Today in Africa — September 19, 2025: South Africa, US Meet Over Tariffs, Cameroon President’s Daughter Rejects His Reelection Bid, Malawi Likely Headed for Run-Off Election

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.

Tariffs: SA Minister Meets US Trade Representative

South African trade minister Parks Tau has met with the U.S Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in an effort to negotiate the steep 30% tariffs recently imposed by the Trump administration. In a statement on Friday by Tau's office, the minister described the talks as cordial and constructive, adding that both sides have agreed on a roadmap for future engagement.

The tariff came on the heels of strained U.S.–South Africa relations, worsened by Trump’s baseless claims of white minority persecution that fueled a controversial refugee program.

Drone Strike Hits El-Fasher Mosque, At Least 70 Dead

More than 70 people were killed on Friday after paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a drone strike on a mosque in el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. The city, which has been under RSF siege since last year, remains the Sudanese Army's last major stronghold in the region. It has faced repeated attacks that have damaged hospitals, schools, and displacement camps, as the war, which began in 2023, rages on.

Cameroon President’s Daughter Says She Hopes There Would Be Another President

Brenda Biya, the daughter of Cameroonian President Paul Biya, has effectively urged citizens not to vote for her father in the upcoming election. In the video, shot in Switzerland, the 27-year old accused her family of mistreatment, saying that people close to her wanted her dead. Pivoting to politics, she said she would not "vote for Paul Biya" and she "hoped there would be another president." The presidency is yet to react to the video, as Biya, who has been president for more than four decades, gears up to seek a seventh term.

Experts Say Malawians May Head to the Polls Again for Run-Off

Malawians are still anxiously awaiting official results of the Tuesday, September 16, election reactions, but projections suggest neither President Lazarus Chakwera nor challenger Arthur Peter Mutharika will secure more than 50% of votes needed for outright victory.

With Chakwera polling around 47–49% and Mutharika at 43–45%, per independent observers and monitors, experts say a historic run-off is almost inevitable. “Malawians will vote again, that is a fact. The two top candidates must brace themselves for another grueling campaign trail over the next 60 days. Their strength has become almost equal in this election,” say political scientist John Makwenda, who has worked with institutions including the Catholic University of Malawi, Makerere University, University of Zimbabwe, and Rhodes University.

U.S Deportees to Ghana Sue Government

Eleven people deported from the U.S. have sued Ghana’s government, arguing their detention in a military camp is unlawful since they broke no Ghanaian laws. Their lawyer, Oliver-Barker Vormawor has demanded the government present them in court and justify their confinement, arguing that 11 remain detained, as against President John Mahama's earlier statement that all 14 of them had been sent to their home countries.