West Africa: Coup - ECOWAS Demands Release of Political Detainees in Guinea-Bissau

[Premium Times] ECOWAS also instructed its commission to urgently "operationalise the long-planned Regional Counterterrorism Brigade." Source

Nigeria: Four Killed As Bus Crashes Into Stationary Truck in Kogi

[Premium Times] The state sector commander of the FRSC, Tenimu Etuku, disclosed this to journalists on Monday, saying the crash occurred on Sunday at Jimgbe in Ajaokuta Local Government Area. Source

Kenya: Mr. Eazi Drops 'Dance Pon Me' - the Ultimate Detty December Party Anthem

[Capital FM] Just in time for Detty December, Mr Eazi returns with "Dance Pon Me," an addictive afro-meets-dancehall hit single and video designed for dancefloors, late nights and unforgettable December moments. Following "Sekkle & Bop", his 2021 collab featuring Popcaan, the new single is the latest release from his forthcoming dancehall-inspired mixtape on Mixpak. Source

Nigeria: Forget Biafra, Igbo No Longer Marginalised - Umahi

[Vanguard] Minister of Works, and former governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has dismissed calls for a separate Biafran State, saying it is no longer warranted, due to what he described as the unprecedented integration of the Igbo into Nigeria's national development agenda under President Bola Tinubu. Source

Tunisia: President of Republic Calls for Removal of All Obstacles Facing Small Farmers

[Tunis Afrique Presse] Tunis -- President Kais Saied stressed, during a meeting held on Monday, at Carthage Palace with Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri and Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries Ezzeddine Ben Cheikh, the need to remove all obstacles facing small farmers in particular, especially with regard to olive pressing, storage and marketing, through the concerted efforts of all concerned parties. Source

Tunisia: President Kais Saied Pardons 2,014 Prisoners On Revolution Day

[Tunis Afrique Presse] Tunis -- On the occasion of the December 17 Revolution Day, President Kais Saied, on Monday, issued a presidential pardon leading to the release of 2,014 prisoners. Source

Kenya: Workers to Pay More As New NSSF Deductions Take Effect in 2026

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- Kenyan workers will pay higher National Social Security Fund (NSSF) deductions from February 2026 under revised mandatory pension contribution rates, further tightening household budgets amid rising living costs. Source

Kenya: Kenya Wildlife Service Revives Bus Shuttle Services to National Parks for Holidays, Weekends

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has announced the return of its bus shuttle services to major national parks starting this weekend, December 20, as part of the "Jiachilie in Kenya Parks" holiday campaign aimed at boosting local tourism during the festive season. Source

Congo-Kinshasa: Militia Massacres Civilians Near Kinshasa

[HRW] Nairobi -- National Authorities Need to Address Rising Intercommunal Violence Source

Uganda: Water and Sanitation Key to Uganda's Urban Growth, Says Govt

[Nile Post] The Assistant Commissioner for Sewerage Services, Felix Twinomugunzi, has emphasized the central role of water and sanitation in driving Uganda's socio-economic transformation, noting that access to clean and safe water is a prerequisite for sustainable urban growth. Source

Uganda: 82% of Villages in Uganda Now Access to Safe Water, Says Govt

[Nile Post] The Ministry of Water and Environment has recorded significant progress in improving access to clean and safe water across the country, with 82 percent of villages now having access to at least one safe water source according to Olweny Lamu, Assistant Commissioner - Research and Development at the Ministry. Source

Uganda: Government Calls for Stronger Action to Secure Clean, Safe Water for All

[Nile Post] The Commissioner for Water Resources Planning and Regulation, Callist Tindimugaya, has emphasized the indispensable role of water in human survival, economic development, and national productivity, calling for strengthened efforts to ensure universal access to clean and safe water across Uganda. Source