Today in Africa — November 21, 2025: Another School Kidnapping in Nigeria as President Bola Tinubu Suspends Foreign Trips, South African Women Stage Lie-Down Protest as President Declares GBVF a National Crisis, ISIS-Affiliated Rebels Kill 89 in East – Ok
On November 21, 2025, Africa faces a series of unfolding crises that underscore ongoing challenges across the continent. In Nigeria, another school kidnapping has shocked the nation, prompting President Bola Tinubu to suspend all foreign trips as he addresses rising insecurity. Meanwhile, in South Africa, widespread anger over gender-based violence has culminated in a powerful lie-down protest, coinciding with the president’s declaration of the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) epidemic as a national crisis. Further east, ISIS-affiliated rebels have claimed the lives of 89 people in a brutal attack, highlighting persistent threats from extremist groups. This roundup from OkayAfrica brings you the latest developments shaping the continent today.
Today in Nigeria A School Kidnapping Prompts President Bola Tinubu to Suspend Foreign Trips
Nigeria’s security landscape faced a renewed crisis as another school kidnapping shook the nation, prompting President Bola Tinubu to take swift action by suspending all foreign trips. The incident, occurring in the northern region, underscores persistent challenges with armed groups targeting educational institutions, raising serious concerns for student safety and national stability. Authorities have ramped up security efforts, deploying additional forces to hotspot areas and collaborating closely with local communities to prevent further incidents.
In a related effort to address pressing social issues, South African women took to the streets in a powerful lie-down protest, demanding decisive government action after the president officially declared Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) a national crisis. This unprecedented public demonstration highlighted:
Urgent need for systemic reforms in law enforcement.
Community-driven initiatives to combat gender violence.
Meanwhile, in East Africa, ISIS-affiliated rebels perpetrated a deadly attack killing 89 civilians, deepening regional security concerns and emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups across the continent.
Incident
Location
Casualties
Government Response
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Nigeria’s security landscape faced a renewed crisis as another school kidnapping shook the nation, prompting President Bola Tinubu to take swift action by suspending all foreign trips. The incident, occurring in the northern region, underscores persistent challenges with armed groups targeting educational institutions, raising serious concerns for student safety and national stability. Authorities have ramped up security efforts, deploying additional forces to hotspot areas and collaborating closely with local communities to prevent further incidents.
In a related effort to address pressing social issues, South African women took to the streets in a powerful lie-down protest, demanding decisive government action after the president officially declared Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) a national crisis. This unprecedented public demonstration highlighted:
Urgent need for systemic reforms in law enforcement.
Increased funding for victim support services.
Community-driven initiatives to combat gender violence.
Meanwhile, in East Africa, ISIS-affiliated rebels perpetrated a deadly attack killing 89 civilians, deepening regional security concerns and emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups across the continent.
Incident
Location
Casualties
South African Women Stage Lie-Down Protest Demanding Urgent Action Following GBV Crisis Declaration
In an unprecedented display of solidarity, thousands of women across Johannesburg and Cape Town took to the streets yesterday, staging a powerful lie-down protest demanding swift government intervention following the declaration of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national crisis. Participants clad in white lay motionless on prominent city squares, symbolizing the countless lives lost to violence and the urgent need for comprehensive protective measures. The protest, organized by grassroots collectives and supported by NGOs, called for increased funding for survivors’ shelters, faster legal redress, and improved policing strategies to combat the escalating rates of GBV nationwide.
Key demands highlighted during the protest included:
Implementation of a national emergency response unit dedicated to GBV cases
Mandatory GBV education in schools and workplaces
Expansion of trauma counselling services accessible to all survivors
Transparency and accountability mechanisms within law enforcement agencies
Province
Reported GBV Incidents (2025)
Survivor Support Centres
Gauteng
18,500
24
Western Cape
12,300
15
KwaZulu-Natal
14,000
20
ISIS-Affiliated Rebels Kill 89 in Eastern Africa Calls for Enhanced Regional Security Cooperation and Counterterrorism Measures
In a brutal assault that has sent shockwaves across Eastern Africa, insurgents affiliated with ISIS have reportedly killed 89 individuals, including civilians and local security forces. The coordinated attack targeted multiple villages in a remote border region, leaving communities devastated and prompting immediate humanitarian concerns. Eyewitness accounts describe militants striking at dawn, with survivors forced to flee into neighboring areas to escape the violence. Local authorities have condemned the massacre as an alarming escalation of terrorist activity that threatens the fragile stability of the entire region.
Experts and regional leaders are now urging enhanced cooperation between affected nations to combat this growing threat. Calls focus on the implementation of robust intelligence sharing, joint military operations, and increased border security to dismantle the insurgent networks before they can expand further. Below is an overview of key proposed measures and stakeholders involved in ramping up counterterrorism efforts:
Multinational Task Forces integrating resources and expertise from East African countries.
Real-time Intelligence Sharing platforms to track militant movements across borders.
Strengthening Local Security through training and equipping community vigilante groups.
Humanitarian Support for displaced populations, ensuring relief and rehabilitation.
Country
Role in Security Coalition
Recent Actions
Kenya
Military Support & Training
Closing Remarks
As these unfolding events continue to shape the social and political landscape across Africa, the international community watches closely. Nigeria’s latest school kidnapping underscores persistent security challenges, prompting decisive actions from President Bola Tinubu, while South Africa’s bold protests signal growing demands for systemic change in gender-based violence policies. Meanwhile, the deadly attacks by ISIS-affiliated rebels in the East highlight ongoing instability that threatens regional peace. Staying informed on these critical developments remains essential as Africa navigates complex crises with far-reaching implications for its people and the wider world.
