{"id":194217,"date":"2025-12-20T04:21:38","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T04:21:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/today-in-africa-december-19-2025-u-s-vaccine-trial-under-fire-uk-firms-linked-to-sudan-war-afcon-injuries-okayafrica\/"},"modified":"2025-12-20T04:21:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T04:21:38","slug":"today-in-africa-december-19-2025-u-s-vaccine-trial-under-fire-uk-firms-linked-to-sudan-war-afcon-injuries-okayafrica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/today-in-africa-december-19-2025-u-s-vaccine-trial-under-fire-uk-firms-linked-to-sudan-war-afcon-injuries-okayafrica\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Africa \u2014 December 19, 2025: U.S. Vaccine Trial Under Fire, UK Firms Linked to Sudan War, AFCON Injuries – OkayAfrica"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEWS
Every day, OkayAfrica shares a roundup of news we\u2019re following but haven\u2019t published as full articles. These short updates cover what\u2019s happening on the continent \u2014 in culture, politics, and beyond. For more on stories like these, be sure to check out our News page<\/a>, with stories from across the regions.<\/span>
From familial dramas to poignant documentaries, from debut features to highly anticipated follow-ups by celebrated directors, these selections underline a brilliant presence in African cinema.
The Trump administration plans to fund a $1.6 million study on hepatitis B vaccination at birth in Guinea-Bissau, a move that global health experts are criticizing as unethical and risky<\/a>. The five-year trial, backed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, would randomly assign newborns to receive or not receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, despite the World Health Organization\u2019s recommendation that all babies get the shot immediately. Guinea-Bissau has one of the world\u2019s highest hepatitis B rates, with about 18 percent of adults infected, and health experts warn that withholding a proven vaccine in such a setting puts infants at serious risk.
Critics say the study follows recent U.S. policy shifts under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.<\/span>, including downgrading CDC guidance on birth-dose vaccination and cutting funding for global vaccine programs. The trial will be carried out by the Bandim Health Project, led by Danish researchers whose past work questioning vaccine safety has drawn scrutiny. Experts argue the research question is unclear, informed consent may be compromised, and the focus on \u201coverall health effects\u201d rather than vaccine effectiveness raises red flags. Many say the priority should be expanding access to the birth-dose vaccine, not re-testing its safety in a country where too many children remain unprotected.
Companies linked to individuals sanctioned by the United States have been operating from the UK<\/a> while recruiting Colombian fighters to support Sudan\u2019s Rapid Support Forces, according to a Guardian<\/span> newspaper investigation. The probe found that hundreds of former Colombian soldiers were hired to fight alongside the RSF, a paramilitary group accused of mass killings, rape, and ethnic violence in Sudan. Colombian mercenaries were involved in the RSF\u2019s October seizure of El Fasher, an assault analysts say triggered killings that may have cost tens of thousands of lives.
UK company records show that a firm tied to the recruitment network, Zeuz Global, was registered in north London by individuals later sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for fueling Sudan\u2019s war. The company abruptly changed its listed address to central London shortly after the sanctions were announced, raising concerns about oversight and enforcement. Experts say the case highlights how easily UK shell companies can be used by actors linked to armed conflicts. The British government says new identity checks and expanded powers for Companies House are meant to curb abuse, while reiterating its condemnation of RSF atrocities and support for protecting civilians in Sudan.
Algeria\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations preparations have been disrupted by injury, with midfielder Houssem Aouar<\/span> ruled out<\/a> after picking up a knock in training. The Algerian football federation said Aouar will be replaced by Himad Abdelli<\/span> of French club Angers. No details were given about the injury. Algeria begins its Group E campaign in Morocco against Sudan in Rabat on Wednesday, before facing Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea.
