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Eye on Africa
Regional reporting and analysis from across Africa, covering diplomacy, security, politics, business, and major developments shaping the continent.
Nigeria’s President Tinubu Appoints New Chief of Police
Tunji Disu Sworn in as Nigeria's New Inspector-General of Police
Tunji Disu has officially taken office as the new Inspector-General of Police, succeeding his predecessor who stepped down in February under circumstances widely believed to have been influenced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Although an official statement attributed the resignation to "pressing family considerations," political analysts speculate that it was part of a broader reshuffle requested by the president.
The presidency has expressed optimism…
Amended Somali Constitution Puts Mogadishu’s Political Status in Limbo
Mogadishu’s constitutional limbo has defined Somalia’s federal transition for more than a decade. With the adoption of Article 63 in the amended constitution, lawmakers have drawn a new map for the capital and the wider Benadir Region—one that elevates local representation while keeping national authorities firmly in charge of security and other strategic levers. It is a hybrid that resists easy labels, neither a full Federal Member State nor a city simply run from the center.
The decision settles years of debate over…
Somalia’s Cabinet Approves Multiple International Agreements, Ratifies IAEA Accord
Somalia’s Cabinet clears raft of international pacts, adopts performance policy to tighten governance
Moves include IAEA safeguards ratification, U.N. drug and maritime conventions, and visa-free diplomatic travel with Pakistan
MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Council of Ministers on Thursday approved a package of international agreements and domestic policy measures aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties, aligning regulations with global standards and improving the performance of federal institutions.
At its weekly meeting in…
West Africa Confronts Critical Health Crisis Amid Rising Drug Abuse
Synthetic Drug Crisis in West Africa: A Public Health Emergency
A new report warns that the proliferation of synthetic drugs across West Africa presents the most "urgent and complex" public health and security challenges facing the region. Published by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, the report says the burden of consumption—and its devastating consequences—falls disproportionately on young people.
"The crisis has grown so severe that since 2024, two countries have declared states of…
Somalia’s Northeastern State Welcomes Adoption of Revised Somali Constitution
Las Anod — The newly formed Northeastern State of Somalia on Thursday welcomed the Federal Parliament’s approval of a revised national constitution, calling the move a significant step toward strengthening Somalia’s federal system and clarifying the country’s governance framework.
In a statement issued by its Ministry of Justice, Religious Affairs and Constitutional Affairs, the regional administration congratulated both the House of the People and the Upper House for completing a long-delayed review. The ministry described…
UK Halts Study Visas for Cameroon and Sudan Due to Asylum Issues
The UK Home Office has announced a significant policy shift, halting the issuance of study visas to nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan. This decision also extends to skilled work visas for Afghans, with the government citing rampant visa abuse as the driving force behind the change.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasized that this move comes in response to a startling rise in asylum claims from individuals who first entered the UK legally on study visas. Official statistics reveal that asylum…
What a War on Iran Means for Horn of Africa Security
Iran–Israel war redraws the Horn of Africa’s security map
The joint United States–Israeli strikes on Iran last week, which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior security officials, have vaulted the Middle East into a wider war with immediate spillover risks for the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. Iran has hit Israel and several Arab states that host U.S. military facilities — the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan — while Hezbollah’s barrage from Lebanon…
Africans Displaced by Attacks as Israel, Iran and U.S. War Escalates
South Africa’s government on Monday urged citizens stranded in the Middle East to “take immediate advantage” of the resumption of limited commercial flights out of the region, while Kenya Airways announced special repatriation services between Nairobi and Dubai to help passengers displaced by days of attacks.
The moves follow a period of disruptions that left many travelers unable to leave and prompted several African governments to coordinate emergency measures. South African officials appealed to nationals in affected…
Tragic Landslide at Congo Coltan Mine Claims Over 200 Lives
Landslide at Rubaya Coltan Mine Claims Over 200 Lives in Eastern DR Congo
In a tragic turn of events, a landslide triggered by heavy rains at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in the deaths of at least 200 individuals, with reports indicating that around 70 of the victims were children. The catastrophic incident has raised serious concerns about safety regulations in the mining sector and the ongoing conflict in the region.
The Congolese Ministry of Mines confirmed the…
Nigeria Halts Cashless Airport System Following Travel Interruptions
Tinubu Suspends Cashless Payment System at Nigerian Airports
President Bola Tinubu has directed Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo to suspend the cashless payment system recently implemented by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at major airports, including those in Lagos and Abuja.
The decision comes in response to widespread complaints from travelers who reported long queues and delays caused by the new system. Reflecting on the situation, Keyamo stated that the president emphasized the importance of…