Central African Republic heads to pivotal elections amid stability concerns

The Central African Republic (CAR) is set to hold a series of pivotal elections on Sunday, December 28, 2025, a vote widely seen as a major test of the country's democratic institutions and fragile stability after years of conflict. The polls will take place against the backdrop of a controversial…

Concerns raised over new US-Africa health funding agreements

The United States (US) has signed new health funding agreements with at least nine African countries under a restructured global health framework aligned with the Trump administration's "America First" agenda. The deals reduce overall US aid, require greater financial contributions from recipient …

COSATU warns of massive job losses if Mozal shuts down

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has expressed deep concern over reports that Mozal's operations in Maputo, Mozambique, may be mothballed or shut down. The union warns that such a move could put around 5 200 direct jobs at risk, along with approximately 22 000 indirect downstrea…

FOSA slams government gazette on salary increases

The Forum for South Africa (FOSA), has strongly condemned proposed salary increases for senior government officials, including the President, Deputy President, Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers. The criticism follows the publication of a government gazette this week, which outlines proposed pa…

G20 Crowned SA's 2025 Word of the Year

G20 is the 2025 South African (SA) Word of the year. This is according to the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), in partnership with media research company Focal Points. This was determined after carefully considering a range of words, terms, and expressions,  G20 emerging as the winner, …

West Africa wrap with Political Scientist Dr David Matsanga

Rise and Shine takes a look at some of the stories making headlines in the West Africa region, where the landscape is undergoing a massive shift this morning-from the launch of a new regional investment bank to a bold new military alliance among Sahelian states. As the region grapples with security…

Libyan Army Chief Killed in Air Crash in Turkey

The Libyan army chief has been killed in an air crash in Turkey. Authorities say General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad and four others were on board a Falcon 50 aircraft flying out of the Turkish capital, Ankara, on Tuesday evening. The Tripoli-bound jet had issued an emergency landing request befo…

Trump administration moves to recall dozens of Biden-era Ambassadors

The Trump administration is reportedly in the process of recalling several career ambassadors who were appointed under former President Joe Biden. Around 30 ambassadors received notices from 17 December informing them that their assignments would end in January 2026. Africa is the continent most a…

East Africa wrap with  Denis Beru, journalist and Team Leader at Grassroot Journalism Kenya

Every Tuesday Rise and shine looks at some of the stories making headlines in the East Africa region, there are ongoing concerns around political stability, civic space, and socio-economic initiatives. From violent unrest in Tanzania following disputed elections and recent protest restrictions in K…

Zimbabwe marks National Unity Day honouring 1987 Unity Accord

Over the weekend, Zimbabwe marked National Unity Day, commemorating the historic moment when ZANU-PF and PF ZAPU came together under the Unity Accord.  The Zimbabwe Unity Accord, signed on December 22, 1987, was a landmark political agreement that brought an end to the post-independence civil unre…