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

29 April 2026

1. Mali- USA - United Nations

The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the weekend’s attacks in Mali.

Jihadist militants joined forces with Tuareg separatists to launch the largest coordinated offensive the country has seen in more than a decade.

The two groups share an interest in routing the army and Russian mercenaries from northern and central Mali.

Briefing reporters this week, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric said António Guterres "calls for coordinated international support to address the evolving threat of violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel and to meet urgent humanitarian needs."

2. Ghana – Kenya

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday evening arrived in Accra, Ghana ahead of the high-level Tana Forum on Security in Africa.

It is a key continental platform that convenes African leaders and stakeholders to deliberate on African-led solutions to peace, governance, and regional security challenges.

Uhuru, who joined the Tana Forum Board in 2024, is among a select group of former African heads of state entrusted with the strategic oversight of the institution.

3. Ethiopia – Addis Ababa

The 5th annual joint retreat between the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) will begin today in Ethiopia for two days, under the theme “Good Governance: A Key Pillar for Conflict Prevention and Sustainable Peace and Security in Africa.”

The theme reflects the evolution of the APRM-PSC collaboration from foundational governance assessments to deepened institutional operationalisation, with a specific focus on implementing the 4th Joint Retreat recommendations on governance as a pillar for conflict prevention.

Over its 23-year existence, the APRM has conducted 48 peer reviews and expanded participation to 45 of the African Union’s 55 member states, reflecting growing continental engagement in governance reform and accountability mechanisms.

4. In our historical archives, it was on this day, 29 April 1994, when South Africa’s first democratic elections ended, and counting began two days after the first-ever democratic elections in South Africa. Nearly 20 million people participated in South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994. The voting time was extended until 7 pm on 29 April in Venda, Gazankulu, Lebowa, KwaZulu, Transkei and Ciskei.