June 30, 2026: Key Developments Across Africa

South African President Ramaphosa Condemns Violence Ahead of Anti-Migrant Protest Deadline

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on participants in anti‑migrant protests to remain peaceful. He warned that intimidation, threats, and any violence will not be tolerated before the informal deadline for undocumented migrants to depart South Africa. Ramaphosa noted that immigration reform is necessary and emphasized that foreign nationals residing legally in the country are protected by the Constitution. The protests have led thousands of migrants to seek temporary shelter or voluntarily return to their home countries, with more than 3,500 repatriated so far. Authorities have permitted demonstrations in several cities but have cautioned organizers against resorting to violence, amid rising concerns of renewed xenophobic tensions that have previously turned deadly.

DR Congo Bans Mass Gatherings Amid Ebola Outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo has imposed a ban on large gatherings in Kinshasa and the provinces of Tshopo, Haut‑Uele, and Bas‑Uele to curb the spread of Ebola. The current outbreak, detected in three eastern provinces roughly 1,800 km from Kinshasa, has resulted in 1,274 infections and 360 deaths, though no cases have been confirmed in the capital, which has a population of 18 million. Officials fear the virus could spread from the affected regions, prompting criticism that the government is using public‑health measures to suppress a planned protest over a proposed law — a move that some argue could enable President Félix Tshisekedi to extend his rule beyond constitutional limits. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain for which no vaccine is approved, has also reached Uganda, and ongoing conflict in eastern Congo is hampering containment efforts.

Investigation Exposes Libya‑UAE Arms Network Fueling Sudan War

A joint investigation by Lighthouse Reports, Evident, Der Spiegel, and Sudan War Monitor uncovered a covert network of military bases, logistics routes, and weapons‑trafficking corridors in eastern Libya that serves as a key artery for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the ongoing war in Sudan. Researchers traced the supply chain from the United Arab Emirates through territory controlled by Libyan National Army leader Khalifa Haftar to staging areas near the Sudan border, using open‑source intelligence and field reporting. The findings revealed previously unknown RSF training camps, the presence of Colombian mercenaries and Russian personnel, and evidence of UAE‑provided military equipment. While Libyan and RSF officials denied the allegations — one RSF spokesperson acknowledged Emirati support — the investigation highlights how this external supply network fuels Sudan’s conflict, leaving civilians to bear the brunt of violence, displacement, and human‑rights abuses.

DR Congo Court Sentences Army Colonel and Militants to Death Over UN Killings

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s High Military Court in Kinshasa has upheld the conviction on appeal of Colonel Jean de Dieu Mambweni for the war‑crime of murder, sentencing him to death for orchestrating the assassinations of UN experts Zaida Catalán and Michael J. Sharp. The experts were abducted and killed in March 2017 while investigating mass killings in the Kasai Central province. Mambweni and 53 alleged members of the Kamuina Nsapu militia received death sentences. Although Congo has not carried out executions since 2003, it lifted a de‑facto moratorium in 2024. Human Rights Watch welcomed the progress but renewed its opposition to the death penalty, calling for its abolition and greater accountability up the command chain. Victims’ families also stressed the need for continued investigations, urging clarification of higher‑level responsibilities and the fate of missing Congolese colleagues who were with the UN investigators.

Sudan Signs Deal with China to Cancel $50m Debt

Sudan’s Ministry of Finance signed an agreement with China to cancel part of the country’s external debt, with Beijing agreeing to write off four interest‑free loans worth approximately $50 million. The deal was signed in Port Sudan by Finance Minister Dr Jibril Ibrahim and China’s chargé d’affaires Xu Jian, and takes effect immediately upon signature. The Central Bank of Sudan and the China Development Bank will handle the necessary procedures to settle the cancelled loan accounts. Both parties praised their longstanding economic cooperation, with China reaffirming support for Sudan through grants, civil‑service training, and projects in energy, water, and agriculture. The agreement follows recent U.S. sanctions targeting Sudanese actors and restricting non‑humanitarian financial assistance, underscoring growing geopolitical tensions over international engagement with Sudan.

Lesotho Council Admits Illegally Awarding Dumpsite Contract

Maseru City Council acknowledged before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee that it awarded a M27‑million consultancy contract for the rehabilitation of the Tšosane dumpsite to SSL Joint Venture. The contract, intended to oversee dumpsite rehabilitation and develop a new landfill, became void after the relationship with the consultant broke down, according to Town Clerk Moea Makhakhe, who described the agreement as “void from the beginning.” The dispute has stalled the project, leaving the hazardous dumpsite rehabilitation on hold and delaying implementation of a High Court order aimed at protecting nearby communities. MPs criticised the council for failing to follow proper procurement procedures and for attempting to terminate obligations based on its own errors.

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