Security

Nationwide demonstrations against Kenya’s 2025 Finance Bill turned violent Wednesday. A security guard, Fred Wamale Wanyonyi, was fatally shot at Kenya Power’s Stima Plaza during the protests.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reports at least eight protest related deaths across six counties. Over 400 casualties, including civilians, police, and journalists, are recorded. KNCHR also noted criminal elements infiltrating demonstrations, leading to violence and property destruction.

[caption id=“attachment_32496” align=“alignnone” width=“1024”] A protester in Nairobi jumps for safety as she emerges from a narrow alley.Credit…Luis Tato/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images[/caption]

Twenty-five individuals face arrest following violent clashes during Wednesday’s nationwide protests in Kikuyu. The unrest, part of broader “Gen Z” demonstrations, saw significant destruction, including the torching of the Kikuyu Law Courts, county government offices, and the Dagoretti Police Post.

During the chaos, rioters stole five firearms from the Dagoretti police facility. The stolen weapons include two AK-47 rifles, a G3 rifle, a Jericho pistol, and an anti-riot gun. Police successfully thwarted an attempt to seize five additional firearms from a Sub-County APS armoury.

The long-simmering Middle East conflict between Israel and Iran dramatically escalated today, as a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military assets was swiftly followed by a significant drone attack from Tehran. This rapid exchange underscores the deepening regional tensions and international concerns over Iran’s nuclear program.

In a pre-dawn operation dubbed “Rising Lion” on Friday, Israel launched extensive airstrikes across Iran. Israeli statements indicate approximately 200 fighter jets participated, deploying over 330 munitions against more than 100 targets.

Kigali, Rwanda from 19th - 20th May 2025, leaders and companies focused on safety met in Kigali. AfricanUpdates talked to some of them. Everyone agreed: for Africa to be safer, countries need to make more of their own security gear. They also need to use new tools and work together better.

Africa faces many tough challenges. Today, over 37 million people in Africa have fled their homes because of fighting. Millions more are displaced inside their own countries. Sudan, Congo, and the Sahel region still see lots of trouble. This shows how much more security is needed. Still, some places are quite safe. Rwanda, for example, has made big strides since its past troubles. Countries like Ghana and Botswana are also known for being peaceful.

A high-level gathering convened in Kigali on 19th May, 2025, as the International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA) opened its doors, drawing a diverse and influential audience. The conference is poised to redefine the narrative around African security.

President Paul Kagame declared the forum “long overdue,” emphasizing the need for the continent to chart its own course in peace and security.

The event attracted key figures from across Africa and beyond. Notably, the Secretary-General of La Francophonie joined the assembly, alongside prominent members of security forces, including top-ranking army and police officials. Delegates filled the Kigali Convention Centre, signaling the weight of the issues at hand.

Nairobi, Kenya – April 2025 In a first-of-its-kind wildlife crime case, four individuals including two Belgian teenagers, have been charged in Kenya for trafficking more than 5,000 rare live ants. The case, described as “unprecedented” by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), highlights a growing global trade in lesser-known species, particularly rare insects.

The suspects are Belgian nationals Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx, both aged 19, a Vietnamese national, and a Kenyan citizen were arrested in separate operations earlier this month. Authorities say the group was attempting to smuggle the ants out of the country using specially modified containers.

KHARTOUM, Sudan – April 15, 2025, As Sudan’s brutal civil war enters its third year, the country’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced the formation of a rival government, escalating fears of a formal split in Africa’s third-largest country.

The declaration came Tuesday, coinciding with the second anniversary of the conflict’s outbreak on April 15, 2023 a war the United Nations has labeled the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with over 13 million people displaced, including more than 3.5 million who fled across borders.

Libreville, Gabon - In a decisive election following the 2023 military coup, Brice Oligui Nguema has claimed a resounding victory in Gabon’s presidential election. Provisional results from the Ministry of the Interior show Oligui Nguema securing 90.35% of the vote. This election marks a pivotal moment in Gabon’s return to constitutional rule after a military-led transition that ousted long-time ruler Ali Bongo.  

Brice Oligui Nguema, the leader of Gabon’s transitional government, received 90.35% of the vote.  Alain-Claude Bilie Bie Nze, his closest competitor, garnered only 3.02% of the vote. The election saw a 70.4% voter turnout. Approximately 920,000 voters, including over 28,000 overseas, were registered. 94.8% of polling stations operated satisfactorily, with 98.6% deemed transparent. 69.6% of observed polling stations had representatives from Oligui Nguema. 8.2% of observed polling stations had representatives from Alain-Claude Bilie Bie Nze.

Rebero, Rwanda – As the National Commemoration Week concluded at the Rebero Genocide Memorial, Rwanda paid tribute to politicians who bravely opposed the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Prime Minister Dr. Ngirente joined Senate President François Xavier Kalinda and other senior officials in honoring these individuals, whose courage and sacrifice continue to resonate in Rwanda’s journey towards healing and unity.

Senate President François Xavier Kalinda emphasized the significance of the annual commemoration held every April 13th. “It is essential that we remember these politicians who were killed because they stood against the genocide,” Kalinda stated. “Their dedication to fighting the genocide against the Tutsi serves as a powerful lesson for the future of our country.”

Myanmar is reeling from the devastation caused by a massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Friday. The tremor, which hit during Friday prayers, has killed over 2,000 people and injured thousands more. As the country struggles with the aftermath, rescue efforts face challenges due to damaged infrastructure, communication breakdowns, and ongoing conflict.

Myanmar’s ruling junta declared a week of national mourning following the earthquake. Flags flew at half-mast across the country in sympathy for the victims. The confirmed death toll has surpassed 2,000, and more than 3,900 people have suffered injuries. Rescue teams continue to search for survivors, but the situation grows more desperate with each passing day. Over 270 people remain missing, and hopes of finding more survivors fade.