First Independent Mena Newspaper
The foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are set to visit Moscow this week to deepen their strategic partnership with Russia, marking a significant shift in the region’s diplomatic and security landscape. The visit, scheduled for 3-4 April, represents the first-ever AES-Russia consultations following the establishment of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) […]
Niger’s military junta, which took power in a coup in July 2023, has released around 50 individuals, including former government ministers and soldiers linked to past coup attempts, following recommendations from a national conference in February. Those freed include high-profile figures such as former oil minister Mahamane Sani Issoufou, ex-defense minister Kalla Moutari, and former […]
Abdourahamane Tchiani, the leader of Niger’s military junta, has been officially sworn in as the Sahel country’s transitional president, marking the beginning of a five-year rule under a new charter that replaces the constitution. The ceremony took place in Niamey on Wednesday (26 March), and Tchiani, who led the July 2023 coup that ousted democratically […]
The United Nations has raised alarm over the growing control of M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with fears that the group could seize additional provinces. Bintou Keita, the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo (MONUSCO), briefed the UN Security Council on Thursday (27 March), revealing that M23 rebels now […]
Tensions in South Sudan have further escalated following the arrest of first vice president Riek Machar, raising fears of a return to civil war. A convoy of heavily armed vehicles reportedly entered Machar’s residence in Juba on Wednesday (26 March), where he was detained without clear charges, violating constitutional procedures. The arrest, which comes after […]
Zimbabwe’s president Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe, the country’s army chief, in a significant political move that has intensified a brewing power struggle within the ruling Zanu-PF party. Sanyatwe, a close ally of vice president Constantino Chiwenga, was reassigned to the role of sports minister, replacing Kirsty Coventry following her election as […]
A new report warns of escalating rivalries among Tigrayan political leaders, raising fears that these tensions could derail the process of reintegrating the region into Ethiopia’s federal structure, ultimately spiraling into a broader conflict involving neighboring Eritrea and other regional powers. A fragile ceasefire, signed in November 2022 between Ethiopia’s government and the Tigray People’s […]
The African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) have further deepened their 25-year-old partnership with the recent signing of the €20 million EU-African Union Partnership Performance Acceleration Programme (AUPPAP). This agreement, marking the 25th anniversary of AU-EU relations, aims to accelerate integrated development and strengthen institutional capacities across Africa, aligning with the AU’s Agenda […]
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy is facing a potential 10-year prison sentence as his trial over alleged corruption linked to his 2007 presidential campaign continues in Paris. Sarkozy is accused of striking a “corruption pact” with the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who allegedly funded Sarkozy’s campaign in exchange for political favors. The prosecution argues […]
DP World has appointed Portuguese construction giant Mota-Engil to oversee the development of the Banana Port, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) first deep-water maritime gateway. Located in Kongo Central province along the Atlantic coast, the port is expected to revolutionize trade in the DRC and strengthen regional economic networks. Banana Port, one of Africa’s […]