Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has reportedly left the country after losing support from sections of the military and facing weeks of large-scale, youth-driven demonstrations demanding his resignation. Sources close to the presidency confirmed that Rajoelina departed on Sunday evening, reportedly aboard a French military aircraft under an arrangement with French authorities. His departure follows rising tension between the government and the armed forces, with Rajoelina accusing some officers of attempting a coup. Opposition leader Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko told local media that staff at the presidential office confirmed the president’s exit, though his exact location remains unclear. “The president left the country…

Seychelles’ opposition leader Patrick Herminie has won the nation’s presidential election, defeating incumbent Wavel Ramkalawan in a closely contested runoff that ended a tense campaign season. According to the country’s electoral commission, Herminie secured 52.7 percent of the votes, while Ramkalawan received 47.3 percent. The outcome marks a major political shift in the island nation, with Herminie’s United Seychelles (US) party reclaiming power after several years in opposition. In his victory address in the capital Victoria, Herminie pledged to lower the cost of living, revitalize public institutions, and unite the population after what he described as years of “deep political…

Vote counting is underway in Cameroon after citizens went to the polls on Sunday to elect their next president. Polling stations across the country closed at 6 p.m. local time following a day of generally calm voting, according to election officials. More than eight million registered voters were eligible to cast their ballots in what observers described as a crucial election for the Central African nation, which has faced growing political and security challenges in recent years. Elections Cameroon, the national electoral body, said the voting process proceeded “peacefully overall,” with only minor logistical delays reported in some areas. Security…

Across Africa, a new generation is rising. From Kenya to Madagascar and Morocco, young people—often referred to as Generation Z—are taking to the streets to demand justice, equality, and a future that works for them. Mobilized through social media and driven by frustration with unfulfilled promises, they are challenging the political status quo and forcing governments to listen. Political analyst Ryan Cummings, who specializes in African security and governance dynamics, says these youth-led uprisings reflect a deeper generational shift. “Africa’s Gen Z protests reveal a growing gap between a young, restless population and the quality of governance they are forced…

Sudan and Eritrea have taken major steps to strengthen their cooperation in security, intelligence, and economic development, marking a new phase in relations between the two neighbouring countries. The announcement came after Sudan’s Prime Minister Kamil Idris returned from a two-day official visit to Asmara, where he met with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki to discuss regional security and joint economic initiatives. Prime Minister Idris described the trip as “historic and productive,” saying both nations agreed to reactivate their joint political committee and create a new economic coordination body to manage cross-border projects. According to Idris, upcoming ventures will include marine…

Dozens of civilians, including women and children, were killed in a drone strike that hit a displacement shelter in El Fasher, North Darfur — the last major city in the region still held by the Sudanese army. Local activists described the attack as one of the deadliest in recent months, further deepening the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan’s ongoing civil war. According to the El Fasher Resistance Committee, a local network of civilians and activists, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) struck Dar al-Arqam camp — located within a university compound — using two drones and several artillery shells. The group…

Voting is underway in Cameroon today as citizens choose their next president in a closely watched election. The vote could extend President Paul Biya’s decades-long rule, as the 92-year-old leader seeks an eighth consecutive term after more than 43 years in power. Biya faces 11 challengers, but analysts say a divided opposition gives him a strong advantage. His main rival, Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, was barred from the race in August for what authorities described as “non-compliance with legal requirements.” The decision drew criticism from opposition parties, who accuse the government of restricting competition. The ruling Cameroon…

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has accused rival forces of attempting to overthrow his government, after several soldiers joined ongoing anti-government demonstrations demanding his resignation. In a statement released late Sunday, the presidency said an “illegal and forceful attempt to seize power” was underway, warning that any actions outside constitutional order would endanger the country’s stability. “The Presidency of the Republic informs the nation and the international community that an attempt to seize power illegally and by force, contrary to democratic principles, is currently unfolding,” the statement read. Military Defection Escalates Protests Tensions escalated in the capital Antananarivo on Saturday when…

