Africa Now – (01-15 March, 2025)

OVERVIEW

This edition of Africa Now looks at significant developments across the African continent, focusing on security, politics, economy and foreign policy. Security challenges continue to persist with officials in Ethiopia's Tigray region asking for federal help after the rival faction of the main regional party seized control of a town, fuelling fears of a reoccurrence of conflict in the region. Recent clashes in South Sudan between government soldiers and armed group in Upper Nile State in the northeast region has also added to the instability in the region. In more optimistic news, Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi’s consideration for holding peace talks with the M23 rebels has brought hope for restoring peace and stability in the region.

On the international front, France took its first formal step towards ending French military presence by handing over two military facilities to Senegal while Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his visit to South Africa in April for peace talks with the country’s leader Cyril Ramaphosa. Meanwhile, the US President, Donald Trump’s remarks on Lesotho embittered relations between both the countries.

India and Africa relations in the economic and diplomatic sector continue to thrive. India’s fertilizer company, Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT) is in talks to buy rock phosphate from Togo that would cater to India’s huge agricultural sector while India plans on holding talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo to sign an initial agreement securing supplies of critical minerals to help energy transition efforts and fulfil the growing demand from its industries. However, the highlight of the fortnight was PM Modi’s visit to Mauritius which reaffirms the strong and enduring bonds between both the countries.

AFRICA

AU rejects Sudan’s parallel government declaration

The African Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC) has rejected Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) declaration of a parallel government, stating that it threatens Sudan’s unity. This comes after the RSF and eighteen allied movements announced a "peace and unity" government in Nairobi. The PSC also urged AU members and the international community not to recognize or support any such entity. The AU reaffirmed its commitment to Sudan’s sovereignty and urged peaceful negotiations which is a crucial step as the ongoing conflict has killed thousands and displaced millions since April 2023. Click here to read... [2]

Crisis intensifies in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region, asks for federal help

On February 12, officials in Ethiopia's Tigray region asked for federal help after a faction of the main regional party seized control of a town, fuelling fears of a return to conflict in the region. Getachew Reda, who leads one faction and heads Tigray's interim administration, said his rival, Debretsion Gebremichael, had forcibly taken control of the administration of the northern town of Adigrat. The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) runs Tigray's interim administration, established in 2023 as part of a peace agreement that ended a devastating two-year war between Tigrayan forces and the federal government. The war ended with a truce signed in November 2022 after tens of thousands of people were killed and millions forced from their homes in northern Ethiopia. Since then, the TPLF has split into two factions, with each laying a claim to control of the party. The deterioration of the political and security situation in Tigray needs to be contained because otherwise it has the potential to turn into another humanitarian disaster in the Horn of Africa. Click here to read... [3]

Morocco approves $32.5 billion worth green hydrogen projects

On March 6, 2025, a Moroccan government committee approved green hydrogen projects aiming to produce ammonia, steel and industrial fuel worth a total of 319 billion dirhams ($32.5 billion). The Moroccan committee picked the United States' Ortus, Spain's Acciona and Germany's Nordex to produce green ammonia. The government hopes green hydrogen will help it meet their domestic energy goals as well as boost exports to the European Union. This is especially important after the bloc announced a Green Deal to reduce carbon emissions, calling for the import of 10 million tons of renewable hydrogen by 2030. Click here to read... [4]

Crisis in South Sudan intensifies

Recent clashes between government soldiers and armed group in Upper Nile State in the northeast allied to the president and first vice president are threatening a fragile power-sharing agreement in South Sudan. The unity government, led by President Salva Kiir, with former rebel leader, Riek Machar as First Vice President, was formed in 2018 following a peace deal that ended the country’s five-year civil war which had led to the loss of nearly 400,000 lives. The deal demilitarized the capital, Juba, and moved to ensure that both sides shared earnings from oil exports and returned Mr. Machar as vice president. Yet deep-seated political and ethnic tensions have endured, as have militias and armed factions with shifting loyalties. The leaders must now refocus on the peace process, and uphold the human rights of South Sudanese citizens urgently. Click here to read... [5]

Congo president to hold talks with M23 rebels

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi is considering sitting down for direct talks with the M23 rebels on March 18, something which has been reiterated by the neighbouring country, Angola. M23, for its part, said that it was demanding an unequivocal commitment from Tshisekedi to engage in talks. With Congo's army and allied forces putting up weak resistance to the rebel advance and the rebels seizing territory rich with coltan, tantalum and other minerals, an agreement to hold dialogue seems pertinent. Click here to read... [6]

Tanzania to launch oil exploration licensing round

On 6 March, 2025, Tanzania will launch its fifth oil and gas licensing round for May 2025 in which 26 exploration blocks will be put to auction to help draw fresh investment in the east African country's hydrocarbons sector. Of the blocks on offer, 23 are offshore in the Indian Ocean while three others are offshore and located in Lake Tanganyika. This will be Tanzania's first oil and gas licensing round in more than a decade. Past explorations have led to the discovery of more than 57 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves that is used to generate more than half of the country’s electricity. The successful conclusion of negotiations could strengthen Tanzania’s position as a major player in the global energy market and also boost domestic energy production. Click here to read... [7]

