Heavy Gunfire in Somali Capital as Row over Election Delay Escalates
Government forces and opposition fighters have exchanged heavy gunfire in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, as a row over delays to elections has escalated. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term in office ended on 15 May but was extended by a year. The opposition said this was unconstitutional and called for protests on Thursday. Gunfire was reported in several neighbourhoods of the capital and persisted throughout the night, according to accounts by residents. Police said they were conducting a “large-scale security operation” against “heavily armed militias who launched mortar attacks” in some areas. Following the expiry of the president’s term, the federal government and the opposition started talks but did not reach an agreement. … Somalia last held a one-person, one-vote election in 1969 and has been ravaged by civil war for more than 30 years. Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire said he had been attacked by government forces while he and other leaders were preparing for Thursday’s “peaceful” demonstrations. … “This attack is a grave assault on the constitutional rights of Somali citizens and a deliberate attempt to suppress peaceful assembly,” he added. The number of casualties is not yet known and the president has not commented. In a statement on X, former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said the violence would not halt the planned demonstrations. “If the President and his soldiers think that we are afraid or that we will flee, we are not going to run away,” he said. BBC
Sudan: Democratic Bloc Rejects Dialogue with Tasis Alliance as Addis Talks Open
Leaders of Sudan’s Democratic Bloc reaffirmed on Wednesday their organisation’s refusal to engage in any political dialogue with the RSF-led “Tasis” alliance, as exploratory talks between Sudanese civilian and political forces opened in the Ethiopian capital under the auspices of the Quintet mechanism. Mubarak Ardol, assistant to the Democratic Bloc’s chairman, told a press conference held just before the meeting convened that the delegation attending represents the Bloc officially and received formal notification from the organisation’s leadership. He said the Bloc remains committed to dialogue as the only way out of the crisis, describing the current moment as an appropriate opportunity despite differences in positions. “The Bloc’s position on the Tasis alliance is well known, particularly given the violations committed in Sudan because of it,” Ardol said, closing the door on any engagement with the RSF-affiliated political body. … [Sally Zaki, another assistant to the Bloc’s chairman] reaffirmed the Bloc’s categorical rejection of sitting with any “parallel government” working to divide Sudan. She said 11 organisations within the Bloc are represented at the meeting. Sudan Tribune
AU, IGAD Observers Urge Inclusive Political Dialogue, Stronger Democratic Institutions after Ethiopia’s Election
The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to Ethiopia’s June 1 general election has called on the government, political actors and other stakeholders to pursue “inclusive and sustained political dialogue” to foster national consensus, strengthen trust among political actors and advance democratic consolidation in the country. … Asked by Addis Standard why the mission had not included recommendations regarding the situation in Tigray and other areas where elections were not held, [former Kenyan President and head of mission Uhuru Kenyatta] said officials of the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) had assured the mission that preparations were in place to conduct elections once security conditions improve. … Addis Standard also asked the mission to clarify its assessment of media freedom during the electoral period, particularly in light of concerns raised by journalists and media organizations over regulatory actions and license revocation proceedings involving media outlets including Addis Standard, Reuters and Deutsche Welle (DW) during the election period. The mission, however, did not directly answer the question and did not provide a specific assessment of how restrictions on media operations may have affected the electoral environment. … Prior to the vote, opposition parties and observers had raised concerns that ongoing conflicts in parts of Amhara and Oromia could affect voter participation and the conduct of the election. The election was also held without voting in Tigray, where parliamentary elections were not conducted. Addis Standard
Rebel Attacks in Eastern DRC Kill 30 People and Hamper Ebola Response
Rebel attacks around a town that is one of the centres of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have left more than 30 people dead over the past few days, complicating the response to the disease. At least 10 people were massacred in raids on three villages around the city of Beni, in North Kivu, in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militia has been blamed for the attacks on the villages of Matété, Mamuli and Kitoho in eastern DRC. … Just before midnight on Saturday, the militia entered Beni, which has been under DRC military administration since 2021. People were beheaded and others shot in the attack, which caused widespread panic and sent hundreds of people running from their homes into the bush. … [Reagan Miviri, a researcher at Ebuteli, a DRC-based thinktank,] pointed out that insecurity in the Beni region and elsewhere risked “reawakening the demons” of mistrust towards Ebola response teams and causing unrest, as occurred during the response to the Ebola epidemic between 2018 and 2020, which claimed nearly 2,300 lives. “It will be difficult to carry out interventions in areas where the ADF operates because healthcare providers will not want to work in such a volatile environment. People may also fail to understand why there is such a major mobilisation against Ebola when there is none to counter the massacres,” Miviri said. The Guardian
Lake Chad: Nigerian Navy Uses Drone Intelligence to Arrest Militant Logistics Suspect
