DRC: Acting Head of UN Mission Touches down in Goma
The acting head of the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo [Vivian van de Perr,] arrived in Goma on Thursday, which is currently under the control of the M23 armed group. The mission described the arrival as ‘an important milestone after a prolonged interruption of air access’. … M23 fighters seized control of the city last January as part of a lightning offensive in the east of the country that claimed thousands of lives. … “In the coming days, MONUSCO will deploy an initial aerial reconnaissance mission in Uvira. My visit aims to engage with the relevant interlocutors and move forward with concrete preparations: verification procedures, coordination, communication, and practical conditions to ensure the mechanism functions in a credible manner.” The mission is set to be deployed on the border with Burundi in the coming weeks. Africanews
Are Drones, AI Making It Harder to Fight Armed Groups in the Sahel?
[Armed groups in the Sahel] are increasingly repurposing easy-to-buy, easy-to-smuggle Chinese-made commercial drones for strikes by attaching improvised explosive devices (IEDs), grenades, or small mortar shells to them. It is a “low-cost, high-impact” capability that provides the groups with real-time intelligence, minimises their need to risk fighters as suicide bombers, and makes it harder for militaries to detect and counter them, Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Morocco-based Policy Center for the New South (PCNS), said. The most prolific drone user is Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which is primarily based in Mali and Burkina Faso. The group has cells in Niger, Togo, and on the Benin-Nigeria border. … “The drones used are very small, and they don’t carry an important amount of explosives, so the damages a lot of times are not as significant. But what is important is how they use drones to collect information and gather intelligence,” he said. … The new shift is being accelerated by offline artificial intelligence (AI) tools that can help drones avoid traditional detection and jamming methods, Lyammouri said. They are also using these tools to generate training material, AI-generated images and press releases, he added. … The likely next stage for drone use by armed groups could be AI-enabled “drone swarms” that could launch large-scale remote attacks on government positions featuring several drones at a time, analysts note. Al Jazeera
African Union Maintains Sudan Suspension, Backs Idris Peace Plan
The African Union Peace and Security Council on Thursday maintained its suspension of Sudan’s membership while endorsing a comprehensive national peace initiative and demanding an immediate end to foreign military support for the warring parties. … The ministerial-level meeting, chaired by Egypt, reinforced the continental bloc’s refusal to recognize the “parallel government” established by the Sudan Founding Alliance (Tasis) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). … A central highlight of the session was the council’s formal welcome of the Sudanese National Initiative for Peace, presented by Prime Minister Kamil Idris on Dec. 22, 2025. The council described the plan, which covers a comprehensive ceasefire, civilian protection, security sector reform and national reconciliation, as the essential foundation for rebuilding the country’s social fabric. … In a move to increase pressure on external actors, the council directed its sanctions sub-committee to collaborate with the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) and AFRIPOL. This joint effort aims to identify foreign entities that provide military or financial support to combatants and, within three months, propose measures to contain them. … To bolster its on-the-ground engagement, the AU announced plans to reopen its liaison office in Sudan and to conduct a field mission to engage directly with local stakeholders. Sudan Tribune
EU Parliament Calls for Independent Probe into Crimes against Humanity in Uganda
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have called for an independent and impartial investigation into crimes against humanity allegedly committed by political and military leaders in Uganda. During the debate whose resolution was adopted by 514 votes in favour, three against with 56 abstentions, the MEPs condemned the widespread intimidation and detention of the opposition members in the East African nation and called for an end to violence and for comprehensive political reform. “Parliament strongly condemns the conduct of the Ugandan elections on 15 January 2026, which were marred by abuses, widespread intimidation, fraud, violence and a nationwide internet blackout. MEPs are deeply concerned about the suspension of civil society groups as well as the significant threats and intimidation directed at the opposition, including National Unity Platform (NUP) leader and presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) and long-standing opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye,” reads part of the statement issued by Elodie Laborie, a Press Officer for the European Parliament, specializing in foreign affairs and human rights. Monitor
