Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Togo’s ruling party, the Union for the Republic (UNIR), has secured a commanding victory in the country’s latest municipal elections, winning 1,150 out of 1,527 council seats, according to provisional results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The elections, held on July 17 across Togo’s 117 municipalities, were marked by low voter turnout despite over 4.5 million registered citizens being eligible to cast their votes. Analysts link the subdued participation to recent political tensions and opposition-led calls for boycott. While UNIR claimed over 75% of the vote, opposition parties made limited gains. The National Alliance for Change (ANC) secured…

Libya has attracted the participation of over 40 international oil and gas companies in its latest licensing round, signaling a renewed wave of global confidence in the North African country’s energy sector. The companies represent a wide geographic spectrum—from North America and Europe to Southeast Asia and the MENA region—highlighting growing interest in Libya’s upstream exploration potential. This licensing round is part of broader reforms to reposition Libya as a competitive destination for energy investment. To that end, Libyan authorities have reviewed their financial and contractual frameworks to better align with international standards and reduce investor uncertainty. A comprehensive audit…

China has invested a total of $39 billion in Africa in 2025 as part of its Belt and Road Initiative, with Nigeria receiving the largest share, according to a new report released by Griffith University in Australia. Of the total investment, $21 billion was directed to Nigeria and $3.6 billion to Tanzania. The report highlights that Africa has become the primary beneficiary of China’s international infrastructure strategy. However, Beijing has significantly reshaped its priorities, withdrawing new infrastructure financing from countries such as Cameroon, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. According to the Griffith Asia Institute, the Chinese government is increasingly linking…

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has issued a public warning to Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, cautioning him against initiating any military confrontation aimed at securing access to the sea. Speaking during a televised interview, Afwerki stated that Eritrea would not be intimidated by any potential “human wave” offensive and emphasized the need for Ethiopia to focus on resolving its internal challenges. “Before dragging the people of Ethiopia into unwanted wars or using them for another political agenda, the country’s internal problems must be first addressed and solved,” said Afwerki. At the center of the tension is Ethiopia’s renewed push for…

Sudanese Army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan landed at Khartoum International Airport on Saturday aboard a presidential aircraft, marking his first fixed-wing arrival in the capital since the war erupted in April 2023. The landing, broadcast by state media, reflects the military’s expanding control and its ongoing efforts to re-establish a functioning presence in the war-torn capital. Upon arrival, General Burhan visited the General Command headquarters and was briefed by Chief of Staff General Mohamed Osman Al-Hussein on the current security situation. The airport’s main runway was recently restored, allowing for the landing of fixed-wing aircraft. Though the army had…

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group have signed a declaration aimed at halting the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. The agreement was reached during negotiations held in Doha, marking a potential breakthrough in efforts to end one of the region’s most violent crises. The declaration, which comes after weeks of dialogue and diplomatic engagement, sets the stage for comprehensive peace talks expected to begin by August 8. Both parties pledged to work toward restoring state control across all Congolese territory, though key issues — including the withdrawal of foreign forces and…

The report, viewed by several media outlets, outlines ongoing violations by regional actors, militias, and Congolese forces in the restive eastern provinces. It asserts that Rwanda provides logistical and operational support to the M23 group, which has seized control of key urban centers such as Goma and Bukavu in recent months. According to the report, M23 fighters take direct orders from Rwandan intelligence, with Kigali’s officials allegedly signaling intent to capture strategic areas shortly before the group advanced. Minerals from conflict zones under M23 control are reportedly being transported to Rwanda and mixed with legally mined materials before entering global…

Sudan’s gold production reached 64 tonnes in 2024, marking a 53% increase from 2022, according to the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company (SMRC). The legal exports generated approximately $1.57 billion, offering critical revenue for the war-torn country’s struggling economy. SMRC Director Mohamed Tahir Omer announced the figures during a press briefing in Cairo. The agency projects 37 tonnes of production in the first half of 2025 alone, potentially yielding over 403 billion Sudanese pounds in revenue. Despite this rise, gold smuggling remains a persistent problem. Nearly half of Sudan’s output is believed to be illicitly exported across borders, particularly from mines…

