Former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama won the presidency on Sunday, defeating Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia with 56.3% of the vote, according to preliminary results. Bawumia conceded, acknowledging the people’s call for change after two terms of New Patriotic Party (NPP) rule under Nana Akufo-Addo. Mahama’s victory marks a historic return, making him the first leader in Ghana’s Fourth Republic to reclaim the presidency after losing a prior election. Campaigning on economic reforms and anti-corruption, Mahama seeks to address Ghana’s challenges, including high inflation and a debt default.
Niger’s military government has suspended the BBC for three months, accusing the broadcaster of disseminating “fake news to destabilise social peace and demoralise troops combating jihadists,” according to Communication Minister Raliou Sidi Mohamed. The suspension affects BBC programmes in Hausa and French, which are aired via local radio partners and reach around 17% of Niger’s adult population. However, the BBC’s website remains accessible, and radio broadcasts can still be heard on shortwave frequencies.
Burkina Faso’s military junta appointed Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo as prime minister, following the abrupt dissolution of the government. Ouedraogo, formerly communications minister, replaces Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela, dismissed without explanation by junta leader Ibrahim Traore. The junta, which seized power in September 2022 after ousting Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba, initially justified its takeover by citing security concerns under civilian rule. However, it has struggled to address the ongoing security challenges plaguing the country.
Zimbabwe is facing a worsening dry spell, exacerbating hunger for millions already suffering from an El Nino-induced drought, according to the World Food Programme on Thursday. The ongoing drought in Southern Africa, the worst in decades, has led Zimbabwe and neighboring countries to declare a state of disaster due to food shortages. Despite forecasts of rains resuming in October, Zimbabwe has only received limited rainfall in late November. In southern districts like Chivi, residents are struggling, with families skipping meals to preserve limited food supplies.
Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi was inaugurated on Thursday as Somaliland’s sixth president after a historic November election, succeeding Muse Bihi Abdi. In his address, Abdullahi vowed to strengthen foreign policy and intensify efforts for international recognition, emphasizing Somaliland’s legal case for sovereignty. Despite declaring independence from Somalia over 30 years ago, Somaliland remains unrecognized globally but is praised for its political stability and democracy. Abdullahi criticized previous agreements, such as a controversial deal with Ethiopia, promising to review them to align with Somaliland’s goals.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, during a visit to Lesotho this week, urged wealthy nations to fulfill their climate finance pledges to support developing countries in combating climate change. Addressing Lesotho’s Parliament, Guterres emphasized the vulnerability of landlocked nations to global warming and called for the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund to aid countries impacted by climate-induced disasters. While Africa contributes minimally to climate change, it faces severe consequences, including droughts and economic losses. Guterres also advocated for Africa’s inclusion in the U.N. Security Council, calling its exclusion an outdated colonial injustice.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday offered to mediate between Sudan and the UAE, aiming to ease tensions stemming from Sudan’s accusations that the UAE is arming rival paramilitary forces, an allegation the UAE denies. Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s commitment to Sudan’s peace, stability, and sovereignty, while cautioning against external interventions. This offer follows Erdogan’s recent mediation success between Ethiopia and Somalia, where both nations agreed to initiate technical talks addressing disputes over Ethiopia’s deal with Somaliland.
The African Development Bank Group this week approved a $108 million loan to Zambia to strengthen economic governance and reform key public sectors under the Fiscal Sustainability and Economic Resilience Support Programme. The initiative aims to diversify Zambia’s economy, reduce reliance on mining, and enhance agricultural productivity through measures like introducing a “smart invoice” system, registering VAT taxpayers, and boosting agro-industrial growth.
France has begun withdrawing its military from Chad, with the departure of two Mirage fighter jets from the capital N’Djamena, following Chad’s abrupt end to a decades-long defense cooperation pact on Nov. 28. This move comes after the withdrawal of French troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger due to military coups and growing anti-French sentiment in West Africa. The French army has indicated that a full drawdown of operations will take several weeks, with remaining French forces numbering about 1,000 troops.
Morocco was confirmed as one of the hosts for the 2030 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, alongside Spain and Portugal, marking a historic moment for African football. The decision was unanimously approved during an Extraordinary FIFA Congress with all 211 Member Associations represented. The joint bid scored an impressive 4.2 out of 5 in its evaluation, exceeding the minimum hosting requirements. Morocco becomes only the second African nation to host the World Cup, after South Africa in 2010. This tournament, commemorating the centenary of the first World Cup in 1930, will also feature matches in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
