African political news summarised in English: elections, governments, diplomacy, justice and security across the 54 countries, from the local press. 1,293 articles published.
Updated around the clock from 450+ African and international news outlets in 54 countries. Every article names its source. Our method
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign council will hold its first meeting on 20 October 2026 in Abuja to prepare for his re-election bid in 2027. The 134 members are expected to examine the campaign timetable ahead of the launch planned for 24 October in Kaduna, according to council secretary Hope Uzodimma.
Source: Pmnewsnigeria
Juba County’s caretaker commissioner, Kalisto Lado, has announced the closure of companies manufacturing the spirit alcohol “Jena Faa” and shops that sell it. Offenders also risk arrest and prosecution, as part of a campaign against illegal drugs and substance abuse, according to Eyeradio.
Source: Eyeradio
The article reprises Abdel Fattah al-Sissi’s statements that his presidency will end in 2030 and that future leaders are being prepared. As both points had already been published on 18 October, according to the outlet’s earlier articles, this report adds nothing new.
Source: The Citizen
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema attended a regional meeting in Lusaka and posted on his Facebook page, ending speculation about his absence from public view since 9 October. He spoke at the 20th Ordinary Session of the Regional Interministerial Committee of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, according to Zambianobserver.
Source: Zambianobserver
Three Mauritian police officers suspected of failing to assist Élodie Thomas after she was shot in Camp-Levieux have been granted conditional release, on bail of 25,000 rupees and an undertaking to pay 100,000 rupees each. The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating, while Sergeant Gautam Singh Taukoor, accused of firing the shot, remains in detention until his next court appearance, scheduled for 26 October, Defimedia reports.
Source: Defimedia
South African organisation Joburg Child Welfare says the allegations against Shadrack Sibiya, the suspended second-in-command of the police, highlight the challenges of protecting child survivors of sexual abuse. Sibiya, 59, faces charges of allegedly raping an 18-year-old woman and sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl, while the organisation calls for independent investigations and protection for survivors.
Source: Mg
Tunisia and Libya want to strengthen cooperation and find solutions to outstanding bilateral issues, their foreign affairs officials Mohamed Ali Nafti and Taher Al-Baour have agreed. On the sidelines of the 52nd session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad on 17 and 18 October, they also discussed trade, transport and the political situation in Libya, La Presse reports.
Source: Lapresse
A new suspect has been charged and remanded in custody over the murder of Mehdi Kessaci, 20, who was shot dead in Marseille on 13 November 2025. The National Anti-Crime Prosecutor’s Office suspects him of providing logistical support to the perpetrators, according to Algérie 360.
Source: Algérie 360
Nigeria’s ruling APC says Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 is “non-negotiable” and promises peaceful and safe campaigns. The position was reaffirmed at the inauguration of the campaign’s security officials, according to Vanguard.
Source: Vanguard
Former Senegalese minister Mankeur Ndiaye is calling for negotiations on the return of the AES, an alliance of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, to ECOWAS. He says regional sanctions were excessive and harmful to civilians, and believes closer ties would benefit populations and West African integration, according to a statement relayed by Senegal7.
Source: Senego
Liberian senators Amara M. Konneh and Abe Darius Dillon reject Supreme Court Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay’s proposal to abolish jury trials, despite acknowledging problems with tampering and corruption. They instead call for reforming the system and note that abolition would require, according to Konneh, a two-thirds vote in Parliament and a referendum, reports The Analyst.
Source: Analystliberiaonline
Bangui prosecutors are pursuing five civil society leaders for disturbing public order after their call for a “city lockdown” against the high cost of living, on 12 October. The prosecution announced the proceedings on 17 October, while lawyers denounce difficulties accessing the detainees, reports Journaldebangui.
Source: Journaldebangui
Police have arrested four men in Nguinth as part of an investigation into same-sex relations. The operation on 17 October followed a tip-off about young men, according to Senenews.
Source: Senenews
Human Rights Watch accuses the Malian army and its Russian paramilitary allies of killing civilians in violation of international law. The organisation says rebel groups also committed abuses, according to Africanews, which reports its statement published on Monday.
Source: Africanews
Robert Kabera, 50, a former Rwandan soldier and refugee in Uganda, was found beheaded in an eucalyptus plantation in Mpigi district. Police recovered a stick suspected of having been used in the attack and are investigating the circumstances of his death, according to Ugandan newspaper The Observer.
Source: The Observer
A Senegalese national has died in hospital after being shot in the abdomen during clashes in Pechina, in Spain’s Almería province. A second Senegalese man, wounded in the chest, left hospital after receiving treatment, reports the daily Les Échos, cited by Dakaractu.
Source: Dakaractu
Egyptian military expert Mohamed al-Shahawy says any Egyptian intervention to defend Saudi Arabia would depend on the threat and the needs set out by Riyadh. He said the forces deployed could come from the air force, navy or ground forces, according to Egypt Independent.
Source: Egypt Independent
South African police national commissioner Fannie Masemola has resumed his duties and called on officials to co-operate, saying he was not returning to seek revenge. He spoke after Cyril Ramaphosa lifted his suspension and charges linked to a police contract were withdrawn, TimesLIVE reports.
Source: TimesLIVE
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