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Africa News Live Updates: Rwandan PM Edouard Ngirente to address lawmakers on government achievements
In Kenya, police boss Lagat is under IPOA investigation over blogger Ojwang's controversial death in custody, sparking public outrage, Standard Media reports. In Rwanda, opposition figure Victoire Ingabire has been re-arrested for allegedly mobilising a group to incite public disorder, according to The New Times, raising concerns about political freedoms. Meanwhile, Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki faces renewed scrutiny for ruling over three decades without elections, despite a ratified constitution, as noted by the BBC. This is a LIVE news file from across Africa, with updates continuing throughout the day as developments unfold:
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is seeking to establish a mineral deal with the United States, a development perceived as a potential countermeasure to China's significant influence in the African nation's rich mineral sector, Voice of America said in a report. The DRC possesses substantial deposits of critical minerals such as cobalt, essential for electric vehicle batteries, and coltan, used in electronics, attracting international interest. China currently holds considerable investments in the DRC's mining industry, including control over significant processing capabilities. This potential US-DRC partnership aligns with broader US strategic goals to diversify critical mineral supply chains and counter the geopolitical influence of rivals, while the DRC has previously indicated intentions to review existing mining contracts and diversify its international partners.
The East African Development Bank (EADB) has finalized a Sh5.2 billion loan agreement with the OPEC Fund for International Development aimed at stimulating sustainable economic growth and enhancing regional integration throughout East Africa, Capital FM said in a report. This funding is intended to support development initiatives across the region.
A coalition in Nigeria is demanding significant electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections, including stripping President Bola Tinubu of the power to appoint the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman and Commissioners, AllAfrica.com said in a report. The group is also calling for the mandatory electronic transmission of election results, a demand reportedly stemming from controversies over result collation and transmission during the 2023 general election.
Rwanda is planning the establishment of an $82 million Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) industry lab, The New Times says in a report. This facility is intended to empower start-ups, accelerate prototype development processes, and promote the commercialization of technologies developed within the country. The initiative aims to foster innovation and support local technology entrepreneurs.
A United Nations helicopter undertaking a rescue mission in South Sudan came under attack, according to a report in Voice of America. The incident occurred amidst ongoing challenges related to the stalled implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, persistent inter-communal violence, and a deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country.
At least 40 people died and an undetermined number are missing after a convoy of 'three large attached pirogues' carrying over 200 individuals to a funeral capsized on a lake in the Equateur province of northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo, Le Monde said in a report. The Minister of Interior for Equateur province confirmed the death toll from the incident and noted that search efforts were underway for those still unaccounted for.
Africans are increasingly voicing their hope for a pontiff from their continent, which has not seen one for roughly 1,500 years, AP says in a report. This sentiment is fueled by the significant growth of the Catholic Church in Africa and an increased number of African cardinals. However, there's a prevailing sense of realism, as the election of a pope by the College of Cardinals is a multifaceted process influenced by various factors beyond geographical representation, leading many to temper their expectations despite the strong desire.
The archives of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) may soon be relocated to a Genocide Documentation Center nearing completion in Kamonyi District, a Rwandan minister announced, The New Times said in a report. This development signifies a potential move of the extensive records, generated by the UN tribunal that prosecuted individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, to be housed within Rwanda. The Kamonyi facility is being established with the intention of becoming the new home for these significant historical and legal documents.
Three police officers from Durban's Brighton Beach station in South Africa have denied charges related to an alleged rape cover-up, AllAfrica said in a report. The state alleges that these officers detained a rape victim and intimidated her into withdrawing the charges she had filed.
A trial commenced in France on Thursday, June 19, 2025, involving three people and two companies accused of exploiting dozens of African migrant workers, AllAfrica.com said in a report. The defendants allegedly subjected these workers to squalid living and working conditions during the grape harvest in the Champagne region in 2024.
The French-owned telemarketing company Paul & José abruptly closed its Casablanca, Morocco, operations in May, emptying its premises without notice and leaving dozens of employees in a precarious situation, according to a report in Le Monde. The closure, described as a 'fermeture sauvage' (wild closure), reportedly followed a discreet sale of the company. Supported by the Union marocaine du travail (UMT), the affected workers suspect 'social fraud' by the company.
The arrest of rapper Aamron in Togo has reignited opposition movements against President Faure Gnassingbé, Le Monde said in a report. This development occurs in the wake of a controversial constitutional reform enacted in April 2024, which shifted Togo to a parliamentary system, enabling the parliament to elect the president for renewable six-year terms and effectively allowing Gnassingbé, who has been in power since 2005, to extend his tenure. This reform has been a significant source of discontent, and Aamron's arrest is viewed by critics as part of a broader pattern of suppressing dissent.
In Chad, the justice system has threatened to prosecute journalists who are conducting investigations into a massacre of herders, Le Monde says in a report. This development has prompted human rights organizations to express alarm, describing the authorities' actions as part of a 'wave of repression.' The country is currently governed by a transitional military council led by Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno.
Retired Algerian general and former presidential candidate Ali Ghediri has been released from prison after serving a six-year sentence for 'participation in an enterprise aimed at weakening the army's morale', according to a report in Le Monde. Ghediri's imprisonment followed his attempt to contest the 2019 presidential election in Algeria, a period marked by the Hirak protest movement.
A social media movement is gaining significant traction in Algeria where women are publishing videos to expose street harassers, according to a report in Le Monde. For several weeks, dozens of videos have been shared online using the hashtag #NonAuHarcèlementEnAlgérie (#NoToHarassmentInAlgeria), turning the initiative into a viral phenomenon as women seek to combat street harassment through public exposure on digital platforms.
A fire is currently raging through multiple wooden structures located behind Ferro Fabrik Ltd in the Tema Heavy Industrial Area in Ghana, AllAfrica.com said in a report. The blaze affects numerous wooden buildings within the industrial zone.
The Al-Qaida affiliated jihadist group GSIM, led by Iyad Ag Ghali, has increased attacks in Mali and Burkina Faso in recent weeks and is simultaneously refining its messaging to portray itself as a protector of civilians against abuses by state armies, Le Monde says in a report. This dual strategy is described as part of GSIM's unfolding plan in the Sahel region.
A diplomatic impasse between Niger and Benin persists as Niamey maintains the closure of its border, significantly curtailing human and commercial exchanges, Le Monde says in a report. Nigerien authorities attribute this decision to unverified claims that Benin is fomenting destabilization plots. This border situation largely developed following the July 2023 coup in Niger; while Benin initially closed its border in compliance with ECOWAS sanctions (which were subsequently lifted, and Benin reopened its side), Niger has since kept its border predominantly shut. Despite these ongoing political tensions, an oil pipeline transporting Nigerien crude oil through Benin to the coast continues to operate.
Hichem Miraoui, a Tunisian man, was buried in his hometown of Kairouan, Tunisia, amidst emotional scenes, Le Monde says in a report. Miraoui was reportedly shot five times and killed by his neighbor in Puget-sur-Argens, Var, France, in an incident described as a racist assassination.
Mali's council of ministers has approved a draft law proposing that the current President of the Transition, General Assimi Goïta, could have his mandate extended without an election, potentially allowing him to remain in power until at least 2030, Le Monde said in a report. The proposed legislation is now set to be examined by the Conseil National de Transition, Mali's junta-appointed legislative body. This development follows previous postponements of elections that had been announced by the junta.
Armed groups, including rebel and jihadist factions, in Africa's Sahel region are increasingly utilizing Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service to communicate in zones not covered by traditional terrestrial communication networks, Le Monde says in a report. The adoption of this satellite technology allows these groups to maintain communication capabilities in remote areas with limited or non-existent conventional infrastructure.
An African Union special pre-election assessment mission has praised Tanzania for its solid preparations ahead of the country's general elections scheduled for 2025, The New Times says in a report. This commendation acknowledges ongoing efforts under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which include engaging in dialogue with opposition parties and discussing electoral law amendments to foster a more open political environment for the upcoming polls.
Two men in Kenya have received 30-year prison sentences for their role in assisting al-Shabab militants during the deadly 2019 attack on the DusitD2 hotel and office complex in Nairobi, Al Jazeera said in a report. The assault, which occurred in January 2019, resulted in the deaths of 21 people. The convicted individuals were found to have provided support to the al-Shabab fighters who carried out the attack.
The Bank of Namibia has called on commercial banks to lower their prime lending rates, aiming to align them with rates in other Common Monetary Area (CMA) countries, as per a report in The Namibian. This directive comes even as the central bank decided to keep its repo rate unchanged at 6.75%. The central bank's stated objective for this initiative is to provide relief to consumers by potentially reducing their borrowing costs.
Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) is set to pay N$1.5 million to its former managing director, Matthias Ngwangwama, following a settlement in a labour dispute stemming from a breach of contract, The Namibian said in a report. The payment, equivalent to one year's salary for Ngwangwama, resolves the dispute that arose after the NWR board failed to inform him of its decision not to renew his employment contract six months prior to its expiration, as contractually required.
Rwanda is currently assessing the potential impact of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran on its national economy, with a specific focus on the security of its energy supply, The New Times said in a report. The landlocked African nation is concerned that significant disruptions to global shipping routes, a possible consequence of the Middle East tensions, could affect its access to and the cost of imported fuel, thereby impacting various sectors reliant on energy. This assessment highlights Rwanda's vulnerability to international geopolitical events affecting global energy markets and supply chains, prompting preparedness measures for potential economic fallout.
Rwanda's Gasabo Intermediate Court has rejected a request for provisional release by Davis Manzi Sezisoni, the founder of the forex trading platform Billion Traders FX, The New Times said in a report. Sezisoni had sought to be released from custody ahead of his forex fraud trial.
