Madagascans took to the polls on November 16th, though opposition parties are concerned about the legitimacy of the election, believing that the incumbent, Andry Rajoelina, is staging an institutional coup.

Uganda has captured the leader of the Allied Democratic Forces, accused of killing tourists in Queen Elizabeth Park. His arrest demonstrates that authorities are taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of both tourists and residents.

M23 fighters launched an attack near Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on October 26th, leaving thousands of residents displaced. With an election coming up, the ability of these displaced residents has been impeded, thereby disrupting the democratic process of the DRC.

Zimbabwe authorities have halted a rescue operation to search for miners that were trapped following a mine collapse on September 30th. The rescue operation itself has been questioned as the team was improperly equipped and not well trained, putting rescuers in danger during the rescue process.

The U.S. and Kenya have signed a security deal to guide defense relations between the two countries. Additionally, Kenya has also announced its intent to lead a multinational peace mission to Haiti, which will come with various obstacles. Kenya's ability to navigate the challenges will determine the success of the mission.

On Tuesday, Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame announced in an interview with Jeunea Afrique that he plans to run for another term in 2024. Despite exceeding the constitutional term limits, an amendment passed in 2015 will allow him to run for two additional five-year terms. This would extend his time in power until 2034, adding to recent trends from African leaders changing their constitutions to retain control.

On September 12th Rwanda's government signed a deal to build an “experimental” civil nuclear reactor, making it the second African country to adopt civil nuclear energy. It is expected that the reactor will be operational by 2026 and will be able to produce “electricity, hydrogen and synthetic fuel." However, the reactor will not initially supply the country's energy grid, but it will serve to explore options for renewable energy.

The summit will provide a crucial forum for countries such as Mozambique, Madagascar and Malawi to seek viable solutions as extreme weather phenomena become more common. The summit comes at a crucial time for the region as there is an urgent need to address infrastructure shortcomings and climate change challenges. There is hope that countries can address green and renewable energy development goals, while promoting a sustainable agenda for the region.