First Independent Mena Newspaper
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who returned to Juba on Monday following the African Union’ 39th Ordinary Summit in Addis Ababa, firmly ruled out any further delay to the planned December 2026 general elections. During deliberations of the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan (C5), Kiir presented a report on the […]
FIFA is increasingly being drawn into a widening governance crisis in African football after revelations from the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) chief of referees suggested that officials were instructed to overlook mandatory sanctions during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. The controversy, coupled with CAF’s notably lenient response toward Senegal, has triggered a […]
In a landmark trade policy shift, China has announced the complete removal of customs duties on imports from 53 African countries, including Morocco. The zero-tariff regime, set to take effect on May 1,2026, aims to deepen economic cooperation and open one of the world’s largest consumer markets to African exporters. The announcement was made by […]
Italy announced a plan to allow African countries to suspend debt repayments after extreme climate events, a proposal unveiled by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the second Italy–Africa Summit held on the sidelines of the African Union (AU) meeting in Addis Ababa. The initiative forms part of Italy’s broader Mattei Plan, which allocates €5.5 billion […]
Morocco delivered a strong diplomatic performance at the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, reinforcing its position as a key driver of continental cooperation. Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch represented King Mohammed VI at the two-day gathering held February 14–15 under the theme of sustainable water and sanitation systems. The summit provided Morocco with […]
Public divisions have surfaced within Sudan’s Freedom and Change – Democratic Bloc following what were described as unauthorised consultations with international mediators in Addis Ababa. On 15 February 2026, spokesperson Juma al-Wakil stated that the coalition neither sanctioned nor participated in the meeting, stressing that no delegation had been officially mandated to represent the bloc. […]
Five international organizations, collectively known as the “Quintet,” on Wednesday, called for an urgent cessation of military escalation in Sudan, warning against the use of increasingly destructive methods of warfare. The Quintet—comprising the African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, League of Arab States, European Union, and United Nations—expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation, […]
Africa faces mounting conflict risks in 2026 amid spreading wars, weakened regional institutions and a rapidly shifting global order, the International Crisis Group (ICG) said in a new briefing that urges urgent diplomacy to prevent further deterioration. The report, Seven Peace and Security Priorities for Africa in 2026, warns that the continent is beset by […]
A drone strike on a mosque in al-Rahad city, North Kordofan, killed two children and injured 13 others early on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, according to the Sudan Doctors Network. The group alleged that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), currently fighting Sudan’s military, carried out the attack. A spokesperson said the children were attending […]
Morocco’s election to the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) in a first-round vote is a strong acknowledgment of King Mohammed VI’s role in maintaining peace and stability in Africa, said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, Following the vote on Wednesday in Addis Ababa. This election reflects the efforts of the King […]