Tensions have risen between Burkina Faso and the United States after the West African nation refused a proposal to accept migrants deported from the US, prompting Washington to suspend the issuing of visas in the country. Speaking on national television, Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré questioned Washington’s motives, describing the US decision as possible “blackmail” after Burkina Faso declined multiple offers to receive third-country deportees. “Burkina Faso is a nation of dignity — not a destination for expulsion,” Traoré declared, emphasizing that his government would not compromise its sovereignty under external pressure. The US Embassy in Ouagadougou has announced a…

Russia is strengthening its diplomatic and economic engagement across Africa with plans to add four new countries — Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Eswatini — to its growing list of visa-free partners on the continent. The move, announced by Russia’s Foreign Ministry, aims to expand Moscow’s visa-free travel network in Africa from 11 to 15 nations, signaling deeper political, economic, and cultural cooperation amid shifting global alliances. New Era of Visa-Free Diplomacy Under the proposed agreements, Russian citizens will be able to visit the four countries without a visa for stays ranging from 30 to 90 days. Moscow has already submitted…

Mandla Mandela, the grandson of South Africa’s iconic freedom leader Nelson Mandela, has returned to Johannesburg after being detained and deported by Israeli authorities while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Mandela, 51, was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international effort organized by pro-Palestinian activists seeking to transport medical and food supplies to the besieged territory. He and four other South Africans were arrested at sea by Israeli forces and held in detention for six days before being released through Jordan. Speaking at O.R. Tambo International Airport, where he was welcomed by supporters waving Palestinian flags, Mandela…

Ethiopia’s government has accused Eritrea and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) of forging a new military alliance aimed at destabilizing the country, alleging that both sides were involved in a recent attack on Woldiya city in the Amhara region. In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos said the alliance—reportedly operating under the name “Tsimdo”—is part of a coordinated effort to “wage war against Ethiopia” through the mobilization of armed groups, including the Fano militia. “The collusion between the Eritrean government and the hardline faction of the TPLF has become increasingly evident,” Gedion…

Burkina Faso’s military authorities have announced the arrest of eight staff members of a European humanitarian organisation, accusing them of espionage and treason. The Dutch-based International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), which focuses on supporting aid workers in high-risk regions, has strongly denied the allegations and demanded the immediate release of its employees. According to a statement from Security Minister Mahamadou Sana, the detainees include nationals from France, the Czech Republic, Senegal, Mali, and Burkina Faso. The government claims the group continued to operate secretly after INSO was suspended earlier this year for allegedly “collecting sensitive information without official authorization.” Sana…

In the eastern Congolese city of Goma, life continues under the long shadow of conflict. The streets hum with the uneasy rhythm of survival — markets reopen after nights of shelling, and children play in alleys that echo both laughter and fear.For decades, this region, rich in minerals yet burdened by violence, has witnessed the rise and fall of armed groups, the displacement of millions, and a cycle of insecurity that seems unending. While the world’s attention shifts elsewhere, artists like Edizon Musavuli use their talent to make sure that Goma’s pain — and its resilience — are not forgotten.Wall…

Tanzania is entering a tense election season as political controversy deepens over a viral social media video criticizing the government and the ongoing treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, both of which have intensified scrutiny on the country’s democratic credentials. The developments come just weeks before the nation heads to the polls in late October, in an atmosphere marked by censorship concerns, arrests of opposition figures, and growing unease among civil society groups. Police Warn Over ‘Captain Tesha’ Viral Video Authorities have issued a stern warning against the spread of a video featuring a man identifying himself as “Captain…

As Cameroon prepares for its high-stakes presidential election on October 12, one name is stirring intense debate: Issa Tchiroma Bakari. Once a trusted ally and cabinet minister under President Paul Biya, Tchiroma now presents himself as the man capable of steering the Central African nation into a new political era. “I am the one capable of leading Cameroonians successfully in this unprecedented fight,” Tchiroma declared at a campaign event in Garoua, his hometown. His confident tone reflects both ambition and defiance in a political landscape long dominated by Biya, who at 92 years old remains one of the world’s longest-serving…