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Date: 19 September 2025
Geopolitics & Policy
🇲🇱 France Suspends Counter-Terrorism Ties with Mali Amid Diplomatic Spat
France has officially suspended its counter-terrorism cooperation with Mali after escalating diplomatic tensions. The move follows the arrest of a French embassy staff member in Bamako last month, whom Mali’s junta accused of espionage. In response, Paris expelled two Malian diplomats, calling the charges “baseless.” Mali retaliated by declaring five French diplomats persona non grata. The freeze in cooperation further isolates Bamako, already under military rule since coups in 2020 and 2021.
🇳🇬 Nigeria Ends Emergency Rule in Rivers State
President Bola Tinubu has announced the end of the six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, Nigeria’s oil-rich southern region. The state governor is set to resume full administrative functions following the lifting of federal oversight, which was imposed amid security concerns earlier this year.
Human Rights
🇳🇬 UN: 91 Chibok Schoolgirls Still Missing a Decade Later
A UN report has revealed that 91 of the 276 Chibok schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram in 2014 remain missing or in captivity. Survivors continue to face trauma, stigma, and inadequate access to rehabilitation. The findings follow a CEDAW-led mission to Nigeria, which also highlighted broader systemic failures in supporting victims of abductions and conflict-related sexual violence.
🇲🇦 Moroccan Activist Jailed for Online Posts
Moroccan human rights activist Saida El Alami has been sentenced to three years in prison for “contempt of court” over social media posts critical of state institutions. Her lawyer denounced the ruling as unjust. Alami, previously pardoned in 2024 after an earlier sentence, faces renewed legal action amid concerns over freedom of expression in the kingdom.
🇲🇿 Mozambique Court Frees 12 Opposition Supporters
A Maputo court has released 12 opposition figures, including writer Alex Barga, after nine months in detention. They had been arrested during post-election protests earlier this year. The court cited insufficient evidence and tampering with legal procedures. Rights groups continue to call for the release of thousands still detained following the disputed polls.
🇨🇲 Separatist-Imposed Lockdown Paralyzes Southwest Cameroon
A separatist-enforced lockdown has left streets deserted in Buea, Southwest Cameroon, for over two weeks. The rebels have barred movement, shuttered schools, and vowed to disrupt upcoming elections. Civil society voices warn that the siege is severely impacting education and basic services in the conflict-torn region.
Technology & Development
🇺🇬 Uganda Advances Nuclear Energy Agenda
Uganda is progressing with its nuclear energy ambitions following a key agreement with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP). A 26-month site evaluation is underway in Buyende, potentially setting the stage for East Africa’s first nuclear plant. Experts urge legal reforms to strengthen nuclear safety and regulatory frameworks, as the country aims to generate 24,000 MW of nuclear power by 2040.
Business & Investment
🇰🇪 Kenya Secures $800M for Vipingo SEZ Development
Kenya has secured a total of $800 million in investment commitments for the Vipingo Special Economic Zone near Mombasa. The African Export-Import Bank will provide $500 million, while KCB Bank will contribute $300 million. The funding aims to catalyse industrial activity and attract private sector investors to the coastal hub.
🌍 TLG Capital Eyes $200M Fund for African SMEs
Africa-focused asset manager TLG Capital plans to raise $200 million by late 2026 to lend to small and mid-sized enterprises across the continent. The initiative targets bridging financing gaps and enabling growth in underserved sectors, particularly in frontier markets.
Sources: africacenter.org, semafor.com
