First Independent Mena Newspaper
Russia is intensifying its involvement in West Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, as military governments in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso seek to distance themselves from Western influence. Following talks with three of his counterparts from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in Moscow on Thursday (3 April), Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov accused […]
Genomia MDATA, a Canadian pioneer in precision medicine, has joined forces with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health (FM6SS) to position Africa at the forefront of global biomedical innovation. The strategic alliance aims to accelerate the continent’s genomic and biotechnological capabilities, with a focus on personalized healthcare solutions tailored to Africa’s unique genetic […]
African nations are investing billions in airport infrastructure as passenger traffic across the continent is projected to double to 300 million annually by 2040, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which forecasts average growth of 5.7% per year through 2034. Ethiopia leads this transformation with plans for Africa’s largest airport near Bishoftu, 40km […]
Military governments in the Sahel are steering their nations toward greater control over mineral extraction as part of a broader strategy to diversify economies and reduce reliance on foreign companies. In Niger, a draft decree adopted by the Council of Ministers has recently granted to Niger-owned Compagnie Minière de Recherche et d’Exploitation (COMIREX SA) a […]
The deputy leader of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Abdel Rahim Hamdan Daglo, has threatened to invade two northern states following significant losses to the Sudanese army. In a video statement filmed in Darfur, Daglo vowed to attack the Northern State and River Nile State, claiming his forces, bolstered by 2,000 vehicles, would soon strike. […]
A clear divide has emerged in Africa’s public-private partnership (PPP) landscape, with five nations, including Morocco and Egypt, establishing themselves as continental leaders while others face significant challenges in attracting and managing private investment for public infrastructure. Morocco, which is part of the leaders’ tier, has developed a holistic strategy centered around landmark achievements in […]
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have agreed to direct peace talks, set to take place on 9 April in Doha, Qatar. This marks a significant step towards resolving one of Central Africa’s most enduring and violent conflicts, which has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and caused widespread […]
Fierce battles broke out on Tuesday April 1 between the Sudanese army and the rival paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), in El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state in southern Sudan. Military sources reported that the army inflicted significant losses on the RSF, targeting their troops and equipment, which forced the RSF forces […]
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 […]
In recent years, the Gulf monarchies have pivoted towards a more geo-economic strategy in Africa, diversifying their engagements from security and political interests to economic development, says a new report by the European Council on Foreign Relation (ECFR), noting that the Gulf expansion could also exacerbate the ongoing decline in European involvement in the continent. […]