The Democratic Republic of the Congo and M23 rebels signed a cease-fire agreement this week in Qatar known as the Declaration of Principles. The agreement calls on both sides to refrain from attacks, hate propaganda, and forceful secession of new positions. A final peace agreement is due on August 18, aligning with a deal brokered by the United States between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The deal took into account the government’s “red line” and the M23’s non-negotiable departure from occupied territory. The African Union Commission hailed the proclamation as a significant milestone in regional peacekeeping and security efforts. Negotiations are expected to continue, and the declaration includes a commitment to restoring state authority in eastern DR Congo.
Zambia signed a $1.1 billion agreement to build a crude oil refinery and energy complex in Ndola, the country’s Copperbelt region. The plant is expected to process up to 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day, fulfilling domestic need and allowing for future exports to neighboring nations. The initiative might save Zambia millions of dollars each year by lowering its dependency on fuel imports. Construction is set to commence in Q3 2025, with commercial operations planned for 2026. The facility will also have facilities for LPG bottling, bitumen production, lubricant blending, and a 130-megawatt power plant.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame sacked Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, who had served since 2017, and replaced him with Justin Nsengiyumva. The newly appointed Prime Minister, who previously served as vice governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, promised to serve Rwanda with humility and dedication, vowing to promote national interests with honesty and purpose. The appointment of a new prime minister allows for the formation of a new cabinet, which must be appointed by the president within 15 days after consultation with the new prime minister. Nsengiyumva has a PhD in economics, a master’s in economic policy and management, and a bachelor’s degree in commerce.
This week, the Nigerian Senate approved President Bola Tinubu’s $21 billion external borrowing plan for the fiscal years 2025-2026, allowing the full implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act. The package includes $21.19 billion in direct foreign loans, €4 billion, ¥15 billion, a $65 million grant, and approximately ₦757 billion in domestic borrowing through government bonds. It also provides a mechanism for raising up to $2 billion in the local market using a foreign currency-denominated instrument.
Cameroon is set to have a hotly contested presidential election in October, with 81 contenders vying to succeed President Paul Biya. The surge in candidacies has elicited mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a sign of change and others fearing it will splinter the opposition vote. Biya, who has been in power since 1982, has been criticized for undermining democratic principles and utilizing state resources to crush dissent. Critics have also expressed worries about voting anomalies, including media bias, voter intimidation, and a lack of judicial independence.
Portugal has expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Western Sahara, indicating a shift in Europe’s approach to the issue. Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel commended the plan’s “serious and credible basis,” adding backing from other European countries such as Spain, France, and Germany. This strengthens Morocco’s proposal and may encourage the EU to take a firmer stance in support of Morocco’s plan. Portugal’s position also reflects a global trend toward pragmatic solutions to regional stability rather than a referendum on self-determination. The support may rekindle the UN-led political process, urging parties to resume negotiations based on Morocco’s proposal.
Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has expressed his willingness to mediate between Malian authorities and rebel forces in the north of Bamako, despite the tensions between the two countries. He offered to help negotiate between Bamako’s military junta and rebel forces but declined to accept mercenary forces stationed on the 1,400 km border. Bamako accuses Algiers of harboring terrorists who cross the border to launch attacks in Mali. Notably, the withdrawal of the UN stabilization mission MINUSMA from Mali in 2023 has created a power vacuum in the north that President Goita’s junta has sought to fill with Russian mercenaries.
The Republic of Niger has commenced an investigation on the sale of NWA 16788, the world’s largest Martian meteorite, which sold for $5.3 million at an auction in New York. The 24.5-kilogram ochre-toned granite, unearthed in Agadez, has drawn international attention after passing via China and Italy before being sold by Sotheby’s in the United States. Authorities suspect an illegal export of the rare celestial object. The Niger ministries of law, higher education, and mines are launching a comprehensive inquiry on how the meteorite managed to leave the country without legal authorization or oversight
Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, visited Burkina Faso to support the Confederation of Sahel States (CSS) in its fight against terrorism. The visit intends to strengthen Egypt’s political, economic, and security ties with the CSS bloc. Abdelatty emphasized Egypt’s willingness to work with CSS nations, underlining their common commitment to combating regional instability. They had high-level conversations about security cooperation, defense plans, trade collaborations, and investment potential.
The Central African Republic has released provisional voter lists five months ahead of the December 2025 general elections. The National Elections Authority (ANE) posted the lists at voting centers in Bangui and several provincial towns. The voter registration process, which began in December 2024, faced significant delays due to technical, financial, and security issues. The ANE has opened a complaints window, allowing voters to review and contest the lists.