•Raila Amolo Odinga Photo by SIMON MAINA / AFP

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga died today at the age of 80 during a health visit to India.

AFP reports that Odinga was the perennial opposition figure of Kenyan politics, running unsuccessfully for the presidency on five occasions, most recently in 2022.

He remained a dominant force, able to rally huge numbers, particularly from his native western Kenya.

Indian police told AFP that he was walking with his sister, daughter, and a personal doctor “when he suddenly collapsed”.

“An Indian police security officer and a Kenyan security officer were also with them at the time.

“He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, but was declared dead,” the police source said.

•Patrick Herminie, on right, has promised to heal divisions after a tough election campaign

Seychelles’ main opposition leader Patrick Herminie has won presidential elections.

He defeated the incumbent Wavel Ramkalawan in a runoff vote, according to official results released by the electoral commission.

Herminie gained 52.7% of the vote, compared with Ramkalawan’s 47.3%.

In his victory speech, Herminie promised to lower the cost of living, revive public services, and unite the island nation, saying the result marked “a new chapter for all Seychellois”.

After losing his bid for a second term, Ramkalawan congratulated Herminie on his victory, saying he leaves “a legacy that makes many presidents blush”.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, called on the international community to support Nigeria’s candidate, Dr Taoheed Olufemi Elias, as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the election scheduled for November 12, 2025.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Tuggar noted that no ECOWAS member state has occupied a seat on the ICJ bench since 2011, underscoring the need for fair representation and greater West African participation in the world’s top judicial body.

Tuggar described Dr Elias as an “eminent jurist of integrity with vast experience in international law,” adding that his election would strengthen Africa’s voice in promoting global justice.

“This long absence underscores the importance of equitable geographical representation and the need for West African voices to be heard within the world’s highest judicial body,” Tuggar stated.

In his remarks, Dr Elias expressed confidence in his qualifications and pledged to serve with dedication, impartiality, and fairness if elected.