Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine goes into hiding following a police raid on his home. He claims to be protected by the public while his family is under house arrest. Wine was a significant challenger to President Yoweri Museveni in the recent election, receiving about 25% of the votes, which he condemned as fraudulent. In a threatening statement, Museveni’s son, army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, accused Wine’s party of terrorism and implied intentions to harm him. Wine refuted these claims, asserting his right to oppose the regime. The election faced criticism due to violence and an internet blackout, with observers noting that fear tactics were employed against opposition members.
Ivory Coast’s cocoa sector is facing significant challenges due to falling global prices, leading to unsold stocks and economic strain for farmers, cooperatives, and exporters. The nation, being the top cocoa producer globally, heavily relies on this crop, and the recent decline in demand has caused distress among producers, leaving many unable to meet basic needs. Government-set farm-gate prices are only updated biannually, making farmers vulnerable to rapid market fluctuations. Current cocoa prices have dropped to around five dollars per kilogram, forcing growers to sell below official rates. Rising living costs further exacerbate the issue, severely impacting farmers’ livelihoods in remote regions. However, authorities assert that all cocoa will eventually be purchased and anticipate a revival in exports once market conditions improve.
Army authorities in the DRC announced that it retook the strategic city of Uvira on Monday, following the withdrawal of the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group. The city was captured in early December by M23, an anti-government faction, after launching an offensive in South Kivu province. Although the group claimed to withdraw in response to a U.S. request, personnel remained in Uvira. Local militia forces and Congolese special forces entered the city over the weekend, and full control was confirmed by army spokesman Mak Hazukay. While residents celebrated, incidents of looting were reported. The M23 had indicated plans to transfer responsibility for the city to the international community before their troop withdrawal commenced.
Morocco and Senegal are set to hold the 5th session of the High Joint Partnership Commission on January 26-27 in Rabat, as confirmed by Moroccan officials following discussions between Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and his Senegalese counterpart, Ousmane Sonko. The session will include a Morocco-Senegal Economic Forum, underscoring the commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation in various strategic sectors. Both leaders recognized the strong ties between their countries, rooted in human, religious, and economic dimensions and strengthened under King Mohammed VI and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This announcement comes post Senegal’s participation in the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where President Faye commended the hospitality received and emphasized the spirit of fraternity between the nations.
Tunisia witnessed severe flooding this week, caused by the heaviest rainfall in over 70 years, resulting in the death of at least four people in Moknine, Monastir governorate. The floods disrupted daily life across multiple regions, submerging cars and isolating neighborhoods. Rescue operations include military involvement, and schools in several towns, including the capital, have been closed along with suspended court sessions and affected public transport.
Abderazak Rahal, head of forecasting at the National Institute of Meteorology, said, “We have recorded exceptional amounts of rainfall for the month of January,” with the regions of Monastir, Nabeul, and greater Tunis the most affected.
Guinea-Bissau’s military government has announced that new elections shall be held on December 6, following the coup that ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo last year. Major-General Horta Inta-a declared that conditions for free and fair elections are in place. Since taking power, Inta-a, barred from running due to a transitional charter, has been overseeing a one-year transition. The military justified the coup by claiming it aimed to prevent conflict between rival political factions. This election announcement follows a visit from an ECOWAS mission led by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio.
Mali’s military junta has established a new ministerial position to oversee its mining sector, tightening government control over its vital gold industry. Hilaire Bébien Diarra, a former Barrick Mining executive, has been appointed to this role, which involves supervising mining policy implementation and monitoring compliance with the mining code—responsibilities formerly held by the Ministry of Mines. The presidency now leads mining supervision, handling major permits and contract negotiations. This shift comes amid Mali’s efforts to strengthen its mining regulations through a new code, which has raised tensions with operators, including Barrick, and contributed to a decline in industrial gold output.
Togolese authorities extradited former Burkina Faso leader Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba in response to a request from the military government of Burkina Faso. Damiba, who had been living in Togo since his ousting in 2022, is wanted for alleged criminal embezzlement, incitement to crime, and other charges. The Togo Ministry of Justice stated that the Lomé Court of Appeal approved the extradition based on assurances from Burkina Faso that Damiba would not face the death penalty. Damiba was arrested on January 16, and earlier this month, Burkina Faso’s junta accused him of being behind a foiled coup plot. He led Burkina Faso from January to September 2022 before being deposed by the current junta leader, Ibrahim Traore, amidst a series of coups.
Rwanda is set to implement AI technology in over 50 health clinics as part of the Gates Foundation’s initiative to enhance healthcare across 1,000 clinics in Africa. This effort aims to support clinicians by improving efficiency amidst a significant shortage of healthcare workers—currently one per 1,000 patients compared to the recommended 4:1,000 ratio. The initiative, called Horizons1000, features joint funding of $50 million over two years from the Gates Foundation and OpenAI and aims to mitigate health inequality by expanding access to quality care and aiding healthcare professionals in making more precise decisions.
This week, the family of murdered Congolese independence icon Patrice Lumumba expressed hope for justice as a Belgian court considers prosecuting the last surviving suspect in his 1961 murder. For 15 years, Lumumba’s relatives have sought accountability for the complicity of Belgian officials in his death. Yema Lumumba, his granddaughter, emphasized their reliance on the Belgian justice system to unveil historical truths. Sixty-five years after Lumumba’s execution and the involvement of Belgian mercenaries, only 93-year-old Etienne Davignon, a former Belgian diplomat, remains to face charges of unlawful detention and degrading treatment. While Davignon denies any Belgian complicity, family member Roland Lumumba highlighted the public’s desire for transparency rather than revenge.
Researcher at Alafarika for Studies and Consultancy; and writer at Cultural.ng.