An investigative journalist was abducted in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, by men in security forces uniforms, his wife and lawyer reported on Wednesday. The abduction comes as the military regime continues to intensify its crackdown on independent media. Habib Marouane Kamara, editor-in-chief of the online investigative outlet lerevelateur224.com, was heading to meet a businessman and a friend on Tuesday evening when he was stopped by men in a pickup truck, his wife, Mariama Lamarana Diallo, said in a statement. According to the friend who was with Kamara, the men, dressed in security force uniforms, smashed the rear windshield of their vehicle and forcibly dragged Kamara out. This account was confirmed by a witness who spoke to The Associated Press but wished to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. The men beat Kamara with batons until he lost consciousness, then threw him into their truck and drove away, Diallo said. Kamara’s friend was also forced into the police vehicle but was later released and has gone into hiding. Since the incident, Kamara’s wife and his lawyer, Salifou Beavogui, have not been able to contact him. “I am speechless,” Diallo said, breaking into tears. Guinea has been under military rule since a 2021 coup ousted President Alpha Conde. The regional bloc ECOWAS has called for a return to civilian governance, with elections scheduled for 2025. However, the military junta has yet to announce a date for the elections and has taken measures to suppress opposition, dissolving numerous political parties and placing two major opposition groups under observation. Guinea joins a growing list of West African countries, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where military juntas have seized power and delayed a return to civilian rule. Earlier this year, Burkina Faso’s military regime extended its transition period by five years. Col. Mamadi Doumbouya, the leader of Guinea’s junta, justifies his actions by claiming he intervened to prevent chaos and criticizing the previous government’s unfulfilled promises. However, critics argue that Doumbouya’s leadership is no better than that of his predecessor. In February, Doumbouya dissolved the government without explanation, promising to appoint a new one. He has resisted foreign pressure, stating that Africans are “exhausted by the categorizations with which everyone wants to box us in.” Since taking power, the military regime has cracked down on independent media. Rights groups report that journalists have been subjected to harassment, arrests, and violence. Social networks and private radio stations have been shut down, and news websites have been suspended without explanation. “Despite media pluralism, journalists and the media face increasing obstruction and attacks, which have become alarmingly common,” said Reporters Without Frontiers in a statement earlier this year.

Sudan’s children face disease, malnutrition, and violence as ex-child soldier Ishmael Beah pleads for global intervention to end the ongoing civil war.

A Kenyan court has found the housemate of LGBTQ activist Edwin Chiloba guilty of murder after the activist’s body was discovered in a metal box two years ago. On Wednesday, a High Court judge in Eldoret ruled that Jacktone Odhiambo suffocated Chiloba and hid his body in a metal box, which was later dumped on the roadside. Odhiambo, who denied the charges, was found to have DNA evidence linking him to the victim, and witnesses testified to hearing a heated argument between the two and seeing Odhiambo moving the box. The court did not determine the motive for the killing, though DNA evidence indicated that Odhiambo and Chiloba had an intimate relationship. Despite this, the killing was not considered a hate crime by the police, who arrested Odhiambo, Chiloba’s housemate in Eldoret. Chiloba’s death in January 2023 garnered international attention, highlighting issues surrounding LGBTQ rights in Kenya, where same-sex relationships are illegal. At the time, Chiloba was known for his activism and fashion sense within the LGBTQ community. Kenya remains a largely conservative society, with the president stating in the past that gay rights are not a priority for the country.

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has announced that the death penalty will be applied to members of the “Kuluna” gangs operating in urban areas. In a recent statement, DRC Minister of Justice Constant Mutamba revealed new measures to combat these gangs. He highlighted the creation of the “Urban Gangs Combat Commission” and plans to launch operations in neighborhoods where gang activity is most prevalent. Mutamba emphasized that gang members will be prosecuted as “terrorist criminals” and stressed that strict measures would be taken against them. “We will impose the death penalty on gang members operating in urban centers,” Mutamba stated. In the capital, Kinshasa, home to around 20 million people, “Kuluna” gangs are infamous for crimes such as robbery, extortion, assault, and murder. These gangs, largely made up of unemployed youth, have made life increasingly difficult for residents. Although the death penalty remains legal in the DRC and is often handed down by courts, it has not been carried out since 2003.

