# Africa: All of Africa Today - October 9, 2026 > South Africa withdraws asylum directive amid unrest; Yemen conflict threatens African economies. - Title: Africa: All of Africa Today - October 9, 2026 · Allafrica - Summary: South Africa withdraws asylum directive amid unrest; Yemen conflict threatens African economies. South Africa's Home Affairs withdrew asylum applications… - Keywords: south africa, yemen, ethiopia, kenya, tigray conflict, asylum, humanitarian crisis, ebola, guinea-bissau elections, malaria, wajir county, durban - Source: Allafrica — https://allafrica.com/stories/202610090211.html - Published: 2026-10-09T06:51:27+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: south africa, yemen, ethiopia, kenya, tigray conflict, asylum, humanitarian crisis, ebola, guinea-bissau elections, malaria, wajir county, durban ## South Africa Withdraws Asylum Directive South Africa's Department of Home Affairs withdrew a directive on asylum applications following violent anti-immigration protests in Soweto and Durban where at least 24 vehicles were torched and foreign-owned businesses looted. ## Yemen Conflict Threatens African Economies Fears of further disruption to world trade have been raised by the alleged seizure of Yemen's Perim Island by the Houthis near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key shipping route linking the Red Sea to… ## Ethiopia's Humanitarian Crisis Worsens Renewed fighting in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region has exacerbated food shortages for millions after years of conflict, displacement and drought, with 44% of prime agricultural land inaccessible to displaced residents. ## At Least 84 Kenyans Affected by Russia-Ukraine War At least 84 Kenyans have been killed or remain missing in connection with the Russia-Ukraine war, including 77 reportedly on the front lines and 38 in military camps. ## Guinea-Bissau Elections Delayed Guinea-Bissau's planned presidential and legislative elections scheduled for December 6 could be delayed after Prime Minister Ilídio Vieira Té said political parties were not adequately prepared to contest the elections. ## Wajir Patient Tests Negative for Ebola Kenya's Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed a patient in Wajir County tested negative for Ebola but positive for malaria after laboratory results confirmed the diagnosis. ## Yemen Conflict Escalating The conflict involving Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen has triggered a humanitarian crisis with at least 3,700 refugees reportedly crossing from Yemen into Djibouti since September 10, mostly women and children. ## Ethiopia's Food Crisis Deepens Ethiopia's Tigray conflict has destroyed over 252,500 hectares of planted crops and threatens starvation and disease for over 3.5 million livestock, with 3.9 million people requiring urgent food assistance. ## Kenya's Russia-Ukraine War Impact Kenya has identified 354 nationals involved in the Russia-Ukraine war, including 77 on the front lines, 38 in military camps, and 52 whose locations remain unknown or unclassified. ## Guinea-Bissau Political Tensions Guinea-Bissau's junta has barred former president Umaro Sissoco Embaló from returning from exile earlier this month, citing national security and public order concerns. ## Humanitarian Workers Call for Pause Humanitarian workers are calling for an immediate pause in fighting and safe access for food, medicine, fuel and cash to reach affected communities in Ethiopia's Tigray region. ## Kenya's Ebola Surveillance Kenya is strengthening surveillance following its first confirmed imported Ebola case involving a Kenyan citizen who died in Nairobi on October 6 after living in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years. ## Key takeaway South Africa's Home Affairs withdrew asylum applications after Soweto and Durban protests, while Yemen's Houthi conflict risks African trade and humanitarian stability.