Today in Africa — November 6, 2025: RSF Accepts Sudan Humanitarian Ceasefire Proposal, South Africa Probes 17 Citizens Lured into Fighting in Russia-Ukraine War, Morocco’s Hakimi May Miss AFCON

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. 

RSF Accepts Proposal for Humanitarian Ceasefire in Sudan

Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) says it has accepted a U.S.- and Arab-backed proposal for a humanitarian ceasefire and is ready to begin talks on ending its war with the Sudanese army. The army has not yet responded to the offer, which comes less than two weeks after the RSF seized El Fasher, a famine-stricken city in Darfur where witnesses reported killings, abductions, and summary executions. Influential figures within the army have already signaled opposition to the truce plan.

The United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt first called in September for a three-month humanitarian pause, followed by a permanent ceasefire. The RSF says it wants to move quickly into discussions on political principles and a path to ending the conflict, which began in April 2023 when the army and RSF — former partners in power — clashed over security reforms. The war has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and deepened hunger across Sudan.

South Africa Probes How 17 Citizens Were Lured Into Russia-Ukraine Conflict

South Africa says it has launched an investigation after 17 of its citizens, aged 20 to 39, sent urgent pleas for help from Ukraine’s Donbas region, where they were recruited under false promises of lucrative work and ended up fighting as mercenaries. The presidency says it is working to bring the men home and is trying to establish how they were recruited and which side they were made to fight for. Most of Donbas is under Russian control, and several developing countries have accused Moscow of targeting their nationals with deceptive job offers linked to the war.

South Africa has warned before about fake Russian job ads circulating online, including claims that South African women were tricked into building drones. Kenya, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have reported similar cases of citizens being recruited under false pretenses. South African law prohibits citizens from joining foreign armed forces without authorization, and despite the country’s non-aligned stance on the conflict, officials say they are treating the incident as a serious breach.

Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi Faces Race Against Time After Serious Ankle Injury

Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi is now at risk of missing the Africa Cup of Nations after Paris Saint-Germain confirmed he will be sidelined for “several weeks” with a serious left-ankle sprain. The injury happened during PSG’s 2–1 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich on Tuesday, November 4, when Bayern winger Luis Díaz’s reckless tackle left Hakimi unable to continue. AFCON kicks off on December 21 in Morocco, putting pressure on the 26-year-old to recover in time for his home tournament.

Díaz was sent off for the challenge, despite scoring both goals in Bayern’s 16th straight win across competitions. He later posted an apology and wished Hakimi a “speedy return.” Hakimi’s absence comes as a major blow for PSG and a worrying setback for Morocco, who see the right-back as one of their key players for the upcoming continental competition.

WHO Reports Over 400 Rift Valley Fever Cases in Mauritania and Senegal

The World Health Organization says Mauritania and Senegal have recorded 404 confirmed human cases of Rift Valley Fever between September 20 and October 30, including 42 deaths. National health authorities in both countries alerted the agency as infections spread during the six weeks, prompting regional concern over the mosquito-borne disease that affects both people and livestock.

Tanzania Charges Senior Opposition Figure With Terrorism After Disputed Election

Tanzanian opposition leader John Heche, vice-chair of CHADEMA, has been charged with terrorism following nationwide protests over last week’s tense election, which President Samia Suluhu Hassan won with 98% of the vote. CHADEMA says Heche was arrested on October 22, transferred from Dodoma to Kinondoni, and chose to address the charges in court rather than give a police statement. His arrest comes as several opposition figures were barred from the race, and as party leader Tundu Lissu continues to face a separate treason trial that could carry the death penalty.

Cameroon’s Paul Biya Sworn In for New Term Amid Opposition Outcry

Cameroon’s 92-year-old president, Paul Biya, was sworn in today, Thursday, October 6, for another seven-year term after last month’s election, which his main rival called “a constitutional coup.” Speaking before Parliament in a heavily militarized and partly deserted Yaounde, Biya pledged to work for a “united, stable and prosperous” country. But many citizens expressed frustration and doubt, saying daily life has not improved under his decades-long rule.

Nigeria Confirms Gold and Aluminium Deposits, Eyes New Revenue Boost

Nigeria’s Benue State officials say newly confirmed gold deposits in Kwande and aluminium along riverine areas could reshape the state’s economy and strengthen its role in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. The state’s Director of Solid Minerals, Anselm Nege, said mining activities are already underway but often unregulated, prompting authorities to increase oversight to curb illegal operations and protect the environment. Andrew Mbaiorga of the Benue Investment and Property Company added that the discoveries could become sustainable, revenue-generating ventures if managed with credible investors and strict compliance with global standards.

Boeing Settles Three More Lawsuits Over Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX Crash

Boeing has reached out-of-court settlements with the families of three victims of the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash, according to attorney Robert Clifford, who represents the families. The confidential agreements came as a jury had already been selected for one of the cases in a Chicago federal court. The victims — Mercy Ngami Ndivo, Abdul Jalil Qaid Ghazi Hussein, and Nasrudin Mohammed — all had ties to Kenya, and their suits were among the remaining claims over the two 737 MAX crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia that killed 346 people. Boeing has now resolved more than 90% of related civil cases, part of more than $20 billion in costs linked to the disasters.

Trump Says He Will Skip G20, Claims South Africa “Doesn’t Belong” in the Group

U.S. President Donald Trump says he will not attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg later this month, arguing that South Africa “shouldn’t even be in the G’s anymore.” Speaking at a business forum in Miami, Trump said the country no longer deserved its spot and announced that Vice President J.D. Vance would attend in his place. He repeated his claims that South Africa’s land reform policies target white farmers and accused Pretoria of committing “massive human rights violations,” echoing the rationale behind an earlier executive order cutting U.S. aid and supporting the resettlement of white Afrikaners in the United States. The South African government has dismissed Trump’s allegations as inaccurate and based on a distorted view of its policies.