AU Honors Celebrated Late Senegalese Writer Cheikh Hamidou Kane
The African Union Commission’s Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has honored Senegalese author and public servant Cheikh Hamidou Kane, who passed away in Dakar on October 3 at age 98, as a "giant of African letters," noting his roles as Governor of Thiès, High Commissioner for Planning, and Minister of Industrial Development and Handicrafts. Kane’s novel Ambiguous Adventure, which explores the psychological trauma of colonization on Senegal's elites, won the Grand Literary Prize of Black Africa in 1962 and has sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide.
AU Delegation Meets M23 Rebels, Urges Continued Peace Efforts
An African Union delegation that includes former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, and Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana met leaders of the Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday. The group controls large areas of North and South Kivu, and fighting continues despite a July 2025 Doha declaration committing to a permanent ceasefire. The delegation urged respect for the ceasefire, protection of civilians, and safe humanitarian access, and it met Rwanda's foreign minister yesterday, Tuesday, October 6, before an expected trip to Kinshasa.
Sudan's Burhan Rejects Talks, Vows to Retake All RSF Territory
Sudan's army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said yesterday, Tuesday, October 6, the army will seize "every inch" of RSF-held territory and continue the "military option" until the paramilitary group is removed, rejecting negotiations to end the war. The same day, a local charity group said an RSF attack killed 10 civilians in West Kordofan, and the IOM said more than 5,500 people were displaced in Blue Nile state over three days. U.S. envoy Massad Boulos said peace must come through a Sudanese-led national dialogue and a transition to civilian-led government.
105 More Nigerians Return From South Africa After Illegal-Migrant Attacks
Another 105 Nigerians, including 26 men, 29 women, and 50 children, arrived in Lagos from South Africa on Friday, bringing the total repatriated since June to 1,926, the foreign ministry said yesterday, Tuesday, October 6. It was the 14th evacuation flight since the program began June 10, and more Nigerians are being verified and cleared for future flights. Abuja says it is working with South African authorities to tackle xenophobic violence and urged Nigerians there to stay vigilant, obey local laws, and keep in touch with its mission in Pretoria.
Senegal Delays School Year After Deadly Flooding
Senegal has postponed the start of the school year to October 12 after heavy rain from Friday until Monday flooded several regions and paralyzed parts of Dakar. At least five people have died, and the education ministry says the delay is meant to protect children and allow schools to be cleaned and restored. More rain is forecast, and the flooding comes weeks before Senegal hosts the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics.
Libya's Eastern Parliament Ousts Speaker Aguila Saleh After Nearly 12 Years
Libya's eastern-based House of Representatives voted yesterday, Tuesday, October 6, to remove speaker Aguila Saleh and replace him with Al-Salhin Abdulnabi al-Obeidi, an engineer from Tobruk. The vote came a day after 98 members approved limiting the speaker and deputy speakers to a single 12-month term, which Saleh reportedly rejected as "not official" and legally ineffective. Analysts say Saleh, a staunch ally of Khalifa Haftar, appears weakened as Haftar's sons, especially Saddam Haftar, consolidate their positions.
South Africa Eyes Bid to Be First African Olympic Host in 2036
The International Olympic Committee confirmed that South Africa has shown interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics, which would be a first for Africa. The proposal spans three cities: Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg. South Africa is one of seven countries in "continuous dialogue" with the IOC, alongside Hungary, India, Qatar, Turkey, Germany, and South Korea. The deadline for stated interest is October 31, with virtual presentations in November and IOC feasibility assessments due by March 2027.
