Overview
The African continent witnessed significant developments over the past two weeks. Significant strides in infrastructure, international diplomacy, political developments and economic reforms were made but the continent still grappled with conflict and uncertainty. In Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took over major camp in North Darfur, and displacing hundreds. In Nigeria, the terrorist group, Boko Haram renewed attacks in the north-eastern Borno State. Relations soured between Mali and Algeria after former accused the latter of shooting down one of its surveillance drones near their shared border. To restore stability and peace in the region, Prime Minister of Ethiopia appointed Tadesse Worede to lead the interim administration in the northern Tigray region. Several political upheavals took place with Brice Oligui Nguema winning the presidential elections in Gabon and CHADEMA, the main opposition party of Tanzania, got disqualified from elections. On the economic front, Zambia to resume work on power line link to Tanzania that would create new avenues for trade and investment in the power sectors across the whole of Africa.
The continent witnessed an increase in its engagement with different external powers. Leaders from UK, Germany, France, the European Union, and the African Union met in London to discuss how to help end violence and suffering in Sudan. On development projects, Lesotho granted a license to Elon Musk’s Starlink to operate its satellite and offer internet services whereas China’s CMOC Group boosted cobalt production in the mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kenya turned to China for £1.3-billion highway deal by ditching France and Somalia secures a $306.5 million debt relief agreement with the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF). Also, France and Egypt signed strategic partnership agreements to bolster Egypt's economic stability. On the diplomatic front, a special envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas, was appointed by South Africa to ease tensions between the two countries.
The highlight of the fortnight was thriving engagement of India with Africa with the inaugural session of India-Africa Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) which aligns perfectly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of promoting Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR).
AFRICA
RSF claims control of key Darfur camp in Sudan
On April 13, 2025, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took over major camp in North Darfur, displacing hundreds. The RSF is a paramilitary group has been fighting the Sudanese army since April 2023 and this conflict has displaced millions. The fighting has centred around the Zamzam Camp which hosts around 700,000 people who have been displaced by Sudan’s war. The taking over the Zamzam camp has intensified the ongoing humanitarian crisis as people from these camps are now fleeing to the city of al-Fashir which is already overcrowded. Click here to read...
Nguema becomes Gabon’s new President
On April 13, 2025, Brice Oligui Nguema won the presidential elections in Gabon, securing 90.35 percent of votes. Nguema, a military leader had led a military coup in August 2023, ousting the president, Ali Bongo. Alain-Claude Bilie Bie Nze, who served as the prime minister at the time of the coup gained only 3.02 percent of the votes. This is a decisive win for the new president who vowed to revive his country from poverty and make it self-reliant. The elections mark a significant step in Gabon’s return to constitutional rule which witnessed 70.4 percent of voter turnout. Click here to read...
Tanzania’s main Opposition Party Disqualified from Elections
On April 12, 2025, the Election Commission of Tanzania said that the main opposition party, CHADEMA has been disqualified from elections. The director of elections at the Independent National Elections Commission, Ramadhani Kailima said that his participation in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in October have been nullified as he failed to sign a code of conduct document. It is important to note that Tundu Lissu, the CHADEMA leader and a former presidential was charged with treason a few days ago. This and now his disqualification from participating in elections has brought a lot of criticism and scrutiny to President Samia Suluhu Hassan who has been accused of cracking down on political opponents. These events have created an atmosphere of uncertainty and distrust in Tanzania. Click here to read...
Zambia to resume work on power line link to Tanzania
On April, 11, 2025, a World Bank official said that the project for the construction of a power line link linking Zambia to Tanzania called the Zambia–Tanzania Interconnector Project will resume this month with estimated completion in 2028. The $320 million project is being financed by World Bank, the European Union and Britain. This project by integrating Southern and East African energy market would help lowering electricity costs and increasing energy security. This project will also create new avenues for trade and investment in the power sectors across the whole of Africa. Click here to read...
Boko Haram advances again in Nigeria’s Borno state
On April 9, 2025, Boko Haram, Nigeria’s most notorious Islamist group has renewed attacks in the north-eastern Borno State. This group had been active in the northeast region of Nigeria and attacked the security forces and civilians alike. Babagana Zulum, Borno state Governor said that the group has made significant advances in the region by attacking and dislodging military bases stating a setback in an already turbulent region. These events have increased uncertainty and insecurity in the fragile state of Borno. Click here to read...
Mali accuses Algeria of shooting down a surveillance drone
On April 6, 2025, Mali accused Algeria of shooting down one of its surveillance drones near their shared border. Both the sides have different versions to this incident. The Malian government said that “the drone wreckage was found 9.5 kilometres south of the border with Algeria after it was shot down” while the Algeria’s defence Military said that it shot down an armed surveillance drone which violated Algeria’s airspace. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have recalled their ambassadors after the incident. This has precipitated a crisis like situation in the Sahel region. Click here to read...
Ethiopia's PM appoints new leader of Tigray administration
On April 8, 2025, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia appointed Tadesse Worede to lead the interim administration in the northern Tigray region. Tadesse, a former deputy president of the interim administration and a top commander in the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) during the 2020-2022 war with Ethiopia's federal government, has pledged to demobilise armed forces and help the displaced people in returning back to the safety of their homes. His appointment has raised hopes for restoring peace and stability in the region. Click here to read...
