AllAfrica

Ghana: Religious Leaders Call for Calm Over Tensions ‍[Ghanaian Times] Religious leaders have called for calm, restraint and tolerance following recent incidents that heightened religious tensions in Ghana, urging Christians and Muslims to protect the country's long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence. They cautioned against allowing provocative statements, hate speech, violence and isolated incidents to develop into wider religious conflict, stressing that religious differences should unite rather than divide Ghanaians. The call was made in Accra on Friday when the Read More

South Africa: 'This Is How We Do It' - 30 Years of Caring For A Son With Cerebral Palsy ‍[Bhekisisa] His wheelchair no longer fits, and the local clinic often runs out of his medicine. Add to that three decades of living with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy can have many causes, but in South Africa, birth asphyxia — when a baby doesn't get enough oxygen around birth — is a major one. Some cases can be prevented when problems during labour are spotted and treated in time. We don't know exactly how many South Africans have cerebral palsy. Researchers and advocates say a national register could Read More

Cameroon/Malawi: Cameroon Beat Malawi to Claim Maiden Women's Cup of Nations Title ‍[RFI] Cameroon claimed a first Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title when they beat Malawi 3-0 in Sunday's final in Morocco, with Marie Ngah Manga's first-half double helping the the Indomitable Lionesses seal victory. Cameroon had lost three finals but made it fourth-time lucky against a Malawi side making their debut at the continental championship. Malawi are ranked 153 in the world and 32nd on the African continent having had a fairytale run to the decider. Cameroon dominated the first half and led Read More

Sudan: The Harrowing Reality of Giving Birth in a War Zone ‍[UN News] Sudanese women about to give birth are losing their babies and sometimes their own lives because of a lack of specialist healthcare support, amid the ongoing war, UN humanitarians said on Friday. Key points Pregnant women travel for hours to reach emergency maternity care. Golo town hospital is only one able to perform C-sections. Essential medical supplies running out, including oxytocin to prevent fatal bleeding. War is ongoing and humanitarian needs are massive. In an alert, the UN sexual and Read More

Africa: Too Young to Ask? Young Researchers Challenge How Africa Talks About Sexuality Education ‍[allAfrica] "We wanted honest answers, but many adults thought we were too young to ask the questions." Young people are often at the centre of debates about their bodies, relationships, sexuality and health, yet their own experiences can be treated as secondary to the views of adults making decisions on their behalf. For years, comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) has been treated as a taboo subject in many African classrooms. CSE remains one of the most contested - and most urgent - conversations in youth health Read More

Congo-Kinshasa: An Attack On Healthcare Every Six Hours, and No One Held to Account ‍[UN News] Across the world, healthcare has suffered more than 10,000 attacks in the past eight years, including during the brutal conflict in Ukraine and efforts to contain the current Ebola outbreak spreading rapidly in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). That information comes from the World Health Organization (WHO) which on Friday reiterated that the critical sector must not be targeted. The UN agency maintains a surveillance system for attacks on healthcare, which includes hospitals and other Read More

Cameroon Win First Wafcon Title in Grand Style ‍[Premium Times] The Indomitable Lionesses produced a dominant display to finally end years of disappointment Cameroon have won their first Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title after beating Malawi 3-0 in Sunday's final at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. The Indomitable Lionesses produced a dominant display to finally end years of disappointment in the competition, with their previous three final appearances ending in defeat. Cameroon took control early and raced into a three-goal lead before Read More

Congo-Kinshasa: Health Agencies Fighting Ebola in DR Congo Battle to Win Community Trust ‍[allAfrica] Agencies fighting the escalating Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) constantly battle to win the trust of local communities, say international groups in the field calling for the protection of health workers. Three months after the Ebola outbreak was declared in eastern DRC, the virus is still spreading with rising cases, and a mounting death toll, says the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The virus was first detected in Mongbwalu health zone in Read More

Malawi: Health Scare for Jailed Activist Namiwa As High Court Still to Rule On Bail ‍[Nyasa Times] Activist Sylvester Namiwa was rushed to hospital while in police custody after falling ill -- but has since been taken back behind bars, with the High Court still yet to rule on whether he will be granted bail. The Executive Director of the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (Cdedi) was dashed to ABC Hospital in Lilongwe after reportedly feeling unwell, sparking concern among supporters following weeks in custody. Cdedi confirmed the alarming development in a brief statement shared Read More

Malawi/Cameroon: Scorchers' Fairytale Run Ends in 3-0 Final Defeat - - but Brazil World Cup Awaits ‍[Nyasa Times] Debutant Scorchers outclassed by clinical Indomitable Lionesses despite fairytale run -- as nation showers team with pride and Brazil World Cup dream becomes reality Malawi's history-making Scorchers were brought crashing back down to earth on Sunday night, thrashed 3-0 by a ruthless Cameroon side in the final of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations -- but nothing can take the shine off a tournament that has captured the heart of an entire nation. The debutants, who arrived in Morocco as the lowest-ranked Read More

Congo-Kinshasa: 'Ebola Is Winning' - Epidemic Now Killing One Person Every 30 Minutes ‍[UN News] The Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) - the fastest-growing on record and on track to become the deadliest - is killing one person every 30 minutes. "Ebola is winning in the Democratic Republic of the Congo," UN humanitarian affairs chief Tom Fletcher said. "We cannot let the virus outrun our response." Alongside the startling current fatality rate, Mr. Fletcher announced on Friday that he has allocated an additional $30.5 million from the UN's Central Emergency Response Read More

Africa: Building a Case for Value Addition in Africa ‍[allAfrica] Only an integrated approach to value addition will elevate African economies, create new jobs and leapfrog development stages. Industrial policy expert and former CEO of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers Phyllis Wakiaga says that without a well thought-out and executed industrialisation and value addition policy, African countries will continue lagging in development. "You get the most out of a product when there is value addition to it. Whether it's tea, coffee, cotton, for any product: every time Read More

Congo-Kinshasa: Former Rebel Fighters Join Campaign Against Ebola in the DR Congo ‍[UN News] Demobilised former combatants are actively joining the fight against Ebola by participating in public information campaigns in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Demobilised former combatants are actively joining the fight against Ebola by participating in public information campaigns in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Twenty-seven former rebels are being deployed as community mobilisers in the Tchomia locality of Ituri Province to promote behaviours that prevent the spread Read More

Zimbabwe: Govt to Investigate Kariba Boat Disaster As Death Toll Rise to 80 ‍[263Chat] Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona has assured the nation that the government will institute an investigation into the Lake Kariba boat disaster, saying the process will be conducted in line with the provisions of the Inland Waters Shipping Act [Chapter 13:06]. Mhona made the remarks during a meeting with boat operators in Kariba, where he said authorities were committed to establishing the circumstances that led to the tragedy. The inquiry is expected to examine issues Read More

Africa: All of Africa Today - August 17, 2026 ‍[allAfrica]   Morocco Detains Over 100 Migrants Near Ceuta Border Moroccan authorities have detained more than 100 migrants near the border with Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta amid fears of another mass crossing. At least 111 people, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, were reportedly detained around Fnideq. Police used tear gas to disperse groups gathered near the border. It comes a fortnight after roughly 78,000 migrants arrived in the exclave by sea in a matter of hours - 100 of whom died, Read More

Zimbabwe: Kariba Boat Tragedy - Death Toll Hits 80 ‍[New Zimbabwe] THE death toll from the Kariba boat disaster has risen to 80 after eight more bodies were recovered this Sunday, police have said. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the latest retrievals were made on August 16, as search operations continued on Lake Kariba. "ZRP update as at 1400 hours today. The Kariba RIDA (Rural Infrastructure Development Agency) boat accident death toll is now 80 following the recovery of eight more bodies on 16th August 2026," police said. The latest figure comes a day after the Read More

Zambia: Hichilema Takes Early Lead in Elections - Electoral Commission ‍[allAfrica] President Hakainde Hichilema took an early lead in Zambia's general election, with more than half of the country's constituencies counted, according to the electoral commission. The incumbent won nearly 59% of the vote so far, putting him on course to avoid a run-off poll. However, the results are marred by opposition claims of a raid on the home of his challenger, Brian Mundubile of the opposition National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP). Read More

South Africa: Marikana Massacre 14 Years On - Victims' Families Still Await Criminal Accountability ‍[Daily Maverick] More than a decade after 34 mineworkers were gunned down by police, their families are still fighting for justice and trade unions for better working conditions. Fourteen years after the Marikana Massacre, survivors, victims' families and trade unions are still calling for accountability. The massacre resulted in a total of 40 deaths and 78 injuries, with mineworkers accounting for the vast majority of casualties. On 16 August 2012, 34 miners participating in a wildcat strike at the Lonmin platinum mine at Read More

South Africa: Spaza Fund Faces Scrutiny - South African News Briefs - August 17, 2026 ‍[allAfrica]   Spaza Fund Faces Scrutiny The Department of Small Business Development is set to provide an update on the rollout of the R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund, reports EWN. This comes after concerns over application verification, administration and possible misuse. The fund was introduced to support qualifying South African-owned spaza shops with stock, business improvements and compliance following foodborne illness incidents. However, verification has uncovered untraceable businesses and ownership Read More

Morocco Detains Dozens of Migrants Trying to Enter Ceuta ‍[DW] The attempted crossings come two weeks after around 72,000 people rushed into the Spanish North African exclave from Morocco. Calls for another mass crossing had been circulating on social media this week. Moroccan police on Saturday detained dozens of people who attempted to cross the border into the Spanish North African exclave of Ceuta. It comes two weeks after around 72,000 migrants surged into Ceuta, which drove a wedge between Spain and other EU countries. "This is a routine operation aimed at Read More