Africa·5 May 2026
The most critical development is a drone attack on Khartoum International Airport, which Sudan attributes to the UAE and Ethiopia, ending a period of calm. In Nigeria, bandits burned a military camp in Zamfara and a cross-border raid killed dozens of Fulani herders, while two US soldiers remain missing after a hike during military exercises in Morocco. Other significant events include xenophobia-driven returns of Nigerians from South Africa, a French journalist dropping his appeal in Algeria, and Egypt suspending flights to UAE cities.
Sudan: Drone Attack on Khartoum Airport Ends Months of Calm
Sudan's capital Khartoum was shaken by a drone attack on Khartoum International Airport on May 4, shattering months of relative calm in the city. The Sudanese armed forces formally accused the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia of involvement, claiming conclusive evidence that the drones were launched from Ethiopian territory. The attack is linked to ongoing support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, escalating the conflict. Video footage on social media showed explosions and smoke rising from the airport area. The Sudanese government stated it reserves the right to respond at a time and place of its choosing, though details on casualties or damage remain unclear.
Nigeria: Militancy and Security Incidents
In Zamfara State, bandits attacked a military camp in Bagega village on May 2, burning part of the camp and two military vehicles. Multiple shops were looted, and several residents and two soldiers were wounded. The incident underscores the persistent threat from armed groups in northwestern Nigeria. Meanwhile, along the Nigeria-Benin border, a state-backed Nigerian militia operating alongside the military killed scores of ethnic Fulani herders in a cross-border raid, according to local sources. The attack targeted Fulani communities, escalating tensions over land and resource conflicts. Separately, video footage showed at least two soldiers assaulting a journalist in Lagos, drawing condemnation.
Morocco: Two US Soldiers Missing During Military Exercise
Two US service members went missing near the Cap Draa Training Area close to Tan-Tan, Morocco, while participating in the African Lion 2026 exercise. The soldiers were last seen on the evening of May 3 during a hike to watch the sunset, according to defense officials. Authorities suspect they may have fallen into the Atlantic Ocean. Search operations are ongoing, and the US Africa Command has announced the incident. One of the soldiers fell during the hike, as reported by CBS.
North Africa: Algeria and Egypt Developments
French journalist Christophe Gleizes, detained in Algeria for 10 months and sentenced to seven years, has withdrawn his appeal, opening the door for a possible presidential pardon from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. His mother stated he relies entirely on the clemency of the president. In Egypt, EgyptAir temporarily suspended flights from Cairo to Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi due to regional developments and instructions from authorities. Separately, Egypt recorded 5.6 million tourists in the first quarter of 2026, a 43.5% increase from the same period last year, according to Minister Sherif Fathy.
West and Southern Africa: Xenophobia, Road Accidents, and Governance
Nigerian migrants in South Africa are considering voluntary return after xenophobic attacks. The Nigerian government stated that returnees will bear their own costs; around 130 Nigerians have expressed willingness to return. Nigeria has also demanded that South Africa investigate and conduct autopsies on Nigerian citizens killed in xenophobic violence. In South Africa, 12 people died in two separate road crashes in the Eastern Cape within 24 hours: a collision between a bus and a minibus taxi in Kariega killed seven, and a car overturned on the N10 near Middelburg killing five. Meanwhile, civil society groups welcomed South Africa's draft Protected Disclosures Bill but warned that key gaps leave whistleblowers vulnerable. In Nigeria, the Ebonyi state government lifted a curfew imposed in February after deadly boundary disputes that left four people beheaded. The African Democratic Congress suffered setbacks with a court voiding its congresses in Adamawa and an Enugu assembly member leaving the party.