The best universities in Africa in 2027 are led by the University of Cape Town, with South African institutions dominating the latest ranking

The Ethiopia conflict has widened as blasts were heard in Addis Ababa, while government forces advance in the north and tensions rise with Eritrea

AFCON 2027 preparations are accelerating in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda as the three East African hosts race to complete stadiums and infrastructure

International partners have called for renewed Sudan peace talks, urging the warring parties to negotiate a permanent ceasefire and political settlement

Burundi has agreed to accept some foreign nationals deported from the US under an expanding third-country deportation policy

The São Tomé election has given the opposition MLSTP 24 seats, one more than the ADI, but no party secured a parliamentary majority.

Tunisia has eased its controversial fake news law, removing prison terms for first offences and reducing the maximum sentence for repeat offences

The DRC Ebola response faces community mistrust in North Kivu as the family of a local official killed in Butembo calls for an investigation

Sudan peace talks should include the main warring parties and lead to a unified military under civilian authority, according to a new TASIS proposal.

Nigeria and Ghana suffer shock defeats in AFCON 2027 qualifiers Nigeria and Ghana suffered major defeats in AFCON 2027 qualifying, while several of Africa’s other leading teams secured victories in a busy round of matches. Ghana surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 at home to The Gambia. Nigeria, meanwhile, suffered a 3-0 defeat away to Guinea-Bissau. Al Jazeera, citing Reuters, reported that Egypt, Morocco and Senegal all secured away victories, while Algeria recovered from two goals down to draw with Burundi. Ghana collapse against The Gambia Ghana appeared to be in control after Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena-Gyan gave the Black Stars a 2-0 lead after 33 minutes in Accra. The Gambia then produced a dramatic comeback. Muhammed Badamosi scored from the penalty spot before Omar Colley equalised. Substitute Ebrima Colley then scored twice to complete a 4-2 victory. The result increased pressure on Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz after his side also lost away to Ivory Coast in their opening Group C qualifier. Nigeria suffer 3-0 defeat in Guinea-Bissau Nigeria also endured a difficult night in AFCON 2027 qualifying. Despite starting seven Premier League players, Nigeria lost 3-0 away to Guinea-Bissau. Franculino Dju opened the scoring in the first half. Captain Mama Balde doubled Guinea-Bissau’s advantage in the 66th minute before Alvaro Djalo scored a third in stoppage time. Nigeria reached the semifinals of the previous Africa Cup of Nations but were comprehensively outplayed in Tuesday’s qualifier, according to the Reuters report. Algeria fight back against Burundi Algeria avoided defeat after falling two goals behind against Burundi within the opening 12 minutes. Mohamed Belloumi and Adil Boulbina scored as Algeria recovered to secure a 2-2 draw in Bujumbura. Cape Verde also suffered a surprise result. Rwanda came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory in Praia, leaving Cape Verde without a point from their opening two Group K matches. Mali, meanwhile, defeated Liberia 1-0 away in the same group. Egypt and Morocco secure away victories Egypt recorded one of the biggest wins of the round with a 5-0 victory over South Sudan in Juba. Mohamed Salah was rested because of concerns over the artificial playing surface. Omar Marmoush scored twice, while Mostafa Zico, Ibrahim Adel and teenager Hamza Abdelkarim also found the net. Morocco secured a 2-0 victory over Lesotho in a match played in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Brahim Diaz opened the scoring shortly before halftime before Azzedine Ounahi added a second late in the match. The result put Morocco top of Group A. Senegal give Vieira first victory Senegal defeated Ethiopia 1-0 to give new coach Patrick Vieira his first victory in charge. Ibrahim Mbaye scored the only goal after 11 minutes following a pass from Nicolas Jackson. Elsewhere, Mozambique beat Sudan 4-1 in Maputo, with Chamito scoring twice. Cameroon drew 1-1 with Congo in Brazzaville, while Comoros defeated Namibia 1-0. Zambia secured a 2-0 victory over Togo despite the match being interrupted for about 20 minutes by a power failure. Benin defeated Mauritania 2-1, while Uganda recorded a 1-0 home victory over Libya. The results came during a round of 17 AFCON 2027 qualifying matches as teams compete for places at the tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

