Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Relations between China and Niger are showing signs of strain following recent disagreements over energy sector operations and employee policies. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during a meeting with Nigerien Foreign Minister Bakari Yaou Sangaré in Changsha, emphasized the importance of resolving differences through dialogue. “The two sides should properly handle the differences and problems encountered in cooperation through dialogue,” Wang stated, according to a readout from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Earlier this year, Niger’s government expelled three executives of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) over wage disparity issues between local and expatriate workers. Additionally, a Chinese-owned hotel…

Angola has announced a major breakthrough in offshore energy exploration after uncovering over one trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the Lower Congo Basin, marking the country’s first-ever gas-focused discovery. The successful drilling of the Gajajeira-01 well, located in Block 1/14, also revealed large volumes of condensates. This milestone is seen as a critical step in implementing Angola’s Gas Master Plan, aimed at reducing oil flaring, boosting domestic power capacity, and positioning the country as a key regional gas exporter. The project is operated by Azule Energy — a joint venture between BP and Eni — which holds a…

Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari has passed away at the age of 82 in a medical facility in London, marking the end of a political era that spanned both military rule and democratic leadership. Buhari, a retired army general, first rose to prominence as Nigeria’s military ruler between 1983 and 1985. He later re-emerged as a civilian politician, becoming president in 2015 after three unsuccessful attempts. His 2015 victory was historic, as he became the first opposition candidate to unseat an incumbent president in Nigeria’s democratic history. He served two terms before leaving office in 2023. Throughout his career, Buhari…

A new report has revealed that several African nations are making strides in English language skills, with South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and Uganda leading the continent in proficiency. The findings are based on the 2024 English Proficiency Index published by EF Education First, which evaluated more than 2 million test-takers globally. Despite a global decline in English ability for the fourth consecutive year, Africa stands out as the only continent where women consistently outperform men in language proficiency. Ethiopia, in particular, recorded the world’s largest gender gap in favor of women, with a 58-point difference. Africa Defies Global Trends…

Thousands of miners in eastern DR Congo toil daily under harsh conditions at the vast Rubaya mine, which supplies a significant portion of the world’s coltan—an essential mineral used in smartphones and other electronic devices. In a rare visit facilitated by M23 rebels who now control the region, international journalists witnessed the operation of one of Africa’s most strategic mining sites. Coltan ore, extracted from the Masisi Hills of North Kivu, represents about 15% of global supply and half of DR Congo’s domestic production. More than 10,000 workers were observed engaged in strenuous labor—digging, hauling, washing, and processing the mineral-rich…

Since the onset of Sudan’s civil war in April 2023, at least 23 civilians have lost their lives and 51 others injured in incidents involving landmines and explosive remnants of war, according to Sudanese authorities. Major General Khalid Hamdan, head of the National Mine Action Centre, revealed that 51 separate explosions have been recorded across Khartoum, Blue Nile, and North Kordofan states, underscoring the growing threat posed by unexploded ordnance. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are believed to have planted mines in strategic areas to hinder enemy movements. With some displaced residents beginning to…

Ethiopia has announced steps to reduce its reliance on the U.S. dollar by conducting trade using alternative currencies, according to the Ministry of Finance. State Minister of Finance Eyob Tekalign confirmed on Friday that Ethiopia has already signed bilateral agreements with countries like the United Arab Emirates to enable currency swaps and local currency-based trade. The move is part of a broader strategy to diversify Ethiopia’s foreign trade operations, mitigate risks linked to fluctuations in the U.S. dollar, and enhance trade partnerships with a wider range of countries. “This is not only about financial convenience, but also about protecting Ethiopia’s…

A deadly airstrike in northern Yemen has left over 60 people dead and dozens more injured, most of them Ethiopian migrants, after U.S.-made bombs struck a detention center in the Houthi-controlled city of Saada. Survivors of the April 28 strike say they were caught off guard in the middle of the night as explosions ripped through the building, collapsing its roof and sending shards of metal and concrete flying. Eyewitnesses describe a horrifying scene of bodies mangled, limbs severed, and survivors buried beneath rubble. Most of the detainees were migrants from Ethiopia’s conflict-ridden Tigray region, fleeing civil war and economic…

