Somalia at Risk of Becoming a Jihadist State
Somalia is embroiled in a deepening crisis involving an ascendant jihadist insurgency, a faltering peace support operation, domestic political polarization, and regional geopolitical competition. The federal government’s de facto sphere of control is confined to Mogadishu and a few satellite towns: essentially a metropolis with a diplomatic corps and a demoralized, ineffectual army. Absent a dramatic change in direction, likely near-term scenarios include collapse of the federal government and an al Shabaab takeover of the national capital, with profound consequences for regional stability and security. … Pulling Somalia back from the abyss and on course to recovery may still be possible, but it is primarily a political challenge rather than a military one. Al Shabaab can only be defeated through simultaneous military action on multiple fronts, with the strategic objective of dismantling their strongholds in the Juba River Valley and southwest Somalia. This, in turn, can only be achieved by coordinated deployment of Federal Member States’ security forces, with select federal units in a supporting role. This demands a level of trust between the Federal Government and Federal Member States’ political leaders that currently is lacking. Africa Center for Strategic Studies
M23, DR Congo Sign New Peace Roadmap in Doha
The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed M23 militia signed a new peace framework on Saturday in Qatar aimed at ending the fighting that has devastated eastern DRC. Qatar, with the United States and the African Union, has shuttled between the two sides for months hoping to end the conflict in DRC’s mineral-rich east, where the M23 has captured key cities. DRC and M23 signed one ceasefire deal and an earlier framework in July. But each side has accused the other of breaking the truce. … The signing of the new deal, the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, was completed at a ceremony attended by officials from the warring parties, as well as the United States and Qatar. In a statement, Benjamin Mbonimpa, representing the M23 delegation in Doha, said the agreement contained “no binding clauses” and would not change “the situation on the ground”. … The eight protocols, two of which have already been signed and cover a ceasefire-monitoring mechanism, also address humanitarian access, the return of displaced people and protection of the judiciary. AFP
HRW Accuses Mali Military, Militia of Massacring 31 Civilians
Human Rights Watch on Tuesday said that Mali’s military and an affiliated militia killed at least 31 civilians and burned homes in two attacks on villages in the central Segou region last month. The west African nation’s ruling junta is locked in an ongoing battle against jihadists, who recently started a fuel blockade on the country while extending their influence across a large swathe of territory. The two attacked villages are in a region controlled by JNIM, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, according to HRW. Witnesses said Mali’s army and Dozo militiamen — traditional hunters consisting mainly of ethnic Bambara — accused them of collaborating with JNIM before carrying out the executions, HRW said. The forces killed at least 21 men and burned at least 10 homes in the village of Kamona on October 2, according to the organisation. Then on October 13, the same forces killed nine more men and one woman in the village of Balle about 55 kilometres away. Villagers in Kamona were warned by JNIM fighters that the military was coming but “those who could not flee were rounded up and executed”, a survivor told HRW. JNIM fighters had already left the village before the military’s arrival, witnesses said. AFP
UAE Detains Spokesperson for Sudanese Resistance Committee, Family Says
Security services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have arrested the spokesperson for the Coordination of Resistance Committees of Al-Saliha neighbourhoods, south of Omdurman, according to his family. Activists have previously revealed a crackdown by UAE security services against Sudanese residents there, especially those who show support for the Sudanese Armed Forces in its war against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Dozens of Sudanese are languishing in UAE prisons, according to organizations and activists, including Mohamed Farouk Salman, a former leader in the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC), who has been detained since last January under unknown circumstances and for unknown reasons. Nizar Maryoud, the brother of the detainee Nader Maryoud, said in a press statement that “his brother, an engineer, was arbitrarily arrested in the UAE more than two weeks ago without explanation for the reasons for his arrest.” … In the same context, the al-Saliha Central Resistance Committees condemned the arrest of its member and official spokesperson, asserting that his detention came hours after the committee published a statement criticizing what it called the UAE’s support for the “Janjaweed militia,” in reference to the Rapid Support Forces. Sudan Tribune
UN Aid Office Pushes for ‘Unhindered’ Humanitarian Access in Sudan
UN relief chief Tom Fletcher held “useful” and “tough” discussions with the two sides battling for control of Sudan this week, pushing for access to aid for those in desperate need, he told journalists in New York on Monday. … Mr. Fletcher said he had a “useful” meeting with General Burhan, leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), focused on getting “unlimited” and “unhindered” humanitarian access. He also met representatives from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in what was a “tough” discussion, where he set out “unequivocally” that the UN will be expecting protection for civilians and insisting on accountability and safe passages for civilians and aid convoys. … The UN also made progress on getting teams into El Fasher, in Darfur, on the organization’s terms, Mr. Fletcher added. “We’re not going to be instrumentalised,” he emphasized. “This is a potential crime scene, and we’ve got to make sure we’ve got the right people going in, and that the aid is genuinely neutral and impartial.” UN News
South Sudan Oil Production Halted after Drone Attack on Key Facility
Oil production and exports have been suspended in parts of Sudan and South Sudan following a drone strike on a critical oil field in Sudan, according to company statements and a local source. The attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the Heglig Oil Field’s central processing facility on Thursday, killing a number of oil workers and prompting emergency shutdowns. Petrolines for Crude Oil Co. Ltd (PETCO) confirmed the attack in a formal notice, stating an “Unmanned Aircraft UAV Drone” launched three missiles at the facility’s maintenance workshop and laboratory. The company declared force majeure, a clause used when extraordinary events prevent a company from fulfilling its contracts. The Heglig facility is a key transit hub for oil pumped from landlocked South Sudan, which relies on pipelines through Sudan to export its crude via Port Sudan on the Red Sea. Radio Tamazuj
South Sudan: Machar’s Trial Adjourned as Court Awaits Witness List
The special court on Monday adjourned the trial of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-defendants until Friday, giving prosecutors more time to compile and submit a list of witnesses. Machar and the others face charges including treason, crimes against humanity, mass murder, terrorism and destruction of property. … During Monday’s 22nd session at Freedom Hall, Judge Stephen Simon, one of three judges on the special panel, told prosecutors to present a full list of witnesses, including those able to testify without interpreters. “It has become apparent that many of the prosecution’s witnesses cannot speak Arabic or English,” Simon said, urging the prosecution to categorize witnesses by language ability. Presiding Judge James Alala Deng also directed prosecutors to indicate which witnesses require protection measures and which can testify without them. He noted the court lacks an interpreter fluent in English, Arabic and Nuer, placing the burden on both sides to agree on an interpreter. Radio Tamazuj
What’s behind Russia’s Military Bromance with Uganda?
As Russia looks for markets to offload the military hardware rendered obsolete by its war in Ukraine, it has found a willing partner in Uganda. The East African nation has emerged as one of Moscow’s closest military allies, deepening ties through arms donations, training exchanges and Russian-built repair facilities. This strategy, analysts say, reflects the Kremlin’s bid to recycle outdated equipment while entrenching its influence in the region. … Dozens of Russian military engineers are stationed in Uganda to train local personnel on operating and maintaining the facilities they have established. A growing number of Ugandan soldiers are also heading to Russia for military studies, part of a deepening human-resource exchange between the two countries. … As the war in Ukraine reshapes modern warfare – increasingly reliant on drones, cyber systems, and precision technology – Russia is believed to be offloading much of its Soviet-era arsenal to African partners. By establishing repair and maintenance facilities in countries like Uganda, Moscow is not only extending the life of its outdated equipment but also creating new markets for weapons it plans to phase out in the medium term. The Africa Report
Teacher Killed and 25 Girls Abducted in Gunbattle at Nigerian School
Armed men have killed a teacher and abducted at least 25 students in an attack on a girls’ secondary school in north-western Nigeria, police say. The gang invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, at around 04:00 local time (0300 GMT) on Monday, they said. The attackers “engaged police personnel on duty in a gun duel” before scaling the perimeter fence and seizing the students from their hostel, a statement said. One member of staff was killed while trying to protect the students. A second sustained gunshot wounds and is now receiving treatment. Eyewitnesses described a large group of attackers, known locally as bandits, who arrived firing sporadically to cause panic. … A coordinated search and rescue operation is underway in surrounding forests and suspected escape routes. Over the past decade, schools in northern Nigeria have become frequent targets for armed groups, who often carry out abductions to seek ransom payments or leverage deals with the government. As well as trying to crack down on the kidnappers, Nigeria has also banned the payment of ransoms in an attempt to make it less lucrative. BBC
South Africa Takes over as Interim Chair of SADC after Madagascar Steps Down
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has appointed South Africa as its Interim Chair following Madagascar’s decision to relinquish the position due to recent political developments. The decision was reached during an Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government held virtually on November 7, 2025. `According to the communiqué issued after the meeting, Madagascar stepped down from the chairmanship after acknowledging its limited capacity to fulfil the responsibilities of the role amid ongoing domestic challenges. In line with SADC’s Treaty provisions, South Africa will now lead the regional bloc until August 2026. The Secretariat has been tasked with engaging member states to identify a new incoming Chairperson by the end of November 2025. The Summit, attended by Heads of State and representatives from all member countries, also extended condolences to the families affected by recent protests in Madagascar and Tanzania, which resulted in loss of life and destruction of infrastructure. Leaders expressed deep regret over the unrest and called for stability in both nations. The Citizen
Ghana Scraps Tax on Minerals Exploration to Boost Investment
Ghana will abolish value-added tax on mineral exploration and reconnaissance to boost investment in its mining sector, its finance minister said, as Africa’s top bullion producer seeks to reverse over two decades of sluggish new development. Ghana, which has been overhauling its mining sector, introduced the levy 25 years ago amid broader fiscal reforms. The 15% tax covers exploration-related expenses such as drilling and assay work, hiking upfront costs for companies operating in the high-risk early stages of mining projects. Industry groups, including the Ghana Chamber of Mines, have long argued that the tax discouraged greenfield investment and eroded Ghana’s competitiveness versus the likes of Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Kenya, which exempt exploration from VAT. … The policy shift comes after Ghana posted record small-scale gold exports between January and October. Reuters
Ethiopia Confirms First Marburg Outbreak as WHO Lauds Country’s Fast Action
Ethiopia on Friday confirmed its first Marburg outbreak after nine cases were identified in a southern region of the country that borders South Sudan. The World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the Ethiopian government’s fast action, saying it showed a “commitment to bringing the outbreak under control quickly.” Ethiopia’s government had reported on Thursday that it was investigating a possible outbreak of an unidentified viral hemorrhagic fever and was lauded by the continental health emergency body, Africa CDC, for its transparency. The WHO sent a technical team on Thursday to support the East African country in testing and outbreak response. The outbreak was reported in the southern region of Omo, which borders South Sudan. Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said Thursday that the outbreak was a concern because “South Sudan isn’t far and has a fragile health system.” AP