Every day, OkayAfrica shares a roundup of news we’re following but haven’t published as full articles. These short updates cover what’s happening on the continent — in culture, politics, and beyond. For more on stories like these, be sure to check out our News page, with stories from across the regions.
U.S. Deports Convicted Murderers and Rapists to Eswatini Under Secretive Third-Country Deal
The U.S. has deported five men convicted of crimes, including murder and child rape, to Eswatini, as part of a quiet expansion of its third-country deportation program. The deportees — citizens of Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen, and Laos — were described by U.S. officials as “uniquely barbaric” and rejected by their home countries. There’s been no official statement from Eswatini, the Southern African country which is an absolute monarchy, sparking concern among local civil society groups about the lack of transparency and the risks of hosting dangerous foreign criminals with no ties to the country.
The move follows similar deportations to South Sudan and is part of the Trump administration’s push to strike deals with African nations to take unwanted deportees. Civic leaders in Eswatini, one of the world’s last absolute monarchies, warn that the secretive arrangement could strain resources and endanger communities already facing repression. Rights groups are demanding clarity on the legal status and fate of the men, while the U.S. continues pursuing similar deals across the continent.
Trump’s New Tariff Plan Threatens African Jobs and Exports
U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing a new tariff agenda that could impact African and Caribbean countries with import duties exceeding 10 percent, including a proposed 30 percent tariff on South African goods, effective August 1. The move, pitched as a bid for “reciprocal” trade, has triggered warnings from economists and global trade bodies. In South Africa, the central bank estimates up to 100,000 job losses, especially in agriculture and auto manufacturing. Citrus growers alone say 35,000 jobs are at risk, with towns like Citrusdal bracing for economic fallout.
Lesotho and other small nations could face tariffs as high as 50 percent. The World Trade Organization has urged the U.S. to reconsider, with Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warning the move could unravel years of economic progress. The U.S. has paused the plan for three months to allow consultations, but many in the affected regions fear the long-term damage may already be underway.
Dangote Group Eyes Major New Port in Nigeria’s Ogun State
Aliko Dangote’s conglomerate has submitted plans to build what could become Nigeria’s biggest and deepest seaport, reviving interest in the long-stalled Olokola Free Trade Zone in Ogun State. The proposed site — about 100km from Dangote’s fertilizer and petrochemical plants in Lagos — was originally intended to host those facilities, but delays with the previous state government pushed the projects to Lagos instead.
If approved, the new port could significantly boost the group’s export capacity for products like cement, fertilizer, oil, and LNG. The proposal, submitted in late June, is still under review by regional authorities. The development would mark a major comeback for the Olokola zone, which Dangote had abandoned years ago due to unresolved local disputes.
At Least 20 Killed in Fresh Attack in Nigeria’s Plateau State
Gunmen armed with rifles and machetes killed at least 20 people in a raid on Tahoss village in central Nigeria’s Plateau State early yesterday, Tuesday, July 15. Despite a security presence, the attackers burned homes and left a trail of destruction, local officials said. No group has claimed responsibility, but the violence mirrors ongoing clashes between herders and farmers over land and water access. State lawmaker Dewan Gabriel called the attacks “alarming” and urged authorities to rethink their approach as fear grips communities in the region.
Angolans Clash with Police Over Soaring Fuel Prices, Plan More Protests
Hundreds of Angolans took to the streets of Luanda over the weekend to protest rising fuel and transport costs, only to be met with rubber bullets, tear gas, and arrests. Sparked by the latest hike in fuel prices from 300 to 400 kwanzas ($0.33 to $0.44) per liter, the demonstrations drew students, street vendors, taxi drivers, and opposition members, all voicing anger at the ruling MPLA party. Protesters marched peacefully from São Paulo Square, chanting and carrying signs like “We’re tired of eating from the trash” before the police cracked down. Organizers reported serious injuries and detentions, with one protester still in custody. Despite the repression, activists are now calling for a stay-at-home strike and planning another protest for Saturday, demanding that the government reverse its decision.
Ethiopia Arrests 82 Suspected ISIS Militants Linked to Somalia Cell
Ethiopian authorities have arrested 82 people suspected of being Islamic State militants trained in Somalia’s Puntland region. The National Intelligence Security Service said the group was planning operations across Ethiopia and had been trying to set up sleeper cells in the country. The suspects are believed to be linked to IS-Somalia, a growing branch of the global terror network, though still smaller than the more powerful al Shabaab. The arrests follow months of surveillance, as Ethiopia steps up efforts to block cross-border militant activity.
Prince Harry Returns to Angola to Support Land Mine Clearance Efforts
Prince Harry visited Angola this week to back the Halo Trust’s demining work, reminiscent of his late mother Princess Diana’s iconic 1997 trip. The Duke of Sussex met President João Lourenço to discuss Angola’s goal of becoming a mine-free land by 2025. Angola’s decades-long civil war left the country littered with explosives, with over 1,000 minefields still uncleared. Harry last visited in 2019 and remains committed to the cause his mother helped spotlight before her death. The Halo Trust says land mines have killed or injured an estimated 80,000 Angolans since the war.