Russia’s Wagner Mercenaries Are Leading a Campaign of Terror in Mali
Mercenaries with Russia’s Wagner Group, fighting alongside Malian soldiers, have assaulted women, massacred civilians and burned villages in Mali, the displaced say…Mali’s military junta, which seized power from the democratically elected president in a coup d’état in 2020, began working with Wagner in late 2021…Malian authorities say the partnership is designed to combat Tuareg separatists — who have long agitated for their own state in northern Mali — as well as militant groups…But it is civilians, not armed groups, that have borne the brunt of Wagner’s brutality…The Malian government pays about $10 million a month for Wagner’s services, analysts say…Russia has also been awarded concessions at several gold mines, giving the country a material stake in Mali’s security…[Wagner] suffered its largest setback last summer, losing dozens of men in a battle with Tuareg fighters near the Algerian border. Analysts said the losses were controversial in Russia, and prompted questions about the future of the group in Africa. But in recent months, there has been a spike in military equipment coming from Russia into Mali, according to analysts and visuals. The Washington Post
SADC Leaders to Decide on Fate of Peacekeeping Force in DRC
A virtual summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Thursday, 13 March will consider a report by their defence chiefs which proposes terminating the mission of the SADC Mission in DRC (SAMIDRC) because its mandate has become “untenable.”…Several members of the force were killed fighting alongside the DRC military against Rwanda-backed M23 rebels near the provincial capital Goma and the nearby town of Sake between 23 and 27 January…In a preliminary report for the defence chiefs…technical experts recommended that the joint EAC-SADC secretariat should engage with the African Union Commission to facilitate the convening of joint Nairobi-Luanda peace processes to facilitate direct communication and spearhead direct engagement with the parties to the conflict and other stakeholders…The report proposed the formation of a new joint EAC-SADC hybrid force “to securitise the areas under the occupation of M23…and to open humanitarian corridors and supply routes. The technical experts also proposed that Monusco should be called upon to support this new force…The EAC and SADC defence chiefs met [in February] to consider this report and largely adopted it, Daily Maverick understands. Daily Maverick
Congo Faces Setback in Mpox Response after Rwanda-backed Rebels Advance in the East
Hospitals across eastern Congo that were once at the forefront of the country’s response to the mpox outbreak are facing a setback in detecting the disease and offering treatment following the advance of Rwanda-backed rebels in the region. The mpox global health emergency is worsening as the fighting between the M23 rebel group and Congolese troops escalates in eastern Congo, which has been the epicenter of the health crisis…Recently arrived vaccines are running short as supplies can’t reach combat zones. Hospitals have been under attack…Although Congo has seen a surge in the current vaccination phase as compared to the previous one, much of that success is in other regions while eastern Congo remains cut off…More than 600 mpox patients fled different hospitals in eastern Congo as the fighting escalated, the Africa CDC said…Only two of the four treatment centers in the zone are currently functional while others are among numerous health facilities affected by the fighting between government forces and M23. AP
UN Concerned about Deteriorating Health Situation in North Darfur
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Monday said the situation in Sudan is tragic and that their humanitarian partners in North Darfur are reporting an extremely dire health situation, particularly in the state capital of El Fasher and displacement camps in surrounding areas. He said that currently more than 200 health facilities in El Fasher are not functioning, and there are severe shortages of medical staff and critical shortages of medical supplies…“Sudan’s health system has also come under relentless attack. As of mid-February, WHO recorded nearly 150 attacks on health care centers in Sudan since the war there began – but the real figure is most likely be far higher,” he added. Radio Tamazuj
African Union Condemns Parallel Sudan Government
The African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) on Tuesday strongly condemned the establishment of a parallel government in Sudan by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies, warning it could lead to the country’s division. The PSC urged all African Union member states and the international community not to recognize the entity. It also called on them to withhold any support or assistance to armed or political groups involved in establishing a parallel government…The PSC emphasized the need to prioritize the six pillars of the AU Roadmap, including a comprehensive ceasefire, humanitarian access, and a swift political resolution. It also expressed support for the efforts of the PSC Ad-hoc Presidential Committee and the High-Level Panel on Sudan. The PSC’s statement followed similar condemnations from the European Union, the United Nations Secretary-General, and the Arab League. Sudan Tribune
