The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on a military base in Somalia’s Puntland region.

A Congolese military tribunal sentenced 13 soldiers to death on charges including murder, looting, and desertion, reflecting a crackdown on military discipline amidst ongoing conflict in the east.  

In 2019, Rwanda made history by launching Mara Phones, the first smartphones entirely manufactured in Africa

The move follows a broader regional trend, with neighboring Senegal also confirming that French forces will leave by the end of 2025

Burkina Faso is taking steps to address its tumultuous history. The country’s transitional parliament has approved a law granting amnesty to soldiers involved in a 2015 coup attempt. In that year, a group of soldiers from the Presidential Security Regiment, loyal to the ousted President Blaise Compaoré, attempted to overthrow the transitional government just weeks before elections were due to take place. The coup ultimately failed after a faction of the military intervened. Several high-ranking officers who orchestrated the plot were sentenced to prison in 2019. To receive amnesty, they must submit a letter requesting clemency to the country’s current military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The coup plotters had sought to restore Compaoré, who had been ousted in 2014 by widespread protests against his attempt to amend the constitution and extend his 27-year rule. Compaoré fled the country after his departure from office. Burkina Faso’s history has been marked by political instability, including multiple military takeovers and short-lived democratic experiments. Roch Marc Kabore, elected president shortly after the 2015 coup attempt, was overthrown by soldiers in 2022. An eight-month-long mutiny led to the rise of a new junta, now led by Traoré. While some view the amnesty as a step toward national reconciliation, others question its motivations and the potential consequences.

Tens of thousands gathered at Istanbul’s Galata Bridge on New Year’s Day to express solidarity with Palestine. Participants marched from mosques across the historic peninsula and beyond after early morning prayers, carrying Turkish and Palestinian flags. The event was organized by the National Will Platform, a coalition of 308 NGOs. The demonstrators prayed for an end to the Israeli massacre in Palestine before assembling on the bridge, which spans the iconic Golden Horn, to demand international action against the ongoing atrocities. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Murderer Israel will be held accountable” and “Martyrs do not die.” The Israeli army has waged a genocidal war on Gaza, killing over 45,500 people, mostly women and children, since a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

The South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, called on special envoy Sydney Mufamadi to voice his government’s solidarity with the neighbouring country, and its eagerness to help end the crisis. Fearing that the unrest could become more widespread, South Africa has ramped up security along its border. Mozambique’s Constitutional Council recently confirmed the victory of the Frelimo party in the election, sparking a fresh wave of protests. The main opposition candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, has refused to accept the outcome of the election, describing it as rigged, and has called on his supporters to organise demonstrations. Buildings, including Frelimo’s offices and police stations, have been looted and set alight across the nation. Capitalising on the instability, hundreds of detainees escaped from a high security prison in Mozambique’s capital last week, Dozens of people have been killed in the protests since the elections.

According to a statement from Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, Abdelatty reaffirmed his country’s support for the Syrian people and their rightful aspirations

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed a minister who called African soldiers who fought for France in colonial times “traitors.”

The Sudanese Ministry of Health has reported that the death toll from the cholera outbreak has risen to 1,316, with over 49,000 cases identified.

Islamic State militants launched a suicide attack on a military base in Puntland, Somalia, but were successfully repelled by security forces.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe has signed a law abolishing the death penalty, a significant development for the country that has not carried out an execution in nearly two decades.

Mental health care in Mauritania is severely limited, with families often playing a vital role in supporting patients due to cultural traditions and scarce resources.

SADC emphasizes the need for peace in Mozambique, urging an end to hostilities and offering support for addressing grievances through dialogue.

As Africa’s leading oil producer, Nigeria depends on crude oil for approximately two-thirds of government revenue and over 90% of its foreign exchange earnings

Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve, the largest wildlife reserve in the world, covers an astounding 50,000 sq km’s

Authorities detain 4 suspected smugglers believed to have been involved in organizing, facilitating unauthorized voyage

As Steve Collins, a Kenyan butterfly collector, nears the end of his life, he seeks a suitable institution to preserve and utilize this invaluable resource for future research and education.

Congolese soldiers are facing severe penalties, including the death penalty, for alleged crimes committed during the ongoing conflict in the country’s east.

Mozambique’s opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, has temporarily halted ongoing protests to allow international organizations to investigate alleged human rights abuses by police.

Turkey’s TIKA contributes significantly to a South Sudan orphanage by delivering food aid for 250 children, reinforcing its dedication to humanitarian assistance during challenging times.

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) envoy to Sudan plans to visit the country in January, seeking to re-engage in peace efforts.

The birds carry diseases like West Nile virus and Newcastle disease, endangering both humans and animals

Election observers in capital N’Djamena and other regions report peaceful voting process with no major incidents, but note lack of voter enthusiasm