Today in Africa — September 29, 2025: Youth-Led Protests Shake Morocco and Madagascar, NoViolet Bulawayo Wins ‘Best of Caine’ Award

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.

Moroccan Youth-Led Protests Expose Anger Over Health System and Stadium Spending

Thousands of young Moroccans clashed with police in at least 11 cities over the weekend in the country’s biggest anti-government protests in years, railing against corruption and what they see as misplaced priorities. Demonstrators accused the government of allocating billions to stadiums and infrastructure for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, while hospitals and schools remain underfunded. Many carried placards reading “Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?” The unrest turned violent in parts of the capital, Rabat, and Marrakech, with over 120 people arrested.

Organized largely on TikTok and Discord by a leaderless Gen Z movement, the rallies drew inspiration from recent youth uprisings in Nepal. Anger intensified after eight women died giving birth in an Agadir hospital earlier this month, spotlighting World Health Organization data that shows Morocco has just 7.7 medical professionals per 10,000 people, far below the global standard. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has defended his record, citing ongoing reforms and new hospital projects, but later dismissed regional health officials in response to the protests. Youth groups say they plan more demonstrations, insisting, “Protesting is the only way to win our rights.”

Madagascar Youth Lead Fresh Protests Over Power and Water Cuts

Police in Madagascar fired teargas today, Monday, September 29, to disperse thousands of young protesters in Antananarivo, where demonstrations against widespread power outages and water shortages entered their third round. The unrest, inspired by recent youth-led movements in Kenya and Nepal, has become the most serious challenge to President Andry Rajoelina since his reelection in 2023. Many demonstrators called for the resignation of Prime Minister Christian Ntsay, the government, and Rajoelina himself. At the same time, barricades were set up in parts of the capital before they were cleared by security forces.

The protests follow last week’s violent clashes that prompted authorities to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew. Rajoelina, acknowledging public anger, promised yesterday, Sunday, September 28, to review governance and “correct mistakes,” but frustration remains high in one of the world’s poorest countries. Protesters have adopted tactics and symbols from movements abroad, including a flag used in Nepal, where mass protests recently forced a prime minister to step down, echoing similar online-organized campaigns in Kenya last year that resulted in the scrapping of proposed tax legislation.

NoViolet Bulawayo Wins ‘Best of Caine’ Award

Zimbabwean author NoViolet Bulawayo has been honored with the Best of Caine award, a special prize marking 25 years of the Caine Prize for African Writing. The recognition celebrates her 2011 short story Hitting Budapest, praised by judges for its bold storytelling, vivid voice, and powerful themes. The story, which follows children from a shantytown sneaking into an affluent neighborhood to steal guavas, later became the opening chapter of Bulawayo’s debut novel We Need New Names.

Speaking at the inaugural Words Across Waters: Afro Lit Fest in London, Bulawayo reflected on the award as a career milestone, noting that her original Caine Prize win “jumpstarted” her literary journey and helped bring her work to a global audience. The Booker Prize-shortlisted writer, now teaching at Cornell University, has continued to earn acclaim with her novels We Need New Names and Glory. The award was announced by Ellah Wakatama, with a judging panel led by Nobel laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah.

Guinea Sets December Date for First Post-Coup Presidential Vote

Guinea will hold its first presidential election since the 2021 coup on December 28, according to a decree broadcast on state television. The announcement comes just a day after the Supreme Court validated the results of a controversial referendum that approved a new constitution, which allows junta leader Mamady Doumbouya to run if he chooses. The constitution extends presidential terms from five to seven years, renewable once, and introduces a Senate, changes critics say are designed to consolidate power.

Doumbouya, who seized power four years ago, has not confirmed whether he will contest the election, but the new rules removed previous restrictions that barred junta members from running. The referendum passed with 89% of the vote and a reported turnout of 92%, figures opposition leaders dispute, pointing to sparse polling station activity. Guinea, home to the world’s largest bauxite reserves and vast untapped iron ore deposits, is under international scrutiny as it joins Chad and Gabon among recent coup-hit countries moving toward elections, while Mali and Niger delay transitions.

Wildfires Destroy a Third of Namibia’s Etosha National Park

Wildfires have scorched about 34% of Namibia’s Etosha National Park, the presidency confirmed, devastating hundreds of thousands of hectares of grazing land and threatening the country’s flagship conservation area. Authorities say the fires, which began last week near farms suspected of charcoal production, spread rapidly due to strong winds and dry vegetation. The Ministry of Environment reported at least nine antelopes killed and a pangolin rescued, though the full toll on wildlife remains unknown. Home to elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, and zebras, Etosha is a key tourist draw and biodiversity hub. Over 500 soldiers have been deployed to fight the fires, which have also spread into surrounding communal areas in Omusati and Oshana Regions.

Seychelles Presidential Election Heads to Runoff

Seychelles’ presidential race will go to a runoff after no candidate secured the required 50% threshold in the first round, the electoral commission announced Sunday. Opposition leader Patrick Herminie of the United Seychelles party won 48.8% of the vote, narrowly ahead of incumbent President Wavel Ramkalawan of the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa, who took 46.4%. The second round is set for October 9–11, with the winner handed a five-year mandate. Nearly 82% of registered voters turned out, while United Seychelles also gained a parliamentary majority with 19 seats against LDS’s 15.

