African political news summarised in English: elections, governments, diplomacy, justice and security across the 54 countries, from the local press. 1,267 articles published.
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Souhaïlatou Toure Idrissou was officially installed on 16 October 2026 as public prosecutor at the court of first instance of Abomey-Calavi, becoming the first woman to hold the post. A magistrate since 2020, she successively served as third, second and then first deputy prosecutor at the court, according to Matin Libre.
Source: Matin Libre
The US Supreme Court has refused to review the appeal by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, accused of organising the 11 September 2001 attacks, and two co-defendants challenging the cancellation of an agreement that ruled out the death penalty in exchange for guilty pleas. The decision allows their trial before a military court at Guantánamo to continue, after more than 20 years of legal delays, Caasimada Online reports.
Source: Caasimada Online
The Association Action Justice et Droit en Centrafrique, chaired by Kévin Momegou Sambia, fears that destabilisation accusations made by Interior Minister Bienvenue Zokoué could pave the way for further arrests of opposition leaders. The organisation disputes the accusations against civil society leaders arrested in Bangui on 15 October, Corbeaunews Centrafrique reports.
Source: Corbeaunews Centrafrique
Ugandan police are continuing their investigation into the beheading of Robert Kabera, a 50-year-old former Rwandan soldier found dead in a eucalyptus plantation in Mpigi district. No suspect has yet been identified, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said, according to the URN news agency.
Source: The Independent
Guatemalan anti-corruption lawyer Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa was shot dead on 17 October at a sports complex in Guatemala City, where another man also lost his life. Human Rights Watch is calling for a prompt and credible investigation to identify the gunmen and any possible masterminds, while two suspects arrested have been released for lack of evidence linking them to the attack.
Source: Hrw
The Pan-African Peace Consortium, coordinated by Dr Nounga Djomo Ernest, is calling on industrial powers to provide financial reparations for the effects of climate change in Africa. The organisation is also calling for the protection of indigenous communities and a future global climate conference in a Congo Basin country, according to its statement on the links between climate and security.
Source: Corbeaunews Centrafrique
Burkina Faso’s Central Brigade for the Fight against Cybercrime is warning of a fake investment platform promoted in a doctored video attributing remarks to minister Aminata Zerbo/Sabane. Scammers are using an AI-generated image and voice and promising quick returns, the brigade says, urging internet users not to share the announcement.
Source: Netafrique
An Algerian academic has been sentenced to four years in prison after comments on the extractive industry, while a minister was demoted after denouncing rising tomato prices. These cases illustrate the penalties for unauthorised commentary on the economy, Le Monde reports.
Source: Le Monde
A 20-year-old suspect has been arrested in Mauritius in the investigation into the looting of the London Way supermarket in Mahébourg and the burning of two vehicles on 13 October. He reportedly admitted taking part and helped identify other suspects from CCTV footage, while the police investigation continues, reports Defimedia.
Source: Defimedia
Gambian President Adama Barrow threatened Banjul North MP Modou Lamin B. Bah after he took part in a youth protest outside the presidential palace. The lawmaker, who denounced an infringement of democratic freedoms, says the gathering was peaceful and protected by the Constitution, according to Kerr Fatou.
Source: Kerr Fatou
US federal prosecutors say Abdulrahman Alfozan, a former OpenAI engineer accused of planting a recording device in a company meeting room, may have received significant support from the Saudi government. They are seeking to keep him in custody before his trial in San Francisco, citing a flight risk, according to court documents.
Source: Caasimada Online
Former Mauritian prime minister Pravind Jugnauth has been summoned on 20 October to the Central Criminal Investigation Department to be questioned in an investigation into the purchase and alleged use of phone-tapping equipment during his term. He has already been questioned twice in September and refused to answer questions, while police say they have informed him of the matters under investigation, reports Defimedia.
Source: Defimedia
Cameroonian Lieutenant-Colonel Ayissi Nanga Parfait, a witness in the trial over the Martinez Zogo case, was detained four days after requesting judicial protection, then released the following day. The arrest has fuelled suspicions of intimidation surrounding the case, according to RFI.
Source: RFI
Australian MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition after being struck twice by a vehicle in Wangaratta, in the state of Victoria. A 43-year-old man has been arrested and Australian police are examining several possible charges, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and police authorities.
Source: Daily Maverick
In Madagascar, 95% of the parties that took part in a political consultation support presenting several draft constitutions at the next referendum, so voters can choose the institutional system. The proposal was voiced during consultations and party congresses in September, L’Express de Madagascar reports.
Source: Lexpress
At the parliamentary session on 20 October, 28 oral questions are due to be put to Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, including about social unrest since 12 October. MPs are also seeking details about Elodie Thomas’s gunshot injury in Camp-Levieux, the investigation involving Sergeant Gowtamsing Taukoor and the arrests, Defimedia reports.
Source: Defimedia
In Abidjan, Senegalese Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô and his Ivorian counterpart Robert Beugré Mambé reviewed the follow-up of nearly fifty cooperation agreements, few of which are being implemented satisfactorily. The two governments want to introduce more results-focused monitoring and also discussed trade and investment, according to Senego.
Source: Senego
Eswatini’s Public Service Commission has dismissed Nonhlanhla Malambe, a former regional deputy registrar found guilty of fraudulently issuing national documents to South African businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. The commission considers that these acts of corruption compromised national security and the integrity of the kingdom’s documents, according to the Times of Eswatini.
Source: Times of Eswatini
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