Today in Africa — January 7, 2026: Ibrahim Traoré Assassination Plot, AFCON Quarterfinals Teams Locked In

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.

Burkina Faso Says It Foiled Assassination Plot Against Military Leader Traoré

Burkina Faso’s government says it has thwarted a plot to assassinate military leader Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, accusing former junta head Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba of orchestrating the plan. Security Minister Mahamadou Sana says intelligence services intercepted the operation late on Saturday, January 3, just hours before it was set to begin. Authorities allege the plot involved killing Traoré at close range or planting explosives at his residence, then targeting other senior military and civilian figures. Sana claimed the effort was partly funded by Côte d’Ivoire, including a reported 70 million CFA francs (about $124,600), though neither Damiba nor Côte d’Ivoire has commented.

Sana said several people have been arrested and investigations are ongoing, adding that the situation is under control. Damiba, who led Burkina Faso from January to September 2022 before being ousted by Traoré, has been living in exile since his removal. Traoré has faced multiple alleged coup attempts since taking power and continues to battle jihadist violence that has displaced millions. While he retains strong domestic support and a wider pan-African following, critics accuse his government of suppressing dissent and tightening control over the media and security forces.

Algeria and Cȏte d’Ivoire Round Out AFCON 2025 Quarterfinalists

All eight teams playing in the four quarterfinal matches of the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) have been locked in. Algeria and Cȏte d’Ivoire completed the lineup after beating out DR Congo and Burkina Faso, respectively, in the final two matches of the second round yesterday, Tuesday, January 6. Adil Boulbina scored a cracking goal with about two minutes to go in extra time, sparing Algeria the nervousness of a penalty shootout. Boulbina, who had played just 13 minutes in the tournament, scored about five minutes after he was subbed on and was awarded Man of the Match honors. Before AFCON kicked off, OkayAfrica tipped the 22-year-old forward to make his mark on the tournament, and he has.

Meanwhile, the Ivorian Elephants made light work of Burkina Faso, led by a masterful display by winger Amad Diallo, who scored the first goal and provided the assist for the second goal scored by Yan Diomande. The Ivorians went into the second half with a two-goal lead and rounded things up with a late third goal scored by Bazoumana Touré. The defending champions will face a sterner test when they meet Egypt in the quarterfinal. Algeria will face Nigeria, a replay of the AFCON 2019 semifinal match that saw Algeria emerge victorious on the way to winning its second AFCON title.

Rare Twin Gorilla Birth Recorded in Eastern Congo’s Virunga Park

A mountain gorilla has given birth to twin males in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a rare and significant moment for the endangered subspecies, according to Virunga National Park. Park officials say the twins, born to a 22-year-old mother named Mafuko, were discovered on January 3 and appeared healthy at the time. Caring for twins is especially demanding in the early months, when infants rely fully on their mother, and rangers are closely monitoring the newborns to support their survival.

Virunga, Africa’s oldest and largest national park, is home to many of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas but faces ongoing threats from conflict and forest loss, with parts of the park under rebel control. Mafuko, who has now had seven offspring, previously lost a set of twins shortly after birth in 2016. The new arrivals increase the Bageni family to 59 members, making it the park’s largest group and a boost for conservation efforts in the conflict-hit region.

Central African Republic Election Runner-Up Alleges Fraud as Touadéra Invites Putin

The runner-up in the Central African Republic’s presidential election, Anicet-Georges Dologuélé, has rejected provisional results that show President Faustin-Archange Touadéra winning a third term with 76.1 percent of the vote, alleging widespread manipulation by the national elections authority without providing evidence. Dologuélé, who received 14.6 percent, and former prime minister Henri-Marie Dondra, who won 3.19 percent, both called for the vote to be annulled, while Touadéra’s camp dismissed the claims as sour-grapes politics. The election was boycotted by the main opposition coalition after term limits were removed by referendum, with final results due January 20. As the dispute unfolded, Touadéra confirmed he had invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit, underlining the country’s close ties with Moscow, which has provided security support and holds significant mining interests in gold and diamonds.

Nigeria Court Grants Bail to Ex–Justice Minister Abubakar Malami

A Nigerian court has granted bail to former attorney-general and justice minister Abubakar Malami, who has been in custody for a month over money laundering and abuse of office charges. The Federal High Court in Abuja set bail at 500 million naira (about $350,808) and ordered Malami to provide one surety with property in select Abuja districts, surrender his travel documents, and meet strict verification requirements. Prosecutors allege Malami siphoned public funds between 2015 and 2023 and laundered the money through associates, including his son and wife, and property deals. Malami and his co-accused pleaded not guilty, and the trial was adjourned to February 17.

South Africa Eases Competition Rules to Help Energy-Hit Industries

South Africa has relaxed anti-trust rules to let companies struggling with soaring electricity costs jointly build energy infrastructure and negotiate supply contracts. Trade Minister Parks Tau said the changes aim to support distressed industries as power prices have jumped more than 900 percent since 2008, squeezing smelters and steelmakers facing cheaper competition from China. The amended rules allow firms to collaborate on backup or alternative power, shared sites, and infrastructure, as the government also works on relief measures such as lower tariffs from Eskom. High costs have already forced shutdowns and job losses at operations including ArcelorMittal South Africa and a ferrochrome business partly owned by Glencore, while Transalloys warns its last manganese smelter could close.

Nigeria to Lead Air Operations After U.S. Christmas Strikes, With Washington Providing Intelligence

Nigeria’s air force will take the lead in operations against jihadist groups following U.S. strikes carried out on Christmas night, with the United States shifting to a support role focused on reconnaissance and intelligence sharing, a Nigerian official told news agency AFP. The U.S. hit targets in Sokoto State linked to the Islamic State, an action described by Pentagon officials as a one-off, after weeks of heightened American surveillance flights over Nigeria. Nigeria says the strikes were part of a joint effort and targeted Islamic State fighters working with the Lakurawa group and criminal bandits, though U.S. claims of credit caused diplomatic friction. Both sides say the renewed security cooperation follows months of talks, even as analysts continue to debate the extent of links between local jihadist groups and Islamic State networks operating across the Sahel.

China’s Top Diplomat Kicks Off Africa Tour Focused on Trade Routes and Resources

China’s foreign minister Wang Yi has begun his annual New Year tour of Africa, visiting Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Lesotho through January 12 as Beijing looks to secure shipping routes, expand export markets, and protect access to key resources. The trip highlights China’s Belt and Road partners and comes as African governments seek investment rather than loans amid debt pressures and rising competition from the EU. Wang’s stop in Somalia will be China’s first top-level diplomatic visit there in decades, signaling support for Mogadishu after Israel recognized Somaliland, while Tanzania is central to China’s push to move copper via the refurbished Tazara Railway. In Lesotho, Wang is expected to underscore China’s tariff-free access offer for the world’s poorest countries, positioning Beijing as a free-trade partner after U.S. tariffs hit the small kingdom’s exports.