Ethiopia’s Abiy Names New Tigray Government, Wants Polls in Six Months
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has named a caretaker government to stabilise the northern Tigray region and prepare for an election within six months, after fighting erupted between a rebel alliance and federal troops. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) led an offensive last month against Abiy’s government, reigniting a war that killed hundreds of thousands between 2020-22. Renewed conflict has led to the severing of ties between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Addis Ababa accuses Asmara of backing the rebels, which Eritrea denies. The TPLF, Tigray’s ruling party, dominated Ethiopian politics for decades until Abiy took office in 2018. Since fighting erupted, Ethiopia’s military and a pro-government militia have made significant advances and taken control of large parts of Tigray including the regional capital Mekelle. Reuters
Ethiopia: Social Media Becomes a Battleground for Propaganda
[Video] Millions of Ethiopians rely on social media for daily news. But as fighting resumes in the country’s north between federal forces and a coalition of rebel groups, these platforms have become a breeding ground for propaganda and disinformation. Pro-government and pro-rebel accounts are battling to shape the news, while journalists’ limited access to the front lines makes it increasingly difficult to verify what is happening on the ground. France 24
Somalia Sets May Presidential Election Despite Insecurity
Somalia announced on Thursday that parliamentary and presidential elections would be held next year in the deeply fragmented country that faces a long-running Islamist insurgency. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s second term ended earlier this year but his government declared a “transition period” in May, despite an agreement with the opposition on holding elections. Mohamud has been attempting to move Somalia towards democratic elections, replacing a system based around clan elders, although his attempts have been opposed by regional leaders, who view it as a power grab. The Election Commission said in a statement that parliamentary polls would be held on April 15, followed by a presidential vote scheduled for May 15. … Mohamud assumed power in 2022 but has argued he was given an extra year in the presidency when an amended constitution was passed by parliament earlier this year that set the framework for elections and extended the vote. But opposition parties boycotted that vote and have rejected the changes, including the powerful states of Jubaland and Puntland. AFP
Somalia’s South West Power Feud Reaches New High
Somalia’s South West power feud between the state and federal government has reached a new level. Forces loyal to former South West State president Abdelaziz Hassan Mohamed also known as Laftagaren Thursday seized control of the strategic town of Buurhakaba in the Bay region. There has been intense fighting with troops aligned with the federal government led by Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe, officials said. Fighting in Buurhakaba began early Thursday, with residents reporting heavy gunfire and explosions as Laftagareen’s forces attacked positions held by federal troops and regional forces backing Madobe. Fighters loyal to the former regional leader subsequently entered parts of the town, according to local reports. The takeover marked a further escalation in the struggle for control of Southwest State with Laftagareen-aligned forces also having taken control of Qansahdhere, another district in the Bay region, in recent days. The developments are putting additional pressure on the administration installed in Baidoa with the backing of Mogadishu. APA
Sudan Doctors Say RSF Holding over 6,500 Detainees in West Darfur
Doctors in Sudan said on Thursday that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are holding more than 6,500 military personnel and civilians in the city of El Geneina in West Darfur. The paramilitary RSF has controlled all of West Darfur since November 2023. During battles against the Sudanese army in El Geneina, the RSF and allied Arab militias have been accused of committing war crimes, ethnic cleansing and genocide against thousands of civilians, primarily from the African-descent Masalit ethnic group. … The detainees include 709 women and about 500 children under the age of 18, the network added. Detention sites include the former UNAMID headquarters, the base of the army’s 15th Infantry Division, and Ardamata prison. The network reported that the majority of the female detainees were captured in El Fasher after the RSF took control of the city in October 2025. They were subsequently transferred to El Geneina. Sudan Tribune
Over 324,000 Cross from South Sudan into Sudan in 18 Months, UN Says
The U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) revealed on Thursday that more than 324,000 people have crossed from South Sudan into Sudan over the past 18 months. The arrivals include 223,000 Sudanese returnees fleeing instability across the border. Sudan has seen a growing influx of refugees in recent months despite its ongoing conflict. The country currently hosts nearly 910,000 refugees, including 689,000 from South Sudan. The UNHCR said in a report that 324,631 people have arrived in Sudan from South Sudan since April 2025. This figure includes 101,031 South Sudanese nationals and 223,600 Sudanese returnees. The agency noted the movement was linked to political instability and escalating hostilities between armed groups in South Sudan. Repeated clashes since late February 2025 led to large-scale displacement in Upper Nile state before extending into Jonglei state. Sudan Tribune
