Red Sea Security Risks Escalate with Al Shabaab–Houthi Alliance
The Africa Center for Strategic Studies has warned of a growing operational alliance between Somalia’s Al Shabaab and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, raising alarm over the increasing threat to maritime security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Western Indian Ocean. The collaboration enables Al Shabaab to access advanced weaponry and training, while the Houthis benefit from expanded piracy support and smuggling routes. The convergence amplifies the disruptive capabilities of both groups across the Bab al-Mandab Strait, complicating security along 1,800 miles of vulnerable coastline.
Sudan: Famine Looms in El Fasher Under RSF Siege
El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, faces imminent starvation as a siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) blocks access to food and medicine. Local markets, such as the partially operating Nivasha market, are under constant shelling, forcing residents to survive on animal fodder byproducts like imbaz. Humanitarian groups report dire conditions for thousands, particularly in the Abu Shouk displacement camp.
RSF Accused of Forcible Recruitment, Civilian Detentions
The Sudan Doctors Network reports the RSF is detaining civilians in East Darfur, offering them a stark choice: join the paramilitary force or pay a ransom. At least 178 civilians, including healthcare workers, were arrested in El Daein. The network denounces the practice as a pattern of human rights violations by RSF forces in territory under their control.
DRC: Kabila’s Visit to Rebel-held Goma Sparks Controversy
Former DRC President Joseph Kabila has sparked political uproar with a visit to Goma, a city controlled by the AFC-M23 rebel coalition. While Kabila claims he seeks to mediate in the conflict-ridden east, government officials accuse him of attempting to align with insurgents. His recent loss of presidential immunity has opened the door to prosecution for treason and insurrection.
Guinea Upholds Jail Term for Opposition Leader
A Guinean appeals court upheld a two-year prison sentence for Aliou Bah, opposition leader of the Liberal Democratic Movement, convicted of “insulting” junta leader Mamadi Doumbouya. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemn the ruling as part of a broader crackdown on dissent amid rising political repression in Guinea.
Niger Soldiers Killed in Deadly Jihadist Ambush
A jihadist attack by the Katiba Hanifa group in southwestern Niger has reportedly killed up to 44 soldiers, according to local sources. The attack targeted a river brigade in Falmey district and follows similar assaults near the Mali border, underscoring Niger’s worsening security crisis.
Caribbean Authorities Find Bodies with West African Passports
Authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines found 11 bodies aboard an abandoned boat with Malian passports off Canouan Island. It is the latest in a series of transatlantic tragedies involving African migrants likely attempting to reach Europe via dangerous maritime routes.
Mozambique Insurgency Resurges Ahead of Gas Project Relaunch
A renewed wave of jihadist attacks in northern Mozambique—including strikes on military bases and conservation areas—has raised concerns about the stability of TotalEnergies’ multibillion-dollar LNG project in Cabo Delgado. Analysts link the violence to the project’s recent $4.7 billion funding approval, highlighting the militants’ capacity to disrupt development in the region.
Egypt: Tantawi Freed After Serving Sentence for Election Violations
Ahmed Tantawi, a former Egyptian presidential candidate, has been released after one year in prison for allegedly circulating unauthorized electoral materials. Rights groups criticized his prosecution as politically motivated, while new investigations raise fears of Egypt’s “revolving door” tactic to suppress opposition.
Senegal Launches Political Dialogue for Reform
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has launched a national dialogue to address political reforms, electoral processes, and opposition rights. While some parties boycotted the forum, major civil society actors participated. The initiative seeks to consolidate democracy after a tense transition of power.
Tigray Conflict: Platforms Failed to Curb Genocidal Content
A study by the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR) found that major social media platforms failed to moderate genocidal content during Ethiopia’s Tigray War (2020–2022). The research highlights inadequate language and cultural expertise among moderators and calls for improved dialect-sensitive moderation frameworks.
Kenya Detains Filmmakers Linked to Protest Coverage
A Kenyan court extended investigations into four independent filmmakers arrested in connection with a BBC documentary on police killings during anti-tax protests. The court barred further detentions or charges until June 16, amid growing concerns over media freedom and state censorship.
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Kenyan Literary Icon, Dies at 87
Renowned Kenyan author and activist Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o has died at age 87. A titan of African literature and a lifelong advocate for indigenous languages, Ngũgĩ was imprisoned and exiled for his criticism of dictatorship in Kenya. His major works include Weep Not, Child and Wizard of the Crow.
