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

23 January 2026

1.    Switzerland- Afrika and South Afrika

56th Davos annual meeting “The Spirit of dialogue or monologue” 2026: African Heads of State, Public Agendas, and Strategic Engagement. As the World Economic Forum convenes in Davos, African leaders are participating with clear, pragmatic objectives rather than symbolic visibility. In an era of constrained global liquidity, securitised supply chains, and intensifying geopolitical rivalry, the forum offers a platform to reinforce partnerships, attract targeted investment, and advance national priorities in critical areas such as energy transition and security.

2.    Uganda - Kampala

Low Early Turnout Delays Opening of Polling Stations in Kampala

Ugandans on Thursday, the 22nd, went to the polls to elect district chairpersons, district councillors, mayors, lord mayor and city councillors, but voting in some parts of the country got off to a slow start, with low early turnout delaying the opening of polling stations.

In Kampala's Nakawa Division, several polling stations had not officially opened by 8:00am due to the absence of voters required to witness the opening of voting materials.

3.    Somalia - Mogadishu

Backlash in Mogadishu against 'ignorant' Trump comments about Somalia

Residents of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu voiced their anger on Wednesday at remarks made by US president Donald Trump during his speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Trump disparaged Somalis living in America as “low-IQ” and dismissed Somalia as having “no government” and being “barely a state.” He singled out Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar for criticism—remarks that Somali officials and diaspora communities are calling racist, and ignorant.

4.    Mozambique- Maputo

 Over 150,000 Displaced By Mozambique Floods

The Government of Mozambique has said heavy rains and floods have displaced more than 150,000 people and caused widespread damage to infrastructure.

The floods have submerged more than 45,000 hectares of crops in three provinces, severely affecting agriculture and food security, according to Mozambican High Commissioner to Rwanda, Amade Miquidade.

5.    In our historical archives, it was on 23 January 1962 when Dr Hendrik Verwoerd announced his plan to grant Transkei independence. On 23 January 1962, Dr Hendrik Verwoerd announced his plan to grant independence to the Transkei, a homeland proposed for the Xhosa people under the apartheid policy of separate development. 

5.1 In our historical archives, it was on this day, 23 January 1998, when former Apartheid President P.W. Botha appeared in court for refusing to testify at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).