Today in Africa — Mar 6, 2026: WAFCON Postponed, Uganda Evacuates 43 Students From Iran

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.

CAF Postpones 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Weeks Before Kickoff

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations just 12 days before the tournament was due to start in Morocco. The competition, originally scheduled for March 17 to April 3, will now take place from July 25 to August 16, with CAF citing “unforeseen circumstances.” The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Morocco had been set to host the finals for a third consecutive time, though uncertainty over the country’s readiness had grown in recent weeks.

The last-minute change has sparked frustration among players and observers, who say repeated disruptions highlight ongoing challenges for women’s football in Africa. Former Nigeria captain Desire Oparanozie says the delay could affect teams that had already begun intense preparations, warning that prolonged uncertainty could demoralize players. The tournament has faced similar setbacks in the past, including the cancellation of the 2020 edition during the pandemic and scheduling delays for the 2024 competition.

Uganda Evacuates 43 Students From Iran After Airstrikes

Forty-three Ugandan students evacuated from Iran after recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes have arrived safely in Uganda, officials say. The group was transported by bus from Tehran to the Turkish border, then flown home from Istanbul, in an operation organized by Uganda’s ambassador in Iran. Speaking after landing at Entebbe International Airport, several students described the experience as frightening and traumatic, saying they could hear explosions and feel the ground shake during the attacks near their university.

Some students say they still hope to return to Iran to complete their studies, though others are reconsidering after the ordeal. A few Ugandan students chose to remain in Iran, fearing they might not be able to afford the cost of returning later if they left now. The evacuations come as governments move to bring citizens home from the region amid rising tensions, with Sierra Leone also confirming it helped 24 nationals and diplomatic staff leave Iran earlier this week.

UN Report Says Uganda Helped South Sudan Carry Out Airstrikes on Civilians

Uganda helped South Sudan carry out aerial attacks that killed and badly burned civilians last year, according to a report by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan. The inquiry says joint bombardments targeted civilian-populated areas in opposition-held regions largely inhabited by Nuer communities, South Sudan’s second-largest ethnic group. The report says the strikes involved improvised incendiary devices and described one March 2025 attack near Juba, where planes dropped burning liquid that engulfed homes and left civilians severely burned. Ugandan troops are deployed in South Sudan at the request of President Salva Kiir’s government to help fight forces loyal to opposition leader Riek Machar, who has been on trial for treason since being suspended as vice president on March 26, 2025. Uganda denies taking part in combat operations or attacking civilians, though the UN report says evidence suggested coordinated planning and operational integration between the two militaries. The findings come as renewed fighting threatens a fragile 2018 peace deal and deepens instability in South Sudan.

Families in Nairobi Protest Recruitment of Kenyans to Fight in Russia’s War

Families of Kenyan men recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine protested in Nairobi yesterday, Thursday, March 5, demanding government action to bring their relatives home. Holding photos of sons who are wounded, missing, or still on the front lines, the demonstrators called on parliament to ban the recruitment of Kenyans for the war. Human rights group Vocal Africa says families want authorities to address the issue urgently, as an intelligence report presented to parliament alleged that Kenyan and Russian officials worked with recruitment agencies to lure young men into joining the conflict. Kenya’s government has said more than 1,000 citizens were recruited to fight for Russia, with at least 89 still on the front lines. Officials confirmed one death, while 39 Kenyans have been hospitalized, 28 are missing, and others have returned home. Families say many recruits had no military training and were misled about the work. Kenya’s foreign minister has said diplomatic efforts are underway to secure the release of Kenyans held as prisoners of war and to repatriate those still in Russia, while two people have been charged with human trafficking in connection with the scheme.

Cape Town Security Wall Plan Draws ‘Segregation’ Criticism From Township Residents

Plans by the City of Cape Town to build a security wall along the N2 highway have sparked anger among residents of nearby informal settlements who say the project will divide poor communities from wealthier areas. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has proposed the 108-million-rand (about $6.5 million) N2 Edge project, which includes a three-meter wall stretching about nine kilometers near Cape Town International Airport, along with surveillance cameras, lighting upgrades, and increased metro police patrols. City officials say the measures aim to curb crime along the highway, where hundreds of incidents have been recorded in recent years. Residents in settlements such as Taiwan, near Khayelitsha, say the money should instead be spent on long-standing housing and basic service shortages. Many rely on communal toilets and travel long distances for healthcare while waiting for promised relocation projects that have yet to materialize. Critics from opposition parties and civil society groups have also condemned the plan, warning it could reinforce social divisions. Some activists have dubbed the proposed barrier a “South African Berlin Wall,” arguing that authorities should focus on community-based crime prevention and improving living conditions rather than building physical barriers.

Libya Orders Arrests Over Assassination of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi

Libyan authorities have ordered the arrest of three suspects linked to the February 3 killing of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi in the northwestern city of Zintan, the public prosecutor’s office says. Investigators say they know when and where the murder took place, but have not released further details. Initial findings show he was shot dead, while his political team says four masked men stormed his home after disabling security cameras. Gaddafi, the son of former leader Muammar Gaddafi, had lived in Zintan since his release in 2017 despite a death sentence issued by a court in eastern Libya. Once seen as the reformist face of his father’s regime, he later emerged as a political figure for supporters who viewed him as a symbol of reconciliation in a country still divided between rival governments since the 2011 uprising.

Ghanaian Cocoa Farmers Say Payments Still Pending Despite Government Funds

Ghanaian cocoa farmers say they are still waiting to be paid for deliveries months after the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) announced it released 3.62 billion cedis ($336.7 million) to buyers to clear arrears owed to farmers since November 2025. The funds were distributed to Licensed Buying Companies following a directive from the finance ministry to improve liquidity in the struggling cocoa sector. But farmers and purchasing clerks say the money has not reached them, raising concerns that some buyers may use the funds to repay bank loans rather than pay producers. Clerks and farmers say payments for cocoa delivered under both the previous and newly reduced farm-gate prices remain outstanding. Industry representatives say the payments will take time to reach all producers, noting the sector includes between 800,000 and one million farmers. Cocoa buyers currently owe local banks between 7 billion (about $647 million) and 8 billion cedis (about $740 million) after borrowing to finance purchases, and the Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association has urged its members to prioritize payments to farmers once funds are received.

Morocco Coach Walid Regragui Steps Down Months Before World Cup

Morocco national team coach Walid Regragui has resigned just three months before the World Cup, saying the team needs “a new vision and a different energy.” The decision, confirmed at a late-night press conference, follows weeks of speculation about his future. Regragui led Morocco to a historic World Cup semifinal in 2022 and oversaw a strong record of 36 wins, eight draws, and five losses since taking charge in September 2022, including a run of 19 consecutive victories between June 2024 and December. But he faced criticism after Morocco lost the Africa Cup of Nations final to Senegal in January. Morocco’s football federation says Mohamed Ouahbi will replace him as coach. The Belgian-born manager led Morocco to victory at the under-20 World Cup in Chile last year. Regragui says exhaustion after nearly four years in the role also influenced his decision to step down. Morocco will play friendlies against Ecuador and Paraguay later this month as the team prepares for the World Cup, where it will face Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti in Group C.