In Nigeria, a country rich in oil and natural gas, 15 illegal refineries processing stolen crude oil have been destroyed. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, announced in a written statement that the military conducted aerial operations against oil smugglers in the Niger Delta, the nation’s oil-producing region. He reported the destruction of 15 illegal refining sites and the seizure of 11 tankers carrying oil, along with several boats. Additionally, 115,000 liters of stolen crude oil were recovered. Oil theft in Nigeria is negatively impacting the country’s economy. Nigerian Senator Ned Nwoko has stated that due to increasing oil theft and attacks on pipelines, the country has suffered losses exceeding $3 billion in 2023. Nigeria’s proven oil reserves are approximately 37 billion barrels, accounting for 3.1% of global reserves. Ranked among the top 15 countries in crude oil production, Nigeria is the 8th in the world for oil reserves and 6th in oil exports. In the Delta region, where oil fields are located, armed groups are involved in sabotage, conflicts, and kidnappings related to oil operations.

Kenyan athlete Kipyegon Bett, who won a bronze medal in the 800m at the 2017 World Championships in London, has died at 26 due to renal and hepatic failure. Bett first gained prominence at the U20 World Championships in 2016 in Bydgoszcz, Poland, and was considered one of Kenya’s top middle-distance runners. However, his career faltered in 2018 when he was suspended for doping after testing positive for erythropoietin (EPO), a claim he consistently denied. After serving his suspension, Bett faced ongoing mental health issues, including depression and alcohol addiction, which his sister reported. He was hospitalized last week in his hometown of Kericho and was readmitted on Friday as his condition worsened. Despite significant investments in anti-doping measures since the 2016 Rio Olympics, over 70 Kenyan athletes have been banned in the last three years. Recently, the World Anti-Doping Agency raised concerns over severe budget cuts to the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak), which may jeopardize the integrity of Kenyan athletics.

Tunisia’s President Kais Saied has won a second term with 90.69% of the votes in the presidential election held on Sunday, the country’s electoral commission announced on Monday. At a press conference in the capital Tunis, the head of Tunisia’s Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE), Farouk Bouasker, said the voter turnout was 28.8%. While Saied received 90.69% of the votes, his competitor Ayachi Zammel garnered 7.35%, and Zouhair Maghzaoui received only 1.97% of the votes, Bouasker added. Tunisia’s election took place amid political tensions, economic challenges, and a polarized nation.

Kenya’s Deputy President Gachagua files petition to stop impeachment motion against him by lawmakers amid political tension.

The rise of unlicensed gold mining in Ghana is boosting the economy while endangering health, polluting the environment, and fueling crime.

Uganda has banned the popular “disco matanga” events due to concerns over sexual abuse, violence, and exploitation of young girls.

One of the five inmates who escaped from a high-security Portuguese prison last month has been arrested in Morocco, while the remaining four remain at large.

The text describes a mass shooting in South Africa where six security guards were killed while on patrol near a school.

This shift is driven by rising fuel costs and the country’s abundant renewable energy sources.

Cholera, a waterborne disease, continues to pose a serious health threat in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas and urban slums where access to clean drinking water is limited

Constantine, one of Algeria’s oldest cities, is a marvel of engineering

After a delay due to logistical difficulties, Congolese authorities have started administering vaccinations against mpox in an attempt to curb the outbreak.  265,000 doses were given to the DRC by the EU and the US, have been administered in the city of Goma and north Kivu province, where healthcare resources have been stretched amid the surge in mpox cases. The country, which has recorded some 30,000 cases, accounts for more than 80% of all the cases and 99% of deaths reported on the continent this year. More than 850 deaths from the disease have been reported in the DRC this year. Back in August, the WHO declared that the surge in mpox cases in the DRC, which spread to several countries, constituted a global health emergency.  Beyond the African continent, a handful of cases have also been recorded in countries including Sweden and Pakistan. Caused by a virus in the same family as smallpox, mpox was initially passed from animals to humans. It is transmitted from person to person through close contact with someone who is infected. The current outbreak has seen the spread of a new strain of the disease dubbed clade 1b, which is more serious than clade 2, which triggered a public health emergency in 2022.

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Ghana’s capital to demand an end to illegal mining, known locally as ‘Galamsey.’ Protesters expressed their determination to pressure the government to address the environmental damage caused by these activities. One attendee stated, “My motivation is to see illegal mining stop in Ghana. We need to keep protesting and striking to catch their attention.” The protest, held from Thursday to Saturday, saw no police interference, unlike a previous demonstration by the group Democracy Hub. The Catholic Church plans a peaceful protest against illegal mining on Friday, while labor unions are set to announce a nationwide strike on Thursday. One participant criticized the government’s indifference, saying, “This attitude is not surprising; it threatens the lives of Ghanaians.” Protesters also called for the release of those arrested during a prior demonstration against illegal mining.