C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire has also been hit, with star striker Sebastien Haller<\/span> ruled out<\/a> of the tournament with a hamstring injury. Haller was hurt while playing for Utrecht in the Dutch league and had been receiving treatment at the Ivorian camp in Marbella before doctors confirmed he would miss AFCON. He is replaced by 24-year-old Aston Villa forward Evann Guessand<\/span>. Haller was a central figure in C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire\u2019s title win two years ago, scoring decisive goals after returning from cancer treatment and injury. The defending champions open their campaign against Mozambique in Marrakech on Wednesday. AFCON runs in Morocco from Sunday, December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
More than 84,000 people have fled<\/a> eastern Democratic Republic of Congo into neighboring Burundi this month as fighting between the Congolese army and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels continues around the town of Uvira, the U.N. refugee agency said. The influx \u2014 the second major wave this year \u2014 has overwhelmed Burundi\u2019s capacity to respond, with refugees arriving daily by foot and by boat across Lake Tanganyika, despite M23 pledges to withdraw. UNHCR warned of dire conditions in overcrowded camps, including food and water shortages, poor sanitation, and cholera outbreaks, and said at least one boat carrying refugees capsized this week, killing those on board. Burundi has launched a $35 million emergency appeal, but funding is uncertain as global aid cuts deepen, raising fears the humanitarian situation could rapidly deteriorate.
South Africa has pushed back against U.S.<\/a> accusations that it harassed and intimidated American officials during a raid on a center processing U.S. refugee applications for white Afrikaners, calling the claims unsubstantiated. The raid led to the expulsion of seven Kenyan nationals who authorities say were working illegally after their work permit applications were denied. Washington condemned the operation, alleging South Africa released U.S. officials\u2019 passport details and warned of consequences, but Pretoria denied publishing any data and said no U.S. officials were arrested. The dispute has deepened tensions already strained by U.S. President Donald Trump<\/span>\u2019s claims that Afrikaners face persecution \u2014 claims South Africa rejects \u2014 and by U.S. moves to sharply cut global refugee admissions while prioritizing Afrikaner asylum cases.
A new trial<\/a> has opened in Guinea\u2019s capital, Conakry, 16 years after a deadly crackdown on an opposition rally at a stadium that killed 156 people and left hundreds injured. Seven people are accused of taking part in the September 28, 2009, attack and face charges including murder, rape, torture, and abuse of authority, with three defendants being tried in absentia. The case follows a landmark trial that ended in 2024, when former leader Moussa Dadis Camara<\/span> was sentenced to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity before being pardoned earlier this year by Guinea\u2019s military junta. The massacre also involved the rape of more than 100 women, some of whom were held captive and subjected to sexual violence.
Nigeria\u2019s federal government has reopened all 47 Federal Unity Schools<\/a> that were shut last month over growing insecurity and mass student abductions, the Ministry of Education said yesterday, Thursday, December 18. Authorities say academic activities have fully resumed after security was strengthened in and around the schools, with students returning safely to complete December programs and exams. The closures followed attacks in several northern states that raised nationwide alarm. The government says it is working closely with security agencies to keep students safe and prevent further disruptions, stressing its commitment to education continuing despite ongoing security challenges.
Ghana has formally asked the United States to extradite former Finance Minister<\/a> Ken Ofori-Atta<\/span> and his former technical adviser, Ernest Darko Akore<\/span>, to face 78 corruption-related charges, Attorney General Dominic Ayine said in Accra. The request follows investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, which filed charges at Ghana\u2019s High Court, including allegations of causing financial loss to the state and abusing public office. Ayine said the extradition package was sent to the U.S. Justice Department on December 10 after meeting legal requirements, and the decision now rests with U.S. courts, where the accused can challenge the request. He said the move reflects President John Mahama<\/span>\u2019s anti-corruption drive, as authorities also reported recovering more than $15 million from a crypto-linked fraud scheme and said total asset recoveries in 2025 have surpassed $337 million.<\/p>\n

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OkayAfrica is the premiere digital platform bringing the worlds of African music, art, culture, style, sports and politics to a global audience. Founded in 2010 as an extension of Okayplayer, OkayAfrica serves as a cultural bridge to foster deeper understanding of the continent, while also building meaningful connections with its diaspora. <\/p>\n

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