Today in Africa — August 1, 2025: African Nations Championship Kicks Off Tomorrow, Rwanda and DRC Hold First Talks Since Peace Deal, South African Scientists Make Rhino Horns Radioactive to Stop Poachers

Historic CHAN Tournament Kicks Off Tomorrow with Three Co-Hosts and Tight Rules in Kenya

The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) begins tomorrow, Saturday, August 2, and runs until August 30, marking the first time the tournament will be jointly hosted by three countries — Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Nineteen teams are competing, with co-hosts Tanzania taking on Burkina Faso in the tournament opener tomorrow in Dar es Salaam. Group A features Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, co-hosts Kenya, Morocco, and Zambia. Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Madagascar, Mauritania, and co-hosts Tanzania will face each other in Group B. Algeria, Guinea, Niger, South Africa, and co-hosts Uganda battle in Group C. Group D is made up of the Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, defending champions Senegal, and Sudan.

The competition, which only allows players from domestic leagues, also serves as a warm-up for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, set to be co-hosted by the same nations. In Kenya, controversy has erupted over strict stadium rules. Fans are banned from bringing vuvuzelas, whistles, drums, outside food, or any political banners into venues. The Local Organising Committee says the measures are meant to maintain order, but critics argue they dampen the signature atmosphere of African football. Government officials have also urged fans to avoid political chants during matches.

Rwanda and DRC Begin Oversight Talks, But Peace Deal Faces Delays

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo held their first joint oversight committee meeting yesterday, Thursday, July 31, as part of a U.S.-brokered peace deal signed in June. The African Union, Qatar, and U.S. officials also joined the talks in Washington, aimed at monitoring progress and resolving disputes. Under the agreement, both countries committed to pulling Rwandan troops out of eastern DRC and ending military operations against the FDLR within 90 days.

But a month later, key parts of the plan remain stalled. The joint security coordination mechanism has not yet convened, Rwandan soldiers are still on Congolese soil, and military actions against the FDLR have not begun. While U.S. officials insist the process is on track, diplomatic and military sources say the timeline is slipping, especially as groups like M23 and Wazalendo continue to reinforce their positions on the ground.

South African Scientists Make Rhino Horns Radioactive to Catch Poachers

In a bold move to stop rhino poaching, South African scientists have started injecting rhino horns with small amounts of radioactive isotopes that can be picked up by radiation detectors at borders and airports. The Rhisotope Project, led by the University of the Witwatersrand in partnership with conservationists and nuclear officials, launched officially on Thursday after a successful trial last year involving 20 rhinos.

The technique doesn’t harm the animals but gives law enforcement a new tool to trace and intercept trafficked horns. Five more rhinos were injected at the launch, with hopes to expand the initiative across South Africa’s dwindling rhino population. Scientists behind the project say the isotopes will help turn rhino horns into liabilities for poachers — and help curb the illegal trade at its source.

Ethiopians Plant 700 Million Tree Seedlings in One Day

Ethiopia planted a record 700 million tree seedlings in a single day yesterday, Thursday, July 31, as part of its Green Legacy Initiative, a massive reforestation effort launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2019. Offices across the country shut down to allow nearly 15 million people to take part, from city parks in Addis Ababa to rural villages. The goal: restore degraded land, fight climate change, and reach 50 billion trees by 2026. Abiy said the campaign is no longer just an event — it’s become a national culture.

Tanzania Approves Western Election Observers, Bars African Bodies and Main Opposition Party

Tanzania’s electoral commission has greenlit 12 mostly Western observer missions to monitor the October 29 general election, but excluded regional blocs like the East African Community and SADC. The vote comes amid growing scrutiny over voter register discrepancies and a crackdown on opposition. The main opposition party, Chadema, has been barred from participating, and its leader, Tundu Lissu, is in prison on treason charges. While the electoral commission claims 37.6 million registered voters, critics say the number is inflated and includes underage and deceased individuals. Only 76 local civil society groups were approved to monitor the poll, with independent watchdogs like LHRC left out.

Senegal Unveils Debt-Free Recovery Plan, Targets Local Revenue and Spending Cuts

Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has launched a bold economic recovery plan that aims to fund 90% of its costs using domestic resources, avoiding new debt amid fallout from billions in undisclosed loans by the previous administration. The plan includes deep spending cuts, tax hikes — including a 100% tax on tobacco — and new visa fees. Online gaming and mobile money sectors will now be taxed, while contracts in oil, mining, and telecoms will be renegotiated to raise funds. The IMF, which froze its loan programme earlier this year, has pushed for targeted subsidy reforms to better support vulnerable households.

Côte d’Ivoire’s Ahoua Don Mello Enters Presidential Race as Gbagbo Is Barred

Former Côte d’Ivoire minister Ahoua Don Mello has launched a “precautionary” presidential bid after ally and ex-president Laurent Gbagbo was blocked from running in October’s election. Mello, once the PPA-CI party’s vice president, will now run independently after Gbagbo dismissed him over the move. The race is shaping up to be tense, with both Gbagbo and opposition figure Tidjane Thiam disqualified, raising fears of unrest despite President Alassane Ouattara’s pledge of a peaceful vote.

World Bank: Without G20 help, Zimbabwe faces five more years of debt crisis

Zimbabwe’s $21.1 billion debt — nearly half its GDP — is spiraling, with some experts warning it could exceed $30 billion. The World Bank has urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to seek G20 and Paris Club support through the Common Framework to avoid another five years of economic isolation. While the country’s efforts, which include hiring consultants and lobbying South Africa, have hit roadblocks due to sanctions and stalled reforms, critics at home are calling for a forensic debt audit and a cap law. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s China-backed loans and resource deals are drawing concern over long-term sustainability.