Today in Africa — October 15, 2025: Kenya Mours Raila Odinga, Madagascar’s Coup Leader Declares Himself President, UN Warns of Deep Hunger Crisis in Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, DRC

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.

Kenya Mourns Raila Odinga, Veteran Opposition Leader and Democracy Champion

Kenya’s longtime opposition leader and former prime minister, Raila Odinga, passed away at 80 while receiving medical treatment in India, hospital officials confirmed today, Wednesday, October 15. Odinga, a central figure in Kenyan politics for more than four decades, was celebrated for his role in securing multiparty democracy and the 2010 constitution, despite spending nine years in prison under the Moi regime. Known affectionately as “Baba,” he ran for president five times without success but remained one of the country’s most influential and unifying political figures.

President William Ruto declared seven days of national mourning and a state funeral, referring to Odinga as “a champion of freedom and justice.” Tributes poured in from across Africa and beyond, with leaders including former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hailing his courage and dedication to democracy. Hundreds of mourners gathered in Nairobi’s Kibera and Kisumu to honor a man whose vision and resilience shaped Kenya’s modern political landscape.

Madagascar’s Coup Leader Declares Himself President, Promises 18-Month Transition

Madagascar’s military leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, has declared he is taking the position of president following youth-led protests and a coup that forced Andry Rajoelina to flee the country. Randrianirina, who led the mutiny by the elite Corps d'administration des personnels et des services administratifs et techniques (CAPSAT) unit, said he expects to be sworn in within days and that the armed forces will govern the country for 18 months to two years before holding new elections. He said the military acted under orders from the High Constitutional Court after Rajoelina’s departure left a power vacuum, though the same military council had earlier suspended the court’s authority.

Rajoelina, who fled Madagascar on Sunday aboard a French military aircraft, has condemned the coup as illegal. The 51-year-old former DJ, who first came to power through a 2009 coup, was ousted amid youth-led protests over poverty, corruption, and basic service failures. Randrianirina said a new prime minister would soon be appointed, while analysts and African leaders warned against legitimizing the takeover, calling it a setback for democracy on the island nation of 30 million people.

UN Warns of Deep Hunger Crisis as Funding Cuts Slash Food Aid

The World Food Program (WFP) has warned that nearly 14 million people risk being pushed into emergency hunger as sharp funding cuts cripple its operations in six countries, including Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, and Haiti. The agency said its budget has fallen by 40% this year to $6.4 billion, largely due to reduced contributions from the U.S. and other major Western donors. Executive Director Cindy McCain said the agency is “watching the lifeline for millions disintegrate,” adding that global hunger levels are already at record highs.

WFP said the U.S., traditionally its largest donor, has reduced its contribution from $4.5 billion to $1.5 billion this year. The cuts have forced the agency to drastically scale back aid programs, with food assistance now reaching less than 10% of people in need in some areas. The agency warned that without urgent support, decades of progress in combating hunger could be undone as famine looms in conflict-affected regions like Sudan and Gaza.

Ramaphosa Says Gaza Ceasefire Won’t Halt South Africa’s Genocide Case Against Israel

President Cyril Ramaphosa told South Africa’s parliament yesterday, Tuesday, October 14, that the new Gaza ceasefire will not affect the country’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. He said the proceedings, filed in December 2023, will continue as planned, with Israel expected to submit its response by January 2026. Ramaphosa stressed that justice must take its course, saying true peace requires accountability. The ICJ has already issued provisional orders for Israel to prevent genocidal acts and allow aid into Gaza, where more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, according to local health authorities.

More U.S. Deportees Land in Ghana as Lawyers Challenge Migration Deal in Court

Another group of migrants deported from the United States arrived in Ghana on Monday, October 13, under a controversial third-country deportation agreement between Accra and Washington. Ghanaian lawyer Oliver Barker-Vormawor, who confirmed the arrivals at Kotoka International Airport, has filed a petition at the Supreme Court seeking to suspend the deal, arguing it violates Ghana’s constitution and international treaties. The government says the pact, signed in September, allows Ghana to receive third-country nationals expelled from the U.S., but critics say it was never ratified by parliament and breaches ECOWAS and anti-torture conventions. Authorities have so far confirmed 14 deportations since the agreement took effect.

Zimbabwe’s Girls Revive Ancient Tradition to Fight Child Marriage

In rural Zimbabwe, young women and girls are reviving Nhanga — an old tradition once used to prepare them for marriage — using it as a modern tool to fight child marriage and promote gender equality. Led by nonprofits like the Rozaria Memorial Trust, the gatherings now serve as safe spaces for girls to talk openly about sexuality, education, teen pregnancy, and women’s rights. Despite legal bans, one in three girls in Zimbabwe marries before 18, according to UNICEF. The new Nhanga model has spread to schools nationwide and inspired similar initiatives in Zambia and Sierra Leone, turning a once-patriarchal custom into a powerful platform for empowerment.

Spain Deepens Africa Ties With Pro-Development, Pro-Migration Approach

Spain is charting a different course from other Western powers by expanding aid and partnerships across Africa instead of cutting back. While countries like the U.S., U.K., and France scale down development budgets, Madrid is increasing funding, opening new embassies, and promoting training programs in nations such as Senegal and Mauritania. At the AfroMadrid2025 conference, Spain reaffirmed plans for “safe and mutually beneficial” migration policies, including short-term work visas for West Africans. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has framed Africa’s progress as central to Europe’s stability, calling migration “a question of solidarity, dignity, and rationality.”