Ethiopia is undergoing a visible transformation. In the capital Addis Ababa, once rubble-filled streets are giving way to high-rise apartments, parks, and bicycle paths. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s vision for a modern capital reflects a wider ambition: to liberalise and revitalise one of Africa’s historically state-led economies. Following years of centrally planned growth and state dominance, Ethiopia — with over 135 million citizens — has started easing restrictions and opening key sectors to global investors. The liberalisation push gained pace after the country defaulted on its external debt in 2023, following years of civil war and economic strain. Seeking international…

Burkina Faso’s transitional government has officially dissolved the country’s independent electoral commission, citing financial inefficiency and a desire to ensure national ownership of future electoral processes. The announcement was made via state broadcaster RTB, confirming that the Interior Ministry will now oversee the management of elections. Authorities stated the electoral commission had received an annual subsidy of approximately $870,000, which they described as an unnecessary expenditure. Minister of Territorial Administration Emile Zerbo explained that the move aims to reduce external influence on the electoral process while reinforcing Burkina Faso’s political sovereignty. Since taking leadership in 2022, the government has postponed…

Equity Group Holdings Plc, Kenya’s largest financial institution, plans to open a new office in the United Arab Emirates in the fourth quarter of 2025, aiming to strengthen trade and investment links between Africa and the Gulf region. The expansion is part of Equity’s strategy to tap into deep capital pools and logistics networks in the Middle East, particularly as Gulf nations increase their focus on African investment. According to CEO James Mwangi, the bank is in the final stages of obtaining regulatory approvals for the move. Equity joins other African financial giants like Absa Group, Standard Bank, and United…

Somalia’s Police Commander, Major General Asad Osman Abdullahi, held a meeting with senior female police officers to discuss strengthening security and advancing women’s roles in the country’s security sector. The meeting emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to promote gender inclusion within the police and military, recognizing the increasing number of women holding leadership positions across Somalia’s armed forces. Describing the women as “courageous,” the Somali Police Force praised their commitment and growing impact on national stability. These officers have become role models for young Somali women, encouraging broader female participation in national service. In recent years, Somalia has seen notable…

A massive meteorite from Mars discovered in the deserts of Niger has sold for over $5.3 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York, marking the highest known sale for a Martian rock. Weighing 24.5kg and measuring nearly 38cm in length, the specimen—named NWA 16788—is the largest Martian rock ever recovered on Earth. It was unearthed in November 2023 in a remote region of Niger, a country in Africa’s Sahel zone increasingly recognized for its geological wealth. Sotheby’s described the meteorite as “unbelievably rare,” noting that only around 400 Martian meteorites have ever been documented globally. The chances of such…

U.S. Air Campaign Expands in Somalia Amid Militant ResurgenceThe United States has carried out 51 airstrikes in Somalia this year, marking the most intense phase of its drone operations in the Horn of Africa since 2019. Despite the growing number of air raids, Al-Shabaab and Islamic State militants have recently regained control of key territories, raising questions about the effectiveness of foreign military efforts. The latest strikes, conducted on July 13, targeted Daesh (ISS) fighters in the Cal Miskaad mountains in Puntland’s Bari region. These operations supported Operation Hilaac—a Puntland-led counterterrorism initiative launched in late 2024 to dismantle Daesh networks…

Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve has been officially recognized by the World Book of Records as the site of the “World’s Greatest Annual Terrestrial Wildlife Migration,” celebrating the movement of over 1.5 million wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes from Tanzania’s Serengeti to the Mara. In a letter to Narok County Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, World Book of Records President Santosh Shukla praised Kenya’s global role in environmental preservation and sustainable eco-tourism. Tourism Minister Rebecca Miano called the recognition “a win for the planet,” crediting local communities and authorities for their conservation efforts. Governor Ntutu emphasized the reserve’s importance to global biodiversity…

Reliable sources near the Ethiopia-Eritrea border have confirmed that Eritrean troops launched a heavy artillery attack this evening on the town of Bure, located in Ethiopia’s Afar region. Bure sits on the tense border between the two countries, just 80 kilometers from the vital Eritrean port city of Assab. The town is also a key point on the Awash–Assab trade corridor, which Ethiopia once used for sea access before relations with Eritrea were severed. The town of Bure has long been a flashpoint between Eritrea and Ethiopia. It was one of the main areas contested during the 1998–2000 border war.…