Construction is underway on Mamluk sultan Qala'un’s grand complex in Cairo. One of the great constructions of the Islamic and Mamluk civilisations will dominate Cairo’s skyline into the 21st century. The complex pioneers modern “urban aesthetic” city planning, where buildings – a hospital, mosque, mausoleum and school – are not placed randomly, but in relationship with each other. Completion of the grand architectural showcase is managed in just two years, using prison labour. (pic: complex in 2022)

African soldiers serving in the British Kings African Rifles depart Fort Johnson in Nyasaland (Malawi) to fight in World War I. Transportation in the country is primarily by river barge and lake ship.

A major famine in Ruanda-Urundi (Rwanda and Burundi) is continuing into its second year. Central and eastern Ruanda are particularly hard hit. No accurate count is made by Belgian colonial authorities, but estimates number the dead at the tens of thousands.

Africans recruited to serve in British and French armed forces during World War II are given training in skills they will use following the war to develop their countries’ economies. In British East Africa, Askaris (soldiers) of the King’s African Rifles are taught how to drive trucks at this Motor Transport Depot. To keep their sight on the road ahead when they shift gears, stones are placed on their heads as reminders not to look down.

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Congo’s popular singer Le Grand Kallé and his band L’Africa Jazz release their single Indépendance Cha Cha in celebration of the independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Africa Rumba song will travel throughout Africa, capturing the joy of the Independence Era, and become the first Pan-African hit.

The First Battle of Amgala occurs at the Western Sahara oasis Amgala when Moroccan forces attack Algerian forces. Morocco claims Western Sahara as its territory. Algeria disputes the claim, citing a 1975 International Court of Justice ruling that the Saharawi people must determine their independence. Morocco accuses Algerian troops of fighting with Polisario, a group representing the Saharawi that has declared war on Morocco. Algeria says its troops were delivering food and medical supplies to refugees. Negotiations will prevent both countries from going to war.

With the demise of apartheid imminent and the transition to democracy underway, sanctions against South Africa are formally lifted by the European Union.

The government of Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo) withdraws from circulation some of its currency. Soldiers who have already been paid in the old currency find that it is unusable. Segments of the military mutiny. Kinshasa is thrown into chaos, and hundreds are killed.

A military coup d’état in Niger ends the three-year administration of Mahamane Ousame, the country’s first democratically-elected president.

An ammunition depot in Lagos, Nigeria explodes, spreading fire that destroys much of the northern part of the city and causing a panic. The explosion and resulting stampede kill 1,100, and injure thousands. An investigation will find the army failed to dispose of the munitions after the base was closed last year.

U.S. President Trump’s Executive Order known as the “Muslim Ban” goes into effect, blocking anyone from Libya, Somalia and Sudan from entering the U.S. Residents from these countries already in the U.S. have their visas revoked. The move is widely regarded as racist and Islamophobic.