First Independent Mena Newspaper
President Andry Rajoelina’s call for national dialogue fell flat on Wednesday (8 Oct) as thousands of protesters, led by Madagascar’s Gen Z movement, boycotted the talks and vowed to escalate demonstrations unless demands are met. More than 1,500 representatives from civil society — including church leaders, academics, unions, and entrepreneurs — attended the presidential palace […]
In a historic first, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has convicted former Sudanese militia commander Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman — widely known as Ali Kushayb — of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the brutal Darfur conflict over two decades ago. The verdict, delivered on Monday (6 Oct), marks the ICC’s first conviction […]
Senegal has reported 11 deaths from Rift Valley fever out of 78 confirmed cases since the disease was first detected on 21 September in the northern Saint-Louis region, the Health and Public Hygiene Ministry announced over last week-end. Authorities have called on the public to remain vigilant, adhere strictly to preventive measures, and support health […]
Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy is expected to grow by 3.8% in 2025, a modest but meaningful rebound driven by easing inflation, stabilizing currencies, and improving investment conditions, according to the World Bank’s latest Africa Pulse report released Tuesday (7 Oct). The forecast marks an upgrade from April’s 3.5% projection and reflects renewed optimism in key economies […]
South Africa has dispatched a five-member elite investigative team to Paris following the sudden and controversial death of its ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa. The 58-year-old former cabinet minister was found dead last Tuesday (30 Sept) morning after falling from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile. Led by Major General Bongani Maqashalala, […]
As Volkswagen accelerates toward a greener, electric future, a growing body of evidence reveals a darker reality behind the company’s clean-energy ambitions. A new investigation by DW and De Groene Amsterdammer has found that several smelters connected to the conflict minerals trade in Africa are part of Volkswagen’s sprawling global supply chain. The minerals in […]
At 85, Peter Mutharika has reclaimed Malawi’s presidency in a dramatic political comeback, nearly a decade after losing the office in a court-overturned election. Sworn in on Saturday (4 Oct) at Kamuzu Stadium, he now becomes Africa’s second-oldest sitting leader — second only to Cameroon’s Paul Biya. Mutharika won a decisive 56% of the vote […]
Africa’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity fell sharply in the first half of 2025, with deal volumes declining by 21% and total values down 16% compared to the same period last year. According to a new report by DealMakers Africa, foreign investors are retreating from the continent due to global interest rate hikes, a strong […]
Morocco marks a new milestone in the development of its legal framework to combat organized crime and human trafficking following the publication of the new Criminal Procedure Code in the Official Gazette on 8 September 2025. This step is part of the country’s efforts to align national legislation with its international commitments. The National Coordination […]
Senegal is planning the construction of second refinery, SAR 2.0, by 2029, to increase its annual refining capacity and put an end to its paradox: exporting crude and importing refined fuel although it joined Africa’s oil-producing nations in 2024. Actually, Senegal finds itself in a paradoxical position: exporting its crude to Europe while importing both […]