Eye on Africa

South Africa announced Monday that it will temporarily withdraw from G-20 engagements while the United States holds the presidency, a move that South African officials called a pause rather than a permanent exit and that analysts say could dent Africa’s voice in the world’s most powerful economic forum. The withdrawal follows a sharp deterioration in ties after U.S. President Donald Trump declined to attend the 2025 G-20 summit in South Africa and publicly accused Pretoria of pursuing policies hostile to American interests.…

President Joseph Boakai Delivers Crucial Annual Address Amidst Economic Struggles Liberians, both at home and abroad, were on high alert as President Joseph Boakai delivered his impactful third Annual Message to the National Legislature on Monday, adhering to the stipulations of the Liberian Constitution. This year's address is particularly significant, marking what analysts describe as the "last full window" for substantive reform before the political atmosphere shifts, consumed by succession politics and the impending…

Nigerian Military Officers to Stand Trial for Alleged Coup Plot A group of Nigerian military officers is set to face a military court following accusations of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu's government in 2025. Sixteen officers were arrested in October 2025, sparking what has been described as "acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations." Authorities later confirmed that several of these officers would indeed be tried, despite initial denials of a coup attempt. Among those arrested, fourteen…

Prophetic Healing and Deliverance leader Walter Magaya appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to face four counts of rape, and the matter was remanded to Feb. 16, 2026, for a trial scheduled to run through Feb. 19, 2026. The State alleges that in June 2020 Magaya offered a 24-year-old woman a voluntary position at the PHD call centre and later invited her to what she believed was a Bible study session. According to the prosecution, the woman was lured to a church-owned hotel and raped in July 2020. The…

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s lower house of parliament on Saturday approved a sweeping Cybersecurity Law designed to protect the country’s digital infrastructure, safeguard information systems and strengthen defenses against cyber threats amid rapid growth in online services. The legislation creates a national framework for preventing, reporting and responding to cyber incidents. It assigns policy leadership to the Ministry of Communications and Technology, gives the National Communications Authority a technical oversight role, and…

Somalia says WFP food aid fully returned after Mogadishu port warehouse dispute; U.S. pauses some assistance MOGADISHU — Somalia’s federal government said it has returned in full all World Food Programme supplies removed from a warehouse at the Port of Mogadishu, taking responsibility for the incident and pledging tighter coordination with aid partners after the United States announced a pause on certain assistance. In a statement issued late Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government “takes full…

Understanding the Sexual Violence Crisis in Sudan The conflict in Sudan has erupted into widespread abuse, particularly against women, characterized by systematic sexual violence and impunity. Women are disproportionately affected, facing horrendous crimes amidst the ongoing war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict began in April 2023, claiming tens of thousands of lives and displacing millions. Sulaima Ishaq al-Khalifa reports systematic sexual violence used as a weapon of war.…

Sudan's Ongoing Conflict: Army Chief Rejects Political Settlements with RSF As Sudan’s conflict stretches into a third year, Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has vowed that peace will not come until the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are defeated. Burhan rejects any political resolution involving the RSF, emphasizing the need for complete disarmament. The conflict between Sudan's army and RSF has resulted in widespread devastation. Burhan insists that public sentiment aligns with the army's stance…

Uganda to withdraw troops from Somalia after 19 years, reshaping AU mission and security calculus Monday January 26, 2026 MOGADISHU — Uganda has announced plans to pull its troops out of Somalia after nearly two decades of continuous peacekeeping, a move that could alter the balance of security in a country still battling Al-Shabab and test the resilience of the African Union mission. In a brief statement posted on X on Sunday, Uganda’s Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said the country’s…

Southern African Development Community emergency response teams have arrived in Mozambique after heavy rains caused deadly floods that have submerged entire villages and left large areas inaccessible, officials said. The teams were deployed following the Mozambican government's Red Alert declaration on Jan. 16, and are concentrating on the worst-hit districts of Gaza Province, where floodwaters have reached levels that local authorities say are unprecedented. Roads, public facilities and other critical infrastructure have…