Today in Africa — Mar 12, 2026: Senegal to Double Prison Terms for Same-Sex Relations, Ghana Pushes UN Resolution on Slavery Reparations

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.

Senegal Parliament Passes Law Doubling Prison Terms for Same-Sex Relations

Senegal’s National Assembly has overwhelmingly passed a bill that doubles the maximum prison sentence for same-sex sexual acts from five to 10 years and criminalizes efforts to promote homosexuality. Lawmakers approved the measure late last night, Wednesday, March 11, by a vote of 135 to zero, with three abstentions. The bill fulfills a campaign pledge by the government of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who came to power in 2024. It now awaits the president’s signature to become law. The legislation strengthens an existing penal code provision first amended in 1966 that punishes what the law describes as “acts against nature.” The updated version raises fines to up to 10 million CFA francs (about $17,600) and removes judges’ discretion to suspend sentences or reduce prison terms below the minimum term. 

It also expands criminal liability to people accused of promoting or financing such acts. In the weeks leading up to the vote, supporters of the bill staged demonstrations in Dakar, calling for tougher laws. The move comes amid a broader tightening of anti-LGBT laws across parts of West Africa. Burkina Faso last year criminalized same-sex relations for the first time, while lawmakers in Ghana are considering legislation that would expand penalties related to same-sex conduct and criminalize advocacy for LGBT rights. Human rights groups say arrests tied to alleged “acts against nature” have increased in Senegal in recent weeks.

Ghana Plans UN Resolution Calling Trans-Atlantic Slavery the “Gravest Crime”

Ghana plans to introduce a United Nations resolution recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as the “gravest crime in the history of humankind” and calling for reparations for its lasting impact. The proposal, which could be tabled at the UN General Assembly as early as this month, is part of a broader push by African nations to seek accountability for historical injustices linked to slavery and colonialism. Ghana’s foreign ministry said the resolution aims to acknowledge the scale, duration, legalization, and enduring consequences of the slave trade.

The initiative is expected to receive support from African and Caribbean countries, including members of the Caribbean Community that have long advocated for reparations. The African Union has also endorsed the proposal as part of efforts to build a unified position among its 55 member states on possible forms of reparations, ranging from financial compensation to formal apologies and policy reforms. European governments have resisted discussing reparations, but Ghana says the goal is not to reopen old wounds but to address them through recognition and truth.

Man Arrested in Nairobi Airport With More Than 2,200 Live Ants

Kenyan authorities have arrested a Chinese national at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport after discovering more than 2,200 live garden ants hidden in his luggage. Court filings show that Zhang Kequn, 27, was stopped on Tuesday while attempting to leave the country. Investigators found 2,238 ants packed in test tubes and tissue paper rolls inside his bags. Immigration officials had already placed a stop order on his passport after he evaded arrest in Kenya last year.

Wildlife officials say the case highlights a growing trend of insect smuggling linked to the global trade in exotic ant colonies, which collectors keep in specialized glass habitats called formicariums. The Kenya Wildlife Service told the court it is investigating a possible organized network, noting that a similar shipment of ants originating from Kenya was seized in Bangkok the same day. Authorities say the insects are valuable to Kenya’s ecosystem and that trafficking cases suggest biopiracy is shifting from well-known wildlife products like ivory to lesser-known species.

Death Toll in Southern Ethiopia Floods and Landslides Rises to 64 

The death toll after heavy rains triggered floods and landslides in Ethiopia’s southern Gamo Zone has risen to at least 64, according to local authorities, with dozens more still missing. Earlier this week, the death toll was thought to be over 30. Most of the deaths occurred in highland areas where saturated slopes collapsed after days of intense rainfall. The town of Arba Minch and nearby districts have seen continuous downpours for two days, damaging homes, farmland, and infrastructure, while mudslides have blocked roads and flooded bridges. Officials are warning residents in vulnerable areas to remain cautious as more flooding and landslides remain possible. The disaster comes amid widespread storms across East Africa, where heavy rains have also caused 50 deaths in neighboring Kenya, with 12,300 homes destroyed or damaged. Kenya’s interior ministry says nine people remain missing. Scientists say climate change is contributing to more intense and frequent extreme weather in the region.

Jihadist Attacks Kill Dozens of Civilians in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is facing a renewed surge of violence after jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda killed at least 38 civilians and kidnapped nine women in a series of attacks documented by Human Rights Watch. The incidents, blamed on the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), took place between January 29 and February 22 across northern and eastern parts of the country. In one attack near the village of Solle, militants abducted nine women and threatened them with rape and death before releasing them the next day, while a raid on a military base in Titao on February 14 left at least 34 civilians executed and homes and telecom infrastructure burned. Days later, another assault in the eastern town of Manni killed four shopkeepers and destroyed several businesses, underscoring the deepening jihadist insurgency that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions across the Sahel since 2015.

Burundi’s Former Prime Minister Bunyoni Released From Prison for Medical Reasons

Burundi’s former prime minister, General Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni, has been provisionally released from prison for medical reasons while serving a life sentence for conspiracy against the head of state. Judicial sources and relatives say Bunyoni, who has been hospitalized since October 2025 at Gitega regional hospital, was taken by ambulance to his home in Bujumbura yesterday, Wednesday, March 11, as his health continues to deteriorate. The diabetic general reportedly lost motor and speech abilities during his detention, according to prison sources and rights groups. Bunyoni was once considered one of the most powerful figures in Burundi and served as prime minister after being appointed by President Évariste Ndayishimiye in June 2020. He was dismissed in September 2022 after the president alleged a coup plot and was later convicted in December 2023 of attempting to overthrow the government, threatening the president’s life, illegal enrichment, and economic destabilization. Bunyoni has denied the charges.

South Sudan Army Says It Has Recaptured Opposition-Held Akobo

South Sudan’s government forces say they have retaken the town of Akobo from opposition fighters, marking the latest escalation in fighting that has pushed the country closer to renewed civil war. Military spokesperson General Lul Ruai Koang says the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces had secured the town and surrounding areas after launching an offensive that followed evacuation orders for civilians, United Nations agencies, and aid workers. The assault forced about 200,000 people to flee across the border into Ethiopia. The clash comes as tensions continue to rise between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with his rival Riek Machar. South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, descended into civil war soon after, and a 2018 power-sharing agreement between the two leaders has been unraveling since early 2025, raising fears the country could slide back into full-scale conflict.

Liberia Urges Calm as Talks Continue Over Situation at Guinea Border

Liberia’s government has urged citizens to remain calm as it works through diplomatic channels to address an emerging situation along the Liberia-Guinea border. Officials say authorities are coordinating with local leaders and maintaining communication with Guinean counterparts to prevent escalation and resolve concerns affecting communities near the shared frontier. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has also dispatched a high-level delegation — including officials from the defense, foreign affairs, justice, and local government ministries—to assess conditions on the ground and engage authorities on both sides of the border. The government said discussions are focused on strengthening cooperation between border agencies and ensuring the safety of residents in nearby communities. Officials emphasized Liberia’s commitment to resolving the issue through dialogue and diplomacy, while urging citizens, especially those living in border areas, not to spread unverified information that could increase tensions. Authorities say they will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as talks with Guinea progress.