Canada and Africa

In a stark shift in its foreign aid strategy, the United States has decided to withhold $50 million in health assistance to Zambia. This decision stems from the alarming issue of "systematic theft" of donated drugs and medical supplies within the country. What does this mean for those in dire need of medical support? U.S. Ambassador to Zambia, Michael Gonzales, expressed the gravity of this choice. He described it as a "difficult" but necessary step after countless warnings to the Zambian government about the importance of…

Rwanda finds itself at the beginning of negotiations with the Trump administration regarding the acceptance of migrants deported from the United States. This revelation comes from the country's Foreign Affairs Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, whose words carry a weight of diplomacy. In the backdrop of these discussions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio articulated a rather stark view, declaring that Washington is "actively searching" for nations prepared to welcome "some of the most despicable human beings."…

Recent cuts to international funding, notably the stop-work orders imposed by the United States, have begun to take a heavy toll on humanitarian initiatives and local economies that depend heavily on aid operations. This predicament is exemplified by the situation in Maiduguri, Nigeria, as reported by The New Humanitarian. Often nicknamed the heart of aid efforts battling Boko Haram's relentless insurgency, Maiduguri has witnessed notable economic revival, significantly driven by the initiatives of non-governmental…

Recent developments have cast a shadow over the Lesotho Health and Horticulture compact agreement, originally established in 2022 with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a prominent U.S. foreign aid agency. In a striking turn of events, reports indicate that this vital initiative may face closure, following the MCC’s disbandment under the previous Trump Administration. At the heart of this compact was an impressive $300 million investment—an endeavor designed to uplift nearly 2.5 million lives. Imagine the ripple…

The Trump administration is resolutely committed to employing every available diplomatic and economic measure to foster peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This assertion came from Senior Africa Advisor Massad Boulos during a recent online briefing. It followed his tour of four significant nations in the region, a journey that reflects the U.S.'s increasing engagement with Africa amidst multifaceted challenges. During these discussions, Boulos engaged with regional leaders to address the pressing issue…

The political climate in Libya has once again turned tumultuous, exacerbated by pressing economic woes and deepening rivalries between its two governing factions. This instability threatens to unravel the precarious peace that has stood since the ceasefire in 2020. Fast forward nearly 15 years after Muammar Gaddafi's regime crumbled, and Libya finds itself still grappling with a fractured identity. The nation is essentially split, with the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli on one side and the Government of…

In a decisive move reflecting the evolving geopolitical landscape, South Africa has appointed Mcebisi Jonas as a special envoy to the United States. This strategic decision aims to mitigate the rising diplomatic tensions following Donald Trump's return to the presidency, a development that has stirred considerable discussion both domestically and abroad. President Cyril Ramaphosa, with the weight of his nation's interests on his shoulders, emphasized that Jonas will champion South Africa's diplomatic, trade, and bilateral…

In a surprising turn of events, U.S. President Donald Trump declared a 90-day hiatus on trade tariffs for a multitude of countries, with one notable exception: China. This announcement, made through the ubiquitous channel of social media, has stirred quite a debate. In fact, President Trump stated that over 75 nations reached out to the U.S. administration, eager to "negotiate a solution." Isn't it intriguing how swiftly the global economy can find itself engulfed in complex negotiations, driven by the urgency to preserve…

In a significant development, three American nationals who found themselves entangled in a coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) this past May have recently returned to the United States. Initially met with the harrowing prospect of the death penalty, their situations evolved, resulting in commuted sentences that will now be served on home soil. This transition marks not just an end to their judicial ordeal abroad but also aligns with broader diplomatic negotiations. The decision to repatriate these…

President Donald Trump has characterized the tariffs imposed by the United States on various nations, including numerous countries in Africa, as "reciprocal." He presents these measures as not only fair but also as a form of magnanimity towards the targeted nations. Trump claims that the tariffs levied on American imports from these countries are significantly lower than the duties those same nations impose on U.S. exports. This assertion begs the question: Are we truly engaging in balanced trade, or are we merely shifting…