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September 18, 2025
Politics & Diplomacy
UN Envoy Ends Sudan Visit, Pushes Inclusive Dialogue
UN Special Envoy Ramtane Lamamra concluded his mission to Port Sudan this week, aiming to foster an inclusive peace process amidst the country’s deepening conflict. He engaged with Prime Minister Kamil Idris, Foreign Minister Ali Salem, civil society groups, and diplomats. Minister Salem reaffirmed the government’s roadmap as the primary framework for peace. Notably, Lamamra did not meet with Sovereign Council leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan or military officials.
ECOWAS Head Makes Surprise Visit to Burkina Faso
Sierra Leone’s President and ECOWAS Chair Julius Maada Bio visited Burkina Faso in a rare engagement between ECOWAS and the Sahelian Alliance of States (AES). Meeting junta leader Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, Bio emphasized regional peace and cooperation. The visit marks a possible thaw in tensions following AES’s withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2025.
Nigeria: Rivers State to Resume Local Governance
President Bola Tinubu has ended federal control over Rivers State, reinstating Governor Siminalayi Fubara and local institutions. The six-month emergency administration, triggered by political deadlock and security concerns, had drawn constitutional criticism. The decision signals a return to local governance in Nigeria’s oil-rich region.
Greece and Libya to Negotiate Maritime Zones
Greece and Libya’s UN-recognized government have agreed to initiate talks over overlapping claims in the Mediterranean Sea. The move follows a contentious 2019 Libya-Turkey agreement that Greece argues infringes on its territorial rights.
Elections & Governance
Malawi’s Tech-Driven Election Faces Trust Deficit
Malawi’s tripartite elections, seen as a test of democratic reform, are underway amid deep public mistrust. The Election Situation Room, backed by the UNDP, deployed 1,100 observers using a real-time reporting system. Despite upgraded systems and transparency efforts, the electoral commission’s credibility remains under scrutiny following the annulled 2019 vote.
Gabon Launches Legislative and Local Campaigns
Following April’s presidential transition, Gabon has launched campaigns for legislative and municipal elections scheduled for September 27 and October 11. Over 1,600 candidates are contesting 145 parliamentary seats, with 17,000 competing for local positions. The elections are pivotal for President Brice Oligui Nguema’s post-coup government.
Uganda’s JEEMA Opts Out of 2026 Presidential Race
The Justice Forum (JEEMA) has announced it will not field a presidential candidate in Uganda’s 2026 elections. Instead, the party will support a consensus opposition figure, excluding President Museveni, and focus on parliamentary and local races.
Human Rights & Civil Liberties
Sudanese Refugees Among Dozens Dead in Libya Shipwrecks
Two maritime tragedies off Libya’s coast claimed the lives of over 100 Sudanese refugees last weekend. One boat capsized near Tobruk, and another caught fire en route to Greece. Libya remains a major transit hub for migrants fleeing Sudan’s civil war, which has pushed over 140,000 Sudanese into the country since 2023.
South Sudan’s Charges Against Machar Decried as ‘Reckless’
The UN Human Rights Commission in South Sudan has condemned treason charges against opposition leader and First Vice President Riek Machar. The accusations, including terrorism and crimes against humanity, follow his suspension by President Salva Kiir. Analysts warn the charges threaten the fragile 2018 peace deal.
Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger to Replace ICC with Regional Court
Justice ministers from the Sahelian Alliance (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger) announced plans to withdraw from the International Criminal Court and form a regional “Sahelian Criminal Court for Human Rights.” Critics argue the move aims to shield leaders from international accountability.
Burkina Faso: Two Journalists Freed, One Still Missing
Journalists Adama Bayala and Alain Traoré were released after being forcibly conscripted into the military earlier this year. Their cases highlight ongoing repression of media in Burkina Faso. The fate of another journalist, Atiana Serge Oulon, remains unknown.
Chad Strips Citizenship from Exiled Critics
Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Deby has revoked the nationality of two France-based activists, accusing them of collaborating with foreign powers. Both figures have been outspoken critics of Chad’s political leadership, raising concerns over freedom of expression and state overreach.
Sources: africacenter.org
