Today in Africa — October 27, 2025: RSF Captures Army Base in El Fasher Killing Dozens, President Paul Biya Wins Contested Eighth Term in Cameroon, Mali Shuts Schools Amid Fuel Blockade

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.

Dozens of Civilians Killed as Paramilitary Group Seizes Army Base in El Fasher

Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have carried out an advance on a key military base in El Fasher, western Darfur, killing dozens of civilians in the process. Since April 2024, El Fasher has been besieged by the RSF, who see control of the area as a focal point of its attempt to potentially create a breakaway region. Before its attack yesterday, Sunday, October 26, the RSF had bombarded the city and blocked the entrance of aid, creating severe starvation and a seeming genocide.

According to the Associated Press, satellite images of the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces’ 6th Division showed serious damage to the roofs of multiple buildings around the compound. The military confirmed that it had retreated from the base to another defense line, due to the RSF’s bombardment. The Sudan Doctor Network has described the RSF attack as a “heinous massacre,” adding that the paramilitary group destroyed critical health infrastructure and limited supplies as a way to systematically target civilians.

Cameroon’s Paul Biya Declared Winner of Eighth Term as Protests Turn Deadly

Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya has been declared the winner of the country’s October 12 election, securing 53.66% of the vote for an eighth term, according to the Constitutional Council. His closest challenger and former ally, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, won 35.19% but has rejected the results, claiming victory and alleging electoral fraud. The outcome extends Biya’s 43-year rule and could keep him in power until nearly 100, further entrenching one of Africa’s longest-standing regimes from the world’s oldest president.

Protests have erupted across the country, turning violent in Garoua and Douala. At least four people have been killed in clashes between security forces and opposition supporters, who accuse the government of rigging the vote. Tchiroma said gunfire erupted near his home shortly after the results were announced, while analysts warned Biya’s “shaky mandate” could deepen unrest. Riot police have been deployed in major cities as opposition groups call for mediation to prevent further bloodshed.

Schools and Universities Shut Down in Mali Due to Fuel Blockade

Mali’s education minister, Amadou Sy Savane, has announced the closure of all schools and universities until at least November 9. This is due to the severe fuel scarcity caused by a blockade imposed by Islamist insurgents. Savane said the authorities were “doing everything possible” to end the crisis, which has been in place for several weeks now, after an al-Qaeda-linked armed group began attacking fuel tankers on major highways. The blockade has caused a severe shortage of fuel around the country, especially in the capital city, Bamako.

Mali is currently ruled by the General Assimi Goïta-led junta, which seized power in a coup back in 2021 and cited insurgency and internal security as primary reasons. The regime is yet to end the crisis, evidenced by the ongoing fuel crisis, with large parts of the north and east outside the control of the government. The landlocked West African country brings in fuel supplies from neighboring countries, giving the jihadists easy routes to target. Goïta’s junta, which continues to stall a return to democracy for security reasons, has allied with Russia to fight the Jihadists and also formed a new confederation with Niger and Burkina Faso, after pulling out of the West African political bloc ECOWAS.

Ouattara Poised for Fourth Term as Rival Billon Concedes Defeat in Côte d’Ivoire Election

Former Ivorian commerce minister Jean-Louis Billon has conceded defeat to President Alassane Ouattara after partial results from the election on Saturday, October 25, showed the 83-year-old incumbent with a strong lead. Billon, one of four opposition candidates, congratulated Ouattara, calling him the clear winner. The vote, which took place peacefully, was the first under a new constitution that allowed Ouattara to seek a fourth term. Provisional results are expected within days in the world’s top cocoa-producing nation.

Madagascar’s Ousted President Stripped of Citizenship After Military Takeover

Madagascar’s new government has revoked former President Andry Rajoelina’s citizenship after he fled the country following last week’s military coup, following youth-led protests. Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo signed a decree enforcing a law that strips citizenship from any Malagasy national holding another nationality — Rajoelina also holds French citizenship. His whereabouts remain unknown after protests demanding his resignation turned deadly, leaving at least 22 people dead. The 51-year-old former leader, who first rose to power after a 2009 coup, was accused of mismanaging the economy and ignoring widespread anger over poverty, unemployment, and power shortages.

Parliament Votes Unanimously to Remove Age Limits of Presidents in Djibouti

Ahead of next year’s presidential elections, incumbent Ismail Omar Guelleh has received a boost as he seeks to remain in office for a sixth term. On Sunday, October 26, the 65 members of the country’s parliament voted in favor of removing the age limit for those running for president, which was pegged at 75 years old. At 77 years old, Guelleh would have been ineligible to run next April, but will now be going into the elections as the favorite. Guelleh is one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents, having been in power since 1999, and elections in the country have been marred by allegations of electoral fraud and rigging.

U.S. Seeks to Deport Salvadoran Man to Liberia Amid Legal Battle and Diplomatic Assurances

The U.S. government plans to deport Salvadoran national Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia by October 31, despite an ongoing lawsuit alleging his deportation is politically motivated. Abrego Garcia, who has an American wife and child, was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in violation of a court order before being returned to the U.S. He faces asylum proceedings and separate criminal charges for alleged human smuggling, which he denies. Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti confirmed that Monrovia agreed to accept him following formal diplomatic consultations, stressing the decision was based on humanitarian principles and not U.S. pressure. The U.S. has third-country deportation agreements with several African countries: Liberia, Rwanda, Ghana, Eswatini, and South Sudan.

Former Mali Prime Minister Jailed Over Social Media Post Supporting Political Prisoners

A court in Bamako has sentenced former Malian Prime Minister Moussa Mara to one year in prison for “undermining the credibility of the state” after he posted on social media expressing support for political prisoners. Mara, who led the government from 2014 to 2015, was also fined 500,000 CFA francs and given a one-year suspended sentence. His lawyer said they plan to appeal. The conviction, seen by critics as part of a broader crackdown on dissent under military ruler Colonel Assimi Goïta, underscores growing concerns about shrinking political freedoms in Mali since the 2020 and 2021 coups.

Ghana Makes Local Languages Mandatory in Schools to Boost Learning and Preserve Culture

Ghana’s government has made it compulsory for teachers to use local languages as the main medium of instruction in all basic schools, a major shift from decades of English dominance. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu said the policy aims to improve learning outcomes and strengthen cultural identity, citing research that children learn best in their mother tongue. But with more than 70 languages spoken nationwide and most textbooks written in English, educators warn of challenges in implementation, especially in multilingual cities like Accra and Kumasi. The move places Ghana among a growing number of African countries promoting education in indigenous languages.

Dangote Plans Major Expansion of Africa’s Largest Oil Refinery

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has announced plans to expand his Lagos-based refinery’s capacity from 650,000 to 1.4 million barrels per day, positioning it to become the world’s largest single-site refinery. The $19 billion facility, which began operations in early 2024, currently helps meet domestic and regional fuel demand in a country that still imports most of its refined petroleum. Dangote said the expansion — to be financed through external funding — reflects confidence in Africa’s ability to shape its own energy future, though details on financing and timelines remain unclear.