Hafsa Khalil

Angélique Kidjo has become the first African female musician to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. At the Los Angeles ceremony, the five-time Grammy winner highlighted Africa's foundational influence on blues, jazz, rock, soul and R&B, while urging Africans to learn and tell their own history. Kidjo, who left Benin for Paris in 1983 after criticizing the country's communist regime, has spent more than four decades combining West African sounds with funk, jazz and pop. Her career includes 18 albums, major international collaborations and extensive philanthropic work through UNICEF, Oxfam and the Batonga Foundation. She also called on African institutions to better support and promote artists on the continent.

Morocco has confirmed that its 1,055-kilometre Tiznit-Dakhla highway is being renamed in honour of US President Donald Trump. In a letter dated 2 July, King Mohammed VI said the change expressed his high regard for Trump and praised the US recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2020. The highway crosses territory disputed by Morocco and the Polisario Front, while the United Nations continues to seek a political settlement and the African Union recognizes Western Sahara's independence. Morocco says the road will link the country's north and south and hopes it will encourage tourism in the region.

Seventeen-year-old Guinean student Mamadou Djouma Bah died after being arrested and sentenced to one month in prison for allegedly using a phone during the national school-leaving exam. He had sickle cell disease, became seriously ill in detention, was transferred to hospital and later discharged before dying at home. His father says he received inadequate medical care and is calling for an investigation. Human rights groups and students have also demanded an independent inquiry and the release of other detained students.

South African police have launched a multidisciplinary investigation into the killing of Andile Mvuyelwa Somgxada, a provincial leader of the anti-migrant group March and March, who was shot outside his Johannesburg home. The organisation claims the attack was retaliation for its campaigns against undocumented migrants, while authorities highlight rising intimidation and violence linked to anti-migrant protests. Police arrested five suspects in Limpopo for impersonating immigration officers and threatening a legally resident Nigerian national. The government reports more than 53,000 deportations under its recent migration management effort, and several African nations are repatriating citizens amid escalating xenophobic unrest.

A special South African police team is investigating the fatal shooting of Andile Mvuyelwa Somgxada, a provincial leader of the anti-migrant group March and March. The organisation links the killing to retaliation for its campaign demanding undocumented migrants leave the country, amid increasing threats to its leaders. Immigration has become a contentious national issue, with recent protests marked by violence and intimidation. Authorities reported over 53,000 deportations during a recent migration management effort and warned against unlawful actions targeting foreign nationals. Several African governments have organised repatriation efforts for their citizens in response to rising tensions.

South African authorities deployed extensive police forces amid coordinated anti‑migrant protests as tensions rise over demands for undocumented foreigners to leave the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa urged demonstrators to avoid intimidation and violence while acknowledging calls for immigration reform. Thousands of migrants, particularly from Malawi and other African states, have fled or are awaiting processing in temporary camps. Several arrests occurred in Johannesburg and KwaZulu‑Natal for looting and break‑ins. Countries including Malawi, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zimbabwe have repatriated nationals as xenophobic sentiment intensifies, with past episodes of violence adding to concerns about escalation.

President Cyril Ramaphosa urged anti‑migrant demonstrators in South Africa to protest peacefully as an unofficial deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country approaches. Thousands of migrants, mainly from Malawi and other African nations, have left or are awaiting repatriation amid rising xenophobic tensions and fears of violence. Authorities have authorised marches but warned organisers to prevent intimidation and the carrying of traditional weapons. Several African governments are coordinating repatriations, while South Africa reports thousands of recent deportations. Xenophobic violence remains a long‑standing concern, with past unrest resulting in deaths.