Domestic and African regional flights remained unaffected as contingency measures were in place

Police said six illegal miners have resurfaced but three others are reportedly dead

Formed in October 2023, Tagadom includes members from the Forces for Freedom and Change-Central Council (FFC-CC), various civil society organizations, and former rebel groups

Orano confirmed the development, stating it had faced mounting challenges since Niger’s military seized power in a coup in July 2023

Experts have called for urgent action to address issues such as early marriage, discrimination, and online harassment.

The incident occurred when a commercial bus triggered an improvised explosive device (IED) planted under a road.

The South African government has been struggling to address the issue of illegal mining, which has led to numerous accidents and fatalities.

Disaster agency reports 80 injured, pledges aid for displaced families

The Marrakech International Film Festival is providing a valuable platform for emerging filmmakers from Africa and the Arab world.

The ADF, an Islamic State-linked group, has been responsible for numerous attacks in the region, leading to significant loss of life and displacement.

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Africa’s economy, employing around 60% of the continent’s workforce

An internal report has revealed significant shortcomings in the World Food Program’s (WFP) response to the ongoing crisis in Sudan.

Polls indicate a strong lead for opposition leader John Dramani Mahama and his National Democratic Congress (NDC), as Ghanaians demand change

‘We know African leaders and citizens are seeking more than just aid. You seek investment,’ US president says in historic visit to Angola

Public frustration over Ghana’s economic struggles, including rising prices and a lack of jobs, has dominated the lead-up to Saturday’s general election, which is expected to test the nation’s democratic resilience. Support for outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo and his ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has plummeted during his second term, amid the worst economic crisis in decades, protests over the cost of living, and instability in key industries such as cocoa and gold. As a result, the push for change has tipped both the presidential and legislative races in favor of opposition leader John Dramani Mahama and his National Democratic Congress (NDC), according to recent polls. However, many voters are growing disillusioned with the political process. “The country is ruined. I will vote, but I don’t think it will change anything,” said 18-year-old Emmanuel Kwaku Jr, a high school graduate casting his ballot for the first time. A recent survey by pan-African research group Afrobarometer found that 82% of Ghanaians feel the country is headed in the wrong direction, with fewer than half expecting improvement in the coming year. “We have the trappings of democracy: we hold elections every four years, yet the benefits are minimal,” said Abena Tekyiwaa Manuh, senior fellow at the Accra-based Centre for Democratic Governance (CDD). “That’s dangerous.” Ghana’s commitment to two-term limits for presidents and largely peaceful transitions of power has made it an exception in a region increasingly plagued by coups and political instability. However, whoever wins the election will face immense pressure to fulfill campaign promises and improve the lives of citizens. If not, the youthful population may begin to question whether democracy is overrated, said Manuh and two Western diplomats. “We see a lot of anger among the youth, a sense of hopelessness, but also a sense of change. If that change doesn’t happen after the elections, what will happen?” one diplomat asked, speaking on condition of anonymity. “There is growing concern that Ghana’s peace and democracy are fragile.” A ‘Tricky Phase’ Twelve candidates are running for president, with Mahama and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling NPP seen as the leading contenders. Both have pledged to address the economic instability that has plagued the country since 2020, including soaring inflation, a $3 billion IMF bailout, and massive debt restructuring. Polls open at 0700 GMT and close at 1700 GMT for the 18.7 million registered voters. Legislative results are expected by early Monday, with presidential results due by Tuesday. However, trends may allow the outcome to be called earlier. The results period is expected to be “a tricky phase,” with rising tensions due to a lack of trust in institutions, including the electoral commission, said Jonas Claes, elections lead for the EU delegation in Ghana. Mahama and the NDC have repeatedly questioned the commission’s ability to conduct a credible election, citing voter roll irregularities and other concerns. Bawumia and the NPP, on the other hand, argue that the allegations are an attempt by Mahama to prepare for rejecting the results if they don’t go his way. “I don’t think widespread violence is expected, but it’s hard to be 100% sure,” Claes said.

