Today in Africa — Feb 25, 2026: Somalia Warns of Worsening Hunger Crisis, Senegal & Uganda Intensify Anti-LGBT Crackdowns

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.

Somalia & UN Warn 6.5 Million Face Severe Hunger as Drought and Aid Cuts Deepen Crisis

Nearly 6.5 million people in Somalia are expected to face crisis or worse levels of food insecurity by the end of March, according to new data from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, as drought, conflict, and global aid cuts push the country deeper into a humanitarian emergency. United Nations agencies and the Somali federal government say water shortages, insecurity, and historically low humanitarian funding are driving crop failures, livestock losses, rising food prices, and displacement. The drought, fueled by below-average rainfall, has hit southern and central regions hardest.

The report also warns that 1.84 million children under five could suffer acute malnutrition in 2026, including nearly 500,000 who are expected to be severely malnourished. Even if the upcoming April–June rainy season performs at average levels, 5.5 million people are still likely to remain in crisis later in the year. Officials say aid groups have already been forced to scale back or suspend lifesaving programs, and are calling for urgent support as water prices soar, livestock die, and hundreds of thousands are displaced.

Senegal Pushes Harsher Penalties for Same-Sex Relations as Uganda Makes New Arrests

Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko is urging lawmakers to pass a draft law that would double prison sentences for same-sex relations from five to 10 years, part of a broader crackdown on LGBT people. Speaking to parliament yesterday, Tuesday, February 24, Sonko said the maximum sentence would apply to any same-sex act involving someone under 21, alongside fines of up to 10 million CFA francs (about $17,960). He accused Western countries of promoting LGBT rights in Senegal and fueling political tensions. The bill has been approved by the cabinet but still needs parliamentary approval, with no vote date set. Rights groups warn that the law would deepen stigma and increase the risk of violence.

The push comes as Ugandan police arrested two women in their 20s after neighbors reported seeing them kiss in public, an act criminalized under Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act. Police say the women were detained in the northwestern city of Arua and remain in custody as prosecutors review the case. Uganda’s law allows life imprisonment for consensual same-sex relations and the death penalty in so-called aggravated cases. Activists say the arrests highlight the growing danger LGBTQ+ people face in the region, including blackmail and abuse driven by fear of prosecution.

Pope Leo to Visit Four African Countries in April, Signaling Vatican Focus on the Continent

Pope Leo will travel to Africa from April 13 to 23, visiting Algeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, and Cameroon, the Vatican said today, Wednesday, February 25. The trip will be his first major overseas tour in 2026 and comes as the Catholic Church continues to grow fastest on the continent. Vatican officials say the pope is expected to draw large crowds, press global leaders to support development, and highlight Catholic-Muslim dialogue during the visit.

The tour carries symbolic weight, with Algeria set to host a pope for the first time in history. About 20% of the world’s Catholics live in Africa, according to Vatican figures, and church leaders say the visit underscores Africa’s central role in the global Church. Eighteen Africans were among the 135 cardinals who voted in the conclave that elected Pope Leo in May to succeed Pope Francis. 

U.S. to Wind Down Health Aid to Zimbabwe After Talks Collapse Over Data-Sharing Concerns

The United States says it will begin winding down health assistance to Zimbabwe after negotiations on a proposed $367 million, five-year funding deal broke down. Zimbabwean officials say they rejected the agreement over concerns about data sharing, sovereignty, and a lack of guarantees that medical innovations developed from shared data would be accessible to Zimbabweans. U.S. officials say the decision will affect programs supporting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and outbreak preparedness, even as Zimbabwe moves to manage its HIV response independently. The U.S. has been Zimbabwe’s largest health donor since 2006, largely through programs such as the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), while Zimbabwe has urged future virus data sharing to remain within multilateral systems such as the World Health Organization.

Zambia Faces Backlash Over Leaked U.S. Health Aid Deal Tied to Data Sharing and Mining Access

The United States is facing sharp criticism over a proposed $1 billion health financing deal with Zambia after a leaked draft agreement sparked concerns about exploitation and sovereignty. The five-year memorandum of understanding would give Washington long-term access to Zambia’s health and pathogen data and reportedly link health funding to broader economic cooperation, including mining and trade, according to civil society groups and health advocates. Critics warn that the deal imposes tougher conditions than similar agreements with other African countries and risks destabilizing Zambia’s health system if targets are missed, potentially leading to the withdrawal of U.S. funding. Zambian officials have denied that health aid is tied to mining concessions, but activists are pressing for changes, including the removal of data-sharing clauses, as negotiations continue under tight deadlines.

Sierra Leone, Guinea Trade Accusations After Border Incident and Detentions

Sierra Leone has accused Guinea of capturing members of its security forces during a new flare-up in a long-running border dispute between the two West African neighbors. Sierra Leone’s information ministry says army and police officers were building a border post in the frontier town of Kaliyereh on Monday when Guinean forces arrived and detained several personnel, including an officer, seizing weapons and ammunition. Guinea countered that dozens of Sierra Leonean soldiers had crossed into its territory without authorization on Sunday, leading its army to apprehend 16 troops and confiscate equipment, later handing them to judicial police for investigation. Sierra Leone says it is engaging Guinea through diplomatic and security channels to confirm the detainees’ whereabouts and secure their release, while both sides investigate the incident rooted in a dispute dating back to the 1990s.

Nigeria Denies Paying Boko Haram Ransom as Police Chief Steps Down

Nigeria’s government has rejected a media report claiming it paid a “huge” ransom to Boko Haram to free more than 200 pupils and staff abducted from a Catholic boarding school in Niger state last November, calling the allegation false and baseless. Information Minister Mohammed Idris says no ransom was paid and denies claims that two Boko Haram commanders were released, insisting the rescue of those taken from St. Mary’s School in Papiri was achieved through intelligence-led operations. The rebuttal comes as Nigeria confirmed the resignation of police chief Kayode Egbetokun, a close ally of President Bola Tinubu, who stepped down a year before the end of his term for family reasons, with his deputy Tunji Disu named acting chief. The developments unfold amid ongoing security pressures from kidnappings across northern Nigeria and renewed international scrutiny, including a recent U.S. congressional report calling for tougher action over violence and religious persecution — allegations Nigeria strongly disputes.

Zimbabwe Halts Raw Mineral and Lithium Exports Over Leakages

Zimbabwe has suspended exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates with immediate effect, citing alleged malpractices and leakages in the export system, the government said today, Wednesday, February 25. The mines ministry said the ban applies to all shipments, including those already in transit, and will remain in place until further notice as authorities review export processes and push for greater accountability and local value addition. The move accelerates a long-stated plan to curb raw lithium exports — previously expected to start in 2027 — and comes as the country, Africa’s top lithium producer, has sharply increased spodumene output following heavy investment by Chinese mining firms. Officials say the goal is to push for more in-country processing as Zimbabwe seeks greater returns from the global energy transition.