Rwanda-backed Rebels Enter Mineral-rich Town in Congo, Defying Ceasefire Calls
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels entered the strategic town of Walikale in eastern Congo late Wednesday, according to residents and civil society leaders, a day after the Congolese and Rwandan presidents called for an immediate ceasefire. “The information is confirmed: the rebels are visible at the monument and at the Bakusu group office,” Prince Kihangi, a former provincial deputy elected for the Walikale territory told The Associated Press over the phone, referring to locations in the centre of Walikale. “This confirms the presence of the M23 in the territorial capital.” By taking control of Walikale, the M23 rebels seized a road linking four provinces in the east of the country: North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Maniema, cutting off Congolese army’s positions. Heavy artillery fire could be heard throughout the day but ceased in the evening, giving way to sporadic gunfire, Fiston Misona, a civil society activist in Walikale, told the AP over the phone…The escalation in fighting comes a day after the presidents of Congo and Rwanda held unexpected talks in Qatar and called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire…The Walikale area is home to the largest tin deposits in Congo and to several significant gold mines. The Bisie tin mine, around 60 kilometers (35 miles) northwest of the town, accounts for the majority of tin exports from North Kivu province. Last week, its operator Alphamin Resources said it was temporarily halting mining operations due to the rebels’ advance. AP
Houthi Partnership with Al‑Shabaab Reshapes Security in East Africa
In June 2024, US intelligence uncovered discussions between Yemen’s Houthis and Somalia’s Al-Shabaab militants, signalling increased threats to East African stability. A February 2025 UN report confirmed representatives from both groups met at least twice in Somalia in July and September 2024 during the Red Sea crisis. Experts say Ansar Allah (the Houthis) agreed to supply Al-Shabaab with arms and technical expertise in return for intensified piracy and ransom operations in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia’s coast…Others believe the alliance could allow the Houthis to escalate attacks on commercial and military vessels operating in the Red Sea…Omar Mahmood, a senior Eastern Africa analyst at the International Crisis Group, tells The Africa Report that Yemen is often the arms market for Somalia. He says this engagement could be aimed at establishing a more direct commercial relationship, facilitating the transfer of new types of weapons to Al-Shabaab…Despite ideological and regional differences, experts agree hostility towards the US and Israel unites the Houthis and Al-Shabaab…Analyst Sakhri Mohamed wrote: “To understand Al-Shabaab’s relationship with the Houthis, it’s essential to consider broader Houthi–Al-Qaeda ties and Iran’s role in fostering their recent rapprochement.”…Intelligence indicates Iran supports Al-Shabaab financially and militarily, driven by shared anti-Western objectives. Tehran has supplied the group with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mortars and bomb-making chemicals. The Africa Report
Somalia: Al-Shabaab briefly Seizes Sabiid Near Mogadishu; Army Commander and Guards Killed in Blast
A senior Somali Army commander, Mohamed Nur, known as Jareere, and several of his bodyguards were killed in a bomb attack by Al-Shabaab militants Thursday morning near No. 50 area in the Lower Shabelle region. The commander, along with his troops from the SNA’s14th October Division, had been traveling from Awdheegle town to reinforce the troops in Sabiid, about 40 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu after it was attacked by Al-Shabaab militants. Reports indicate that Nur and at least five of his bodyguards were killed when their convoy was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) between Awdheegle and Sabiid. Several others were injured in the blast. The situation in Sabiid and the nearby town of Caanoole outside Afgooye district remains tense, with both residents and security forces working to regain control of the area from the militants. Garowe Online
South Sudan: Kiir Appoints New Upper Nile Governor in Breach of Deal
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has appointed a member of his own party as Upper Nile state governor, according to a decree read on state media. The move appears to breach a peace deal under which the role should be selected by the party of First Vice President and opposition leader Riek Machar. In 2018, Kiir and Machar signed a peace agreement ending five years of civil war. However, implementation of the deal has been slow, and bouts of fighting have continued to kill and displace large numbers of civilians. According to the decree read on state TV late on Wednesday, Kiir replaced Gen. James Odhok Oyai with Lt. Gen. James Koang Chuol, a loyal SSPDF general responsible for training and former rebel commander under Machar. Odhok was appointed to the role as part of the 2018 power-sharing deal in January 2023…President Kiir’s decision is likely to cause paralysis in the implementation of the peace deal, which is meant to culminate in a national election at the end of 2026. The appointment of a loyal general to be in charge of Upper Nile State comes amid escalating fears of a return to civil war, as tensions between Kiir and Machar deepen. The SSPDF, backed by Ugandan troops since last week, has been launching airstrikes on a number of areas in the Upper Nile region, including Nasir, in an attempt to retake the town from the White Army, a loosely organized militia linked to First Vice President Riek Machar. Radio Tamazuj
South Sudan: NPA Says 50,000 People Fleeing Deadly Conflict in Upper Nile
