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Category: Inside Africa

Colonel Michael Randrianirina Sworn In as Madagascar’s New President After Military Takeover

Kamal Yalwa03 mins

Madagascar has sworn in Colonel Michael Randrianirina as its new president, following a military takeover that ousted President Andry Rajoelina, who has since fled the country amid widespread protests and deadly unrest. The swearing-in ceremony took place on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the High Constitutional Court in Antananarivo, officially confirming Randrianirina’s leadership after Rajoelina was impeached earlier in the week for “desertion of duty.” The new leader, dressed in a civilian suit instead of military uniform, sought to project an image of constitutional order and civilian inclusion. “Madagascar has not chosen a military regime,” Randrianirina told reporters, adding that his government “belongs to civilians” and that a consensus prime minister would soon be appointed. Randrianirina, 51, commander of the CAPSAT military unit, has pledged to hold elections within 18 to 24 months and said consultations are underway to form a transitional government blending civilian and military figures. His rise to power follows weeks of mass demonstrations over severe power and water shortages, which left at least 22 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to the United Nations. Foreign diplomats from the United States, European Union, and France attended the inauguration ceremony, signaling cautious international engagement with the new administration. The ousted president, Rajoelina, reportedly fled to Reunion Island aboard a French military plane before travelling to Dubai, citing fears for his safety. His supporters have condemned the court’s decision, calling it “procedurally illegal” and warning of further instability. Madagascar now joins a growing list of African nations that have recently experienced military transitions, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea. Despite its natural wealth, Madagascar remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with nearly 80% of its 32 million citizens living in poverty, according to World Bank data. Regional and international bodies — including the African Union and Southern African Development Community (SADC) — have called for a swift return to constitutional democracy and the inclusion of youth and civil society in shaping the country’s political future.

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Kenyan Opposition Leader Raila Odinga Dies at 80 During Medical Trip to India

Kamal Yalwa05 mins

Kenyan opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has died at the age of 80 while receiving medical treatment in India. Hospital officials and local police confirmed that the veteran politician suffered a heart attack on Wednesday morning in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Odinga reportedly collapsed during a morning walk in Kochi while accompanied by his sister, daughter, personal doctor, and both Kenyan and Indian security officers. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but medical staff declared him dead upon arrival, according to Krishnan M, the additional superintendent of police in Ernakulam. The Devamatha Hospital in Kerala confirmed the cause of death as cardiac arrest. Indian media outlet Mathrubhumi earlier reported that Odinga had been undergoing treatment at an Ayurvedic facility in Koothattukulam, a town near Kochi. Odinga’s death marks the end of an era in Kenyan politics. As a dominant opposition figure and five-time presidential candidate, he played a central role in shaping Kenya’s democratic history. His passing is expected to leave a major vacuum in the country’s political landscape, especially with the 2027 general elections approaching. Born on January 7, 1945, Odinga was the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president after independence in 1963. He entered politics in the early 1990s, becoming a parliamentarian in 1992, and later serving as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 under a power-sharing deal following the post-election violence of 2007. Throughout his life, Odinga was known as a pro-democracy crusader, enduring years in prison and exile during the struggle for multi-party democracy. His activism helped usher in key national reforms, including Kenya’s return to multiparty politics in 1991 and the promulgation of a new constitution in 2010. Despite never winning the presidency after five attempts — in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022 — Odinga remained one of Africa’s most influential opposition leaders. His supporters often claimed he had been denied victory through electoral manipulation, especially during the disputed 2007 elections, which triggered deadly unrest that left over 1,300 people dead. In recent years, Odinga had struck a cooperation pact with President William Ruto, bringing his opposition coalition, Azimio la Umoja, into partial collaboration with the government. The agreement saw some of his allies appointed to cabinet positions, signaling a rare moment of political rapprochement. Tributes have poured in from across Africa and beyond. Former Kenyan Chief Justice David Maraga described him as “a patriot, a pan-Africanist, and a democrat who made significant contributions to Kenya’s progress.” Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also extended condolences, calling Odinga “a leading voice for peace, security, and development in Africa.” Raila Odinga’s death closes a monumental chapter in African politics. Widely respected for his courage and resilience, he will be remembered as a symbol of Kenya’s democratic struggle, a visionary reformist, and one of the continent’s most enduring political figures.

