Today in Africa — September 26, 2025: Protests and Curfew Shake Madagascar, Interpol Arrests 260 in Africa-wide Romance Scams, UNGA Presses for Sudan Ceasefire

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.

Madagascar Imposes Curfew After Violent Protests Over Water and Power

Madagascar has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in its capital, Antananarivo, after protests over widespread power cuts and water shortages turned violent. Thousands of mainly young demonstrators defied a police ban on gatherings, marching through the streets with placards and chanting for better services. Security forces fired teargas to disperse crowds after a shopping mall was looted and burned, and the homes of two lawmakers were attacked. Authorities say the unrest was hijacked by individuals bent on destruction.

General Angelo Ravelonarivo, who heads a joint police and military security body, announced the curfew would run from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. until order is restored. The protests highlight deep frustration with President Andry Rajoelina’s government, which has struggled to improve living conditions in one of the world’s poorest countries despite his reelection last year. Many citizens blame the administration for worsening poverty and lack of reliable services, while officials insist the curfew is necessary to protect people and restore peace. 

Interpol Arrests 260 in Africa-Wide Romance and Sextortion Scam Crackdown

Interpol says 260 people have been arrested across 14 African countries in a coordinated cybercrime crackdown targeting online romance and sextortion scams. The operation, carried out in July and August, uncovered schemes that defrauded more than 1,400 victims of nearly $2.8 million. Authorities in Ghana arrested 68 suspects accused of using fake identities to trick people into paying bogus shipment fees or blackmailing them with secretly recorded videos. At the same time, Senegal’s police detained 22 people who posed as celebrities online to scam over 100 victims.

In Côte d'Ivoire, 24 suspects were taken into custody for using fake profiles to extort money with intimate images. Interpol said cybercrime units across Africa are reporting sharp increases in these types of scams, which not only cause major financial losses but also inflict serious psychological harm. The Lyon-based policing body, which links 196 countries, warned that the growth of online platforms has created fresh opportunities for criminal networks to exploit vulnerable people.

World Leaders Push for Ceasefire as Sudan War Dominates UN Meetings

Diplomats at the UN General Assembly are intensifying efforts to end Sudan’s devastating war, which has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced nearly 13 million. For the first time since fighting erupted in April 2023, Sudan’s most influential external players — including the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE — agreed on a roadmap that calls for a three-month humanitarian truce, followed by a permanent ceasefire and a nine-month transition to a civilian-led government. The African Union, the European Union, and Western partners also attended meetings this week, urging Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to resume direct negotiations.

The Sudan conflict, marked by famine and widespread atrocities, has drawn sharp condemnation from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who warned that civilians in Sudan are being “slaughtered, starved, and silenced.” Sudan’s Transitional Prime Minister Kamil El-Tayeb Idris accused the RSF of systematic violence and pledged a Sudanese-driven peace plan tied to the withdrawal of the militia from key cities. Meanwhile, neighboring Chad appealed for international help as it hosts more than 2 million Sudanese refugees. With international actors aligned for the first time, observers say the real test will be whether Sudan’s warring parties can be convinced to lay down their weapons.

U.S. Backs Moroccan Investments in Disputed Western Sahara

The U.S. has reiterated support for Moroccan-led investments in Western Sahara, with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau saying Washington will back American companies doing business in the territory. Morocco has expanded infrastructure projects there, including roads, renewable energy, mining, and a planned $1 billion port, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front continues to push for independence. President Donald Trump reaffirmed in July that Moroccan autonomy is the only solution, a stance now shared by France and the UK. Algeria and the Polisario condemned Western support for the autonomy plan, insisting on a referendum that includes independence as an option. The UN has called on both sides to pursue a political solution.

Debate Over Abortion Access in Kenya Intensifies Amid Unsafe Deaths

The death of 25-year-old Mary Olouch from a botched abortion in western Kenya has reignited debate over abortion access in the country, where the procedure is legal only when a woman’s life or health is at risk. Advocates say unclear laws and stigma push many women into unsafe procedures, while opponents, including lawyer Charles Kanjama and religious leaders, reject broad interpretations such as mental health grounds. With most public hospitals refusing to provide abortions, women continue to face life-threatening risks, leaving families like Mary’s to mourn preventable deaths.

Guinea Plans Elections After Referendum Clears Path for Junta Leader

Guinea’s government says presidential and legislative elections will be held this year, days after a controversial referendum approved a new constitution with nearly 89% of the vote. The charter extends presidential terms from five to seven years, allows junta leader Mamadi Doumbouya to run despite earlier promises he wouldn’t, and creates a Senate with one-third of members appointed by the president. Opposition leaders, many in exile, denounced the process as fraudulent, citing pre-marked ballots and voter suppression. While authorities deployed tens of thousands of security forces to secure the vote, critics argue the referendum was a power grab to legitimize military rule, even as the junta faces accusations of silencing media and banning opposition parties.