South Africa has requested that Taiwan relocate its de facto embassy from Pretoria to Johannesburg, giving Taipei six months to make the move. This decision underscores Beijing’s growing influence among developing nations. While Taipei accuses Pretoria of yielding to Chinese pressure, Beijing has welcomed the move. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, stated, “The One China principle is the foundation for China’s diplomatic relations. We appreciate South Africa’s decision to relocate the Taipei liaison office from Pretoria. Taiwan independence is unpopular and doomed to fail.” China established its embassy in South Africa in 1998, following Pretoria’s severance of formal ties with Taiwan, over which Beijing claims sovereignty. However, South Africa has continued to maintain unofficial relations with Taiwan. This development occurs amidst rising tensions between Beijing and Taipei. Taiwan recently celebrated its national day, rejecting China’s sovereignty claims, while China conducted military drills near Taiwan shortly thereafter. China is South Africa’s largest global trading partner, and both nations aim to enhance cooperation. They are also members of the BRICS bloc, which will hold its annual summit in Russia next week.

A Turkish ship carrying humanitarian aid for Somalia docked Saturday at the Mogadishu’s seaport. The Ship of Goodness, carrying 3,000 tons of aid, sailed Sept, 29 from Mersin in the southern province of Türkiye and was received by senior government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama alongside Disaster Management Commissioner Mahamuud Moallim at a ceremony at the port. Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Alper Aktas and representatives from humanitarian aid agencies from Türkiye were also present. “The assistance comprises a diverse range of food items, tents, and essential life necessities, amounting to a total of 3,000 tons. This support aims to significantly improve the living conditions of those in need,” the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) said in a statement. “As always, Türkiye will continue to extend its helping hand to the brotherly Somali people. Toward a brighter future with the brotherly Somalian people,” the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu said in a statement. Türkiye has delivered more than 60,000 tons of aid since 2016 to the East African country, which is prone to natural disasters, including droughts, famine, floods and cyclones. Türkiye, a longtime close ally of Somalia, has also invested in Somalia’s education, infrastructure and health sectors. It has its largest overseas military facility in Mogadishu to train the Somali National Army.

A lawyer for Mozambique’s opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane and a Podemos party candidate were killed in a shooting in Maputo as election tensions rise.

Botswana’s Jwaneng mine is known as the richest diamond mine in the world by value

157 captives freed who were held by terrorists; 182 terrorists arrested, says official

African artists aimed to reflect their stance on Palestinian issue, raise awareness within community, says head of Panafrican Graffiti Artists Collective

A South African civil society activist protested the presence of Germany’s ambassador at a conference due to Berlin’s support for Israel.

A boat carrying fifteen workers and an operator capsized in Lake Chamo, Ethiopia, resulting in fourteen people missing.

The incident has sparked widespread concern and grief across the nation.

Africa is home to one of nature’s most extraordinary creatures—the cheetah

Ghana’s parliament has tipped in favor of the opposition after four MPs defect, raising concerns over key legislation and the upcoming general elections.

Three officials from the Kampala Capital City Authority face charges of manslaughter and criminal negligence.

Following the 2011 uprising, Aisha fled Libya. She lost her husband and two children in NATO airstrikes and later gave birth to her fourth child in Algeria

Kithure Kindiki to replace Rigathi Gachagua, removed from office in unprecedented impeachment case

South African lawmakers last November passed non-binding resolution calling for suspending diplomatic ties with Tel Aviv

Nigeria is set to become one of the first countries to deploy a new malaria vaccine after receiving an initial batch of 846,200 doses. Developed by scientists at the University of Oxford and produced by the Serum Institute of India and Novavax, the R21 vaccine marks a significant step in the country’s fight against malaria. Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate noted that these doses are crucial for eliminating malaria, a disease that affects around 97% of the Nigerian population. Nigeria is the hardest-hit country globally, accounting for 31% of malaria-related deaths. The vaccines, acquired in partnership with the international Vaccine Alliance, Gavi, will be provided free of charge. A trial rollout will start in Kebbi and Bayelsa, the states with the highest malaria burden, before expanding nationwide. An additional 153,800 doses are expected to arrive on October 26, bringing the total to nearly one million.