Gabon Waits on Election Results After Coup-Era Shake-Up

Gabonese voters turned out on Saturday, September 27, for the country’s first legislative and local elections since the 2023 military coup that ended the Bongo family’s half-century rule. More than 900,000 people were eligible to choose 145 parliament members and local councilors, replacing officials the junta had installed after Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema seized power. Voting was mostly calm, though one constituency in Ntoum saw cancellations over tensions, and rain delayed openings in Libreville. Results were expected yesterday, Sunday, September 28, with a runoff set for Oct. 11 if no candidate wins outright. The contest pits the long-dominant Gabonese Democratic Party against Oligui’s new Democratic Union of Builders, alongside several smaller parties.

South Sudan Court Upholds Trial of Ex-VP Machar

A special court in South Sudan has ruled it has the power to prosecute suspended Vice-President Riek Machar on charges of murder, treason, and crimes against humanity, rejecting his lawyers’ arguments about jurisdiction, constitutionality, and immunity. The case, tied to a March militia attack that killed 250 soldiers and a general, will resume on Wednesday, October 1. Machar, under house arrest since, has called the case a political “witch-hunt,” while his SPLM-IO party labeled it a “sham trial.” Two of his lawyers were expelled for lacking valid licenses. The proceedings have raised fears of renewed conflict, with the UN, AU, and neighbors urging calm in the fragile nation.

Mali Ex-PM Faces Trial Over ‘Solidarity’ Post

A cybercrime court in Bamako today, Monday, September 29, opened the trial of former Malian Prime Minister Moussa Mara, who was jailed after visiting political prisoners and posting online support for them in July. Prosecutors accuse him of undermining the state, inciting disorder, and spreading false information, while his lawyer has sought his provisional release, saying the hearings are public. The case comes as military leader Assimi Goïta tightens his grip on power — dissolving political parties, securing a renewable five-year presidential term without elections, and aligning Mali with Burkina Faso and Niger in rejecting Western ties and pulling out of the ICC.

Botswana Unveils Citizenship-for-Investment Plan

Botswana will roll out a citizenship-by-investment program to raise funds and ease its reliance on diamonds, President Duma Boko announced on Friday. The southern African nation, the world’s top diamond producer by value, has seen its economy contract by 3% last year and expects another drop in 2025 amid a prolonged downturn in the sector. The program, set up with consultancy Arton Capital, will channel investment into housing, tourism, renewable energy, mining, and financial services. The minimum investment requirement has not yet been set. This follows recent moves to create a sovereign wealth fund and declare a public health emergency over a failing medical supply chain.

Ethiopia Defends Giant Dam as Sudan Battles Floods

Ethiopia says its new Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam helped ease floods in Sudan, even as critics blame the $5 billion project for worsening the deluge. Sudan has been on high alert since Saturday over rising Nile water levels, with authorities warning residents in Khartoum, River Nile, White Nile, Sennar, and Blue Nile states to prepare for damage to homes and farmland. Experts argue that Ethiopia failed to gradually release water after the rainy season and that four turbines meant to ease the dam’s reservoir aren’t working, pushing excess flow downstream. Ethiopia’s water minister insists the dam reduced the impact, while Egypt accuses Addis Ababa of unilateral actions that threaten regional water security.

Cameroon’s Presidential Race Opens as Opposition Eyes Biya’s Exit

Campaigning has begun in Cameroon ahead of the October 12 election, where 12 candidates, now fewer after withdrawals, hope to challenge President Paul Biya’s 43-year rule. Former ally Bello Bouba Maigari launched his bid in Douala, backed by two candidates who stepped aside to join his coalition, while pressure grows for him to unite with rival Issa Tchiroma Bakary. Meanwhile, Cabral Libii, 45, drew crowds in Douala as one of the youngest contenders, echoing calls for generational change. More than 8 million voters are registered, as Biya, now 92 and the world’s oldest sitting president, seeks an eighth term.

Tanzania’s Crackdown Casts Doubt on October Elections

Human Rights Watch warns that political repression in Tanzania is putting the October 29 elections at risk of being neither free nor fair. Its new report details abductions, assaults, and harassment of opposition members, activists, religious leaders, and journalists, along with sweeping restrictions on media and social platforms. Opposition party Chadema has been banned from fielding candidates until 2030, while ACT-Wazalendo’s presidential candidate was disqualified, leaving little real competition for the ruling CCM. Despite President Samia Suluhu’s pledge to uphold rights, critics say the government has escalated its crackdown instead, fueling concerns raised by regional and international bodies.

Kenya Busts Trafficking Ring Sending Citizens to Fight in Ukraine

Kenyan police rescued 22 people from an apartment outside Nairobi after uncovering a trafficking network that lured job seekers with offers in Moscow but intended to send them to fight for Russia in Ukraine. Officers seized recruitment materials and travel documents, and one suspect accused of organizing the scheme has been arrested. Victims told investigators they signed contracts with a foreign agency, paying deposits of up to $1,500 toward fees as high as $18,000. Authorities say some Kenyans who were recruited abroad have returned injured or traumatized, while others remain missing or held as prisoners of war.

U.S. Lifts Ghana Visa Curbs Amid Deportation Deal Speculation

The U.S. has reversed visa restrictions on Ghana, restoring five-year multiple-entry permits just months after limiting visas to three months, as Accra quietly takes in West Africans deported under Washington’s crackdown. Ghanaian officials say they gained nothing in return, framing the move as humanitarian, but analysts argue the visa shift likely came in exchange for agreeing to accept third-country deportees. At least 14 West Africans have already been sent to Ghana in September, with some later pushed to other countries, sparking criticism over poor conditions and rights abuses.