Today in Africa — Mar 16, 2026: Russia Agrees to Stop Recruiting Kenyans for Ukraine War, Deadly Floods Hit East Africa

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.

Kenya Says Russia Agrees to Stop Recruiting Kenyans for Ukraine War

Kenya’s foreign minister, Musalia Mudavadi, says Moscow has agreed that Kenyan citizens will no longer be enlisted to fight for Russia in the war in Ukraine. The minister secured the commitment during a visit to Russia today, Monday, March 16, saying the two governments agreed Kenyans would no longer be recruited through the Russian Ministry of Defense. Kenyan intelligence previously told lawmakers that more than 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited to fight on Russia’s side, often after being promised lucrative civilian jobs. Mudavadi says Kenya will provide consular assistance to citizens currently in Russia who need help.

The issue has also raised concern across Africa, though governments are taking a cautious diplomatic approach. Ghana says more than 50 of its citizens have been killed in the war after being lured into joining Russian forces, while South Africa is investigating how dozens of its nationals ended up fighting in Ukraine. Analysts say countries, including Cameroon and Egypt, have also seen citizens recruited. Despite the growing controversy, many African governments are wary of confronting Moscow directly, hoping to address the issue while preserving broader diplomatic and economic ties with Russia.

Flood Death Toll Rises in Kenya & Ethiopia as Heavy Rains Batter East Africa

Heavy rains have killed at least 66 people in Kenya over the past week, including four additional deaths reported after widespread flooding hit several parts of the country over the weekend. The extreme weather has also hit neighboring Ethiopia, where landslides triggered by heavy rains have killed at least 125 people in the south and displaced more than 11,000 residents. In Kenya, Nairobi has been among the hardest-hit areas, where 33 of the deaths occurred as rivers burst their banks and poor drainage worsened flooding in low-lying neighborhoods. Emergency teams rescued passengers from a matatu trapped by rising water and saved two children from a flooded home. 

Roads have been closed after bridges were damaged, some schools were flooded, and more than 2,000 residents have been forced to leave their homes. Authorities say search-and-rescue operations are continuing as heavy rainfall persists, with the interior ministry warning that the risk of flooding remains high. President William Ruto says the government is clearing blocked drainage systems and delivering emergency food and medical aid. Scientists say climate change is making intense rainfall events more frequent across the region.

Low Turnout Marks Congo-Brazzaville Presidential Vote Expected to Extend Sassou’s Rule

The Republic of Congo held a presidential election yesterday, Sunday, March 15, that is widely expected to extend the decades-long rule of President Denis Sassou Nguesso, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. The vote saw a thin turnout in several polling stations in the capital, Brazzaville, where lines were short or absent, reflecting the limited competition in the race. Sassou, who first seized power in 1979 and has governed almost continuously since, is facing six little-known challengers, while several opposition parties boycotted the vote and two prominent opposition figures remain in prison. More than 3.2 million people were registered to vote, though analysts predicted turnout would fall below the nearly 68 percent recorded in the 2021 election that Sassou won with 88.4 percent of the vote.

Internet connectivity dropped across the country on election day, according to monitoring group NetBlocks, which says the nationwide outage reduced connectivity to about 3 percent of normal levels and could limit transparency. Critics say Congo’s political space has narrowed in recent years amid the arrests of activists and the suspension of parties. Despite some economic stabilization in the oil-dependent country, about 52 percent of Congo’s 6.1 million people still live in poverty, and some voters say they see little chance that the election will bring meaningful change.

Ethiopia’s Fotyen Tesfay Runs Second-Fastest Women’s Marathon in History

Ethiopian runner Fotyen Tesfay delivered one of the fastest marathon performances ever yesterday, Sunday, March 15, winning the Barcelona Marathon in 2:10:53 — the second-fastest women’s marathon time in history. The 28-year-old achieved the mark in her marathon debut, finishing nearly eight minutes ahead of runner-up Kenya’s Joan Jepkosgei Kiplimo, with Ethiopia’s Zeineba Yimer placing third. Tesfay said she had hoped to challenge the world record, but strong winds slowed her in the final stretch. Her time came 57 seconds short of the record of 2:09:56 set by Kenya’s Ruth Chepng’etich. In the men’s race, Uganda’s Abel Chelangat took first place ahead of Patrick Mosin and Jonathan Korir.

