The Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) were held on May 9-11 in Victoria Island, Lagos. Breath of Life, by Nigerian director BB Sasore, was the night’s big winner, with awards for Best Movie, Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress. A full list of winners can be found on Premium Times. OkayAfrica also has a list of best red carpet looks.

Ali Bongo, former President of Gabon is on a hunger strike protesting his captivity and the arrest of his family members. Bongo, who took the presidency in 2009 after his father’s death, was deposed and arrested in a 2023 military coup. The military government has promised a transition to civilian rule, culminating in elections in August 2025. National dialogue between the military and civil society groups concluded last month.

• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed new healthcare legislation that limits the role of private insurance and expands funding for the National Health Insurance (NHI).
• The military government of Niger is in talks with the United States to organize the closure of American military bases and withdrawal of troops from the country.
• The Africa CEO Forum kicked off in Kigali, Rwanda on May 15. The event brings together leaders from the African private sectors and was first held in 2023, also in Kigali.

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Image: Bolanle Ninalowo at the 2020 AMVCA. 14 March 2020. Photo credit: Kaizenify, CC BY-SA 4.0.