Today in Africa — October 14, 2025: Cameroon Opposition Leader Declares Victory in Presidential Election, Madagascar President Is Impeached as Military Seizes Power, Akinola Davies Jr.’s ‘My Father’s Shadow’ Heads to Oscars

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.

Cameroon Opposition Leader Declares Victory as Biya’s Party Dismisses “Hoax” Claim

Cameroon’s opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma has declared victory in the October 12 presidential election, calling on President Paul Biya to concede defeat and “honor the truth of the ballot box.” Speaking from his hometown of Garoua, the 76-year-old former minister said his win was clear and supported by the results posted at polling stations. Tchiroma, once a close Biya ally, broke from the ruling party earlier this year and gained backing from several opposition groups frustrated with the president’s 43-year rule.

Biya’s Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement dismissed Tchiroma’s claim as a “grotesque hoax,” insisting only the Constitutional Council can declare results. The Minister of Territorial Administration also warned that publishing unofficial results could be treated as treason. The Constitutional Council has until October 26 to announce the official outcome of the vote, which saw Biya, the 92-year-old who is the oldest sitting president in the world, seeking an eighth term amid mounting discontent over economic hardship and insecurity.

Madagascar’s Military Seizes Power After President Rajoelina Is Impeached

Madagascar’s military announced today, Tuesday, October 14, it has taken control of the country after President Andry Rajoelina was impeached by lawmakers and fled following weeks of youth-led protests. Colonel Michael Randrianirina, a former ally of Rajoelina, declared the army was dissolving most state institutions and forming a transitional government that could rule for up to two years before new elections. The move comes after Rajoelina, who first rose to power in a 2009 coup, tried to dissolve parliament by decree but was instead removed from office in a dramatic vote that left the nation in crisis.

Mass demonstrations that began in late September over water and power shortages swelled into a nationwide rebellion against corruption and poor governance. The protests, led largely by Gen Z activists, drew thousands to Antananarivo’s 13 May Square, where Randrianirina rallied crowds before taking power. As news of the takeover spread, many celebrated the president’s downfall, while others urged a swift return to civilian rule. Madagascar’s economy remains in deep trouble, with three-quarters of its 30 million citizens living in poverty.

Akinola Davies Jr.’s My Father’s Shadow Named UK’s Oscar Entry for 2026

British Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr.’s debut feature film, My Father’s Shadow, has been chosen as the UK’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 2026 Oscars. Directed and co-written by Davies Jr., alongside his brother Wale Davies, the film stars Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and premiered at Cannes, where it earned a Special Mention in a section of the film festival, Un Certain Regard, the first Nigerian film to ever receive such acclaim. It went on to screen at major festivals, including Toronto, and will open in UK and U.S. cinemas in February 2026, following its Nigerian cinema release in September, where it is still showing until Thursday, October 16. 

Shot in Lagos and Ibadan, My Father’s Shadow is a semi-autobiographical drama set during Nigeria’s 1993 election crisis, and follows a father and his sons who spend a day navigating Lagos and its chaotic beauty. The Yoruba, Naija Pidgin, and English-language film continues the Davies brothers’ acclaimed storytelling journey after their award-winning short, Lizard. 

DRC and M23 Sign Ceasefire Monitoring Deal in Qatar Talks

The Democratic Republic of Congo government and the M23 rebels have signed a deal to monitor a potential permanent ceasefire, marking rare progress in months of Qatar-mediated peace talks. The agreement establishes a joint monitoring body with representatives from the DRC, M23, and the 12-member International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, supported logistically by the UN mission MONUSCO. Observers from the African Union, Qatar, and the U.S. will also take part. The monitoring body will investigate ceasefire violations and meet within a week of its creation.

This deal follows a September agreement on a prisoner exchange that has yet to be implemented. Despite the diplomatic steps, violence continues in eastern Congo, where M23’s Rwanda-backed offensive has displaced hundreds of thousands and killed thousands more. UN envoy Huang Xia told the Security Council that both sides have resumed fighting despite commitments to peace.

South Africa to Roll Out Groundbreaking HIV Prevention Jab in 2026

South Africa’s Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi today, Tuesday, October 14, announced plans to roll out Lenacapavir, the world’s first twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, starting in April 2026. Backed by a collective $34 million from the Global Fund ($29.2m) and the Networking HIV and AIDS Community of Southern Africa ($5m), the first phase will target 23 high-incidence districts and reach nearly half a million people, though demand is expected to exceed supply. 

The drug, approved by WHO, offers a major advance in HIV prevention, but Gilead’s decision to exclude South African manufacturers from licensing has drawn backlash from activists. UNAIDS praised the initiative as a vital tool amid declining international HIV funding.

Morocco’s GenZ 212 Movement Calls for Nationwide Sit-Ins Amid Widening Protests

Morocco’s GenZ 212 youth collective has urged citizens to join peaceful sit-ins across the country on Saturday, October 18, intensifying its call for reforms in health care, education, and governance amid a cost-of-living crisis. The online movement, which has led over two weeks of protests sparked by the deaths of eight pregnant women in Agadir, says it will continue mobilizing until its demands are met. While King Mohammed VI acknowledged youth employment and social issues in his latest address, he did not mention the protests. Demonstrations have largely remained peaceful, though several clashes and arrests have been reported, as frustration grows over inequality and spending priorities.

Kenyan NGOs Accuse Ruto’s Government of Deepening Inequality and Debt

A coalition of Kenyan NGOs has accused President William Ruto’s government of worsening economic inequality and piling on national debt in a briefing to IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva. The groups, under the banner Okoa Uchumi (“Rescue the Economy”), said Kenya’s fiscal mismanagement has fueled corruption, poverty, and social unrest while benefiting political networks instead of citizens. Their statement came as officials negotiated a new IMF program in Washington, where the Fund is also conducting a governance review. The NGOs urged the IMF and World Bank to tie financial support to reforms that strengthen transparency and accountability.