South Sudan: Eight Machar Allies Freed from Detention
The Press Secretary of First Vice-President Riek Machar, Puok Both Baluang, has confirmed the release of several individuals who were arrested alongside Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol following recent tensions in Nasir, Upper Nile State. Baluang told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that eight out of the 21 people detained by National Security Service agents had been freed, including relatives of the Petroleum Minister…In recent weeks, tensions have escalated between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those of First Vice President Riek Machar, who leads the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO). The recent clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the White Army, a loosely organized armed youth group in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, prompted Kiir’s administration to intensify its crackdown on Machar’s allies. Among those still detained are the Petroleum Minister and several senior military officials aligned with the First Vice President. Radio Tamazuj
Mozambican Opposition Leader Questioned For 10 Hours
Mozambique’s main opposition figure Venancio Mondlane said on Tuesday he was questioned for 10 hours by prosecutors without being informed of what accusation lay behind the interrogation. Speaking to the media in the capital Maputo, Mondlane, who claimed victory in October’s contested election, added that he had been placed under judicial supervision… The October election, which several international observer missions said was tainted by irregularities, was followed by more than two months of demonstrations and blockades during which more than 300 people died…Mondlane’s supporters had massed outside the building where he was being questioned but police dispersed them with tear gas, an AFP reporter saw. Last week, police violently dispersed a march by Mondlane supporters using live ammunition and wounded at least 14 people, according to local civil society group Plataforma Decide. Mondlane recently split with the opposition Podemos party, which had supported his presidential candidacy. He has formed a new party called the National Alliance for an Autonomous and Free Mozambique — nicknamed Anamalala, which means “it’s over”, one of the slogans of the protests in the local Macau language. AFP
Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire Strengthen Ties with Joint Maritime Patrols
Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have reached an agreement to conduct regular joint inspections along their shared international maritime boundary, in compliance with the ruling of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). This initiative seeks to regulate offshore oil exploration, preventing unauthorised activities in the high seas of both nations, while mitigating potential future territorial disputes…The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) delivered a landmark ruling on 23rd September 2017, settling the maritime boundary dispute between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire…Key discussions [at a meeting in Accra] focused on establishing a joint border patrol to ensure the integrity of the maritime boundary…Both parties agreed that the heads of their respective boundary commissions would lead delegations to submit official maps, reflecting the ITLOS ruling on the international maritime boundary line, to the United Nations (UN) Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) on 27th April 2025. RFI
Tanzania: Samia to Officials: Declare Intention to Run Early or Else
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged district commissioners (DCs), district executive directors (DEDs), and other government employees intending to contest in the October 2025 General Election to inform the government well in advance, warning that failure to do so could have serious consequences…She noted that early notification would allow the government to fill vacant positions promptly by promoting employees from lower levels…She added: “If you fail to notify us in advance and come later to collect nomination forms, you will be disqualified from the process and won’t return to your position.” …Her remarks echoed a similar warning issued in 2019 by the late President John Magufuli, who criticised regional commissioners, DCs, and DEDs secretly positioning themselves for parliamentary seats, accusing them of being driven by greed. The Citizen
AfDB Report Highlights Growth, Reforms and Investment Booms in Africa
