Today in Africa — January 8, 2026: U.S. Cuts Somalia Aid, Sudan Reaches Alarming New Level of Violence and Hunger

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.

 U.S. Suspends Aid to Somalia Over Alleged Seizure of Food Assistance

The U.S. State Department has suspended all assistance to Somalia’s federal government, accusing Somali authorities of demolishing a U.S.-funded World Food Program warehouse at Mogadishu Port and seizing 76 metric tons of food aid meant for civilians. Washington says the move reflects a “zero-tolerance policy” on the diversion of life-saving assistance, and that aid will only resume if the Somali government takes accountability and corrective steps. A senior U.S. official says the demolition was ordered by Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud without notice to donors, prompting a review to pause, redirect, or terminate programs that benefit the federal government.

Somalia’s government denies the allegations, saying port expansion and repurposing works did not affect the custody or distribution of humanitarian aid and reaffirming its commitment to transparency and partnerships with donors. It remains unclear how much aid is affected, as U.S. foreign assistance has been sharply reduced and country-by-country figures have not been released. The U.S. provided $770 million for Somalia-related projects in the final year of the Biden administration, though only a small share went directly to the government, as the country continues to face deep poverty, insecurity, and recurring climate shocks.

Sudan’s War Fuels New Wave of Drone Strikes, Displacement, and Hunger

As Sudan nears 1,000 days of war, violence intensified in late December and early January, with drone strikes hitting markets, clinics, and residential areas in Darfur and Kordofan. Fighting between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces has driven fresh displacement, restricted humanitarian access, and left civilians without basic services. The International Rescue Committee has again ranked Sudan as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, estimating about 150,000 civilian deaths in 2025 alone. In just the first days of January, more than 3,000 people fled violence in South and North Kordofan, while attacks in North and West Darfur displaced hundreds more.

The hunger crisis is deepening fast. In North Darfur’s Um Baru locality, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) found that 53 percent of children screened showed signs of acute malnutrition, with 18 percent suffering severe acute malnutrition that can be fatal without urgent care. Around 21.2 million people nationwide face high food insecurity, and famine has been declared in El Fasher and Kadugli, with risks spreading to more areas. Aid agencies are scaling up where possible, including a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) seed distribution campaign targeting 134,000 households and UN efforts to restore basic services and protection in parts of Khartoum and eastern states, but access constraints and ongoing fighting continue to limit the response.

Former Ghana Finance Minister Ofori-Atta Detained in U.S. Over Immigration Issues

Ghana’s former finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been detained in the United States over immigration-related issues, his lawyers say, as he faces corruption allegations back home. Ofori-Atta, who left Ghana last year for medical reasons, is wanted by Ghanaian authorities on multiple charges linked to his time in office, including procurement fraud and causing financial loss to the state. His legal team says he was in the process of applying to change his immigration status to remain in the U.S. legally beyond his visa period and described him as a law-abiding individual.

Ghana has previously sought Ofori-Atta’s extradition, but his lawyers are contesting the request, arguing the case against him is politically motivated. Prosecutors in Ghana declared him a fugitive in February, a status that was later withdrawn after assurances were given that he intended to return. Ofori-Atta served as finance minister from 2017 to 2024 under the New Patriotic Party, which lost power to President John Mahama, who has vowed to intensify anti-corruption efforts. His lawyers say they expect the U.S. detention matter to be resolved quickly.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Loses One of Her Toddler Twin Sons

The family of Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has confirmed the death of one of her twin sons, 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi, who passed away yesterday, Wednesday, January 7, after a brief illness. In a statement issued on the family’s behalf, they say they are devastated by the loss and asked for privacy and prayers. Adichie, 48, shares the twins with her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege; the boys were born via surrogate in 2024. She lost both her parents within a year — her father in 2020 and her mother in 2021 on his birthday — an experience she writes about with stark honesty in Notes on Grief. The award-winning writer, known for Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah, is a leading voice in contemporary African literature and feminism, and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2015.

Death Toll From Gambia Migrant Boat Tragedy Rises to 39

At least 39 migrants have died after a Europe-bound boat capsized off the coast of Gambia on New Year’s Eve, officials tell news agency Reuters, sharply revising earlier figures. Authorities say the vessel was overcrowded and in poor condition, with more than 200 people believed to have been on board. As of yesterday, Wednesday, January 7, 112 survivors had been rescued. Of the dead, 24 bodies were recovered in Gambian waters and 15 in Senegal. Survivors say the boat was heading for Europe via the Canary Islands route, one of the world’s deadliest migration paths. Those onboard included nationals from Gambia, Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Sierra Leone, many driven by poverty and lack of opportunity at home.

Somalia Probes Claims Mogadishu Airport Was Used in Yemeni Separatists’ Exit

Somalia’s immigration and citizenship agency says it has opened an investigation after the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen accused the United Arab Emirates of helping a separatist leader leave the country via Mogadishu. The coalition claims Aidarous al-Zubaidi, head of a UAE-backed southern separatist group, traveled by boat to Somaliland before flying from Mogadishu to a military airport in Abu Dhabi. Somali authorities said they are examining whether Mogadishu Airport was used illegally in the operation.

U.S., South Africa Agree to Keep Controversial Refugee Program After Tensions

U.S. and South Africa officials agreed in late December to allow Washington to continue its effort to resettle white Afrikaner South Africans in the United States as refugees, according to an internal meeting summary seen by news agency Reuters. The deal followed a diplomatic clash after South African authorities raided a U.S. refugee processing site in Johannesburg, arresting contractors and prompting sharp criticism from the United States, which said its officials were harassed and had personal data leaked. South Africa denies arresting U.S. officials and rejects claims that white South Africans face racial persecution, calling those allegations unfounded. The dispute has unfolded as President Donald Trump’s administration pushes the program, cuts aid to South Africa, and sidelines it from G20 engagements, while South Africa says future talks must be based on facts and mutual respect.

Morocco Coach Defends Cautious Play Ahead of AFCON Quarterfinal With Cameroon

Morocco coach Walid Regragui has pushed back against criticism of his team’s cautious style ahead of Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinal against Morocco, saying results matter more than flair. The hosts finished top of their group with seven points and edged Tanzania 1–0 in the round of 16, but have faced scrutiny despite steady progress. Speaking before the clash with Cameroon tomorrow, Friday, January 9, Regragui says Morocco remains confident and grounded, stressing humility in a tournament where strong teams are evenly matched. He acknowledges the pressure of expectations and a long rivalry with Cameroon, which knocked Morocco out when they last hosted AFCON in 1988. Morocco is still unsure about the fitness of midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, while attacker Hamza Igamane is available after returning from injury. The AFCON quarterfinals begin tomorrow, with Mali taking on Senegal, the Morocco and Cameroon match, and then two matches on Saturday, January 10, Algeria versus Nigeria, and Egypt versus Côte d’Ivoire.