The Namibian Cabinet's directive for the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) board to renew the contract of its former chief executive, Mwilima Mushokabanji, has been deemed unlawful, according to a legal opinion obtained by the board on April 9, The Namibian says in a report. This development comes as key figures, including President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, recently expressed support for Mushokabanji's return to the state-owned enterprise. The legal opinion challenges the actions of both the Cabinet and the minister of agriculture regarding the CEO's contract.
Rwandan Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente has reaffirmed the government's commitment to sustaining its socio-economic programmes designed for greater poverty reduction and improved citizen welfare, according to a report in The New Times. The statement underscores the administration's ongoing focus on these social protection efforts as a key component of national development.
Thirty-four Nigerien soldiers were killed and fourteen others were wounded in an armed attack near Banibangou, close to Niger's border with Mali, on Thursday, France 24 said in a report. According to Niger's defense ministry, hundreds of assailants using vehicles and motorbikes conducted the assault, which the ministry described as 'cowardly and barbaric.'
A significant family inheritance dispute in Rwanda, involving assets exceeding Rwf 3 billion (approximately USD 2.4 million), has been amicably settled through mediation, The New Times said in a report. This resolution highlights the application of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, which are legally recognized and actively promoted by the Rwandan government as part of judicial reform efforts aimed at enhancing efficiency and access to justice. The successful mediation of this high-value case demonstrates the use of ADR for resolving complex civil matters, including those related to land and property rights, outside of traditional court proceedings.
The South African men's cricket team, known as the Proteas, was greeted with a hero's welcome following their victory in the World Test Championship, Africa News said in a report. The team secured the championship by defeating the reigning champions, Australia, in matches that concluded over the weekend prior to the welcome celebrations.
Morocco plans to reassess its free trade agreement with Turkey due to a significant and increasing trade deficit, Africa News said in a report. This move comes as experts suggest that addressing the imbalance long-term will require Morocco to enhance the competitiveness of its domestic industrial output, diversify its export markets, and potentially re-evaluate several of its existing free trade agreements to better serve national economic interests.
Evacuations of African citizens from Israel have commenced due to heightened regional instability following recent direct attacks between Iran and Israel, Africa News said in a report. The evacuees include a diverse group of African nationals such as diplomats, students, and professionals who were residing in Israel. This measure was prompted by the increased security risks in the region, which are also linked to the broader instability from the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and UNESCO jointly hosted a concert in the nation's Upper Nile state, an area identified as an epicentre of conflict in recent months, Africa News said in a report. This initiative was undertaken by the UN agencies to utilize music as a means of fostering peace and reconciliation in the conflict-affected region.
Rwanda is set to implement a value-added tax (VAT) on hybrid vehicles starting July 1, The New Times says in a report. This new tax measure was initially announced by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in February.
More than 13 million people in Africa could contract malaria if the United States proceeds with proposed funding cuts in 2025, a Lancet study has warned, Financial Times said in a report. The research highlights significant concerns over the potential health impact of current US President Donald Trump's plan to nearly halve financial support for malaria prevention and treatment initiatives on the continent.
Isaias Afwerki, who assumed leadership in Eritrea in 1991, has not fulfilled promises of national elections, and the country has been governed without an implemented constitution despite one being ratified in 1997, BBC says in a report. Eritrea operates as a one-party state under the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), and no national elections have occurred since its independence in 1993. The nation continues to face challenges, including its past involvement in the Tigray War, ongoing reports of human rights abuses and forced conscription, and significant emigration of its citizens.
Ex-convict Victoire Ingabire has been arrested in Rwanda by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), The New Times said in a report. Ingabire faces allegations that she played a role in mobilizing a group accused of plotting to incite public disorder. The Rwanda Investigation Bureau is the country's primary law enforcement agency responsible for conducting criminal investigations, including those related to state security and public order.
A Kenyan police boss, identified as Lagat, underwent extensive questioning by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) concerning the circumstances surrounding the death of a blogger named Ojwang, Standard Media said in a report. Lagat was summoned by IPOA to provide information on what he knew about the blogger's death, which reportedly occurred in a police cell.
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In Kenya, the head of police operations, identified as Lagat, is under scrutiny after being questioned by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) regarding the controversial death of blogger Ojwang while in police custody. The incident, reported by Standard Media, has triggered public outcry and intensified demands for police accountability in the East African country, where cases of custodial deaths remain a sensitive issue.
Meanwhile, in Rwanda, ex-convict and opposition figure Victoire Ingabire has once again been arrested, this time on allegations of mobilising a group to incite public disorder. According to The New Times, Ingabire's latest arrest comes amid broader concerns about political space and freedom of expression in the country. The Rwanda Investigation Bureau is said to be handling the case, highlighting its potential national security dimensions.
Elsewhere on the continent, questions around authoritarian leadership persist as Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki marks more than three decades in power without holding national elections. Despite ratifying a constitution in 1997, the country remains a one-party state under the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), with no electoral process implemented since independence. As reported by the BBC, this prolonged governance vacuum continues to drive human rights concerns, forced conscription, and widespread emigration.
This is a LIVE news file from across Africa and updates will continue throughout the day as new developments emerge from every corner of the continent:
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