The Battle of Chelenqo is won by the forces of Negus Menelik, Emperor of the Kingdom of Shewa (Ethiopia). He conquers the Emirate of Harar, a city in eastern Ethiopia that has been protected by a centuries-old fortified wall. The wall was finally breached by Menelik's army. The Harari forces are defeated, and Menelik achieves his ambition to annex Harar into his empire.
The Congo-Arab War for control of the Congo and an end of Central Africa’s Arab slave trade concludes with Belgian forces capturing the fort of Congolese strongman Rumaliza, and destroying his ammunition supply. Rumaliza flees to German East Africa. Tens of thousands of Congolese, both soldiers (pic) and civilians, have died in the conflict, which was mostly fought by Congolese soldiers who chose one side or the other.
Criminal cases were up 13% in British Nyasaland (Malawi) in 1909 over 1908, reports colonial authorities, but not because there was more crime in the country. Municipal councils are passing more laws, and thus are creating more law-breakers. Also and importantly, Malawians are seeing how courts can punish wrongdoers, and are reporting offences for justice.
The National Party of Orange Free State, which under its later name, the National Party, will take control of South Africa and create the white supremacist apartheid state, is founded by J.B.M. Hertzog. Hertzog will be South Africa’s prime minister when his party comes to power, and will implement apartheid policies.
The landmark Tripoli Lighthouse is completed in Tripoli, in the colony of Italian Tripolitania (Libya).
The trial resumes in Johannesburg, South Africa of 156 anti-apartheid activists, including Nelson Mandela. The prosecution argues that the African National Congress’ Freedom Charter is treasonous.
The University of Abidjan is founded. In 1996, the largest university of Côte d’Ivoire will be renamed Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, after the country’s first president.
Rhodesia closes its border crossing with Zambia until Lusaka stops the crossing of insurgents seeking to overthrow Ian Smith’s white minority government. Zambia won’t agree, and will close its side of the border on 1 February.
The school year begins in South Africa, and as the apartheid era of racial oppression draws to a close, for the first time black students are admitted to 205 public schools previously reserved for whites.
The National Crime Information Management Centre reports that crime figures confirm South Africa's reputation as the most violent country in the world outside of a war zone. On average, 15% of South Africans' disposable income is spent on security measures.
Sudan’s dictator Omar al-Bashir signs the Nairobi Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ends the Second Sudanese Civil War. Opposing al-Bashir in the conflict has been the rebel Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement.
A biography of current Zambian President Edgar Lungu, Against all Odds, is the first Zambian book to go on sale at Barnes & Noble, the largest book retailer in the U.S.
Egyptian journalist, publisher and playwright, in Cairo, Egypt. As founder of the satirical magazine Abou Naddara Zarqa (The Man in the Blue Glasses), which he named after himself, he introduced the political cartoon to the Middle East. He was also an important force in the development of Egyptian theatre. In politics, he was an ardent nationalists dedicated to Egyptian independence.
The first president of Guinea, from national independence in 1958 until his death in 1984, in Faranah, French Guinea. A pan-Africanist hero who challenged France but was embraced by the U.S., he became autocratic. By the the late 1970s he became a notorious mass-murderer of opponents real or imagined.
Singer, songwriter, actor and record label owner, in Johannesburg, South Africa. As a child he moved frequently between South Africa, Britain and the U.S., where he ultimately settled and formed The Dave Mathews Band. Between 2000 and 2010, his group sold more tickets and earned more money than any other band in North America.
Malawian ICT innovator, in Lilongwe, Malawi. Already accomplished in data and digital studies as a teenager, she advocated and participated in digital solutions in several African countries in the fields of agriculture, elections, health, disaster management and other areas. She founded initiatives to raise digital skills of African girls and women.
