Nigeria to Take over Anti-jihadist Operations after US Christmas Strikes
The Nigerian air force will take over from the United States after Washington’s Christmas Day strikes against jihadists, relying on American reconnaissance flights to support its own operations, a Nigerian official told AFP on Tuesday. On Christmas night, the United States struck sites in Sokoto State, in northwestern Nigeria , against what they described as targets linked to the Islamic State group . Although Nigeria remains open to further US strikes, the primary role of the United States will now be to provide intelligence, the source indicated, familiar with the new security agreement with Washington. Africa’s most populous country has been battling a jihadist insurgency since 2009, mainly concentrated in the northeast, while armed gangs known as “bandits” have gained a foothold in vast rural areas of the northwest and north-central parts of the country. Africanews with AFP
Thirteen More Lives Lost in Sudan as 1,000th Day of War Looms
Thirteen more lives – including children – were reportedly lost on Tuesday in another drone attack on Sudan’s North Kordofan region. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the latest fatalities come amid escalating violence, especially across the Kordofans, which continues to put civilians at “extreme risk” and drives displacement. Rival militaries have been battling for control of Sudan since April 2023, with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia gaining ground in the west and south, while Sudan’s military controls most of the east including the capital, effectively partitioning the country. More casualties were reported after drone strikes hit areas in the epicentre of Sudan’s hunger crisis, North Darfur, on Saturday, just days before the country reaches the grim milestone of the 1,000th day of deadly fighting. UN News
Sudan’s “Fake-female” Online Army Boosts RSF Messaging, Security Source Says
A network of more than 3,000 fake female social media accounts is being used to conduct a large-scale propaganda campaign in support of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a security source told Sudan Tribune. The source said the network includes both entirely fabricated profiles and “semi-fake” accounts using real names. These accounts played a key role in broadcasting synchronized live footage during the RSF takeover of El Fasher in late October. Management of the network is coordinated through specialized operations rooms involving journalists, influencers, and experts in digital transformation both inside and outside Sudan, according to the source. … While the RSF’s digital activity has been highlighted, reports indicate the Sudanese army employs similar strategies. The army’s Moral Orientation Unit and the General Intelligence Service are reportedly tasked with managing counter-propaganda. … Mazen Mohamed al-Abbas, a computer engineering specialist, said technical monitoring suggests many of these “female” accounts are actually operated by men within organized entities. He noted that female profiles typically see higher engagement and trust in conservative environments, making them effective tools for amplifying content. Sudan Tribune
South Sudan’s Election Plan at Risk as Violence Surges
A surge of violence and critical unmet benchmarks from the fragile 2018 peace agreement are threatening plans to hold South Sudan’s first presidential election in December, analysts and civil society leaders warn, raising the prospect of more instability in the world’s youngest nation. Fighting has intensified in recent weeks between the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO in Jonglei and Unity states. Ter Manyang, executive director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that the fighting stems from deep public and political frustration over the unimplemented 2018 peace accord that ended a five-year civil war. … He and other analysts point to a series of major obstacles: a permanent constitution has not been drafted, a nationwide population census has not been conducted, and electoral institutions require reform. Radio Tamazuj
Central African Republic Opposition Leader Condemns Election ‘Fraud’
Opposition leader Anicet-George Dologuele on Wednesday said official election results in the Central African Republic showing Faustin-Archange Touadera had won a third term as president were down to “massive fraud”. Touadera, 68, who had been widely expected to win, was re-elected with more than 76 percent of the vote in the December 28 ballot, according to provisional results released by the National Election Authority (ANE) on Tuesday. Dologuele, his main opponent, came second with 15 percent. … He accused the ANE of having “failed in its mission” and “deliberately given up its independence by serving a candidate”. Dologuele, who is also a former prime minister, said he was awaiting final results from the constitutional council — expected later this month — and that he did not rule out taking action to lodge an appeal. AFP
CAR Sees Post-poll Clashes Between Army, Militia in Southeast
