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Today in Africa — June 8, 2026: Nigeria Rescues 360 Hostages, South Africa Moves Against Xenophobic Violence

OkayAfrica has scoured the Internet for today’s major news stories, so you don't have to. On June 8, coverage includes: a major operation in northeastern Nigeria that freed hundreds of people held by Boko Haram fighters in a remote mountain camp; South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa vowing action against groups accused of fueling anti-immigrant unrest as several African countries repatriate citizens affected by the violence; and more.

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Lihle Z. Mtshali Today in Africa & Newsletter Editor
Cyril Ramaphosa speaks at a podium beside election results graphics at the IEC National Results Center in Johannesburg.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government will act against groups fueling xenophobic violence as anti-immigrant protests continue to draw international criticism.

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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Nigerian Forces Rescue 360 Hostages From Boko Haram Hideout

Nigerian security forces have rescued 360 people, including men, women, and children, from a Boko Haram hideout in the Mandara Mountains of Borno State after an intelligence-led operation. The military says members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), the main Boko Haram faction, had abducted the hostages from multiple communities and were holding them in a remote mountain camp before troops forced the fighters to flee.

What We Know:

• The operation was carried out by a joint task force that included Nigerian special forces.

• The hostages had been held in a remote area of the Mandara Mountains in southern Borno State.

• Two children died in captivity due to exhaustion and the harsh conditions in which the hostages were being held.

• The military did not say how long the victims had been held before the rescue.

• Kidnappings, insurgent violence, and broader insecurity are expected to remain major issues ahead of Nigeria’s presidential election in January.

Ramaphosa Vows Crackdown on Groups Behind Xenophobic Violence

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government will act against groups fueling xenophobic violence as anti-immigrant protests continue to draw international criticism and prompt several African countries to repatriate citizens. In a televised address to the nation last night, Sunday, June 7, Ramaphosa warned against vigilante actions targeting migrants, saying immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the state and not private groups. Anti-immigration groups have given undocumented migrants until June 30 to leave South Africa and are seeking discussions with government officials.

Government Response:

• Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, and Mozambique are repatriating some citizens affected by the unrest, while Mozambique says five of its nationals have been killed.

• Ramaphosa said the government is tightening immigration enforcement and reviewing migration-related laws.

• Authorities plan to establish dedicated courts to speed up immigration cases.

• South Africa is replacing paper “green book” identity documents with biometric digital ID cards for citizens and legal migrants.

• Ghana has petitioned the African Union over the treatment of Ghanaians in South Africa and is compiling a record of assets lost during the violence for possible legal action.

DR Congo Ebola Cases Top 500 as Health Workers Warn Response Is Struggling to Keep Up

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s ongoing Ebola outbreak has surpassed 500 confirmed cases, with authorities reporting 515 infections and 91 deaths as health officials race to contain the spread of the rare Bundibugyo strain. New Center for Disease Control projections warn the outbreak could exceed 20,000 cases if infected people are not identified and isolated more quickly, while frontline health workers in eastern DR Congo say shortages of resources, delayed testing, conflict, and community mistrust are hampering efforts to control one of the country’s largest Ebola outbreaks on record.

Why Experts Are Concerned:

The CDC says outbreak outcomes will depend heavily on isolation rates, with low containment potentially leading to thousands of additional infections and deaths within months.

The Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, making response efforts more difficult than in previous Ebola outbreaks.

Fighting involving the M23 rebel group and other armed actors has disrupted healthcare services and contact-tracing operations in affected areas.

Health workers in Mongbwalu, the outbreak’s epicenter, say they are working with limited protective equipment, staffing, and transportation to investigate suspected cases.

WHO recently launched a $518 million response plan and says building trust with communities remains critical after attacks on burial teams and resistance to health measures.

In Brief: More Stories Today

CAR Agrees to Accept U.S. Deportees Under New Deal

The Central African Republic has agreed to accept migrants deported from the U.S. under a third-country arrangement, according to sources familiar with the deal. Details remain unclear, including how many people could be sent and when flights might begin, but aid agency IOM is expected to assist deportees upon arrival.

Mexican Cartels Linked to South African Meth Labs

Authorities say a series of methamphetamine labs uncovered on remote South African farms points to growing involvement by Mexican criminal networks in local drug production. Investigators have linked at least four major meth lab busts over the past two years to Mexican nationals, raising concerns that cartels are establishing a longer-term presence in the country.

DR Congo Court Issues Final Verdict in UN Experts Murder Case

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s High Military Court has sentenced all 54 defendants in the 2017 killings of United Nations investigators Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalan to death. Families of the victims welcomed the ruling but say more work is needed to identify and prosecute those who may have masterminded the murders.

Climate Change Linked to Malaria Surge in Southern Africa

Health officials say heavier rains, flooding, and rising temperatures are contributing to a sharp increase in malaria cases across southern Africa. South Africa’s Mpumalanga province recorded four times as many cases in January as a year earlier, while Mozambique and Namibia have also reported major spikes in infections.

Mauritius Says No U.S. Proposal Received on Chagos Islands

Mauritius says it has not received any proposal from the Trump administration regarding the Chagos Islands after weekend reports suggested Washington was considering purchasing the archipelago. The government reiterated that its sovereignty over the islands is “non-negotiable” and said it has not been approached directly or indirectly by U.S. officials.

Royal Air Maroc Launches First Africa-Los Angeles Nonstop Flight

Royal Air Maroc has launched the first nonstop air route between Africa and the U.S. West Coast, connecting Casablanca and Los Angeles. The airline says the new service will support tourism, business travel, and movement ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with flights operating three times a week.


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