Today in Africa — December 22, 2025: Abducted Nigerian Students Freed, Sudan Seeks RSF Terror Label, Guinea Elections

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.

Nigeria Reunites Final Group of Freed Schoolchildren After Papiri Kidnapping

A final group of 130 Nigerian schoolchildren kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri last month is set to reunite with their families in Niger State, ending a month-long ordeal that shocked Nigeria. The children were among more than 300 pupils and staff abducted on November 21, one of the country’s worst school kidnappings in recent years. Officials say the release followed a military intelligence–led operation, though they have not said whether negotiations or payments were involved.

Earlier this month, 100 students were freed, while 50 escaped shortly after the abduction. The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora thanked federal and state authorities, security agencies, and humanitarian partners for securing the children’s release. The case has renewed anger over persistent insecurity in northern and central Nigeria, where armed groups frequently target schools for ransom, despite repeated government pledges to stop the attacks.

Sudan Urges Terrorist Designation for RSF, Accuses UAE of Backing Militias

Sudan has called for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces to be designated a terrorist group and held accountable for crimes against civilians, accusing the United Arab Emirates of funding and arming the group. The appeal was made at the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Cairo, where ministers from more than 50 African countries met with Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. Sudan’s Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Lamia Abdel Ghaffar, urged African and regional bodies to help isolate the RSF, which has been fighting the Sudanese army for over two years.

Sudan’s call follows growing international scrutiny of the RSF. Earlier this month, the UK sanctioned four RSF commanders over alleged mass killings, sexual violence, and attacks on civilians in El Fasher, while the UN and the US have also accused the group of serious abuses. The war, sparked by a power struggle in April 2023, has killed at least 40,000 people — rights groups say the toll is likely higher — and displaced more than 14 million, creating what aid agencies describe as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Sudan raised the issue as part of broader diplomatic engagement at the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, which Moscow has used to deepen ties with African states since its 2023 St. Petersburg summit.

Guinea’s Junta Leader Doumbouya Eyes Election Win After Mining Push

Guinea’s military leader, Mamady Doumbouya, is expected to run — and likely win — in the December 28 presidential election, four years after seizing power in a coup. Doumbouya, who once promised not to contest the vote, has reformed the country’s minerals sector and launched the long-delayed Simandou iron ore project, moves he is using to campaign, claiming growth and stability. Guinea, home to the world’s largest bauxite reserves, has avoided the unrest seen in parts of the Sahel, and analysts say the junta has tightened state control over mining to boost revenues, including revoking a major alumina license this year after a refinery dispute.

Critics say the vote will entrench military rule rather than mark a true return to civilian government. A post-coup charter that barred junta members from running was dropped under a new constitution approved in September, while key opponents have been sidelined. Prominent opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo lives in exile, and former president Alpha Conde (87) was disqualified under a new age limit of 85. Civil society groups accuse the government of banning protests, restricting media, and pressuring courts, even as Doumbouya argues his record on infrastructure, poverty, and anti-corruption justifies a civilian mandate. Analysts warn the outcome could set a precedent across West Africa, where ignoring the West African trading bloc, ECOWAS, demands for swift transitions risks normalizing coup leaders turning themselves into elected presidents.

Nairobi Approves Two Days of Paid Period Leave for Female County Workers

The Nairobi City County Government has approved a policy granting women employed by the county two paid days off each month for menstrual health, allowing them to take leave during their periods without using sick or annual leave. The move makes Nairobi one of the first county governments in Kenya to formally recognize menstrual pain, including severe cramps and fatigue linked to dysmenorrhea, as a workplace health issue. Supporters say the policy promotes dignity and honesty for women who struggle to work through their periods, while critics warn it could reinforce gender stereotypes or affect hiring decisions in a competitive job market. The decision has sparked intense debate nationwide and is being closely watched across Africa as governments weigh how to address menstrual health at work.

