Today in Africa — January 19, 2026: AFCON Final Chaos, Deadly School Bus Crash in South 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.

Senegal’s AFCON Win Clouded by Walk-Off as CAF Weighs Sanctions

Senegal lifted the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 trophy yesterday, Sunday, January 18, after a 1–0 extra-time win over hosts Morocco, but celebrations were quickly overshadowed by a pitch walk-off that could trigger sanctions. Senegal’s players left the field late in regulation time to protest a VAR-awarded penalty for Morocco, ordered by coach Pape Bouna Thiaw. Morocco missed the spot kick, play resumed after a long delay, and Senegal went on to score the winner to claim their second title in three editions.

The incident drew swift condemnation from FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the Confederation of African Football, both saying walk-offs and violence have no place in the game. CAF confirmed it is reviewing footage and will open disciplinary proceedings, raising the possibility of suspensions for Thiaw and players — an added concern for Senegal with the World Cup coming up this June in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Morocco’s football federation says it will pursue legal action with CAF and FIFA over the walk-off and surrounding events, arguing the disruption affected the match’s normal course. Thiaw later apologized, admitting he should not have told his players to leave and accepting that refereeing mistakes can happen. Despite the controversy, Morocco’s staging of the tournament earned praise, even as the final ended in defeat and the debate over discipline and sportsmanship continues.

13 Schoolchildren Killed in Gauteng Crash, Renewing South Africa Road Safety Fears

South Africa is mourning after a school minibus collided head-on with a truck near Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng, killing 13 children today, Monday, January 19. Authorities say the privately operated minibus was transporting pupils to schools south of Johannesburg when it crashed around 7 a.m. Preliminary accounts point to a dangerous overtaking maneuver, and police have opened a culpable homicide investigation. Three children and the bus driver were hospitalized, while officials said the truck driver would be questioned and the minibus driver investigated for possible reckless driving.

President Cyril Ramaphosa offered condolences and said authorities would provide psychosocial support to affected families and schools, urging stricter road safety and oversight of school transport. The tragedy has renewed focus on the country’s deadly roads: despite a 6% drop last year, South Africa recorded 11,418 road deaths in 2025 — about 31 a day — largely linked to speeding and drunk driving, according to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy.

Uganda Partially Restores Internet After Museveni’s Re-election, Opposition Pushes Back

Uganda began partially restoring internet services late on Saturday after authorities declared President Yoweri Museveni the winner of Thursday’s election, extending his rule into a fifth decade. Users regained access around 11 p.m. local time, though social media platforms remained blocked under orders from the communications regulator. Officials said the shutdown was imposed to curb misinformation and electoral fraud, while telecom providers said the partial restoration was aimed at allowing businesses to resume operations.

The electoral commission said Museveni won with 71.6% of the vote, while opposition challenger Bobi Wine received 24% and has rejected the result, alleging widespread fraud. Election observers from the African Union and regional bodies criticized the internet shutdown and the role of the military, saying both undermined trust in the process. Small protests broke out in parts of Kampala after the results were announced and were dispersed by police using tear gas. Museveni, in power since 1986, will remain president until at least 2031, as questions around succession and political freedoms continue to loom.

More Than 160 Worshippers Abducted in Kaduna Church Attacks

Armed bandits kidnapped dozens of worshippers during coordinated attacks on two churches in Kaduna State, police say, with a senior church leader putting the number of those still missing at more than 160. The attacks happened around 11:25 a.m. yesterday, Sunday, January 18, in Kurmin Wali, a forest community in Afogo ward, where gunmen armed with “sophisticated weapons” stormed services. Police say the remote location and poor roads have slowed efforts to confirm exact figures. Reverend John Hayab of the Christian Association of Nigeria says 172 worshippers were taken, and nine later escaped, leaving 163 in captivity. Security forces have been deployed to track the abductors as authorities warn that mass kidnappings by armed gangs remain a growing threat across northwest Nigeria.

South Africa Declares National Disaster as Flood Death Toll Rises, Mozambique Hit Hard

South Africa has declared a national disaster after torrential rains and flooding killed at least 30 people in the country’s north and caused widespread damage to homes, roads, and bridges. The worst-hit provinces are Limpopo and Mpumalanga, though at least three other provinces have also been affected. The declaration allows the national government to coordinate emergency response efforts. Flooding forced the temporary closure of Kruger National Park and the evacuation of hundreds of tourists and staff, while rescue teams continue searching for missing people, including a five-year-old child swept away in Limpopo. Provincial authorities estimate damage in Limpopo alone at about $240 million.

