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Geopolitics & Governance
Mali Sues Algeria Over Drone Incident
Mali has filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Algeria of the “premeditated destruction” of a reconnaissance drone in March. Authorities in Bamako allege the act was intended to sabotage their counterinsurgency efforts against rebel forces.
Zambia Jails Former Foreign Minister
Joseph Malanji, Zambia’s former Foreign Minister, has been sentenced to four years in prison with hard labor. He was convicted of embezzling state funds, a high-profile case in the country’s ongoing anti-corruption drive.
Technology & Business
Ghana Plans $600M Telecom Merger
Ghana has announced a 120-day timeline to merge telecom operators AirtelTigo and Ghana Telecel. The $600 million deal aims to streamline operations and expand coverage in the competitive West African telecom market.
Visa Launches Bank Transfers in DR Congo
Visa has launched its Visa Pay feature in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The service enables direct bank account transfers and was rolled out in collaboration with eight Congolese commercial banks.
Human Rights & Conflict
UN Condemns Mali’s Crackdown on Civil Liberties
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has condemned Mali’s indefinite suspension of elections and increasing repression under the military junta. Türk cited a rise in arbitrary detentions and abductions of journalists and activists since the 2021 coup.
UN Accuses Congo Forces and M23 Rebels of Atrocities
A UN report has implicated both the Congolese army and M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, in widespread human rights abuses. The documented crimes include gang rape, sexual slavery, torture, and mass killings in eastern DRC between late 2024 and mid-2025.
Public Health
Ebola Outbreak Declared in DR Congo’s Kasai Province
Health authorities in DR Congo have confirmed an Ebola outbreak in Kasai Province, with 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths. The World Health Organization is monitoring the situation, which marks the country’s 16th outbreak since 1976.
Security & Regional Stability
ECOWAS Seeks $2.6B for Regional Anti-Terror Force
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is raising $2.6 billion to operationalize a 5,000-strong Standby Force to combat terrorism. Proposed funding models include regional levies, GDP-based contributions, and public-private partnerships.
Displacement & Land Disputes
Northern Ghana Land Dispute Displaces 50,000
Communal violence in Ghana’s Savannah Region has left at least 31 dead and displaced nearly 50,000 people. The conflict erupted after a local chief sold land without community consent, triggering violent backlash and cross-border displacement into Ivory Coast.
Illicit Finance
Africa Loses $88 Billion Annually to Illicit Financial Flows
According to the African Union, an estimated $88 billion is lost annually due to tax evasion, corruption, and money laundering. Efforts to curb the outflows include enhanced data sharing, international tax cooperation, and sectoral oversight, particularly in mining.
Foreign Relations
South Africa Asks China to Delay Naval Drills
South Africa has requested China to postpone upcoming naval exercises involving Russian warships. The drills were due to coincide with the G20 Summit hosted in South Africa, and concerns were raised about logistical and diplomatic sensitivities.
Sudan Judiciary in Spotlight
Controversial Constitutional Court Appointment
Sudan’s military leader Lt. Gen. Abdelfattah El Burhan has appointed Dr. Wahbi Mohammed Mukhtar as President of the Constitutional Court — the first such appointment in six years. Critics have questioned the legality of the process, citing constitutional concerns and a lack of judicial oversight.
Cultural Resilience
Somalis Defy Militants with Mawlid Celebrations
Somalis gathered nationwide to celebrate the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, a public holiday reinstated by the government. The revival of Mawlid festivities—once banned by extremist groups—saw thousands participate in peaceful processions and religious gatherings.
Long-Lost Cleric Mystery Resurfaces
Libya May Hold Clues to Musa al-Sadr’s Disappearance
A digital analysis of a 2011 mortuary photo in Libya may shed light on the 1978 disappearance of Iranian-Lebanese cleric Musa al-Sadr. The case, unresolved for nearly five decades, continues to stir political speculation across the Middle East.
