First Independent Mena Newspaper
The United States has launched a sweeping reassessment of Kenya’s Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status, raising alarm over President William Ruto’s growing ties with China, Russia, Iran, and links to extremist groups. Granted in June 2024, Kenya’s MNNA designation made it the first sub-Saharan African country to join an exclusive list of U.S. defense partners. […]
The United Nations has confirmed that at least 319 civilians — including 48 women and 19 children — were brutally killed by M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between 9 and 21 July, marking one of the deadliest episodes since the group’s resurgence in 2022. According to UN Human Rights Chief Volker […]
The Central African Republic (CAR) is resisting Russian pressure to replace the Wagner Group with the Kremlin’s newly formed Africa Corps, amid demands for cash payments rather than the mineral-for-security model that has long defined the partnership. According to senior officials in Bangui, Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister made several visits this year urging CAR to […]
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has banned Sudanese aircraft from landing at its airports, a move Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority described as “surprising” and deeply disruptive to travel plans for its citizens. The UAE also blocked a Sudanese flight from departing Abu Dhabi, escalating already fraught relations between the two nations. The flight ban marks […]
Misjudged risk assessments and persistent financial bias are costing African countries a staggering $75 billion annually in inflated borrowing costs and lost revenues, according to the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). AFC President Samaila Zubairu described the misperception as a “prejudice premium,” arguing that Africa’s default rates are “really, really exaggerated.” Research by Moody’s Ratings supports […]
Northern Nigeria is facing a spiraling food and security crisis, with aid agencies warning that drastic funding cuts and rising hunger could push desperate populations into the arms of jihadist groups like Boko Haram. The United Nations calls the situation “unprecedented,” with over 31 million Nigerians facing acute food insecurity and 5 million children suffering […]
Sudan’s government has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of recruiting and financing foreign mercenaries — including Colombians and fighters from unnamed African countries — to support the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in its ongoing civil war against the Sudanese Armed Forces. In a statement Monday (4 August), Sudan’s foreign ministry said it possesses […]
China’s Global Security Initiative (GSI), launched in 2022 by President Xi Jinping, is increasingly shaping Africa’s security architecture, drawing both support and scrutiny across the continent. According to a new analysis by the Washington-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies, the GSI is rapidly reshaping security partnerships across Africa, embedding Chinese norms into military, policing, and […]
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged African governments to take decisive action to strengthen the continent’s aviation sector, describing it as a vital engine for economic growth, connectivity, and job creation. Currently contributing $75 billion to Africa’s GDP and supporting 8.1 million jobs, the aviation industry is projected to grow at 4.1% annually, […]
In a landmark move, the French government has unveiled a new bill aimed at simplifying the return of cultural artifacts taken during the colonial period. Introduced by Culture Minister Rachida Dati, the legislation would allow items looted between 1815 and 1972 to be returned by government decree, bypassing the need for time-consuming parliamentary votes. The […]