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Germany’s top diplomat visits West Africa to mend ties amidst Sahel instability

Germany’s top diplomat has talked up the prospect of closer political ties with Senegal and the Ivory Coast, two of the last democracies in a region otherwise plagued by sectarian conflict, in the latest attempt by a senior EU politician to rebuild the bloc’s political influence in West Africa. Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is […]

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US troops exit Niger’s Air Base 101 as Russia-backed Africa Corps look to expand footprint

The United States has completed the withdrawal of its military personnel from Niger’s Air Base 101 near the West African nation’s capital, Niamey, which comes ahead of its planned exit from another major drone base near the desert city of Agadez. A joint statement by Niger’s Defense Ministry and the US Department of Defense confirmed […]

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Chocflation: Ghana mulls 100% cocoa price hike amid perfect storm of multiple crises

Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, considers doubling farmgate price of the crop to combat smuggling amid a global shortage, as the country’s share of the whole sale market price shrinks to 16% from 44% in mid last year. The Ghana Cocoa Board and the country’s government are reportedly muling a significant increase — potentially […]

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US’s Blinken starts four-nation West Africa tour to boost democracies amid Sahel concerns

The US top diplomat’s tour of four African countries began on Monday (22 January) with a visit to Cape Verde, as the Biden administration seeks to prove the United States is a key partner on a continent where China and Russia have sought to expand their influence. In Cape Verde, US Secretary of State Antony […]

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US plans to set up drone bases in coastal West Africa to stem Islamist advance and counter China

The United States is reportedly seeking to set up military drones bases along the West African coast in an urgent effort to stop the spread of Islamist militants, counter the Chinese influence in the region, and to support the development and democracy of its African allies. Washington is holding preliminary talks with Ghana, Ivory Coast […]

Africa Headlines International

Russian embassy re-opens in Burkina Faso after 32 years as France struggles to exert influence

After nearly 32 years without a diplomatic presence in Burkina Faso, Russia has announced the opening of its embassy in the capital Ouagadougou, in a move that marks a significant milestone in the relationship between both countries following an October deal to construct a nuclear power plant in the West African country. On Thursday, Russia […]

Africa Europe Headlines International

EU planning new military-civilian operation mission in West Africa — report

Despite setbacks from military coups in Mali and Niger, the European Union is planning to launch a new military-civilian mission in Africa in the fall, whose aim is to prevent instability triggered by jihadi groups, a German newspaper has reported. EU member states have agreed to launch the mission in the Gulf of Guinea in […]

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Morocco’s Saharan Dakhla Oued Ed-Dahab Region Adds Senegal’s Mbour to Its Partner Cities

Morocco’s Saharan region of Dakhla Oued-Edahab is expanding the circle of its regional and international alliance for shared progress and prosperity in the new world order taking form. After having signed lately twinning agreements with U.S. Hollywood city and Peru’s “Pueblo Libre” in Lima, the Moroccan Saharan region sealed on Tuesday a Memorandum of Understanding […]

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Ivory Coast: bean shortage pushes cocoa exporters on verge of default

Cocoa exporters in Ivory Coast are on the verge of defaulting on their contracts due to a lack of beans and urgently need up to 150,000 tonnes to honor their commitments, according to industry sources. As the world’s top producer heads towards the end of its October-to-March main harvest, cocoa bean supply is tight, with […]

Europe International

EU warns Kenya over grand corruption, but overall Africa makes progress

The European Union has threatened to blacklist Kenya over corruption and money laundering, with the bloc’s Ambassador to Kenya warning that the east African country’s reluctance to curb corruption and money laundering could scare off investors. The EU is revisiting an old problem Nairobi has struggled to contain and if there is no substantial progress […]