AGP Executive Report

South Africa’s Elections: Cyril Ramaphosa campaigned in Cape Town as a poll put the DA 13 points ahead of the ANC in Johannesburg and comfortably in front in Cape Town. ANC candidate disputes in the Eastern Cape add to pressure on the governing party; more than 44 politically motivated killings were recorded ahead of the local polls. West African Diplomacy: Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have resumed official talks with ECOWAS, agreeing to joint working groups aimed at a cooperation framework after their 2025 exit from the bloc. UN Leadership Race: Former Senegalese president Macky Sall withdrew his bid for UN secretary-general after an informal Security Council vote, saying he hoped to help build consensus around another candidate. Nigeria’s 2027 Contest: Political alliances are shifting as Rivers minister Nyesom Wike urges support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election. Opposition figures say they are pursuing a single candidate, but internal divisions and competing conditions remain obstacles.

Leadership Pledge: Egypt’s Abdel Fattah al-Sisi says he will leave office in 2030 and will not amend the constitution, which permits him to serve until then. Eastern Congo: Former president Joseph Kabila has joined forces with the M23-linked AFC and other armed groups under a new alliance, raising fears of defections and further escalation in the conflict. Nigeria’s 2027 Race: FCT Minister Nyesom Wike is rallying Rivers traditional leaders behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, while Kaduna Governor Uba Sani says his state is targeting three million votes for Tinubu. Opposition figures are also discussing a possible consensus candidate, amid disputes over who should lead the challenge. Regional Politics: Ethiopia has established a caretaker government in Tigray, while Morocco has formed a new cabinet led by Fatima Zahra Mansouri. UN Leadership: Macky Sall has withdrawn from the race to become UN secretary-general, leaving Uganda’s Olara Otunnu as Africa’s sole remaining candidate.

Tigray: Ethiopia has installed a six-month caretaker administration and plans an election, as renewed fighting threatens the 2022 peace deal. West African Ties: Nigeria is joining ECOWAS-AES talks in Dakar to rebuild cooperation with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger after their exit from the bloc. South African Elections: Campaigning is intensifying ahead of November’s local polls, but duplicate ID records may block some citizens from voting; two ANC campaigners were also killed this week. Nigeria’s 2027 Race: Tinubu allies are mobilising for his re-election while opposition leaders struggle to unite, amid sharp attacks from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Diplomacy: Ghana’s President Mahama praised the country’s re-election to the UN Human Rights Council for 2027–29, while Morocco appointed a new government led by Fatima Zahra Al Mansouri.

Morocco’s New Cabinet: King Mohammed VI swore in a government led by Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, the country’s first woman head of government. The reshuffle gives Fouzi Lekjaa the finance portfolio and creates a ministry covering artificial intelligence and digital transformation. DR Congo’s Opposition: The government banned 13 political parties, including former president Joseph Kabila’s PPRD, citing national security. Opposition figures say the move restricts political space amid rising tensions with Kabila’s supporters. Ethiopia’s Tigray Plan: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed named a caretaker administration and called for elections within six months, as renewed fighting and displacement deepen the region’s crisis. South Africa’s Police Leadership: President Cyril Ramaphosa reinstated police chief Fannie Masemola after prosecutors withdrew charges over a disputed contract; the matter is linked to scrutiny by the Madlanga Commission. Nigeria’s 2027 Campaign: FCT Minister Nyesom Wike rallied Rivers leaders behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid and branded opposition figures Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi and Peter Obi political gamblers. Ghana’s UN Role: President John Mahama urged Ghana’s Geneva envoy to build African coalitions and advance developing countries’ interests after Ghana won re-election to the UN Human Rights Council.

Election Violence: Two ANC members were shot dead while campaigning in KwaZulu-Natal, days after four youth activists were killed near Johannesburg. At least 43 people have died in suspected political attacks across South Africa this year, raising fears for campaigning ahead of the November 4 local elections. Police Leadership: President Cyril Ramaphosa reinstated National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, who returns to duty Monday after prosecutors withdrew charges over a disputed police health-services contract. 2027 Campaign: Nigeria’s Atiku Abubakar challenged President Bola Tinubu to defend his economic record personally, arguing voters will judge the administration by hardship in their daily lives. Somalia’s Vote: Somalia set May 15, 2027, for its presidential election despite insecurity. Deportation Dispute: Burkina Faso rejected a U.S. request to accept deportees who are not Burkinabé, calling the proposal “indecent”; Washington then halted most routine visa services for Burkinabé applicants.

