Sema Fonkem 31/12/2025

GUINEA

Guinea’s junta leader General Mamady Doumbouya has won the presidential election by a landslide after getting 86.7% of the people’s vote. This is according to provisional results published by the election commission. Mamady seized power from 83-year-old President Alpha Condé in 2021 after a coup.

SOUTH AFRICA

Commissioner Michael Masiapato of Border Management Authority claims the organisation has intercepted the entry of 6800 illegal immigrants into South Africa during the festive. He says security will be tightened at all ports of entry and borders from January 01 2026 when most illegals are expected to start returning to South Africa

9 People shot dead near Johannesburg city

South African Police Service (SAPS) launched a manhunt after nine persons were killed and one injured during a shooting that occurred in Bekkersdal, just outside Johannesburg on December 21 2025. Eleven suspects have since been arrested in a group of twelve gunmen who opened fire at patrons of a tavern (local bar). The perpetrators who arrived the crime scene with two separate vehicles used Pistols and an AK-47 during the attack. 

Earlier this month, At least 12 people including a three years old child, 12-year-old-boy and a 16-year-old-girl died after a shooting incident at an illegal bar in the city of Pretoria, South Africa. The killings occurred on December 06 2025.

NIGERIA

Anthony Joshua’s horrific accident

On December 30 2025, former two-time world heavyweight champion boxer Anthony Joshua, 36 was rushed to the hospital in a police vehicle after a horror crash in Makun, ⁠Ogun State, Nigeria that left two others (Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele) dead on the scene.

US airstrikes in Nigeria

United States of America’s airstrikes carried out on Nigerian soil on 25 December 2025 fuels mix reactions amongst Nigerian citizens. While majority view the attack as a form of help from the US in collaboration with Nigeria’s governemnt, others say this may worsen Nigeria’s Security crisis if it comes as temporary solution.

Nigeria apologise to government of Burkina Faso over airspace violation

A delegation led by Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar has issued a formal apology to the government of Burkina Faso after an aircraft destined for Portugal made entry into the Burkinabe airspace. The incident led to the arrest and detention of 11 Nigerian military personnel.

According to the Nigerian government, the military plane developed a technical problem and had to make an urgent landing in Burkina Faso. 

The 11 servicemen and aircraft detained for unauthorised emergency landing have been released by Burkina Faso.

SOMALIA

Protests in Galkayo, Somalia has led to the conviction of 34-year-old Hodan Mohamud Diiriye accused of killing her 14-year-old orphaned niece, Saabirin Saylaan who was left in her care.

Diiriye’s husband, Abdiaziz Nor, 65, was acquitted of murder but sentenced to one year in prison and fined $500.00 for negligence.

One person was shot dead by police during a clash with protesters.

AFCON

AFCON continues with Nigeria from Group C leading with 9 points, Morocco (Group A), Egypt (Group B), DRC and Senegal from Group D at 7 points each. Algeria (Group E) & South Africa (Group B) follow with 6 points each at the third place while Cameroon and Ivory Coast from Group F, Tunisia from Group (Group C) tie with 4 points each at fourth position.

OTHER NEWS

Burkina Faso and Mali impose travel ban on US citizens

Burkina Faso and Mali reciprocate Trump Administration sanctions by imposing travel ban on United States of America citizens.

Burkina Faso and Mali fall under the list of countries with a full ban under Trump’s administration.

Countries with full visa restrictions are accused of overstay, unreliable civil records, lack of cooperation in accepting deported citizens, terrorist activity and extreme corruption.

Democratic Republic of Congo rebel leader sentenced in Paris, France

On December 16 2025, 67 years old Roger Lumbala, a former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Politician and Rebel leader was sentenced to 30 years in prison by Court of Paris for crimes against humanity lasting over two decades.

Lumbala was found guilty of supporting M23, ordering and abetting theft, torture, rape,  sexual slavery, forced labour and summary executions while in DRC.

Although he refuss to accept the legitimacy of the court in Paris, he can not return to DRC where he may face the death penalty.

Lumbala was tried under the principle of universal jurisdiction which allows a state to prosecute the perpetrators of serious crimes regardless of where they were committed.