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Opposition Leader Patrick Herminie Wins Seychelles Presidential Run-off

Kamal Yalwa02 mins

Opposition leader Patrick Herminie has emerged victorious in the Seychelles presidential run-off election, securing 52.7% of the vote against incumbent Wavel Ramkalawan, who garnered 47.3%, according to the country’s electoral commission. Ramkalawan has conceded defeat, paving the way for Herminie to become the 6th president of Seychelles. In his victory speech, Herminie pledged to reduce the cost of living, improve public services, and govern inclusively for all Seychellois. A medical doctor and former head of the national anti-drug agency, Herminie said combating the country’s growing heroin addiction crisis will be among his top priorities. His party, United Seychelles, also secured 15 out of 26 parliamentary seats in last month’s legislative elections, strengthening his mandate to implement reforms. The campaign was heavily influenced by public anger over a 70-year lease of Assumption Island for a Qatar-backed luxury resort near the protected Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Herminie has vowed to cancel the controversial deal and accused Qatari entities of attempting to interfere in the election process. With his victory, Seychelles enters a new political chapter as Herminie takes on the challenge of uniting a divided nation and steering the island country toward economic stability and social recovery.

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South African Ambassador Found Dead in Paris

Fola Badmus02 mins

Nkosinathi Emmanuel Mthethwa, the South African ambassador to France, has reportedly been found dead after plunging off a Paris hotel. He was 58. Mthethwa’s body was discovered at the Hyatt Hotel near the Porte Maillot metro station in western Paris on Tuesday, Sept. 30, after jumping 22 floors in an apparent suicide, Reuters and the French newspaper Le Parisien reported, citing the Paris prosecutor’s office. Mthethwa was reported missing by his wife the day before after she received a “worrying message from him in the evening,” the prosecutor’s office told the outlet. Mthethwa’s phone last rang at 3:00 p.m. local time on Monday near the public park Bois de Boulogne in Paris, sparking a search by police and dogs in the area and in the woods in western Paris, per Le Parisien. A spokesperson at South Africa’s foreign affairs department said in a statement to Reuters that they were “aware of unfortunate reports pertaining to Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa” and would be addressing it at a later notice. The Brigade for the Suppression of Crimes Against Persons (BRDP) of the Paris judicial police is investigating the incident and a duty magistrate “is going to the scene,” Le Parisien reported on Tuesday. PEOPLE has reached out to the Hyatt Hotel, South Africa’s foreign affairs department and the prosecutor’s office for comment. Mthethwa’s last public appearance was at the 109th Anniversary of the Battle of Delville Wood in Longueval on Saturday, Sept. 27, the Daily Mail reported.

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Former DRC President Joseph Kabila Sentenced to Death in Absentia for Treason War Crimes

