confirmed dead, and more than 70 remain unaccounted for after a vessel sank off Yemen's southern coast on Sunday morning. Authorities say the boat, which was carrying 154 people—predominantly from Ethiopia—was bound for Gulf states, part of a perilous journey in pursuit of work and a better life.
The debate over Nigeria's controversial agricultural technology resurfaced recently after the country approved genetically modified crops.
A helicopter crash on Wednesday killed eight people, including the Ghanaian Defense Minister and the Environment Minister, as they traveled to a gold mining site in the Ashanti region.
Cameroon's electoral commission, ELECAM, has excluded prominent opposition leader Maurice Kamto from the preliminary list of candidates for the October 12 presidential election.
South Africa is preparing robust countermeasures to address economic concerns, particularly for local companies facing a 30% US tariff starting August 8.
Members of the South Sudanese army were killed during a clash with Ugandan troops.
Massive protests triggered by the Angolan government's fuel price hike have led to at least 22 deaths, 1,200 detentions, and nearly 200 injuries last week, according to a government statement.
On Monday, July 21st, Zambia's government marked a significant step by signing an agreement with a Chinese company for the development of a $1.1 billion oil refinery and energy complex in Ndola, located in the Copperbelt region.
Today is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The kidnapping and subsequent release of Ewane Roland Ekeh, a Nigerian Idabato Sub-Divisional officer, after six months of captivity, is an example of one of the most horrifying kidnapping incidents in the West African country.
Choguel Maïga, the former Prime Minister of Mali, is under investigation for the alleged misuse of public funds during his time in office.
At least 40 people have been killed in a church attack in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Kingdom of Eswatini's opposition groups are outraged over the country's decision to receive five men deported by the United States.
During a joint briefing at police headquarters in Maseru, Lesotho's security chiefs warned of a group named Malata Naha, alleging that South African farms are housing illegal military training camps.
Togo’s ruling UNIR party won 75% of municipal seats in elections marred by low turnout and protests over President Faure Gnassingbé’s extended rule.
Prominent Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi was released on bail Monday after being arrested over the weekend for alleged possession of ammunition and a tear gas canister. The arrest, viewed by some as politically motivated, comes amid heightened tensions over police conduct in the country.
Egypt has rejected a proposal by the United States to mediate in its dispute with Ethiopia.
Kemi Badenoch claims she cannot pass Nigerian citizenship to her children due to gender-based restrictions, sparking debate over Nigeria’s nationality laws.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have signed a declaration of principles in Doha, Qatar, aiming to end ongoing conflict in eastern Congo.
Nigeria has firmly rejected a proposal from the United States to accept deportees from Venezuela and other third-party nations, drawing a sharp line against growing pressure from the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policy.
Lesotho has declared a national state of disaster amid rising unemployment, which has been worsened by U.S. tariffs and aid cuts imposed by President Donald Trump.
Prince Harry has visited Huambo province in west-central Angola, retracing the footsteps of his late mother, Princess Diana, who walked through the same former minefield 28 years ago.
Botswana, Africa's leading diamond producer, has devalued its currency, the Pula, by 2.76% over the next 12 months in response to falling global diamond prices and a sharp economic downturn that has prompted the government to adopt austerity measures.
Cameroon's 92-year-old President Paul Biya has announced his intention to run for an unprecedented eighth term, ending speculation that he would not participate in the October elections.
Following explosive claims by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, President Ramaphosa has launched a judicial inquiry into alleged corruption within South Africa’s law enforcement sector.
In honor of Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first black President, who dedicated his life to fighting the brutal system of apartheid, July 18th is a global call to action, encouraging 67 minutes of community service.
A Nigerian court has reinstated a female senator ousted after reporting sexual harassment, sparking national debate and divided public opinion.
Key elections are scheduled to take place across various African countries in the second half of 2025.
Kenya's nationwide protests escalated sharply on Monday, with the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reporting at least 31 people killed and 107 injured in clashes with security forces.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump met with leaders from Mauritania, Senegal, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, and Gabon, signaling a shift in U.S.-Africa relations from aid to trade.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on Sunday following serious accusations against senior figures in politics and the South African Police Service.
The West African nation has pledged to intensify its efforts against illegal gold trading. Ghana, which is Africa's top gold producer, has unveiled plans to recover billions of dollars lost to smuggling over the years.
U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with the heads of state of Mauritania, Senegal, Liberia, Gabon, and Guinea-Bissau during a three-day summit from July 9 to 11.
Yoweri Museveni, Uganda's President for the last 39 years, has confirmed his intention to run for a seventh term in the 2026 presidential election. This decision could extend his rule to nearly 50 years.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has faced backlash from the Democratic Alliance (DA) after removing Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Andrew Whitfield over what the presidency described as an unauthorized trip to the United States.
On 26 June 2025, President Bola Tinubu signed a new tax law, effectively overhauling Nigeria's revenue collection system.
According to civil society groups, at least seven people lost their lives and dozens more were wounded during anti-government protests in Togo.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported that national protests resulted in over 400 injuries and more than 60 arrests
Over 40 people, including six children and five health workers, were killed in an attack that occurred at Al-Mujid Hospital in West Kordofan on Saturday, June 22nd.
The last group of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) soldiers has returned home after withdrawing from the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Israel-Iran conflict escalated early Sunday morning after the United States struck three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Africa's oldest republic gets a seat at the United Nations Security Council
Ghana's cedi currency has jumped more than 40% versus the U.S. dollar this year, far outperforming its African and emerging market peers
Congo has been experiencing an insecurity crisis for decades, with more than 100 armed groups fighting for control of its vast mineral resources.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's May trip to the White House has been touted as one of the biggest diplomatic blunders in recent years.
Political realignment has made waves in the Sahel region, with the three breakaway countries seeking to redefine their future.
It has been described as a battle for power as two years have now passed, but Sudan continues to suffer a conflict that has left at least 150,000 deaths, leaving about 13 million people displaced.
Africa has a vast economic advantage given its diverse agriculture, mining and tourism sectors.