The Nigerian Navy has arrested a suspected militant collaborator in the Lake Chad area following a successful Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operation conducted under Operation HADIN KAI. A statement signed by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, today in Abuja. The arrest was carried out on June 1, 2026, by personnel of the Naval Base Lake Chad (NBLC) during a drone-enabled surveillance mission aimed at tracking militant movements within the North East theatre of operations. … Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect frequently moved between Dumba and Baga Town and allegedly maintained contact with militant elements operating in the region. Initial findings further suggested that he was involved in providing logistical support to militant groups through the procurement and movement of essential supplies. … The Nigerian Navy said the operation underscores the growing role of intelligence-driven and technology-enabled operations in strengthening situational awareness and counter-terrorism efforts within the Lake Chad region. PR Nigeria
Gabon Opposition Leader Kept behind Bars as Court Rejects Appeal
Gabon’s main opposition figure, Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, will remain in detention after an appeals court rejected his bid to invalidate legal proceedings against him. The decision deepens concerns over judicial independence and political freedoms in the Central African nation. Former Gabonese Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze will remain in prison after the Libreville Court of Appeal rejected his request to nullify the legal proceedings brought against him. The ruling, delivered on June 2, marks a significant setback for the opposition leader, who has been detained since April 16. Bilie-By-Nze is under investigation for alleged breach of trust and fraud linked to events dating back to 2008. … The opposition politician’s lawyers have sharply criticized the court’s decision, describing the case as legally flawed and politically troubling. Defense attorney Arthur Vercken said the continued detention constitutes a serious violation of Gabonese law, fair trial guarantees and the country’s international commitments. … His arrest came after a series of public criticisms directed at the government, including opposition to the suspension of social media platforms and objections to reforms of Gabon’s nationality code adopted without parliamentary debate. Africanews with AFP
Zimbabwe: Russian National Arrested Over Recruitment Scheme
A 36-year-old Russian national has been arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport for allegedly recruiting Zimbabweans to join the Russian army. Leonid Koftov appeared before Harare Regional Magistrate Ruth Kufa facing multiple charges including contravening the Trafficking in Persons Act, the Immigration Act, and the Labour Act. The court heard that Koftov arrived in Zimbabwe on May 28, 2026, on a 30-day holiday visa and stayed at the Royal Guest House in Mandara, Harare. Acting in connivance with an accomplice only identified as Constantine—another Russian national who remains at large—Koftov allegedly began recruiting locals to join the Russian military. Detectives acted on a tip-off that the suspect had successfully recruited one victim. They intercepted and arrested Koftov at the airport while he was escorting the victim to board an Ethiopian Airways flight en route to Russia. Upon his arrest, Koftov was reportedly found in possession of a Russian e-visa, air tickets and hotel reservations processed for the victim. 263Chat
Zimbabwe Elected to UN Security Council
The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday elected Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago and Zimbabwe to the 15-member U.N. Security Council for two-year terms starting on January 1, 2027. … The Security Council is the only U.N. body that can make legally binding decisions such as imposing sanctions and authorizing use of force. It has five permanent veto-wielding members: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The remaining 10 members are elected, with five new members joining every year. This year, one comes from the Africa Group, one from the Latin American and Caribbean Group, one from the Asia-Pacific Group, and two from the Western European and Others Group. Zimbabwe will replace Somalia and Trinidad and Tobago will replace Panama, while Portugal and Austria will replace Denmark and Greece. Kyrgyzstan will replace Pakistan. Reuters
Malawi to Repatriate Citizens from South Africa amid Anti-immigrant Attacks
Malawi will join other countries in repatriating its nationals seeking to leave South Africa, where attacks on African migrants have been reported in parts of the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement late on Tuesday that the programme would be limited to citizens who have requested assistance, with details to be announced once logistical arrangements are finalised. Xenophobic attacks are a recurring problem in South Africa, where immigrants are often blamed for economic challenges such as high unemployment. … South Africa’s government has pledged to crack down on those perpetrating or inciting violence against migrants. President Cyril Ramaphosa told parliament on Tuesday that while tackling illegal immigration was important, the country should not resort to “violence, xenophobia and vigilantism.” South Africa has the biggest economy on the continent and is a destination for people from neighbouring countries seeking work. It also hosts refugees and asylum seekers fleeing conflict in countries like Democratic Republic of Congo. Reuters
Kenya Courts South Korean Investors in Push for Jobs
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said Kenya is ready to forge transformative partnerships with South Korean companies in key sectors including manufacturing, automotive technology, renewable energy, information and communication technology, construction, and smart city development. Speaking during a meeting with representatives of Korean industry and civil society at the Gyeonggi University of Science and Technology (GTEC) in Siheung City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, Mudavadi said Kenya is positioning itself as a preferred investment destination in Africa. “Kenya is a gateway to a market of over 500 million people in the East African region, supported by a stable democracy, a skilled workforce, and a rapidly modernizing infrastructure,” said Mudavadi. “Kenya and Korea share a common belief that human capital, innovation, and technology are the engines of national transformation.” His remarks come as Kenya continues to pursue foreign direct investment to support its industrial growth agenda and create employment opportunities for its growing youthful population. … The Prime CS emphasized that Kenya is not merely seeking capital investment but long-term partnerships that deliver tangible benefits to citizens through skills development and industrial expansion. The Standard