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Today in Africa — July 24, 2026: South African President’s Impeachment Delayed, Sudan’s Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

OkayAfrica has scoured the Internet for today’s major news stories, so you don't have to. On July 24, coverage includes: a court ruling that temporarily pauses proceedings over Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala scandal; new warnings from UN Women that civilians in Al Obeid are facing worsening violence, water shortages, and a growing risk of gender-based abuse; and more.

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Lihle Z. Mtshali Today in Africa & Newsletter Editor
President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks at a table during a working dinner at the Sandton Convention Centre.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa gets a reprieve as a court ruling temporarily pauses impeachment proceedings against him over his Phala Phala $580,000 scandal.

Standing intro blurb: 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.

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South African Court Pauses Ramaphosa Impeachment Proceedings

A South African court has ordered a temporary halt to impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa over the 2020 Phala Phala farm scandal, pending the outcome of his legal challenge to a parliamentary report that found he had a case to answer. The ruling pauses the formal impeachment process but allows the parliamentary committee to continue preparatory work while the case is under review.

What’s Next

  • The inquiry centers on the theft of more than $580,000 in cash from Ramaphosa’s farm and questions about why the money was stored in a sofa, where it came from, and whether the foreign currency was properly declared.

  • Ramaphosa welcomed the ruling and said he would continue to cooperate with accountability processes while respecting the independence of the courts.

  • South Africa’s Constitutional Court previously upheld the parliamentary report, allowing impeachment proceedings to move forward.

  • The impeachment committee includes representatives from all political parties in Parliament.

  • Several political parties said they are reviewing the High Court judgment and will consider whether to appeal.

Women in Al Obeid Face Deadly Choice Between Drone Strikes and Sexual Violence

Women and girls in Sudan’s Al Obeid are being forced to choose between the risk of drone attacks during the day and sexual violence at night as they search for water, according to UN Women. The agency says the siege of the North Kordofan capital has created severe shortages of food, healthcare, and clean water, leaving civilians trapped in increasingly dangerous conditions.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

  • UN Women says women and girls have been raped, harassed, and subjected to other forms of sexual violence while collecting water.

  • About 500,000 people remain in Al Obeid, with women and children making up roughly 70% of the population.

  • Across Sudan, 12.7 million women and girls are expected to need gender-based violence services this year, four times more than at the start of the war.

  • Funding cuts have forced many women-led organizations to close or scale back safe spaces and support services for survivors.

  • UN human rights chief Volker Türk has warned that conditions in Al Obeid risk repeating the atrocities seen in El Fasher.

Nigeria Approves Major Army Expansion to Tackle Security Threats

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has approved an expansion of the country’s army from eight to 12 divisions and authorized the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel as the government steps up efforts to address multiple security crises. The expansion includes new divisions across central, northeastern, and southern Nigeria, alongside increased investment in military equipment, operational readiness, and troop welfare.

Expansion Plans

  • Four new divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City.

  • The rollout will happen in two phases, with the 5th, 9th, and 10th divisions expected to be operational by September and the 83rd Division in Benin City by December.

  • The existing headquarters in eight cities will remain in place under the new 12-division structure.

  • Nigeria continues to face a 17-year Islamist insurgency in the northeast, as well as banditry, kidnappings, communal violence, and separatist unrest in other parts of the country.

  • The government says the expansion is part of a broader effort to modernize the armed forces.

In Brief: More Stories Today

CAS Sets October Hearing in Senegal’s AFCON Title Appeal

The Court of Arbitration for Sport will hear Senegal’s appeal on October 8 as the team seeks to overturn a CAF decision that stripped it of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in favor of Morocco. Senegal won the final on the field after extra time, but CAF later ruled the team had forfeited the match after players briefly walked off during a stoppage-time penalty controversy.

Tanzanian Academic Charged With Terrorism Over Planned Protest Case

A Tanzanian university lecturer arrested over alleged efforts to incite anti-government protests has now been charged with terrorism, a move that keeps him in custody without bail until trial. Melkisedek Kaijage was among more than 130 people arrested ahead of banned July 7 demonstrations calling for democratic reforms and justice for victims of last year’s post-election crackdown.

Three Sentenced to Life Over Nigeria School Kidnappings

A Nigerian court has sentenced three men to life in prison after they pleaded guilty to offenses linked to the kidnapping of dozens of pupils and teachers from schools in Oyo State. The convictions come weeks after security forces rescued 44 hostages, highlighting Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with mass abductions and armed groups targeting schools.

South Africa Sends Envoy to Ghana as Xenophobia Tensions Escalate

South Africa has sent International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola to Ghana as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s special envoy in a bid to ease diplomatic tensions over recent attacks on foreign nationals. The visit comes after Ghana postponed planned bilateral engagements and formally raised concerns about the violence with Pretoria.

China Leads Africa’s Biggest Foreign Investment Projects in 2025

China was the largest investor behind Africa’s biggest new foreign-backed projects in 2025, committing nearly $4.7 billion across major energy and mining developments in Ethiopia, Zambia, and DR Congo, according to a new UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report. While the total value of greenfield investment in Africa fell, the number of announced projects increased, signaling broader investor interest across the continent.

Mali Rejects Reports of Possible U.S. Military Action

Mali has dismissed reports that the United States is considering military action against the al-Qaeda-linked group JNIM, saying it has received no official communication from Washington. Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop says the government learned of the claims through media reports and insisted Mali is addressing its own security challenges.

Tunisia Opposition Leader’s Health Reportedly Worsens in Prison

Lawyers for jailed Tunisian opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi say the 85-year-old is in critical condition after fainting and suffering severe exhaustion in prison. They also accused authorities of denying visits from his family and legal team, as concerns grow over rights and freedoms under President Kais Saied.

South Africa Hit With Higher U.S. Tariffs Over Forced Labor Enforcement

The United States has imposed new tariffs of up to 12.5% on imports from 60 economies, including South Africa, saying the countries failed to adequately enforce bans on goods made with forced labor. South Africa was placed in the highest tariff tier as the new duties replaced temporary global levies that expired Friday.

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