Chinese State-Owned Enterprises and Market Capture in Africa
China’s major state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are not simply companies but extensions of China’s national power. China has the largest state-owned enterprise sector in the world. … China’s major SOE conglomerates build global supply chains, secure strategic minerals (including rare earths), construct critical infrastructure, build, finance, and operate ports, develop energy nodes, and support Chinese military and diplomatic efforts. … Given the breadth of their engagement in finance and construction of Africa’s critical infrastructure, Chinese SOEs wield significant leverage that can constrain African policy autonomy and priorities—especially in contexts where political will to protect African public interests and enforce local laws, standards, and regulations is lacking. Many African economic sectors—including mining, railways, and power generation—can become dominated by large Chinese SOEs. Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Nigeria: Tinubu Directs Service Chiefs to Move to Maiduguri After Coordinated Attacks
President Bola Tinubu has ordered service chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri, Borno State, following coordinated terrorist attacks, as part of efforts to take direct control of the security situation and prevent further violence. In a State House statement on Tuesday, the president expressed deep sorrow over the attacks, mourning those killed and sympathising with the injured. He assured Borno residents of the federal government’s solidarity, describing the incidents as “desperate and frantic attempts” by terrorists under sustained pressure from Nigerian security forces. Premium Times reported that the explosions killed at least 23 people and injured over 100. The terrorists targeted three public locations–University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Post Office and El-Kanemi Monday Market. Premium Times
Suicide Bombings Show Resilience of Nigerian Jihadists Despite Years of War
An assault on Maiduguri by coordinated suicide bombers points to state intelligence failures and the capacity of Islamist militants to hit urban areas despite waves of government operations against them, they said. … Given a spate of other attacks in recent weeks carried out by both Boko Haram militants and ISWAP, an Islamic State-allied faction, some analysts said that there could have been a degree of coordination between the often rival groups. … Over the years, the Nigerian military’s operations have not stopped Islamist groups from putting down roots, according to Vincent Foucher, senior research fellow with the National Centre for Scientific Research in Bordeaux. “The jihadists control substantial rural areas, the military hold towns which are entrenched,” he said. Even when the military targets ISWAP strongholds, like they did recently in the Alagarno forest, Foucher said gains are often temporary. Reuters
Somalia’s South West State Says It Has Severed Ties With the Federal Government
Somalia’s South West state said on Tuesday it was suspending all cooperation and relations with the government in Mogadishu, the latest sign of strain in the Horn of Africa country’s fragile federal system. At a press conference, South West officials accused thefederal government of arming militias and trying to unseat thestate’s president, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen. Somalia’s defence and information ministers did notrespond to Reuters’ requests for comment. Disputes over constitutional changes, elections and thebalance of power between Mogadishu and regional administrationsrepeatedly open up political faultlines in Somalia. The South West administration says relations withMogadishu worsened after the federal government pushed throughconstitutional amendments opposed by some state leaders. Reuters
Denis Sassou N’Guesso Reelected President of Congo, Extending 42-Year Rule
The Republic of Congo ’s President Denis Sassou N’Guesso, who has ruled for 42 years, was reelected for a fifth consecutive term, according to provisional results announced Tuesday by authorities. The internet was shut down across the country as usual during the presidential election and traffic was restricted across the capital. The election is the latest in a trend of octogenarian African leaders clinging to power. Sassou N’Guesso is the third-longest-serving African president, only behind Cameroon ’s Paul Biya and Equatorial Guinea ’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. … many polling stations in the capital Brazzaville saw short or non-existent lines, as locals said they did not believe the election would result in a change in leadership from Sassou N’Guesso, who has ruled for 42 years. … The campaign period showed a vast mismatch between Sassou N’Guesso and his opponents, with the incumbent being the only candidate to travel around the country to canvass for votes. Roads in the capital city, Brazzaville, were paved with Sassou N’Guesso’s effigies. Two other major parties boycotted the elections over allegations of unfair electoral practices. AP
Opposition Leader Bobi Wine Flees Uganda
Ugandan opposition politician Bobi Wine fled his home country to evade what he described as the government’s attempt to capture him following criticism of recent election results. He was the most notable challenger to President Yoweri Museveni in the last two presidential elections. Museveni extended his 40-year rule in January’s presidential poll, which was criticized by the UN and rights groups for severe repression of the opposition. Wine, a 44-year-old former pop star whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, posted a video message on X in which he announced a “brief exit” from Uganda, adding that he would return “at the right time.” He faulted the declaration of Museveni as the winner of the last two elections, claiming in his video post that Museveni “usurped the will of the people of Uganda and declared himself president on gunpoint.” Semafor
Chad to Gradually Replace Kenyan Force in Haiti Through October, Dominican Republic Says
The U.N.-backed Gang Suppression Force – an international mobilization intended to help Haiti’s police fight powerful armed gangs in the Caribbean country – should fully deploy by October this year, Roberto Alvarez, foreign minister of the neighboring Dominican Republic, said on Tuesday. Alvarez, who spoke after a meeting with U.S. embassy officials, said new troops from Chad are now being trained in the United States and the Kenyan police who deployed to Haiti under an earlier model of the force should withdraw gradually. These Chadian forces are training in the United States right now,” Alvarez said, adding the Kenyans forces would withdraw gradually. Reuters
Belgian Diplomat Ordered to Stand Trial Over 1961 Congo Leader Murder
A 93-year-old former Belgian diplomat was ordered on Tuesday to stand trial for participation in “war crimes” over his role leading up to the 1961 killing of Congolese independence icon Patrice Lumumba. Etienne Davignon, a one-time European commissioner, is the only person still alive among 10 Belgians accused by the Congolese leader’s family of complicity in his murder. The former Congolese prime minister’s grandson, Mehdi Lumumba, welcomed the court decision — which can still be appealed — as a “historic” step towards confronting the country’s colonial past. … “Justice must be done,” said Blandine Lumumba, the late leader’s daughter-in-law, who likewise travelled to Brussels for the ruling. AFP
CAF Overturns Senegal Win: Appeals Board Declares Morocco AFCON Champions
Morocco was stunningly awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title on Tuesday by appeals judges who overturned Senegal’s victory in a chaotic final in January. The Confederation of African Football said its appeals board ruled that Senegal is “declared to have forfeited the final” and its 1-0 win in extra time becomes a 3-0 default win for host nation Morocco. In the Jan. 18 final in Rabat, Senegal players led by coach Pape Thiaw left the field in protest during stoppage time for 15 minutes — and fans tried to storm the field — when Morocco was awarded a penalty that was set to decide the match. … The case could go to a further appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. AfricaNews