First Independent Mena Newspaper
In a rare convergence of calendars, Christians across Africa — from Orthodox to Western denominations — celebrated Easter on the same day this year, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ with deep spiritual reflection and cultural vibrancy. In Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), celebrations unfolded under the shadow of ongoing conflict, as residents gathered […]
A Tunisian court handed heavy sentences to a group of Tunisian opposition figures on the charge of conspiring against the state, as president Kais Saied tightens the grip while using the judiciary to silence dissidents. The group of 40 individuals, including businessmen, lawyers received sentences ranging from 13 to 66 years in jail. Several critics, […]
India and nine African nations have launched the sea phase of AIKEYME-25 — or Africa India Key Maritime Engagement — the first-ever joint naval drill aimed at enhancing maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean. Co-hosted by India and Tanzania, the six-day exercise marks a major step in strengthening strategic cooperation between India and nine […]
Al-Shabab fighters launched a coordinated dawn attack on the strategic town of Adan Yabaal in central Somalia on Wednesday (16 April), igniting heavy clashes with government troops and raising concerns over the sustainability of the country’s counterinsurgency campaign. The town, situated approximately 240 kilometers north of Mogadishu, serves as a critical logistical hub linking Hirshabelle […]
The Trump administration is reportedly considering the closure of nearly 30 U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, including six in Africa, in a sweeping effort to reduce federal spending and streamline government operations. According to an internal State Department memo obtained by multiple news outlets, embassies in the Central African Republic, Eritrea, Gambia, Lesotho, the Republic […]
The European Commission has designated seven countries — including Morocco, India and Colombia — as “safe countries of origin,” paving the way for accelerated deportations of failed asylum seekers, despite some ongoing concerns over human rights conditions. Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia have been major departure points for irregular migration to Europe, particularly across the central […]
Türkiye is steadily expanding its influence across Africa through a blend of diplomacy, military cooperation, and development initiatives, positioning itself as a strategic alternative to traditional powers like France and the United States. At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum held from 11-13 April, African leaders, including Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, gathered with Turkish officials, highlighting […]
Mozambique is under increasing international scrutiny following revelations that over 300 people were killed during a violent government crackdown on post-election protests between October 2024 and January 2025. A new Amnesty International report accuses the country’s security forces of unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests, and excessive force, calling the response ‘reckless and unnecessary.’ The protests erupted […]
Nigeria is facing a new and dangerous phase in its battle against terrorism, as the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) begins deploying armed drones in its insurgency campaign. In a recent attack in Borno State in Northeast Nigeria, the group used modified drones carrying locally made grenades, injuring five soldiers and signaling a major […]
South Africa has shown once more its hostility to Morocco’s territorial integrity in connivance with the Algerian military regime by trying to deceive member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and drag them into supporting Polisario, Algeria-backed armed militias. But all their plots and manipulations have failed and blew up on their faces, […]