Fola Badmus05 mins

Kinshasa, Sept 30, 2025 – A military tribunal in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has sentenced former President Joseph Kabila to death in absentia, convicting him of treason, murder, torture, and crimes against humanity. Presiding over the case, Lieutenant General Joseph Mutombo Katalayi said the tribunal applied Article 7 of the Military Penal Code, which mandates the death penalty for the most serious crimes. The sentencing follows a months-long trial that began in July 2025, during which Kabila was tried for his alleged involvement with the M23 rebel group, which has seized large parts of eastern DRC this year. “In applying Article 7 of the Military Penal Code, it imposes a single sentence, namely the most severe one, which is the death penalty,” said Katalayi. Kabila, who ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019, has not been present in court and was not represented by legal counsel. He left the country in 2023 but resurfaced earlier this year in Goma, a city now controlled by M23 rebels. His current whereabouts remain unknown. Accusations of Rebellion and War Crimes The court found Kabila guilty of supporting M23 — a group widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, despite Kigali’s repeated denials. United Nations experts have reported that the Rwandan military played a “critical” role in the group’s resurgence. Charges against Kabila also included insurrection, sexual assault, and the orchestration of mass atrocities, including torture and rape — all linked to ongoing violence in eastern DRC. Kabila had previously dismissed the trial as a “political witch hunt”, claiming the judiciary was being used as an “instrument of oppression” by the current administration under President Félix Tshisekedi. Political Ramifications and Reactions The sentencing follows a controversial move by the DRC Senate in May 2025 to lift Kabila’s immunity from prosecution. Many observers believe the verdict is politically motivated, aimed at preventing Kabila from mobilising the opposition ahead of upcoming elections. “This sentencing could make Kabila’s supporters feel that this trial is politically driven,” said Yinka Adegoke, Africa editor at Semafor, in an interview with Al Jazeera. “He has his own power base and no longer serves the interests of the current government.” Despite the court’s ruling, Kabila’s arrest remains unlikely. He may still appeal the verdict through the Court of Cassation, though only on procedural grounds. The death penalty was reinstated in the DRC last year, ending a decades-long moratorium, but no executions have yet been carried out. Regional Tensions and International Scrutiny Kabila’s sentencing comes amid fragile peace efforts in the region. A Congolese-Rwandan peace agreement was brokered in Washington in June, followed by a ceasefire declaration with M23 in Qatar in July. However, violence continues across eastern DRC, where NGOs and UN investigations have documented serious human rights abuses by all sides. A recent UN report concluded that multiple actors in the conflict may have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, fueling calls for accountability and renewed international attention.

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Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso to Name Nigerian Politicians Allegedly Aiding Bandits

Fola Badmus02 mins

In a significant regional security development, intelligence agencies from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have announced plans to publicly expose senior Nigerian politicians allegedly providing support to bandit groups operating in Nigeria’s North-West. Security officials from the three Sahel nations revealed that they are already in possession of names linked to the alleged support network. They also confirmed that some individuals involved in arms supply to the bandits have been arrested, with investigations currently ongoing. Regional Security Collaboration Deepens The move is part of broader efforts by West African states to dismantle cross-border criminal networks that have been fueling violence and instability across the region. A senior official involved in the operation said the initiative aligns with growing security collaboration between Sahelian countries, particularly in tackling illicit arms trafficking and armed groups that operate along shared borders. The revelation is expected to send shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, as pressure mounts on authorities to take decisive action against internal collaborators contributing to insecurity.

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Dangote Refinery Denies Mass Sack Claims Cites Sabotage in Internal Shake-Up

Fola Badmus01 mins

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has refuted reports of a “mass sack” following the circulation of a leaked internal memo, clarifying that the ongoing internal reorganisation is a strategic move to protect the facility from repeated acts of sabotage. In an official statement released on Friday, September 26, the refinery’s management described the restructuring as a necessary step to preserve the safety, integrity, and stability of what it called a “strategic national asset.” “The decision was taken in the best interest of the refinery,” the statement read, citing intermittent sabotage across operational units that had posed serious safety risks and disrupted critical operations. The management stressed that the action was not arbitrary or punitive but rather a targeted response to threats affecting operational efficiency. The company reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of its workforce and the continuation of its mission to meet Nigeria’s and Africa’s growing energy demands.

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Tragedy Strikes as Over 69 Migrants Die After Boat Capsizes off Mauritanian Coast

Fola Badmus01 mins

At least 69 migrants have lost their lives, with dozens more still missing, after an overcrowded boat capsized off the coast of Mauritania. The vessel, carrying roughly 160 people, overturned near Mheijrat when passengers panicked and rushed to one side after spotting coastal lights. The majority of the victims were from Gambia and Senegal. Only 17 survivors were rescued, with reports indicating that the boat had departed from Gambia over a week ago. Search and rescue operations are currently underway, but authorities have warned that the chances of locating additional survivors are rapidly fading. Mauritania, with over 700 kilometers of Atlantic coastline, has become a significant transit point for African migrants attempting to reach Europe, further highlighting the dangers they face in their perilous journeys.

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