Today in Africa — January 30, 2026: RSF Kidnapped Children in Darfur, South Africa & Israel in Tit for Tat Diplomatic Row

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.

Witnesses Say RSF Kidnapped Children During Darfur Attacks, Some After Killing Their Parents

Witnesses say fighters from Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) abducted dozens of children during attacks in Darfur, including during the takeover of El Fasher in October, in some cases after killing the children’s parents. Reuters interviewed more than two dozen people who described at least 23 incidents since 2023 in which at least 56 children, ranging from infants to teenagers, were taken from their families. Some witnesses said fighters told them the children would be used as slaves to herd livestock. Reuters could not independently verify the accounts or determine what happened to the children afterward.

Legal experts told Reuters the alleged abductions could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, including enslavement. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says it has not received specific reports of children being kidnapped for forced labor, but said the accounts fit a broader pattern of grave violations against children in Sudan’s war. The RSF did not respond to requests for comment, though it has previously denied targeting civilians. The conflict, which began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and triggered what the United Nations calls the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.

South Africa Expels Top Israeli Diplomat for Challenging Its Sovereignty

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has issued Ariel Seidman, the Israeli embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires, a 72-hour notice to leave its shores. The SA government declared Seidman persona non grata today, Friday, June 30, citing “unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practice which pose a direct challenge to South Africa’s sovereignty.” In an immediate response, the Israeli government declared its expulsion of Shaun Edward Byneveldt, South Africa’s representative to Palestine, based in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory militarily occupied by Israel. In its statement, Israel called SA’s expulsion of Seidman a “unilateral, baseless step.”

According to DIRCO, Seidman repeatedly used “official Israeli social media platforms to launch insulting attacks” against President Cyril Ramaphosa, and the deliberate failure to inform the SA government of purported visits by senior Israeli officials amounts to “gross abuse of diplomatic privilege.” Relations between both countries have been testy, even more so since South Africa dragged Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2024 for its genocidal conflict in Gaza. Israel has consistently shared posts on X lobbing thinly veiled remarks. “The South African government has thrown away R100 million [$6.2m] attacking Israel at the ICJ – with another R500 million (about $31m) to be wasted next year. 0% of value for South Africans, 100% political theatre,” it wrote in a November post.

In an interview just over a week ago, Seidman called South Africa’s ICJ case a “huge mistake,” adding that the Israeli government has a “problem” with that decision. DIRCO urged Israel to “ensure its future diplomatic construct demonstrates respect for the Republic and the established principles of international engagement.”

Ugandan President’s Son Apologizes to U.S. for False Allegations

Ugandan army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba has apologized to the U.S. for accusing its embassy of assisting opposition leader Robert ‘Bobi Wine’ Kyagulanyi in evading arrests. Bobi Wine was the main opposition candidate against 40-year incumbent Yoweri Museveni, and has alleged serious electoral fraud, calling the polls a “blatant theft.” Uganda’s security forces have been on a manhunt for Wine in the election’s aftermath, going as far as allegedly assaulting his wife in a recent raid on their home. Kainerugaba, Museveni’s son and widely expected to succeed his father, has been making taunting posts all over X, threatening to severely deal with Wine if caught. He’s since deleted X posts alleging that the U.S. was helping Wine via its embassy in Kampala, stating that he “was being fed with wrong information. I have spoken with the US Ambassador to our country, and everything is okay. We are going to continue our military cooperation as usual.”

Military Government Bans Political Parties in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso’s military government has announced a sweeping ban on all political parties in the country. According to the junta, multiparty politics was “promoting division among citizens,” and the ban was a positive step towards the administration’s goal of rebuilding the country. “The government believes that the proliferation of political parties has led to abuses, fueled divisions among citizens, and weakened the social fabric,” interior minister Emile Zerbo said, adding that the draft law ratifying the ban will be sent to the transitional legislative assembly soon. This move furthers 2022’s suspension of political activities, with the junta set to remain in power until at least 2029, after it extended its mandate for five more years in July 2024, two months before the initial timeline for a return to democracy. Junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré is widely beloved by many young Africans despite his regime’s authoritarianism.

At Least 25 Killed in Boko Haram Attack in Northern Nigeria

At least 25 people were killed when suspected Boko Haram fighters opened fire on laborers at a construction site in Sabon Gari town in Borno State, relatives told Reuters, marking the deadliest reported Islamist attack since U.S. air strikes on Christmas Day. The victims had traveled to the area for work when gunmen attacked yesterday, Thursday, January 30. In a separate pre-dawn assault the same day, militants killed at least nine soldiers and two members of a civilian task force at an army base, wounding 16 others. Borno remains the epicenter of Nigeria’s 17-year insurgency, with attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province intensifying. Nigerian authorities say they are cooperating with Washington to improve security amid renewed pressure following U.S. strikes and ongoing violence across Nigeria.

Flood Alert Raised to Maximum as Heavy Rains Hit Northern Morocco

Authorities in Morocco have raised the flood alert to its highest level in the northern city of Ksar El Kebir after days of heavy rain caused the Loukkos River to swell and threaten several neighborhoods. More than 600 mm of rain has fallen in the region since September, pushing the Oued El Makhazine dam to full capacity and forcing controlled water releases to limit downstream flooding. Streets and homes in Larache province have been inundated, drainage systems overwhelmed, and a local hospital partially evacuated due to water intrusion. Emergency crews, backed by the Royal Armed Forces, have installed sand barriers, relocated families, and opened schools and public buildings as shelters. With more heavy rain and strong winds forecast, officials are urging residents in high-risk areas to move to higher ground as flood risks remain high.

Islamic State Claims Attack on Niamey Airport as Niger Blames Foreign Leaders

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a gun and explosives attack on the international airport in Niamey, according to a statement cited by SITE Intelligence Group. The assault began late on Wednesday, January 28, and was repelled within about half an hour, Niger’s defense ministry says, leaving four soldiers wounded, 20 attackers killed, and several civilian aircraft damaged; airport services later returned to normal. Niger’s military ruler, General Abdourahamane Tiani, accused France, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire of sponsoring the attack without providing evidence and thanked “Russian partners” for helping repel it — claims Benin dismissed as false. The Islamic State described the raid as coordinated and damaging but gave no casualty figures. The attack underscores Niger’s ongoing struggle with jihadist violence since the 2023 coup and its deepening rift with Western partners as the junta draws closer to Russia.

U.S. and African Union Agree to New Task Force on Investment and Infrastructure

Officials from the African Union and the United States met in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, January 28, and approved a deal to set up a joint task force aimed at boosting infrastructure, investment, and economic ties. In a joint statement, both sides said the group will work to strengthen economic partnerships, improve economic security, and support job creation, with a focus on high-quality infrastructure that supports trade. AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf called the partnership a “win-win,” saying Africa and the U.S. need each other’s resources, technology, and expertise, while U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said a stable and prosperous Africa is in America’s interest and offers major economic opportunities.