Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent - news that matters.
Commentary
Why Turkey's election is being closely followed in Africa
Turkey's influence in Africa has been growing massively over the past 20 years and whoever wins Sunday's presidential run-off will have to consider where next to take the relationship. Click here to read...
South Africa load-shedding: The roots of Eskom's power problem
South Africa is heading into the southern hemisphere winter with the prospect of the country's worst-ever power cuts - up to 16 hours a day. The roots of the problem lie in poor management, corruption and sabotage. Click here to read...
News
Mauritania: Ruling party confirms landslide victory in second round of legislative elections
Mauritania's parliamentary elections have delivered their verdict. And the ruling party is rubbing its hands with an overwhelming majority in victory. El Insafe is credited with 107 of the 176 seats in the National Assembly. Click here to read...
Somalia moves to one-person, one-vote elections
After decades of electing leaders through a complex, clan-based system, Somalia's government is set to embrace direct universal suffrage ahead of the next year's vote. Click here to read...
Central African Republic President calls for constitutional referendum
President Faustin Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic called for a constitutional referendum Tuesday that would allow him to seek a third term in office. Click here to read...
Fighting subsides in Sudan’s capital after ceasefire extended
Clashes subsided in Sudan’s capital on Tuesday though fighting could be heard in some areas, residents said, after military factions battling for more than six weeks agreed to extend a ceasefire aimed at allowing aid to reach civilians. Click here to read...
Guinea’s suppression of protests stokes anger against military
Anti-government protests are gaining momentum in Guinea as frustrations with the interim military government increases. Click here to read...
Senegal unrest flares again over opposition leader
Dozens of protesters clashed with security forces in Senegal's capital, Dakar, on Monday after lawmakers and supporters were blocked from visiting the home of a prominent opposition politician on trial for rape and libel. Click here to read...
Nigeria opens Africa’s biggest oil refinery as it tries to boost struggling sector
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday opened Africa’s biggest oil refinery, with hopes it would help the energy-rich country achieve self-sufficiency and become a net exporter of refined petroleum products. Click here to read...
Libya court sentences 23 to death for Islamic State campaign
A Libyan court sentenced 23 people to death and another 14 to life in prison on Monday for their role in a deadly Islamic State militant campaignClick here to read...
'No elections without security': Burkina Faso's 2024 vote in question after 40 killed in attacks
Burkina Faso's prime minister on Tuesday ruled out negotiations with jihadist insurgents who control swathes of the country, while suggesting that security risks could delay the country's return to civilian rule. Click here to read...
At least 17 civilians killed by extremist rebels in eastern Congo
Civilians were killed by fighters with the Allied Democratic Forces — believed to be linked with the Islamic State groupClick here to read...
Niger Says 55 Jihadists Killed in Joint Operation
Niger's army said Monday that 55 jihadists, including several high-ranking combatants affiliated to the Islamic State group, had been killed in a joint operation with Nigeria. Click here to read...
World Bank approves $1 billion loan to Kenya
The World Bank said on Tuesday it approved a $1 billion loan to Kenya to support its budget as East Africa’s economic powerhouse confronts high debts and a weakening currency. Click here to read...
Defaulting on Collateralised Chinese Loans, Ghana Will Loose its State Properties
After several negotiations, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has finally granted approval for a Special Drawing Rights of 2.242 billion, equivalent to $3 billion, to the Republic of Ghana. Click here to read...
Eritrean forces stop UN mission in Tigray, Ethiopia, aid workers tell CNN
Eritrean forces prevented a UN-led humanitarian mission from entering a village in the northern Ethiopian region of Tigray on ThursdayClick here to read...
UN Security Council renews sanctions against South Sudan
The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution to renew for a year, till May 31, 2024, arms embargo measures against South Sudan as well as targeted sanctions of travel ban and asset freeze against individuals and entities. Click here to read...
Mali: junta asks Washington to stop disinformation about army and Wagner
Mali's ruling junta called on the United States on Sunday to stop what it claimed was a disinformation campaign, after sanctions were imposed on two Malian officers whom Washington accused of taking part in a massacre in the centre of the country in 2022. Click here to read...
