First Independent Mena Newspaper
The foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are set to visit Moscow this week to deepen their strategic partnership with Russia, marking a significant shift in the region’s diplomatic and security landscape. The visit, scheduled for 3-4 April, represents the first-ever AES-Russia consultations following the establishment of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) […]
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 […]
Three Chadian journalists remain in pre-trial custody after being arrested earlier this month on charges of colluding with Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group, prompting warning about the government’s “broader crackdown” on critical voices in the landlocked Sahel country. The journalists, including Radio France Internationale’s Chad correspondent Olivier Monodji, are accused of espionage, conspiracy, and undermining Chad’s […]
Russia significantly boosted its agricultural exports to Africa in 2024 by 19%, reflecting the country’s growing economic influence across the continent amid the continuing war in Ukraine. During the previous fiscal year, Russia’s agricultural exports to Africa surpassed $7 billion, according to a statement released by the Agricultural Export Center (Agroexport), with Egypt, Algeria, and […]
Africa’s Sahel region has become the global epicenter of terrorism, with extremist groups now responsible for over half of all terror-related deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the latest Global Terrorism Index (GTI). This marks a significant shift from previous years, as the region’s death toll rose to 3,885, accounting for 51% of the global […]
After failing to join the BRICS and after its president described Putin as “friend of humanity” and after vowing to replace the dollar, Algeria is now making an act of repentance, offering to help the US counter Russian and Chinese influence in Africa. This came in an interview on Defense Scoop with Algeria’s ambassador to […]
Three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, African economies continue to grapple with the long-term effects of the conflict, with many nations still feeling the sting of rising inflation, disrupted supply chains, and escalating debt risks. A new report from the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) highlights that while some regions, such as East Africa, have […]
Following the conclusion of the Syrian civil war, Russia has begun repositioning its military assets, with Libya emerging as a key focus. After withdrawing forces from Syria, Moscow is now bolstering its military presence in Libya, particularly at the Maaten Al Sarra airbase, which it is modernizing to support operations across North Africa. Russia’s military […]
Following the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin and the collapse of the Wagner Group, Russia has recalibrated its strategy in Africa, maintaining influence through a mix of rebranding, expansion, and diversification, according to a new study by The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. The study by the Geneva-based organization notes that Moscow has quickly reassured […]
Botswana and South African mining giant De Beers have finalized a landmark 10-year agreement, enhancing the country’s stake in diamond sales and providing a boost to its critical diamond sector. After six years of negotiations, the deal will see Botswana’s share of rough diamond sales rise from 25% to 30% in the first five years, […]