Today in Africa — December 26, 2025: US Strikes ISIS in Nigeria, Somalia Votes, High-Stakes Elections in West Africa

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.

U.S. Carries Out Strike on Islamic State Targets in Northwest Nigeria

The United States carried out an airstrike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria this week at the request of Nigeria’s government, according to President Donald Trump and the U.S. military. U.S. Africa Command said the strike took place in Sokoto state on December 25, was coordinated with Nigerian authorities, and killed multiple ISIS fighters. Trump said the militants had been targeting Christians. At the same time, Nigeria’s foreign minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, described the operation as a joint effort against terrorism that was not tied to any religion.

Nigerian officials stated that the strike was part of a long-standing security cooperation with Washington, which includes intelligence sharing and joint planning. Tuggar said the operation had been planned for some time using Nigerian-provided intelligence and did not rule out further strikes. The Pentagon said the attack hit known ISIS camps, and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled that more action could follow.

The strike comes after weeks of rising U.S. pressure on Nigeria over insecurity and follows reports that the U.S. had been flying surveillance missions over the country since late November. Nigeria has pushed back against claims that violence targets Christians alone, saying armed groups attack both Muslims and Christians. The operation also coincided with renewed violence elsewhere, including a deadly bombing at a mosque in the northeast, as President Bola Tinubu used his Christmas message to call for peace and religious tolerance across the country.

Mogadishu Votes in Local Elections Seen as Test for Somalia’s First Direct National Polls in Decades

Residents of Mogadishu voted yesterday, Thursday, December 25, in municipal elections widely seen as a test run for Somalia’s first direct national elections in more than 50 years. About 1,605 candidates are contesting 390 district council seats, with councilors set to later choose the city’s mayor. Somalia last held direct elections in 1969, before a military coup, and has relied on clan-based indirect voting since 2004. Long lines formed at polling stations across the capital, where roads, the airport, the port, and many businesses were shut, and roughly 10,000 security personnel were deployed to secure the vote.

The election follows a 2024 law restoring universal suffrage ahead of federal polls expected next year, though a deal reached in August keeps the 2026 presidential vote indirect, with parliament choosing the president. Critics say the rollout could favor President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and warn that security remains fragile despite gains in Mogadishu. The al Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab continues to carry out attacks in the capital and across the country, a threat underlined by a recent UN report and the United Nations Security Council’s decision this week to extend the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia through 2026.

Election Watch: Côte d’Ivoire, CAR, and Guinea Head to the Polls Amid Tension and Power Struggles

Voters go to the polls this weekend in Côte d’Ivoire, the Central African Republic, and Guinea, with allegations of fraud, security concerns, and questions about democratic backsliding shaping the races. In Côte d’Ivoire, the opposition PDCI-RDA accuses the ruling RHDP of fraudulently collecting voter data and offering cash and motorcycles to influence the Saturday, December 27, legislative vote, claims the ruling party has not addressed. The electoral commission says disputes between parties should be handled in court and has dismissed concerns over missing voter cards in Port-Bouët, saying replacements will be available on election day. More than 8.7 million Ivorians are expected to vote for 255 lawmakers.

In the Central African Republic, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is seeking a third term on Sunday, December 28, after term limits were scrapped in a 2023 referendum. Widely seen as the favorite, Touadéra is campaigning on improved security backed by Russian and Rwandan forces, though critics say poverty and insecurity persist and warn the vote could be destabilizing. In Guinea, junta leader Mamadi Doumbouya held his final rally ahead of the Sunday, December 28, presidential election, the first since the 2021 coup. Supporters credit him with infrastructure projects and reforms, while opponents point to a crackdown on dissent, sidelined rivals, and delayed promises to restore civilian rule. About 6.7 million Guineans are registered to vote, with results expected within 48 hours.

Suicide Bombing Kills Worshippers at Mosque in Northeast Nigeria

At least five people were killed and 35 injured when a suspected suicide bomber detonated an explosive during evening prayers at a mosque in Maiduguri, police say, underscoring ongoing insecurity in northeast Nigeria. The blast hit the Al-Adum mosque around 6 p.m. yesterday, December 25, in Borno State, where Islamist groups, including Boko Haram and its splinter faction ISWAP, have waged a 15-year insurgency. No group claimed responsibility. Victims were rushed to local hospitals as police cordoned off the area and began explosive-ordnance sweeps. Governor Babagana Zulum condemned the attack as “barbaric” and urged heightened vigilance at places of worship during the festive season, while police said investigations are ongoing and residents should remain calm and alert.

Five Killed in Helicopter Crash on Mount Kilimanjaro

Five people were killed when a helicopter crashed on Mount Kilimanjaro during what local media said was a medical rescue mission, according to Tanzania’s civil aviation authority. The aircraft went down near Barafu Camp on Wednesday, December 24, at an altitude of about 4,700 meters. Those killed included a Tanzanian mountain guide and doctor, a Zimbabwean pilot, and two tourists from the Czech Republic, Tanzania National Parks said. Authorities have not released details on the cause of the crash. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, draws around 50,000 climbers each year.