Senegal on Thursday performed the West African nation’s first eye transplant. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye called the milestone a “big step for eye health in our country.” Cheikh Khadim Ndoyem, an ophthalmologist, and Dr. Awa Diama Thiam performed the cornea transplant. Ophthalmic surgeon Andre Mermoud and Dr. Felix Hammer supervised the procedure, which was carried out at the Swiss Visio clinic in Saly Portudal in the seaside resort of Thies. The landmark operation combined “local expertise and international training,” said the president. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the African region is seeing a decrease in vision loss due to vitamin A deficiency, onchocerciasis, and trachoma, but emerging eye health challenges are growing. One in every six blind people globally live in Africa, along with 26 million others grappling with some degree of visual impairment, it said in a report last week. Statistics show only 14% of people who need cataract surgery receive it, while more than 80% of people with shortsightedness receive no treatment. In addition, only 12% of people in Africa who need glasses or surgical interventions to address blurred vision will receive the necessary care, at significant economic cost to countries. “The global estimated costs of uncorrected refractive errors and cataracts is $14.3 billion annually,” said the WHO.

Mpox-related deaths have surpassed 1,000 amid outbreaks affecting 18 of Africa’s 55 nations, according to the head of the Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya. This week alone saw 50 new fatalities, bringing the total to 1,100. Kaseya urged international partners to fulfill their pledges to support Africa’s response, highlighting a nearly $600 million budget for a six-month plan developed by Africa CDC and the WHO. Of this amount, 55% is earmarked for addressing mpox in 14 affected nations and enhancing preparedness in 15 others. Mpox, related to smallpox, typically causes milder symptoms like fever and body aches, but severe cases can result in lesions. Zambia and Zimbabwe recently confirmed new cases, with eastern DRC remaining the epicenter of the outbreak. The mpox virus was first identified in Denmark in 1958, and while it had sporadically spread in central and West Africa for years, a global outbreak began in 2022, prompting rapid vaccine distribution from wealthy countries.

“Those who seek to dim our light will have to wait,” activist Kemi Seba declared on Thursday (Oct. 17) upon regaining his freedom. The Beninese activist, in his forties, spent nearly four days in custody at the French interior security agency (DGSI) headquarters in Paris. His lawyer, Juan Branco, stated during a press conference on Wednesday (Oct. 16) that Seba was questioned in relation to two charges: “collusion with a foreign power to foster hostility or acts of aggression against France” and “maintaining ties with a foreign power that could harm the fundamental interests of the nation.” Both charges carry a potential prison sentence of at least 10 years. According to French newspaper Le Monde, Seba, born Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, is not currently under prosecution, as confirmed by the Paris public prosecution. Seba, a vocal critic of neo-colonialism in Africa, was arrested on Monday (Oct. 14) while having lunch with a colleague. Branco condemned the arrest as “violent.” Seba’s organization, Urgences Panafricatistes, stated that he was in Paris to visit a sick relative and meet with members of the Beninese opposition. He was arrested alongside his close ally Hery Djehuty, who has also been released. Born in France, Seba was stripped of his nationality last July and has since relocated to West Africa with his wife and children.

The Ivory Coast government dissolved a powerful student union after two students were killed in violence allegedly perpetrated by its members.

The Kingdom of Wagadou, also known as ancient Ghana, is remembered for its impressive wealth

UN experts have accused the warring parties in Sudan’s civil war of using starvation tactics against millions of civilians, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis.

The targeted restaurant, located across from a police training facility, was popular among law enforcement officers

Last week, the National Assembly voted to impeach Gachagua, who was instrumental in President William Ruto’s electoral victory two years ago