South Africa has announced new measures against gender-based violence after the deaths of at least 11 women in Ekurhuleni raised national concern

Zimbabwe has warned of drought risk during the 2026-2027 agricultural season as President Mnangagwa highlights recent economic and farming growth

Morocco has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as its first female prime minister after her PAM party won the most seats in elections

Former journalist Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I has been crowned king of Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom following a disputed succession process

Sudan, the UAE and Chad traded accusations at the UN over chemical weapons, foreign military support and responsibility for Sudan’s continuing war

Heavy fighting has erupted in Somalia’s city of Baidoa between government forces and fighters loyal to ousted regional president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen. The clashes broke out on Monday in Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West State. Fighter jets and drones were also reported during the violence, according to Al Jazeera. The latest clashes are the third major outbreak of fighting in the city in six weeks. Heavy fighting erupts in Baidoa Thousands of local fighters entered Baidoa on Monday morning before clashes broke out with Somalia’s national army. Senior army commander Mohamed Ali told AFP that government troops confronted the fighters and pushed them out of the city. He also claimed that the fighters were carrying vehicles loaded with explosives and explosive drones. Laftagareen gave a different account. In a statement, he congratulated his fighters for the operation. He said their aim was to maintain security and restore stability in Baidoa. Political tensions behind Baidoa clashes The fighting comes amid wider political tensions between Somalia’s federal government and regional authorities. Several states have opposed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government. In March, the federal government sent troops to remove Laftagareen as head of South West State. Since then, Laftagareen has repeatedly attempted to regain control of areas in the region, including Baidoa. Government forces have sought to maintain control of the city. Civilians struggle to escape fighting The latest violence has had serious consequences for civilians. Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, said three people were killed. One of those killed was a healthcare worker. Local resident Hussein Abdifatah told AFP that heavy clashes continued throughout the day. He said many civilians were unable to leave because fighting was taking place across the city. Meanwhile, medical teams at Baidoa’s Bay Regional Hospital received 69 patients affected by the violence. Five of them were children. Fighting blocks access to hospitals The clashes have also disrupted access to medical care. Roads leading to hospitals were blocked during the fighting. MSF warned that wounded people could therefore struggle to reach treatment. A health facility was also reportedly badly damaged. In addition, an ambulance was looted. MSF said two medical workers linked to its teams were robbed. One of them was injured. Dr Elshafie Mohammed, MSF’s representative in Somalia, said civilians and healthcare workers were again being caught in the violence. Third outbreak of fighting in six weeks Baidoa has experienced several rounds of fighting in recent weeks. Clashes erupted on August 17. Bay Regional Hospital reported four deaths and 94 wounded people following that violence. Fighting broke out again on September 3. During that round, 71 people received treatment for injuries and one death was recorded. Monday’s clashes mark the third major outbreak of violence in Baidoa within six weeks. The renewed fighting has increased concerns about civilian safety and access to healthcare as the struggle for control of the city continues.

