Benin’s finance minister Romuald Wadagni has been confirmed as the winner of the presidential election, succeeding outgoing president Patrice Talon. The Constitutional Court validated the provisional results from the 12 April election, which showed Wadagni securing a landslide victory, with opposition candidate Paul Hounkpè receiving just under 6% of the vote. The court reported no irregularities warranting an annulment of the electoral process, and Wadagni is set to take office on 24 May. Under Wadagni’s previous tenure as finance minister, he significantly improved public finances, but he will need to address challenges such as economic inequality and insecurity in northern regions affected by jihadist attacks.
Sierra Leone signed a reconnaissance agreement with Shell on April 22 to explore 19 offshore blocks spanning 20,594 square kilometers, as stated by the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL). This agreement allows Shell to conduct geological studies, including seismic data interpretation and mapping hydrocarbon potential. President Julius Maada Bio called it a “defining moment” for the country’s resource development. The country had only eight wells drilled since the 1980s, leading to a shift in strategy to attract international oil companies based on geoscientific data. This shift yielded results with previous agreements, including one with Eni, and Freetown is preparing for additional licensing rounds utilizing recent seismic data.
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project inaugurated a 825-meter long and 90-meter high Senqu Bridge to double water exports from Lesotho to South Africa, increasing annual exports from 780 million to over 1,270 million cubic meters. This initiative, valued at over 53 billion rands ($3.2 billion), supports Lesotho’s hydropower capabilities and enhances energy security while facilitating continuous water management via a reservoir behind the Polihali Dam. The project, which represents a pivotal transboundary water collaboration stemming from a 1986 treaty between the two countries, is currently in its second phase, expected to be completed by 2028-2029.
Chad is set to deploy 1,500 troops to Haiti as part of a UN security force to address gang violence, following a request from the United Nations. Chadian President Mahamat Déby Itno announced this deployment in a letter to the legislature, stating that two battalions of 750 troops each will be sent for one year, building on the earlier dispatch of 400 troops. The UN Security Council has expanded the Kenya-led multinational force, now named the Gang Suppression Force, to 5,500 troops with enhanced powers to arrest gang members. Gangs control about 90% of Port-au-Prince, and they were involved in the assassination of former president Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
Thousands of Congolese refugees in Burundi returned to eastern Congo following the withdrawal of Rwandan-backed M23 rebels from Uvira. In the latest repatriation, 470 individuals crossed the border, part of over 33,000 who have returned home since March. Many refugees had been living in the Busuma camp in Burundi due to violence. The U.N. reports that the repatriation will continue with bi-weekly bus convoys. Currently, Burundi hosts over 200,000 Congolese refugees, including 66,000 in the Busuma camp, established in December 2025.
Somalia’s ambassador to Algeria, Yusuf Ahmed Hassan, affirmed the drowning of a boat off the Algerian coast, around 100 kilometers west of Algiers, killing at least 17 Somali migrants. According to him, he was notified by anxious families seeking information about missing relatives and reached out to the Algerian Foreign Ministry, which verified the deaths. However, Algerian officials have yet to reveal full facts regarding the tragedy, such as the total number of passengers and the cause of the capsizing. Hassan further paid a visit to Bou Ismail early the next day.
This week, the Chinese mission to the AU, in collaboration with the AU Commission and the Chamber of Commerce to Africa, held a China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit in Addis Ababa. The summit, themed “Deepening Practical China-Africa Cooperation and Embarking on a New Journey for Development,” aimed at enhancing cooperation to foster mutual development. The summit resulted in the establishment of the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Partnership Alliance, with a pledge from the AU Commission to ensure the summit’s outcomes lead to actionable results.
Ghana has summoned South Africa’s top envoy due to reported intimidation and harassment of its citizens and other migrants in South Africa, following the circulation of videos depicting vigilante attacks on alleged illegal immigrants. Ghanaian officials have offered support to a victim seen in the videos and urged expatriates to remain law-abiding. The Ghanaian Foreign Affairs Ministry has lodged a formal protest with South Africa’s high commissioner, while Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has discussed the matter with his South African counterpart, who promised a thorough investigation and expressed sympathy for the victims.
Nigeria has established a military court to prosecute 36 military personnel implicated in a failed coup attempt, as announced by the defense headquarters. This move is part of the government’s reaction to a plot threatening the country’s democratic rule. Major General Samaila Uba stated that the court will ensure fairness in its proceedings, which will be held privately. The identities of the accused officers have not been revealed, and they were transported to a military facility in Abuja on Friday.
The Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the convening of the Libyan-Russian Joint Committee in Moscow, the first meeting in 25 years, headed by Minister of Transport Mohammed Al-Shahoubi and attended by Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev. The meeting emphasized a renewed partnership aimed at mutual interests, stability, and development. Both sides agreed to continue working together, with the next meeting planned for Tripoli. Discussions focused on enhancing energy cooperation, facilitating the return of Russian companies to Libya, and resuming direct flights to boost economic exchange and connectivity.
