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Togo Holds Elections Amid Youth-Led Protests
Togo’s local elections took place under tense conditions as youth-led protests intensified against President Faure Gnassingbé’s rule. Demonstrators in Lomé timed rallies to coincide with the vote, demanding the president step down following a controversial constitutional revision. At least seven protestors have been killed in recent weeks amid heavy-handed crackdowns by security forces. Despite its small size, Togo holds regional importance as a maritime gateway to the Sahel and home to a major West African airline—making instability there a concern for broader regional dynamics.
Cameroon’s Biya Reshuffles Military Ahead of Potential Eighth Term
Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya announced sweeping military changes ahead of a national vote. New army chiefs were appointed and eight generals promoted, including leaders of the elite Rapid Intervention Battalion. Analysts view the move as a power consolidation tactic to secure military backing amid growing domestic scrutiny of Biya’s extended rule.
France Ends Military Presence in Senegal
France formally withdrew its last troops from Senegal, ending a continuous presence since 1960. Camp Geille and Dakar’s airfield were handed over to Senegalese authorities, continuing a trend of French military exits across West and Central Africa. With only Djibouti now hosting a permanent French base, France is recalibrating its military posture on the continent.
Sudan Conflict Escalates with Paramilitary Atrocities and Arms Smuggling
Eyewitness accounts detail a massacre by drug-fueled paramilitary RSF fighters in Sudan’s Salha neighborhood, with 31 civilians killed in April. As discipline within RSF ranks breaks down, violence against noncombatants is rising. Simultaneously, U.N. experts report the illegal transfer of advanced looted weapons into South Sudan, violating arms embargoes and fueling insecurity in the fragile post-conflict state.
DR Congo Returnees Plead for Humanitarian Aid
Returnees in North Kivu, DRC, displaced by fighting between government forces and M23 rebels, are sounding the alarm over severe food insecurity. In a letter to humanitarian agencies, they warned of rising malnutrition and inadequate support upon returning to devastated communities in Bishange and Luzirantaka.
Eritrea’s Shadow in Ethiopia’s Fragile North
Concerns mount over renewed conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region amid reports of Eritrean military buildup near the border. With the TPLF weakened by internal divisions, observers fear Eritrea could exploit the vacuum. The 2022 Pretoria peace deal remains under threat as troop movements and clashes increase.
Ghana Prosecutes Oil Regulator in $28 Million Corruption Case
Ghana’s anti-graft office charged former petroleum authority chief Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and six others in a major corruption and money laundering case. The accused allegedly extorted funds from oil industry stakeholders between 2022 and 2024. Observers question whether President Mahama’s anti-corruption drive is reformist or politically selective.
Spain Deepens Ties with Mauritania on Migration and Security
Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez visited Mauritania for the third time in 18 months, seeking deeper collaboration on migration, trade, and regional security. With over 25,000 irregular departures from Mauritania to the Canary Islands in 2023, Spain is pushing for legal migration frameworks while boosting counterterrorism ties.
Ivory Coast Invests in Agritech to Revive Farming Appeal
Facing an ageing workforce and low mechanisation in agriculture, Ivory Coast is promoting agritech to reengage disillusioned youth. With support from the digital transition ministry, new start-ups and innovation hubs aim to modernise cocoa, cashew, and rubber farming—bringing technology to the field and reducing reliance on foreign equipment.
AI Fellowship Seeks to Train 10,000 Africans by 2026
AI Skills Africa, in partnership with FestMan Learning Hub, launched one of the continent’s largest AI training programmes. The eight-week hybrid fellowship aims to equip 10,000 Africans with generative AI skills for the modern economy. Focus areas include data analysis, automated workflows, and AI-powered content creation. Organisers say the initiative aims to democratise access to future-shaping technologies.
Compiled by ChatGPT. Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters, AFP, DW, Le Monde, Sudan Tribune, HumAngle, The Washington Post, Africanews, Joy News.
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