African political news summarised in English: elections, governments, diplomacy, justice and security across the 54 countries, from the local press. 1,007 articles published.
Updated around the clock from 400+ African and international news outlets in 54 countries. Every article names its source. Our method
Benin’s Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that Article 58 of the Code of Criminal Procedure can deny suspects charged with offences linked to state security or terrorism contact with their lawyers throughout police custody. The restriction may also be ordered for investigative reasons, according to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Source: Lecalame
Ibrahima Ndiaye, a municipal councillor in Niomré, in the Louga region, has been remanded in custody for forgery and use of forged official documents. He is suspected of obtaining a falsified birth certificate for Nourah Ba, according to Seneweb, which also reports his admission and the payment of 20,000 CFA francs.
Source: Seneweb
Five Gabonese political parties have petitioned the Constitutional Court to challenge the draft amendment to Law No. 016/2025 on political parties. Their petition, filed on 16 October 2026, comes as the legislation is set to reorganise the legal framework for political parties, according to Gabonactu.
Source: Gabonactu
Nabil Benabdallah and Charafat Afailal are among the new Moroccan officials named to the portfolios of National Education and Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development. Lavieeco outlines their education and careers in public institutions, including their previous ministerial roles.
Source: Lavieeco
The foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger aligned their positions in Ouagadougou ahead of discussions with ECOWAS. They will defend the sovereignty of their states, the strengthening of the AES Confederation and the interests of their populations, according to meeting participants.
Source: La Nouvelle Tribune
British police officer Harman Singh is facing charges of attempted rape, three sexual assaults and intentional strangulation of a woman in January 2026. Suspended since his arrest, he is due to appear on 19 October at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, after the Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charges.
Source: Pmnewsnigeria
The French amphibious helicopter carrier Le Mistral will call at Cotonou from 22 to 27 October 2026, where it will conduct exercises with the Beninese Navy. A statement from Benin’s Ministry of National Defence and General Staff says the manoeuvres will notably focus on combating piracy, trafficking and illegal fishing in the Gulf of Guinea.
Source: La Nouvelle Tribune
Nabil Benabdallah, a former Moroccan minister of Communication and Housing, becomes minister of National Education, Preschool, Vocational Training and Qualifications. The appointment, announced on 16 October 2026, marks his return to government nine years after his departure, according to TelQuel.
Source: Telquel
Three men have been sentenced to a total of 14 years and nine months in prison for robbing a man at knifepoint in London and stealing a Richard Mille watch worth £140,000. The sentences were handed down on 16 October by Southwark Crown Court, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Source: Pmnewsnigeria
Belgian justice is investigating nine associates and partners of Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, suspected of money laundering linked to DR Congo’s mining revenues. Searches were conducted in Brussels and the provinces of Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant after complaints were filed in 2025, according to Reuters.
Source: Rwandainspirer
Five officials of the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast–African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA), including Georges Philippe Ezaley and Roger M’Bia, have been summoned before the anti-terrorism section of the Abidjan court. The party announced the summonses in a note published on its Facebook page, without specifying the reasons or appearance dates.
Source: Connection Ivoirienne
Gabon’s First Lady Zita Oligui Nguema took part in Dakar in the Senegalese launch of a campaign by the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development. The initiative aims to strengthen the resilience of women and girls in the face of climate change and conflict, L’Union reports.
Source: L’Union
Lamin Manneh, an official of Gambia’s United Democratic Party (UDP), says Adama Barrow owes his 2016 victory to the campaign conducted on behalf of Ousainu Darboe, rather than to his own programme. He thereby disputes the president’s remarks on the next election, in an interview with Teledal TV reported by Kerr Fatou.
Source: Kerr Fatou
Egypt’s ambassador to Morocco, Ahmed Nihad Abdel-Latif, says Rabat and Cairo want to expand their bilateral cooperation in support of peace, development and regional stability. He notably recalled the first meeting, held in April, of their coordination commission, according to Libe.
Source: Libe
The Central African presidency has defended the detention of Quentin Ngouando, Elysée Nguemale, Stève Bendo Deny and Barry Mardios, organisers of a “city lockdown” held in Bangui on 12 October to protest rising fuel prices. Its spokesperson, Albert Yaloké Mokpème, said security forces wanted to understand the reasons for the protest and prevent risks to public safety, according to Lengosongo.
Source: Lengosongo
Senegalese Customs director general Malick Mbaye defended the demands of oversight, competitiveness and administrative efficiency before a parliamentary inquiry commission. His intervention was praised by Waliou Diouf Faye, who urged civil servants to take inspiration from this approach to public service, according to Senego.
Source: Senego
Ousainu Darboe, leader of Gambia’s United Democratic Party (UDP), has not ruled out peaceful protest or legal action over around 14,000 disputed voter registrations. He criticises the Independent Electoral Commission for not responding precisely to the party’s questions, according to an interview with Eye Africa reported by Kerr Fatou.
Source: Kerr Fatou
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, chairman of Nigeria’s Peoples Redemption Party, accuses Bola Tinubu of having led Nigeria into a dead end and says citizens do not want to see him campaigning. He was responding to the president’s remarks about his planned campaign travel for 2027, the Daily Post reports.
Source: Daily Post
Looking for older stories? The archive, day by day →