Young Burundians are fleeing to Tanzania in search of work, but many face harsh treatment upon arrival. Accused of being illegal migrants, they are often hunted down, arrested, beaten, and imprisoned before being deported back to Burundi. Once home, many are taken in by families in Mabanda, southern Burundi. Habimana Domatien, a 23-year-old from Kayanza in northern Burundi, recalls his traumatic experience in Kasulu Prison. “We were surrounded, arrested, and taken to a station. We were beaten at night, slapped, and severely mistreated. It was very hard,” he says. Host families in Burundi are calling on Tanzanian authorities to stop the mistreatment of these young migrants. “We ask Tanzania not to harm them. Some return traumatized, depressed, and almost beyond recovery. The Tanzanian government should treat our youth with kindness, as we do when they come to us,” says Olive Sindayihebura, a representative of host families. NGOs report that around 300 children have been expelled from Tanzania in the past two months. Ferdinand Simbaruhije, spokesperson for the National Federation of Associations for Children’s Welfare in Burundi (FENADEB), states that between July and September of this year, 149 children were expelled—147 boys and two girls. An additional 182 children returned voluntarily, bringing the total to 291. FENADEB attributes the migration of Burundian youth to widespread poverty, with many falling prey to human trafficking networks operated by Burundians in collaboration with Tanzanian traffickers.

The UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is urgently calling for increased investments to support small-scale farmers in combating land degradation and desertification. These efforts are critical to safeguarding global food security, climate stability, and ecosystems, as the sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) takes place this week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. IFAD President Alvaro Lario, who is attending COP16 in Riyadh, is advocating for small-scale farmers and producers who are grappling with the devastating effects of drought and desertification—challenges that threaten the livelihoods of approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide. The drought in East Africa, which has been the worst in over 40 years, and the worsening conditions in North Africa underscore the urgency of addressing these issues. In the Sahel region, which forms a barrier to the Sahara Desert, desertification has advanced up to 200 kilometers southward over the past 30 years. This year, Zimbabwe has experienced its worst drought in living memory, leading President Emmerson Mnangagwa to declare a nationwide state of disaster. Many small-scale farmers in Zimbabwe rely on rainfed agriculture, and the ongoing drought—driven by El Niño—has led to widespread crop failure. An estimated 40% of farmers have lost their entire harvest, and poor infrastructure, including broken irrigation systems, is further hampering efforts to grow crops. The situation is expected to leave 6 million people in Zimbabwe food insecure during the 2024-2025 lean season (January to March). In response, IFAD has been supporting initiatives such as the Smallholder Irrigation Revitalization Programme (SIRP), which is helping thousands of farmers maintain crop production despite limited rainfall. This project, benefiting over 27,000 rural households, aims to restore irrigation systems and improve climate resilience and food security across Zimbabwe. At COP16, IFAD will emphasize the urgent need for greater investment in small-scale farmers, who produce 40% of the world’s food, and 60% of Africa’s food. “The world’s 500 million small farms are the backbone of global food systems,” said IFAD President Lario. “They are the most vulnerable to climate change and the least prioritized for investment. Supporting them is essential if we want to ensure long-term food security.” IFAD will also stress that neglecting investment in food security, poverty reduction, and stability has dire consequences. In addition to the human and economic toll, land degradation and climate change could drive as many as 700 million people to migrate by 2050, further exacerbating global challenges. Small-scale farmers play a pivotal role in economic stability, particularly in many developing countries where agriculture is a key driver of GDP.

The move comes as the humanitarian crisis in Sudan worsens, with millions facing starvation and displacement.

Sudanese refugees fleeing war are facing dire hunger and harsh conditions in Chad as conflict and aid barriers worsen their plight.

Unsafe abortions claim many lives in Zimbabwe annually; a new court ruling now enables safe, legal abortion for girls under 18 and victims of marital rape.