First Independent Mena Newspaper
Tigray is once again at the brink of conflict, as unresolved political disputes, contested territory, and a fragile ceasefire fuel rising fears of renewed war in Ethiopia’s northern region. Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede, head of Tigray’s Interim Administration, has warned that federal attempts to return internally displaced persons (IDPs) to Western Tigray without consultation threaten […]
The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched an ambitious plan to reclaim monetary control by reversing decades of deep-rooted dollar dependence. Newly appointed Central Bank Governor André Wameso has placed restoring confidence in the Congolese franc (CDF) at the heart of his mandate. Today, nearly 90% of Congo’s transactions — from mineral exports to daily […]
In the shadow of official diplomacy, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as a central — but often overlooked — force in Africa’s escalating conflicts, according to observers and experts on the region. “Most people blame the United States, while others are suspicious of China … however, … the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is […]
Tunisia’s textile exports grew by 2.61 percent in the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 3.94 billion dinars (€1.18 billion), according to Economy and Planning Minister Samir Abdelhafidh. Speaking at a seminar held in Monastir on Wednesday, August 27, he projected that exports could total 9.36 billion dinars […]
Africa is rapidly emerging as China’s most dynamic export market, fueled by a combination of shifting global trade dynamics, aggressive Chinese investment, and growing demand for infrastructure. As Bloomberg calculations based on China Customs data have revealed, in the first seven months of 2025 alone, Chinese exports to Africa soared 25% year-on-year to $122 billion […]
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group have resumed negotiations in Qatar, aiming to revive a faltering truce signed in July. Despite the Qatari-brokered agreement, fighting has intensified in eastern Congo, particularly in North and South Kivu, displacing over two million people this year alone. Talks in Doha focus on a […]
Russia has offered to build a nuclear power plant in Niger, signaling a bold move to displace France’s decades-long dominance in the uranium-rich West African nation. The proposal, announced in July, comes amid escalating tensions between Niger’s military government and Paris, and as Niamey seeks greater control over its natural resources. Despite producing 4% of […]
With the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) set to expire in September, Kenya has launched last-minute negotiations with the United States to secure a bilateral trade agreement that could reshape its economic future. A high-level Kenyan delegation, led by Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, held talks in Washington with U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson […]
Interpol has announced the arrest of over 1,200 suspected cybercriminals across 18 African nations and the United Kingdom as part of a sweeping three-month operation targeting cyber fraud, cryptocurrency scams, and transnational crime. Dubbed Operation Serengeti 2.0, the crackdown ran from June to August 2025 and resulted in the dismantling of more than 11,000 cybercrime […]
South African authorities have launched a formal investigation into a Russian recruitment drive targeting young South African women, amid growing concerns that advertised job opportunities are masking forced labor in military drone production. Promoted via social media and coordinated through the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance and Student Commission, the program promises women aged 18–22 lucrative […]