At least 50,000 people are fleeing the conflict in Nasir, Upper Nile State, in the Greater Upper Nile region, according to the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), citing UN sources. The NPA stated that the UN reported approximately 50,000 people had fled due to the conflict, adding that lifesaving responses have had to be put on hold. The independent membership-based organization also highlighted credible reports of civilian casualties in a report published on its website. The conflict began in early March between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the White Army. It has escalated over time, resulting in devastating consequences, including the deaths of a UN staff member and a military general during an evacuation on March 7. Nasir, located on the northern side of the Sobat River, approximately 30 kilometers from the Ethiopian border, was bombed from the air on the night of March 17. Radio Tamazuj
Ethiopia: PM Abiy Says Ethiopia Has No Intention to “Invade” Eritrea, Calls Red Sea Access “Existential”
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told parliament on Thursday that Ethiopia has “no desire to invade Eritrea for the sake of the Red Sea,” while emphasizing that access to the sea is “existential” for the country…His remarks come amid heightened tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Earlier this week, Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh said his country was “perplexed” by Ethiopia’s “misguided and outdated ambitions” for maritime access, warning against any attempts to achieve this goal “through diplomacy or military force.” Lt. Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae, Vice President of the Tigray Interim Administration, has also warned that war between Ethiopia and Eritrea “seems inevitable,” with Tigray at risk of becoming the main battleground. Similarly, Getachew Reda, President of the Tigray Interim Administration, accused Eritrea of being among those “who think they can benefit from turmoil that will be created in Tigray.”…Amid these tensions, Abiy rejected accusations that Ethiopia seeks confrontation with Eritrea…However, he asserted that Ethiopia is prepared to defend itself if necessary…Abiy also warned against external provocations. “There should be no provocation from any side because if provoked, the retaliation will be significant,” he said. Addis Standard
Leading Ethnic Fulani Figure Shot Dead in Mali
A prominent figure in Mali’s ethnic Fulani community who managed a livestock market in Bamako was murdered in front of his home by unknown assailants, his son told AFP on Wednesday. Primarily nomadic herders, the Fulani people are often stigmatised across the wider Sahel region, accused of collaborating with the violent Islamist groups who stalk the region and of providing the bulk of their recruits. Boubou Cisse had already been abducted and held for several days last October during a strike against the closure of livestock markets, which Malian authorities suspected of being infiltrated by jihadists. On Tuesday Cisse, who was in his 70s, had his car intercepted by two unidentified gunmen while he was just outside his home in the Malian capital, one of his sons told AFP. “They blocked the road and asked his driver to stop. At that moment they shot three bullets into his head and neck,” the son added. In an interview with Malian media, Cisse’s chauffeur said that one of the attackers “was holding a camera to capture the scene after shooting the old man, then they ran off, leaving him lying in blood”. Sekou Mamadou Barry, president of the Sahel country’s largest Fulani association Tabital Pulaaku Mali, urged the Malian authorities to open an investigation into the “point-blank” shooting. Cisse “was an esteemed person of the Fulani community, known for his engagement towards peace and reconciliation”, Barry said in a statement late on Tuesday. AFP
13 Soldiers Killed In Jihadist Attacks In Niger: Army
Thirteen Nigerien soldiers were killed in two separate clashes with jihadist groups, the army said Wednesday. During the first incident, at a gold mining site in the western Tillaberi region, “nine soldiers fell in combat” with Islamic State affiliates, the army said in an operations bulletin. The March 15 attack involved reinforcements arriving from across the Burkina Faso border on around 100 motorcycles, the army statement added. The neighbouring countries cooperated on an air and ground operation to quell the attack, killing 55 jihadists, according to the Nigerien side. Seven Nigerien soldiers were also wounded. Two days later, a military outpost on the other side of the Sahel country was attacked “by a group of around 300 fighters” identified as belonging to Boko Haram. The attackers “deployed booby-trapped vehicles” and explosives, and killed four soldiers, according to the army. AFP
Nigeria: Reps Approve Tinubu’s Request for Emergency Rule in Rivers
The House of Representatives has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. The lower chamber granted approval during Thursday’s plenary session, making some minor amendments. During the session, presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, the House resolved that the National Assembly would serve as the legislative arm for the state while the state of emergency lasts. It also resolved that if the political crisis in the state is resolved within six months, the president should lift the state of emergency. However, the lawmakers overlooked Section 305(2) of the Constitution by passing the resolution without meeting the two-thirds requirement. At the start of the deliberations, several lawmakers raised constitutional points of order. But former Deputy Speaker Idris Wase urged his colleagues to allow debate on the issue before raising concerns about the constitutional threshold. After taking some few amendments, Mr Tajudeen put the request to a voice vote, and members present overwhelmingly voted in support. Premium Times
Bénin Web TV Suspended for Reporting on Media Regulator’s Budget