President Samia Launches Africa Heads Of State Human Capital Summit
President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania has called on fellow African leaders, policymakers, and other development stakeholders to accelerate investments in learning, health, and skills, to secure the productivity of the region’s people as its greatest asset. Click here to read...
Israel signs transport deal with Morocco as relations deepen
Direct shipping adds to already stronger trade ties developed since signing of 2020 recognition agreement. Click here to read...
Africa cannot turn page on colonialism except through independence of Western Sahara
Algerian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf, stated on Tuesday that "Africa cannot completely turn the final page of its colonial history without enabling the Sahrawi people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination." Click here to read...
Sahara: Zambia reaffirms steadfast support for Morocco’s territorial integrity & Autonomy Plan
Zambia has reiterated its unwavering support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and autonomy plan offered by the North African Kingdom for the Sahara under its sovereignty, describing this plan as the “only reliable and realistic” solution” to the Sahara regional dispute. Click here to read...
Uganda enacts harsh anti-LGBTQ law including death penalty
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni signed one of the world's toughest anti-LGBTQ laws, including the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality".Click here to read...
Police question two Tunisian journalists after controversial show
Prominent Tunisian columnist Haythem El Mekki and radio cohost Elyes Gharbi have been released by a public prosecutor after being interrogated about their comments on the country’s powerful security forces. Click here to read...
Defaulting on Collateralised Chinese Loans, Ghana Will Loose its State Properties
After several negotiations, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has finally granted approval for a Special Drawing Rights of 2.242 billion, equivalent to $3 billion, to the Republic of Ghana. Click here to read...
Chinese hackers attacked Kenyan government as debt strains grew
Chinese hackers targeted Kenya's government in a widespread, years-long series of digital intrusions against key ministries and state institutions. Click here to read...
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki in China
Any doubt that a new multipolar world has emerged in the Horn of Africa should have dissipated last week with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki’s trip to China. Click here to read...
In State Visit, Eritrea and China Signal Deeper Partnership
When Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki arrived in China for a four-day state visit, he was greeted with fanfare that included a red carpet, a guard of honor military procession and a 21-gun salute. Click here to read...
Qin Gang Meets with DRC Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula
On May 22, 2023, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Beijing. Click here to read...
China and the DRC are set to sign a $6 Billion infrastructure-for-minerals agreement
Felix Tshisekedi, the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will go to China from May 24 to May 29 and is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping to discuss and sign a number of significant economic agreements. Click here to read...
Burundi sticks to Ukraine neutrality as Russia's top diplomat visits
Burundi's foreign minister insisted on Tuesday that his country would not take sides in Russia's war against Ukraine, after a visit from Moscow's top diplomat in his latest trip to drum up African support. Click here to read...
Ramaphosa firmly rejects Africa being drawn into sides in global conflict
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday firmly rejected any attempts to get African countries to take sides in any global conflict. Click here to read...
South Africa Under More Scrutiny Over Russian Ship as Ruling ANC Says It Would 'Welcome' Putin
The South African government has come under growing pressure after it declined to release cargo documents relating to the visit by a Russian ship that the United States alleges collected a consignment of weapons for Moscow.Click here to read...
South Africa blocks Putin's arrest; Snubs ICC, West by granting diplomatic immunity to Kremlin boss
South African govt extended diplomatic immunity to Russian President Putin despite International court of justices’ arrest warrant against Putin for war crime. Click here to read...
Russia offers to finance NPP for Malawi
Russia has offered financial aid to Malawi of $20m to support the construction of a nuclear power plant. Click here to read...
Ukraine Announces Diplomatic Push for Africa
Ukraine on Thursday said it would open more embassies in Africa and stage a summit with leaders from the continent, where Russia is also carrying out a diplomatic offensive. Click here to read...
Ukraine foreign minister urges African nations to ditch neutrality in Russia war
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is urging African countries to abandon their stances of neutrality towards his country’s war with Russia. Click here to read...
Kyiv, Moscow to separately host African leaders to discuss grain, fertilizer exports amid war
A delegation of six African leaders set to hold talks with Kyiv and Moscow aim to “initiate a peace process”. Click here to read...
