Today in Africa — Mar 5, 2026: Mine Collapse in Eastern DRC Kills 200, Conservative Anglican Leaders Form Rival Global Council

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.

Mine Collapse at Rebel-Controlled Rubaya Site in Eastern DRC Leaves 200 Dead

A collapse at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has left more than 200 people dead, according to the country’s Ministry of Mines, though the M23 rebel group that controls the site disputes the toll. Authorities say heavy rains triggered a landslide on Tuesday at the mine, one of the world’s major sources of coltan, with about 70 children among the victims and many injured taken to hospitals in Goma. M23 officials rejected the government’s account, claiming the incident was caused by bombings and that only five or six people died.

Rubaya produces about 15% of the world’s coltan, a mineral used to make tantalum for smartphones, computers, and aircraft components. The site has been under M23 control since the group seized the town in 2024 and now generates significant revenue through taxes on mining and trade. Eastern DRC’s mineral-rich region has long been affected by conflict involving multiple armed groups, contributing to one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises with more than seven million people displaced. The disaster comes just weeks after another deadly collapse at the same site that also killed more than 200 people.

Conservative Anglican Leaders Form New Council in Challenge to Canterbury

A coalition of conservative Anglican leaders meeting in Nigeria has announced the creation of a new Global Anglican Council to help lead the worldwide Anglican Communion, a move that challenges the traditional authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The decision was revealed at a conference organized by the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), which brings together conservative churches mainly from Africa and Asia. Delegates elected Rwandan Archbishop Laurent Mbanda today, Thursday, March 5, as chair of the council, which will include bishops, clergy, and lay members with voting rights. Organizers say the new structure reflects concerns that the existing leadership system no longer represents the majority of Anglicans worldwide.

GAFCON leaders oppose liberal changes in some parts of the Communion, including greater inclusion of LGBTQ+ members and the ordination of women. The group has also criticized the Church of England’s appointment of Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, who is expected to be installed later this month. The Archbishop of Canterbury traditionally serves as “first among equals” among Anglican leaders globally. Analysts say the creation of the new council could deepen divisions within the Anglican Communion and potentially lead to a formal split.

Somalia Extends Terms for President and Lawmakers, Delays Elections

Somalia’s parliament has voted to amend the constitution and extend the terms of the president and lawmakers, pushing planned elections back by a year. A total of 222 members of parliament and the senate out of 329 approved the change, increasing the length of their mandates from four years to five. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud described the move as a historic step that completes the country’s long-delayed constitutional process.

The decision has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, including former presidents and prime ministers, who rejected the amendment and called for elections to proceed in May as originally planned. Somalia has struggled with instability since the fall of ruler Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, with ongoing conflict involving the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group. Although an African Union peacekeeping mission has helped push the militants back, they still control parts of the countryside and continue to launch attacks in major cities.

Militants Kill 14 Nigerian Soldiers in Attacks on Army Bases in Borno

Islamist militants killed at least 14 Nigerian soldiers and injured several others during coordinated attacks on two army bases in Borno state on Tuesday night, security sources say. Suspected fighters from Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked a base in Ngoshe, Gwoza district, killing nine troops and a local imam before forcing soldiers to retreat, seizing weapons, and abducting an unknown number of women. Around the same time, militants struck another base in Pulka in the same district, killing five soldiers, including a commanding officer. The wounded were taken to Maiduguri for treatment. The attacks come as insurgents step up coordinated assaults in northeastern Nigeria, where ISWAP and Boko Haram continue to exploit difficult terrain and weak state presence despite renewed military offensives in the region.

South Africa Pushes for Local Production of Long-Acting HIV Prevention Drug

South Africa is asking local pharmaceutical companies to begin the process of producing Gilead Sciences’ long-acting HIV prevention drug lenacapavir domestically, as part of efforts to expand access in the region hardest hit by the virus. The government is working with partners, including Unitaid and the United States Pharmacopoeia, to identify a South African manufacturer capable of safely producing the twice-yearly injection and will recommend that company to Gilead for a voluntary license. In 2024, Gilead granted six such licenses to manufacturers in India, Egypt, and Pakistan to supply the drug to 120 low- and middle-income countries, including South Africa, but no local producers were included. Health officials say local production could help address supply shortages and improve access to a drug that experts believe could significantly reduce new HIV infections. Africa remains the epicenter of the HIV pandemic, with South Africa alone home to about eight million people living with the virus. While lenacapavir is already available in some African countries through programs supported by the Global Fund and the U.S. government, demand is expected to exceed supply until generic manufacturing expands.

Nigeria Suspends Doctors After Death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Toddler

Nigeria’s medical regulator has provisionally suspended three doctors, including the director of a private hospital, after the death of the 21-month-old son of acclaimed writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria says an investigation found a prima facie case of medical negligence in the child’s treatment at Euracare Hospital in Lagos, where Nkanu Adichie-Esege died on January 7 during preparatory medical procedures. The doctors have been barred from practicing while a disciplinary tribunal reviews the case and could face the loss of their licenses. Adichie’s family has accused the hospital of negligence, alleging the child was denied oxygen and given excessive sedation that led to cardiac arrest. Euracare Hospital expressed sympathy for the family but denied wrongdoing. A formal inquest into the death is scheduled to begin on April 14 at the Yaba Magistrate Court in Lagos, where medical experts and hospital representatives will testify. The case has triggered national debate on patient safety, prompting Nigeria’s health ministry to announce a task force to improve clinical standards and oversight in the country’s healthcare system.

Uncertainty Grows Over Morocco Hosting Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

Less than two weeks before the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is set to begin on March 17, uncertainty remains over Morocco’s ability to host the tournament as scheduled. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) says the issue is receiving urgent attention after reports that Morocco warned it may struggle to meet deadlines because of heavy scheduling and ongoing stadium renovations. CAF president Patrice Motsepe has ruled out changing the tournament dates, noting the competition also serves as a qualifying event for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The lack of clarity has left participating teams facing major logistical challenges just days before kickoff. South Africa has said it is ready to step in as host if needed, with its sports minister criticizing Morocco for leaving the tournament’s status unresolved so close to the start date. The competition was expanded to 16 teams last year, and Nigeria entered as defending champion after beating Morocco 3–2 in the previous final.

Côte d’Ivoire Slashes Cocoa Farm Price by Nearly 60% Amid Global Price Drop

Côte d’Ivoire has cut the price paid to cocoa farmers by nearly 60 percent, lowering the farm-gate price to 1,200 CFA francs (about $2.12) per kilogram as global cocoa prices fall and an oversupply hits the market. Agriculture Minister Bruno Koné says the government made the early adjustment after international cocoa prices dropped sharply — from about $12,000 per tonne in late 2024 to roughly $2,900 now — leaving Ivorian cocoa priced well above the global market and slowing exports. Cocoa is central to Côte d’Ivoire’s economy, accounting for about 14 percent of GDP and supporting around five million people, but growers say they will bear the brunt of the cut as buyers delay purchases and offer lower prices. Neighboring Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, also reduced its farm price by about 30 percent last month.