Fighting has intensified across northern Ethiopia as government forces and their allies claim control of the strategic town of Alamata. The latest clashes involve forces aligned with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, or TPLF, and its allies. According to Al Jazeera, fighting has spread across several fronts in Tigray, Amhara and Afar during the past week. The renewed violence has also raised concerns about the future of the Pretoria Agreement. The peace deal ended the previous Tigray war in November 2022. Government allies claim control of Alamata The Tigray Peace Force said on Monday that its fighters and Ethiopia’s federal army had captured Alamata. The group consists of Tigrayan fighters aligned with the federal government. Alamata is about 120km south of Tigray’s capital, Mekelle. Reuters verified footage showing soldiers carrying Ethiopian flags in the town. However, Reuters could not independently confirm the exact identity of the armed men in some footage. Two diplomatic sources also told Reuters that Alamata had fallen. A source linked to opposition forces said they were retreating. Alamata is strategically important because of its location near Tigray’s southern border with Amhara. The town also serves as a supply hub for troops, fuel and food. Its capture could open a route for federal forces to advance towards Mekelle. Fighting spreads across northern Ethiopia The latest escalation began last week when Tigrayan forces launched a major offensive. They seized three airports in Tigray and advanced into neighbouring Afar and Amhara, according to Al Jazeera. The TPLF describes its campaign as a “defensive war”. It has accused federal forces of using drones and heavy artillery. Federal forces and their allies have since launched counterattacks. On Sunday, a drone struck the headquarters of Tigrai TV in Mekelle. The broadcaster is regarded as a major media outlet for the Tigrayan authorities. A military source told Al Jazeera that government forces were advancing towards or surrounding Mekelle. TPLF advances in Afar Fighting has also intensified in the Afar region. TPLF forces captured the strategically important town of Erebti over the weekend, an Ethiopian commander told the Associated Press. The Tigray Peace Force also acknowledged that Erebti had fallen. However, it disputed reports that heavy fighting preceded the takeover. The situation in Afar is particularly important because of the region’s transport links. Most Ethiopian imports, including fuel, enter the country through neighbouring Djibouti. Further fighting in the area could therefore threaten important supply routes. Eritrea accused of involvement The conflict has also produced allegations of involvement by neighbouring countries. The governor of Afar told Al Jazeera that Eritrean forces were participating in the fighting. He also alleged that Eritrean forces controlled more than two-thirds of the region and were moving towards a key road. Eritrea had not responded to those allegations at the time of Al Jazeera’s report. Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s army chief, Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, has accused Eritrea of supporting opposition forces. He has also alleged that Sudan and Egypt are providing support. Sudan and Eritrea have denied the allegations. Egypt also rejected suggestions of interference. Its Foreign Ministry said the country respects the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of other states. Hundreds reported killed and wounded Fighting has also spread into parts of Amhara, including North Wollo. The Ethiopian military said about 270 Tigrayan fighters had been killed there. It also said more than 200 had been wounded. These figures could not be independently verified. Meanwhile, hospitals are reporting a sharp increase in casualties. Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, said the number of patients at hospitals in Korem and Alamata rose from about 180 to more than 420 within 48 hours. MSF also said 300 wounded people arrived at Suhul Hospital last week. Internet and telephone services have also been disrupted in Tigray. Thousands displaced by Ethiopia fighting The latest clashes have forced large numbers of people from their homes. Valerie Browning, cofounder of the Afar Pastoralist Development Association, told the Associated Press that about 150,000 people had been displaced since the latest fighting began. The humanitarian impact has raised fears of another major crisis in northern Ethiopia. The previous war between federal forces and the TPLF began in November 2020. It ended with the Pretoria Agreement in November 2022 after two years of fighting. Former Nigerian President and African Union mediator Olusegun Obasanjo estimated that about 600,000 people died during that conflict. Other assessments have produced different figures. New armed alliance challenges Abiy government Days before the latest offensive, the TPLF joined six other armed groups to establish the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival. The alliance says it wants to remove Abiy’s government and establish a transitional administration. It includes the Oromo Liberation Army and the Amhara Fano National Movement. Some of the groups in the alliance have previously fought against one another. The latest escalation now threatens to deepen instability across northern Ethiopia while increasing concerns that neighbouring countries could become further involved.

Morocco has detained Tangier mayor Mounir Limouri as authorities investigate allegations of electoral fraud following parliamentary elections

Embalo says he will return to Guinea-Bissau and contest the December presidential election, months after being removed in a military coup

Sudan regional tensions grow amid renewed fighting in Ethiopia, disputed allegations of foreign military support and cross-border concerns involving Chad

Sudanese civilians have urged international action for a Sudan ceasefire, greater civilian protection, humanitarian access and an inclusive peace process

A DR Congo boat capsizing on Lake Kivu has killed at least 12 people, with dozens still missing and around 15 passengers rescued

South Africa women killings are under investigation after police discovered the body of an 11th woman near Johannesburg since mid-July

South Africa refugee fears are rising ahead of a September 30 deadline set by an anti-immigration group calling for undocumented migrants to leave