African political news summarised in English: elections, governments, diplomacy, justice and security across the 54 countries, from the local press. 1,330 articles published.
Updated around the clock from 450+ African and international news outlets in 54 countries. Every article names its source. Our method
Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile, his deputy Makebi Zulu and 16 other detainees appeared for the first time before three judges of the High Court of Zambia on treason charges. After more than 50 days in Mukobeko prison, their lawyers are seeking their release and challenging the length of their detention, Zambian Observer reports.
Source: Zambianobserver
Twenty-four civil society organisations are seeking explanations for the arrest in Mozambique of former Zambian MP Emmanuel Jay Banda and his admission to Maina Soko Hospital. They are asking the Zambian authorities to make public the circumstances of his transfer and the treatment he received, according to their joint statement.
Source: Zambianobserver
The secretary-general of the South African Communist Party, Solly Mapaila, tried to block a coalition between the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance after the 2024 elections. His actions and tensions surrounding political alliances are at the heart of the column published by Daily Maverick, which also examines the political stakes in Johannesburg.
Source: Daily Maverick
Almameh Gibba, National Assembly Member for Foni Kansala and candidate for the No To Alliance Movement, says his movement has nationwide support, not only in the Foni region. In an interview with West Coast Radio, he also ruled out joining President Barrow’s ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction party, according to Kerr Fatou.
Source: Kerr Fatou
The new president of Libya’s House of Representatives, Al-Salheen Abdel Nabi, has asked parliamentary committees to prepare measures on salaries, imports, medicines and energy needs. At the first public session in Benghazi, he also called for economic work to be coordinated with the Central Bank and relevant ministries, according to Libya Herald.
Source: Libya Herald
Sudan’s Security and Defence Council has asked the authorities to take the necessary measures against plans threatening the country and to ease the hardships facing the population. The meeting, chaired by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, was held in Khartoum as drone attacks targeted several areas of the capital, Sudan Tribune reports.
Source: Sudantribune
Senegal and Ivory Coast are considering expanding their cooperation to include digital technology, security, cultural and creative industries, sport and regional integration. These areas were discussed during the working visit to Ivory Coast by Senegalese Prime Minister Ahmadou Alhaminou Lô, Lesoleil reports.
Source: Lesoleil
Nigerian senator Aminu Tambuwal has denied plans to leave the African Democratic Congress and join the All Progressives Congress. His special adviser on media, Prince Daniel, called the rumours false and said Tambuwal was focused on strengthening his party ahead of the 2027 general elections, according to Punch.
Source: Punch
Senegalese Education Minister Moustapha Guirassy says 99% of the points expected under the agreement with unions have been addressed. Allowances for external trainers for 2023 to 2025 have been paid, while payment of examination allowances is more than 75% complete, according to the ministry.
Source: Lesoleil
Nigerian club Rangers has petitioned the Confederation of African Football after incidents blamed on MC Alger supporters during the first leg of the Champions League second preliminary round in Abeokuta. Rangers says seats were vandalised and a stadium entrance was damaged; the club is calling for intervention before the second leg, scheduled for 23 October in Algiers, Daily Post reports.
Source: Daily Post
Morocco’s House of Councillors will hold a plenary session on Wednesday at 11am to examine the 2026–2031 government programme presented on Monday by the head of government. The meeting marks a new stage in the parliamentary review of the programme, La Vie éco reports.
Source: Lavieeco
Officials in Somalia’s South West accuse Kenya and Ethiopia of contributing to interference in the region, where militias loyal to Lafta-gareen have taken several towns. The complaints include alleged inaction by Ethiopian forces and Kenya’s hosting of sanctioned Somali officials, Caasimada Online reports.
Source: Caasimada Online
Guinean presidential spokesperson Amara Camara clarified that the medical evacuations of Ibrahima Kassory Fofana and Amadou Damaro Camara are neither pardons nor a challenge to judicial decisions. He also discussed civic support for pardon beneficiaries and the Simandou and Wanindara cases at a press conference on 19 October 2026, Guinéenews reports.
Source: Guinéenews
Senegalese ministerial adviser Aldiouma Sow accuses Ousmane Sonko of seeking to block the 2026 supplementary finance bill for personal reasons. He says rejection could complicate salary payments and lead to job losses, consequences he cites to defend his opposition to the Pastef leader’s position, according to Senego.
Source: Senego
France's National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office paid tribute on 7 October 2026 to Dafroza Mukarumongi Gauthier, an advocate for justice and co-founder of an organisation committed to prosecuting genocide perpetrators. The tribute highlighted the importance of bringing alleged perpetrators to trial, reports New Times.
Source: Newtimes
Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Finance Isata Marah has called for stronger coordination between institutions to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. A consolidated financial database is being considered to facilitate information-sharing and help detect suspicious transactions more quickly, Sierraloaded reports.
Source: Sierraloaded
South Sudan has summoned Sudan’s ambassador to protest the bombing of Amyiet market in the disputed Abyei region, which caused civilian casualties and extensive property damage. South Sudan’s foreign ministry said drones, believed to be linked to the Sudanese army, struck several parts of the market on 19 October 2026.
Source: Sudantribune
Abdulaziz Yari, director-general of the APC presidential campaign council, met the emirs of Gwandu, Katsina, Daura and Zaria to seek their prayers and advice for Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. The council said the consultation tour was not intended to secure their official political support, according to a statement issued by the APC in Abuja.
Source: Punch
Looking for older stories? The archive, day by day →