Here are the top stories from Africa: U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to cut funding to South Africa over a controversial land law, drawing a response from Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Gwede Mantashe.
In Rwanda, President Paul Kagame claims he is unaware of whether his country’s troops are in the DRC, while M23 rebels continue their advance, capturing another town despite a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, the South African presidency has explained the reasons behind President Ramaphosa’s meeting with Elon Musk. Tragedy struck in Nigeria, where at least 17 students lost their lives in a fire.
In Uganda, a groundbreaking Ebola vaccination trial has officially launched, marking a major step in combating the deadly virus.
Check out all the top stories below:
TRUMP PLANS TO CUT U.S. FUNDING TO SOUTH AFRICA OVER LAND LAW, OVER ALLEGED LAND CONFISCATION
U.S. President Donald Trump claims he will halt all funding to South Africa, alleging that the country is “confiscating” land and mistreating certain groups.
He announced the decision while calling for an investigation into the matter.
On Sunday, Trump took to Truth Social, claiming that South Africa is “confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY.” His remarks were widely seen as referring to White South Africans. He further declared, “I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!”
South Africa’s government dismissed the U.S. president’s comments on the controversial issue, with criticism also coming from various political groups in the country.
The U.S. president’s remarks on South Africa’s divisive issue were met with strong opposition from the government and drew criticism from political groups across the nation.
South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa responded to Trump with a post on Twitter (now X), stating:
“South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality. The South African government has not confiscated any land.”
He added:
“The recently adopted Expropriation Act is not a confiscation instrument, but a constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution.”Ramaphosa further clarified:
“South Africa, like the United States of America and other countries, has always had expropriation laws that balance the need for public usage of land and the protection of rights of property owners.”Looking ahead, he emphasized the importance of diplomatic discussions:
“We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest. We are certain that out of those engagements, we will share a better and common understanding over these matters.”He concluded by reaffirming South Africa’s ties with the U.S.:
“The US remains a key strategic political and trade partner for South Africa. With the exception of PEPFAR Aid, which constitutes 17% of South Africa’s HIV/AIDS programme, there is no other funding that is received by South Africa from the United States.”
ELON MUSK WEIGHS IN…
Despite efforts since 1994, South Africa continues to grapple with unequal land ownership, a lingering effect of white minority rule.
Critics, including Elon Musk, have voiced opposition, with Musk responding to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s defense of the policy on Monday by asking, “Why do you have openly racist ownership laws?” on X.
MANTASHE RESPONDS TO TRUMP’S THREATS
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has pushed back against President Donald Trump’s threats to cut funding, warning that South Africa could withhold essential minerals from the U.S. if necessary.
Speaking at the Investing in African Mining Indaba, he reinforced the government’s stance against “disinformation” spread by Trump and billionaire Elon Musk about the country’s land reform policies.
This comes after Trump and Musk caused an uproar with tweets accusing the South African government of “confiscating” land and enforcing racist ownership laws.
Trump was referring to South Africa’s efforts to reform land ownership, as the white minority continues to hold the majority of farmland, even 30 years after apartheid ended.
Responding to Trump’s funding threats, Mantashe proposed a bold countermeasure, calling for Africa to take action…
“You passed an Exploration Act, therefore Trump will withhold funding to South Africa. And I said, ’Let’s mobilize Africa. Let’s withhold minerals to the U.S.,’” he said.
“That is it. If they don’t give us money, let’s not give them minerals.”
KAGAME SAYS HE’S UNAWARE OF TROOPS IN DRC
In a recent CNN interview, Rwandan President Paul Kagame stated that he does not know if Rwandan troops are operating in eastern DRC, where intense fighting between the M23 armed group and Congolese soldiers has resulted in more than 900 deaths and thousands of injuries.
There is a strong belief among international observers that Rwanda is behind the M23 rebels, who last week declared they had seized Goma, a major city in eastern Congo. UN experts report that around 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers are actively involved in supporting and directing M23 fighters, exceeding the rebel group’s own strength in the region.
During an exclusive CNN interview on Monday, Kagame was questioned about the presence of Rwandan troops in the DRC.
