Africa

Biden Extends Sanctions on Ethiopia Amid Ongoing Instability Mogadishu (AX) — U.S. President Joe Biden has chosen to prolong sanctions aimed at specific individuals and groups entangled in Ethiopia's persistent conflict. This decision sustains a national emergency declaration originally set to lapse on September 17, 2024. The sanctions, established under Executive Order 14046, will stay in place for an additional year, as Biden seeks to confront what he deems a sustained threat to American national security and…

Egypt's Military Maneuvers Ignite Long-Standing Rivalries in Somalia and the Horn of Africa Egypt's military footprint in Somalia has surged dramatically in recent weeks. Between August 27 and 29, 1,000 Egyptian soldiers were deployed in Mogadishu. Furthermore, Egyptian authorities have unveiled intentions to transfer an array of armaments, including anti-tank missiles, rocket launchers, and drones—actions that prompt fears of escalating hostilities. Notably, Egyptian and Somali military forces are gearing up for joint…

China Commits $51 Billion to Africa: A Pledge for Jobs, Infrastructure, and Sustainable Energy In a significant address to representatives from over fifty African nations, Xi Jinping declared, "We have built roads, railways, schools, and hospitals together, transforming countless lives." This statement underscores China's determination to forge a "shared future" with Africa while advancing development across the Global South. Chinese state media reports that the colossal $51 billion commitment includes about $29.6 billion…

Thursday's China-Africa forum produced a myriad of agreements between China and more than 50 African countries in areas ranging from industry and agriculture to natural resources and investment, including a pledge by Chinese leader Xi Jinping that the economic powerhouse would allocate $50 billion to the continent over the next three years.

At least one person died and 22 others were reported missing after a boat carrying irregular migrants trying to reach Europe capsized off the Libyan coast on Tuesday, Libyan authorities said. The coast guard in the eastern Libyan city of Tobruk said the boat was carrying 32 migrants and that nine had been rescued. Survivors are taken to a port in Tobruk, the coast guard says. In recent years, the North African nation has emerged as the dominant transit point for migrants fleeing war and poverty in…

Swedish health authorities said Thursday they had registered the first case outside Africa of the more dangerous variant of mpox, a viral infection spread through close contact. The announcement came a day after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global health emergency for the second time in two years, warning that the virus could eventually spread across international borders. Sweden's public health authority confirmed to Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the case was the same…

The World Health Organization declared a global emergency after mpox outbreaks in Congo and elsewhere in Africa on Wednesday. Earlier this week, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency, with more than 500 deaths, and called for international help to stop the spread of the virus. "This is something that should concern us all ... The potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying," said WHO Director-General…

Explosion Shakes Mogadishu: Casualties Feared After Attack on Liido Beach On late Friday night, chaos erupted in Somalia’s bustling capital, Mogadishu, as a devastating explosion targeted a crowded locale. A massive blast reverberated through the city, particularly at the popular Liido beach, igniting fears of casualties. Immediately following the explosion, sounds of gunfire filled the air. Police spokesperson Ahmed Abdi communicated with Anadolu Agency (AA), reporting that law enforcement officials and various security…

Kenyans Demand Accountability: President Ruto Reshuffles Cabinet Amid Unrest President William Ruto has taken the extraordinary step of dismissing nearly his entire cabinet in the wake of fierce protests against his government in Kenya. This East African country is still grappling with the aftermath of rallies held last month. What started as peaceful demonstrations against steep tax hikes devolved into chaos, culminating in police clashing with protesters, resulting in some damage to parliament. Mostly fueled by young…

Tunisia's Upcoming Presidential Elections Set for October 6 Tunisia's president has officially announced that the nation will hold presidential elections on October 6, as detailed in a statement released late Tuesday night. This succinct announcement revealed that President Kais Saied "has issued a writ for the presidential elections to take place on Sunday, October 6, 2024." Speculation surrounds Saied’s intentions to seek a second term following his initial five-year victory in 2019. Back in April, the National…