African News for October 16, 2026

Here is today's essential African news, selected from the press. Each headline links to the full article on the publisher's website.

Ebola: Kenya tightens prevention measures after a second case on its soil — The Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday evening that a second person has been diagnosed within Kenyan territory. The individual is a close contact of the first patient who passed away last week. The patient was already in quarantine when… (RFI)

Niger: Niamey denounces failures by Chinese oil companies five months after an agreement — In Niger, authorities are taking stock five months after signing a partnership protocol with the Chinese oil companies that extract and transport oil in the country. Signed last May… (RFI)

Madagascar: eleven Chinese nationals detained for online fraud released illegally from prison — In Madagascar, eleven Chinese detainees belonging to a vast online fraud network were released from prison illegally at the end of August. Today, the Ministry of Justice is accusing the director of a… (RFI)

Police fuel: in Cameroon, what we know about the scandal threatening Martin Mbarga Nguélé — The Special Criminal Court is investigating an alleged embezzlement of tens of billions of CFA francs in fuel by the DGSN. While around forty police officers are behind bars, the investigation could lead to… (Jeune Afrique)

In Algeria, the fall of Saïd Sayoud, Minister of the Interior and media darling — His controversial remarks on purchasing power sealed his fate, but the minister, demoted on October 13, is also paying for his poor handling of the summer wildfires. A brutal fall for a man who seemed destined for… (Jeune Afrique)

Why was Rwanda chosen to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix? — How Rwanda succeeded where Morocco and South Africa, among others, failed by concluding an agreement to host the African Grand Prix. (BBC Afrique)

Zidane, a key supporter of Christophe Gleizes — It has been nearly 500 days since Christophe Gleizes was deprived of his freedom. The French journalist was arrested in May 2024 in Algeria while reporting on the Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie football club… (France 24)

Breast cancer in Senegal: the cost of mammograms, a barrier to screening — In Senegal, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. FRANCE 24 met with the president of the Senegalese League Against Cancer, Fatma Guenoune. (France 24)