South African politician and former president (2009–2018)
Pianist Abdullah Ibrahim has died at 91 in Germany after a short illness. A pioneering force in South African jazz, Ibrahim had a career spanning seven decades and helped fuse local traditions with international styles. He devotionalised Mannenberg as an anti-apartheid anthem and performed at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration.
South Africa has processed more than 53,000 foreign nationals for deportation or repatriation after sustained anti‑migrant protests and door‑to‑door searches. Thousands have fled to temporary centres such as Musina and Lindela; Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria and others have arranged buses and flights. Governments and NGOs are warning of overcrowding, poor conditions and rising diplomatic tensions.
Protests in South Africa have intensified, with demonstrations targeting foreign nationals and calls for their expulsion. Authorities report arrests and a heavy security presence as municipal elections approach, while international observers warn of a humanitarian crisis.
Since late May more than 160,000 foreign nationals have returned or been repatriated from South Africa, with governments reporting 115,000 back to Zimbabwe and 56,000 to Malawi; many returns have followed protests that have targeted migrants, sparked violent attacks and diplomatic rows across Africa. Petitioners have asked the ICC to examine whether the violence and state failures constitute crimes against humanity.
Kenya’s Deputy President has reiterated that intergovernmental coordination remains under his chair, amid ongoing speculation that his role may shift. Analysts say constitutional safeguards keep IBEC under the Deputy President, while some officials describe online claims as fake news.