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Sudan: Security Failures Push Returnees Out of Khartoum
Widespread insecurity and inadequate basic services in Khartoum are driving displaced residents to return to outlying states. While parts of Omdurman show signs of recovery, other districts are plagued by power outages, scarce water, unreliable telecommunications, and rising food costs. Civilians also report arbitrary detentions by security forces in southern and eastern Khartoum, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
Guinea: Gateway for Russian Military Transfers to Mali
Russia is using Guinea’s port of Conakry to discreetly funnel arms and military equipment to Mali, despite the Wagner Group’s withdrawal. Satellite data and shipping logs confirm the arrival of Russian cargo vessels—under international sanctions—delivering weapons later transported by road. These operations strengthen Russia’s Africa Corps presence in the Sahel.
Niger: Dozens Killed in Suspected Jihadist Attack
Suspected jihadists killed dozens of civilians in Manda, Niger, as they headed to Friday prayers. The attack highlights ongoing violence in the tri-border area with Mali and Burkina Faso. Since the 2023 military coup, more than 2,400 people have died due to insurgent violence, according to ACLED.
West Africa: ECOWAS Admits Rising Instability
At a summit in Abuja, ECOWAS leaders acknowledged mounting regional insecurity and democratic backsliding. Sierra Leone’s President Bio, newly appointed ECOWAS chair, called for revamping the bloc’s collective security strategy. Jihadist threats, illicit arms, and political coups—particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—remain key concerns.
Nigeria: Navy Targets Oil Theft, Arrests 76 Vessels
Nigeria’s navy has arrested 76 vessels and 242 suspects in a two-year crackdown on oil theft, recovering 171,000 barrels of stolen crude. Naval forces have also dismantled over 800 illegal refining sites and bolstered surveillance at export terminals to curb losses in Africa’s largest oil producer.
Chad: Intercommunal Violence Kills 17
Armed herders killed 17 women and children in Oregomel, southern Chad, amid rising tensions over land use. The attack follows similar deadly incidents in Mandakao and eastern Ouaddai Province. Intercommunal violence, fueled by longstanding ethnic and religious divisions, continues to destabilize border regions near Sudan.
Uganda: Museveni to Run for Re-election in 2026
Uganda’s ruling party confirmed that President Yoweri Museveni, 80, will run for re-election. The move follows increased repression of opposition leaders ahead of the 2026 vote. Key rival Bobi Wine has also declared his candidacy, though past elections have been marred by violence and alleged vote rigging.
Kenya: Police Face Murder Charges Over Blogger’s Death
Six suspects, including three police officers, will face murder charges after political blogger Albert Ojwang died in custody in Nairobi. Ojwang’s death, initially labeled a suicide, was later confirmed as assault-related. The incident has reignited public protests over police brutality.
Tanzania: Legal Summit Relocated Amid Rights Concerns
The East Africa Law Society has moved its 2025 summit from Zanzibar to Addis Ababa, citing Tanzania’s deteriorating rights environment. The decision follows the deportation and reported abuse of foreign legal activists attending an opposition leader’s trial. Civic space in Tanzania faces increasing pressure ahead of the general election.
South Sudan: Kiir Visits UAE Amid Regional Tensions
President Salva Kiir is on a diplomatic visit to the UAE, amid tensions between Sudan and the Emirates over alleged arms support to Sudanese paramilitaries. While in Abu Dhabi, Kiir will discuss investment and peacebuilding. Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel is overseeing state affairs during his absence.
South Sudan Hosts East African Scientific Conference
Juba is hosting the 10th East African Scientific Conference (25–27 June), focusing on health, agriculture, and environmental challenges. Over 300 regional experts are expected. Officials aim to use the platform to influence policy and strengthen cross-border research networks.
Central African Republic: UN Peacekeeper Killed in Ambush
A Zambian peacekeeper was killed and another wounded in an attack on a UN patrol in CAR’s Vakaga region near Sudan. The UN condemned the assault and urged justice, noting it is the third deadly attack on peacekeepers in CAR in 2025.
Interpol: Africa Faces Growing Cybercrime Threat
Cyber-enabled crimes—especially phishing and ransomware—are on the rise in Africa, according to Interpol. While digital banking is expanding, most African states lack the capacity to manage cyber threats. Interpol urges investment in cybersecurity infrastructure and legal reform.
Nigeria: 23 Chinese Nationals Jailed for Cybercrime
A Nigerian court sentenced 23 Chinese nationals to one year in prison for involvement in cyberterrorism and a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme. The EFCC says they were part of a 792-member cyber fraud ring dismantled in December 2024. The case highlights transnational cyber threats facing African states.
