A referendum on Gabon’s new constitution backed by the junta is drawing significant support, but critics question the transparency and the potential impact on future generations.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held talks in Cairo on Thursday with UN envoy for Sudan Ramtane Lamamra to discuss cease-fire efforts in the war-torn country. Discussions between the two sides dwelt on the Sudanese crisis and ways to solve the conflict there, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “Egypt is keen on preserving Sudan’s interests and maintaining its territorial integrity,” Abdelatty said. He said Cairo is engaged in regional and international efforts “to reach a cease-fire and settlement in Sudan to end the suffering of the Sudanese people,” according to the statement. The top diplomat voiced concern over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Sudan, reiterating Egypt’s commitment to “safeguarding Sudan’s interests, sovereignty and territorial integrity.” At least 12,260 people have been killed and more than 33,000 injured in the conflict that started in April 2023, according to UN figures. The UN has repeatedly warned that Sudan is facing the world’s worst displacement crisis, as the war shows no signs of ending and the threat of famine looms.

Election workers in Somaliland are counting ballots following Wednesday’s presidential election, the fourth since the region declared independence from Somalia three decades ago. The Somaliland Election Commission reported that the voting process went smoothly without incident. Incumbent President Muse Bihi is seeking a second term, facing challenges from opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi of the Waddani Party and Faisal Ali Warabe of the UCID party. Preliminary results are expected by late Friday, with final tallies to be announced in about a week. The election has been overshadowed by a controversial deal granting Ethiopia access to 20 kilometers of the Gulf of Aden coastline in exchange for recognition. Somalia has condemned the agreement, calling it a violation of its sovereignty, and has sought support from Egypt and Eritrea to counter Ethiopia’s influence. Despite more than 30 years of de facto independence, Somaliland remains unrecognized by any country. Its leaders hope this election will bring the region closer to international recognition.

In Zimbabwe’s arid regions, farmers like Gertrude Siduna and Muchaneta Mutowa are turning to climate-smart agriculture to cope with harsh environmental conditions. Thanks to training funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), they’ve learned to adapt by cultivating crops and using technologies suited to the country’s changing climate. Gertrude Siduna, a 49-year-old farmer from Chipinge district, has shifted from growing corn to cultivating chilies. This change has significantly improved her livelihood. “I just pick the chilies from the fields and take them to the nearby Cargill processing center,” she says. “It’s simple, and the income is steady—about $400 in my first year of harvest.” This income has provided financial stability in an area where droughts often threaten traditional crops like corn. Muchaneta Mutowa, another beneficiary of climate-smart initiatives, has gained access to solar-powered water technology, which provides reliable water for her village. “Before, we had to fetch water from distant riverbeds,” she explains. “Now, with solar technology, we have water flowing from taps—it’s a game changer.” In Chiredzi, farmer Kenias Chikamhi also recognizes that growing traditional corn has become increasingly unreliable due to recurring droughts. He now sees crops like millet, which are more drought-resistant, as a viable alternative.

The largest planetarium in sub-Saharan Africa is set to reopen in Johannesburg early next year, featuring a fully upgraded digital dome that will offer stunning visuals of the solar system. On Wednesday, visitors got a preview of the newly renamed Wits Anglo American Digital Dome at Wits University, where demonstrations showcased the immersive experience. The dome is equipped with 10 state-of-the-art digital projectors and surround sound to bring the cosmos to life. Moumita Aich, head of the dome, said the new technology will transform learning for both children and adults, who are often absorbed in their cellphones. “This is screen time, but you’ll actually learn a lot in 20 or 30 minutes,” Aich explained. Since its opening in 1960, the planetarium has attracted tens of thousands of school children and aspiring astronomers, offering them a chance to explore the wonders of the solar system. With the renovation, the planetarium aims to inspire even more people to engage with the science of the universe, while also providing a research space for scientists to showcase their discoveries on the 360-degree screen.

