This shift is driven by rising fuel costs and the country’s abundant renewable energy sources.

Cholera, a waterborne disease, continues to pose a serious health threat in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas and urban slums where access to clean drinking water is limited

Constantine, one of Algeria’s oldest cities, is a marvel of engineering

After a delay due to logistical difficulties, Congolese authorities have started administering vaccinations against mpox in an attempt to curb the outbreak.  265,000 doses were given to the DRC by the EU and the US, have been administered in the city of Goma and north Kivu province, where healthcare resources have been stretched amid the surge in mpox cases. The country, which has recorded some 30,000 cases, accounts for more than 80% of all the cases and 99% of deaths reported on the continent this year. More than 850 deaths from the disease have been reported in the DRC this year. Back in August, the WHO declared that the surge in mpox cases in the DRC, which spread to several countries, constituted a global health emergency.  Beyond the African continent, a handful of cases have also been recorded in countries including Sweden and Pakistan. Caused by a virus in the same family as smallpox, mpox was initially passed from animals to humans. It is transmitted from person to person through close contact with someone who is infected. The current outbreak has seen the spread of a new strain of the disease dubbed clade 1b, which is more serious than clade 2, which triggered a public health emergency in 2022.

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Ghana’s capital to demand an end to illegal mining, known locally as ‘Galamsey.’ Protesters expressed their determination to pressure the government to address the environmental damage caused by these activities. One attendee stated, “My motivation is to see illegal mining stop in Ghana. We need to keep protesting and striking to catch their attention.” The protest, held from Thursday to Saturday, saw no police interference, unlike a previous demonstration by the group Democracy Hub. The Catholic Church plans a peaceful protest against illegal mining on Friday, while labor unions are set to announce a nationwide strike on Thursday. One participant criticized the government’s indifference, saying, “This attitude is not surprising; it threatens the lives of Ghanaians.” Protesters also called for the release of those arrested during a prior demonstration against illegal mining.

An exit poll indicates that incumbent Tunisian President Kais Saied has won a second term in elections held Sunday, receiving 89.2% of the vote.  “The estimated results indicate Kais Saied’s victory in the presidential election with 89.2%, totaling 2,194,150 votes, said Hassan Zargouni, the director of polling company Sigma Conseil, speaking on Tunisian public television. The electoral authority announced the final list of candidates on Sept. 2, including three contenders: incumbent President Kais Saied, opposition candidate Ayachi Zammel, secretary-general of the Azimoun movement, and Zouhair Maghzaoui, secretary-general of the People’s Movement – a supporter of Saied. Zargouni added that Zammel received 6.9% with 169,727 votes, while Maghzaoui received 3.9% with 95,933 votes. Earlier on Sunday, the Independent High Authority for Elections in Tunisia announced that the preliminary voter turnout in the elections was 27.7% by the time polling stations closed at 6 p.m. local time (1700GMT). Farouk Bouaskar, the president of the authority, said at a press conference in Tunis that “the electoral process went smoothly, and we did not record any incidents that marred this election day, with a respectable turnout from Tunisians at polling stations both domestically and abroad.” “A total of 2,704,155 voters participated in the voting process today, resulting in a preliminary turnout of 27.7%,” he added. Bouaskar said the official and final turnout rates will be announced alongside the preliminary election results on Monday evening. On Sunday morning, the voting process began in Tunisia to elect a president for a five-year term, while voting abroad commenced on Friday in 59 countries. Tunisia’s election is taking place amid political tensions, economic challenges and a polarized electorate.

Nine people have been killed in armed attacks in Katsina State, Nigeria. Reports indicate that unidentified gunmen targeted the Faskari and Matazu areas. The victims included six local security personnel and three civilians, with numerous others injured. Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda condemned the attacks in a statement, announcing the deployment of additional security forces to the region. Nigeria has recently seen a rise in violence from armed gangs, as well as attacks from Boko Haram and ISWAP in various areas. Despite the death penalty for kidnapping, ransom abductions remain prevalent, often affecting villages, schools, and travelers in the northern regions.

Kais Saied’s supporters celebrated in Tunis after an exit poll showed him leading with 89.2% of the votes, while his rivals rejected the results and voter turnout remained low.

The vaccinations are being administered to healthcare workers and close contacts of infected individuals.

Pope Francis expands the College of Cardinals with 21 new appointments, reinforcing his influence and commitment to diverse global Church leadership.

The attacks targeted the Hamra al-Sheikh and Abu Zuama areas, crucial links between the capital, Khartoum, and Darfur

Ethiopia is facing accusations from Somalia of supplying arms to the Puntland region without authorization.

Ancient Nubian civilizations, spanning the region that is now Sudan, are gaining attention for their ink-making

Local sources expressed deep concern over SAF’s continued indiscriminate targeting of civilian gatherings as the conflict drags on

The Sudanese Ministry of Health has reported that the number of cholera cases in the country has reached 20,398, with the death toll now at 597. The spread of cholera has been fueled by heavy rains and floods affecting Sudan since June. Officials declared a cholera outbreak on August 12. In the context of ongoing conflict, the country’s ineffective health system worsens the situation, making life increasingly challenging for residents amid the rise of infectious diseases.  UNICEF on Saturday announced the arrival of 1.4 million oral cholera vaccine doses at a port in the eastern part Sudan. This shipment aims to protect children from a cholera outbreak which has affected 10 of the country’s 18 states since July, resulting in over 18,000 cases and killing 550, the UN agency said in a statement. The new vaccines supplement 404,000 doses delivered last month, supporting ongoing immunization campaigns targeting 1.81 million people in the most affected areas, the statement underlined. “Delivery of the vaccines … is essential for stopping the spread of these deadly diseases,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF representative to Sudan. In Sudan, an estimated 3.4 million children under age 5 are at high risk of epidemic diseases, with 3.1 million people at risk of cholera by this December, UNICEF said. The country’s health care system is struggling, with national vaccination coverage dropping from 85% to 50% and over 70% of hospitals in conflict areas non-operational. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen in Sudan as nearly 6.8 million people have fled their homes, seeking safety in other parts of the country or neighboring nations. Several cease-fire agreements brokered by Saudi Arabia and US mediators have failed to end the violence.