Italy boosts energy ties with Angola, eyes African development plan
President Lourenço visited President Mattarella and PM Meloni in Rome, as the two countries vow to deepen ties and their energy majors, Eni and Sonangol, expanded their cooperation to critical raw materials. Click here to read...
Peru seen losing title of no. 2 copper producer soon to Congo
Peru is expected to lose its mantle as the world’s No. 2 copper-producing nation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo by 2026-2027, according to consulting firm Wood Mackenzie. Click here to read...
Botswana says it is still keen on De Beers partnership, confident of new deal
Botswana wants to maintain its partnership with De Beers and is confident that ongoing negotiations for a new diamond sales agreement will succeed. Click here to read...
COP28 President-Designate calls for major boost to public and private climate finance for African Nations
In an address today to the African Development Bank Annual Meeting, the COP28 President-Designate, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, called for a major boost to public and private finance to allow the African continent to battle climate change. Click here to read...
Mozambique cholera: Why outbreaks have sparked unrest
False claims about the spread of a cholera outbreak in northern Mozambique have led to violent protests and deaths, according to health officials. Click here to read...
India in Africa
Rajnath Singh heads to Nigeria to attend swearing-in of President Bola Tinubu
Defence minister Rajnath Singh will be on a three-day official visit to Nigeria from May 28 to May 30 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the west African nation’s next President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Click here to read...
Rajnath Singh on first-ever defence minister visit to Nigeria; eyes on military ties, market
The fact that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s May 28-30 three-day-long visit to the West African country of Nigeria is the first one ever by an Indian defence minister, is replete with significance because of the timing. Click here to read...
Military hardware on radar as Rajnath gears up for Nigeria visit
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will spend three days in Nigeria starting Sunday as India continues to deepen its outreach to the African continent. Click here to read...
EAM Jaishankar to visit South Africa, Namibia from June 1 to 6
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar will pay an official visit to African countries, South Africa and Namibia from June 1 to 6 June 2023, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Click here to read...
Jaishankar likely to attend Brics meet in South Africa next week
Foreign minister S Jaishankar will travel to Cape Town next week to participate in the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting that will look to firm up the agenda for the summit that South Africa will host in August. Click here to read...
Union minister Bhupendra Yadav announces study tour for Cheetah Conservation Officers in Namibia/South Africa
Union Minister of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change, Bhupendra Yadav, has declared that officers and employees involved in the conservation and management of cheetahs will be selected and sent on a study tour to Namibia/South Africa as part of the Cheetah Project. Click here to read...
Jaishankar greets people of Ethiopia on their National Day
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday extended wishes to the government and people of Ethiopia on the occasion of their National Day. Click here to read...
India: Shri Sanjeev Jain appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Cabo Verde
Shri Sanjeev Jain (YOA: 2008), presently Director in the Ministry of External Affairs has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Cabo Verde. Click here to read...
‘India will play a key role in reconstruction, recovery of Sudan’
India will play a major role in the reconstruction and recovery of Sudan after the ongoing conflict in the African nation ends. Click here to read...
Gravita started commercial production of Rubber Recycling in Tanzania, East Africa
Gravita India has informed stock exchanges that commercial production and recycling of waste rubber has started at its plant in Tanzania in East Africa. Click here to read...
Varun Beverages incorporates subsidiary in South Africa
Varun Beverages (VBL), India's largest bottler of PepsiCo beverages, has incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary in South Africa. Click here to read...
Mauritian Wadia group may play role in Go First saga
A Mauritius-based Wadia group company that together with its affiliates indirectly holds a stake in Britannia Industries could take centre stage in a face-off between Go First's bankersClick here to read...
India, Germany push trilateral projects
India and Germany are planning to expand their trilateral development partnership projects, according to persons aware of the matter. Click here to read...
Woman shares how Punjabis in Kenya are influenced by Swahili
Radhika Kaur, an Indian origin woman, posts videos on TikTok showcasing how Punjabis living in Kenya have taken many words from Swahili languageClick here to read...
Bihar’s model of bicycles to girls replicated by six African countries, endorsed by UN
Bihar government’s model of biycles to girls was successfully replicated in seven African countries including Zambia was also endorsed by United Nations as a tool of increasing enrolment in schools and empowering women over all. Click here to read...
