Floods, drought causing malnutrition in some African nations

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita announced that Morocco firmly rejects any proposals for the division of Western Sahara, asserting that this issue is not open to negotiation. Speaking at a press conference in Rabat alongside Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, Bourita addressed a recent suggestion from UN Special Representative for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura. During de Mistura’s visit to Morocco last April, the Moroccan delegation made it clear that proposals for dividing the territory would not be entertained, reaffirming that Western Sahara is an integral part of Morocco. Bourita emphasized that Morocco does not negotiate its sovereignty and territorial integrity concerning Western Sahara but engages in discussions related to regional disputes with neighboring Algeria. He reiterated that the status of Western Sahara, tied to the country’s sovereignty, cannot be a subject of negotiation or agreement. He also called for transparency from de Mistura about the origins of his proposal, questioning who inspired it and whether it was his initiative or influenced by external parties. Reports suggest that de Mistura proposed the division of Western Sahara between Morocco and the Polisario Front, envisioning a state for the Polisario in the south and Moroccan governance in the north. Background on the Western Sahara Issue The tensions between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front date back to Morocco’s annexation of the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara in 1975. While Morocco maintains that the region is under its sovereignty, the Polisario Front asserts that it is an independent state. The Polisario Front conducted an armed struggle against Moroccan forces until a UN-mediated ceasefire in 1991, but subsequent negotiations over the territory’s status have not been successful. Roundtable Discussions In recent years, UN-supervised roundtable discussions have occurred between Morocco and the Polisario Front, with participation from neighboring Algeria and Mauritania. The first meeting was held in Geneva in December 2018, followed by another in March 2019. A planned third meeting in May 2019 was canceled after the resignation of then-UN representative Horst Köhler due to health issues. Staffan de Mistura was appointed as the new UN Special Representative for Western Sahara on October 6, 2021, following Köhler’s resignation. Algeria announced its withdrawal from the roundtable discussions on October 22, 2021.

Architects are making significant strides in developing sustainable and affordable housing

A search and rescue operation off the coast of Samos, Greece, has recovered the bodies of two individuals reported missing after a boat carrying 24 migrants encountered trouble in rough seas, according to the coast guard. Authorities received a distress call from the vessel, which was found partially submerged north of Samos. Twenty-two people were rescued, and survivors informed the Coast Guard about the missing passengers. Last week, four migrants, including two women and two children, died near the island of Kos when a smuggling boat capsized while crossing from Turkey. In a separate incident days later, one man died, two were reported missing, and 97 were rescued by a passing cargo ship south of Gavdos. Survivors indicated they had paid between 7,000 and 10,000 euros each for their journey from Libya to Greece. Greece is a key entry point into the EU for individuals fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The UN refugee agency reports that over 42,000 migrants had arrived in Greece by early October, primarily by sea. The bodies of the two missing migrants—a man and a woman—were recovered early Monday morning, marking yet another tragic incident in the ongoing crisis of migrants attempting to reach Europe by sea.

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to embark on a three-day state visit to Morocco, as announced by the Moroccan royal palace on Monday. The palace emphasized that the visit reflects “the depth of bilateral relations based on a deep-rooted and solid partnership.” This visit follows France’s recent efforts to revive ties, notably its endorsement in July of Morocco’s autonomy plan for the disputed Western Sahara, marking a significant shift in its position. This change aligns with similar moves by countries like the US, Israel, and various African nations, as Morocco seeks to strengthen trade relationships. Macron labeled the autonomy plan as the only viable solution to the long-standing conflict over Western Sahara, which Morocco claims as its territory, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeks independence. France’s change in stance angered Algeria, which promptly recalled its ambassador to Paris. Tensions had previously risen between France and Morocco when France reduced visa allocations for Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia in 2021, although these restrictions were later lifted.

In Nigeria, Africa’s oil and gas-rich country, 32 illegal refineries where crude oil was being processed have been destroyed. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, acting director of the Nigerian Army’s Public Relations, stated that operations against oil smugglers in the Niger Delta region are ongoing. He reported the destruction of these refineries, along with the seizure of oil tankers and 25 boats, and the recovery of 250,000 liters of stolen oil. Oil theft is negatively impacting Nigeria’s economy. Senator Ned Nwoko revealed that the country faced over $3 billion in losses in 2023 due to increasing oil theft and pipeline attacks. Nigeria has approximately 37 billion barrels of confirmed oil reserves, accounting for 3.1% of global reserves. Ranked among the top 15 countries in crude oil production, Nigeria is the eighth largest holder of oil reserves worldwide and the sixth largest exporter. In the Delta region, home to these oil deposits, armed groups have been involved in sabotage, conflicts, and kidnappings related to oil fields.

After a six-week absence that raised concerns about his health and whereabouts, Cameroonian President Paul Biya has returned to the country. Upon his arrival in Yaoundé from Geneva with his wife, Chantal Biya, the 91-year-old did not address the public but waved to supporters as his car left the airport. Thousands of supporters of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement lined the route to the presidential palace, with some carrying placards welcoming the president back and sending well wishes. Biya’s absence sparked widespread speculation about his health, but authorities have reassured the public, stating he is well and that his absence was due to national security matters.

