First Independent Mena Newspaper
The United Nations has issued a dire warning that five countries — Sudan, South Sudan, Palestine (Gaza), Mali, and Haiti — are facing an imminent risk of famine, driven largely by conflict, climate shocks, and economic decline. In its latest Hunger Hotspots report released Monday (16 June), the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) and Food […]
China has announced plans to eliminate tariffs on nearly all imports from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic ties, extending a previous policy that offered zero-tariff treatment to only 33 least-developed African nations. The announcement was made during a ministerial meeting in China’s city of Changsha, as African leaders gathered to review the […]
Russia’s war in Ukraine has taken on a disturbing new dimension, as media reports confirm that hundreds of young African men are being lured, coerced, or tricked into fighting on the front lines for the Kremlin. Marketed with promises of stable employment, education, or fast-track Russian citizenship, many are instead funneled into combat roles with […]
A peaceful protest in Nigeria’s Benue State turned chaotic on Sunday (15 June) as police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators in the city of Makurdi who demanded justice after a massacre in Yelewata village left more than 100 people dead. Gunmen attacked the farming community late Friday (13 June), burning homes and killing civilians, […]
As the world marked the 2025 World Day Against Child Labour, the International Labour Organization (ILO) renewed its call for urgent, collective action to eliminate child labour — particularly in sectors like agriculture and artisanal mining, where millions of African children continue to work under hazardous conditions. Despite a global drop from 160 million child […]
Mali’s transitional president, Colonel Assimi Goita, could remain in power until at least 2030 — without facing an election after a controversial bill approved by Mali’s Council of Ministers on 11 June has proposed granting Goita a renewable five-year term starting in 2025. The bill, now awaiting ratification by the National Transitional Council, cements a […]
Burundi’s ruling party, CNDD-FDD, has claimed all 100 contested seats in the 5 June parliamentary election, prompting outcry from opposition groups and rights organizations who allege systematic electoral fraud and political repression. According to official results, CNDD-FDD secured 96.5% of the vote, with no other party surpassing the 2% threshold required for parliamentary representation. Opposition […]
Nairobi descended into chaos Thursday (12 June) as angry protests erupted over the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody under suspicious circumstances. Riot police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators demanding justice and the resignation of Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat, whom Ojwang had accused of corruption. The 31-year-old […]
The United States is urging African nations to take greater responsibility for their own security as it scales back its military footprint on the continent — a move that analysts warn could shift the regional power balance and fuel militant resurgence. General Michael Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), emphasized “burden-sharing” as Washington pivots […]
Angola’s capital city Luanda will become the epicenter of global business diplomacy as it hosts, June 22 – 25, the 17th US-Africa Business Summit. Organized by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) in partnership with the Angolan government, the summit is set to welcome over 1,500 participants, including African heads of state, U.S. government officials, […]