Madagascar is preparing to swear in Colonel Michael Randrianirina as its transitional president after a military coup ousted President Andry Rajoelina. The new leadership announced that Randrianirina will assume office during a formal hearing of the High Constitutional Court on 17 October. This development follows Rajoelina’s flight abroad after being impeached by lawmakers; he has refused to resign despite growing protests by youth movements, labor unions and civic groups demanding better governance and economic opportunities.
In Kenya, a public holiday has been declared for 17 October 2025 to honor the late former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga, who died while receiving treatment in India. The holiday coincides with Odinga’s state funeral, allowing the nation to collectively mourn and reflect on his decades‑long fight for democracy, reform and unity.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda‑backed rebel group M23 have agreed to create a joint body to monitor a future permanent ceasefire, a step seen as crucial to ending years of violence in the country’s east. Representatives from Congo, M23 and the 12‑country International Conference on the Great Lakes Region will participate, aiming to build trust before peace talks.
Accounts linked to the military juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have been found spreading false information to destabilise Côte d’Ivoire ahead of its 25 October presidential election. The campaigns falsely announced President Alassane Ouattara’s death and reported a fictitious coup, seeking to incite unrest during opposition protests in Abidjan.
In Zimbabwe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has accused his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, of incitement and treason after a corruption dossier allegedly presented by Chiwenga to the ZANU‑PF politburo. The exchange comes ahead of ZANU‑PF’s National People’s Conference in Mutare, where tensions between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga are expected to dominate discussions, signalling an intensifying succession battle within the ruling party.
The World Food Programme has warned that nearly 14 million people could face severe hunger by the end of the year as humanitarian funding cuts threaten six of its most critical operations. Programs in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan are already experiencing major disruptions; reduced rations mean children go hungry, mothers skip meals and families lose essential support. Acute food insecurity has reached record levels, with 319 million people affected, including 44 million at emergency levels.
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