conflict

Namibia sends troops and helicopters as fire devours a third of Etosha National Park Wind-driven flames have ripped through roughly one-third of Etosha National Park, one of southern Africa’s most important wildlife reserves, prompting Namibia to deploy helicopters and hundreds of additional troops to bolster firefighting efforts. The blaze — believed to have started at a charcoal production site outside the park — has killed wildlife, shredded grazing and breeding ground, and prompted sharp criticism of the government’s…

Somalia as a Stage: Can Mogadishu Keep Egypt and Ethiopia from Turning It Into Another Front? When Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told the BBC Somali Service this week that his country “will not be a host to proxy wars” between Egypt and Ethiopia, he was addressing more than a regional spat over Nile water and peacekeepers. He was speaking to a fragile nation that has long been a canvas for others’ ambitions — and to a neighbourhood where resource rivalries are increasingly exported as power politics. Mohamud’s…

Reflections on Guinea's Constitutional Reform: A Prelude to Power? As the sun rose over Guinea on a recent morning, streets that typically buzz with vibrant life grappled with a quiet tension. The nation prepared to vote on a constitutional referendum that, if passed, could dramatically reshape its political landscape. The stakes, however, seem weighted against the spirit of democracy. A Shift in Governance Proposed changes to Guinea’s constitution would extend presidential terms from five to seven years and open the door…

Somalia’s president heads to UN with security gains and a moral case on Gaza Mogadishu’s message to New York MOGADISHU — As world leaders converge on the United Nations General Assembly this week, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud departs for New York carrying two intertwined narratives: a plea for continued international backing for Somalia’s fragile state-building and a sharp moral rebuke over the war in Gaza that echoes across the Global South. For Mogadishu, the UNGA trip is part diplomacy, part scoreboard.…

France-Mali Relations in Crisis: A Diplomatic Breakdown In a move that echoes the increasingly fraught ties between France and Mali, Paris has announced the suspension of counterterrorism cooperation with the West African nation. This decision follows the August arrest of a French diplomat in Mali's capital, Bamako, and marks a significant escalation in a diplomatic rift that has been deepening since military coups shook the country in 2020 and 2021. The Unraveling of Cooperation The French government has ordered its…

At least 61 people feared dead after two migrant shipwrecks off Libya, UN agency says TRIPOLI — A vessel carrying 74 people, mostly Sudanese refugees, capsized off the Libyan port city of Tobruk on Sunday, leaving only 13 survivors, the U.N. refugee agency said Monday. The tragedy came a day after another boat carrying dozens of Sudanese caught fire off Libya’s coast, in an episode the International Organization for Migration said claimed at least 50 lives. The two incidents underscore the perilous journeys many are taking…

Egypt announces troop deployment to Somalia, intensifying Horn of Africa contest Egypt has announced it will deploy troops to Somalia under a bilateral security agreement, a move Cairo says is intended to bolster counter‑terrorism operations and help stabilize the war‑torn Horn of Africa nation. Officials described the steps as the completion of planning for the deployment, but they provided few operational details, leaving open questions about the size, mandate and timetable of the force. What Cairo says Egyptian…

The Shifting Sands of Malian Security: An Unfolding Crisis In the heart of West Africa lies Mali, a nation steeped in rich history, cultural diversity, and remarkable resilience. Yet, beneath its vibrant exterior, a tumultuous struggle for security has been escalating, leading to alarming consequences for its people. The country's complex political landscape, particularly after the military coups of 2020 and 2021, remains under scrutiny as external military alliances continue to prove ineffective. A Legacy of Discontent…

Insurgency in Cabo Degaldo: A Struggle for Survival In the heart of Cabo Degaldo province, Mozambique, a chilling echo of violence reverberated through the quiet of a Sunday night. Insurgents armed with lethal intent knocked on doors, summoning their victims one by one, leaving a trail of fear and despair. Among the fallen were police officers, once protectors now turned targets, underscoring the alarming evolution of this violent insurgency, which has claimed over 6,000 lives since its onset in 2017. The Human Toll of…

Rekindling Hopes for Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo In a world where peace often feels just a shade more elusive than conflict, the commitment by key players in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to uphold a U.S.-brokered peace agreement offers a flicker of hope. This agreement, emerged from months of tireless U.S.-led mediation, aims to end decades of turmoil that have plagued the nation, a country rich in resources yet burdened by strife. But as the complexities mount, promises made may soon find themselves…