Across the border in Mozambique, severe flooding has affected more than 620,000 people, with over 72,000 homes flooded and major damage to roads, bridges, and health centers, according to the Red Cross. Aid workers say thousands have fled their homes, with some stranded on rooftops as waters continue to rise. President Daniel Chapo canceled an overseas trip to focus on emergency response, warning the situation could worsen as rains continue and dams reach capacity. Flooding has also impacted neighboring Zimbabwe, with more than 100 deaths reported across the region since heavy rains began late last year.

Central African Court Upholds Touadera’s Third-Term Election Win

The Constitutional Court in the Central African Republic has validated President Faustin-Archange Touadera’s victory in the December 28 presidential election, confirming him as president-elect with 77.9% of the vote. The ruling rejected an appeal from his main challenger, former prime minister Anicet-Georges Dologuele, who finished second with 13.5% after alleging fraud, claims the government denied. Another former prime minister, Henri-Marie Dondra, who placed third, accepted the outcome and urged national reconciliation. Touadera, in power for a decade, ran on his security record, and his renewed mandate is expected to further strengthen ties with Russia, which has expanded its influence in the country through security support linked to access to gold and diamonds.

Congolese Forces Return to Uvira After M23 Pullback

Congolese army troops and fighters from the pro-government Wazalendo militia have re-entered Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, residents say, just over a month after the town fell to Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. Uvira was seized on December 10, shortly after President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan leader Paul Kagame reaffirmed a U.S.-brokered peace deal in Washington, raising fears of regional escalation. M23 later pledged to withdraw from the town after U.S. officials accused Rwanda of violating the agreement, though fighting continued on Uvira’s outskirts and both sides traded looting accusations. Local sources say Congolese forces are now visible across the town, and South Kivu’s governor said the key border crossing with Burundi would soon reopen, as regional and international mediators push for stalled peace talks to resume.

South Sudan Opposition Urges Advance on Juba After Seizing Key Town

South Sudan’s main opposition force, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), has called on its fighters to advance on Juba after capturing the strategic town of Pajut in Jonglei State last week. The order, issued by the group’s deputy chief of staff, marks a sharp escalation after months of heavy fighting that the United Nations says is the worst since 2017. Pajut lies more than 300 kilometers north of the capital and puts Bor, the state capital, within reach. The SPLA-IO previously fought forces loyal to President Salva Kiir in the 2013–2018 war that killed about 400,000 people. Violence has surged again since last year, after clashes in Nasir and the arrest of former rebel leader and Vice President Riek Machar, who denies treason charges. Civilians have fled the latest fighting, while UN rights investigators accuse parties to the conflict of undermining the 2018 peace deal and carrying out indiscriminate attacks.

Pro-Talon Parties Take All Seats as Benin Opposition Shut Out of Parliament

Benin’s political opposition has failed to win a single seat in parliament after provisional results from the January 11 legislative election showed two parties aligned with President Patrice Talon sweeping all 109 seats. The Progressive Union for Renewal is set to take 60 seats with 41.15% of the vote, while the Republican Bloc won 49 seats on 36.64%, results that still require validation by the Constitutional Court. The Democrats, the main opposition party linked to former president Thomas Boni Yayi, won 16.14% but fell short of the 20% threshold needed for representation, a bar raised from 10% under electoral reforms passed last year. The vote came weeks after a failed coup attempt and months before a presidential election that will end Talon’s 10-year tenure. Opposition figures allege irregularities and political exclusion, while the electoral commission acknowledged minor logistical issues and reported voter turnout of 36.73%.

Nigerian Airstrikes Kill Dozens of Militants, Disrupt Planned Lake Chad Attacks

Nigeria’s air force says it killed more than 40 militants and destroyed about 10 canoes during airstrikes in Borno state this month, targeting fighters preparing attacks around Lake Chad. The strikes, carried out on January 15 and 16 in the Musarram and Azir communities, hit insurgents linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP, according to military officials. The air force said intelligence showed militants massing in canoes to attack Baga town and nearby fishing areas, prompting three bombing runs that scattered and killed fighters hiding in trees. A follow-up strike in Azir targeted militants regrouping after an earlier clash, with the military saying the operations foiled planned attacks and restored calm in the area.