North Africa

Tunisia Faces International Scrutiny Amidst Controversial Trials On a crisp Tuesday, in a statement that echoed throughout diplomatic circles, Tunisian President Kais Saied firmly rejected what he described as unwelcome foreign meddling in the nation's judicial processes. “Opinions and proclamations from abroad are intolerable intrusions into our sovereign affairs,” he asserted, sharing his perspective via the presidency’s official Facebook profile. Is it not a universal expectation to respect a nation's autonomy? Saied…

The world has been watching as vital health funds have faced interruptions, particularly in Africa, due to the turbulent political landscape in the United States following Donald Trump's election. This decision has put essential services at risk, leaving many vulnerable populations in dire straits. The chaos within the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been a focal point of growing concern, and the stakes couldn't be higher. A recent report sheds light on the ramifications…

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote recently expressed his comfort regarding the implications of former President Donald Trump’s tariffs on his urea exports to the United States. His assessment provides a nuanced perspective on global trade dynamics, highlighting that his principal competitor, Algeria, faced an even steeper tariff. This is a timely reflection considering how international trade often feels like navigating a never-ending chess match, each move influencing the subsequent strategies of market players.…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Thursday, Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madoobe, the Speaker of Somalia’s Lower House, embarked on a significant journey to Algeria. He is set to participate in the forthcoming Arab Parliament Speakers Summit. This event promises a convergence of legislative leaders from across the Arab world, offering a platform for dialogue on pressing issues such as regional cooperation and the alignment of legislative frameworks. Yet, amidst this important diplomatic undertaking, Somalia finds itself in a tumultuous…

Economic freedom. At first glance, this term may conjure images of spreadsheets, policies, and perhaps even the dusty pages of an economic textbook. Yet, peel back the layers, and you'll find that it is far more than an academic concept. Economic freedom intricately weaves its way through our lives, influencing the jobs we can secure, the quality and variety of goods available for purchase, the education our children receive, and even the very air we breathe. The Index of Economic Freedom,…

Unraveling Arms Supply Dynamics in Sudan: A Complex Tale of Conflict and Accountability In the heart of Africa's tumultuous landscape lies Sudan, a nation grappling with conflict, dislocation, and the haunting scars of violence. Recently, media coverage has illuminated a particularly troubling chapter within this narrative—the investigation into how mortar rounds exported from Bulgaria to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) found their way into the hands of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. The story is not just about…

Understanding GDP Growth and Its Implications for Africa The annual GDP growth rate serves as a vital barometer for assessing a country’s economic health. It reveals much more than just numbers; it uncovers the complex tapestry woven from various structural and socioeconomic factors. A low GDP growth rate usually signals deeper issues, raising questions about the underlying challenges that a country faces. What does a sluggish economy mean for the future? For many African nations, a low…

On Wednesday, the state media of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported a significant breakthrough in law enforcement. Authorities successfully intercepted a covert operation aiming to illicitly transport ammunition to Sudan's military. This incident reflects the intricate dynamics gripping Sudan, a nation beset by conflict and turmoil. According to the Emirates' WAM news agency, security forces unearthed a staggering cache of approximately five million rounds of ammunition concealed within a private aircraft…

The Complex Web of Arms in Sudan: A Call for Accountability The situation in Sudan has taken a worrisome turn, prompting an in-depth investigation by the United Nations. The inquiry seeks to unravel the mystery of how weapons, notably mortar rounds that originated from Bulgaria and were sent to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), ended up in the possession of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in Sudan. This scenario is not merely a case of lost accountability; it raises profound questions about arms trafficking and the…

The Impact of Aid Cuts on Internally Displaced Persons: A Call for Compassionate Action The humanitarian landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, particularly for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) around the globe. As U.S. foreign aid policies have shifted, many lives hang in the balance, particularly in conflict zones like Nigeria. The cuts implemented during the Trump administration have reverberated through essential services provided by key United Nations agencies, leading to an…