A Kenyan regional governor and a member of parliament were arrested after deadly clashes in Tana River County claimed 18 lives.

Sofala, a key port on the Swahili Coast of East Africa, holds a rich history as a major trading hub

Kenya and Haiti’s leaders called on international partners on Friday to fulfill their commitments to the U.N.-backed peacekeeping mission in Haiti, highlighting the need for more resources as the budget is set to run out in March 2025. Kenya is leading the mission to address escalating gang violence in Haiti, having deployed nearly 400 officers, alongside around 20 police and soldiers from Jamaica. However, this falls short of the 2,500 personnel pledged by various countries, including Chad and Bangladesh. During a meeting in Nairobi, Kenyan President William Ruto announced plans to send an additional 600 officers next month. The U.N. has received $68 million of the $85 million pledged for the mission. Ruto expressed optimism about the mission’s success based on recent operations, while Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille indicated ongoing discussions with countries like Brazil and Mexico to bolster support. Gang violence has surged in Haiti since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, with gangs reportedly controlling up to 80% of the capital. This has triggered a violent backlash from civilian vigilante groups. In early October, the U.N. Security Council unanimously extended the mandate of the Kenya-led multinational force but declined Haiti’s request to transition it into a U.N. peacekeeping mission.

Humanitarian workers and locals are raising alarms over worsening hunger and malnutrition among internally displaced people in northeastern Nigeria, where the Boko Haram conflict has persisted since 2009. Although organizations like the World Food Program are providing food and essential supplies, many individuals remain inaccessible to aid, primarily located in conflict hotspots and hard-to-reach areas. Boko Haram, Nigeria’s homegrown jihadist group, initiated its insurgency in 2009 with the aim of establishing Islamic Sharia law in the country. The violence has resulted in at least 35,000 deaths and displaced 2.1 million people, according to U.N. reports. During her visit to Nigeria, Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Program, traveled to Damasak, a community near the frontlines, to meet with humanitarian workers and locals receiving aid. “How do I take food from the hungry and give it to the starving? Because that’s the choices I have to make now,” McCain remarked. She also engaged with government leaders in Borno, assuring them of the U.N. food agency’s ongoing support.

One hundred four UN member countries and the African Union have voiced strong concern over Israel’s declaration of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as an “unwanted person,” expressing their support for him. The coalition, which includes Turkey, issued a letter highlighting that Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz’s labeling of Guterres as “unwanted” undermines the UN’s capacity to fulfill its mission. The letter stressed that mediation and humanitarian assistance in the Middle East are essential responsibilities of the UN. It underscored the vital role of the Secretary-General during periods of heightened tension, affirming, “We want to reiterate our full support and confidence in the Secretary-General and his work.” The letter also expressed trust in Guterres’s dedication to peace, security, and international law, urging all parties to engage in constructive dialogue with the UN. “We demand respect for the UN’s leadership and mission,” the letter stated, calling for actions that support the UN’s vital role and contribute to a peaceful resolution of the Middle Eastern crisis. In a related development, Israel had designated Guterres as an “unwanted person,” announcing a ban on his entry into the country after he called for a reduction of tensions in the region. On October 1, it was claimed that Guterres failed to mention Iran in connection with missiles fired at Israel and did not explicitly condemn Tehran’s actions. In response to Iran’s missile attacks, Guterres stated, “I condemn the escalation of conflict in the Middle East,” and called for an urgent ceasefire.

The speech marks Dagalo’s first formal accusation of Egypt’s direct military involvement in Sudan’s 18-month-long conflict

Concerns rise in DR Congo as ruling party advocates constitutional reform that could lengthen Tshisekedi’s presidency beyond term limits.

The United Nations and international community are urged to take urgent action to address the escalating famine crisis in Sudan.

Gambaryan, an American citizen, has been in detention since February, with both he and Binance denying the charges against him

A new route from Libya to Greece emerges as thousands of migrants seek refuge.

Hundreds of Ghanaians protested against illegal gold mining, known as galamsey, in Accra, calling for government action to address the harmful practice.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, attending a summit in Asmara, Eritrea, reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to strengthening regional security alongside Somalia and Eritrea

Algeria conducted a second evacuation mission to bring home its citizens from Lebanon, which has been under attack by Israel.

Before the European colonization of Africa, empires such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai thrived

A police officer in South Africa has been arrested for murdering six people to defraud insurance companies of millions of rand.

Mpox is still a major public health issue in Africa, the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said Thursday amid surging new cases. A total of 3,186 new cases were reported in the past week, with 489 confirmed and 53 deaths, Jean Kaseya said at a news conference. “We don’t see a decrease in terms of death, but we see an increase when we compared with previous weeks,” he said, adding there is a need to accelerate several interventions, including vaccination, to stop the spread. In 2024, more than 38,300 cases have been recorded in 16 countries on the continent to go along with 979 deaths, according to the latest data from Africa CDC. Ghana and Zambia are the latest countries to report an outbreak of mpox on the continent. The World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health emergency in August for the second time in two years, following the spread of a new variant of the viral infection from the Congo to neighboring countries. Kaseya said a vaccination campaign launched last weekend in Congo, the most affected country in the region, is on track with more than 1,600 people vaccinated, mainly in the east. Nigeria, which has received an allotment of 10,000 doses of a vaccine from the US, is to start vaccination in the coming days, according to Africa CDC. Africa expects to receive 10 million doses from partners. Mpox exhibits flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions.