Nine Killed in Tavern Mass Shooting Near Johannesburg, Police Launch Manhunt

Nine people were killed and 10 others injured after gunmen opened fire at a tavern in Bekkersdal, a township southwest of Johannesburg, early yesterday morning, Sunday, December 21, South African police say. The attack happened just before 1 a.m. when about 12 suspects arrived in a white minibus and a silver sedan, fired on patrons inside the tavern, then continued shooting as they fled. The wounded were taken to the hospital, and police say the motive remains unclear as investigations continue. Bekkersdal falls under Rand West City, an area marked by high unemployment following the decline of gold mining. The shooting adds to concerns over violent crime in Africa’s biggest economy, which records some of the highest murder rates in the world.

U.S. Rules Out Troops in Nigeria After CPC Designation

The United States says it has no plans to deploy troops to Nigeria, stressing that its decision to label the country a Country of Particular Concern is meant to push reforms through diplomacy, not military action. Speaking in Abuja this weekend, a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation said the designation targets ongoing violence affecting communities of all faiths and is meant to encourage accountability and stronger protection of religious freedom. Led by Rep. Bill Huizenga, the lawmakers said Nigeria’s CPC status has already prompted internal government discussions and will be reviewed based on progress. They emphasized continued U.S. engagement through humanitarian aid, diplomacy, and capacity building, calling the move a tough but constructive step in maintaining a long-standing U.S.-Nigeria partnership.

Africa CDC Warns Cholera Cases Have More Than Doubled Across the Continent

Africa’s public health agency says cholera cases have surged past 310,000 in 2025, more than double last year’s figure, with nearly 3,000 deaths reported across 25 countries. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Nigeria, and Sudan account for almost 88 percent of cases, while Sudan, the DRC, South Sudan, and Angola make up more than 85 percent of deaths. In response, African leaders have elevated cholera to a continental political priority, launching a unified task force and a new strategy that treats the outbreak as a water, sanitation, and infrastructure crisis — not just a health issue. Africa CDC urged governments to boost surveillance, expand access to clean water, and strengthen rapid response efforts, warning that without coordinated action, cholera will remain a serious threat to lives and development across Africa.

South Africa Still Trying to Get Men Trapped in Ukraine War Out of Russia

South Africa is scrambling to help at least 17 men who say they were tricked into joining Russian forces in Ukraine after signing up for what they believed was elite security training in Russia, according to a Reuters investigation. The men, aged 20 to 39, told authorities they were flown to Russia in July, pressured into signing Russian-language contracts, then sent to the front lines in the Donbas region, where they say they have faced hunger, harsh conditions, and constant danger. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office says the case is receiving urgent attention, with talks underway mainly with Russian authorities to secure their release. South African police are investigating the alleged recruitment scam as a crime against the state, while the men’s families say they were misled, cut off from their belongings, and forced into a war they never agreed to fight.

Somalia to Lead UN Security Council in January 2026

Somalia will assume the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council in January 2026, a major diplomatic milestone that will give Mogadishu a stronger voice on global security. During its month at the helm, Somalia will help set the council’s agenda, chair high-level meetings, and guide discussions on peacekeeping, counterterrorism, regional stability, and humanitarian crises, diplomats said. Analysts expect Somalia to use the role to spotlight African security priorities, especially in the Horn of Africa, and to push for stronger international cooperation on conflict prevention and post-conflict recovery. The presidency of the United Nations Security Council is seen as a boost to Somalia’s international standing as it continues efforts toward political stabilization and reconciliation.

U.S. Recalls Dozens of Ambassadors as Trump Reshapes Diplomatic Corps

The Trump administration is recalling nearly 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial and senior embassy posts as it moves to align the U.S. foreign service more closely with President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda. According to State Department officials, chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries were told last week that their tenures would end in January, even though many had remained in place after an earlier shake-up. Africa is the most affected region, with ambassadors being recalled from 13 countries, including Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and Somalia. The diplomats are not being fired and may return to Washington for other roles. The State Department defended the move as standard practice, saying ambassadors serve at the president’s pleasure, while lawmakers and the diplomats’ union have raised concerns about the scale and timing of the recalls.