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.
Mozambique Marks 50 Years of Independence Amid Political Unrest and Rising Inequality
It’s Mozambique’s 50th Independence Day today. The milestone anniversary, celebrated on June 25, comes at a moment of deep division and frustration across the country. While Frelimo, the governing party since independence, launched national unity campaigns and symbolic events to honor its anti-colonial past, many Mozambicans, especially youth, see little to celebrate. The death of popular rapper Azagaia, who rapped about political and social justice issues, from an epileptic seizure in 2023 sparked protests that gave rise to a grassroots political movement, Povo no Poder, led by Venâncio Mondlane, a politician and engineer. Accusations of rigged elections in late 2024 and a violent crackdown that left over 300 dead have widened the rift between the state and its people. Mondlane now faces legal battles that may block his 2029 presidential run.
Despite the establishment of an Inclusive Dialogue Commission and gestures toward reform, public trust remains low. Inequality is growing, youth unemployment is high, and the exploitation of natural resources in Cabo Delgado has only deepened regional divides. Armed violence continues in the north, and civic protests are spreading to former Frelimo strongholds. With Mozambique ranked among the world’s most unequal nations, the question hanging over this golden jubilee is whether the governing party is willing, or able, to change course.
South African Court Blocks Burial of Zambia’s Ex-President Amid Family-Government Feud
A South African court has blocked the burial of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, moments before the private ceremony was set to begin. The halt came after the Zambian government challenged the family’s decision to bury him in South Africa rather than holding a state funeral at home. Tensions between Lungu’s relatives and President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration erupted into legal action, with Zambia’s attorney general now required to argue for repatriation. A full hearing is scheduled for August 4.
The standoff highlights the unresolved hostility between Lungu and Hichilema, which began when Lungu jailed his then-rival for alleged treason in 2017. Since Lungu died in South Africa on June 5 at age 68, his family has insisted on controlling the funeral arrangements, while the government maintains that a former president belongs to the nation. A similar clash arose in 2021 over the burial of founding President Kenneth Kaunda. This latest dispute shows how personal rivalries continue to shape Zambia’s political landscape — even from beyond the grave.
Zimbabwe’s Land Debate Still Divides, 25 Years After White Farm Seizures
A group of elderly white Zimbabwean farmers has accepted a controversial $3.5 billion government compensation deal, 25 years after their land was seized during late President Robert Mugabe’s chaotic land reform. They’ll receive just one percent in cash and the rest in long-term treasury bonds — an offer many reject as unfair and uncertain. President Emmerson Mnangagwa says the payout is for farm infrastructure, not the land itself, and hopes it will help Zimbabwe re-engage with Western creditors.
But the deal is sparking fresh tensions. Some Black war veterans say the government should not prioritize payouts to white farmers while the country struggles with poverty and poor services. Meanwhile, new Black farmers, once given 99-year leases, are now being asked to pay for title deeds to help fund the compensation, leading to lawsuits and anger. Yet on the ground, success stories are emerging as young farmers like the Ganye family build thriving farms from land once out of reach.
U.S. Supreme Court Lets Government Deport Migrants to Countries Other Than Their Own
The U.S. Supreme Court has paused a lower court ruling that required 15 days’ notice before deporting migrants to countries they’re not originally from, starting with South Sudan. The case that started it all was about a flight of deportees that left the U.S. at the end of May, including men from Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cuba, and Mexico, who were deported to South Sudan. The flight was rerouted to Djibouti after legal challenges. Immigration lawyers say some were deported with less than 24 hours’ notice, without access to lawyers or proper screenings to assess danger or risk of torture in those countries.
The Trump administration argues the removals target violent criminals, but critics, including Justice Sonia Sotomayor, say the process violates basic rights and court orders. The deportees that were originally headed for South Sudan are being held at a U.S. military base in Djibouti, living in shipping containers near toxic burn pits, raising human rights concerns. South Sudan’s inclusion in the President Donald Trump administration’s third-country deportation has drawn special attention due to its instability, but this case signals a broader shift in U.S. deportation policy toward using third countries with little regard for safety or legal due process.
Ghana Gets $2.8 Billion Debt Relief to Ease Economic Pressure
Ghana’s parliament has approved a $2.8 billion debt relief deal with 25 countries, including China, France, and the U.S., giving the country more breathing room to manage its finances. The agreement delays Ghana’s loan repayments until 2039–2043, freeing up money in the short term and helping the government stay on track with its $3 billion IMF bailout. The move comes after Ghana defaulted on most of its external loans in 2022 during its worst financial crisis in decades. The new deal lowers interest rates and delays payments for the next 15 years. Lawmakers say this relief is key to keeping the economy stable. Talks with private lenders are still ongoing.
Eritrea Tries to End U.N. Probe Into Human Rights Abuses
Eritrea has asked the U.N. Human Rights Council to shut down the mandate of its Special Rapporteur, who investigates alleged abuses in the country. The role, currently held by Sudanese lawyer Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker, was created in 2012 to monitor issues like forced military service, disappearances, and mass detentions — problems Babiker says remain “critical.” This is the first time in the council’s history that a country under investigation has tried to cancel a mandate outright. Western diplomats and rights groups worry the move could open the door for other governments, like Sudan, Russia, and Iran, who support Eritrea’s effort to dodge international accountability. A vote is expected in July.
UN Urges Global Unity to Help Libya Face Political, Humanitarian, and Climate Crises
The UN is calling for stronger international coordination to help Libya navigate its fragile political transition and worsening humanitarian crisis. At a recent high-level meeting in Berlin, officials revived the stalled Berlin Process and voiced alarm over mass graves in Tripoli, weak infrastructure, and the country’s growing climate risks. UN envoy Hanna Tetteh and others stressed the need for a unified national budget, modernized infrastructure, and global support to move Libya toward peace and stability.