The African Union’s health body, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), this week declared a public health emergency due to the escalating mpox outbreak across the continent. Jean Kaseya, head of Africa CDC, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that the virus has spread across borders, affecting thousands and causing significant suffering. Since January 2022, there have been 38,465 mpox cases and 1,456 deaths in Africa. This year alone, over 15,000 cases and 461 deaths have been reported, marking a 160% increase from the previous year. The outbreak began with the endemic clade 1 strain but has now evolved into the more easily transmissible clade 1b variant. Kaseya stressed the need for proactive and aggressive efforts to contain the outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) is also closely monitoring the situation and will deliberate on declaring a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Mpox, transmitted through close contact, typically causes mild symptoms but can be fatal, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame was sworn into office on Sunday for a new five-year term after securing a landslide victory in last month’s election, extending his nearly 25-year rule. The 66-year-old former rebel leader won 99.18% of the vote, with his most vocal critics barred from running by the electoral commission. The swearing-in ceremony at Kigali’s Amahoro National Stadium saw thousands in attendance, with Kagame receiving a military 21-gun salute and cheers from the crowd. The event was attended by 22 African heads of state. Rwanda’s 2015 constitutional changes allowed Kagame to extend his time in office, despite rights groups’ criticisms of the election process.
Zambia on Monday said it will reopen its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, following a closure over the weekend due to protests that disrupted a crucial export route for copper. The border was sealed after Zambian Trade Minister Chipoka Mulenga’s announcement, which followed Congolese transporters’ demonstrations in Kasumbalesa against a Congolese ban on imported soft drinks and beer. In response, Congo began talks with Zambia and agreed to authorize the import of goods that were already in transit before the ban. Congo, which was the world’s second-largest copper producer and third-largest exporter in 2023, relies heavily on Zambia as a key export route for its copper, with most of the exports passing through Kasumbalesa.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss counterterrorism efforts and Somalia’s security situation. The meeting resulted in the signing of a military cooperation protocol between the two countries. In a news briefing, President el-Sissi expressed support for Somalia’s efforts to combat terrorism and stabilize the country. President Mohamud highlighted the importance of the newly signed defense agreement, pronouncing his commitment to its implementation. Earlier in the week, on Monday, hundreds of people gathered at a beach hotel in Somalia—recently attacked by al-Qaida’s East Africa affiliate, leaving 37 dead and dozens wounded—to condemn the violence and call for stronger security measures.
On Wednesday, Chad opened a consulate in Western Sahara, signaling support for Morocco’s claim to the disputed territory. Morocco views Western Sahara as its own, while the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, seeks independence for the region. Chad’s move joins 29 other countries that have established consulates in the Western Sahara cities of Layoune and Dakhla, affirming their support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the area.
Fresh peace talks aimed at ending Sudan’s 16-month war commenced on Wednesday, despite neither of the warring sides being present. The US, leading the negotiations, emphasized its commitment to ending the crisis, while hopes for a ceasefire were dashed as both the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) failed to attend. The army had previously announced its boycott, citing the RSF’s failure to meet conditions of the Jeddah Declaration, including withdrawing fighters from civilian areas. The RSF, initially in Geneva, later withdrew without giving a reason.
Mali’s Tuareg rebel alliance on Wednesday confirmed that the rebels received no external assistance, including from Ukraine, during their significant clash with Mali’s army and Wagner Group in late July. The rebels claimed to have killed at least 84 Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers in the town of Tinzaouaten near the Algerian border. This battle is reported to be Wagner’s most substantial defeat since it began supporting Mali’s military against insurgent groups two years ago. Following remarks by a Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson, which Mali interpreted as implying Ukrainian support for the rebels, Mali severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine. Ukraine has denied any involvement, and Niger also cut ties with Ukraine based on the same comments.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for reforms to the UN Security Council (UNSC), emphasizing the need for Africa to have a permanent seat to address its underrepresentation. During a high-level debate on Monday, Guterres highlighted that the current composition of the UNSC has not evolved with the changing world and that Africa, a continent with over a billion people, deserves a permanent voice in global peace and security matters. The UNSC currently consists of 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power—China, France, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom—and 10 nonpermanent seats allocated regionally, with three reserved for African states. UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis echoed Guterres’ sentiments, stressing that Africa’s underrepresentation contradicts principles of equity and inclusion and urged for urgent reforms to reflect the modern world, rather than the post-World War II era when the UNSC was established.
The United Nations’ on Wednesday expressed concerns that South Sudan is not prepared to hold its first post-independence elections, scheduled for December 22. The vote, intended to fulfill a peace agreement signed five years ago, comes as South Sudan struggles with the aftermath of a civil war that has killed approximately 400,000 people. Despite some progress, such as the registration of 29 political parties, key conditions for free and fair elections remain unmet. Concerns are heightened by a controversial security bill passed by parliament, which critics argue undermines democratic aspirations. Meanwhile, South Sudan faces a worsening humanitarian crisis, with over 9 million people needing assistance, food insecurity rising, and economic challenges exacerbated by a ruptured oil pipeline and severe inflation.
Prosecutors in South Africa withdrew charges against 95 Libyan nationals on Thursday, who were arrested last month at what police claimed was an illegal military training camp in Mpumalanga province. The men, who entered the country on study visas, were accused of receiving military training after firearms and ammunition were discovered during a police raid. However, the National Prosecuting Authority stated there was insufficient evidence to prosecute them, with the only charge being a violation of immigration laws. The men, who insist they were undergoing security training, have been handed over to immigration officials and are expected to be deported back to Libya within 48 hours.
Writer and researcher at Alafarika for Studies and Consultancy.