Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, arrived in Port Sudan on Tuesday for a crucial meeting with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The high-level visit, which comes upon the directives of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, aimed to reaffirm Egypt’s full solidarity and strong support for Sudan’s unity, stability, and security. Minister Abdelatty conveyed President Sisi’s greetings and appreciation, reiterating Cairo’s unwavering backing for the Sudanese Armed Forces and national institutions. He emphasized Egypt’s continued efforts to achieve stability in the brotherly nation and its active engagement in regional and international initiatives, particularly the International Quartet, aimed at achieving a ceasefire and alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people. The Egyptian minister also stressed Cairo’s strong condemnation of violations and atrocities, specifically referencing the ongoing conflict in the city of El Fasher.
Somaliland has escalated tensions with Somalia by issuing an official directive this week, declaring that visas and travel authorizations issued by Somalia are not valid for entry into its territory. Somaliland’s Immigration and Border Control Agency stated that foreign nationals holding such documents would be denied entry and must instead obtain a visa on arrival at one of Somaliland’s international airports or through one of its foreign diplomatic missions. Also, all aircraft entering or exiting Somaliland’s airspace are now mandated to obtain formal clearance from Hargeisa’s authorities. These moves are a clear effort by the unrecognized state, which broke away from Somalia in 1991, to tighten control over its borders and reinforce its claim to full sovereignty.
Ghana received a tranche of over 130 gold and bronze artifacts that were once part of the royal treasures of the Asante Kingdom. The items were returned by South African mining company AngloGold Ashanti and the British art expert Hermione Waterfield in the UK. The artifacts, which include royal regalia, ceremonial drums, and intricate gold weights, were either looted by British soldiers during the Anglo-Asante Wars in the 19th and early 20th centuries or acquired by museums and private collectors thereafter. The treasures were formally handed over to the Asante King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi on Sunday. The repatriation is viewed as a crucial step in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to reclaim its lost history and heritage.
Angola marked the 50th anniversary of its independence from Portugal on Tuesday, with grand celebrations in the capital, Luanda, in an atmosphere of both national pride and reflection on the country’s turbulent history. The monumental milestone was officially commemorated at the António Agostinho Neto Memorial, with a massive civic and military parade and a message to the nation from President João Lourenço. Representatives from all 18 provinces participated in the festivities, which were attended by more than a dozen heads of state and government from across the continent. President Lourenço, in his address, highlighted the significant progress and achievements Angola has made over the past five decades, particularly in recovering from the devastating civil war and establishing itself as an active and influential force on the African continent.
Niger’s transitional leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, has reaffirmed the decision to maintain the closure of the country’s border with Benin, citing persistent security reasons. General Abdourahamane Tiani made the announcement on Saturday, coinciding with Benin’s decision to permit the transit of essential food products and the lifting of earlier ECOWAS sanctions. General Tiani explicitly cited the continued presence of French troops on Beninese territory as the primary reason, alleging that these forces could pose a threat and are linked to attempts to destabilize Niger, denouncing what it describes as “hostile maneuvers from Beninese territory.” The prolonged border closure has severely strained relations and disrupted regional trade, prompting Niger to rely on its own agricultural potential to ensure food security and to encourage businesses to reroute essential shipments through other coastal neighbors like Togo.
Gabon’s Special Criminal Court in Libreville sentenced former First Lady Sylvia Bongo Ondimba and her son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, to 20 years in prison each for multiple counts of corruption. The ruling, handed down on Wednesday, found them guilty of charges including embezzlement of public funds, corruption, and aggravated money laundering. Both were tried in absentia after having left Gabon for London in 2024 following their provisional release. The court ordered the confiscation of all their assets and mandated that they jointly pay over CFA1,400 billion (approximately $2.47 billion) in damages and restitution to the Gabonese state. Sylvia and Noureddin Bongo were initially arrested in August 2023 following the coup that overthrew President Ali Bongo Ondimba and were accused of orchestrating a vast network of corruption during his 14-year rule.
A political rift publicly emerged this week between Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko. The tension stems from a dispute over the leadership of their ruling coalition, the “Diomaye President Coalition.” President Faye, in a message to coalition members this week, expressed concern over “persistent divisions” and confirmed he had dismissed a close ally of Sonko, Aida Mbodj, as the coalition’s coordinator, appointing former Prime Minister Aminata Touré in her place. However, Sonko, who leads the ruling PASTEF party, publicly rejected the move, reaffirming his support for Mbodj at a rally in Dakar. This power struggle between the two formerly inseparable allies, who jointly campaigned against the former ruling establishment, has already triggered a sharp sell-off of Senegal’s sovereign bonds.
South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, sacked one of the country’s five vice presidents, Benjamin Bol Mel, in a sudden move announced on Wednesday. Bol Mel, who was appointed as a vice president in February and was widely viewed as a potential successor to President Kiir, was not only stripped of his vice-presidential post but was also demoted from general to private in the National Security Service and removed as deputy leader of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party. No official reason was immediately given for the drastic sacking. Bol Mel had previously faced U.S. sanctions for alleged corruption, and a recent UN report accused companies affiliated with him of receiving millions of dollars for uncompleted road construction projects. President Kiir also simultaneously fired the head of the central bank and the head of the revenue authority, both of whom were considered close to Bol Mel.
Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote signed a landmark investment deal with Zimbabwe, which includes plans for a massive 2,000 km-long pipeline that will run from Walvis Bay in Namibia, through Botswana, to Bulawayo in Zimbabwe. The deal, which Dangote estimates could involve an overall investment of over US$1 billion, was sealed after a meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Harare on Wednesday. The project aims to reshape Southern Africa’s industrial landscape by significantly boosting fuel security and cutting the region’s dependence on more expensive fuel imports from Europe and Asia. The agreement, which paves the way for major projects across energy, cement, and fertilizer production, is seen as a major vote of confidence in Zimbabwe’s economic reform agenda.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s state cobalt company, Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC), announced the production of its first 1,000 metric tons of traceable artisanal cobalt on Thursday. This achievement is a significant step toward formalizing the country’s vast artisanal mining sector, which supplies over 74% of the world’s cobalt, a crucial battery metal. EGC’s CEO, Eric Kalala, stated that the new traceability model is designed to clean up supply chains, align production with international environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, and address concerns over child labor and unsafe practices. The effort aims to ensure that “every tonne purchased by EGC must reflect not only the value of the mineral, but also the dignity of those who extract it.” The initiative is crucial, as global consumption of cobalt for electric vehicles and energy storage is expected to soar, with automakers and electronics firms increasingly demanding proof of ethical sourcing.
Researcher at Alafarika for Studies and Consultancy; and writer at Cultural.ng.