South Africa’s Election Tensions: Two ANC members were shot dead while campaigning in KwaZulu-Natal, days after four ANC youth activists were killed near Johannesburg. Police have not confirmed a motive, but say political intolerance cannot be ruled out. The killings come ahead of local elections on November 4. Somalia’s Vote Dispute: The electoral commission set parliamentary elections for April 15 and a presidential vote for May 15, 2027. Opposition parties and regional leaders reject the process, arguing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term extension lacks agreement. Algeria–South Africa Ties: Foreign ministers Ronald Lamola and Ahmed Attaf met in Algiers to advance cooperation in energy, trade and other sectors. They also called for a stronger African voice in global affairs. Africa at the Global Table: A UN official in Nairobi urged international institutions to give Africa more influence, while calling on African governments to meet their own public-service commitments.

South Africa Elections: The Constitutional Court has ruled that the ANC can field candidates in municipalities where 181 nominees missed the registration deadline, overturning the IEC’s decision. Separately, four ANC Youth League members were killed in a Katlehong shooting; police are investigating a possible political motive. Nigeria 2027: President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the APC’s expanded campaign council, drawing attacks from ADC candidate Atiku Abubakar, who called it a sign of fear and said it would do nothing to ease hardship or insecurity. Economic Pressure: The IMF raised its 2026 sub-Saharan growth forecast to 4.5%, but warned inflation is worsening and debt costs leave gains fragile. US-South Africa Ties: A reported US proposal would spend about $335,000 on research and advertising to encourage Afrikaners to apply for refugee resettlement, amid disputed claims of persecution rejected by South Africa. Regional Leadership: Former Senegalese armed forces minister Birame Diop, the new ECOWAS Commission president, is set to address a defence exhibition in Lagos.

Nigeria’s 2027 Race: The ADC accused the ruling APC of using state power to draw opposition figures into President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign. Atiku Abubakar called the expanded campaign council a sign of fear, while six opposition parties have begun talks on cooperation. South Africa’s Elections: Four people were killed in a shooting after a political memorial in Katlehong. The government says it is working with police to protect political rights ahead of local polls; the IEC has approved a record 2.65 million special-vote applications. Health Policy: African Union leaders urged governments to boost domestic health funding and local production of medicines and vaccines as shrinking foreign aid strains services. Continental Finance: Nigeria’s central bank governor, Olayemi Cardoso, was named chairman of the Africa Finance Corporation board, which backs infrastructure and industrial development.

South Africa’s Election Tensions: Two people were killed and five injured in a shooting after a memorial for a local politician; police are investigating possible political links ahead of November’s municipal elections. Parties also defended submitting single-name candidate lists as the Electoral Court heard the DA’s challenge. Uganda’s Crackdown: Leaked footage from an alleged secret detention site has renewed accusations that security forces tortured government opponents. The army denied the claims. DRC Conflict: Former president Joseph Kabila has formed an alliance with armed groups, raising fears for peace efforts in the east, where millions are displaced. China urged an immediate ceasefire and stronger African-led mediation. China-Africa Ties: Xi Jinping met the leaders of Botswana and Togo, promoting closer cooperation and asserting African ownership of the continent’s mineral resources.

Horn of Africa: Donald Trump called Somaliland “a completely different country,” which its leaders welcomed as support for independence; his remarks do not amount to US recognition. The comments come amid mounting regional tensions over sovereignty and Red Sea access. Migration and Rights: South Africa’s Home Affairs Department says it will revise its approach to comply with a court order on asylum applications, after anti-migrant protests in Durban and Johannesburg turned violent. Resource Politics: China’s Xi Jinping said African minerals “belong to Africa” during talks with Botswana’s president, urging African countries to capture more value from their resources as global competition for critical minerals intensifies. Ghana’s Electoral Commission: President John Mahama has sworn in two deputy chairs, prompting opposition concerns about one appointee’s past work with the governing NDC and renewed questions over public confidence in election oversight. Rwanda’s Global Push: Kigali has secured a 10-year Formula One deal for a Grand Prix in the early 2030s, part of President Paul Kagame’s drive to attract investment and raise the country’s international profile.

South Africa’s Impeachment Fight: The EFF has asked the Western Cape High Court to overturn Parliament’s reversal of its recommendation to appoint Advocate Thandazani Madonsela as evidence leader in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s impeachment inquiry, alleging the committee acted in bad faith. Nigeria’s 2027 Race: The APC has named PDP’s Nyesom Wike and governors Ademola Adeleke and Chukwuma Soludo as state coordinators on Tinubu’s expanded campaign council. Security and US Ties: Nigeria and seven other African countries face possible US military-assistance restrictions under a child-soldier blacklist; waivers may apply. Sudan War: African civil society groups urged Sudan to admit chemical-weapons inspectors and called for a monitored ceasefire. South Africa’s Asylum Dispute: Home Affairs says it will develop a new approach after a court order, following protests that saw vehicles torched in Durban and Johannesburg. Kenya’s Political Tensions: Former minister Fred Matiang’i accused President Ruto of using ex-president Uhuru Kenyatta as a political scapegoat amid 2027 election manoeuvring.

