East Africa

Zanu PF moves to extend Mnangagwa’s rule to 2030, sparking fierce opposition and constitutional questions In a decision that could reshape Zimbabwe’s immediate political trajectory, the ruling Zanu PF party has instructed the government to begin legal and constitutional changes to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure by two years, to 2030. The resolution, adopted at Zanu PF’s 22nd Annual People’s Conference in Mutare, has drawn sharp condemnation from opposition figures who say the move threatens the country’s…

Puntland State’s new anti-terror law tests a familiar bargain: more security, fewer liberties The ink is barely dry in Garowe. With a stroke of the pen on October 8, Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni signed into law a sweeping anti-terrorism bill that grants security agencies powers long sought, and just as fiercely debated. The legislation, approved by the regional parliament in late July, is now published in the official gazette and enforceable across Puntland State’s cities, coasts and mountain ranges. This…

A Nation Mourns: Raila Odinga's Legacy and the Turbulence of Farewell Nairobi, Kenya — In a somber atmosphere turned chaotic, Kenya bid farewell to one of its most enduring figures, Raila Odinga, amid clashes that left four dead and many injured. The tumultuous events at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday encapsulated the deep emotional and political currents that Odinga, who passed away in India at age 80, represented throughout his life. A Life of Struggle and Influence Raila Odinga's story is woven into the fabric of Kenya’s…

Somalia’s ID Deadline Tests the Promise of Digital Inclusion In a quiet Saturday statement that ignited a very noisy week on the streets of Mogadishu, Somalia’s National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) said it will stop issuing national ID cards for free after October 31, 2025. The line that got people moving was simple: “The National ID Card Registration Fee Exemption Period ends on October 31. Please take advantage of the opportunity and apply at your nearest NIRA Center!” Within hours, long queues…

Somali forces arrest suspect said to be planting landmines in border town Beled Hawo, Somalia — Security forces in Somalia’s Gedo region say they have detained a man accused of attempting to lay two landmines along a busy route in the border district of Beled Hawo, averting what officials believe could have been a deadly attack on civilians and military convoys. The late-night arrest on Tuesday, confirmed by the Somali National Army’s media unit, came during a targeted operation as patrols swept through the district’s main…

Towards Peace: A Fragile Ceasefire Agreement in the Congo In a development that offers a glimmer of hope amidst ongoing turbulence, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have reached an agreement to establish a joint ceasefire monitoring body. The announcement, made through social media statements from both entities, marks a crucial step forward, emerging from protracted negotiations in the opulent surroundings of Doha, Qatar. This agreement, however, arrives…

Zimbabwe police warn protesters will face “the full wrath of the law” after ex-Zanu PF veteran calls for nationwide demonstrations Harare — Zimbabwean authorities warned on Monday that any illegal gatherings would be met with force after a prominent war veteran and former Zanu PF committee member urged citizens to take to the streets to denounce President Emmerson Mnangagwa and alleged corruption among his inner circle. The government, meanwhile, announced a one-off $150 “Special Presidential Bonus” aimed at soothing…

Madagascar's New Dawn: Youth Uprising and Military Coup Shape the Nation's Future In the early hours of a fresh Malagasy day, Colonel Michael Randrianirina stood before the country's High Constitutional Court, marking the end of a swift and decisive power shift. After a whirlwind coup that sent its ousted president into hiding, Randrianirina was sworn in as Madagascar's new leader, leaving the island nation and its 30 million inhabitants at a crossroads. A Nation in Turmoil Madagascar, renowned for its unique biodiversity…

Somalia’s government swats down ‘New Jubaland’ talk — but the rumor reveals deeper strains Somalia’s federal government has moved to tamp down rising chatter about a breakaway “New Jubaland” in the country’s southwest, a rumor that ricocheted through community meetings and WhatsApp groups long before officials stepped in. The denial is clear. The politics behind it are anything but. What the deputy minister said In an interview with the Somali outlet Arlaadi Media, Deputy Interior Minister Sadad Aliyow dismissed claims…

Zimbabwe’s ruling party fractures: treason charge exposes a widening succession battle President Emmerson Mnangagwa has accused his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, of incitement and treason after Chiwenga reportedly circulated a dossier to the Zanu PF politburo alleging party capture and corruption. The confrontation — played out through a newly appointed legal affairs secretary and a thick, contested memo — marks a striking public rupture inside the movement that has governed Zimbabwe for more than four decades. What…