First Independent Mena Newspaper
A recent report by the Mauritius Commercial Bank Group has highlighted the significant barriers posed by Africa’s inadequate transport and logistics infrastructure, which continue to hinder the region’s trade potential. Despite Africa’s growing economy, intra-Africa trade still accounts for a mere 16% of the continent’s total trade. The report, entitled ‘Harnessing Africa’s Trade Potential: Strategies […]
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have introduced a 0.5% tariff on goods imported from third countries, a move aimed at financing their activities within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This new tax, named the “AES confederal levy,” will apply to products entering the three countries but will exclude goods from other AES members, as […]
A group of Tigrayan survivors has filed a groundbreaking criminal complaint in Germany, accusing senior Ethiopian and Eritrean officials of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 2020-2022 conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. The complaint, lodged with the German Federal Public Prosecutor, targets 12 individuals, including high-ranking military officers and government officials, and is […]
At least nine civilians have been killed and 17 wounded following artillery shelling by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur state, on Sunday, according to a statement released by the Sudanese army on Monday March 31. The violence is part of the ongoing clashes between the […]
Guinea’s rulers have pardoned former military leader Moussa Dadis Camara, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the 2009 massacre in Conakry, raising controversy and questions about the country’s commitment to accountability and justice. The pardon, announced by junta leader General Mamadi Doumbouya on national television, was granted on the […]
Somalia has extended an offer to the United States for exclusive control over strategic airbases and ports in the Gulf of Aden, thus adding a new geopolitical twist to great-power competition in the Horn of Africa. In a letter from president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to U.S. president Donald Trump, Somalia proposed granting the U.S. operational […]
Morocco’s chairmanship of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) for the month of March was an opportunity to reaffirm the Kingdom’s strong commitment to peace and stability in Africa. In line with the vision of King Mohammed VI, who has consistently advocated for an Africa that believes in its ability to shape […]
Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has vowed to eradicate the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), signaling no intention for peace talks and reconciliation despite ongoing fierce fighting. In a video statement over the weekend, Burhan declared that the army would not forgive or negotiate with the RSF, instead offering amnesty to those who surrender. […]
Niger withdrew from a joint military force formed by countries bordering Lake Chad to fight terrorist groups. The move aims to free-up forces to reinforce oil installations at home, which has been targets of terrorist attacks. The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) was established in 1994 and has been reactivated in 2015 to counter Boko […]
The Republic of Guinea has joined the ranks of countries commending Morocco’s “innovation capacity” and “diplomatic dexterity” following the Kingdom’s initiative to convene informal consultations with Guinea, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Mali, Niger, and Sudan as part of Morocco’s Chairmanship of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC). In an official letter addressed to Morocco’s […]