Central Africa

Kinshasa — The Democratic Republic of Congo has signed a five-year, $1.2 billion health financing agreement with the United States, officials announced, joining neighboring Uganda in adopting Washington’s new government-to-government aid framework. Under the pact, the DRC will receive $900 million in U.S. assistance while committing to boost domestic health spending by $300 million. The arrangement targets a slate of priority interventions intended to strengthen disease control and maternal-child health services. Program…

Uganda eyes Tanzania rail link to open new mineral export corridor via Dar es Salaam Uganda plans to connect a new standard gauge railway to Tanzania’s line now under construction, potentially opening a second ocean outlet for its exports through the port of Dar es Salaam and offering a fresh route for gold, copper and iron ore, according to a government document seen by Reuters. The move adds a southern corridor to Uganda’s long-standing plan to tie its Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Kenya’s network that runs from the…

Dancan Chege left Kimende, a small town in Kenya’s Kiambu County, expecting to drive trucks in Russia. Within days, he says, he was wearing a Russian uniform in occupied Ukraine, his civilian clothes burned, and a trainer warning him and other recruits: “This is the Russian military, and once you are in, you either fight or die.” Chege’s account mirrors a growing pattern across Kenya and parts of Africa: fraudulent recruitment funneling young men into the Russia-Ukraine war. Kenya’s National Intelligence Service (NIS)…

Chad Closes Eastern Border Amid Escalating Sudanese Conflict Chad has closed its eastern border with Sudan in response to escalating violence in the border town of al-Tina, as Sudan's ongoing civil war inches closer to its territory. The closure, announced by the Chadian government, comes amid heavy fighting involving Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and local militia groups. The government justified this decision as a critical measure to thwart repeated incursions by armed Sudanese groups and to safeguard civilian…

Cameroon Soldiers Sentenced for Ngarbuh Massacre In a landmark moment for accountability, three Cameroonian soldiers have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from five to ten years for their involvement in the brutal killing of at least 21 civilians in the Anglophone Northwest region of the country. The sentencing, delivered by a military court, followed a guilty verdict on charges of murder, arson, and destruction related to the harrowing attack on the village of Ngarbuh on February 14, 2020. This incident saw…

Kenya’s spy agency says a trafficking pipeline aided by rogue officials has funneled up to 1,000 Kenyans into Russia’s war in Ukraine, with at least one death and dozens injured or missing, according to a report presented to parliament. The National Intelligence Service report, tabled Wednesday by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, details alleged collusion by airport staff, immigration officers, investigators and labor officials to recruit and move Kenyans into Russia under false pretenses. It says 89…

Somalia launches East African Community passport, signaling push for regional mobility MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has officially begun issuing the East African Community (EAC) passport, a step the federal government cast as historic for regional integration and a boost to global mobility for Somali citizens. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said Thursday that the introduction of the EAC passport will expand opportunities in travel, trade and education while strengthening Somalia’s engagement within the regional bloc.…

Gabon Suspends Social Media Amid Rising Tensions Gabon’s media regulator has announced a sweeping suspension of all social media platforms, a drastic measure attributed to the escalating conflict and deepening societal divisions within the country. This decision reflects the government's increasing scrutiny of online content, deemed damaging to public order. In a televised statement, the High Authority for Communication highlighted several factors leading to the suspension, citing the pervasive spread of false…

Somalia cleared to issue East African Community passports, boosting regional mobility Wednesday February 18, 2026 MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has received formal approval to issue East African Community (EAC) passports, a key step in the country’s regional integration and a move officials say will ease cross-border travel for Somali citizens across the bloc. The authorization was conveyed in an official letter presented by Somalia’s ambassador to Tanzania and permanent representative to the EAC, Ilyas Ali Hassan. He handed…

Leaked Liberal immigration plan aimed to ban migrants from conflict-held regions across 13 countries and sharply tighten visa rules, but the party’s former shadow immigration minister says he never proposed or agreed to the measures and has “serious concerns.” The draft was prepared under ousted Liberal leader Sussan Ley and slated for release on Feb. 16 after an earlier delay following the Bondi terror attack. It was not taken to shadow cabinet before last week’s leadership change, and new Opposition Leader Angus Taylor had…