In Somali culture, few things are as cherished as a warm cup of “shaah”

The arrest follows an investigation by South Africa’s Hawks, the organised crime unit, into fraud and theft at Safa between 2014 and 2018, totaling 1.3 million rand ($72,000, £57,000)

Welby, who had worked to prevent division within the communion, faced calls for his resignation after a report revealed inadequate action against John Smyth, a serial abuser

Two Ugandan men have been detained for allegedly insulting President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and the president’s son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on TikTok. David Ssengozi (21), also known as Lucky Choice, and Isaiah Ssekagiri (28) appeared before Magistrate Stella Maris Amabilis, who ordered their detention at Kigo Prison until November 13 for a preliminary hearing. The two men, along with a third defendant, Julius Tayebwa (19), are facing charges of hate speech and spreading “malicious information” against the president’s family and musicians linked to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Prosecutors argue that the content shared on TikTok was intended to “ridicule, degrade, demean, and promote hostility” toward the first family and NRM affiliates. While Ssengozi and Ssekagiri denied the charges, their detention comes amid a broader government crackdown on criticism of state officials. In September, a police spokesperson warned the public against “abusing” the president, stating it was an offense. This follows a similar case in July, when a 24-year-old man was sentenced to six years in prison for a TikTok video critical of the president’s family. The case has sparked renewed concern over Uganda’s stance on internet freedom and freedom of expression. Rights groups have long criticized the government’s restrictive approach, with the U.S. government recently highlighting limitations on internet freedom. In 2022, Ugandan author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija fled the country after being detained for critical tweets about the president and his son, claiming he was tortured in detention.

Lake Retba, famously known as the Pink Lake, has long enchanted locals and tourists in Senegal

ABD’nin seçilmiş başkanı Donald Trump, Merkezi İstihbarat Teşkilatı (CIA) Direktörlüğü görevi için eski Ulusal İstihbarat Direktörü John Ratcliffe’i aday göstereceğini duyurdu. 5 Kasım’da yapılan başkanlık seçimlerini kazanan ve 20 Ocak 2025’te görevi devralacak olan Trump, kabinesindeki önemli bir ismi daha bugün kamuoyuna duyurdu. Trump’ın ekibi tarafından yapılan yazılı açıklamaya göre Trump, 2020-2021 döneminde Ulusal İstihbarat Direktörlüğü görevini yürüten eski Kongre üyesi Ratcliffe’in yeni kabinesinde CIA Direktörü olarak görev yapacağını belirtti. Ratcliffe, Trump’ın ilk başkanlık döneminin son yılında ülkedeki istihbarat örgütlerinin çatı yapısı olan Ulusal İstihbarat Direktörlüğü görevini yürüten Trump’a çok yakın bir isim olarak biliniyor. Senatodan onay aldıktan sonra görevine başlayabilecek olan Ratcliffe, Texas’tan Kongre’ye gelen bir isim olarak Trump’ın kabinesine şu ana kadar aday gösterdiği diğer isimler gibi aşırı sağcı görüşleriyle tanınıyor. 2007-2008 arasında Texas Doğu Bölgesinde savcılık vekilliği görevini yürüten Ratcliffe, daha sonra 2012 yılına kadar aynı eyalette Heath kentinde belediye başkanlığı yaptı. 2015 yılında ABD Temsilciler Meclisi’ne giren Ratcliffe, bu görevini 2020 yılında Ulusal İstihbarat Direktörlüğü görevine getirilene kadar sürdürdü.

 The US carried out airstrikes in Syria on Tuesday in response to recent attacks on American forces by Iranian-backed groups, said the United States Central Command (CENTCOM). “These strikes were in response to a rocket attack on US personnel at Patrol Base Shaddadi. There was no damage to US facilities and no injuries to US or partner forces during the attack,” CENTCOM said in a statement. It added that the strikes are meant to “degrade the Iranian-backed groups’ ability to plan and launch future attacks.” CENTCOM did not specify which armed groups were targeted in the strikes or whether there were any casualties. The US has nearly 1,000 troops stationed in eastern Syria and 2,500 in neighboring Iraq as part of the mission to defeat Daesh/ISIS.

Polling stations across Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland opened for a presidential election on Wednesday. The incumbent, President Muse Bihi Abdi, of the ruling Kulmiye party and candidates Abdirahman Irro of the main opposition party Wadan and Faysal Ali Warabe, the leader of the opposition UCID party, are vying for the presidency. Voters started arriving at the polling stations early in the morning to choose their president for the next five years. Polling started at 7 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) and will continue until 6 p.m. The Somaliland National Electoral Commission said over 1 million registered voters are set to participate in the election. The vote comes as regional tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over Somaliland Red Sea access deal with Ethiopia still remain tense. Somaliland is a former British protectorate in northwestern Somalia that declared independence in 1991, but has received no international recognition.

