Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent - news that matters.
COMMENTARY
The Future of Ethiopia's Peace Deal
There are nations with states and nations without a state. And in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a third category: states without nations. Click here to read...
Why South Africa is drifting into the Sino-Russian orbit
South Africa’s navy, like much of the country, is dilapidated. Its fleet spends less than half the time on the seas than it did a decade ago. Click here to read...
NEWS
President of Comoros has assumed AU chairmanship
President Azali Assoumani of the Union of Comoros takes over as the New Chairperson of the African Union (AU) for 2023. The Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) have elected H.E Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros, as the new Chairperson of the African Union for the year 2023. Click here to read...
Nigerian voters cast ballots to choose President amid bank note shortage
Voters in Nigeria cast ballots Saturday to choose a new president as Africa’s most populous nation struggles with a bank note shortage that some observers fear will result in a lower than expected turnout. Click here to read...
African Union leaders gather in Addis Ababa for 36th summit
Dozens of African heads of state and government on Saturday participated in the official opening of the African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Click here to read...
Israel spat erupts at African Union summit
Israel accused arch-foe Iran of orchestrating the expulsion of a top diplomat from the African Union summit on Saturday, with the help of Algeria and South Africa. Click here to read...
Kazakhstan Takes Part in African Union Summit in Ethiopia as Observer State
Kazakh Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU) Barlybai Sadykov participated in the annual 36th African Union summit in Addis Ababa. Click here to read...
African Union reaffirms neutrality on Sahara issue despite Algerian gas money
The standing decision-making organ of the African Union, the Peace and Security Council, issued its annual report without mentioning the Algeria-fueled conflict over southern Morocco, the Sahara. Click here to read...
Italy supports Sahrawi refugee mothers and children in Algeria through WFP's school feeding and nutrition programmes
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed a €1 million contribution from the Government of Italy that will help provide daily school meals for children attending schools and nurseries in Tindouf refugee camps. Click here to read...
Nigeria’s presidential frontrunners in final push for votes
The leading contenders in Nigeria’s presidential election have made their last push for support, a week before the West African nation’s key election. Click here to read...
Djibouti holds parliamentary vote branded as sham by opposition
Only two parties are contesting seats in the 65-member National Assembly in Friday’s election. Click here to read...
Sudan’s military does not have political ambitions: General
Sudan’s army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said the military does not have political ambitions. Click here to read...
Sierra Leone opposition party names runner-up for 2023 presidential vote
Sierra Leone's main opposition party has named Samura Kamara, the runner-up in the last presidential election, as its candidate for the next vote in June 2023. Click here to read...
Gabon president proposes cutting presidential mandate to five years
Gabon President Ali Bongo on Monday proposed shortening the presidential mandate from seven to five years as he began consultations to prepare for elections this year and measures to prevent violence. Click here to read...
Gambia appoints former civil service head as new vice president
Gambia's President Adama Barrow on Friday appointed a former head of civil service, Muhammad B. S. Jallow, to replace the West African country's late Vice President Badara Alieu Joof, the presidency said in a statement. Click here to read...
Tunisia judge imprisons politicians, businessman amid crackdown
A Tunisian “anti-terrorism” investigative judge has imprisoned two prominent politicians and a high-profile businessman, their defence team has said. Click here to read...
Mass trial starts in Chad over former ruler Deby’s death
Authorities in Chad on Tuesday started the mass trial of hundreds of alleged rebels accused of killing longtime President Idriss Deby Itno, who died under murky circumstances in 2021 two days after winning a sixth term in office. Click here to read...
Shadow games on the Red Sea as scramble for Sudan's ports intensifies
Fishermen tell MEE they were attacked by Russian fighters off Sudan's coast, as Moscow, Washington and others vie for power and profit. Click here to read...
Local elections chance to advance peace in Central African Republic
Special Representative Valentine Rugwabiza reported on recent progress by the Government, including in election preparations and security sector reform. Click here to read...