[Benin’s regulatory High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) suspended the privately owned news site Bénin Web TV for reporting on alleged inconsistencies in the media regulator’s budget.] In its March 12 decision, the HAAC also withdrew Benin Web TV director Paul Arnaud Deguenon’s press card over his outlet’s January 21 and 23 reporting that said the HAAC presented “erroneous” figures to parliament’s budget committee and its president demanded a new official car…Deguenon attended a public hearing at HAAC’s offices on March 11 where he was ordered to publish an apology as the regulator said the journalist failed to provide evidence to support his outlet’s allegations. In response, Bénin Web TV…[t]he media outlet published three letters from the HAAC and Deguenon’s responses, explaining that its reporting was based on the HAAC’s own 2025 budget presentation and public statement…The HAAC’s indefinite suspension of Benin Web TV appears to contravene its 2023 authorization of the outlet’s operations, which specifies that suspensions for noncompliance with a formal regulatory notice may not exceed one month. In January, the HAAC suspended six outlets and withdrew a press card for one of the outlet’s journalists, accusing them of publishing false allegations, without specifying, and of running unauthorized websites. The HAAC has not reversed the order. CPJ
International Envoys Meet to Coordinate Sudan Peace Efforts
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and international envoys met in Addis Ababa on Wednesday to coordinate efforts to mediate an end to the conflict in Sudan, emphasizing the need for a unified approach, the regional body said. IGAD has spearheaded an initiative to resolve the crisis, but the Sudanese government has rejected its involvement. Prospects for a ceasefire remain dim as both sides continue to pursue military action in a war nearing its second year…A statement issued by the forum and obtained by Sudan Tribune said discussions focused on five priorities: improving coordination among envoys, creating a roadmap to implement the Jeddah Declaration, engaging with Sudanese civil society, aligning efforts on accountability, and boosting humanitarian diplomacy… The Sudanese government indicated last week that it was willing to resume its participation in IGAD after suspending its membership over a year ago. Sudan Tribune
UNSC Condemns RSF for Abducting UN Staff and Looting Convoy in Sudan
The UN Security Council (UNSC) has condemned the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for detaining more than 60 UN peacekeepers, abducting eight civilian staff at gunpoint, and looting a UN convoy in Sudan. In a report by the UNSC [this week], they state that RSF fighters seized eight vehicles and 280,000 litres of fuel from a United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) logistics convoy after it delivered fuel to the Joint Border Verification Monitoring Mission (JBVMM) in Kadugli. Security Council members voiced deep concern over threats to UNISFA peacekeepers and civilians, warning that attacks on peacekeepers could amount to war crimes. They called for the immediate return of the looted vehicles and fuel and urged all parties to allow UNISFA to operate without interference. Council members praised the UNISFA Force Commander for securing the safe return of all abducted staff and reaffirmed their support for the mission. The Security Council established UNISFA on 27 June 2011 in response to the situation in the Abyei area. The mission is tasked with monitoring the border between Sudan and South Sudan, facilitating humanitarian access, and protecting civilians and humanitarian workers when necessary. Radio Dabanga
Fraud Complaints Target French Billionaire Vincent Bolloré’s Africa Port Deals
Groups from five African countries filed fraud and corruption complaints Wednesday accusing French billionaire Vincent Bolloré and one of his sons of illegally obtaining and benefitting from port concessions. A collective made up of non-governmental organisations in Togo, Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Cameroon called Restitution for Africa are accusing the Bolloré Group, Bolloré and his son of unlawfully receiving the rights to run ports and then “laundering” money in those countries through the sale of its Africa logistics business. Bolloré Group’s African ports and logistics business, which the tycoon sold off in 2022, employed more than 20,000 people in 20 African countries, running 16 ports as well as warehouses and transport hubs across the continent…French investigators have already looked into allegations that the Bolloré Group had, through its consulting business, illegally backed the 2010 presidential campaigns of Faure Gnassingbe in Togo and Alpha Conde in Guinea, in exchange for port concessions in Lome and Conakry…Wednesday’s complaint now accuses Bolloré of corruption, benefitting from influence peddling and unlawfully accepting favours from local officials in Cameroon, Ghana and Ivory Coast. It charges that this is how the group obtained concessions to run the ports of Douala and Kribi in Cameroon, Tema in Ghana, and Abidjan in Ivory Coast. The collective alleges that the 2022 sale of Bolloré Africa Logistics, whose profits came from these allegedly illegally obtained port concessions, amounted to money laundering. France 24 with AFP
Riots Trial of Ex South Africa President’s Daughter to Start in November
A court on Thursday set for November the trial of a daughter of South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma, accused of inciting 2021 riots that left more than 350 people dead. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, 42, is among several people charged with inciting terrorism and public violence via posts on social media after Zuma was sent to prison in July 2021 for refusing to testify in corruption proceedings against him. The explosion of rioting and looting that followed was the deadliest unrest in South Africa since the fall of the white-minority government in 1994. Zuma-Sambudla denies the charges and claims the case is politically motivated. The Durban High Court set the start of her trial for November 10 with a pre-trial assessment due on August 14, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga told AFP. Durban, the main city in the KwaZulu-Natal province that is Zuma’s heartland, suffered the brunt of the violence, which also spread to Johannesburg. AFP