Today in Africa — November 3, 2025: ICC Probes El Fasher Atrocities, Kenyans Dominate NYC Marathon as Hellen Obiri Sets New Record, Akinola Davies Jr.’s “My Father’s Shadow” Nets 12 British Independent Film Awards Noms

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. 

ICC Probes El Fasher Atrocities as Famine and Mass Killings Grip Sudan’s Darfur

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has begun gathering evidence of mass killings and sexual violence following the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) capture of El Fasher, the last military stronghold in Sudan’s Darfur region. The ICC, which has investigated Darfur atrocities since 2005, said it is taking “immediate steps” to preserve evidence amid reports of summary executions and ethnic targeting. More than 70,000 people have fled the city, while nearly 200,000 remain trapped without food or water.

The Red Cross and United Nations agencies warn that famine has already taken hold in El Fasher and Kadugli, with nearly 375,000 people pushed into starvation and millions more facing extreme hunger across Sudan. Aid groups describe catastrophic levels of malnutrition among displaced families and accuse the RSF of blocking access to civilians. The UN says more than 40,000 people have been killed since the war began in April 2023, calling the crisis “entirely man-made.”

Humanitarian organizations are now urging an immediate ceasefire to allow food and medical aid into the besieged regions. The International Committee of the Red Cross said the situation is “absolutely beyond what we can consider acceptable,” warning that thousands fleeing through the desert risk dying of hunger, thirst, or exhaustion. Meanwhile, the RSF denies allegations of atrocities, calling reports of massacres “media exaggeration.”

Kenya Dominates NYC Marathon as Obiri Breaks Record and Kipruto Wins by a Split-Second

Kenya’s Hellen Obiri shattered the women’s course record at the New York City Marathon yesterday, Sunday, November 2, clocking 2:19:51 to defend her title. She surpassed the 2003 record by nearly three minutes. Fellow Kenyans Sharon Lokedi and Sheila Chepkirui finished second and third, giving Kenya a clean sweep of the podium for the second consecutive year. 

In the men’s race, Kenyan Benson Kipruto edged countryman Alexander Mutiso by just three-hundredths of a second in the closest finish in the marathon’s history, winning in 2:08:40. Albert Korir rounded out the top three as Kenya swept both categories. Swiss athlete Marcel Hug and American Susannah Scaroni claimed decisive victories in the wheelchair divisions, continuing their dominance in the event.

Akinola Davies Jr.’s My Father’s Shadow Leads British Independent Film Award Nominations

Akinola Davies Jr.’s My Father’s Shadow has emerged as the frontrunner at this year’s British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs), earning 12 nominations, including Best British Independent Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay for Davies and his brother, Wale Davies. The Nigerian-set drama, starring Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, marks Davies’s feature debut and follows two brothers uncovering painful truths about their father.

The film, which premiered to critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival, also scored nominations in several craft categories such as Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design. My Father’s Shadow was released earlier this year in Nigeria, but has yet to open in the UK. In an Op-Ed penned for OkayAfrica, Davies Jr. says that My Father’s Shadow was the first script he’d ever read by someone he knew, and it made him weep. The BIFA winners will be announced in London on November 30.

Tanzania’s Incumbent President Returns to Office in Tightly-Guarded Swearing-In Ceremony

Samia Suluhu Hassan has taken the oath of office, as she starts her second term as Tanzania’s President, after she was announced as the election winner with over 98% of the votes. The swearing-in ceremony took place at a military parade ground in the capital city, Dodoma, amid tight security measures. Previous ceremonies have been held in stadiums, and attendance was open to the public. However, this was closed to the public but aired on national television, while regional leaders and dignitaries were in attendance, including the presidents of Somalia, Zambia, Mozambique, and Burundi.

In her remarks, Hassan thanked the electoral commission for organizing the elections with “unquestionable efficiency,” and also expressed sadness over the loss of lives and properties during the post-election protests, blaming foreign individuals for stoking the demonstrations. Opposition has claimed that over 700 people were killed in the crackdown on protesters, while the government has dismissed the count as “hugely exaggerated.” The elections have been criticized by many as fraudulent, with international observers largely barred and an outage of internet service in the country since last week.

Kenya Rebuffs UN Inquiries on Human Rights Violations

Two months after United Nations (UN) rapporteurs raised flags on its human rights record, the Kenyan government has said it acted within the limits provided by the law. The UN rapporteurs’ inquiries center on the violent response by police and security forces to demonstrations that stemmed from the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, as well as protests marking the first anniversary of last year’s anti-finance bill protests.

The Kenyan government, in a letter addressed to the rapporteurs, has said investigations into any human rights violations are ongoing, while also citing laws that require a non-violent mandate first and then proportionality from the police in the case of public unrest. During this year’s protests, hired thugs colluded with police to violently disperse protesters, a man selling nose masks was shot at point-blank range, among other allegations, which call into question the validity of the Kenyan government’s response.

Kenya Landslide Death Toll Rises to 26 as Floods Halt Rescue Efforts

At least 26 people have died and 25 remain missing after a devastating landslide in Kenya’s Rift Valley, where rescue operations were suspended Sunday due to flash floods. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said the military has deployed aircraft to airlift supplies and reach cut-off areas, including 15 schools and displaced families. Heavy rains continue to batter several counties, triggering floods and mudslides that have displaced thousands. Authorities have urged residents in high-risk areas to move to safer ground as recovery teams warn the region remains unstable.

Netherlands to Return 3,500-Year-Old Stolen Sculpture to Egypt

The Netherlands will return a 3,500-year-old stone sculpture to Egypt after confirming it was likely looted during the Arab Spring. The artifact, a carved head from the era of Pharaoh Thutmose III, resurfaced at an antiques fair in Maastricht in 2022 before being voluntarily surrendered by the dealer. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced the restitution during the opening of Egypt’s new $1.2 billion Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which houses over 100,000 artifacts, including Tutankhamun’s treasures. The sculpture is expected to be formally handed over to Egypt by the end of the year.

Talks Advance on Possible Release of Gaddafi’s Son After 10 Years in Lebanese Jail

A Libyan delegation met with Lebanese judicial officials today, Monday, November 3, to discuss the potential release of Hannibal Gaddafi, the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s son, who has been detained in Lebanon without trial since 2015. The talks reportedly led to an agreement to reduce his $11 million bail and lift a travel ban that has blocked his departure. Gaddafi, accused of withholding information about missing cleric Moussa al-Sadr — a case dating back to 1978 when he was a toddler — has protested his prolonged detention with hunger strikes. He is expected to be allowed to leave Lebanon for Qatar once the conditions are finalized.