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Today in Africa — August 25, 2026: Tanzania's Vice-President Resigns, U.S. Pushes for Expanded UN Sanctions on Sudan

OkayAfrica has scoured the Internet for today’s major news stories, so you don't have to. On Aug. 25, coverage includes: Emmanuel Nchimbi stepping down amid reports of a rift with President Samia Suluhu Hassan; Washington's push to pressure Sudan's warring generals into peace talks; and more.

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Lihle Z. Mtshali Today in Africa & Newsletter Editor
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in camouflage salutes at an event in Port Sudan as Arabic signs appear in the background.
Sudan's army chief, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, dismissed the threat of sanctions and vowed his forces would keep fighting until they recapture all territory held by the rival Rapid Support Forces.

Every day, OkayAfrica shares a roundup of news we’re following but haven’t published as full articles. These short updates cover what’s happening across the continent — in culture, politics, and beyond. For more on stories like these, be sure to check out our News page, with stories from across the regions.

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Tanzania's Vice-President Resigns Less Than a Year Into Term

Tanzania's Vice-President Emmanuel Nchimbi announced his resignation yesterday, Monday, August 24, saying he'll retire from public life at the end of next week, less than 10 months after being sworn in. The 54-year-old, the first vice-president to step down since Tanzania's 1964 independence, said he was honoring a promise to President Samia Suluhu Hassan that he'd leave if she wanted a change, amid reports that the two had fallen out. Nchimbi took office last November after a presidential election marred by violent protests that killed at least 500 people, according to an official inquiry, following a disputed 98% victory for Samia's ticket.

Background on Nchimbi

  • He previously served as secretary-general of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party and held ministerial posts in information and home affairs.

  • Nchimbi also served as Tanzania's ambassador to Brazil and later Egypt before becoming vice-president.

  • In his resignation letter, he thanked Samia and the CCM party for their trust and said he would remain a "good citizen of Tanzania."

U.S. Pushes for Expanded UN Sanctions to End Sudan's War

The United States is calling for stronger United Nations sanctions against Sudan's warring parties, aiming to pressure them into negotiations after a conflict that has killed at least 59,000 people and displaced 13 million. Trump adviser Massad Boulos told the UN Security Council yesterday, Monday, August 24, that outside military, financial, and political support — from unnamed countries — continues to fuel the fighting, and a proposed U.S. resolution would expand an existing arms embargo to cover all of Sudan and all parties involved, including drone technology. Sudan's army chief, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, dismissed the threat of sanctions, vowing his forces would keep fighting until they recapture all territory held by the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Where Things Stand

  • Egypt has openly backed Sudan's military, while the United Arab Emirates has been accused by UN experts and rights groups of arming the RSF, a claim it denies.

  • UN political chief Rosemary DiCarlo told the Security Council that both sides remain "locked in a zero-sum military logic" despite repeated diplomatic efforts.

  • A gathering of Sudanese political groups and civil society organizations in Addis Ababa rejected Burhan's proposed national dialogue, arguing it can't succeed while fighting continues and the RSF remains excluded.

  • Former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said no credible peace process is possible without an end to the fighting, and participants accused Burhan of using the dialogue to legitimize his rule after the 2021 coup.

Ethiopia Submits Bid to Host 2028 AFCON Despite Infrastructure Concerns

Ethiopia has officially bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, with its football federation saying the government-backed proposal shows the country's "full readiness" to stage Africa's biggest football event. But Ethiopia has just one CAF-approved stadium, in Bahir Dar, and would need to complete a new stadium in Addis Ababa plus develop several other venues to meet the requirements of a 24-team tournament. Ethiopia has hosted Afcon three times before, most recently in 1976, but its footballing infrastructure now lags well behind other bidders, and ongoing security concerns in parts of the country add another challenge to its bid.

Who Else Is in the Running

  • Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe have announced a joint Southern African bid for 2028, while Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have expressed interest in co-hosting in 2032.

  • CAF President Patrice Motsepe said last month the organization received "exciting bids" for the 2028, 2032, and 2036 tournaments, which will shift to a four-year cycle after 2028.

  • Morocco, host of the 2025 edition, is reportedly not pursuing 2028 and is instead focused on co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

  • Ethiopia's national team, ranked 143rd in the world, hasn't won a match at Afcon since finishing bottom of its group in 2021, and has qualified for next year's tournament in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, where it's drawn against Senegal, Mozambique, and Sudan.

In Brief: More Stories Today

Tinubu Orders Rescue Operation After Mass Kidnapping in Niger State

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu ordered security agencies today, Tuesday, August 25,  to launch an immediate rescue operation after gunmen kidnapped scores of people, with a video circulating online suggesting about 600 women, children, and older people were taken during a mosque attack last week. A local official said 30 people were killed in the attack and buried Sunday, while the traditional head of the Dakera community said at least 2,000 residents fled into neighboring Benin Republic.

Guinea-Bissau to Hold Referendum Expanding Presidential Power

Guinea-Bissau's military-led government will hold a constitutional referendum on August 30 that would let the president appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet, dissolve parliament during a "grave political crisis," and shrink parliament from 102 to 65 seats. A university professor warned the changes would give the president "absolute power" with no political opposition, ahead of elections scheduled for December.

Rwanda's Kagame Blames DR Congo for Fueling Eastern Conflict

Rwandan President Paul Kagame again accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of arming and integrating the FDLR, a Rwandan Hutu armed group, into Congolese forces, saying this justifies Rwanda's continued involvement in the conflict. His comments came as a delegation tasked with verifying compliance with the Doha ceasefire agreement arrived in South Kivu province on August 24.

WHO Says DR Congo Remains Only 'Very High' Risk Country in Ebola Outbreak

The World Health Organization has updated its recommendations to member states as the DR Congo's Ebola outbreak continues spreading, and it's still the only country the WHO ranks 'very high' risk, with neighbors like Burundi and the Central African Republic ranked 'high risk.' As of yesterday, Monday, August 25, the country had recorded 5,514 confirmed cases and more than 2,690 deaths, a fatality rate of 47.9%.

Starlink Pushes for South African Market Entry After Years of Delays

Elon Musk's Starlink is taking new steps toward launching in South Africa, with SpaceX now engaging directly with the regulator, Independent  Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), to clarify how ownership and licensing rules apply to satellite operators. The push follows years of friction over South Africa's Black Economic Empowerment rules, which require 30% local equity, though a December 2025 policy change now lets foreign firms meet that requirement through alternative investments instead.

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