Rwanda’s health ministry confirmed the country’s first outbreak of the Marburg virus on Friday, September 27, with eight reported fatalities. This deadly virus, which has a fatality rate of up to 88%, spreads from fruit bats and through contact with infected bodily fluids. The ministry has urged the public to avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals and to be aware of symptoms such as fever, headaches, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea. In response, the government is intensifying contact tracing, surveillance, and testing while promoting good hygiene practices like frequent handwashing. Local residents have expressed deep concern about the outbreak. “If the virus spreads, it will affect us severely, just like during COVID-19, and we could face lockdowns again,” said Jackie, a local resident. Eric, who works in hospitality, echoed these worries, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to protect public health, especially given the risk from tourists. Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana noted that the first positive case was identified at a university in Kigali, and some healthcare providers are already showing symptoms. The ministry has implemented strict guidelines for patients, including a ban on visitors for the next 14 days and limiting caregivers to one at a time.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) unsealed arrest warrants on Friday for six men linked to a Libyan militia accused of numerous killings and crimes in the western town of Tarhunah, where mass graves were uncovered in 2020. Since the NATO-backed uprising that overthrew dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, Libya has faced political chaos, split between rival administrations in the east and west, each supported by militias and foreign powers. ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan stated that evidence indicates Tarhunah residents have suffered war crimes, including murder, torture, sexual violence, and rape. The warrants target Abdelrahim al-Kani, Makhlouf Douma, Nasser al-Lahsa, Mohammed Salheen, Abdelbari al-Shaqaqi, and Fathi al-Zinkal. Three are leaders of the Al Kaniyat militia, which controlled Tarhunah from 2015 to June 2020, while the others were security officials linked to the militia. The warrants were initially issued in April and July 2023 but remained sealed until now. Khan expressed that making the warrants public will aid in the suspects’ arrest and surrender. The mass graves in Tarhunah were discovered after the militia retreated following the collapse of military commander Khalifa Hifter’s attempt to take Tripoli. The ICC relies on cooperation from its 124 member states to enforce arrest warrants. Khan noted that his office is working with Libyan authorities to ensure the suspects face justice. The ICC opened its investigation in Libya in 2011 at the request of the U.N. Security Council and has previously issued warrants for Gadhafi and his son, Saif Al-Islam Gadhafi, who remains wanted.

Northeastern Nigeria is battling a cholera outbreak after recent floods damaged essential infrastructure, leading to a surge in cases among displaced populations.

Amid ongoing conflict, UNICEF delivers life-saving cholera vaccines to Sudan, providing hope for affected communities.

Rwandan foreign minister accuses Congo of backing out of signed M23 rebel conflict deal in eastern DRC.

Botswana’s Okavango Delta is one of the largest inland deltas in the world and offers an extraordinary experience

Health officials are distributing limited vaccine doses to prioritize healthcare workers.

Ethiopian army forces have significantly increased their presence in Amhara state, a region grappling with a year-long insurgency, according to a security source. The Fano, a powerful local militia linked to the Amhara ethnic group, has been engaged in armed conflict with the federal government since April 2023. The government’s attempts to disarm regional forces sparked the insurgency. Amnesty International has reported mass arbitrary detentions in the region, including arrests of academics. The government’s restrictions on access to Amhara state have hindered independent verification of these reports. Recent clashes between federal forces and the Fano in Debark, a town in Amhara, resulted in civilian casualties. The Fano, known for its autonomy and sporadic attacks on government forces, has managed to seize control of several towns and cities. The conflict in Amhara state is a continuation of the broader tensions that arose during the civil war in neighboring Tigray. Many Amharans, who fought alongside government forces in the Tigray conflict, felt betrayed by the peace agreement that did not address their territorial claims.

A Sudanese court in military-controlled Port Sudan has sentenced a man to death for his alleged support of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), marking yet another escalation in the crackdown against those perceived as aligned with the RSF. State-run media reported the verdict on Friday, highlighting the increasingly harsh measures taken by the military-backed authorities. The convicted man, identified as M.J.M., faced accusations of “collaborating with the RSF, undermining the constitutional system, and inciting war against the state,” according to the Sudan News Agency (SUNA). A second individual, E.H.N., received a 10-year prison sentence on similar charges. This ruling fits a troubling pattern of aggressive actions against those deemed RSF sympathizers, as the conflict between General al-Burhan’s Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF escalates. Courts are handing down swift and severe punishments, including death sentences and long prison terms, with little room for appeal. In a similar case in September, a court in Dongola sentenced 17 RSF fighters and one civilian to death for their alleged involvement in an attack on Merowe airport during the early days of the conflict. The wave of prosecutions has raised concerns about the integrity of the legal process, as many view these trials as politically motivated and potentially unfair, taking place amid a wider backdrop of humanitarian suffering and human rights abuses triggered by the ongoing conflict. Critics argue that these rulings reflect an authoritarian effort to eliminate RSF support and silence dissenting voices.