AFRICA AND WORLD
EU and Britain boost aid for Sudan
On April 15, 2025, senior diplomats from the UK, Germany, France, the European Union, and the African Union gathered at a conference in London to discuss how to help end violence and suffering in Sudan. This came after two years of civil war, when they pledged millions of dollars’ worth of aid to ease suffering. The EU and its member states pledged €522 million ($590 million) in aid for 2025, whereas the UK announced £120 million ($158 million). Neither the Sudanese military nor the paramilitary group was invited to the conference. The conference failed to produce a diplomatic breakthrough, indicating the complexities in resolving the ongoing conflict. Click here to read...
Lesotho grants Elon Musk Starlink license
The Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) announced on April 14 that it has granted a license to Elon Musk’s Starlink to operate its satellite and offer internet services in Lesotho, which would be valid for 10 years. This comes after Trump’s derogatory remarks earlier this year and imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on exports to the US. Starlink has expanded its operations in 18 African countries since launching its operation in Nigeria in 2023. This growth is reflective of Starlink’s interest in enhancing internet access and securing a foothold in the African market, which has the lowest internet penetration in the World. Click here to read...
South Africa appoints US envoy to mend ties
On April 14, 2025, a special envoy to the US was appointed by South Africa to ease tensions between the two countries. Mcebisi Jonas, a former deputy finance minister was selected as the special envoy by President Ramaphosa, who entrusted Jonas with advancing ‘South Africa's diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities. Last month, the US had expelled South Africa's ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, over remarks on the Trump administration. Relations between the US and South Africa soured with Trump cutting off aid to the country after the passing of the new Expropriation Law. This appointment of Mr. Jonas brings hope of easing tensions between the two countries. Click here to read...
France signs deal to help Egypt's Economy
On April 7, 2025, France and Egypt signed strategic partnership agreements covering important areas like health, transport and energy that would help bolster Egypt's economic stability amid high inflation and shortages of foreign currency. The IMF had recently approved a disbursement of $1.2 billion and France's overseas aid development body pledged 260 million euros ($284.5 million) worth of loans and grants for Egypt to Egypt. These agreements highlight France’s commitment to supporting Egypt at a time of economic and regional volatility. Click here to read...
Kenya turns to China for £1.3-billion highway deal, ditches France
The Kenyan government cancelled a deal with a France-based firm called Vinci Highways and awarded it to a China-backed contractor. The project aims to upgrade 140 kilometres of single-lane roadway into a multi-lane highway linking Nairobi to the Rift Valley city of Nakuru. The decision underscores the growing trend on the continent, where several African countries are moving away from their former colonial powers. This decision highlights China's deepening footprint in Africa and France’s fading influence in the region. Click here to read...
China's CMOC boosts cobalt output at Congo mines
China’s CMOC Group in the first three months of this year boosted cobalt production in the mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo. CMOC’s cobalt production rose to almost 20.7 per cent to 30,414 metric tons, while copper output rose to 15.7 per cent to 171,000 tons. Last year, the Company doubled its output to about 114,000 tons from about 56,000 tons at its Tenke Fungurume and Kisanfu mines in Congo. In February, Congo had banned exports of cobalt to curb market oversupply, but despite this, the Company was able to boost output. Click here to read...
Somalia signs debt relief deal with Arab Monetary Fund
On April 10, 2025, Somali Finance Minister Bihi Egeh announced that Somalia has secured a $306.5 million debt relief agreement with the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF). This deal aims to curb severe economic challenges the country has been grappling from due to recurrent civil conflicts and disasters like flood and drought. Last year, Somalia secured a 99 percent debt cancellation which it owed to members of the Paris Club of creditor nations. The signing of this deal is significant as it reflects international community’s confidence in Somalia’s efforts towards economic recovery and reform. Click here to read...
AFRICA AND INDIA
Inaugural Edition of AIKEYEME Begins
On 13 April 2025, the inaugural session of India-Africa Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) began at Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The Indian Navy said that this maiden initiative seeks to enhance interoperability and synergise combined operations among the maritime forces of partner nations. Such an initiative also bolsters the strong and friendly relations between India and the African nations. The initiative also aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of promoting Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR). Click here to read...
India-Tanzania to Bolster Defence Ties
On April 14, 2025, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth met Tanzania's Minister of Defence and National Service Stergomena Lawrence Tax in Dar es Salaam to discuss new ways to strengthen bilateral ties. They also discussed the need for enhanced cooperation in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. Seth emphasised “oneness and unity of purpose to overcome the vast maritime challenges and to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future”. Click here to read...
INS Sunayna reaches Tanzania for the first India-Africa drill
On April 12, 2025, INS Sunayna, designated as an Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR ship, entered the Port of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. The defence minister of India, Shri Rajnath Singh flagged the ship off from Karwar, Goa with forty-four naval personnel from nine Friendly Foreign Nations (FNNs) like Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and South Africa in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The deployment marks a new chapter in maritime cooperation and underscores India’s commitment to a secure, peaceful and prosperous IOR, fostering strong naval partnerships and regional stability. Click here to read...
Amararam Gujar appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Malawi
Amararam Gujar, a 2008 Indian Foreign Service officer has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Malawi. Presently, he is the Deputy Chief of Mission, Rome. India and Malawi have shared cordial bilateral relations. Regular high-level visits also enhance this relationship. In February, an eight-member delegation from Malawi led by General Paul Valentino Phiri, the Commander of the Malawi Defence Force visited the National Defence College in New Delhi. His appointment would ensure this cordiality of relations between the two countries. Click here to read...
