Africa Political Monitor No. 68

ETHIOPIAN, ERITREAN TENSIONS DEEPEN FURTHER
After Ethiopia accused Eritrea of supporting rebel fighters in its northern region of Tigray, expelling 10 Eritrean diplomats and closing its embassy in Asmara, Eritrea announced its decision to sever all diplomatic ties with its neighbor and regional rival. Shortly after the declaration, witnesses reported seeing Eritrean forces entering Ethiopian territory at Zelambesa and heading toward the northern city of Adigrat. Witnesses also noted Eritrean military officers conducting surveillance in Adigrat and Idaga Hamus. The Eritrean Information Minister continues to refute the claims, as well as the charge of Eritrean backing for Tigrayan rebel groups – which he attributes to Ethiopia's desire to legitimize an attack on Eritrea as part of its long-held ambition to regain access to the Red Sea.

The U.S. and UK have called on both countries to return to their 2019 peace framework and resolve the current conflict peacefully. The tensions come at a time when broader regional relations are tense, with instability on the rise due to Sudan's war, disagreements between Ethiopia and Egypt over the Nile dam project, and further unrest in southern Ethiopia over disputed land with Somalian rebels. (Reuters, October 7, 2026; NBC News, October 8, 2026; Associated Press, October 8, 2026; Deutsche Welle, October 19, 2026)

DRONE WARFARE RAMPS UP IN SUDAN
Recently, both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have begun to use drones as a major element of their combat capabilities, adding a new layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict over control of Sudan. Drones are popular due to their low cost and ready accessibility on the open market. In Sudan, such platforms permit easier navigation in the Darfur and Kordofan regions for the SAF, enabling strikes against targets that include command and control centers and supply routes. The RSF has acted in similar fashion, but both sides have also increasingly used UAVs to target civilian populations and infrastructure as well.

A study published by the UN Human Rights Council late last month documents that drone warfare has already significantly worsened humanitarian conditions in the region. Hundreds of people were killed in October alone by drones strikes carried out by both government and rebel forces. Schools, housing, hospitals, markets, power grids, and more are being destroyed, heavily limiting access to healthcare, electricity, food, and water. (New York Times, October 21, 2026; Al Jazeera, October 22, 2026; UNHR, October 28, 2026)

JUNTA TV GOES ON AIR IN THE SAHEL
The military-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have jointly launched a new television network, with the objective of countering negative portrayals from traditional and Western media sources. Broadcasting from Bamako, the channel began official programming in September and is envisioned as part of a wider regional media effort. The channel is called Tafouk TV, which translates to "Sun" in Tamasheq, the language spoken by many Tuareg communities. The station currently broadcasts in French, Bambara, Hausa and Moore, with plans to expand into English and Fulfulde. In keeping with its support to the military governments on the continent, Russia has openly supported the new media project among its Sahelian allies. (RFI, September 29, 2026; Financial Times, October 4, 2026; Human Rights Watch, October 21, 2026)

ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS RISE IN TUNISIA
On October 17, thousands in Tunis joined a mass protest against President Kais Said. Multiple protests featuring mass turnout and the burning of vehicles and tires have occurred in response to a string of wrongful deaths due to mistreatment by Tunisian emergency services. The largest uprising against Saied in years, the protestors are focusing on his government's undermining of democratic processes as well as state-wide economic failures, including unemployment and rising living costs. The protest in Tunis was led by the Tunisian General Labour Union, and brought together a diverse group that spanned opposition leaders, human rights organizations, doctors and journalists. (HRRC, October 22, 2026; Al Jazeera, October 23, 2026; Reuters, October 22, 2026)