African political news summarised in English: elections, governments, diplomacy, justice and security across the 54 countries, from the local press. 970 articles published.
Updated around the clock from 400+ African and international news outlets in 54 countries. Every article names its source. Our method
Since August, the al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims has been fighting Islamic State in the Sahel near the borders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The 9 October clashes in Gonadaouri, in Oudalan, are reported to have caused several hundred deaths in a fight for control of territory, according to RFI.
Source: RFI
The United Kingdom is threatening to suspend visas for Eritrean nationals if Asmara refuses to take back citizens whose right to remain has been rejected or who have been convicted. London also plans to restrict the movements of Eritrean diplomats and withdraw some priority consular services, according to the British government.
Source: Goobjoog
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met federal MPs who are members of the Justice and Solidarity Party, as discussions on organising the 2027 elections intensify. The meeting comes amid rising political tensions over the electoral process, Goobjoog reports.
Source: Goobjoog
Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traoré called for unity and reaffirmed the goal of security, food, economic and cultural sovereignty during commemorations of 15 October 1987. His address paid tribute to Thomas Sankara and the other martyrs, and highlighted local production and consumption, Netafrique reports.
Source: Netafrique
The Accra High Court is due to rule on 4 November 2026 on Bernard Antwi Boasiako’s application for release, after he was sentenced to 20 years in prison in an illegal mining case. The prosecution opposes the application, citing the risk of flight among other grounds, The Ghana Report reports.
Source: Theghanareport
Madagascar’s MPs will resume work on 20 October to examine and adopt the 2027 finance bill. The second ordinary session is mainly devoted to the budget, in accordance with constitutional provisions, Midi Madagasikara reports.
Source: Midi Madagasikara
A ceremony marking the first anniversary of Raila Odinga’s death reignited divisions among his former political allies, who gathered in Migwena near Bondo. The event, which was meant to foster unity in his movement and regional base, took place amid rivalries, according to The Standard.
Source: The Standard
A trader was shot dead at Anosibe market in Madagascar on Wednesday morning, and the assailant was filmed by a surveillance camera. Law enforcement agencies are using the footage, in which his face is reportedly visible despite its poor quality, in an attempt to find him, reports L’Express de Madagascar.
Source: Lexpress
Armed groups are using Johannesburg’s underground tunnels to steal copper cables from the electricity network, putting City Power workers at risk. An explosion at the Marshalltown substation recently disrupted supplies, after eight fires since January, six linked to theft, according to City Power.
Source: TimesLIVE
A preliminary audit of Zimbabwe’s public education assistance programme (BEAM) has found irregularities in the selection of beneficiaries, including children of teachers, school heads and politicians. A source at the Ministry of Finance says funding has been temporarily suspended during the investigation, as the country is undergoing an International Monetary Fund review, Zimeye reports.
Source: Zimeye
Eswatini Attorney General Sifiso Mashampu Khumalo has warned that campaigning for the 2028 general election is illegal before the official start of the authorised period. The warning comes as presumed candidates are said to be making themselves known during voter education and registration activities, reports the Times of Eswatini.
Source: Times of Eswatini
The Tshopo Coordination of Civil Society Forces Vives has urged Congolese people to remain vigilant in the face of the National Resurrection Front, a politico-military platform announced around Joseph Kabila. In a statement published on 15 October 2026 in Kisangani, it called, among other things, for suspicious movements to be reported, according to Kis24.
Source: Kis24
South African company Primo Sportswear is seeking 181,676.73 emalangeni from football club Nsingizini Hotspurs in the High Court of Eswatini over technical services and clothing. The complaint also seeks annual interest of 9% and reimbursement of legal costs; the allegations will be examined by the court, reports the Times of Eswatini.
Source: Times of Eswatini
Ghanaian lawyer Kofi Bentil believes that appointing chief justices close to retirement could give President John Mahama greater influence over the direction of the judiciary. He points to the possibility of several successive appointments, as Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie is due to retire this year, The Ghana Report reports.
Source: Theghanareport
Elon Musk says the US military and Donald Trump control the restrictions imposed on military Starshield terminals used by Ukraine. A cut-off above 160 km/h disrupted several drone missions before the connection was restored, according to statements reported by Mediacongo.
Source: Mediacongo
Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo has ordered a ban on the activities of 13 political parties across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The measure targets, among others, the PPRD of former president Joseph Kabila and is to be enforced by governors, according to an official message from the ministry.
Source: Mediacongo
Senegalese Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo has asked unions to suspend planned strikes until their next meeting with the government. He also announced stronger sectoral consultations and proposed a gradual procedure for settling disputes, reports the APS.
Source: APS
Senegal estimates its flood-control strategy will cost 921.7 billion CFA francs over 15 years. The state and its partners will need to fund the programme, the cost of which was announced by Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, according to Senego.
Source: Senego
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