Africa Watch
Madagascar’s New Military Leadership Signals Intention to Join BRICS Bloc
Madagascar’s new military-backed administration has announced its intention to pursue membership in the BRICS economic and political bloc.
The move aligns the island nation with a growing trend among African junta-led governments seeking closer ties with emerging global powers.
Michael Randrianirina, the ninth President of Madagascar, who assumed power following an uprising in October 2025, confirmed that discussions on joining BRICS were held with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a recent meeting in Pretoria. According to Randrianirina, South Africa has opened the door for Madagascar to participate in the next BRICS summit scheduled for June in India.
“Cyril Ramaphosa also paved the way for Madagascar’s participation in the next BRICS summit, which will be held in India in June. This summit will be a key step in the process of officially recognizing Madagascar as a partner country,” Randrianirina said, as quoted by Sputnik.
Admission into BRICS as either a full member or partner requires the unanimous approval of all existing members. The bloc’s founding members are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. In recent years, BRICS has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. At the same time, countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, Vietnam, Belarus and Kazakhstan currently hold partner status.
Growing Ties With Russia
Madagascar’s BRICS ambitions come amid deepening ties with Russia. In December 2025, National Assembly Speaker Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko disclosed that a Russian air force aircraft landed near the capital, Antananarivo, carrying about 40 military personnel and 43 crates of weaponry for the country’s armed forces. The development raised international concern and underscored the new administration’s pivot toward non-Western allies.
Analysts note that this trajectory mirrors similar moves by other African military governments that have sought strategic, military and economic partnerships with Russia and BRICS nations following coups and deteriorating relations with Western powers.
From Protests to Military Rule
Madagascar’s transition from democratic governance to military rule began on September 25, 2025, after protests erupted over persistent power and water shortages. What started as localized demonstrations quickly escalated into a nationwide revolt driven largely by Gen Z protesters angered by corruption, rising poverty and decades of perceived government incompetence.
The unrest formed part of a broader wave of youth-led protests across the globe, including movements in Nepal, where the prime minister resigned, and Morocco, where young people have mobilised against unemployment and social injustice.
As protests intensified, France reportedly intervened to airlift former President Andry Rajoelina out of Madagascar. In a late-night address shared on official social media platforms, Rajoelina confirmed his departure, citing serious threats to his personal safety.
Following the coup, the African Union suspended Madagascar, reaffirming its long-standing policy against unconstitutional changes of government on the continent.
Implications for Africa and the Global South
For Ghana and other African nations, Madagascar’s pursuit of BRICS membership highlights the shifting geopolitical landscape, as military-led governments increasingly seek alternatives to traditional Western alliances. Observers say the move could further strengthen BRICS’ footprint in Africa while raising questions about governance, democracy and regional stability.
As Madagascar awaits potential recognition as a BRICS partner, the country’s next steps will be closely watched by both African institutions and global powers.
Lesotho’s Public Procurement Authority (PPA) has cited Ghana as a leading example in public procurement governance, following a benchmarking visit aimed at strengthening the southern African nation’s newly established procurement system.
Thandy Pino, Board Chair of the Lesotho Public Procurement Authority, said the visit was part of a strategic learning exercise to enhance transparency, efficiency, and value for money in public spending. She noted that Lesotho’s procurement system remains in its early stages, having been established under the country’s 2023 Public Procurement Act.
“So Lesotho is still fairly new in terms of public procurement regulation. The Act was only passed in 2023, while Ghana has over 20 years of experience under its Public Procurement Act,” Pino said.
She stated that the delegation was not seeking to replicate Ghana’s system directly, but rather to adapt best practices to Lesotho’s specific governance and economic context.
“We are not here to copy and paste what Ghana is doing. We are here to understand what we can adapt and tailor to our environment,” she added.
Ghana’s procurement framework is governed by the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), which has been widely credited with improving transparency in public spending, strengthening competitive tendering processes, and reducing procurement irregularities through institutional oversight mechanisms.
Over the years, Ghana’s reforms have focused on e-procurement systems, audit compliance, and value-for-money assessments in public contracts.
For Lesotho, the engagement forms part of broader efforts to modernize its procurement architecture, reduce inefficiencies, and strengthen accountability in public financial management.
The Lesotho Public Procurement Authority (LPPA) is expected to play a central role in centralizing procurement oversight and improving compliance across government institutions.
Africa Watch
Nigeria Files Treason Charges Against Six in Alleged Plot to Overthrow President Tinubu
Nigeria’s government has formally charged six former security officials with treason, accusing them of plotting to violently overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration, according to court documents released on Tuesday.
The charges, filed by Attorney-General and Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi at a federal court in the capital, Abuja, represent the most serious treason prosecution since Tinubu took office in 2023. The case underscores the government’s intensified push to tighten internal security amid deepening economic strains, a long-running Islamist insurgency in the north, and rising political tensions.
Prosecutors have leveled 13 criminal charges against the suspects, including treason, terrorism, and terrorism financing. Among those charged is a retired army major-general. A seventh suspect, a former state governor, remains at large and is currently being sought by authorities.
The six individuals in custody are due to be arraigned before a judge on Wednesday. Defence lawyers were not immediately available for comment when the story was published.
The alleged coup plot was reportedly foiled last year. In a related move in October, Tinubu abruptly replaced the military’s top leadership in a sweeping shake-up that an aide described as a necessary step to bolster national security as threats to the government escalated.
Harare, Zimbabwe – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a national State of Disaster following a devastating road accident in which a commuter omnibus exploded into flames, killing all 18 passengers on board.
The tragedy occurred on Thursday, April 16, along the busy Bulawayo-Beitbridge Highway as the victims, mourners returning from a funeral in Nkayi, were heading home.
According to police and government officials, the vehicle caught fire and was rapidly engulfed in flames, resulting in an explosion that left no survivors.
Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe, who visited the accident scene, confirmed that some bodies were burnt beyond recognition, while others have been identified. He described the incident as one of the deadliest road accidents in recent months.
“President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a State of Disaster following the incident along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road,” Minister Garwe said. “ZRP and other security agents are busy investigating, so the cause of the accident is not yet known, but we are so saddened as Zimbabweans and the government.”
President Mnangagwa conveyed his personal condolences to the bereaved families through the minister, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of life.
The Bulawayo-Beitbridge Highway is one of Zimbabwe’s major transport corridors, frequently used by commuter omnibuses. Road accidents are common on Zimbabwean highways due to poor road conditions, overloading, and vehicle maintenance issues, but the fiery explosion in this case has heightened public concern.
As investigations continue, authorities have not yet determined whether the fire was caused by a mechanical failure, speeding, or another factor. The declaration of a State of Disaster will allow the government to mobilize additional resources for emergency response, victim identification, and support to affected families.
This latest tragedy comes amid ongoing national efforts to improve road safety in Zimbabwe, where traffic accidents remain a leading cause of death.
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