Today in Africa — Mar 30, 2026: Goma Festival Amplifies Peace in DRC Conflict Zone, CAF Executive Steps Down Amid AFCON Crisis

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.

Women-Led Festival in Eastern DRC Uses Music to Push Peace Amid Ongoing Conflict

A women-led music festival in Goma brought together nearly 3,000 people over three days, using music and performance to promote peace, unity, and resistance to gender-based violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Now in its seventh year, “Musika na Kipaji” highlights women’s talent in music and dance while creating space for young people to connect, with artists like rapper Clem Cléopâtre delivering messages of social cohesion to crowds in a city shaped by ongoing conflict.

Goma has been under the control of the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group since January 2025, with fighting continuing despite a peace deal and heavy weapons still in use, according to the United Nations. The conflict has displaced at least 7 million people and fueled a surge in sexual violence, making initiatives like the festival more urgent, as organizers and performers say it offers a rare moment of unity and hope in a region where violence remains part of daily life.

CAF Secretary General Steps Down as AFCON Controversy Deepens Crisis

The Confederation of African Football’s general secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba, has stepped down, saying he wants to focus on personal projects, as the organization faces growing scrutiny over recent decisions. His departure comes amid backlash over CAF’s move to strip Senegal of its 2025 AFCON title and the last-minute postponement of the women’s tournament, both of which have fueled a wider crisis of confidence. Mosengo-Omba, who took the role in 2021, had also faced criticism for remaining in the post past the mandatory retirement age and for alleged workplace issues, though an internal investigation cleared him.

CAF now awaits a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Senegal’s appeal against the decision to award Morocco a 3-0 victory after the final was overturned. The governing body says it plans to review its rules and decision-making processes to prevent similar controversies, with president Patrice Motsepe promising reforms to strengthen trust in refereeing, VAR, and disciplinary systems, even as critics warn the outcome of the appeal could further impact CAF’s credibility.

Over 70 Killed in South Sudan Gold Mine Attack as Tensions Over Resources Intensify

More than 70 people were killed and many others injured when gunmen attacked a gold mining site at Jebel Iraq, on the outskirts of South Sudan’s capital, over the weekend, according to police. Authorities say the assailants targeted an area long marked by clashes linked to illegal mining, with victims seen in widely shared footage and others believed to have fled into nearby bush. Police say details remain limited, but confirmed the scale of the killings in Central Equatoria State.

The opposition SPLM/A-IO blamed government forces for the attack, saying the area is under army control, while military officials declined to comment. Rights groups and activists say the violence reflects growing tensions over unregulated gold mining and weak oversight in resource-rich areas, urging authorities to step in as competition for natural resources continues to fuel deadly conflict.

Algeria Mourns Former President Liamine Zeroual After Death at 84

Algeria is observing three days of national mourning following the death of former president Liamine Zeroual at age 84, with current leader Abdelmadjid Tebboune paying tribute at a military hospital where Zeroual died on Saturday, March 28, after a long illness. A former soldier born in Batna, Zeroual rose through the ranks of the National Liberation Army before taking power in 1994 during a period of violent conflict, and later oversaw Algeria’s first multi-party presidential election in 1995. He stepped down unexpectedly in 1998, paving the way for Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and remained a respected figure, widely credited with guiding the country through crisis and opening the door to political reform.

Gunmen Kill at Least 30 in Plateau State Attack as Violence Escalates in Nigeria’s Middle Belt

Gunmen killed at least 30 people in an overnight attack on a university community in Plateau state, central Nigeria, residents and officials said, with victims shot indiscriminately in the Gari Ya Waye area of Angwan Rukuba district. The assault, which left an unknown number injured, prompted authorities to impose a 48-hour curfew and forced the University of Jos to suspend exams, as residents described scenes of chaos and mounting casualties. The attack is the latest in a wave of violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where conflicts often linked to tensions between herders and farmers are also driven by competition over land and resources. Officials say the attackers remain unidentified, while the government has rejected claims that the violence targets specific religious groups, even as insecurity in the region continues to disrupt daily life.

Moroccan Rapper Jailed for Lyrics Criticizing Israel Ties and Government

A Moroccan court has sentenced 23-year-old rapper Souhaib Qabli, known as L7assal, to eight months in prison for insulting a constitutional body, in a case his lawyer says lacks clarity over who was allegedly targeted. Qabli, whose music criticizes Morocco’s normalization of ties with Israel and broader issues like corruption and limits on free speech, was also fined $106 and has appealed the ruling, while being cleared of other charges, including insulting public officials and spreading false claims. His arrest earlier this month and conviction have drawn support from dozens of protesters outside the court in Taza, with rights groups describing the case as an attempt to curb dissent. Qabli, who says his lyrics reflect personal views rather than an intent to insult, is part of a broader pattern of legal action against artists and activists, even as Morocco’s constitution guarantees freedom of expression while continuing to restrict certain forms of speech.

Diesel Shortages Raise Concerns for South Africa’s Citrus Export Season

South African citrus farmers are reporting isolated diesel shortages ahead of a fuel price increase, raising concerns about disruptions to the export season starting in April. While the government says national fuel supplies remain stable despite global shocks linked to the Middle East conflict, industry groups say some stations are facing limited availability due to unusual buying patterns and controlled allocation. 95% of citrus exports rely on road transport to reach ports. South Africa, the world’s second-largest citrus exporter, shipped a record 3.05 million metric tons in 2025, with the Middle East accounting for 19% of exports, making the sector highly exposed to fuel disruptions. The Citrus Growers’ Association warns that continued diesel shortages could affect supply chains, as agricultural groups push for measures such as temporary fuel levy exemptions to help farmers manage rising costs.

Former Gambian Minister Appeals Crimes Against Humanity Conviction in Swiss Court

Former Gambian interior minister Ousman Sonko has appeared in a Swiss court to appeal his 2024 conviction for crimes against humanity committed under ex-dictator Yahya Jammeh, in a landmark case brought under universal jurisdiction. Sonko, convicted of homicide, torture, and false imprisonment and sentenced to 20 years, is challenging the ruling on the grounds that some alleged crimes predate Swiss legislation introduced in 2011, while prosecutors and plaintiffs are seeking to extend his sentence to life and include charges of sexual violence, which they say was used as a tool of repression. Five Gambian plaintiffs attended the hearing in Bellinzona, as legal groups backing victims argue the case could strengthen efforts to prosecute Jammeh-era abuses. Sonko, who has already spent more than nine years in custody, is appealing crimes linked to his time in office between 2000 and 2016, with hearings expected to continue through mid-April and a further appeal still possible.

Egypt Cuts Fuel Use and Slows Projects as Iran War Drives Economic Strain

Egypt will slow major state projects that consume high levels of fuel and cut fuel allocations for government vehicles by 30% as it responds to rising energy costs linked to the Iran war, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly says, adding that most public and private sector workers will work remotely on Sundays in April, with the option to extend the measure. The country, which relies on imported fuel, has already raised fuel and transport prices as disruptions across the Middle East push costs higher, while officials say the steps are temporary and may be paired with plans to raise the minimum wage and increase spending on health and education. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warned that the conflict could drive oil prices above $200 a barrel and trigger wider shocks, including food supply disruptions, and urged U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene and stop the war as Egypt works to manage the economic fallout.