Kenya’s Border with Somalia Set to Re-open after Almost 15 Years
Kenya’s border with Somalia will re-open in April almost 15 years after it shut because of attacks by Islamist militant group al-Shabab, President William Ruto has announced. Based in Somalia, the group has masterminded a series of deadly assaults in Kenya including one on a shopping centre in the capital, Nairobi, killing 67 people in 2013 and one at a university in Garissa two years later killing 148. The plan has been announced before, in 2023, but further attacks postponed the arrangements. Ruto said the intention to re-open two crossings follows years of security assessments, adding that there will be a heavy deployment of security forces to ensure the move does not compromise safety. Kenya has also been concerned about illicit weapons and other contraband goods being smuggled across the border. The border was closed in October 2011, when the East African nation launched a major military incursion into Somalia to push back al-Shabab from its border. BBC
Kenya Becomes Italy’s Gateway as African Hub Opens in Nairobi
Kenya and Italy have taken a major step to deepen bilateral cooperation with the launch of the Med-Or Italian Foundation for Africa’s first overseas office in Nairobi, positioning Kenya as Italy’s strategic gateway to the continent. The opening was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the blue economy and fisheries, alongside commitments to expand collaboration in science, climate action, agriculture, manufacturing and the digital economy. The move signals a shift from long-distance engagement to a structured, long-term partnership, as both countries aim to respond to global economic uncertainty by strengthening Europe–Africa cooperation through investment, research, and value addition. … [Italy’s Minister for Universities and Research, Anne Maria Bernini] noted long-standing scientific ties, pointing to the Luigi Broglio Space Centre in Malindi as a symbol of successful Kenyan–Italian collaboration. She said Kenya’s strategic location and growing digital capacity make it a natural partner in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and sustainable agriculture. … The foundation, which brings together Italy’s largest public and private industrial groups across energy, agriculture, aerospace, cybersecurity, and telecommunications, is already collaborating with Kenya on defensive cybersecurity training. The Standard
Tunisian Court Rejects Provisional Release of Opposition Figure on Health Grounds
The appeal trial of a prominent Tunisian lawyer jailed on anti-terror charges started on Thursday, after the judge rejected the defence’s demand for his provisional release on health grounds. Ahmed Souab’s lawyers and relatives said his health condition had become critical since his jailing in April last year as part of what many said was a crackdown on political dissent. The court rejected his provisional release and postponed the hearing to February 23, his lawyer, Fedi Snene, told AFP. Souab, also a rights advocate and a former judge, was detained after claiming that judges were under political pressure to hand down hefty sentences last year in a mass trial of critics of President Kais Saied. He had been a member of the defence team during the high-profile mass trial, and last October he was sentenced to five years in prison in a speedy trial that lasted less than two minutes. … Souab had accused authorities of putting “a knife to the throat of the judge who was to deliver the verdict” during the mass trial that saw around 40 public figures sentenced to long terms on charges including plotting against the state. Africanews with AFP
South Africa Eyes Its Mineral Wealth For Economic ‘Transformation’: President
South Africa is ramping up investment in its enormous critical mineral potential with mining a “sunrise industry” that holds the promise of transforming the economy, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Thursday. Laying out his government’s priorities for the next year, Ramaphosa said a focus was on firing up the sluggish economy to create jobs for inclusive growth in a country marked by massive economic inequalities. “After many years of declining investment in exploration, we are dedicating funds towards geological mapping and exploration to harness our critical mineral reserves,” Ramaphosa said in his annual state of the nation address. … Projects to exploit rare earth minerals needed for products like smartphones and lithium batteries were attracting massive investment, Ramaphosa said. New mines for gold, copper, rare earths, platinum and coal were opening, he said. AFP
South Africa Will Deploy Troops to Fight Illegal Mining and Gang Violence, President Says
