First Independent Mena Newspaper
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 […]
In a growing diplomatic rift, Sudan is urging Somalia to help cut off what it calls a dangerous flow of foreign mercenaries and weapons — allegedly routed through Puntland with backing from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sudan’s intelligence chief, Lt-Gen Ahmed Ibrahim Ali Mufaddal, met Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu this week, […]
In a landmark meeting at the Élysée Palace, French President Emmanuel Macron and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye launched a renewed phase in Franco-Senegalese relations, signaling a shift from military presence to partnership grounded in respect, transparency, and shared development goals. The summit followed France’s withdrawal from its last military bases in Senegal, which was, […]
Egypt recorded its highest-ever monthly inflow of U.S. dollars in July 2025, reaching a staggering $8.5 billion, as announced by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. This figure, which excludes volatile “hot money” investments, reflects robust economic confidence and includes a notable contribution from remittances—Egyptians working abroad sent over $3.6 billion in July alone. The surge in […]
On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, the United Nations has raised alarm over the dire humanitarian crisis in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, where about 260,000 people remain trapped under siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The city has been a frontline in Sudan’s year-long conflict between the RSF and the national Army, […]
Tensions within Mali’s military have intensified following revelations that Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group — and their successor, the Africa Corps — have disrupted military cohesion, undermined counterterrorism efforts, and fostered deep resentment among Malian forces. A new investigative report by The Sentry, an investigative research group, reveals that Wagner, which arrived after Mali’s […]