Eye on Africa

Liberal Party roiled by leaked plan to ban migration from parts of 13 countries Australia’s Liberal Party is scrambling to contain internal fallout after a hardline migration proposal, developed in former leader Sussan Ley’s office after the Bondi terror attack and never taken to shadow cabinet, was leaked to media. New opposition leader Angus Taylor moved quickly to distance himself from the plan on Monday night, as senior figures said they were blindsided by its contents and the way it was crafted. Guardian Australia…

Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai Detained by EFCC Amid Fraud Allegations The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of fraud during his time in office from 2015 to 2023. El-Rufai honored an invitation from the EFCC on Monday, which led to his questioning and subsequent detention. This development follows El-Rufai's recent return to Nigeria from Cairo, where reports indicate that security operatives…

Somalia opens high-level talks with opposition Future Council on elections and constitution MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government and the Somali Future Council formally opened high-level talks in Mogadishu on Wednesday, launching a long-anticipated push to resolve deep disputes over elections and constitutional reform amid weeks of rising political tension. The meeting marked the first structured engagement in recent weeks between Villa Somalia and the opposition alliance, following a conciliatory luncheon hosted…

IMF Conditions Leave President Chapo Facing Political Costs and Economic Uncertainty President Daniel Chapo's bid to secure a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan — a linchpin he hoped would catalyze foreign investment and stabilise the country's ailing economy — has stalled after the IMF board set strict preconditions. The fund has demanded major fiscal reforms and a devaluation of the local currency as prerequisites for any agreement, a package that analysts say will be politically fraught for Chapo's ruling Frelimo…

Ghana to Evacuate Traders After Deadly Attack in Burkina Faso The Ghanaian government has announced urgent plans to evacuate traders injured in a recent attack in northern Burkina Faso. The victims were part of a group of 18 Ghanaians who had crossed into the Sahelian state for routine business, marking a grim escalation in violence affecting the region. "They were ambushed in a village while transacting business. Armed insurgents and terrorist groups attacked them, and unfortunately, we lost a number of our compatriots,"…

Turkey and Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation during President Tayyip Erdogan’s one-day visit to Addis Ababa on Tuesday, setting the stage for joint projects and manufacturing across renewable power and efficiency, Turkey’s Energy Ministry said. The accord was inked at a ceremony following talks between Erdogan and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. It marks Erdogan’s first visit to Ethiopia in 11 years and signals a fresh push to deepen Ankara’s engagement with the Horn of Africa. Turkish…

Members of parliament are pressing for a formal review of the benefits granted to former presidents after media reports said founding president Sam Nujoma had amassed assets worth more than N$100 million, including a state-funded mansion. The controversy has reopened questions about the scope and oversight of the 2004 Former Presidents' Pension and Other Benefits Act and about the line between public support and private enrichment. The 2004 law guarantees former heads of state a pension and a suite of state-funded…

Somalia cleared to issue East African Community passports, boosting regional mobility Wednesday February 18, 2026 MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has received formal approval to issue East African Community (EAC) passports, a key step in the country’s regional integration and a move officials say will ease cross-border travel for Somali citizens across the bloc. The authorization was conveyed in an official letter presented by Somalia’s ambassador to Tanzania and permanent representative to the EAC, Ilyas Ali Hassan. He handed…

Tributes Pour in for Jesse Jackson, Renowned Civil Rights Leader and Anti-Apartheid Advocate Civil rights leader and anti-apartheid struggle flagbearer Jesse Jackson has died at the age of 84. Leaders across the continent expressed their condolences and paid tribute to his decades-long fight for equality and justice. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa offered his condolences to the Jackson family, highlighting that Jackson's campaign against apartheid and support for the liberation movement significantly contributed…

Erdogan says Israel’s North Western State of Somalia recognition would not benefit region as Türkiye, Ethiopia expand ties ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday warned that Israel’s move to recognize North Western State of Somalia would not benefit North Western State of Somalia or the wider Horn of Africa, urging regional governments to resolve disputes without opening the door to foreign power rivalries. “I would like to reiterate that Israel’s recognition of North Western State of…