Eskom chief ousted after TV broadside against South Africa politics
South Africa’s struggling Eskom power monopoly has removed its outgoing chief executive with immediate effect after he implicated senior politicians of the ruling African National Congress in corruption. Click here to read...
Morocco not commenting on crisis with France
The Moroccan Foreign Ministry as well as officials have not officially commented on the nearly two-year-old crisis with France. Click here to read...
Somaliland clashes between government and militias kill nearly 100 in two weeks
At least 96 people have been killed in more than two weeks of clashes between security forces and clan members in the breakaway Somali region of Somaliland. Click here to read...
Angola draws inspiration from Israel as it diversifies its economy
Emerging from a 27-year civil war in 2002, Angola has spent the past two decades rebuilding the country, for a time becoming the continent’s fastest-growing economy. Click here to read...
South Sudan’s Kiir Calls for 2.3 Million Refugees to Return Home
South Sudan’s president is appealing to the more than 2 million South Sudanese refugees living in neighboring countries to start returning home. Click here to read...
Cyclone Freddy slams Mozambique with ‘dangerous’ rainfall
Tropical Cyclone Freddy dumped “dangerous and exceptional rainfall levels” over Mozambique Friday as the long-lasting weather system continued to wreak havoc across southern Africa. Click here to read...
Cyclone Freddy death toll rises to 7 in Madagascar
A total of 78,078 people in Madagascar have been affected by the flooding caused by the torrential rain and strong winds. Click here to read...
Niger: EU launches its military partnership mission
The Council is launching today a Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) military partnership mission in Niger (EUMPM Niger) to support the country in its fight against terrorist armed groups. Click here to read...
US strike kills 7 al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia, Pentagon says
A US strike in Somalia killed seven al-Shabaab fighters on Tuesday, US Africa Command said in a statement. Click here to read...
Rebels Capture More Ground In Congo As Fighting Intensifies | Congo Rebel Advances
Rebel group linked with neighboring Rwanda seized more territory Friday, threatening supply routes to the regional capital, as fighting intensified in conflict-ridden east Congo. Click here to read...
Scores Killed in Cameroon's Battles with Separatists Ahead of Senate Elections
Cameroon's military says it has killed scores of armed separatists in clashes this month and at least 15 have surrendered. Click here to read...
More than 70 soldiers killed in Burkina Faso, claims IS
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for killing more than 70 soldiers, wounding dozens and taking five hostage, in an ambush on a military convoy in northern Burkina Faso. Click here to read...
13 civilians killed in Mali attack
At least 13 civilians were killed and three others wounded during a raid on a village in central Mali by armed men, local media reported, citing witnesses. Click here to read...
Burkina Faso gunmen kill 15 Nigerian pilgrims bound for Senegal
The Muslim pilgrims were travelling to a religious ceremony in Senegal through conflict hotspots in northern Burkina Faso and central Mali. Click here to read...
Namibian dancers, president welcome Jill Biden to Africa
The first lady’s trip is part of a commitment by President Joe Biden to deepen U.S. engagement with the fast-growing region. Click here to read...
Botswana, Namibia Agree to Abolish Passports for Citizens Crossing Border
The leaders of Botswana and Namibia have signed an agreement that will allow their citizens to cross the two countries’ border without passports. Click here to read...
FATF puts South Africa, Nigeria on 'grey list'
This was despite desperate attempts by South Africa to pass several relevant laws late last year, as well as a high-level delegation sent to the FATF recently to make representations. Click here to read...
Tanzania Approves $3.5 Billion Pipeline Project
The 1,443-kilometre (900-mile) pipeline will transport crude from vast oilfields being developed in Lake Albert in north-western Uganda to a Tanzanian port on the Indian Ocean. Click here to read...
Six deals signed at UAE-Rwanda Business Forum
Six trade and investment agreements have been signed at the ongoing business forum attended by more than 200 senior executives from Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Click here to read...
