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A curated update on key developments across Africa
📅 12 September 2025
Geopolitics & Policy
South Sudan Vice President Indicted on Serious Charges
🇸🇸 South Sudan has charged Vice President Riek Machar and 20 others with murder, terrorism, and conspiracy following an alleged attack on a military base. The attack was reportedly carried out by a militia associated with Machar’s ethnic community. President Salva Kiir has since removed Machar from office amid rising political tensions.
Kenya Faces Anti-Doping Deadline
🇰🇪 The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has warned that Kenya could face sanctions beginning in October if it fails to fully comply with global anti-doping regulations. Authorities have been urged to address key deficiencies in the country’s sports monitoring systems.
Tech & Deals
Airtel and Moov Africa Sign Infrastructure Agreement in Gabon
🇬🇦 Telecom operators Airtel Gabon and Moov Africa have signed a tower-sharing agreement to improve coverage, reduce duplication, and minimize environmental impact. The initiative is expected to enhance service delivery and lower operational costs.
South Africa’s Standard Bank Funds Renewable Energy Expansion
🇿🇦 Standard Bank has finalized a loan deal worth $399 million with Mulilo Energy, a private renewable energy firm based in Cape Town. The funds will support expansion in solar and wind infrastructure as South Africa moves to diversify its energy mix.
Intra-African Trade Fair Secures $48.3 Billion in Deals
🌍 The 2025 Intra-African Trade Fair in Algiers concluded with $48.3 billion in signed trade and investment deals, according to organizers. With participation from 132 countries and over a dozen African heads of government, the fair emphasized AfCFTA implementation and stronger intra-continental logistics and value chains.
Politics & Elections
Ivory Coast: Presidential Race Narrows as Candidates Disqualified
🇨🇮 Ivory Coast’s top court has barred key opposition figures, including former President Laurent Gbagbo and ex-Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, from contesting the October 25 election. Despite the setback, the PDCI opposition party insists it will not boycott the vote. The final list of candidates includes President Alassane Ouattara and four challengers, raising questions about electoral competitiveness.
Tanzania Court Reinstates Barred Presidential Candidate
🇹🇿 A Tanzanian court has overturned the Electoral Commission’s disqualification of Luhaga Mpina, a key opposition candidate from ACT Wazalendo, ruling the ban unconstitutional. The decision comes amid broader criticism of political suppression ahead of the October 29 election, with other opposition leaders, including Chadema’s Tundu Lissu, facing legal challenges.
Human Rights & Society
Guinean Author Tierno Monenembo Denounces Junta Rule
🇬🇳 Celebrated Guinean writer Tierno Monenembo has called for a boycott of the upcoming constitutional referendum, describing it as a tool to legitimize military rule. Monenembo remains one of the few openly critical voices in Guinea, warning that authoritarianism is deepening, with disappearances and media repression on the rise.
Climate & Resources
AU to Form Mining Coalition to Harness Critical Minerals
🌍 The African Union is exploring the formation of a coalition of mineral-rich member states to coordinate strategies around the extraction and export of critical minerals. The proposal, dubbed “Africa’s Green Minerals Strategy,” was unveiled at the AU Climate Summit in Addis Ababa and aims to position Africa as a global supplier for the green energy transition.
Barrick Executive Joins Mali Government in Mining Dispute
🇲🇱 In a surprising turn, a senior Barrick Gold executive has switched sides to advise Mali’s president amid a high-stakes dispute over the Loulo-Gounkoto gold mine. The move underscores growing resource nationalism in the region, with the military-led government seeking more control under a new mining code.
