Today in Africa — December 1, 2025: World AIDS Day, Nigerian Girls Rescue, Cameroon Opposition Leader Dies

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 on 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.

World AIDS Day: WHO Warns Africa Faces Rising HIV Risks as Global Funding Declines

The World Health Organization is urging African governments to increase domestic HIV funding, warning that a sharp drop in global financing is threatening progress across the continent. Marking World AIDS Day today, Monday, December 1, the agency said HIV programs that rely heavily on external support are becoming more vulnerable, even as Africa has cut new infections and AIDS-related deaths by more than half since 2010. WHO Africa regional director Mohamed Janabi said countries must build stronger, self-sustaining health systems, expand access to new technologies like long-acting prevention medicine lenacapavir, and confront misinformation that continues to undermine public trust.

The WHO praised community-driven efforts that kept treatment going during recent crises, but stressed that Africa’s gains remain fragile. More than 21.7 million people in the region are on antiretroviral therapy, and Botswana’s elimination of mother-to-child transmission shows what political commitment can achieve. But Janabi warned that shrinking global aid, rising inequalities, and disruptions to HIV services — including a major drop in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) access in several countries — could reverse progress. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates that external health assistance could fall by up to 40 percent next year, a gap that could fuel millions of new infections if not addressed.

Nigerian Military Rescues Abducted Girls in Borno

The Nigerian army announced that it has successfully rescued the 12 young female farmers who were abducted by Islamist insurgents in Borno state, northeast Nigeria, over a week ago. The survivors, aged between 15 and 20, were freed on Saturday, November 29, following an operation by troops of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ in the southern Borno axis. In a statement, an army spokesperson said the rescue “was made possible through the dedication of our personnel and the timely support of local informants.” Similar to the return of the 25 female students abducted from a school in Kebbi state, the Nigerian authorities haven’t shared any information about arrests.

The rescued girls were taken to a secure military facility to receive comprehensive medical care, psychological support, and debriefing before being reunited with their families. The news of this rescue isn’t entirely positive, amidst the recent escalation of abductions in Nigeria’s longstanding insecurity woes; 13 women and an infant were kidnapped during an overnight raid in Chacho, Sokoto state, in the northwest. A bride and her ten bridesmaids were among those kidnapped, according to residents. Without urgent action by the Nigerian government, the northern region is projected to deal with severe food insecurity as the rates of armed attacks and abductions increase.

Cameroonian Opposition Figure Anicet Ekane Dies in Police Custody

Cameroonian opposition leader Anicet Ekane has died while in police detention today, Monday, December 1. Ekane was the leader of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy party, but he supported the bid of Issa Tchiroma Bakary during the presidential election in October. The 74-year-old was arrested by soldiers, in what his party called an abduction, after the post-election protests that rocked the country. Ekane was held on charges of inciting a revolt and hostility to the state, charges he denied. 92-year-old incumbent Paul Biya was announced as the winner of the election, but the results have been disputed by many opposition leaders and parties, with allegations of electoral fraud. Ekane’s family and lawyer said his health deteriorated while in prison, and he was denied medical attention by his detainers. Ekane’s party has called his passing “a flagrant human rights violation” that led to a “programmed killing.”

Guinea-Bissau Junta Bans Protests as ECOWAS Arrives to Press for Return to Civilian Rule

Guinea-Bissau’s military rulers have banned all protests, strikes, and activities they deem a threat to “peace and stability” ahead of a high-level ECOWAS visit today, Monday, December 1, seeking the restoration of constitutional order after last week’s coup. The directive, issued yesterday, Sunday, November 30, also ordered public institutions to reopen following demonstrations in Bissau where hundreds demanded the release of detained opposition figures and the publication of presidential election results. ECOWAS leaders from Sierra Leone, Togo, Cape Verde, and Senegal arrived today to push the junta — which seized power three days after a disputed vote — to release the election returns and reinstate democratic rule.

The military has installed former army chief Gen. Horta Inta-a as interim president for a one-year transition, claiming the coup was necessary to prevent “narcotraffickers” from capturing the state. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló fled to Brazzaville after saying he had been arrested during the takeover. Nigeria has meanwhile granted protection to opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa, citing threats to his life. ECOWAS has suspended Guinea-Bissau from its decision-making bodies, and the UN has condemned the coup as a violation of voters’ will in one of West Africa’s most coup-prone and politically fragile states.

Ramaphosa Rejects Trump’s Threat to Bar South Africa From 2025 G20 Summit

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to exclude Pretoria from next year’s G20 summit in Florida, saying South Africa remains a “full, active and constructive” founding member of the group. Trump claimed South Africa would not be invited after accusing the government of persecuting white citizens and refusing to hand over the G20 presidency at the Johannesburg summit — allegations South Africa calls false, stressing it passed the gavel to a U.S. embassy representative. Ramaphosa dismissed Trump’s comments as “blatant misinformation,” including claims of “genocide against Afrikaners,” and noted that U.S. businesses and civil society participated fully in G20 events hosted in Johannesburg in November.

South African Radio Presenter Arrested on Suspicion of Recruiting Fighters for Russia

Five men have been arrested and are being charged for playing roles in tricking South Africans into fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war. Among those arrested is veteran broadcaster Nonkululeko Mantula, alleged to have played a central role in recruiting the men as mercenaries for Russia. The five men were arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, moments before boarding a flight for Russia, and they are set to face charges under the Foreign Military Assistance Act. Preliminary hearing in the case has been postponed to next Monday. Also alleged to be part of the plot is Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma and a former Member of Parliament. Zuma-Sambudla resigned as an MP last week, saying she was also tricked in the incident and would now focus her energy on bringing back the 17 men in Donbas, Ukraine.

African Leaders Push for AU-Backed Reparations for Colonial-Era Crimes

African leaders meeting in Algiers yesterday, Sunday, November 30, called for colonial-era crimes to be formally recognized, criminalized, and compensated through an African Union reparations process, building on an AU resolution passed in May that defines colonization as a crime against humanity. Officials highlighted the vast economic damage caused by European powers who extracted gold, diamonds, rubber, and other resources, leaving communities impoverished, with some estimates putting the value of the plunder in the trillions. Algeria’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf said hosting the meeting in a country scarred by French rule was symbolic, stressing that any restitution must be treated as a legal obligation rather than a favor. The push also aligns with efforts by African nations to secure the return of looted cultural artifacts still held in European museums, including major Algerian objects such as the 16th-century Baba Merzoug cannon.