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

1.    Nigeria- USA- ISS 

US and Nigerian presidents say senior IS leader killed in joint operation

A senior Islamic State group leader has been killed in a joint operation by United States and Nigerian forces in the West African country, the two countries' presidents said.

US President Donald Trump, in a post on his Truth social media, said Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed in a “meticulously planned” joint operation with Nigerian forces.

2.    DR Kongo – Rwampara- Ituri Province 

Fear as health officials raise alarm over new Ebola outbreak in DR Congo

People in the town of Rwampara in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are fearful as health officials raise the alarm over a new outbreak of Ebola.

It is one of two health zones in Ituri province that are at the epicentre of the latest outbreak of the deadly virus, with at least 80 reported dead and 246 suspected cases.

3. Madagascar- Antananarivo

Madagascar opposition moves to oust military leader in constitutional challenge

Political tension is rising in Madagascar, where a leading opposition lawmaker says he has asked the country’s top court to remove President Michael Randrianirina over alleged constitutional violations.

Opposition MP Antoine Rajerison has filed a petition to the High Constitutional Court, accusing Randrianirina of treason and “serious and repeated violations of the constitution,” including controversial government appointments.

4. In our historical archives, it was on this day, 18 May 1997, when Mzee Laurent Kabila, as the head of a rebel army, overthrew the despotic regime of Mobutu Sese Seko.

 

The Global Briefing: Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit Xi Jinping in Beijing just days after former U.S. President Donald Trump where the ongoing war in Ukraine will be on the agenda.

Political violence is escalating in Colombia ahead of its presidential elections after two presidential campaign members of staff were shot dead, raising fears over voter safety and democratic stability.

In East Asia, tensions over Taiwan continue to intensify after Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te declared that “Taiwan independence” means the island does not belong to Beijing, pushing back against growing pressure from China following recent U.S.-China diplomatic talks.

Guest: Dr Alfred Makotsi - Lecturer in Diplomacy and International Relations at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) 

15 May 2026

1.    Ethiopia- France 

France to host conference on financing AU peace efforts, says Macron

A conference on financing the African Union's peace efforts will be held in Paris by the end of this year, French President Emmanuel Macron said while on a visit to Ethiopia.

Macron has been in Africa on a five-day visit this week, including a two-day economic summit in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.

On Wednesday, he held informal talks with AU chairman Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

2.    Nigeria – Abuja 

A Nigerian court this week sentenced former power minister Saleh Mamman to 75 years in jail for siphoning off millions of dollars from hydro-electricity projects.

Nigeria's anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said Mamman was found guilty of laundering 33.8 billion naira ($24.6 million).

Nigeria is Africa's fourth-largest economy and the continent's top oil producer, but it suffers from acute power shortages due to a crumbling grid and insufficient generation.

3.    India – BRICS- South Afrika

BRICS foreign ministers meet in India amid differences over Iran war

Foreign ministers from the BRICS group of emerging economies began a two-day meeting in New Delhi on Thursday.

The gathering comes as the expanding bloc faces divisions over the war in Iran, rising energy prices, and growing global uncertainty.

It brings together diplomats from founding members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, along with newer member countries.

4.    South Africa – Zimbabwe

Department of International Relations and Cooperation:  Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) Mid-Term Review (MTR), of the South Africa–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC),

We also meet at a time of profound developments worldwide. The international geopolitical arena has become fluid, unpredictable, contested, and even fragile. 

The global system of governance is also facing strain, and in certain instances, we can say multilateralism is under threat. We need to redouble our collective efforts to achieve a peaceful and secure world, including a stable Africa.

The global economic landscape has also seen significant shifts. While the global economy has remained resilient, and the economies of fellow African states have performed well over the past few years, challenges remain

5.    In our historical archives, it was on this day, 15 May 1889, when James Magebhula Sofasonke Mpanza (Sofasonke meaning We shall all die), community leader, founder of the Sofasonke Party and a champion for better housing for Johannesburg's Blacks, was born in Georgedale, today part of Cato Ridge.

 

The ANC meeting between national officials and the caucus follows a recent agreement among parliamentary parties on the composition of the Section 89 inquiry tasked with investigating the President on Phala Phala. Parliament has officially approved the formation of a 31-member impeachment committee.  

Guest: Mdumiseni Ntuli - Chief Whip of the ANC in the National Assembly

 

• US retail sales growth slows in April
• 2. Trump says China agreed to buy US crude
• 3. Market update

 

The Global Briefing: At the BRICS summit in India, Iran pushed emerging powers to take a harder stance against Western military influence, exposing growing fractures inside the bloc as global tensions escalate.

In the Philippines, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa reportedly fled the Senate to avoid arrest from the International Criminal Court over alleged crimes against humanity

The United States government has scrapped its controversial US$15,000 visa deposit requirement for travellers from 50 countries, easing fears that the FIFA World Cup would become inaccessible to fans. 

Guest: Dr Joan Swart - Researcher in Military Science at the University of Stellenbosch 

 

How Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme is solving the dropout crisis by providing comprehensive wraparound investment for low-income and first generation university students.

Guest: Sifanele Biyela - Executive: Corporate Partnerships and Operations at the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) 

The Motor Industry Staff Association has welcomed the proposed Fair Pay Bill, saying the legislation could help tackle wage inequality, improve salary transparency, and strengthen the principle of equal pay for equal work.

Guest: Phakamile Hlubi Majola - Spokesperson of the Motor Industry Staff Association 

As South Africa marks 30 years of the Constitution, government says strengthening the justice system remains key to protecting democracy and expanding access to justice. Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi has allocated the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) almost R3.4 billion for the 2026/27 financial year.

Guest: Mmamoloko Kubayi - Justice and Constitutional Development Minister

A damning report by National Treasury has now revealed irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in municipalities climbing to more than R268 billion. The report points to weak accountability, leadership instability, poor financial controls and ongoing corruption concerns within local government structures. Is there still hope of restoring public trust and service delivery? 

Guest: Sandile Swana - Governance and Political Analyst