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.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) unsealed arrest warrants on Friday for six men linked to a Libyan militia accused of numerous killings and crimes in the western town of Tarhunah, where mass graves were uncovered in 2020. Since the NATO-backed uprising that overthrew dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, Libya has faced political chaos, split between rival administrations in the east and west, each supported by militias and foreign powers. ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan stated that evidence indicates Tarhunah residents have suffered war crimes, including murder, torture, sexual violence, and rape. The warrants target Abdelrahim al-Kani, Makhlouf Douma, Nasser al-Lahsa, Mohammed Salheen, Abdelbari al-Shaqaqi, and Fathi al-Zinkal. Three are leaders of the Al Kaniyat militia, which controlled Tarhunah from 2015 to June 2020, while the others were security officials linked to the militia. The warrants were initially issued in April and July 2023 but remained sealed until now. Khan expressed that making the warrants public will aid in the suspects’ arrest and surrender. The mass graves in Tarhunah were discovered after the militia retreated following the collapse of military commander Khalifa Hifter’s attempt to take Tripoli. The ICC relies on cooperation from its 124 member states to enforce arrest warrants. Khan noted that his office is working with Libyan authorities to ensure the suspects face justice. The ICC opened its investigation in Libya in 2011 at the request of the U.N. Security Council and has previously issued warrants for Gadhafi and his son, Saif Al-Islam Gadhafi, who remains wanted.

Northeastern Nigeria is battling a cholera outbreak after recent floods damaged essential infrastructure, leading to a surge in cases among displaced populations.

Amid ongoing conflict, UNICEF delivers life-saving cholera vaccines to Sudan, providing hope for affected communities.

Rwandan foreign minister accuses Congo of backing out of signed M23 rebel conflict deal in eastern DRC.

Botswana’s Okavango Delta is one of the largest inland deltas in the world and offers an extraordinary experience

Health officials are distributing limited vaccine doses to prioritize healthcare workers.

Ethiopian army forces have significantly increased their presence in Amhara state, a region grappling with a year-long insurgency, according to a security source. The Fano, a powerful local militia linked to the Amhara ethnic group, has been engaged in armed conflict with the federal government since April 2023. The government’s attempts to disarm regional forces sparked the insurgency. Amnesty International has reported mass arbitrary detentions in the region, including arrests of academics. The government’s restrictions on access to Amhara state have hindered independent verification of these reports. Recent clashes between federal forces and the Fano in Debark, a town in Amhara, resulted in civilian casualties. The Fano, known for its autonomy and sporadic attacks on government forces, has managed to seize control of several towns and cities. The conflict in Amhara state is a continuation of the broader tensions that arose during the civil war in neighboring Tigray. Many Amharans, who fought alongside government forces in the Tigray conflict, felt betrayed by the peace agreement that did not address their territorial claims.

A Sudanese court in military-controlled Port Sudan has sentenced a man to death for his alleged support of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), marking yet another escalation in the crackdown against those perceived as aligned with the RSF. State-run media reported the verdict on Friday, highlighting the increasingly harsh measures taken by the military-backed authorities. The convicted man, identified as M.J.M., faced accusations of “collaborating with the RSF, undermining the constitutional system, and inciting war against the state,” according to the Sudan News Agency (SUNA). A second individual, E.H.N., received a 10-year prison sentence on similar charges. This ruling fits a troubling pattern of aggressive actions against those deemed RSF sympathizers, as the conflict between General al-Burhan’s Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF escalates. Courts are handing down swift and severe punishments, including death sentences and long prison terms, with little room for appeal. In a similar case in September, a court in Dongola sentenced 17 RSF fighters and one civilian to death for their alleged involvement in an attack on Merowe airport during the early days of the conflict. The wave of prosecutions has raised concerns about the integrity of the legal process, as many view these trials as politically motivated and potentially unfair, taking place amid a wider backdrop of humanitarian suffering and human rights abuses triggered by the ongoing conflict. Critics argue that these rulings reflect an authoritarian effort to eliminate RSF support and silence dissenting voices.

