By Dominic Wabwireh with AP The United Nations issued a stark warning Monday about the growing global threat from illicit firearms, revealing that more than one billion illegal weapons are now in circulation worldwide and are becoming increasingly sophisticated through digital manufacturing and arms embargo violations. Adedeji Ebo, Deputy to the High Representative for UN Disarmament Affairs, presented alarming findings to the Security Council, stating that the “continued proliferation is both a symptom and a driver of the multiple crises that our world is facing.” He emphasized that the widespread availability of these weapons “underscores the urgent need to address…
Author: Montage Africa
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. The Museum of West African Art (Mowaa) has been forced to postpone its planned opening initially scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Protesters stormed the multimillion dollar campus in Benin city, Edo state capital in Nigeria, during its soft launch over the weekend. Multiple videos surfaced online, showing dozens of protesters physically…
By Rédaction Africanews Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, has pleaded not guilty to charges of inciting violence during the devastating riots that took place in July 2021. She appeared before the High Court in Durban for her initial court session on Monday. Prosecutors allege that her social media posts incited others to engage in violent actions, worsening the unrest that engulfed the nation during that tumultuous period. Zuma-Sambudla has been a prominent figure in South African politics, and her involvement has raised concerns about the declining support for the African National Congress, led by…
A dynamic new wave of South African artists is boldly reimagining the ancient art of printmaking, blending traditional techniques with contemporary vision. These creators—Lazi Mathebula, Kylie Wentzel, Balekane Legoabe, and Sizwe Khoza—are moving far beyond conventional paper, experimenting with materials like concrete and origami folds to bring a fresh, three-dimensional energy to the medium. Their work explores deeply personal and cultural themes, from the vibrant spirit of Sophiatown to the experiences of Black life. While some artists favor the painterly freedom of monotypes, others masterfully merge digital and manual processes. This exciting movement is not only expanding what printmaking can be…
By Rédaction Africanews and Agencies Even before the war, Gaza had a garbage crisis, with tons of waste produced daily and just three landfills to take it. It’s now facing an environmental and humanitarian crisis as the population is forced to live surrounded by rubbish. When the Israeli blockade of Gaza prevented sanitation crews from accessing waste disposal sites in the eastern parts of the city, authorities established a landfill in the centre of Gaza City. But what began as an emergency measure has rapidly escalated into a public health crisis. “This waste in the heart of Gaza City is…
The Recording Academy has announced the nominees for the 2026 GRAMMY Awards, unveiling the musicians and recordings that influenced the past year. The ceremony is scheduled for February 1, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with a global broadcast on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. This year’s nominations arrive at a moment when African music has firmly entered the global conversation and is heavily informing and directing it. From Lagos to Johannesburg, Accra to Nairobi, and all the areas in between, the sound of the continent continues to influence how people dance, feel, remember, mourn, and celebrate. African artists…
By Rédaction Africanews and Agencies Guinea’s Supreme Court has released a provisional list of candidates for next month’s presidential election. Among the nine names listed, junta leader General Mamady Doumbouya. He has been in power since 2021 when he ousted former president Alpha Conde after Conde sought and won a controversial third term in office. Former prime minister Lansana Kouyaté and former government minister Ousmane Kaba, have been barred from standing on technical grounds. Kouyate has said he’ll appeal. Opposition leader Faya Millimono, and former minister Aboulaye Yero Balde have been cleared to run. Green light to run Voters last…
All eyes are on Johannesburg as South Africa hosts the first G20 summit on African soil, presenting a pivotal moment for the continent. With the African Union now a permanent member, there is strong hope that this forum can finally advance key African priorities. South Africa, holding the presidency, is championing an ambitious agenda that includes debt relief, climate finance, disaster resilience, and leveraging Africa’s critical minerals to drive industrialization and job creation. However, the path forward is challenging due to a significant diplomatic hurdle: a hostile United States administration. This tension casts a shadow over consensus-building, particularly on climate finance…
In the heart of Accra’s Osu district, DeRoche Projects has unveiled Ghana’s first precast rammed earth development—the Backyard Community Club—a vibrant hub that blends sport, sustainability, and community. Centered on a clay tennis court, the space doubles as a training ground for young athletes and a gathering place for locals. Unlike traditional rammed earth, the pioneering precast rammed earth panels allow for faster, eco-friendly construction suited to Ghana’s climate. The club’s design emphasizes natural ventilation and daylight, ensuring the building’s eco-friendliness. Beyond sport, the project includes a lush 230-square-meter garden cultivating local produce and medicinal plants, reinforcing lessons in nourishment and environmental…
By Rédaction Africanews and Reuters An outbreak of Rift Valley Fever in Mauritania and Senegal killed 42 people and infected more than 400 between September 20 and October 30, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday. In Mauritania, 200 animals have tested positive for the virus and 176 in Senegal. Rift Valley Fever is a mosquito-borne virus that primarily affects animals. However it can also be directly transmitted to humans through the airborne bodily fluids of infected animals. In the most severe human infections, the disease can progress to hemorrhagic fever and encephalitis, and lead to death. Rift Valley Fever…