North Africa

Egypt and Turkey seal strategic reset in Cairo, set $15B trade target and align on Gaza cease-fire CAIRO — Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks in Cairo on Wednesday, co-chairing a high-level council that produced new cooperation agreements and a shared call to advance a Gaza cease-fire and reconstruction effort. Following their meeting, the leaders convened the second session of the Egypt–Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council and oversaw the signing of…

RIYADH — Türkiye and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s one-day visit to the kingdom, rejecting what they called separatist moves and parallel structures that threaten the Horn of Africa nation’s unity. In a statement released Wednesday by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate following Erdogan’s meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, the leaders stressed their “unwavering support” for the Federal Republic of Somalia and…

CAIRO — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday reaffirmed support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, jointly rejecting Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia during a high-level meeting in Cairo. The talks, held ahead of the Egypt–Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, centered on bilateral relations and regional flashpoints including Somalia, Sudan and Gaza, according to the Egyptian presidency. Both leaders cast their…

The Breaking Siege of Kadugli: A Turning Point in Sudan's Conflict The Sudanese army has broken a paramilitary siege on the key southern city of Kadugli, signaling a significant shift in the war within the Kordofan region. This development marks a notable reversal of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) offensive strategies. The army's breakthrough was confirmed by Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Kadugli has been under siege for much of Sudan's nearly three-year conflict. The city, a focal…

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi Reported Dead Amid Conflicting Accounts Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the 53-year-old son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has reportedly been shot dead at his home in Zintan. Khaled al-Zaidi, his lawyer, stated that a four-man commando unit carried out the assassination, although the identities of those behind the attack remain unclear. Meanwhile, a conflicting account from Saif's sister suggests he met his end near the Algerian border. Once considered the most prominent and feared figure in Libya…

Assessing the Destruction of El-Fasher El-Fasher has been devastated and mostly evacuated following its seizure by the Rapid Support Forces. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) recently conducted a limited assessment of the city's status. The city was overtaken after months of siege by the RSF. MSF's findings highlight massive destruction and depopulation. The visit marked MSF's first entry since suspending operations in August 2024. A Ghost Town MSF described El-Fasher as resembling a ghost town, with only a few…

Escalating Crisis in Sudan's Kordofan Region The United Nations has issued a warning regarding the deteriorating situation in Sudan's Kordofan region. Recent conflicts have forced over 88,000 individuals to flee, as humanitarian access remains limited. The urgency of the situation demands international attention and aid. Over 88,000 people displaced since late October. Severe restrictions on humanitarian access exacerbate conditions. Critical shortages of food, healthcare, and basic services persist.…

Frank W. Garcia Jr. Nominated to Lead Africa Bureau at State Department Frank W. Garcia Jr., a veteran Republican Congressional aide, has been nominated by President Trump to head the Africa Bureau at the State Department. Garcia, whose nomination for the position of Assistant Secretary for Africa was submitted to the Senate on January 29, is currently serving as a senior advisor to the chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI). His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation, a process…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali and Egyptian authorities on Saturday rejected social media reports claiming Somali passports had been suspended for travel to Egypt, saying flights and immigration procedures remain unchanged and Somali travelers are being processed as usual in Cairo. EgyptAir, Egypt’s national carrier, said there has been no “suspension or restriction on the acceptance of Somali passports” and emphasized that “Somali passengers holding valid travel documents and the required entry permits can continue to travel…

Egypt takes helm of AU Peace and Security Council, puts Sudan and Somalia atop agenda CAIRO — Egypt on Sunday assumed the rotating presidency of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, pledging to focus its one-month term on the crises in Sudan and Somalia while advancing a broader agenda linking peace, security and governance across the continent. The presidency, which began Feb. 1, comes amid what Cairo described as escalating and overlapping challenges in Africa — from protracted armed conflicts and fragile…