The latest report on Africa’s economy from the African Development Bank (AfDB) highlights how bold reforms, rapid investments, and pro-business policies are driving a shift toward a more self-reliant and shock-resistant economic future. The report, “Africa’s Performance and Outlook,” by the African Development Bank (Afdb), confirms that Africa is now the second-fastest-growing regional economy after Asia, with growth projected to rise from 3.2% in 2024 to 4.1% in 2025 and 4.4% in 2026…The private sector is at the forefront of powering the continent’s growth, with startups, renewable energy, and AfCFTA trade unlocking new opportunities…Despite the positive trajectory, the report highlights that Africa’s growth remains below the 7% threshold required for substantial poverty reduction. The continent also continues to grapple with geopolitical tensions, structural weaknesses, natural disasters, and prolonged conflicts. Most strikingly, Africa’s growth is outpacing the global average, with 12 African economies projected to be among the world’s top 20 fastest-growing in 2025. bird story agency
Nigeria Moves Gingerly to Tame Africa’s Biggest Crypto Market
Nigeria ranked second globally after India in 2023 and 2024 on a crypto adoption index compiled by Chainalysis, a global crypto research firm. Over the past year, a more regulated sector has slowly started to take shape, even as fraud remains a concern for police…Beyond approving the exchanges, Nigeria’s parliament is considering an investment and securities bill that, if passed into law, would establish a regulatory framework for digital currencies…With the United States recently launching a “strategic bitcoin reserve”, experts believe Nigeria’s appetite for digital assets could help the West African nation reap the benefits of a potential windfall. Still, there are concerns that cryptocurrencies remain a conduit for money laundering and terrorism financing, and that the high volatility could wipe out investments in a country with a weak social safety net. AFP
Kenya and Hungary Deepen Ties with Pacts on Education, Agriculture, and Energy
Kenya and Hungary have taken a significant step in strengthening their six-decade-long diplomatic relationship, signing key agreements in education, agriculture, and energy cooperation. The move signals a broader effort to enhance economic collaboration, knowledge exchange, and investment flows between the two nations. Leading the Kenyan delegation to Budapest, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasized that the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) would catalyze foreign direct investment (FDI) and bolster technical cooperation..Beyond education, agriculture emerged as a major pillar of cooperation. Hungary has invested in a demonstration farm in Kenya, aimed at transferring advanced farming techniques and agri-tech innovations to enhance productivity. In a move signaling closer diplomatic engagement, Kenya announced plans to establish an embassy in Budapest—a decision approved by President William Ruto and the Cabinet, pending budgetary allocation. Kenyan Foreign Policy
Drought-Stricken Algeria Plans to Import 1 Million Sheep Ahead of Islam’s Eid Al-Adha
Algeria’s president has announced plans to import a staggering 1 million sheep ahead of this year’s Eid al-Adha, the holiday during which Muslims worldwide purchase livestock for sacrifice. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Sunday instructed his ministers to launch plans for the massive livestock import effort to stabilize costs and meet soaring demand. The plan is the latest in a series of measures designed to ease public frustration over rising costs and the military-backed government’s uncompromising grip on power…North Africa is enduring its seventh consecutive year of extreme heat and below-average rainfall. The record drought has shrunk harvests and driven up the price of animal feed needed to raise livestock, including in the northern Algerian highlands where breeders raise sheep revered by the population for their quality…Its import plan comes just ten days after neighboring Morocco’s King Mohammed VI offered his subjects a reprieve from the costly ritual. The King said in a Feb. 27 letter read on state-run television, warned that the slaughter could burden low-income Moroccans and, as the highest religious authority under Moroccan law, said they could forgo it. AP
AU: Effects of ‘Genocide’ Classification on Africa
The recent African Union (AU) summit addressed the legacies of colonialism, slavery and systemic discrimination on the continent. The February gathering in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, focused on reparatory justice and racial healing for Africans and people of African descent…The text establishes a legal framework that officially and internationally defines acts of slavery, forced deportation, and colonization as crimes against humanity and acts of genocide, emphasizing that they were “planned and methodically executed” to the detriment of African populations…[S]ome legal experts believe that this resolution could encourage initiatives before institutions such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ)…This initiative by the African Union responds to persistent calls from African civil society and diaspora organizations, which have long advocated for the official recognition of the suffering inflicted during these dark periods of history. The adopted resolution represents a symbolic and political advancement, but its concrete effects will likely depend on the diplomatic and legal actions that African states choose to pursue. DW