Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa

23 February 2026

1.    Russia- Madagascar 

Putin meets Madagascar's president at the Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin endorsed Madagascar's new leader during a Kremlin meeting last week, as Russia looks to strengthen its influence in Africa.

"I would like to note that we have many interesting areas of cooperation. These include agriculture, geological exploration, energy, medicine, healthcare and education.

2.    Uganda – North Sudan 

President Yoweri Museveni Pushes for Dialogue to End Sudan War after meeting with RSF Leader Gen Dagalo

President Museveni has hosted Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leader of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), at State House, Entebbe, for high-level talks focused on ending the ongoing conflict in Sudan and restoring regional stability.

3.    Rwanda- International Security Conference in Africa

2nd Kigali security summit looks to expand Israel-US partnership to Africa

GOP Senator Ted Cruz addresses Americans, Israelis, and participants from across Africa at the Kigali Security Summit, in Kigali, Rwanda (Kigali Security Summit)

Americans, Israelis, and participants from across Africa convened in Rwanda this weekend for the Kigali Security Summit, titled “Aligning the United States, Israel, Africa, and the New Middle East.”

4.    In our historical archives, it was yesterday, 22 February 1940, when Johnson Philiip Mlambo was born in Pilgrim’s Rest, Mpumalanga.