Today in Africa — September 23, 2025: Ousmane Dembélé Wins 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or, Three Junta-Led Sahel Allies Pull Out of International Criminal Court, Ghana Accused of Circumventing Legal Process in US Deportees Case

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.

Ousmane Dembélé Wins Ballon d’Or as African Players Shine in 2025 Rankings

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé, who was born to a Malian father and a Mauritanian Senegalese mother, has been crowned the 2025 men’s Ballon d’Or winner after leading his club to its first Champions League title. Often described as the most prestigious individual award in football, the Ballon d’Or honors the best player in the world each year, with winners chosen by journalists, coaches, and national team captains. The 28-year-old Dembélé scored 21 league goals, added eight assists, and played a decisive role in Europe with strikes against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal. His award last night, Monday, September 22, marks the pinnacle of a career-best season.

Other African players left a strong mark on this year’s rankings, with Egypt’s Mohamed Salah finishing fourth after powering Liverpool to a league title with 29 goals, and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi placing sixth following an outstanding campaign with PSG. Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy secured 21st place, highlighting Africa’s growing influence at football’s highest stage. On the women’s side, Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí collected her third consecutive Ballon d’Or, further cementing her dominance in the game.

Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Quit ICC, Call It Neocolonial Tool

The military juntas of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger — all Sahel countries battling jihadist insurgencies — have announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling it “a tool of neocolonial repression.” In a joint statement yesterday, Monday, September 22, the three governments accused the court of failing to deliver justice for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The decision follows their coordinated break from ECOWAS. Mali has been under ICC investigation since 2013 for atrocities committed during militant control of its north, while rights groups have also accused Sahel militaries of possible war crimes. Observers warn the withdrawal could further entrench impunity in a region already scarred by coups, extremist violence, and mass civilian killings.

Lawyer Says US-Deported Migrants Sent Home from Ghana Despite Pending Case

At a virtual hearing today, Tuesday, September 23, lawyer Oliver Barker-Vormawor told a Ghanaian court that 11 West African migrants deported by the U.S. to Ghana had already been sent to their home countries over the weekend, despite a pending case seeking to stop their removal. The migrants — including Nigerians, Togolese, Malians, a Gambian, and a Liberian — had argued they faced risks of torture or persecution if returned.

Barker-Vormawor said the deportations “circumvented” the legal process and made the case irrelevant, calling it the very harm they had tried to prevent. Some of the deportees are now in hiding for safety. The hearing comes amid wider criticism of U.S. third-country deportation programs and Ghana’s role in accepting migrants from third countries under bilateral deals.

Alaa Abd el-Fattah Reunites with Family and Friends After Sisi Pardon

Prominent Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah walked free today, Tuesday, September 23, a day after President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi pardoned him and five others. The 43-year-old, jailed for much of the past decade under charges including spreading “fake news,” had become a global symbol of Egypt’s crackdown on dissent, staging multiple hunger strikes while his family and the British government pressed for his release.

His mother, Laila Soueif, who campaigned relentlessly for his freedom, said her “greatest joy” would come when no political prisoners remain in Egypt. The pardon has been welcomed by Britain, where Abd el-Fattah holds citizenship, though rights groups note tens of thousands of others remain detained. Once a leading blogger during the Arab Spring, Abd el-Fattah’s case came to embody the dashed hopes of Egypt’s revolution.

Mutharika Projected to Defeat Chakwera in Malawi’s Election

Former president Peter Mutharika is on track to reclaim power in Malawi, with private broadcaster Times Television projecting he secured more than 56% of the vote in last week’s presidential election. Official tallies released so far by the electoral commission also show him with a strong lead over incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, who has faced criticism for failing to stem corruption and worsening economic hardship during his five years in office.

The September 16 poll marked the fourth face-off between the two rivals, whose contest has shaped Malawi’s politics for nearly a decade. Mutharika, 85, was previously credited with boosting infrastructure and lowering inflation during his 2014–2020 presidency but faced accusations of cronyism, which he denies. Chakwera, 70, rose to power after a court annulled Mutharika’s controversial 2019 win and ordered a rerun. The electoral commission has until tomorrow, Wednesday, September 24, to release the final results, with an outright victory requiring more than 50% of valid votes.

DRC Parliament Speaker Vital Kamerhe Resigns Ahead of Ouster Vote

Vital Kamerhe has stepped down as President of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s National Assembly, hours before lawmakers were set to vote on a petition challenging his leadership. Kamerhe, who once faced an overturned embezzlement conviction, told parliament he was sacrificing his position to shift focus toward national unity, sovereignty, and economic progress. Allies questioned the legitimacy of the petition, while opposition figures dismissed the process as political theater. President Félix Tshisekedi, speaking from New York, distanced himself from the campaign, calling Kamerhe “a brother and ally.”

Cameroon’s Opposition Scramble to Unite as Biya Seeks Eighth Term

With Cameroon heading to the polls on October 12, opposition parties are scrambling to unite against 92-year-old President Paul Biya, who has ruled for 43 years and is bidding for an eighth term. The election commission barred Biya’s main rival, Maurice Kamto, from running, leaving 11 opposition candidates who risk splitting the vote. Despite calls for a single consensus challenger, efforts to rally behind one candidate remain stalled, raising doubts about the opposition’s ability to challenge Biya’s long-dominant rule in the Central African nation. Biya is the oldest sitting president in the world.

Uganda’s Museveni Cleared to Run Again, Setting Stage for 2026 Showdown

Uganda’s electoral commission has cleared 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni to run in next year’s election, opening the door for him to extend his nearly four-decade rule to close to 50 years. The former rebel leader, in power since 1986, is expected to face his main rival, Bobi Wine, once again after defeating him in a disputed 2021 vote. Museveni, who scrapped age and term limits to stay in office, said another term would let him tackle crime, improve infrastructure, and expand free education, while critics accuse him of clinging to power through repression and corruption.

Guinea Voters Back New Constitution, Paving Way for Doumbouya

Partial results from Guinea’s referendum show more than 90% of voters endorsed a new constitution that scraps a ban on transitional leaders running for office, potentially opening the door for coup leader Mamady Doumbouya to seek the presidency. With over 4.8 million ballots counted — a turnout topping 70% — officials say the measure is set to pass, though opposition leaders had urged a boycott, and rights groups accuse the government of silencing critics. The charter’s approval comes nearly four years after Doumbouya seized power in a 2021 coup, with elections now expected in December.

Eswatini Repatriates Jamaican Man Deported by U.S.

Eswatini’s government says a Jamaican man deported from the U.S. in July has now been repatriated to his country. Orville Isaac Etoria, who had served a 25-year sentence for murder in the U.S., was one of five foreign nationals sent to Eswatini under the Trump administration’s third-country deportation program. Authorities said Etoria returned “of his own volition” on Sunday and was welcomed by family members. The other four deportees — from Cuba, Laos, Vietnam, and Yemen — remain in detention as Eswatini negotiates their return. Critics have condemned Washington’s practice of sending deportees to countries with which they have no ties, calling it a fear tactic aimed at forcing migrants to “self-deport.”

Kenya Aviation Workers Threaten Strike Over Airport Authority Board

Kenya’s Aviation Workers Union has issued a seven-day strike notice demanding the resignation of the Kenya Airports Authority board, accusing it of incompetence and poor decision-making linked to the scrapped Adani airport leasing deal. The union warned the strike could begin anytime after the notice expires, threatening major disruptions at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, one of Africa’s busiest hubs. A similar walkout last year forced the government to abandon the proposed lease after U.S. prosecutors charged Adani Group with a massive bribery scheme, allegations the company denies.