U.S. “Pro-Family” Group Linked to Push for Senegal’s Tougher Anti-LGBT Law

A U.S.-based “pro-family” group called MassResistance advised Senegalese activists on campaign strategies and mobilization tactics during the push for a tougher anti-LGBT law that was passed by Senegal’s parliament last week. According to activists and officials cited by Reuters, the Massachusetts-based organization worked with the Senegalese network And Samm Jikko Yi, which has campaigned for stricter legislation since 2020. The new law doubles the maximum prison sentence for same-sex relations from five to 10 years and criminalizes the promotion of homosexuality, fulfilling a pledge made by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko during the 2024 election campaign. MassResistance has also supported similar advocacy in Ghana, where lawmakers are considering legislation that would expand penalties related to same-sex conduct and criminalize support for LGBTQ+ rights. Health workers in Senegal warn the new law could harm efforts to fight HIV/AIDS by pushing vulnerable groups underground, particularly men who have sex with men. Rights groups say arrests tied to alleged “acts against nature” have already increased, with 27 suspected cases reported in February, while some people have fled to neighboring countries to avoid prosecution.

Madagascar President Appoints Anti-Corruption Chief as Prime Minister

Madagascar’s President Michael Randrianirina has appointed anti-corruption chief Mamitiana Rajaonarison as the country’s new prime minister, days after dismissing the previous PM and the entire cabinet. Randrianirina, who took power in October and has promised sweeping reforms, said the new prime minister would lead the government “on a clean path” and help restore public confidence. In a televised address, he urged Rajaonarison to demonstrate integrity and resist corruption as the country seeks to rebuild trust in public institutions. The appointment comes amid Randrianirina’s broader “Refoundation” agenda following a political transition that led to the collapse of the previous government. The president has framed the effort as a national reset focused on strengthening state authority, fighting corruption, and restoring hope among citizens, though he did not explain the reasons behind last week’s dismissal of former PM Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo and other ministers.

Bobi Wine Leaves Uganda After Months in Hiding Following Disputed Election

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine says he has temporarily left the country after spending two months in hiding following January’s presidential election that kept long-time leader Yoweri Museveni in power. In a video posted on X, Wine — whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi — says he left Uganda for “critical engagements” abroad and plans to return later to continue his political campaign. The pop star-turned-politician says security forces had set up roadblocks and conducted raids while searching for him after he fled his home in Kampala, while Uganda’s military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni’s son, has also said the army was looking for him. Wine has rejected the election results, accusing Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, of fraud and saying he will use the time abroad to engage international allies in what he called a push for freedom and democracy.

Ex-Elite Police Officer Charged in Killing of South African Whistleblower

A former member of South Africa’s elite police unit has been charged with the murder of whistleblower Marius van der Merwe, who had testified at a major inquiry into police corruption. Matipandile Sotheni, 41, appeared in court accused of fatally shooting Van der Merwe in December in front of his family. Van der Merwe, known as “Witness D” during testimony at the Madlanga commission, had implicated police officers in the torture and killing of a robbery suspect, allegations that led to several suspensions. Police say Sotheni was the alleged hitman in the attack, while another suspect, identified as the driver, later died by suicide. Sotheni also faces charges of attempting to kill Van der Merwe’s wife and children, and the case has been postponed to March 25 for a bail hearing.

Dispossessed Zimbabwe Farmers Seek Trump’s Help Over $3.5 Billion Compensation

Some white Zimbabwean farmers whose land was seized during former president Robert Mugabe’s land reforms more than two decades ago are hoping U.S. President Donald Trump could help push for billions of dollars in compensation promised by Zimbabwe’s government. President Emmerson Mnangagwa agreed in 2020 to pay about $3.5 billion for infrastructure and improvements on the farms, but the debt-strapped country has struggled to fund the payments and instead offered a deal that gave farmers 1% upfront and the remainder in government bonds maturing in 10 years. Frustrated farmers say many of the original claimants are elderly and fear they may never see the money. Lobbyists linked to a Washington firm with ties to Trump’s administration have begun pushing U.S. officials and lawmakers to support debt relief and financing to help Zimbabwe pay compensation. The effort has divided farmers, with some welcoming outside pressure while others worry U.S. involvement could worsen relations between Washington and Harare. Zimbabwe, which carries about $23 billion in debt and has not received World Bank loans in more than 25 years, holds large deposits of lithium and other critical minerals that some believe could attract international investment to help settle the claims.

Rwanda Warns It May Withdraw Troops From Mozambique if Funding Falls Short

Rwanda says it could withdraw its troops from Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province if international funding for the mission is not secured. Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo says the sustainability of Rwanda’s deployment depends on “adequate, predictable funding,” after reports that European Union support for the operation could expire in May without renewal. Rwanda sent forces to Cabo Delgado in 2021 at Mozambique’s request to help combat an Islamist-linked insurgency that has destabilized the gas-rich region since 2017. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe says Kigali is ready to leave if its role is not appreciated, noting that Rwanda has invested heavily and lost soldiers while helping restore security and enable the restart of a major liquefied natural gas project led by TotalEnergies. Rwanda has received about 20 million euros (about $23 million) in EU support for the mission, which officials say covers only a fraction of the costs. The insurgency in Cabo Delgado had forced the suspension of the $20 billion LNG project, which resumed construction earlier this year.