Across Africa today, millions of adults and children are living in slavery. Political instability, extreme poverty, climate change, and conflicts are among the driving forces. Yet many governments have been slow to respond.

Asmara

Modern-day slavery remains a significant issue across Africa, affecting millions through forced labor and forced marriages. The problem is particularly acute in countries experiencing conflict, limited political will, or severe impacts from climate change, such as Mauritania, South Sudan, and Eritrea. However, even more stable nations like Ghana report high numbers of people trapped in exploitative conditions, including children working in fishing and women trafficked across borders.

Recent efforts by international organizations and some African governments have led to progress, such as new legislation and national action plans in countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana. Despite these advances, experts emphasize the need for stronger collaboration between governments and civil society, improved legal protections, and comprehensive support for survivors to effectively combat modern-day slavery.

African governments slow to end modern-day slavery

Modern-day slavery is pervasive in Africa. The problem is widespread in regions affected by conflict, extreme poverty and climate change. Across Africa, more than 3.8 million are subjected to forced labor, while over 3.1 million are trapped in forced marriages. Global Studies pinpoints three countries on the continent where slavery is particularly acute. The Global Slavery Index covers 160 countries around the world. Those countries with the highest prevalence of forced labor and forced marriage tend to be those characterised by conflict, limited political will or are deeply affected by climate change. Across Africa, we see countries such as Mauritania, for example, that have high prevalence of modern slavery. South Sudan and Eritrea have high levels of conflict but also high levels of modern slavery. Other countries that we know are impacted by climate change are also deeply affected by exploitation. But slavery persists in more stable African countries too. There are 91,000 people in Ghana entrapped in modern-day slavery. So if it's labor exploitation, someone can be trafficked to do fishing, farming, streetwalking, gold mining. And in Ghana, you can see the situation with galamsey or streetwalkers. We have children who are in forced labor in the Volta Lake. So it's a widespread problem. Even a lot of women are being trafficked from Nigeria to Ghana on the streets. You know, yeah, so it's a huge problem in Ghana. Lack of employment opportunities has left many vulnerable to slavery. International faith-based organizations convened in Ghana in October 2025 to seek lasting solutions. They called for stronger collaboration between governments and civil society to enforce laws that protect those at risk. What we're striving to do is to shift attitudes. Because if a child is in the cocoa farms or in the Volta Lake working in the fishing villages, they're being deprived of an education and they need to go through their formation to acquire the necessary qualifications so that they can achieve, get a good job in future, do well for themselves. Over the past four years, several African countries have taken steps to improve their response to modern-day slavery. Nigeria and South Africa have made the most progress, while Eritrea and Libya have remained largely inactive. Experts are warning that more must be done to support survivors, strengthen protective laws and develop national strategies. We've also seen some great pockets of progress across Africa. We're seeing a lot more focus on ratifying relevant conventions. We also see legislation coming on board and being implemented. In Ghana, most recently, we also saw the development of a national action plan for business and human rights, which is fantastic and recognises the important role that businesses can play.

U.S. President Donald Trump was greeted in Tel Aviv with cheers and a military ceremony as he met families of hostages held in Gaza and addressed Israel's parliament. He now travels to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, to join world leaders in discussions on Gaza's future.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

Trump meets with Israeli leaders and hostage families

Twenty living hostages were released by Hamas after more than two years in captivity as a ceasefire continues to hold. Families in Israel describe emotional reunions while others continue to await confirmation about missing relatives.

Families reunite as ceasefire brings hostages, prisoners home

Israeli officials have confirmed that all 20 living captives have been released in Gaza.

Israel confirms all 20 living captives in Gaza have been released

The carefully choreographed Israel-Hamas exchange is underway, with Israel set to release around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners following the release of remaining hostages held in Gaza. Noga Tarnopolsky reports from Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square.

Israel-Hamas swap begins as 2,000 Palestinian prisoners set for release

Following his visit to Israel, President Trump will stop in Egypt to co-host a major summit in Sharm el-Sheikh alongside Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. The meeting will bring together leaders from more than 20 countries to discuss efforts toward peace in Gaza and the wider Middle East.

Sharm El-Sheikh

Donald Trump to co-host chair Gaza peace summit in Egypt

The French presidency announced Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu's new cabinet line-up on Sunday (October 12), with most top jobs remaining unchanged at a time when opponents are demanding a political shift to win their support for urgent budget talks.

Paris

French presidency unveils new cabinet as budget pressure intensifies

Seven captives have been handed over to the Red Cross, who will facilitate their transfer to Israeli forces.

Israeli military says Red Cross has received 7 captives in Gaza

On his way to the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he expects the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to hold, despite concerns Hamas won’t abide by the deal.

Washington

Trump says the 'war is over', Gaza rebuild to start immediately

China on Sunday (October 12) called U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariffs on Chinese goods hypocritical and defended its curbs on exports of rare earth elements and equipment, but stopped short of imposing new levies on U.S. products.

