The West African kingdom of the Fante begins its revolt against the Ashanti Kingdom, which controls the Fante in what will become Ghana. To assist the Fantes, the British Governor of Sierra Leone personally leads a group of British soldiers alongside Fante warriors in an attack against the Ashanti warriors. Governor Charles McCarthy is killed, and his unit is routed. The war will end after two years with the liberation of the Fante from Ashanti domination, in 1826. (pic: Fante king and his court)

The first photograph taken in Nyasaland (Malawi) is made by Charles Livingston, brother of Dr. David Livingstone. Taken of Elephant Pass at Chikwawa, the scene shows tall palm trees rising above the veld.

The Court Treatt Expedition becomes the first successful journey by automobile from “Cape to Cairo” when the party’s two Crossley light body trucks arrive in Cairo 16 months after departing Cape Town.

Diamond production in Gold Coast (Ghana) has risen dramatically this decade. From 1920, when only 102 carats of diamonds were mined, 1928 saw 700,000 carats of diamonds mined, worth £584,279 (equal to £46,961,474 in 2023). British colonial mine owners and traders profit handsomely, while the Ashanti and other peoples of Gold Coast only benefit from diamonds taken from their lands by low-paying and dangerous mining work.

The Livingstone Mail in Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) mounts a campaign over the British colony’s poor roads, which are one reason why this year Northern Rhodesia will record 15,000 tourists, compared to 38,000 tourists visiting Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe).

French student leaders in Paris who are residents of French Algeria, feeling France has betrayed them and will likely grant independence to Algeria, stage an insurrection, called “The Week of the Barricades.” The action will result in the deaths of 20 protestors. French President Charles de Gaul reaffirms his decision to allow Algerians to determine their own future.

Togo dictator Gnassingbé Eyadéma claims to be the only survivor among three crew members and three other passengers when his plane crashes near Sarakawa, Togo. In reality, others survived, but their identities are suppressed so Eyadéma can claim “mystical powers” to support a cult of personality he is encouraging.

Zaire’s ruler Mobutu Sese Seko confronts the changing political landscape after the East vs West Cold War ends, and learns he can no longer expect the West to prop-up his regime. He calls for “popular consultations” throughout the country. Expecting high praise from Zaireans, the out of touch Mobutu is shocked to receive condemnations and insults from the people. After four months of these consultations, he will announce democratic reforms.

South Africa President Nelson Mandela arrives in India to sign cooperation and other agreements to restore bilateral ties. India severed relations with South Africa's apartheid regime.

Tunisian dictator Zine el Abdine Ben Ali, in power since 1987, flees to Saudi Arabia. He has been removed by a popular uprising called the People’s Revolution. This victory by Tunisia's youth and pro-democracy forces inspires the Arab Spring revolts that will topple several North African and Middle-Eastern despots.

Ugandan environmental activist Vanessa Kamate (pic: left) is among 20 young activists from around the world who assemble at The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. They are petitioning world governments to replace fossil fuels with clean energy to avert global climate disaster.