Cameroon will head to the polls on October 12 for its next presidential election, as announced by a decree signed by President Paul Biya on Friday. The election will determine the future leadership of the Central African country, home to nearly 30 million people and rich in cocoa and oil resources. According to the electoral law, presidential hopefuls must submit their candidacies within 10 days following the convening of the electoral college. At 92 years old, Biya is currently the oldest sitting head of state globally and has led Cameroon since 1982. He has not yet confirmed whether he will…

The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced at the United Nations Security Council that it has gathered sufficient evidence to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity are being perpetrated in Darfur, western Sudan. ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan highlighted targeted sexual violence against women and girls of certain ethnic groups as among the most egregious abuses uncovered during the ongoing investigation. The probe is based on more than 7,000 pieces of evidence, including testimonies from survivors who fled to neighboring Chad. “These findings reveal an entrenched pattern of violations,” Khan told the Council, emphasizing the bravery of those…

Kenya has launched stakeholder consultations for a major regional fiber optic infrastructure project that will connect northeastern Kenya with both Ethiopia and Somalia, aiming to enhance digital connectivity and cross-border cooperation in the Horn of Africa. The project, spearheaded by Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy along with the ICT Authority, is part of the World Bank–funded Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP). At the heart of the initiative is a 740-kilometre fiber optic backbone stretching from Isiolo to Mandera, near the borders of Ethiopia and Somalia. In addition to the main backbone, the plan includes…

Egypt and Eritrea Strengthen Coordination on Red Sea and Horn of Africa AffairsEgypt and Eritrea have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations and enhancing regional cooperation, following a phone conversation between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Eritrean counterpart Osman Saleh on Thursday. According to diplomatic sources in Cairo, the two ministers emphasized the importance of maintaining close coordination on key developments in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region, in line with the directives of Presidents Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Isaias Afwerki. The renewed engagement comes amid heightened regional tensions, particularly surrounding Ethiopia’s continued push for…

The Sudanese government has officially requested the United States to provide the evidence that led to its accusation that Sudan’s military used chemical weapons in its ongoing conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The request follows Washington’s announcement in May accusing the Sudanese army of deploying chemical agents during clashes with the RSF. The U.S. imposed sanctions on Khartoum, including restrictions on exports and access to international credit lines. In a statement issued Thursday, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said that during a recent meeting of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Executive Council in The Hague, Sudan’s…

Liberia has entered into a $1.8 billion agreement with U.S.-based Ivanhoe Atlantic Inc. to rehabilitate and utilize its key railway corridor to export iron ore from neighboring Guinea, marking one of the country’s largest infrastructure deals in recent years. The U.S. Embassy in Monrovia called the agreement “a critical step” in supporting President Joseph Boakai’s infrastructure strategy, which includes transitioning Liberia to a multi-user rail model. The policy aims to allow open access for multiple mining companies to share the rail network, replacing the current exclusive-use framework that favors ArcelorMittal Liberia—whose contract expires in 2030. Though official details remain limited,…

Liberians have voiced frustration and disappointment after U.S. President Donald Trump made controversial comments during a White House meeting with President Joseph Boakai, questioning where the Liberian leader had learned to speak English “so beautifully.” “Such good English. Such beautiful English,” Trump said, visibly surprised, before asking, “Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? In Liberia?” — remarks that many Liberians have called patronizing and offensive. English has been Liberia’s official language for nearly two centuries, tracing back to the nation’s founding by freed African Americans in the 1800s. The country maintains close historical and political ties with the…

The United States has announced sweeping changes to its non-immigrant visa policy, slashing the validity of temporary visas for citizens of Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Cameroon to just three months and restricting them to single-entry only. The move, which U.S. officials describe as part of a “global reciprocity realignment,” has drawn sharp criticism, especially from Nigerian authorities who have called for a reversal of the policy. Under the new guidelines, most non-diplomatic visa holders from the three countries—who previously enjoyed longer and often multiple-entry permits—will now face tighter restrictions. The U.S. Department of State stated that visa policies are under continual…