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Madagascar has detained a former French serviceman and expelled a French diplomat over an alleged plot to destabilise the island nation. Authorities have charged several suspects, including a Malagasy army officer, with offences linked to plans to sabotage infrastructure and incite unrest. France has denied any involvement and protested the expulsion.
Ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf is disrupting fertiliser shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global agricultural inputs. With sub-Saharan Africa importing about 80% of its fertiliser, the disruptions risk significant impacts on food production and prices across the continent.
Sub-Saharan Africa entered 2026 with its strongest growth in a decade, but the war in the Middle East has triggered new economic strains. The IMF projects slower growth and higher inflation for the region, with fragile and oil-importing countries facing the greatest challenges.
The World Health Organization, UNICEF, and Gavi announced that the Big Catch-Up initiative has vaccinated 18.3 million children across 36 countries, with over 100 million doses administered. Pakistan is among 12 countries that successfully reached more than 60% of zero-dose children under five. However, funding cuts and rising measles outbreaks threaten further progress.
The US State Department has accused China of an intimidation campaign after several African countries revoked overflight permits for Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, forcing him to postpone a visit to Eswatini. China dismissed the criticism as groundless and a distortion of facts. The incident highlights escalating tensions over Taiwan's international engagement.
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te made a surprise visit to Eswatini, the island's only African ally, after three countries revoked overflight permissions, prompting China to voice 'high appreciation' and condemn Lai's actions as a 'stowaway-style escape farce.' Taipei insists it has the right to engage with the world and accuses Beijing of economic coercion.
Ari Hodara, a 58-year-old software engineer from Paris, won an original Picasso painting worth over €1 million in a charity raffle. The draw raised approximately €11-12 million for Alzheimer's research, with tickets sold worldwide at €100 each.
Carlos Queiroz has been appointed head coach of Ghana's national football team, the Ghana Football Association announced. The 73-year-old Portuguese takes over from Otto Addo with less than two months before the 2026 World Cup, where Ghana will face Panama, England, and Croatia in Group L.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed government institutions to reduce fuel consumption and announced cost-cutting measures, including smaller vehicle convoys and shared transport for officials, as global oil supply disruptions push prices upward. She urged citizens to remain calm, noting that Tanzania's fuel reserves could last up to three months and that local prices remain lower than in several neighboring countries.
Madagascar has declared a 15-day nationwide state of energy emergency amid severe fuel shortages, attributing the crisis to disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The move follows panic buying at petrol stations and comes as several African nations adopt measures to cope with surging global oil prices.
Burkina Faso's military leader Ibrahim Traoré said in a state-broadcast interview that democracy is "not for us" and people must "forget" it. The junta has dissolved the electoral commission, banned political parties, and extended its rule for five more years, drawing UN criticism as it fights a decade-long jihadist insurgency.
Madagascar faces a turbulent transition as 13 suspects, including a general, face charges over an alleged plot to assassinate interim leader Michael Randrianirina. Meanwhile, an apparent drone incident at the presidential residence and divisions between regional bodies over the legitimacy of the takeover complicate the country's path back to democratic rule.