First Independent Mena Newspaper
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is reviewing a confidential legal brief accusing the Russia-linked Wagner Group of committing war crimes in West Africa — not only through acts of extreme violence but by promoting them online. The brief, submitted by legal experts from UC Berkeley, contends that Wagner’s dissemination of graphic content — showing beheadings, […]
Ukraine is reportedly deepening its presence in Africa, offering military training, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic support to counter Russia’s growing influence, particularly in the Sahel region. As Moscow-backed mercenaries spread across conflict zones like Mali, Ukraine has launched a strategic push to win allies on the continent and undermine Kremlin-backed operations. Kyiv’s latest initiative includes […]
Russia’s war in Ukraine has taken on a disturbing new dimension, as media reports confirm that hundreds of young African men are being lured, coerced, or tricked into fighting on the front lines for the Kremlin. Marketed with promises of stable employment, education, or fast-track Russian citizenship, many are instead funneled into combat roles with […]
Russia is intensifying efforts to boost its presence in Africa through expanded military and economic partnerships, even as its actual investments on the continent continue to lag behind lofty geopolitical ambitions. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed this week that Russia’s presence in Africa is “growing,” with new emphasis on “sensitive areas such as defense and […]
The Russian mercenary group Wagner has officially announced its departure from Mali after over three years of operations against Islamist insurgents. But Moscow’s military footprint in the West African country remains intact through the Kremlin-controlled Africa Corps, signaling a strategic shift rather than a retreat. Wagner declared its mission “accomplished,” citing the restoration of government […]
In a decisive diplomatic move aimed at averting a resurgence of violence in Libya, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Wednesday May 28 that Moscow and Ankara will jointly employ their considerable influence over Libyan factions to prevent the outbreak of renewed hostilities. The announcement followed a high-level meeting between Lavrov and Turkish Foreign […]
As Africa moves to the center of global economic and strategic importance, a new Brookings Institution policy brief urges the Trump administration to craft a bold, forward-looking U.S.-Africa strategy that aligns American interests with Africa’s rapid transformation. The report highlights four key pillars — power, prosperity, peace, and principles with soft power — through which […]
Amid a surge in insurgent activity across Africa, the U.S. military is recalibrating its strategy, stepping back from its traditional focus on governance and development to emphasize burden-sharing and self-reliance among African partners. At the recent African Lion 2025 military exercise — the continent’s largest — Gen. Michael Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), […]
Russia has snubbed the Algerian military regime on Victory Day, attended by leaders Algeria considers as enemies. Putin was seen giving a presidential state welcome to Burkina Faso’s military ruler and Libyan general Khalifa Haftar, two leaders Algeria is at loggerheads with. Russia invited presidents of allied countries to the event marking the Russian victory […]
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 […]