African political news summarised in English: elections, governments, diplomacy, justice and security across the 54 countries, from the local press. 1,320 articles published.
Updated around the clock from 450+ African and international news outlets in 54 countries. Every article names its source. Our method
US ambassador to The Gambia Laurence Socha has pledged to strengthen cooperation between Washington and Banjul in security, economic development and democratic governance. In an interview with Gambian broadcaster QTV, he also defended Donald Trump’s immigration restrictions, according to Kerr Fatou.
Source: Kerr Fatou
Former Kenyan MP Kabando wa Kabando called on Rigathi Gachagua, Kenya’s former deputy president, to promote opposition unity on his return from the United States. In a post published on 19 October 2026, he referred to political tensions in Kenya, Tuko reports.
Source: Tuko
Explosions were heard in Khartoum on Monday evening after drones attributed to a militia flew overhead, witnesses cited by Bajnews reported. Sources said the Sudanese army’s air defences intercepted the aircraft, with no casualties reported.
Source: Bajnews
The South African state is opposing businessman Suliman Carrim’s application for bail, arguing that he could evade his trial. As the decision on his bail had already been announced as postponed until 28 October, this article provides no new information.
Source: Maroelamedia
A Cameroonian court is due to deliver its ruling on 26 October in expedited proceedings in the case between the Movement for the Renaissance of Cameroon and Salomon Beas. Actu Cameroun presents the decision as a first step in the legal and media dispute.
Source: Actu Cameroun
Malawian experts have called on the public to prioritise dialogue and respectful communication to prevent conflicts linked to political divisions, socio-economic inequalities and resources. At a webinar organised by the Gandhi Forum of Malawi and the Institute for Policy Interaction, they warned in particular about abusive language online and defended listening, according to Mwnation.
Source: Mwnation
The Malian army says it struck an armed group base 65 km south-west of Ménaka on 17 October 2026, then a position 35 km south-west of Douentza the following day. The General Staff says reconnaissance operations are continuing to assess the results, according to a statement by the Malian Armed Forces.
Source: Bamada.net
South Africa believes US reprisals threaten its sovereignty, amid sharply deteriorating bilateral relations. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya considers a revival of ties with Washington unlikely, according to The Namibian.
Source: The Namibian
A Mombasa court found Paul Mackenzie and 28 co-defendants guilty of murdering 190 children and one adult who died in a sect that advocated fasting to “meet Jesus”. Judge Diana Kavedza Mochache rejected the defence that the victims had fasted voluntarily, three years after the first bodies were discovered in Kenya.
Source: L’essentiel
In Dakar, the foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger met their countries’ diasporas living in Senegal to hear their concerns. Discussions focused in particular on access to administrative documents, border difficulties and the professional circumstances of nationals, according to Alwihda Info.
Source: Alwihda Info
Frédéric Cholé, the French delegate responsible for local authorities and civil society, met public officials, local elected representatives and grassroots organisations in Togo from 12 to 15 October 2026. A statement published on 19 October by the French Embassy in Togo described the talks as a step in decentralised cooperation between the two countries.
Source: Togotopnews
The Bangui prosecutor’s office announced an investigation into the organisers of the «ville morte» day on 12 October 2026 and defended the arrest of several civil society leaders. Prosecutor Guy Martial Damanguéré said their actions may have contributed to public disorder, according to a statement issued by the prosecutor’s office on 17 October.
Source: Lengosongo
Shanda Tonme, presented as the Universal Mediator, sent an official letter to Cameroonian President Paul Biya on 19 October calling for the urgent adoption of dual nationality. He criticised the current legislation, but the information reported does not allow its content to be conveyed in greater detail.
Source: Actu Cameroun
The Zambian Presidency said former MP Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda, captured in Mozambique and brought back to Zambia in a security operation, could not evade justice by taking refuge abroad. His legal adviser Christopher Mundia presented the arrest as a warning to fugitives, according to MaraviPost.
Source: Maravipost
Bola Tinubu’s campaign official Segun Showunmi says the new post given to his wife, Oluyemi Adeyemi-Showunmi, at Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission is an internal administrative decision. She takes charge of the electoral operations department ahead of the 2027 election, and Showunmi defended her professional record in an interview on Channels Television, the Daily Post reports.
Source: Daily Post
Moroccan head of government Fatima-Zahra El Mansouri presented the 2026-2031 government programme to both chambers, outlining seven priorities including purchasing power, employment and public service quality. The roadmap also aims to reduce regional disparities and prioritise policy outcomes, according to Le Matin.
Source: Le Matin
Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga has resumed his duties after a few days of leave, his first break since taking office. The Prime Minister’s Office says no formal acting appointment was made and that Minister of State Alousséni Sanou merely represented him at official engagements, according to Confidentiel Afrique.
Source: Confidentielafrique
APC official Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso says Atiku Abubakar cannot rely solely on Hausa and Fulani voters to defeat Bola Tinubu in Nigeria's 2027 presidential election. Voters now prioritise results and public policies, he argues, according to a statement signed by Kwankwaso.
Source: Daily Post
Looking for older stories? The archive, day by day →