Today in Africa — May 8, 2026: South African President Faces Impeachment, Joy in Ethiopia as Mother Gives Birth to Quintuplets

Botswana Mourns Former President Festus Mogae

Former Botswana President Festus Mogae, widely respected for his steady leadership and his bold response to the HIV/AIDS crisis, has died at 86. Mogae led Botswana from 1998 to 2008, strengthened the country’s economy, and stepped down after serving the two terms allowed by the constitution, marking another peaceful transfer of power in one of Africa’s most stable democracies.

Fuel and Fertilizer Shock Deepens Sudan’s Hunger Crisis

Farmers in Sudan are cutting back on planting as soaring fuel and fertilizer prices, worsened by conflict-linked shipping disruptions in the Middle East, make farming unaffordable. With fertilizer prices jumping sharply and fuel costs tripling in some areas, aid groups warn the squeeze could deepen hunger in a country where millions are already facing acute food insecurity.

WFP Warns Somalia Could Lose Lifesaving Food Aid by July

The World Food Program says Somalia is facing a severe malnutrition crisis and may have to halt humanitarian support from July without urgent funding. Nearly 6 million people are facing acute hunger, while 1.9 million children are acutely malnourished, as drought, conflict, aid cuts, and supply chain disruptions push the country closer to catastrophe.

Around 50 Killed in Fresh Attacks in Central Mali

Armed attackers killed around 50 people in two villages in central Mali in one of the deadliest assaults since late-April coordinated attacks shook the country. The violence comes as militants linked to al-Qaida and allied rebel groups keep up pressure on Mali’s military government, including threats to blockade routes into Bamako.

Ghana’s State Cocoa Buyer Buckles Under Debt Crisis

Ghana’s state-owned Producer Buying Company has stopped buying cocoa after its 673 million cedis (about $60,000) debt left it unable to pay farmers and facing possible asset seizure. The cash crunch adds to mounting pressure in Ghana’s struggling cocoa sector, where thousands of smallholder farmers are still waiting to be paid for beans delivered months ago.

At Least 40 Killed in ISIS-Linked Attack in Eastern DRC

An Islamic State-affiliated rebel group killed at least 40 people in attacks on villages near the Democratic Republic of Congo’s border with Uganda, burning homes and leaving others missing. The Allied Democratic Forces, long active in the region, have been accused of repeated attacks on civilians, adding to the growing insecurity in eastern Congo.

Chad Declares Emergency After Deadly Boko Haram Attacks

Chad has declared a 20-day state of emergency in the Lake Chad region after a wave of Boko Haram attacks killed at least 26 soldiers, including two senior generals. The government says renewed violence, displacement, and growing threats to civilians have forced tighter emergency measures and stepped-up military operations.

U.S. and South Africa Explore New Mining Partnership

The United States and South Africa have opened early talks on mining, infrastructure, and investment, pointing to a possible easing of recent diplomatic tensions. Discussions focused on critical minerals and transport projects, areas seen as key to global supply chains as Washington looks to reduce dependence on China.

France Looks East as It Recasts Africa Strategy

France is taking its Africa reset to Nairobi next week, hosting a summit in an English-speaking African country for the first time as it looks beyond former colonies in West Africa. With influence fading in the Sahel, President Emmanuel Macron is expected to focus on trade, clean energy, education, and new security ties with countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and Ethiopia.