Benin entrepreneur transforms plant waste into charcoal
Maize husks, cassava peelings, coconut shells and other organic waste are the untraditional raw materials of Roland Adjovi's charcoal business that he hopes will help slow the destruction of Benin's trees for cooking fuel. Click here to read...
Egypt Likely to Devalue Currency Again, Societe Generale Says
Egypt is likely to devalue its currency again in the “not-too-distant future,” and the pound may end the quarter 10% below current levels. Click here to read...
China plans naval exercises with Russia, South Africa
The drills come as the US has recently begun seeing “disturbing” trendlines in China’s support for Russia’s military and there are signs that Beijing wants to “creep up to the line” of providing lethal military aid to Russia without getting caught. Click here to read...
China, Ethiopia strengthen apparel sector ties with new MOU
China and Ethiopia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish an investment and economic cooperation working group. Click here to read...
Zelensky seeks India, Africa's participation in peace formula on war anniversary
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday vowed to do everything to defeat Russia this year. Click here to read...
China beating Tesla, US in African lithium rush
China has beat out Tesla in a bid to mine for lithium in Nigeria as top nations like the U.S. and leaders across Europe race to go electric amid growing climate change concerns. Click here to read...
China is Ravaging Africa's Donkey Population
China is shipping in large numbers of donkey skins from Africa in order to tap into a mysterious ingredient with rumored miraculous health benefits. Click here to read...
INDIA IN AFRICA
Second edition of India-Africa joint military exercise to be held in March
THE FOREIGN Training Node (FTN) of the Indian Army located at Aundh Military Station in Pune will host a multinational military exercise involving the Indian Army and armies of several African countries in March. Click here to read...
India and African Nations to Strengthen Military Ties at AFINDEX Exercise in Pune
The Indian Army is all set to host the second edition of the Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX) at the Aundh military station in Pune from 21 March to 30 March. Click here to read...
India to soon trade in rupee with UAE, Malaysia and Nigeria
Officials from Reserve Bank of India are in discussion with their counterparts in UAE, Nigeria and Russia over the last few months to work out on rupee trade mechanism with the local currencies of the countriesClick here to read...
India – Egypt hold 3rd ‘Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism’ meeting in New Delhi
India has been collaborating with numerous countries and organizations to counter global terrorism at various levels. Click here to read...
India, Seychelles sign pact on information sharing in maritime security
The Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region of India and the RCOC (Regional Coordination Operations Centre) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on maritime cooperation. Click here to read...
UPI may extend to UAE, Mauritius & Indonesia
After Singapore, the RBI is in talks with several countries, including Indonesia, UAE and Mauritiusfor establishing a direct payment link of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with networks in these countries to enable quicker andcheaper fund transfers using mobile phones. Click here to read...
Access to these pharmaceuticals is important: Gambia High Commissioner Mustapha Jawara on Jan Aushadhi
Highlighting the lack of proper testing of quality medicines in Gambia, the country’s High Commissioner to India Mustapha Jawara on Friday laid thrust on the importance of quality and reasonably priced medicines in the Western African country. Click here to read...
India's opportunity to unlock the clean energy potential of North Africa
As India strives to achieve its own energy independence by 2047 through ambitious clean energy initiatives, it can forge strategic partnerships withNorth African nations to help them unshackle the chains of fossil fuels. Click here to read...
European nations, Egypt eye buying Indian rice as prices stabilise
Indian rice continues to get good enquiries from the global market with European nations and Egypt joining the list of nations looking for the cereal from the sub-continent, traders say. Click here to read...
12 more cheetahs brought to India from South Africa, released in Kuno
The cheetahs, seven males and five females from South Africa, were released into quarantine enclosures at the Park, five months after the first batch of eight cheetahs arrived here from Namibia under the same project. Click here to read...
Customs seize over Rs 7-crore worth gold from 23 Sudan women at Hyderabad airport
The foreigners were found carrying gold concealed in different cavities in their shoes and also in the hidden folds of their clothes. Click here to read...
