Africa: All of Africa Today - October 7, 2026

On October 7, 2026, Mali's army, supported by Russian paramilitary forces, reclaimed the northern town of Kidal from Tuareg separatists. The Azawad Liberation Front withdrew its forces without a fight, citing Russia's extensive use of air power. The town, once under separatist and al-Qaeda control, is seen as a symbolic win for Mali's military government, which has increasingly relied on Russian assistance following a shift away from France.

However, analysts believe this development is unlikely to significantly impact the ongoing battle against jihadist and separatist groups.

In South Africa, anti-immigrant protesters harassed asylum seekers at a Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre in Durban. Around 15 masked individuals wielding sticks or knobkerries entered the facility, pushing people in line and shouting xenophobic insults. Police intervened and removed the protesters, who claimed they were preventing foreigners from applying for asylum.

The incident occurred after Home Affairs reopened the asylum system following a Constitutional Court ruling, despite many applicants facing challenges due to lack of documentation.

Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission objected to former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke's UK acquittal in her asset recovery case. Alison-Madueke was acquitted of bribery charges in June, but she now seeks to use this ruling in her Nigerian legal battle. The EFCC argues that the UK proceedings are unrelated to the Nigerian case and that the assets were forfeited and auctioned under Nigerian orders. The matter is set to be heard on November 11.

Namibia intensified efforts to control a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the //Kharas Region. Over 29,000 animals on 68 farms were inspected, with 127 confirmed cases across 15 farms. The government implemented movement controls, roadblocks, surveillance, testing, and tracing, including creating a containment buffer zone and enhancing veterinary fencing along borders with Botswana and South Africa.

The outbreak threatens Namibia's vital beef export industry, which accounts for more than 80% of its exports and could lead to job losses and financial strain for farmers and businesses.

The Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has left thousands of children without caregivers. Over 1,900 children have lost one or both parents or been separated from their caregivers since the outbreak began in May. UNICEF reports that 2,017 children have been confirmed with Ebola, with 1,062 deaths. Children make up nearly a quarter of confirmed cases but account for about a third of deaths, with a 70% fatality rate among children under five.

UNICEF is supporting nurseries near treatment centers and calling for expanded services to all facilities. Kenya confirmed its first Ebola case and death, believed to have been imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo.