Africa

UN peacekeeping mission leaves Western Sahara after mandate expires

The UN mission in Western Sahara has begun withdrawing after the Security Council failed to renew its mandate, ending 35 years of peacekeeping operations. The breakdown followed a US-Russia dispute over a resolution that supported Morocco’s autonomy proposal and retained the principle of self-determination. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the mission’s departure could increase the risk of renewed hostilities.

Vertrix News Desk · 01 Nov 2026, 23:19 UTC

Africa

Tinubu prays for Nigeria’s diversity to become a source of prosperity

President Bola Tinubu used a dinner with members of his delegation in Makkah to call for Nigeria’s ethnic, religious and cultural diversity to support unity, peace and development rather than division. Delegates including governors, ministers, business leaders and the national security adviser voiced support for his leadership and prayed for the country’s progress.

Vertrix News Desk · 01 Nov 2026, 21:24 UTC

Africa

South-East political leaders rally support for Tinubu ahead of 2027 election

Governors from Nigeria’s South-East and Works Minister David Umahi have urged voters in the region to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. They presented the appeal as a strategy for securing development, political inclusion and future backing for an Igbo presidency, while criticising rival political approaches.

Vertrix News Desk · 01 Nov 2026, 19:26 UTC

Africa

Nigeria says two suspected Ebola cases in Adamawa tested negative

Nigeria’s health authorities say two people isolated after presenting with Ebola-like symptoms in Yola, Adamawa State, tested negative after two rounds of laboratory testing. The NCDC said the country’s only confirmed case remains linked to an imported infection in Abuja, while broader monitoring continues amid an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain.

Vertrix News Desk · 31 Oct 2026, 22:49 UTC

Africa

Obasanjo Challenges Tinubu’s Case for More Borrowing

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s defence of borrowing, warning that Nigeria’s debt burden could harm generations yet unborn. Speaking at an Abeokuta symposium, Obasanjo also criticised international financial institutions, questioned the naira’s depreciation and urged Nigeria to approach artificial intelligence with greater control over its data, infrastructure and economic uses.

Vertrix News Desk · 31 Oct 2026, 00:32 UTC

Africa

Peter Obi pledges 10,000 megawatts and attacks Tinubu’s borrowing ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 vote

Nigeria’s 2027 presidential candidate Peter Obi has promised a major expansion of electricity supply, emergencies in security, education, healthcare and corruption, and greater transparency over public borrowing. At campaign events in Enugu and Ebonyi, he challenged President Bola Tinubu to explain his record, overseas travel and proposed external loans directly to voters.

Vertrix News Desk · 29 Oct 2026, 21:35 UTC

Africa

Tinubu arrives in Saudi Arabia for Umrah as Nigeria’s election campaign begins

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Jeddah ahead of an Umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, where his spokesman says he will pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity and stability. The visit comes as Tinubu seeks re-election and campaigning begins, with the economy and security among major issues for voters.

Vertrix News Desk · 29 Oct 2026, 20:43 UTC

Africa

Tinubu to present Nigeria’s 2027 budget before year-end, minister says

President Bola Tinubu is expected to present Nigeria’s 2027 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly before the end of December, Minister of State for Budget Doris Uzoka-Anite said. The Federal Executive Council also approved major road projects, while officials outlined a wider borrowing plan and development-policy measures.

Vertrix News Desk · 28 Oct 2026, 22:58 UTC

Africa

Federal government agrees six-month N70,000 transport support for workers

Nigeria’s federal government has agreed to pay public servants a N70,000 monthly transport intervention for six months from November 2026 after talks with the Nigeria Labour Congress. The settlement also covers arrears and health-worker payments, but leaves the effective date of a new national minimum wage unresolved and sends several other demands for further review.

Vertrix News Desk · 28 Oct 2026, 00:44 UTC

Africa

Egyptian court orders closure of Mada Masr and fines editor Lina Attalah

An Egyptian court has ordered the closure of independent news outlet Mada Masr and fined its editor-in-chief, Lina Attalah, three million Egyptian pounds for operating without a licence. Attalah was detained for several hours and released after the fine was paid. The outlet plans to appeal, while rights groups describe the ruling as a major escalation against independent journalism.

Vertrix News Desk · 28 Oct 2026, 00:07 UTC

Africa

Tinubu launches 2027 campaign as Atiku attacks handling of Nigeria’s hardship

President Bola Tinubu formally launched his 2027 presidential campaign in Kaduna while blaming opposition politicians for the hunger and poverty Nigerians face. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar rejected the claim, calling it an attempt to avoid responsibility for the economic hardship. The exchange places food prices, subsidy reform, poverty and government accountability at the centre of the coming election contest.

Vertrix News Desk · 24 Oct 2026, 20:39 UTC

Africa

Kenya records second Ebola death as authorities report no community spread

Kenya has reported a second Ebola death, involving a 65-year-old woman who was a close relative of the country’s first recorded patient and developed symptoms while in quarantine. Seven patients remain under treatment, while officials say all confirmed cases belong to one cluster with no evidence of community transmission. The wider outbreak has reached four African countries.

Vertrix News Desk · 24 Oct 2026, 00:07 UTC

Africa

Construction-site building collapses in Nairobi’s Eastleigh district

A multi-storey building under construction collapsed on a busy commercial street in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area at about 1 p.m., according to reports from NDTV and the Associated Press. Many people were feared trapped, but the supplied reports do not provide a confirmed casualty figure, details of rescue operations or an explanation for the collapse.

Vertrix News Desk · 23 Oct 2026, 19:02 UTC

Africa

Jepchirchir provisionally suspended after EPO finding in sample taken before Sydney victory

Olympic and world marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir has been provisionally suspended after an out-of-competition sample tested positive for EPO, the Athletics Integrity Unit said. The sample was collected in Kenya before her August Sydney Marathon win, and the case remains under investigation. The development adds to scrutiny of Kenya’s anti-doping record.

Vertrix News Desk · 23 Oct 2026, 13:42 UTC

Africa

Nigeria traces first current Ebola case to Kampala trip as contact tracing begins

Nigeria has confirmed its first Ebola case during the current East African outbreak in a 42-year-old woman who recently travelled to Kampala, officials from Nigeria and the Africa CDC say. The patient is stable and improving, while 44 contacts are being monitored. Her travel history remains disputed by Uganda, and investigators have not established where she contracted the virus.

Vertrix News Desk · 21 Oct 2026, 23:02 UTC

Africa

Nigeria reports Ebola case linked to traveller from Uganda and Congo trip

Nigeria has confirmed an Ebola infection in Abuja after a woman who had travelled through Uganda tested positive, prompting authorities to begin tracing 44 contacts. Uganda says the patient merely transited through the country and that the place of exposure remains unknown. The case comes as a rapidly expanding Bundibugyo outbreak reaches more African countries.

Vertrix News Desk · 21 Oct 2026, 00:14 UTC