“I don’t know,” he responded, despite being the commander-in-chief of the Rwandan Defence Force.
“There are many things I don’t know. But if you want to ask me, is there a problem in Congo that concerns Rwanda? And that Rwanda would do anything to protect itself? I’d say 100%,” he added.
Reaffirming Kagame’s position, rebel group spokesperson Victor Tesongo told CNN that it “receives no support from Rwanda,” labeling the accusation as “a manipulation of public opinion to disqualify us.”
In a twist to the CNN story, Kagame’s Press Secretary, Stéphanie Nyombayire, accused the network of altering his interview to shape a particular narrative. Conducted on February 3 by Larry Madowo in Kigali, the discussion focused on regional security and Rwanda’s position on the Congo crisis. Nyombayire claimed on X that key statements were excluded from the final version.
PRESIDENCY EXPLAINS WHY RAMAPHOSA MET MUSK
Amid rising tensions between South Africa and Trump, Ramaphosa and Musk met this week to address key issues and clarify Trump’s claim that the country enforces laws targeting lower-income groups.
In a statement shared on X, the Presidency noted that “in the process, the President reiterated South Africa’s constitutionally embedded values of the respect for the rule of law, justice, fairness and equality.”
After the meeting with Musk, Vincent Magwenya, the Presidency spokesperson, explained that the purpose of the meeting was to provide Musk with details about the Expropriation Act.
“Why did the President speak to Elon Musk? Following Trump’s announcement, we issued a statement that was posted on X from the president’s handle, as well as the Presidency handle. There was a response to that statement by Elon and generally, we are deterred by the substance of the announcement because there were clearly some inaccuracies with respect to the reflection of the country and what was happening with the country,” Magwenya said,
“The X platform is an influential platform and is owned by Musk. Ramaphosa has held engagements, prior to this announcement, with Elon Musk with the intention to see him invest more in South Africa. His particular interest was Starlink,” Magwenya added.
“We’ve had open engagements with Musk, so in light of this recent development, it was sensible, logical and quite important that the president engages with him so that we reinforce his understanding of what is happening in South Africa. We flagged our concerns with respect to the disinformation we saw in Trump’s announcement but also in his own response to our statement,” Magwenya said.
“It was important that they have that conversation and that understanding is emphasized, at least to benefit Elon, but also considering his influence within the (Donald) Trump circle for the President to deliver that message,” he said.
AT LEAST 17 STUDENTS DIE IN A FIRE IN NIGERIA
At least 17 students have died in a fire that broke out on Tuesday night in Kauran Namoda town, located in Zamfara State, northern Nigeria, according to a police spokesperson.
The victims, aged between seven and 17, were students at an Islamic school. Around 12 others sustained severe burns and were rushed to the hospital.
Police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire. Hussaini Adamu, a parent who lost two children in the blaze, stated that the fire began in a nearby house before spreading to the school.
M23 REBELS CAPTURE ANOTHER TOWN IN DRC DESPITE CEASEFIRE
M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have taken control of Nyabibwe in the South Kivu province of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to eight sources on Wednesday.
Their capture of Nyabibwe, located 70 km (40 miles) north of Bukavu, brings them closer to the provincial capital, despite their previous statements that they did not plan to capture it.
Eight sources, including local officials, civil society members, rebels, and an international security figure, confirmed the rebels had taken over Nyabibwe. A civil society leader shared, “There have been clashes since 5 a.m., and it was at 9 a.m. that the town fell into the hands of the rebels. They’re in the center of the town at the moment.”
This comes after the M23 rebels in the eastern DRC declared a ceasefire, which was welcomed by Patrick Youseff, the Regional Director for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Africa.
The advance of the M23 rebels had appeared to slow down late last week, but their success in capturing Nyabibwe marks a significant shift in the ongoing conflict. Sources, who chose to remain anonymous, detailed the unfolding events as tensions escalate.
Congolese Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya confirmed to Reuters that rebels violated the ceasefire during the night, and the armed forces are offering resistance around Nyabibwe. The M23 spokesperson has yet to respond to a request for comment.