The Somali Defense Ministry said on Monday that the army, backed by local and international partners, carried out military operations against the al-Shabaab militant group, killing over 95 terrorists. The Somali National Army (SNA) conducted operations in Middle Shabelle, Galgadud, and the north-central province of Mudug. First Lieutenant Sheikh Abukar Mohamed, the ministry’s spokesperson, said in a media briefing in Mogadishu on Monday evening that 45 terrorists were killed and three villages were liberated during the military operation in Middle Shabelle. In another operation in the Galgadud region of the central state of Galmudug, 50 more al-Shabaab terrorists were killed and five villages were taken back from the terrorist group. Earlier on Oct. 10, the Information Ministry announced that 59 al-Shabaab terrorists and four soldiers were killed during military operations in Somalia’s south and central provinces. Over 100 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed earlier this month, bringing the total number of militants killed to 254 in this month’s military operations. The Somali government has been fighting al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorists since the Somali president declared “an all-out war” earlier in 2022, but both sides have a history of exaggerating casualty figures.  Somalia has been plagued by insecurity for years, with the main threats emanating from al-Shabaab and the Daesh/ISIS terror groups. Since 2007, al-Shabaab has been fighting the Somali government and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) — a multidimensional mission authorized by the African Union and mandated by the UN Security Council.

Lassa fever has claimed 21 lives in Nigeria’s Edo State, where the disease has spread to various regions. Dr. Joseph Okoeguale, a health official, reported 240 confirmed cases in the state. This year, over 170 people have died nationwide due to the outbreak. The government has identified three medications for treatment. Lassa fever was first detected in Nigeria in 1969 in Borno State and has since appeared in several African countries, including Mali, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The Nigerian government declared a state of emergency for Lassa fever on January 23, 2019. The disease is transmitted through contact with rodent droppings and can spread from person to person, causing severe hemorrhagic fever. Authorities have warned the public to avoid contact with rats and other rodents.

MSF has been forced to suspend its operations in Burkina Faso’s Djibo city due to escalating militant attacks and deteriorating security conditions.

The floods have hampered aid delivery and worsened an already critical humanitarian situation.

WHO says floods have exacerbated already dire humanitarian situation

Jane Ndamei, a 20-year-old from the country’s southwestern region, narrowly escaped an armed attack on her school five years ago

M23, a Tutsi-led rebel movement, has been conducting an insurgency in eastern Congo since 2022

Africa’s role in the global push for sustainable energy solutions is steadily increasing

Mozambique is facing heightened tensions following the murder of two prominent opposition figures ahead of planned protests against the election results. Elvino Dias, a lawyer for the new opposition party Podemos and advisor to its presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, was killed alongside party official Paulo Guambe. They were shot late Friday night by assailants pursuing their vehicle. Social media videos show a BMW SUV riddled with bullet holes, underscoring the violence of the attack. Their deaths come as the country awaits results from the contested October 9 election, set to be announced on October 24. Provisional results suggest a likely victory for Frelimo, which has ruled Mozambique since its independence in 1975. Western election observers have raised concerns about the election’s integrity, citing issues such as vote-buying and suppression of dissent. Opposition parties, including Podemos, have alleged fraud and called for a nationwide strike on Monday. With past instances of security forces opening fire on protesters, there are fears that the upcoming demonstrations could escalate into violence. The European Union and Portugal have condemned the killings of the Podemos officials and are calling for an investigation.

