Africa·1 May 2026
Piracy off Somalia has surged as naval forces are diverted to the Iran conflict, with multiple vessels hijacked. Anti-immigrant attacks and protests have erupted in South Africa. In Nigeria, a high-profile coup trial proceeds with witness protection, and Amnesty International calls for investigation into army camp deaths. North Africa sees diplomatic moves on Western Sahara and a regional water agreement.
Somalia and Horn of Africa
Piracy off the coast of Somalia has surged over the past week, with at least four vessels hijacked and three incidents reported in the last week alone. Two cargo ships were hijacked, and more than a dozen sailors, mostly from Pakistan, are being held by pirates. The resurgence is attributed to the diversion of US-led naval forces to the blockade and war against Iran, creating a security vacuum. Analysts note that this echoes the peak of Somali piracy in the early 2010s, which was previously suppressed by international coalitions. Separately, Somalia secured new roles at the United Nations and the African Union, marking a shift from being a subject of international decisions to helping shape them, reflecting growing diplomatic influence.
South Africa
A series of anti-immigrant attacks and protests have erupted in South Africa, targeting foreign nationals. This follows earlier anti-migrant protests in Johannesburg reported in recent days. Local authorities are monitoring the situation as tensions remain high. Elsewhere in the country, a head-on collision on the N2 near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape left two dead and 19 injured, with both vehicles bursting into flames. The South African Weather Service also issued a severe thunderstorm alert for four provinces—North West, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and Free State—due to a cut-off low system that could cause prolonged severe conditions and potential flooding.
Nigeria
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted protective conditions for a prosecution witness in the trial of an army general and five others charged with plotting a failed coup against President Bola Tinubu. The judge approved the measure after the prosecution cited security concerns. Meanwhile, Amnesty International called on Nigeria to investigate reports that at least 150 people, most of them children, died in an army-run camp in north-central Kwara state. The military has dismissed the reports as baseless. In other news, the Nigerian Air Force's M-346FA advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft, the third of its type ordered, completed its maiden flight in early April, enhancing Nigeria's air combat capabilities.
North Africa
Algeria has become the first export customer for Russia's Su-34ME frontline bomber, with a contract reportedly covering 14 aircraft. A fresh image showed tail number 704 during pilot training in Zhukovsky, Russia. In Tunisia, jailed opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi has been rushed to a hospital, according to his Ennahda party, which is demanding his immediate release on health grounds. Libya, Algeria, and Tunisia signed an agreement to share water from the Sahara aquifer system, aiming to prevent pollution and overexploitation, addressing growing water scarcity. Additionally, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, during a visit to Rabat, reaffirmed Washington's support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara and urged a swift resolution to the conflict.
Kenya
Amazon Leo, the low Earth orbit satellite venture formerly known as Project Kuiper, has applied for a Network Facilities Provider Tier 2 licence in Kenya, positioning it to compete directly with Starlink in the satellite internet market. Separately, residents of Owino Uhuru in Mombasa continue to suffer from lead poisoning years after a lead acid battery recycling plant shut down, highlighting public health risks from poor recycling practices amid Africa's clean energy boom. President William Ruto hosted marathon record breaker Sebastian Sawe, awarding him approximately $61,000 and a new car in recognition of his record-breaking performance at the London Marathon. Kenya Power also scheduled planned power interruptions for April 30 in several counties, including parts of Nairobi, for network maintenance.
Other Developments
The United Arab Emirates has arrested 13 individuals suspected of trafficking weapons to the Sudanese Armed Forces, with a planned ammunition shipment intended to pass through UAE territory en route to Port Sudan. The suspects face additional charges of forgery and money laundering, highlighting ongoing efforts to disrupt illicit arms flows fueling the Sudanese civil war. In sports, Morocco star Achraf Hakimi suffered a right thigh injury during PSG's Champions League semi-final first leg, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming World Cup.