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Business & Macroeconomics
- 🇪🇹 Ethiopia: Ethiopian Airlines reported an 8% rise in revenue to $7.8 billion for the fiscal year ending July 7, driven by an 11% increase in passengers to 19 million.
- 🇰🇪 Kenya: The country’s foreign exchange reserves declined by $509 million over the past three weeks due to external debt servicing.
Climate & Energy
- 🇳🇬 🇹🇿 Nigeria–Tanzania: Nigerian firm First E&P signed a cooperation agreement with the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation to conduct preliminary studies in the Mnazi Bay North Block, aiming to explore gas potential.
- 🇳🇪 Niger: The African Development Bank approved a $144 million loan to expand electricity access to 30% of the population by 2026.
Geopolitics & Policy
- 🇸🇩 Sudan: The government claims to possess “irrefutable evidence” that the UAE financed Colombian mercenaries fighting alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against the military.
- 🇨🇲 Cameroon: The Constitutional Council upheld the electoral commission’s decision to bar opposition leader Maurice Kamto from contesting the October presidential election.
Technology & Deals
- 🇬🇭 Ghana: Authorities threatened to revoke MultiChoice’s broadcast license if the pay-TV provider does not reduce DStv subscription fees by 30% before August 7.
- 🌍 Africa-Asia: South African firm Ninety One, manager of the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund, secured a $100 million debt facility from Export Finance Australia.
In Focus: China’s Security Engagement in Africa
China’s Global Security Initiative (GSI), launched in 2022, is being integrated into China-Africa relations. The initiative emphasizes non-interference and collective security, but also promotes Chinese models of governance. Under the FOCAC Action Plan, China plans to train 6,000 senior and 500 early-career African military officers, and 1,000 police personnel by 2027. Analysts caution that aspects of the GSI—such as centralized party control over national security—could entrench authoritarianism in parts of Africa.
Security & Humanitarian Affairs
- 🇸🇩 Sudan – Civilian Toll Mounts: Fighting between Sudan’s military and RSF continues to devastate civilians. El Fasher remains under siege, with famine worsening. Over 1,200 cholera cases, including 300 children, have been reported in Tawila since June. Landmines pose added threats in Khartoum.
- 🇸🇩 RSF Accused of War Crimes: A report by the Adala Project accuses the RSF of systematic ethnic cleansing in the Nuba Mountains, using starvation and sexual violence as weapons of war. The findings are based on testimonies and open-source investigations.
- 🇺🇬 Uganda – Refugee Influx: Uganda is nearing 2 million refugees, with 600 arrivals per day fleeing regional conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan, and the DRC. Despite being the largest refugee-hosting nation in Africa, Uganda faces severe funding shortages, warns UNHCR.
- 🇳🇬 Nigeria – Zamfara Attack: Armed bandits killed 11 people and abducted dozens in Sabon Garin Damri, Zamfara State. Locals report around 70 missing. The area continues to suffer frequent violent raids from groups based in the Gundumi Forest.
- 🇸🇴 Somalia – Anti-Al-Shabaab Operation: Somali forces launched a sweep in Middle Shabelle, targeting Al-Shabaab militants in Deegaanleey, Muryaale, and Ceelka Waranle. Several suspects were detained as part of efforts to secure the region.
- 🇪🇹 Ethiopia – Migration Crisis: A recent shipwreck off Yemen killed at least 68 Ethiopian migrants, with 74 missing. Rising youth unemployment (over 20%) is driving risky migration, despite repeated warnings from survivors and authorities.
- 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone – Human Trafficking Surge: Sierra Leonean youth are increasingly trafficked under false employment promises in the Middle East. Women are especially vulnerable, with smuggling rings exploiting the country’s 74.5% youth unemployment rate.
Elections & Governance
- 🇨🇲 Cameroon: Legal battles intensify ahead of the October 12 presidential election. Despite high-profile appeals, the Constitutional Council upheld President Paul Biya’s candidacy and barred opposition leader Maurice Kamto, raising concerns about electoral fairness.
- 🇪🇬 Egypt: Senate elections began with 63 million eligible voters. Amid high inflation and economic strain, the vote is seen as symbolic, with 200 of 300 Senate seats up for election; the rest are presidential appointments.
- 🇹🇬 Togo: President Faure Gnassingbé recently enacted constitutional changes making himself prime minister for life, effectively removing term limits—a move seen as part of a broader trend among Africa’s entrenched leaders to bypass democratic norms.
Sources: Africa Center for Strategic Studies, semafor.com and the U.S. Department of Defense.