AFRICA AND WORLD

Egyptian President meets Syria’s new President

On March 5, 2025, the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met Syria's new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, for the first time on the side-lines of the summit held to discuss Gaza's reconstruction in Cairo. President Sisi expressed Egypt's keenness on ensuring the unity and safety of Syrian lands, reiterating its rejection of any "assault" on Syrian territory. The meeting indicates towards Syria’s new President Al-Sharaa’s efforts to gain support from Arab and Western leaders since has led a rebel offensive that toppled former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Unlike its Gulf allies, Cairo has been more cautious in its response to the new rulers in Syria and especially Sharaa, since he is an Islamist who was once an affiliate of al Qaeda. Click here to read... [8]

France hands over Military bases to Senegal

On March 7,2025, France handed over two military facilities to Senegal. This is the first formal step in ending French military presence in the West African country as the region shifts away from its former coloniser. By taking this step the country joins its neighbours, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, who have all already pushed out French troops. Senegal's President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye has said that all foreign military presence in Senegal would be put to an end as it was incompatible with Senegalese sovereignty. Click here to read... [9]

Lesotho insulted after Trump’s Remarks

On 4th March, 2025, US President, Donald Trump made a comment on Lesotho. He said that ‘Eight million dollars to promote LGBTQI+ in the African nation of Lesotho, which nobody has ever heard of.’ Lesotho’s foreign minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, reacted to the comment and said that the remark was “quite insulting.” Government spokesperson Thabo Sekonyela further said that “when somebody as high-powered as President Trump denies us in such a high-profile set-up, it is understandable we would have to do something. So, we have followed all diplomatic channels to register our discontent." These remarks have added bitterness to US-Lesotho relations. Click here to read... [10]

Zelensky to visit South Africa

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit South Africa in April for talks with the country’s leader Cyril Ramaphosa. This would be a continuation of the South African President’s ongoing engagement with both Kyiv and Moscow to find a path towards peace. It is important to note that South Africa has adopted a neutral position regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine and has attempted to act as a mediator between the two sides, albeit with limited success. Zelenskyy's visit to the country comes at a critical juncture as South Africa holds the presidency of the Group of 20 this year and has called for cooperation among the bloc to find an end to the war in Ukraine. Click here to read... [11]

Zimbabwe seeks BRICS membership

On March 6, 2025, the Foreign Minister of Zimbabwe, Amon Murwira announced that Zimbabwe had officially submitted its application to join BRICS and emphasized the country’s commitment to meeting BRICS' membership requirements. The BRICS bloc, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—has been expanding its influence, with several nations expressing their interest in joining the bloc. Zimbabwe’s bid to join the bloc highlights its strategic aim to enhance economic ties and global partnerships within the alliance. Click here to read... [12]

AFRICA AND INDIA

Indian Company in talks to buy Phosphate from Togo

India’s fertilizer company, Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT) is in talks to purchase rock phosphate from Togo. Indian firms are eager to sign long-term fertiliser import deals to widen their supply sources and cater to India’s huge agricultural sector. Last month FACT signed a non-binding agreement to buy rock phosphate from Societe Nouvelle des Phosphates du Togo (SNPT) and this upcoming deal would mark an Indian company's first long-term fertiliser deal with the African nation. Click here to read... [13]

PM Modi visit Mauritius

On the invitation of the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on March 11-12, 2025, attended the National Day celebrations of Mauritius as the Chief Guest. A contingent of Indian Defence Forces also participated in the celebrations along with a ship from the Indian Navy. The Prime Minister also interacted with the members of the Indian-origin community, and inaugurated the Civil Service College and the Area Health Centre, both built with India’s grant assistance. The visit reaffirmed the strong and enduring bond between India and Mauritius. Click here to read... [14]

2nd India-Sierra Leone Foreign Office Consultations held

On 10 March, 2025, the second round of India-Sierra Leone Foreign Office Consultations were held in New Delhi. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Sevala Naik Mude, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, India and H.E. Mr. Alan C. E. Logan, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sierra Leone. Both sides engaged in a comprehensive review of the entire range of India-Sierra Leone bilateral relations, encompassing key areas of bilateral cooperation including trade, investment, health & pharmaceuticals, education and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in Freetown at a mutually convenient date. Click here to read... [15]

India holds talks with Congo for pact to source cobalt, copper

India is holding talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo to sign an initial agreement for securing supplies of critical minerals such as cobalt and copper. This comes as a part of India’s efforts to ensure a steady supply of critical minerals from resource-rich nations such as Congo, Mongolia and Zambia to help its energy transition efforts and fill in the growing demand from its industries. According to sources, New Delhi plans to send officials to attend a mining conference in Congo this year, followed by a visit of a senior official in July 2024 in order to explore opportunities for sourcing supplies of cobalt and copper. However, the current strife in Congo owing to the Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 could complicate matters for India. Click here to read... [16]