First Independent Mena Newspaper
As Cameroon approaches its presidential election due to be held on 12 October, fears are mounting over growing political repression, widespread insecurity, and a fractured opposition — all of which threaten the credibility of the vote. The 92-year-old President Paul Biya, Africa’s longest-ruling leader, is seeking an unprecedented eighth term in office. Despite mounting calls […]
African students pursuing education abroad are facing heightened scrutiny as the United States and United Kingdom ramp up enforcement of immigration compliance, raising concerns about travel equity and academic opportunity. In the U.K., the Home Office has launched a campaign warning tens of thousands of international students — many from Africa — about overstaying visas. […]
West Africa is becoming a central node in global cocaine trafficking, as powerful criminal groups from the Western Balkans expand their footprint across the region, a new report has revealed. Once operating largely behind the scenes, Albanian- and Slavic-speaking networks have now entrenched themselves in countries like Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Cape Verde. These […]
A new report by war crimes watchdog The Sentry exposes the Wagner Group’s deeply destabilizing three-year presence in Mali, revealing a record of military failure, civilian massacres, and political fractures rather than security gains. Deployed in 2022 under a $10 million/month deal with Mali’s junta, the Russian paramilitary force claimed its “mission was accomplished” upon […]
Zambia is grappling with the aftermath of one of its worst environmental disasters, as outrage mounts over a massive toxic spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine that polluted the Kafue River and devastated communities. The February incident occurred when a dam at Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, a subsidiary of China’s state-owned China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group, […]
Kenya has become the latest African country that has hired lawyers or lobbying firms with ties to President Donald Trump’s associates to advocate for their interests in Washington, D.C. Kenya has signed a $175,000-a-month lobbying contract with Continental Strategy LLC, a U.S. firm led by ex-Trump official Carlos Trujillo, aiming to boost its influence in […]
Africa is emerging as a key manufacturing hub for Indian companies, as record-high U.S. tariffs — now up to 50% — threaten India’s export competitiveness, particularly in textiles, pharmaceuticals, and gems. The penalties, imposed largely in response to India’s continued oil trade with Russia, have forced Indian firms to pivot strategically toward Africa to maintain […]
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has become the latest front in the U.S.-China rivalry, as President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to secure critical minerals needed for electric vehicles and clean energy. Backed by billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, U.S. firm KoBold Metals recently secured seven lithium exploration permits, including access to the coveted […]
Morocco’s ambitious stadium modernization program reaches a crucial milestone as the Grand Stadium of Tangier approaches its late September completion deadline, according to project architect Anouar Amraoui. The $360 million renovation transforms the venue into a 75,000-seat football-dedicated facility, eliminating the athletics track to create an intimate spectator experience meeting FIFA World Cup standards, Amraoui […]
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces a renewed threat of conflict as peace efforts between the government and the Congo River Alliance — a coalition that includes the M23 rebels — are faltering. The insurgent group has accused the Congolese government of systematically violating ceasefire agreements and undermining Qatari-led peace talks. Under a Doha-brokered […]