This new advance could signal a renewed effort towards Bukavu, following the M23’s capture of Goma last week, a move that displaced hundreds of thousands of people and raised fears of a broader regional conflict. The DRC accuses Rwanda of using M23 rebels to exploit valuable mineral deposits in the region, including gold, coltan, and tin.
In response, Rwanda claims it is merely acting in self-defense to protect ethnic Tutsis, further complicating the already tense situation in eastern DRC.
CONGOLESE NATIONALS MARCH TO EU MISSION IN PTA
Congolese nationals in South Africa marched to the European Union (EU) offices in Pretoria, demanding action against Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Protesters accused the EU of enabling Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict, which has led to violence and displacement in eastern DRC. The demonstration grew tense when some tried to storm the EU offices, prompting police to intervene.
The protesters expressed frustration over international inaction, sharing personal stories of the war’s devastating toll—families lost, women and children displaced, and entire communities destroyed. Organizers called for sanctions against Rwanda and its leadership, holding them responsible for the violence.
This protest came as the M23 announced a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons, though some view it as a tactical move. Despite the declaration, tensions remain high, both in the DRC and within the Congolese diaspora. The EU has not yet responded to the demands.
UGANDA SENDS MORE SOLDIERS TO DRC
More than 1,000 Ugandan troops have been deployed to eastern DRC over the past week, four diplomatic and UN sources reported.
This reinforcement comes as Kinshasa’s forces fight M23 rebels, fueling fears of escalating tensions in the region.
According to UN sources, Uganda’s troop presence now ranges from 4,000 to 5,000. Meanwhile, Rwanda, which backs the M23, also has troops stationed in eastern DRC.
AFCON 2025 MATCHES
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced the match schedule for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 that will see nine venues used across six cities for the continent’s greatest football show.
The AFCON 2025 tournament matches are set to begin from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
See the full fixtures below:
BOTSWANA AND DE BEERS FINALIZE 10-YEAR DIAMOND AGREEMENT
Botswana and South African diamond company De Beers have reached a final agreement on a 10-year sales deal after negotiations that started in 2019.
Under the terms, Botswana will initially sell 30% of rough diamonds from their joint venture, with this share increasing to 50% by 2035. The deal aims to boost diamond revenue, which has fallen from $7 billion annually to $4.2 billion in 2023 due to weaker demand.
De Beers CEO Al Cook and the World Diamond Council welcomed the agreement, while Botswana’s Minerals Minister, Bogolo Kenewendo, confirmed it will be signed by February, with an option for a five-year extension.
TIME OUT RANKS CAPE TOWN, MARRAKECH, AND LAGOS AMONG 2025’S BEST CITIES
Each year, Time Out releases its much-anticipated ranking of the world’s best cities, based on insights from thousands of locals worldwide. The list highlights places where people love to live and where visitors can’t wait to explore.
For 2025, respondents rated their cities on key factors like food, nightlife, happiness, and even romance. To refine the selection, Time Out’s global network of city experts weighed in on the most exciting destinations to visit right now.
Three African cities made it to the list, namely Cape Town, Marrakech, and Lagos—with one of them taking the top spot. Cape Town has officially been named the world’s best city! The Mother City earned this title thanks to glowing reviews from its residents, with 95% praising its vibrant food scene and 97% saying the city makes them genuinely happy.
Meanwhile, Marrakech secured the 37th spot, recognized for its warm hospitality and growing food culture. Lagos landed at 41st place, with 72% of locals highlighting how easy it is to make friends and meet new people.
EBOLA VACCINATION TRIAL LAUNCHES IN UGANDA
For the first time ever, Uganda’s Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the WHO and other partners, has launched a clinical trial to test a vaccine for the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus.
This marks a major breakthrough, as it is the first trial assessing how effective a vaccine is against this specific strain.
The vaccine, developed by IAVI, has already been tested for safety and immune response.
The Ebola outbreak Uganda declared on January 30 has now reached three cases, with two new infections found in the deceased’s family, as health officials work to determine the source, said Ministry of Health spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyoona.
In just four days after the outbreak was confirmed, researchers from Makerere University and UVRI, with support from WHO and other partners, launched a clinical trial for an Ebola Sudan vaccine.
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