Eye on Africa

SOUTH AFRICA — South Africa faces what health researchers call a “vaping crisis” among adolescents while a long-promised overhaul of the country’s tobacco laws sits largely dormant. The draft Tobacco Bill published in 2018 — designed to extend smoke-free public spaces, introduce plain packaging and ban point-of-sale displays for both cigarettes and electronic cigarettes — has yet to clear the long road from proposal to law, leaving regulators and public-health advocates alarmed as youth nicotine use climbs. A 2024 study of…

BRUSSELS — Somalia’s foreign minister urged deeper multilateral coordination to safeguard maritime routes, bolster digital resilience and keep the Indo-Pacific open and stable, speaking Friday at the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels, where ministers from more than 60 countries convened to address global security and economic challenges. Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, underscored his country’s support for peaceful dispute resolution and stronger…

Security Concerns Mount Following Distressing School Abduction in Niger State Authorities in northern Niger State are grappling with the fallout from a "distressing" abduction of students and staff from a local school. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the community, underscores the increasing volatility in the region. A senior government official confirmed that the abduction took place after a violent attack in the area. This distressing event unfolded in the context of previously reported intelligence…

Thousands of South Africans joined an online and street-level protest this week calling on the government to declare gender-based violence (GBV) a national disaster, a demand activists say is necessary to match the scale of attacks on women across the country. The movement, which began on social media and crystallised in a coordinated "G20 Women's Shutdown," asked women to withdraw from work and the economy for a day, wear black, and lie down for 15 minutes at noon to honour those killed. Organisers urged supporters to turn…

EACJ lifts injunction, reinstates Somalia’s nine EALA delegates after months-long dispute NAIROBI, Kenya — The East African Court of Justice has reinstated nine Somali delegates to the East African Legislative Assembly, ending months of suspension tied to allegations that their selection in Mogadishu was flawed and politically influenced. The Arusha-based court on Friday lifted an injunction imposed earlier this year after a group of Somali academics and politicians challenged the delegates’ election. The petitioners alleged…

Nnamdi Kanu Convicted of Terrorism and Treason in Nigeria Separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu has been convicted of terrorism, treason, and other charges in Nigeria after a decade-long trial. He has been sentenced to four life sentences, along with additional terms to be served concurrently. The prosecution had sought the death penalty; however, Judge James Omotosho stated that executions are now "frowned upon." Omotosho’s ruling emphasized that Kanu used a series of broadcasts to incite violence and killings in support of his…

South Africa Stands Firm Amid U.S. G-20 Boycott South Africa reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism as the U.S. opts out of the G-20 summit in Johannesburg. Despite Washington's demands to drop the traditional declaration, President Cyril Ramaphosa insists on proceeding with the summit's agenda. South Africa dismisses U.S. requests for a toned-down statement. President Ramaphosa emphasizes the importance of global equality and multilateralism. U.S. diplomats warn against adopting a summit declaration without…

Sudan’s Complex Civil War Dynamics As Sudan's civil conflict stretches into its third year, it has evolved into a multifaceted proxy war. This battle is driven not just by local factions but by international interests vying for the nation’s rich resources. The conflict involves the regular Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Key external players include Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Türkiye, and the UAE. Resources such as gold, farmland, and strategic coastlines are central to…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Police in the Somali capital arrested a woman Thursday on suspicion of fatally stabbing her husband in the city’s Dayniile district, according to the Banadir Regional Police Command. The suspect, identified as Fadumo Mohamed Osman, was taken into custody shortly after the killing of her husband, Hassan Mohamed Nur. Authorities said Nur died of severe injuries sustained in a knife attack allegedly carried out by his wife. The police command said investigators are working to determine the motive and…

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has promoted Lieutenant Gen. Emmanuel Matatu and named him head of the Zimbabwean Defence Force (ZDF), and elevated Major Gen. Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi to lieutenant general as commander of the Zimbabwean Armed Forces, the presidency said in a statement. The statement said the appointments and promotions were made “in keeping with the country’s Constitution.” It gave no further detail on the timing of the handovers, the officials’ previous postings or any accompanying changes to the defence…