Nigeria: FG, Police, INEC Assess Election Threats, Logistics Plan
With 90 days to go, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has commenced security assessments and threat analysis to identify potential flashpoints and emerging threats ahead of the 2027 general elections, as part of efforts to prevent electoral violence and reduce political tensions. The Force said the ongoing exercise would help determine areas requiring additional personnel and operational attention before, during and after the polls. … [Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Nadada] said the police were implementing measures to strengthen election security, including personnel training, threat assessment and engagement with political actors and other stakeholders. … MEANWHILE, INEC has commenced moves to address logistical challenges in difficult terrain and security-threatened areas ahead of the 2027 general elections. With plans to strengthen the transportation and security of election materials across the country, the commission on Thursday inaugurated a logistics committee to develop strategies for the safe and timely movement of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials through road, air and maritime channels. Guardian Nigeria
IMF Says African Economies Performing Well despite Shocks from the Iran War
African economies have managed to weather the energy crisis brought on by the Iran war, but a decline in aid has left the continent vulnerable to future shocks, the head of the International Monetary Fund’s Africa department said Thursday. The IMF forecasts growth in Africa at 4.5% this year, slightly higher than its earlier estimate, recovering to 5% in 2027. But development assistance for the continent fell sharply last year and is forecast to fall another 12% this year, Zeine Zeidane said at a meeting of the IMF and World Bank in Bangkok. “That leaves the region with little room to absorb another shock. Renewed disruption to energy supplies, a sharp increase in global risk aversion, or a strong El Nino could all intensify pressures,” he told reporters. Persisting conflict and insecurity are other drags on the regional economy, posing a threat to food security in some regions. Many African nations have enacted reforms to improve their economic resilience, and some are benefiting from surging prices for their exports of critical minerals used in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence. The IMF has urged those countries to use those windfalls wisely and adopt AI to improve their competitiveness. AP
Congo Ebola Outbreak Spreads to New Province Bordering Central African Republic
The ongoing Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo has spread to a new province bordering Central African Republic, two health officials said on Thursday, posing a fresh challenge for authorities struggling to contain it. North Ubangi becomes the eighth province to be affected by the outbreak of the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which was announced in mid-May and has become the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record, with more than 9,000 cases and more than 4,000 deaths confirmed. Two cases have been confirmed in North Ubangi, the officials said. They have not been officially announced by Congolese authorities. Ituri province remains the epicentre of the outbreak though cases have increased recently in North Kivu province. Cases have also been confirmed in South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut-Uele, Bas-Uele and South Ubangi provinces. Reuters
Inside Bunia’s Fight to Protect Families from DRC’S Deadliest Ebola Outbreak
In Rwampara, a district on the outskirts of Bunia, community workers have stepped up efforts to contain Ebola. Since the epidemic began, they have increased home visits and stepped up public awareness campaigns and community discussions to inform residents and encourage them to seek medical care. “We used to have routine activities, but with Ebola we had to change what we do,” health worker Emmanuel Birunga, who has done the job for eight years, told RFI. “We run mass awareness campaigns, we talk to people, we hold community discussions and we have to make home visits to monitor the situation and raise alerts.” Convincing people was not easy, even for Birunga, who says he knows the area inside out. … Health centres are filling up now, as residents begin to regain confidence in them. Maintaining that trust is essential, said Cynthia Stephanie Zoh, who supports community health workers at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). “Community engagement is always a challenge because when a new disease arrives, you have to find ways to involve communities in the different activities so they can get the right information,” she said. Informing people, reassuring them and fighting false information have become an integral part of the response. RFI
Catholics in Africa Outnumber Those in Europe, Vatican Says
There are now more Catholics in Africa than in Europe, the Vatican said on Friday, releasing the latest Catholic Church statistics compiled by its news agency Fides. The total number of Catholics in the world stood at 1.422 billion at the end of June 2024, representing 17.8% of the global population, and up 0.1% year on year. Some 20.3% of Catholics live in Africa and 20.2% in Europe, with the Americas accounting for 47.7%, Asia 11% and Oceania 0.8%. In last year’s statistics, relating to the end of June 2023, there were 1.405 billion Catholics globally, with about 20% of them living in Africa and 20.4% living in Europe. Fides also counted 5,525 bishops around the world and 407,421 priests, noting that the number of priests, up by 425, had increased for the first time in five years. Reuters