An exit poll indicates that incumbent Tunisian President Kais Saied has won a second term in elections held Sunday, receiving 89.2% of the vote.  “The estimated results indicate Kais Saied’s victory in the presidential election with 89.2%, totaling 2,194,150 votes, said Hassan Zargouni, the director of polling company Sigma Conseil, speaking on Tunisian public television. The electoral authority announced the final list of candidates on Sept. 2, including three contenders: incumbent President Kais Saied, opposition candidate Ayachi Zammel, secretary-general of the Azimoun movement, and Zouhair Maghzaoui, secretary-general of the People’s Movement – a supporter of Saied. Zargouni added that Zammel received 6.9% with 169,727 votes, while Maghzaoui received 3.9% with 95,933 votes. Earlier on Sunday, the Independent High Authority for Elections in Tunisia announced that the preliminary voter turnout in the elections was 27.7% by the time polling stations closed at 6 p.m. local time (1700GMT). Farouk Bouaskar, the president of the authority, said at a press conference in Tunis that “the electoral process went smoothly, and we did not record any incidents that marred this election day, with a respectable turnout from Tunisians at polling stations both domestically and abroad.” “A total of 2,704,155 voters participated in the voting process today, resulting in a preliminary turnout of 27.7%,” he added. Bouaskar said the official and final turnout rates will be announced alongside the preliminary election results on Monday evening. On Sunday morning, the voting process began in Tunisia to elect a president for a five-year term, while voting abroad commenced on Friday in 59 countries. Tunisia’s election is taking place amid political tensions, economic challenges and a polarized electorate.

Nine people have been killed in armed attacks in Katsina State, Nigeria. Reports indicate that unidentified gunmen targeted the Faskari and Matazu areas. The victims included six local security personnel and three civilians, with numerous others injured. Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda condemned the attacks in a statement, announcing the deployment of additional security forces to the region. Nigeria has recently seen a rise in violence from armed gangs, as well as attacks from Boko Haram and ISWAP in various areas. Despite the death penalty for kidnapping, ransom abductions remain prevalent, often affecting villages, schools, and travelers in the northern regions.

Kais Saied’s supporters celebrated in Tunis after an exit poll showed him leading with 89.2% of the votes, while his rivals rejected the results and voter turnout remained low.

The vaccinations are being administered to healthcare workers and close contacts of infected individuals.

Pope Francis expands the College of Cardinals with 21 new appointments, reinforcing his influence and commitment to diverse global Church leadership.

The attacks targeted the Hamra al-Sheikh and Abu Zuama areas, crucial links between the capital, Khartoum, and Darfur

Ethiopia is facing accusations from Somalia of supplying arms to the Puntland region without authorization.

Ancient Nubian civilizations, spanning the region that is now Sudan, are gaining attention for their ink-making

Local sources expressed deep concern over SAF’s continued indiscriminate targeting of civilian gatherings as the conflict drags on

The Sudanese Ministry of Health has reported that the number of cholera cases in the country has reached 20,398, with the death toll now at 597. The spread of cholera has been fueled by heavy rains and floods affecting Sudan since June. Officials declared a cholera outbreak on August 12. In the context of ongoing conflict, the country’s ineffective health system worsens the situation, making life increasingly challenging for residents amid the rise of infectious diseases.  UNICEF on Saturday announced the arrival of 1.4 million oral cholera vaccine doses at a port in the eastern part Sudan. This shipment aims to protect children from a cholera outbreak which has affected 10 of the country’s 18 states since July, resulting in over 18,000 cases and killing 550, the UN agency said in a statement. The new vaccines supplement 404,000 doses delivered last month, supporting ongoing immunization campaigns targeting 1.81 million people in the most affected areas, the statement underlined. “Delivery of the vaccines … is essential for stopping the spread of these deadly diseases,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF representative to Sudan. In Sudan, an estimated 3.4 million children under age 5 are at high risk of epidemic diseases, with 3.1 million people at risk of cholera by this December, UNICEF said. The country’s health care system is struggling, with national vaccination coverage dropping from 85% to 50% and over 70% of hospitals in conflict areas non-operational. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen in Sudan as nearly 6.8 million people have fled their homes, seeking safety in other parts of the country or neighboring nations. Several cease-fire agreements brokered by Saudi Arabia and US mediators have failed to end the violence.

Rwanda’s health ministry confirmed the country’s first outbreak of the Marburg virus on Friday, September 27, with eight reported fatalities. This deadly virus, which has a fatality rate of up to 88%, spreads from fruit bats and through contact with infected bodily fluids. The ministry has urged the public to avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals and to be aware of symptoms such as fever, headaches, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea. In response, the government is intensifying contact tracing, surveillance, and testing while promoting good hygiene practices like frequent handwashing. Local residents have expressed deep concern about the outbreak. “If the virus spreads, it will affect us severely, just like during COVID-19, and we could face lockdowns again,” said Jackie, a local resident. Eric, who works in hospitality, echoed these worries, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to protect public health, especially given the risk from tourists. Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana noted that the first positive case was identified at a university in Kigali, and some healthcare providers are already showing symptoms. The ministry has implemented strict guidelines for patients, including a ban on visitors for the next 14 days and limiting caregivers to one at a time.