The Democratic Republic of Congo was among 15 countries elected to the Human Rights Council on Wednesday, despite opposition from the country’s critics. Benin, Gambia, Kenya, and Ethiopia were also elected as African representatives. These five nations will serve a three-year term beginning January 1, 2025. During the assembly, there was minimal opposition to Congo’s election, which received 172 out of 190 votes. Human Rights Watch, along with Congolese civil society and opposition parties, cited political repression, arbitrary detentions, and killings as reasons to deny Kinshasa a seat on this prestigious body. Congo’s human rights minister stated that the country intends to use its position to improve its human rights record. The UN Human Rights Council, established in 2006, is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights globally and addressing violations.

A Chinese envoy emphasized on Wednesday the urgent need for external armed forces and mercenaries to withdraw from Libya. “The peaceful reconstruction of Libya is at a critical juncture, and promoting political transition is essential for long-term peace and stability. China urges all parties to adhere to a political settlement, enhance dialogue, and build consensus for the early resumption of political negotiations and the establishment of unified state institutions,” stated Dai Bing, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, during a Security Council briefing on the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Dai called on the international community to support African-led solutions to African issues and promote a political resolution to the Libyan crisis. “We advocate for respect for Libya’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and reiterate the call for the swift and orderly withdrawal of external armed forces and mercenaries,” he added. He also urged for a reduction in hostility and confrontation, emphasizing the need to focus on humanitarian challenges and improve living conditions in Libya. Pointing out Libya’s long history of civil war and conflict, which has resulted in a fractured security structure, Dai noted that recent unilateral actions have exacerbated the fragile security situation. He called on all Libyan factions to prioritize the country’s interests, exercise restraint, adhere to the ceasefire agreement, implement the consensus of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission, and work together to maintain the hard-won peace. Under the 2020 ceasefire agreement, foreign forces were supposed to withdraw within months, but reports suggest that very few have actually left. Rival factions in Libya continue to rely on fighters from African nations, Turkey, Syria, and Russia.

In operations against the terrorist groups Boko Haram and ISWAP (the West African branch of ISIS) in Nigeria, 165 terrorists and armed gang members were neutralized in one week. Edward Buba, Director of Media Operations for the Nigerian Defense Ministry, stated that the military conducted operations nationwide targeting terrorism and armed gangs. He noted that 165 terrorists and gang members were killed, and 238 terrorists were arrested. Buba also reported the rescue of 188 individuals taken hostage by armed gang members and terrorists, along with the seizure of 153 weapons, numerous motorcycles, and significant ammunition. Nigeria has long faced attacks from armed gangs, Boko Haram, and ISWAP across various regions. Despite the death penalty for kidnapping, incidents of abduction for ransom are common, with armed individuals typically targeting villages, schools, and travelers in the northern parts of the country.

The appeal process began on Thursday for 37 people sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over an alleged coup attempt in May.

Floods in South Sudan have displaced over 241,000 people and affected nearly 900,000 others, with aid agencies warning of the worst flooding in decades.

The World Health Organization has declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time.

Egypt, Eritrea and Somalia leaders convene in Asmara for crucial talks on regional security and stability amid rising tensions in the Horn of Africa.

Young African women recruited for jobs in Russia have reported being deceived into assembling drones intended for use in the conflict in Ukraine. Initially lured by social media ads promising free flights, lucrative salaries, and job training in hospitality and catering, many arrived to discover they were to work in a drone production facility instead. In interviews with The Associated Press, several women shared experiences of long hours under constant surveillance, unmet wage expectations, and exposure to hazardous chemicals that have left them with severe skin issues. These women were part of a Kremlin initiative to address labor shortages amid wartime production demands. Recruitment has targeted women aged 18 to 22 from countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, as well as from Sri Lanka. The Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, approximately 1,000 kilometers east of Moscow, has become a focal point for this recruitment effort. One woman, who left a job in her home country, recounted her initial excitement upon arriving in Alabuga, only to realize that the promise of a bright future was merely a facade. “The company is all about making drones. Nothing else,” she said, expressing regret about her decision to come. The recruitment campaign, dubbed “Alabuga Start,” involved completing a simple online game and a basic Russian vocabulary test. However, the reality revealed a grim working environment where foreign workers were often mistreated and denied the freedoms enjoyed by their Russian counterparts. The women live in guarded dormitories and are closely monitored while working, with their communications severely restricted. Reports indicate that about 200 African women are currently employed in the Alabuga facility, alongside vocational students as young as 16. The plant is primarily engaged in producing Iranian-designed Shahed drones, which have been employed in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Despite an initial promise of $700 a month, many women reported receiving much less, with various deductions reducing their take-home pay. The workers have described grueling shifts of up to 12 hours, with inadequate time off. One woman lamented, “The African women are maltreated like donkeys, being slaved.” Human rights organizations have raised alarms over these practices, highlighting the potential for trafficking if the recruitment methods are found to be exploitative. Betty Amongi, Uganda’s Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, has voiced concerns regarding the welfare of the women, urging thorough investigations into the recruitment efforts. As the conflict in Ukraine continues, Russia’s reliance on foreign labor to bolster its military production raises questions about the ethical implications of such recruiting tactics. The situation has caught the attention of the international community, with calls for accountability and safeguards to protect vulnerable workers from exploitation.