Beijing

Global Tariffs

Beijing blames U.S. for trade tensions, defends rare earth curbs

Afghanistan and Pakistan said they killed dozens of each other's troops during a night of heavy border clashes between the two countries. Afghanistan's Taliban forces launched attacks on Pakistani troops along their shared border in what it called "retaliation for air strikes carried out by the Pakistani army on Kabul".

Chaman

Border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan leave dozens dead

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas held in Gaza for a third day ahead of the expected release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and an address by U.S. President Donald Trump to Israel's parliament.

Ceasefire holds in Gaza ahead of hostage release, Trump visit

Zelenskyy called Trump for a second consecutive day to discuss defence and Ukraine's energy sector. It comes as Russia further intensifies its attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure ahead of its harsh winter.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy has second call with Trump amid Russian strikes

On Sunday, the minister of armed forces in Madagascar acknowledged an officer selected by a military group supporting demonstrators calling for President Andry Rajoelina to resign as the country's new army chief.

Antananarivo

Madagascar’s president says coup underway

With a trade war between the U.S. and China intensifying ahead of a Nov. 1 tariff deadline, there’s growing concern Beijing will use Taiwan as a bargaining chip.

Taipei City

Growing fear China will use Taiwan to bargain with U.S.

In a televised address ahead of the planned release of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for unity despite ongoing divisions.

Netanyahu urges Israel put aside ‘differences’ with Gaza

U.S. President Donald Trump blamed Democrats for his decision to lay off thousands of workers across the U.S. government as he followed through on his threat to cut the federal workforce during the government shutdown.

Trump lays off thousands of U.S. government workers amid shutdown

Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv as 48 of the last remaining hostages are expected home after two years of the Israel-Hamas war. The crowd cheered Donald Trump as the peace deal's broker but there were jeers for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Tel Aviv braces for hostage release planned for Monday

Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning star of Annie Hall and The Godfather films, died Saturday at the age of 79, according to U.S. media reports. Entertainment journalist Johanna Schneller remembers Keaton as 'feisty and funny'.

Hollywood

Oscar winner Diane Keaton dead at 79

Former President Biden is now receiving radiation and hormone therapy to treat his prostate cancer, an aide said. The cancer is considered aggressive.

Biden receiving radiation, hormone therapy to treat aggressive cancer

It is unclear how many people were inside the Tennessee plant that exploded on Friday, but at least 16 people were reported on Saturday. Sheriff Chris Davis announced that there are no survivors. Nicole Valdes reports.

Tennessee

No survivors in Tennessee plant explosion, sheriff says

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters in London marked two years since the War in Gaza. However, the British government has seen enough. Haley Ott reports that police have been given sweeping powers to curb repeated demonstrations.

London

British Parliament designates Palestine Action a terrorist organization

Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff has addressed hundreds of thousands of Israelis in what's known as “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv. Witkoff hailed President Donald Trump for securing the ceasefire. The crowd was less receptive to his praise for Benjamin Netanyahu.

U.S. envoy booed for praising Netanyahu at Tel Aviv rally

A ceasefire is in effect between Hamas and Israel after just over two years of war. An exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinians held prisoner is set to take place in the coming days, and U.S President Donald Trump is set to visit the region on Monday.

Trump set to visit Middle East as peace plan take effect

The families of hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 are eagerly awaiting the return of their loved ones. The peace deal between Israel and Hamas would see the hostages returned within 72 hours of its implementation Friday.

Families of hostages in Gaza await their release

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he's had phone calls with Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump about defence and energy infrastructure. Russian strikes have led to widespread blackouts in Ukraine.

Trump holds call with Zelenskyy after Russian strikes

Gaza City lies in devastation — returning Palestinians find their homes reduced to rubble and familiar streets erased. It comes after a U.S-brokered peace deal came into effect.

Sderot

Gaza City in ruins as Palestinians return to find only rubble

About 200 U.S. troops have begun arriving in Israel to set up a coordination center aimed at facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid, as well as logistical and security assistance into Gaza. They are not expected to enter the territory.

Jerusalem

U.S. troops arriving in Israel to oversee Gaza ceasefire

North Korea has displayed one of its latest intercontinental ballistic missiles at a military parade in the capital, Pyongyang. Leader Kim Jong Un and senior officials from China, Russia and Vietnam were in attendance.

Pyongyang

North Korean weapons on display at Pyongyang parade

President Donald Trump says the U.S. will reimpose 100% tariffs on Chinese imports after Beijing curbed exports of rare-earth minerals, ending months of trade calm.

Trump revives U.S.-China trade war with new tariffs

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for keeping "the flame of democracy burning amid growing darkness." Machado opened up to CBS News about her decades of fighting for fair elections in an exclusive interview while in hiding.

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