South Africa’s president said Thursday that the country would send its troops into communities to help police fight the scourge of illegal mining and gang violence in its two provinces with the two biggest cities. According to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, “organized crime is now the most immediate threat to our democracy,” endangering both economic stability and public safety, particularly in Gauteng and the Western Cape. … South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, with an average of around 63 killings per day in 2025. Guns are the most commonly used weapon, according to authorities, and illegal firearms are used in many crimes, despite the stringent rules governing gun ownership. Ramaphosa said to combat the negative effects of rising crime rates on people’s lives, the government is prioritizing technology-driven intelligence and coordinated law enforcement against criminal syndicates. An additional 5,500 police officers will be hired. The country’s Minister of Police and the South African National Defence Force are now tasked with developing a technical plan to deploy South Africa’s security forces within the next few days to address gang violence and illegal mining. AP
Zimbabwe: Opposition, Rights Groups Vow Vigilance over Term Extension Bill
Opposition politicians and human rights defenders say they are on high alert over Zanu PF’s latest constitutional amendment push, warning they will resist any attempt to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term without a referendum. Cabinet on Tuesday adopted the principles of the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill, 2026, a sweeping proposal that would reconfigure Zimbabwe’s governance architecture, including replacing direct presidential elections with a parliamentary vote and extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years. The proposed changes have triggered an immediate backlash from constitutional lawyers, civil society organisations and opposition leaders, who argue the amendments risk entrenching executive power and weakening democratic safeguards. … The Constitution Defenders Forum said the 2013 Constitution, adopted after nationwide consultations and endorsed by more than three million Zimbabweans in a referendum, should not be subjected to partisan amendments. “It represented a collective commitment to end authoritarian excess and entrench democratic governance,” the Forum said in a statement. The Independent
Nigeria: INEC Releases 2027 Election Timetable
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, 20 February, 2027. It also fixed the governorship and state Assembly elections for Saturday, 6 March, 2027. INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan announced the timetable and schedule of the elections at a press conference in Abuja on Friday. He said the announcement was in line with provisions of the Constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act. Premium Times
Cyclone Gezani Kills Dozens, Displaces Thousands in Madagascar
The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) confirmed on Thursday that at least 38 people were killed, six remain missing and at least 374 were injured after Cyclone Gezani made landfall late Tuesday. The storm slammed directly into Toamasina, also known as Tamatave – Madagascar’s second-largest city and home to nearly 400,000 people. Its violent gusts and torrential rains ravaged “up to 75 percent” of the city and its surroundings, according to Madagascar’s new leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who took power four months ago following a military takeover. … At least 12,000 people have been displaced. The storm also caused significant damage in the surrounding Atsinanana region, where post-disaster assessments are still under way. … Cyclone Gezani weakened after it reached land, but continued crossing Madagascar from east to west as a tropical storm until Wednesday night. Forecasters say it is expected to regain strength over the Mozambique Channel, potentially returning to “intense tropical cyclone” status, classified as stage four out of five. From Friday evening, it could strike southern Mozambique, a country already grappling with severe flooding since the beginning of the year. RFI
Morocco to Spend More than $300 Million on Flood Recovery
Morocco plans to spend some $330 million on regions hit hardest by weeks of flooding across the country’s north that have battered its key agricultural zones, the government said Thursday. King Mohammed VI instructed the government to launch “a broad support programme for affected families and communities”, according to a government statement. The four deluge-stricken provinces — Larache, Kenitra, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane — were designated disaster zones, with a budget of 3 billion dirhams (about $328 million) earmarked for the response. The funds will go towards repairing damaged road and agricultural infrastructure, relocating displaced households, compensating for lost income and refurbishing flooded homes and businesses. The aid will also target farmers and cover basic needs for affected populations. The “exceptional weather conditions” that have swept Morocco since late January have “flooded more than 110,000 hectares” of land and displaced nearly 188,000 people across these regions, the government said. Africanews