This week, Uganda officially joined BRICS, aligning itself with 13 new partner nations, including Algeria, Indonesia, and Nigeria. This move is expected to boost Uganda’s trade and investment prospects by fostering deeper economic ties with the world’s largest emerging markets. BRICS’ expansion aims to challenge the dominance of Western-centric trade systems and promote a multilateral global economy.
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday officially declared Egypt malaria-free, a significant achievement in global public health. This historic milestone marks the end of a disease that has plagued the country for thousands of years. Egypt began its efforts to eliminate malaria nearly 100 years ago, with initiatives like reducing mosquito-attracting crops. Egypt had to prove no local malaria transmission for at least three years to be certified malaria-free. It is now the third country in the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region, after the UAE and Morocco, to eliminate the disease, a testament to its sustained health efforts.
French President Emmanuel Macron is set for a three-day state visit to Morocco as announced by the Moroccan royal palace on Monday. This visit follows France’s backing of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, marking a significant shift in its stance on the long-standing territorial dispute. The move aligns France with other countries like the US and Israel, which also support Morocco’s claim over the region. However, this policy change has caused tension with Algeria, a key supporter of the Polisario Front, leading Algiers to recall its ambassador from Paris.
South Sudanese government announced on Thursday that it will soon resume crude oil exports through Sudan following repairs to a key pipeline damaged during Sudan’s internal conflict. The war between the Sudanese army (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in April, displacing millions and worsening food shortages. South Sudanese officials, after inspecting and cleaning the pipeline, announced that oil flows are expected to restart within days, with plans being finalized with Sudanese engineers.
Cameroon’s 91-year-old President Paul Biya returned to the country on Monday after a 42-day absence that raised concerns about his health and whereabouts. Biya’s chartered flight from Geneva landed in Yaoundé, where he was greeted by top officials but made no public statements. His prolonged absence had fueled speculation about his well-being, leading authorities to issue assurances of his health and outlaw discussions about it, citing national security. Thousands of supporters lined the streets to welcome Biya, displaying banners with messages of support and relief, while some gathered to confirm that the long-serving president was alive.
Daniel Chapo, the ruling Frelimo party’s candidate, was declared the winner of Mozambique’s presidential election on Thursday, securing over 70% of the vote amid allegations of electoral fraud by the opposition. Chapo’s main opponent, independent candidate Venancio Mondlane, who garnered over 20%, claimed the election was rigged in favor of Frelimo, which has ruled since Mozambique’s independence in 1975. Opposition protests, sparked by the disputed results and the recent killings of two opposition officials, were met with police crackdowns. Chapo, who will take office in January, condemned the violence and pledged to serve all Mozambicans.
Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi announced plans on Wednesday to establish a national commission in 2024 to draft a new constitution, sparking concerns from the opposition about potential changes to presidential term limits. Tshisekedi, who was reelected in December amid disputed results, criticized the current 2006 constitution as outdated and inefficient, claiming it was influenced by foreign involvement. Opposition groups, including the Together for the Republic party, rejected his claims and warned that the president may seek to extend his time in office. Tshisekedi stated that any changes to term limits would be decided by the people, not by him.
Tunisia’s President Kais Saied was inaugurated for a second term on Wednesday after winning reelection with 90.7% of the vote, amidst a crackdown on political opponents. In his speech, he called for a “cultural revolution” to address unemployment, combat terrorism, and eradicate corruption, emphasizing the goal of creating a dignified life for all citizens. Saied’s first term was marked by significant political repression, including suspending parliament, rewriting the constitution, and imprisoning critics. Despite his promises to uphold freedoms, media coverage of the inauguration faced restrictions, drawing condemnation from the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists.
Mali plans to repay 200 billion CFA francs ($332 million) of its internal debt between next week and the end of the year to alleviate its debt burden, as announced by Economy Minister Alousseni Sanou on state television. The junta-led nation has faced economic instability due to two coups in 2020 and 2021, regional sanctions, and ongoing conflicts with Islamist militants. While Sanou acknowledged the growing challenges, he did not disclose the total size of Mali’s internal debt. Last year, the International Monetary Fund raised concerns over the rapid accumulation of domestic debt, which rose from 8.1% of GDP in 2015 to 22.1% by 2021.
South Africa has requested Taiwan to move its de facto embassy from Pretoria to Johannesburg, rebranding it as a Trade Office. This decision, which South Africa claims aligns with standard diplomatic practices since severing ties with Taiwan in 1997, has drawn criticism from Taiwan, which accuses Pretoria of yielding to Chinese pressure. The South African government emphasized that the change reflects the non-political nature of its relationship with Taiwan, as it seeks to strengthen ties with China, its largest trading partner. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the implications for its relationship with South Africa and vowed to respond if its sovereignty is compromised. China welcomed the relocation, considering it a correct decision by South Africa.