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Politics & Governance
Guinea’s Referendum: Military Rule on the Ballot
On September 21, Guinea will hold a constitutional referendum that could entrench military rule. Led by junta head Mamadi Doumbouya, the process seeks to legitimize the 2021 coup through a constitution that allows junta leaders to run for office and grants them self-defined amnesty (Article 198). Despite earlier promises to restore civilian rule, the junta has failed to meet its ECOWAS-agreed deadline to end military rule by 2024, signaling a troubling democratic backslide in the country of 14.8 million.
Malawi Heads to Polls Amid Economic Crisis
Malawi began voting this week in a high-stakes election dominated by economic hardship. Incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera faces off against former President Peter Mutharika in what analysts predict will be a runoff. Inflation has remained above 20% for three consecutive years, with natural disasters and corruption scandals fueling widespread discontent.
Tanzania: Opposition Silenced Ahead of Vote
Tanzania’s electoral commission disqualified Luhaga Mpina, ACT-Wazalendo’s presidential candidate, days after a court reinstated him. Meanwhile, main opposition leader Tundu Lissu faces trial for treason. President Samia Suluhu Hassan faces minimal competition ahead of the October 29 elections, as opposition parties face legal and administrative blocks.
Chad Approves Unlimited Presidential Terms
Chad’s National Assembly has approved a bill extending presidential terms from five to seven years and lifting term limits. Passed by 171 votes to one, the amendment strengthens executive power under the Patriotic Salvation Movement and awaits Senate ratification next month.
Security & Conflict
Sudan: Starvation and Siege in El Fasher
El Fasher remains under siege by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), where 260,000 civilians are trapped. With UN aid convoys blocked and ambushes common, residents have resorted to eating animal feed, leading to multiple deaths. Doctors Without Borders reports a surge in sexual violence, with 40 weekly rape cases treated, though the true figures are likely higher.
Mali: Fuel Convoy Attacked Amid JNIM Blockade
JNIM militants destroyed at least 40 fuel tankers in western Mali, enforcing a blockade that threatens national fuel supplies. The attack highlights escalating insecurity in the Sahel as insurgents target critical infrastructure to pressure the military-led government.
Burkina Faso: Civilians Targeted in Jihadist Raids
Jihadist groups have killed at least 50 civilians in northern Burkina Faso since May, according to Human Rights Watch. Attacks by JNIM and the Islamic State in the Sahel targeted humanitarian convoys and punished villages for resisting rebel orders. Government forces are also accused of counterinsurgency abuses.
South Sudan: Leadership Crisis and Military Promotions
President Salva Kiir has promoted Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel to full general amid accusations of grand corruption. A UN report revealed $1.7 billion in road funds paid to Mel-linked companies for undelivered work. As political rival Riek Machar remains under house arrest, concerns grow over the country’s future leadership.
Human Rights & Rule of Law
Uganda: Opposition Silenced, Judiciary Undermined
Dr. Kizza Besigye’s party has opted out of Uganda’s 2026 election due to his prolonged detention on treason charges. The Uganda Law Society warns that growing state defiance of court orders threatens the country’s legal foundation. Its president remains in exile, underscoring institutional fragility.
Nigeria: Mosque Attack Shatters Fragile Peace
Armed bandits abducted 40 worshippers from a mosque in Zamfara State, days after a peace deal in nearby Katsina. The attack signals the collapse of local agreements with armed groups in Nigeria’s northwest, where insecurity continues to defy state efforts at resolution.
Trade & Development
Zimbabwe to Host Intra-African Trade Fair HQ
Zimbabwe will become the permanent home of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) headquarters. The platform, backed by Afreximbank, the African Union, and the AfCFTA Secretariat, has facilitated over $120 billion in trade deals since 2018. The move is expected to boost Zimbabwe’s role in regional commerce and economic diplomacy.
Compiled from multiple independent sources including Reuters, AFP, The New York Times, Sudan Tribune, HRW, and regional press agencies.
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