Sub-Saharan Africa

An Unknown Disease Spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
A mystery illness is spreading throughout the DRC, having killed 60 people so far, presenting a significant public health threat.

M23 Rebels Accused of Recruiting and Killing Children in Eastern DRC by UN Officials
Decades of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reached new levels when M23 rebels invaded the city of Goma. After the invasion, concerns of human rights violations rose as the militia group was accused of executing children, among other atrocities.

The M23 Rebel Group Has Advanced Into Bukavu in the DRC
The Rwandan-backed rebel group has gained territory in the DRC’s second largest city, resulting in red flags being raised on human rights concerns.

Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Impeached in Historic Vote
On Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, the move to impeach Kenyan deputy president Rigathi Gachugua passed in the nation’s Senate, making Gachagua the first Kenyan president/deputy president impeached since the adoption of the new constitution in 2010.

Mozambique Holds Its Most Promising Election
Mozambique held its national election Wednesday, Oct. 9, and is on course to be one of the most influential elections since the country gained independence in 1975.

Russia Avoids Western Sanctions in Alliance with Gabon
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian ship fleets have turned to countries outside of the Western economic world to dodge increasing sanctions and oil caps.

45 Found Dead off the Coast of Djibouti Carrying Migrants Crossing the Red Sea
Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, a migrant boat departing from Yemen carrying 310 people sank off the coast of Djibouti; 45 are confirmed dead, with many more still missing. This tragedy brings the ongoing migrant crisis across the Red Sea between the eastern horn of Africa and the Middle-Eastern Gulf States to the foreground. In April 2024, at least 38 people died crossing the sea, and in June, 49 more.

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Strengthen Russian Relations in a New Satellite Deal
On Monday, Sept. 23, a partnership was signed between Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a military cooperation including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

Ghana Creates Greater Hope for Gender Equality in Sub-Saharan Africa
On Sept. 19, 2024, the Ghanaian government signed into effect a bill that hopes to promote increased gender equality in Ghana. Entitled the “Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Bill, 2024”, the new law puts a 30% - 50% quota of women representatives in various spheres of life from governmental committees to trade union memberships, which will be in effect by 2030.

Kenyan Government Evicted 700 Indigenous People from the Mau Forest
The Kenyan government evicted 700 indigenous people of the Ogiek tribe, from the Mau Forest Complex on Nov. 2. This move is a violation of the 2017 court ruling that was supposed to secure the Ogiek peoples’ right to live on the land.

Paramilitary Force Captures Sudan’s Darfur Region
The Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary faction of the country’s divided military, are nearing capturing Darfur, a province in eastern Sudan, as of Nov. 8.

Ugandan Government Apprehends the Commander of a Terrorist Group Linked to the October Tourist Attack
Deo Akiiki, Ugandan deputy military spokesman, announced on Thursday that the Ugandan government had captured the mononymous Njovu, the commander of the militant group ADF, in a raid on Tuesday. Njovu was the only survivor of the raid in which six members of his squad were killed.

Kenyan Soldier Killed by a Mortar Bomb as Conflict in the DRC Rages On
On Oct. 24, a Kenyan soldier was killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during fighting between the pro-government East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) and the rebel group M23.

South Africa Takes the Palestinian Side Amid the Conflict in Israel
South Africa criticized Israel's actions in the Palestinian territories, and many civil society organizations in South Africa have shown support for the Palestinian cause, based on the comparisons made between the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and South Africa's own experience with apartheid.

South Africa is Facing a Major Outbreak of Avian Influenza
Grocery stores in South Africa are experiencing a severe shortage of eggs, due to the loss of 20 to 30 percent of the country’s chicken stock to an outbreak of Avian Influenza that has been around since April of this year.

Burkina Faso Turns to Russia for Nuclear Power
Ibrahim Traore, leader of Burkina Faso’s military junta, signed a deal with Rosatom, Russian state nuclear corporation, to construct a nuclear power plant on Friday. The construction of the plant is Burkina Faso’s latest effort to increase access to electricity for the 79 percent of their citizens currently living without power.

Western Countries Raise Concerns Over Wagner Group’s Presence in Mali
The UN Human Rights Council discussed the alleged human rights violations by the Russian Wagner Group.

Putin’s Visit to South Africa Raises Concerns Over His ICC Arrest
President Vladimir Putin plans to attend the BRICS annual summit in South Africa despite an ICC arrest warrant.

103 Dead in Kenya From a Mass Starvation Cult Practice
Kenyan police arrested Ezekiel Odero, a pastor involved in starvation cult practices and responsible for 103 deaths.

Despite Ceasefire Talks, The Sudan Conflict Escalates
The Sudanese military and a paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF), fight over military and governing power.