A new and more aggressive strain of the potentially deadly mpox virus is spreading rapidly among children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi, with cases more than doubling since a public health emergency was declared in mid-August, according to Save the Children. The fast-moving clade 1b strain has disproportionately impacted children in the DRC, the epicenter of the outbreak, and in Burundi, where children face heightened health risks due to hunger, displacement, and limited access to healthcare. These two countries account for 92% of all mpox cases in Africa this year. As of November 3, suspected child cases in the DRC had increased by over 130%, from about 11,300 to 25,600, while in Burundi, confirmed child cases have surged from 89 to nearly 1,100 since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency on August 14. The overall risk remains critically high, especially for children, who are nearly four times more likely to die from the new strain of mpox than adults. Children in areas with poor sanitation, malnutrition, and limited healthcare are at an even greater risk due to their lack of access to testing and vaccines. Mpox symptoms include fever, rash, and lesions on the body, severe headaches, and fatigue. In some cases, children may develop respiratory issues, and in severe cases, mpox can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening infection response. According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the total number of suspected and confirmed mpox cases across Africa has surpassed 46,000 this year, with over 1,000 fatalities. “Children are particularly vulnerable to mpox—they explore by touch and taste, don’t always understand health guidance, and have weaker immune systems than adults,” said Save the Children. “They need timely information to protect themselves, and parents must be supported to get them the care they need if they fall ill.” To combat the outbreak, Save the Children is working in the DRC to provide accurate information, counter misinformation, and support health centers with essential supplies. In eastern DRC, the organization is supplying medication, isolation tents, beds, personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers, and training local leaders to identify and report suspected cases. In Burundi, Save the Children is collaborating with the Ministry of Health and the Department of Emergency Response (COUSP) to strengthen the health system and manage the mpox outbreak. Efforts focus on preventing the spread, particularly among vulnerable refugee populations, and enhancing healthcare capacity to effectively respond to the crisis. Save the Children’s Emergency Health Unit has deployed additional specialists to support clinical care, operations, and water and sanitation efforts, ensuring resources are in place to protect at-risk communities.

Ghana’s Supreme Court has overturned the Speaker’s decision to declare seats vacant, restoring the New Patriotic Party’s majority in parliament ahead of the December elections.

African leaders at the COP29 summit in Baku called for increased climate financing from wealthier nations to help them adapt to climate change and reduce emissions.

Navinchandra Ramgoolam has been appointed as the new prime minister of Mauritius after his alliance secured a commanding victory in the parliamentary elections.

A Malian court has rejected a request to release 11 opposition figures detained in June for allegedly plotting against the military junta.

Russia has deployed up to 200 military instructors to Equatorial Guinea to protect the long-standing regime and expand its influence in Africa, as Western influence wanes.

The Central African Republic is hoping to break free from a decade-long diamond trade embargo imposed by the Kimberley Process, arguing that it has made significant progress in stabilizing the country.

Evidence in detailed memorial presented by South Africa at ICJ demonstrates unequivocally Israel’s genocidal intent in Gaza strip, says South African foreign minister

Experts have noted that Putin’s rhetoric closely resembles Cold War-era language, sparking debates about the true depth of Russia’s economic ties with African nations

The UN’s World Food Program is urging immediate action to provide life-saving assistance and address the root causes of the problem.

Russia and African states have confirmed their readiness to set up a dialogue mechanism in a bid to coordinate efforts on multiple security-related issues following a forum held in the Russian resort city of Sochi on Nov. 10, according to a joint statement. “We reaffirm our readiness to set up a standing top-level Russia-Africa dialogue mechanism that will contribute towards peace, stability and security as well as coordinating efforts in combating terrorism and extremism, addressing environmental problems and food and information security issues,” the statement said following the first ministerial meeting of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum. Expressing concern among the meeting’s participants over the growing activity of terrorist groups in different African regions, the joint statement said they confirmed the importance of conflict resolution based on the principle of “African Solutions to African Problems.” It further emphasized the need for collective efforts and comprehensive approaches to assess and bolster international peace and security architecture, emphasizing the need to address the root causes of intrastate and interstate conflicts “based on the inviolability of the principle of equal and indivisible security.” The statement also expressed all parties’ commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, believing that ensuring the treaty’s implementation as soon as possible is a priority for maintaining the international security system. The statement went on to convey the parties’ concern about the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, particularly the developments in Gaza and Lebanon, adding that they support Palestine’s membership to the UN.