Clashes in the Central African Republic between a militia, the army and Russian Wagner Group mercenaries since last month’s elections have left one person dead, the authorities said on Wednesday. Deputy prosecutor Alain Tolmo said Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (AAKG) fighters are believed to have carried out “targeted attacks” on local security forces, state officials, soldiers and police since December 28. The first attack took place on polling day in remote Bambouti, some 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) from the capital Bangui, until they were driven out several days later by Wagner fighters and CAR troops, analyst Fulbert Ngodji, from the International Crisis Group think tank, told AFP. Zemio, a town located on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, was attacked shortly afterwards and clashes remain ongoing there. … The AAKG group is from the Zande community, the majority ethnic group in the area which is also present in the DRC and also neighbouring South Sudan. “Feeling they have been abandoned by the state, young Zande formed a self-defence militia in March 2023,” Ngodji said in a November 2025 report. AFP
Uganda Opposition Candidate Says He Will Review Oil Deals if Elected Next Week
Bobi Wine, the main opposition candidate in Uganda’s presidential election next week, said he would review the country’s agreements with international oil firms if he won power and revise any that did not favour Ugandans. Uganda expects to start commercial crude oil production later this year when fields run by France’s TotalEnergies, China’s CNOOC and Uganda National Oil Company come online. TotalEnergies and CNOOC both operate on the basis of production-sharing agreements with the government. “We shall study all agreements,” Wine, a former pop star who is challenging Museveni for the second straight election after winning 35% of the vote in 2021, told Reuters during an interview last week in the capital Kampala. … Uganda’s oil reserves are estimated at 6.65 billion barrels. It discovered the oil 20 years ago but production has been repeatedly delayed by disagreements between international firms and the government and opposition from environmental activists. Reuters
Ivorian Government Resigns after Ruling Party’s Landslide Win
Ivory Coast’s government has formally resigned, paving the way for a new cabinet following last month’s legislative elections. President Alassane Ouattara accepted the resignation on Wednesday, January 7, after the ruling RHDP party secured a landslide victory, winning more than 75 percent of parliamentary seats. The result comes just two months after Ouattara was re-elected for a fourth term with nearly 90 percent of the vote. Despite the shake-up, major changes are not expected. Most ministers were comfortably elected as lawmakers and are likely to be reappointed. Until a new cabinet is named, expected by the end of the month, the outgoing government will continue to handle day-to-day affairs. … Attention is now turning to key appointments ahead, including the election of a new National Assembly speaker and the possible naming of a new vice president, who would be next in the line of succession. Africanews and AP
Ivory Coast Opposition Spokesman Released on Bail
The spokesman for Ivory Coast’s main opposition party, who was accused of acts of terrorism and conspiracy, was released from custody under judicial supervision on Wednesday, his lawyer said. Despite being in prison in Abidjan, Soumaila Bredoumy was among about 30 candidates from the Democratic Party of the Ivory Coast (PDCI) to be re-elected to parliament in last month’s elections, which were dominated by the ruling party. The PDCI spokesman spent several months outside the country last year but was arrested and detained on 18 charges just days after he returned, under a special procedure for prosecuting MPs. The charges, which he denies, include terrorist acts and assassination, plotting and attacking state authority, breach of public order, interference with electoral operations and participation in a prohibited or undeclared protest. … Bredoumy was among several opposition figures who criticised President Alassane Ouattara’s bid for a fourth term of office and called for protests. … When Bredoumy was arrested, the PDCI denounced what it called “an illegal, arbitrary process” and a wider “strategy of intimidation, harassment and pressure on dissenting voices”. AFP
Ethiopia: Election Board Launches Digital Voter and Candidate Registration System
The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has launched a digital system for voter and candidate registration, marking a significant shift from paper-based electoral processes to digital operations. Speaking at the launch event, NEBE Chairperson Melatwork Hailu … said the digital platform is expected to improve operational efficiency, enhance data accuracy and inclusivity, reduce costs, and strengthen the Board’s institutional capacity. President of the Federal Supreme Court, Tewodros Mihret, described the system as a major milestone in the modernization of Ethiopia’s electoral administration. He underscored the importance of the independence of electoral institutions in building a democratic system, adding that the new digital registration platform would contribute to the credibility of future elections. According to NEBE, the digital system offers three registration options: a mobile application known as “Mirechaye” (My Election), an online registration portal, and in-person registration at polling stations using tablets. Addis Standard
AFCON 2025: Algeria Reaches Quarterfinals, Côte d’Ivoire Also Advances
Adil Boulbina scored a dramatic winner in extra time for Algeria to beat Congo 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 match on Tuesday, January 6. Defending champion Côte d’Ivoire progressed in contrasting fashion with a comfortable 3-0 win over Burkina Faso. … Algeria will face Nigeria in Marrakech in the quarterfinals on Saturday after the Super Eagles advanced with a 4-0 rout of Mozambique on Monday. … The defending champion [Côte d’Ivoire] next faces Egypt in Agadir on Saturday for a spot in the semifinals. Le Monde with AP and AFP