 Somalia’s president wrapped up official visits to Uganda and Burundi as part of efforts to deepen security ties with the two nations, which have been among the main contributors of African Union peacekeeping forces to his country. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who arrived in the Ugandan capital Kampala on Saturday, met with his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni and discussed cooperation in security, trade and development initiatives as well as support for the Somali Security Forces and Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). “The two heads of state exchanged views on the security situation in Somalia and the region and underscored the need to maintain peace, security and stability in the Horn of Africa and in the African continent as a whole. They commended the sacrifices made by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and Somali Security Forces in pacifying the country and the fight against (the) Al-Shabaab (terrorist group),” a joint statement issued after their meeting said. Mohamud also traveled to Burundi and met with his counterpart Evariste Ndayishimiye. The two leaders agreed to intensify commercial and diplomatic relations, paving the way for a stronger partnership between their countries. They “addressed the vital role of Burundian forces in the peacekeeping mission in Somalia and explored ways to further strengthen their collaborative efforts to ensure regional stability,” said a statement by Somali Information Minister Daud Aweis.  Abdiasis Abdirahman, a political analyst based in the Somali capital, said Mohamud’s visit is likely meant as preparation for the next African Union mission, as the current peacekeeping mission’s mandate is due to expire in December. “This visit was long overdue because Somalia is facing serious security challenges and the government needed to ensure that there wouldn’t be a vacuum after the current mission ends,” he said. Uganda and Burundi are among the main countries that have contributed to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and ATMIS. Since 2007, Al-Shabaab has been fighting the Somali government and the mission forces in the country authorized by the African Union and mandated by the UN Security Council. The terror group has stepped up attacks since Mohamud declared an “all-out war” on the group.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea  Kenya’s impeached deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, said Sunday that his life is in immediate danger, accusing President William Ruto of orchestrating efforts to harm him. Gachagua, who is facing charges of corruption, abuse of office and inciting ethnic tensions, told reporters Sunday that assassination attempts had been made against him and his security detail had been suddenly withdrawn. In a statement following his impeachment, Gachagua expressed deep concern for his safety and that of his family. “I don’t feel safe…There have been two attempts to poison me,” he said, referencing incidents in Kisumu and Nyeri, where he said undercover agents tried to tamper with his food. He also said that security personnel assigned to protect him were disarmed and ordered to stay away, leaving him vulnerable. “Don’t kill us. Don’t kill my children,” he pleaded, calling for President Ruto to “leave me alone.” Gachagua is preparing for a legal battle to challenge his impeachment. Legal proceedings will begin soon and scrutinize whether due process was followed during the impeachment. Ruto has nominated Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki as his deputy. Despite lawmakers confirming Kithure Kindiki as Kenya’s new deputy president on Friday, the High Court in Nairobi has temporarily halted his appointment. The court issued the order in response to an urgent petition challenging Kindiki’s nomination by President Ruto, effectively freezing the process until a hearing scheduled for Thursday. The petition claims that the appointment process violated constitutional provisions.  All proceedings regarding Kindiki’s assuming office are on hold until the case is heard. consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Khartoum, are facing a deepening water crisis alongside severe food shortages. Many now rely on fetching water from the Nile River using carts or purchasing untreated water, which has become increasingly scarce. “We’ve been without water for 17 days. The situation is unbearable. Now we have to buy water, but prices are skyrocketing—two barrels cost 1,000 Sudanese pounds (about $1.66),” says local resident Ahmed Musa. For context, the average annual income in Sudan is $2,379, or roughly $6.50 per day, according to UN statistics. The city’s vital water infrastructure, including a treatment plant on the Nile and several supply stations, has been severely damaged by ongoing fighting. A shortage of personnel and spare parts has further disrupted water networks across multiple districts, leaving tens of thousands of households without access to clean water. The reliance on untreated water has led to a rise in illnesses, including cholera, a waterborne bacterial disease. As winter approaches, the escalating health crisis and lack of basic necessities threaten to worsen the humanitarian situation in Sudan. Epidemic diseases such as cholera, malaria, measles, and dengue fever have emerged, resulting in hundreds of deaths. The health ministry has reported 25,037 cholera cases and 702 related fatalities. On Friday, UNICEF warned that 3.1 million people, including 500,000 children under five, are at risk of cholera in Sudan. In response, the Sudanese Ministry of Health announced that a vaccination campaign targeting more than 1.4 million people against cholera has begun in the eastern and northern regions of the country.

Somalia’s Information Ministry said Saturday the country’s military is targeting al-Shabab militants in the Galmudug region of central Somalia and is making progress in eroding the group’s operational effectiveness.  In a coordinated military operation, the Somali National Army, or SNA, supported by Galmudug State forces and pro-government local clan militias, killed 30 al-Shabab militants and injured dozens more, according to a government statement released Saturday.  “The Somali National Army killed 30 al-Shabab militants and injured 40 others after conducting an operation at the Qeycad location in the southern Mudug region for the past 48 hours,” the statement reads.  Somali authorities say the operation was conducted after the army received intelligence regarding al-Shabab militants’ maneuvers in the region.  The government says three of its soldiers were injured during the operation.  Witnesses in Qeycad, near Ba’adweyn town in the Mudug region, said an intense gunbattle between the two sides lasted several hours, inflicting substantial damage on the militants.  “The fight lasted for hours, and the terrorists were heavily damaged, and the Somali National Army took over the area, and the group’s strongholds in the area were also destroyed during the operation,” the government statement said.  During the engagement, several al-Shabab commanders surrendered to the SNA. Among those were two significant militant leaders, “Mohamed Bashir Muse and Madey Fodey,” according to the government report.  This military action follows an incident two days prior when a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vest outside a crowded restaurant in Mogadishu, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people. The operation also occurred concurrently with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s official visit to Kampala, Uganda, where he aimed to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance regional security cooperation with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.  “The president will discuss with his counterpart, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations between Somalia and Uganda, fostering enhanced regional security and stability cooperation,” a brief Somali National News Agency announcement stated.  As Somalia navigates ongoing diplomatic disagreements with Ethiopia — particularly regarding a maritime agreement signed with Somaliland, a breakaway region — its government has sought closer ties with Egypt and Eritrea, both of which have historical disputes with Ethiopia.  Earlier this month, leaders from Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea convened in Asmara, reinforcing what analysts describe as an emerging “axis against Ethiopia.”

The latest incident occurred in Nairobi, where an eight-story building collapsed, trapping several residents.

The governor of capital Kinshasa has urged residents to take precautions and avoid littering to mitigate the risks.

Leaked statements attributed to Sharafi, where he allegedly labeled the civil war as futile, have intensified calls for his ousting

Kenya’s impeached deputy Rigathi Gachagua says his security was withdrawn after fallout with President William Ruto.