A Ugandan court has handed down a death sentence to Christopher Okello Onyum, a 38-year-old holding both Ugandan and US citizenship, for the murder of four toddlers at a nursery school in Kampala. The victims, aged between one and two, were fatally stabbed at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program on April 2. Onyum had admitted to the crime, initially calling it a "human sacrifice" he hoped would bring him wealth, but later pleaded not guilty, citing mental illness at the time of the attack. However, presiding judge Alice Komuhangi Khauka ruled that he was "very sane" on the day of the incident. Onyum has 14 days to appeal the sentence, with capital punishment in Uganda being rarely carried out, the last recorded instance dating back to 2005.

In a separate tragic incident, at least 17 Sudanese refugees have drowned after their boat capsized off the Libyan coast near Tobruk. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reported that only seven of the 33 individuals known to be on board survived, with nine still unaccounted for. Since the war erupted in Sudan in 2023, Libya has become a precarious destination, serving as both a refuge and a trap for over 559,000 Sudanese refugees. Many of these individuals live in informal camps or urban margins, vulnerable to trafficking, exploitation, and violence along what are described as "dangerous escape routes," highlighting a broader global displacement crisis.

Meanwhile, Russia has affirmed its intention to maintain its military presence in Mali and continue supporting the country's military rulers, rejecting demands for withdrawal from Tuareg separatists. This statement follows recent surprise attacks that led to Russia's Africa Corps paramilitary unit pulling out of Kidal, a strategic northern town that Russian forces had helped the Malian army recapture in 2023. A Kremlin spokesperson denied any plans for Russian forces to leave Mali, reaffirming Moscow's commitment to fighting extremism alongside Malian authorities. The West African nation has faced a security crisis since 2012, fueled by jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State, as well as separatist movements and criminal gangs, with recent developments including the death of Defence Minister Sadio Camara in an attack on his residence.

In Nigeria, Amnesty International has accused authorities of failing to protect detained Fulani pastoralists in Kwara State, alleging that at least 150 people, mostly children, died in a military-controlled camp. The organization reported that approximately 1,500 Fulani men, women, and children were held for months under harsh conditions at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Yikpata, after fleeing armed group attacks. Acute malnutrition and disease were widespread in the camp, with over 100 pregnant women reportedly at risk due to a lack of maternal care. Amnesty International has called for a prompt, independent, and transparent investigation into these reported deaths and the treatment of the detainees.

On a more positive note, Mozambique and the United States have signed a significant $537.5 million memorandum of understanding under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). This agreement, known as a "Compact," includes three key projects: one focused on coastal livelihoods and climate resilience, another on connectivity and rural transport, and a third aimed at promoting reform and investment in agriculture. The deal comprises $500 million in US contributions and $37.5 million guaranteed by the Mozambican state, structured to achieve concrete development results. This partnership represents a milestone in deepening cooperation relations between the two countries, following the US government's announcement of the aid in September 2025.