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Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, the three military-led West African nations, officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on the 29th January 2025. A year prior, they had announced their departure from their long-standing regional group, citing the bloc's inability to assist their efforts to combat terrorism, as well as its subservience to former colonial powers. Furthermore, for a little more than a year, the AES has been on a campaign to eradicate any traces of Western influence in…

Ever wondered why Coca-Cola is everywhere, why Nike is a global fashion statement, or why so many people dream of strolling through Paris or catching a Hollywood premiere? That’s the power of influence, soft power, to be exact. Soft power is a country’s ability to influence global perceptions, behaviours, and alliances, not through force, but through attraction and persuasion. According to the Brand Finance's Global Soft Power Index, it’s measured through a nation’s impact on business,…

In a bold and transformative step, the Kenyan government has declared the elimination of Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) and visa requisites for travelers from across the African continent. Well, almost everyone—from the sands of Senegal to the shores of South Africa—can rejoice, except for those residing in Somalia and Libya, a decision influenced by persistent security concerns that linger like an unwelcome guest. This ambitious initiative aims to bolster regional integration and fuel tourism, promoting the idea that…

There I was, reflecting on the preliminary pact between my homeland and Ethiopia, and suddenly, I found my thoughts drifting to the echoes of post-World War II Europe. That brutal conflict left an indelible mark on history, claiming the lives of an estimated 40 million souls—among them, 20 million military personnel and between 19 to 25 million civilians. The devastation was all too real, with economic ruin leaving nations grappling with widespread poverty, famine, and collapse.Rising from these ashes was no small feat.…

Mogadishu (AX) — Standing firm in their stance, Egypt has boldly stated that it won’t entertain any foreign military or naval activity from nations not bordering the Red Sea. This strong message was delivered by Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, during a Saturday press briefing in Cairo. Joining him were counterparts from Eritrea, Minister Osman Saleh, and Somalia, Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, wrapping up a key trilateral meeting focused on strengthening their collaboration. This closely-knit alliance is eager to amp…

During the COP29 summit held in Azerbaijan, countries came together to endorse a staggering global finance target of $300 billion per year, aimed at supporting poorer nations deal with the relentless impacts of climate change. However, the deal received pointed criticism from its intended beneficiaries, who felt that this financial aid was grossly inadequate. After a grueling two-week conference in Baku, where discussions often extended into overtime, this agreement was reached to reignite global efforts toward combating…

Leaders from member nations of the Commonwealth are currently convening for a camaraderie-filled banquet in the picturesque setting of Samoa, nestled in the South Pacific. Significant topics such as climate change and reparations for Britain's historical involvement in the transatlantic slave trade are shaping the discussions at this pivotal summit. This gathering, known as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, has drawn delegates and officials from 56 nations linked to Britain’s former empire. Among the attendees…

Baking temps are on the docket for certain nations in the Horn of Africa, courtesy of alarming weather forecasts from the Climate Prediction and Applications Center (ICPAC), the brain of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional crew, as disclosed on a Wednesday. As of June 19, 2024, folks in Kakuma, located in the parched northwest corner of Kenya's Turkana county, scrape out groundwater from the dry riverbed. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) NAIROBI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The mercury's set to rise, amping up…

At the 2024 Paralympic Games, a remarkable accomplishment unfolded as ten African nations stood proudly on the podium, collectively clinching a total of 23 gold medals across eight countries. This achievement highlights the growing prowess of athletes from the continent in various sporting disciplines. On this grand stage, Morocco distinguished itself as the standout performer, amassing an impressive haul of 15 medals. Yet, it was Algeria that stole the spotlight with a remarkable six golds, marking its dominance in the…

The financial aid for returning refugees is now at 10,000 kronor per adult, 5,000 kronor per child, and 40,000 kronor per family. This increase hopes to jazz up an underutilized program, which saw just one taker last year, per the Swedish government.Ludvig Aspling from the Sweden Democrats mentioned that the assistance, around since 1984, hasn't hit the radar too much, owing to its low-key presence. "If more folks know about it, and with the extra dough, we expect more to go back," he noted. Aspling is optimistic this might…