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

13 March 2026

1.    Nigeria- Iran 

Nigeria begins evacuation of its citizens stranded in Iran

Authorities say no Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the conflict so far and that officials are stationed at the Armenian border to assist all evacuees. 

The Nigerian government has begun evacuating its citizens stranded in Iran as Israeli and US bombings continue in Tehran and other Iranian cities.

2.    Central Afrikan Republic – France 

France is making a diplomatic push in the Central African Republic, as Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot begins a two-day visit to the capital, Bangui. It’s the first trip by a senior French official in 7 years and signals France's effort to rebuild ties with its former colony.

3.    Republic of Congo – Brazzaville 

Congo heads into March 15 vote as turnout looms over Congo election

Days before Congo's presidential election on Sunday, its streets were filled with campaign posters and banners urging the country’s 2.6 million registered voters to head to the polls.

The Republic of Congo, home to 6 million people and one of Africa’s major oil producers, continues to face persistent economic challenges, including a youth unemployment rate of 40% and a low standard of living for much of the population.

4.    Eswatini- USA 

Eswatini receives four more third-country deportees from US, government says

Eswatini said it had received four more third-country deportees from the United States on Thursday, bringing the total to at least ‌19 as the Trump administration continued its crackdown on immigration.

Two of the fresh deportees were from Somalia, one was from Sudan and one was from Tanzania. Previous deportees, arriving in July last year, included nationals of ⁠Vietnam, Cuba, Laos and Yemen.

5.    In our historical archives, it was on this day, 13 March 1980, when Anti-Apartheid activist and founder member of the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL), Lillian Ngoyi, died at the age of 68.

5.1 In our historical archives, it was on this day, 13 March 2004, when former Spokesperson of Tata Mandela, Former Minister of Justice and Transport, Minister Dullah Mohammed Omar dies.