Asylum and Migration: South Africa is seeking legal clarity on how to comply with a Constitutional Court asylum ruling after protests against the decision turned violent, with at least 24 vehicles torched. Local Elections: The ANC in Ekurhuleni expelled three councillors and ordered another to step aside for backing rivals ahead of November’s local polls. Nigeria’s 2027 Race: INEC has published its final presidential candidate list, including former minister Uche Nnaji, whose credentials have been challenged. Accountability: South African deputy police chief Shadrack Sibiya resigned after disciplinary proceedings began over serious criminal allegations. International Justice: South African jurist Navi Pillay’s Nobel Peace Prize has renewed attention on her human-rights work as US sanctions against the ICC heighten tensions over international law. Land Policy: President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government will release 2.5 million hectares of state land to black farmers.

Nigeria’s 2027 Race: INEC has published its final list of presidential candidates, including Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. The APC says its internal polls predict a Tinubu win, while the ADC accuses police of blocking a “Tinubu Must Go” rally in Kano and suppressing peaceful dissent. South Africa’s Migration Tensions: Anti-migrant unrest has left vehicles burned and shops looted; the government is seeking court oversight of an asylum ruling as Ghana says it is ready to evacuate citizens if needed. Ghana’s Foreign Policy: Accra plans to seek BRICS partner status, a move that could expose it to threatened US tariffs, though no tariffs have been imposed. Continental Diplomacy: African Union officials met in Libya to press for UN Security Council reform and permanent African seats. Africa’s Credit Agency: The newly launched African Credit Rating Agency aims to offer independent assessments of African economies and address concerns that ratings can raise borrowing costs.

South Africa: Anti-migrant violence has spread through major cities as the government weighs a court bid over asylum rules. Nigeria has evacuated 111 citizens, while Ghana says it may evacuate more if tensions worsen. Migration Tragedy: At least 139 people, including 15 children, died when a migrant boat capsized off Djibouti; 84 remain missing. Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: INEC has published its final presidential candidate list. Atiku Abubakar is demanding the commission name the firms printing election materials and explain key staff changes. Fuel Politics: Atiku and President Tinubu’s team are trading accusations over a 30-day petrol discount, with the Presidency rejecting Atiku’s proposed production subsidy as unworkable. Police disruption of a “Tinubu Must Go” rally in Kano has also drawn condemnation from the ADC, which calls it an attack on peaceful protest. Human Rights: South African jurist Navi Pillay has won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work defending human rights and international justice.

Nigeria’s 2027 Race: INEC published final candidate lists, naming 18 presidential contenders but leaving prominent opposition figures off some ballots. Ogun PDP alleges pressure over its candidate’s exclusion, while four parties are missing from Bauchi’s governorship list. South Africa’s Asylum Crisis: Home Affairs withdrew its asylum directive after protests and safety concerns, but anti-migrant unrest continues. Ghana says it is ready to evacuate citizens if their safety is threatened. Horn of Africa Tensions: Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed diplomatic ties amid accusations over rebel support and Ethiopia’s push for Red Sea access, raising fears of wider conflict. International Justice: South African jurist Navi Pillay’s Nobel Peace Prize has renewed focus on international law; the US imposed sanctions on the ICC after the award. Africa at the UN: African and Indian officials have renewed calls for Security Council reform, saying the body fails to represent the world fairly.

Nigeria’s 2027 Race: INEC’s final list for the Gombe governorship election omits former minister Isa Pantami, without giving a reason. Separately, Atiku Abubakar accused President Tinubu of using a ₦66-per-litre fuel discount for political gain, while FCT Minister Nyesom Wike threatened striking workers with “no work, no pay.” South Africa: Anti-immigration protests saw vehicles burned and foreign-owned shops looted, prompting the government to withdraw an asylum directive. Justice and Rights: South African jurist Navi Pillay’s Nobel Peace Prize has sharpened debate over international law; the US imposed sanctions on the ICC, and Uganda warned it could leave the court if its citizens are targeted. Continental Governance: The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights plans a public dialogue on access to justice as it marks 20 years, and has partnered with UNESCO to train staff on AI and the rule of law.