External Relations

African Union and Member States React to U.S. Intervention in Venezuela The African Union (AU), along with several countries including Ghana, Uganda, and South Africa, has expressed significant concern over the recent U.S. intervention in Venezuela. This situation escalated when U.S. authorities seized President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as part of an indictment involving drug and weapon charges. In an official statement, the AU stated it would be "following with grave concern the recent developments in…

The International Crisis Group (ICG) has highlighted three critical conflicts in Africa that are poised to carry into 2026, following a tumultuous year marred by violence and instability. The ICG's "conflicts to watch" report names Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the volatile situation in Mali and Burkina Faso as focal points that require immediate international attention. Having faced a devastating escalation in violence throughout 2025, these regions find themselves at a pivotal juncture. Sudan, under the shadow of a…

Kenya Issues Alert Over Falsified SIMULECT Drug Kenya's Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has issued a public alert warning against falsified versions of SIMULECT (basiliximab), an injectable immunosuppressive drug critical for preventing kidney transplant rejection. This warning comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) circulated an alert regarding the counterfeiting of this vital medication. The falsified SIMULECT has been reported in several countries including Rwanda, Bulgaria, and Türkiye. Concerns arise from…

U.S. Airstrikes Target Islamic State-Aligned Camp in Nigeria On Christmas Day, U.S. airstrikes launched from MQ-9 Reaper drones targeted camps linked to Islamic State-aligned militants in Sokoto state, northwestern Nigeria. While the operation has drawn attention, details remain scant. No civilian casualties have been reported. U.S. Africa Command (Africom) announced on December 26 that "multiple ISIS terrorists were killed in the ISIS camps." However, the lack of transparent information has raised concerns among human…

U.S. Diplomatic Recall Impacts Relations with Africa Amid Trump Administration's Policies In a sweeping diplomatic maneuver, the Trump administration has recalled dozens of U.S. diplomats from posts around the world, with significant ramifications for relationships in Africa. Among the envoys affected are diplomats from 13 African nations, including key countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, and Senegal. This directive mandates that these ambassadors vacate their posts by mid-January 2026, a move that raises eyebrows amid…

U.S. Congressional Delegation Visits Nigeria, Rules Out Military Deployment A U.S. Congressional delegation that recently visited Nigeria to assess the country's security situation has ruled out the possibility of deploying American troops to the West African nation. The lawmakers stated that Nigeria's designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) is aimed at encouraging diplomatic reforms rather than invoking military intervention. "It is unacceptable that anyone—Muslim or Christian—is experiencing this level of…

Ghana Seeks Extradition of Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta The Ghanaian government has formally transmitted an extradition request to the United States Department of Justice for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta. This development marks a significant chapter in the country's ongoing anti-corruption efforts, reflecting a renewed focus on accountability in public office. Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, Ghana's Attorney General and Minister for Justice, announced that the request follows an intensive investigation…

Trump Expands Travel Restrictions, Targeting 15 Additional Countries President Donald Trump has expanded United States travel restrictions to include an additional 15 countries, predominantly in Africa, a move that is poised to exacerbate tensions in U.S.-Africa relations and disrupt travel, education, and business connections across the continent. Among the newly added countries, 11 are African: Angola, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This…

Cholera Outbreak in the DRC: A Crisis Unfolding The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is currently grappling with its worst cholera outbreak in 25 years, reporting a staggering 64,427 cases and 1,888 deaths since the year's onset. Among these, 14,818 cases involved children, leading to 340 tragic child fatalities, according to UNICEF. This health crisis has severely disrupted children's education and wellbeing, thrusting them into a world of illness while forcing them to bear witness to the suffering and loss of…

US Government Unveils Visa Ban for Those Targeting Nigerian Christians The US government has introduced a new policy allowing it to impose visa bans on individuals allegedly responsible for attacks on Nigerian Christians. This significant decision reflects a growing urgency in addressing religious persecution globally. The US State Department's policy change enables the denial of visas to anyone who has directed, authorized, supported, participated in, or carried out abuses targeting individuals based on their faith. This…