Emmaculate Anyango Achol, who set 2nd-fastest 10-kilometer time in history earlier this year, faces provisional ban after testing positive for testosterone and EPO, says Athletics Integrity Unit

As Tunisia approaches its presidential election on October 6th, the youth express mixed feelings about politics and voting. Some young people, frustrated by a lack of opportunities, dream of leaving the country. Seddik Malki, a fruit vendor, states, “I want to tell the youth: leave through the sea; there is nothing that keeps us here… I have no future here.” Conversely, others remain hopeful that the election will spark change. Lotfi Hamdi, a 32-year-old street vendor, says, “I hope the next president will address the high cost of living and focus on the youth.” Current president Kais Saied is running for re-election. With major opponents imprisoned or barred from competing, he faces criticism for consolidating power and eliminating political rivals. Only two candidates have been approved to run against Saied, who has suspended parliament since taking office in 2019.Tunis

 Leader of an opposition group in Eswatini has been discharged from the hospital after what the group claims was an attempted assassination through poisoning. Mlungisi Makhanya, president of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) made his first public appearance since the alleged poisoning during a Friday press briefing which also featured PUDEMO’s deputy president, Wandile Dludlu. “Warm and revolutionary greetings to the Swazi nation and the progressive forces. We take this opportunity to officially update the nation and the world that our president Mlungisi Makhanya has been officially discharged from the hospital. We thank God, the medical team, and all those involved in his care,” Dludlu said. “The president will now be carefully monitored by medical professionals in a secured place.” Makhanya was reportedly poisoned by someone close to him, a political ally, according to PUDEMO. The organization believes the poisoning is part of a broader conspiracy by the Eswatini regime to silence “pro-democracy advocates.” South African Communist Party General Secretary Solly Mapaila called for the immediate arrest of the suspect. “Our sincere solidarity with the people of Swaziland under the autocracy of King Mswati III. Swaziland sends mercenaries here to abduct and kill pro-democracy activists, as they did with Thulani Maseko,” said Mapaila. The African National Congress, South Africa’s governing party, also condemned the attack. Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said in a statement Thursday: “The African National Congress strongly condemns the attempted assassination of PUDEMO’s president, Cde Mlungisi Makhanya. This cowardly act is an attack on peace, democracy, and the values for which PUDEMO has long fought.” The ANC further called on international bodies like the Southern African Development Community to intervene, saying, “The recent attempt on Makhanya’s life is a blatant infringement on the right to political expression and jeopardizes the rightful quest for democracy in Eswatini.” However, Eswatini’s government spokesperson, Alpheous Nxumalo, refuted the claims, suggesting the poisoning may have originated from within PUDEMO itself. “PUDEMO members know what happened to Makhanya. The government doesn’t poison suspects,” Nxumalo said, dismissing the accusations as “tabloid journalism.” The incident has deepened tensions in the region, where pro-democracy movements have been clashing with the monarchy-led government of King Mswati III, especially following the recent killing of prominent activist Thulani Maseko.

The British government’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the long-disputed Chagos Islands to Mauritius addresses a “historic wrong,” according to Mauritian Foreign Minister Maneesh Gobin. Speaking on Sky News, he hailed the agreement as a significant step for both nations involved. Under the deal, the U.K. will retain sovereignty over Diego Garcia, which hosts a key U.S.-U.K. military base, for an initial 99 years, alongside an undisclosed rental payment to Mauritius. A fund will also be established to assist displaced Chagossians in returning to the islands, excluding Diego Garcia. Jonathan Powell, the U.K. Special Envoy for the Chagossian Islands, confirmed that Mauritius will control this fund. The Chagos Islands have been administered as part of the British Indian Ocean Territory since 1965, when they were separated from Mauritius, which became independent three years later. The U.S. developed the naval base at Diego Garcia in the 1970s, viewing it as essential for security operations across the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa. Approximately 1,500 islanders were displaced to facilitate the base’s construction, an act that Human Rights Watch described as “crimes against humanity.” In response to the agreement, the White House noted that President Joe Biden praised the “historic” decision regarding the Chagos Islands.

Turkiye on Friday extended condolences to victims of this week’s boat accident in Nigeria. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of many lives following the sinking of a boat carrying nearly 300 passengers in Nigeria,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The ministry extended its condolences to the “brotherly and friendly” people of Nigeria. At least 42 people were killed after a boat carrying nearly 300 people returning from a religious festival in Nigeria’s northern Niger state capsized on Tuesday. Many bodies were recovered on Friday and rescue operations are still continuing.

Global mpox testing capacity gets a significant boost with the WHO approval of the Alinity m MPXV assay.

The ongoing conflict and severe drought in Tigray, Ethiopia, have led to a significant drop in school enrollment, with 60% of students forced to quit their education.