First Independent Mena Newspaper
African students pursuing education abroad are facing heightened scrutiny as the United States and United Kingdom ramp up enforcement of immigration compliance, raising concerns about travel equity and academic opportunity. In the U.K., the Home Office has launched a campaign warning tens of thousands of international students — many from Africa — about overstaying visas. […]
Zambia is grappling with the aftermath of one of its worst environmental disasters, as outrage mounts over a massive toxic spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine that polluted the Kafue River and devastated communities. The February incident occurred when a dam at Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, a subsidiary of China’s state-owned China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group, […]
Africa is emerging as a key manufacturing hub for Indian companies, as record-high U.S. tariffs — now up to 50% — threaten India’s export competitiveness, particularly in textiles, pharmaceuticals, and gems. The penalties, imposed largely in response to India’s continued oil trade with Russia, have forced Indian firms to pivot strategically toward Africa to maintain […]
In the shadow of official diplomacy, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as a central — but often overlooked — force in Africa’s escalating conflicts, according to observers and experts on the region. “Most people blame the United States, while others are suspicious of China … however, … the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is […]
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group have resumed negotiations in Qatar, aiming to revive a faltering truce signed in July. Despite the Qatari-brokered agreement, fighting has intensified in eastern Congo, particularly in North and South Kivu, displacing over two million people this year alone. Talks in Doha focus on a […]
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced it has killed at least 35 militants in precision airstrikes near the country’s border with Cameroon, in a targeted operation responding to intelligence of an imminent assault on ground troops in Borno State’s Kumshe region. The strikes, carried out Saturday (23 August), are part of a broader military push […]
Uganda has confirmed a temporary agreement with the United States to accept third-country nationals denied asylum in the U.S., marking a significant shift in migration policy that has sparked controversy both at home and across the continent. The deal, confirmed last week (21 August) by Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, excludes individuals with […]
Uganda has firmly denied reports that it has entered into an agreement with the United States to accept migrants deported under a Trump-era immigration policy. The denial follows a CBS News report citing confidential U.S. government documents, which claimed that both Uganda and Honduras had agreed to take in asylum seekers and deportees from third […]
The United States has launched a sweeping reassessment of Kenya’s Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status, raising alarm over President William Ruto’s growing ties with China, Russia, Iran, and links to extremist groups. Granted in June 2024, Kenya’s MNNA designation made it the first sub-Saharan African country to join an exclusive list of U.S. defense partners. […]
The government of Japan has reportedly signed again on the participation of the Algeria-backed Polisario militia’s in its summit with African countries due in Yokoham from 20 to 22 August 2025. This is not the first time that Japan takes such a risky move with serious political implications. It is very likely to strain relations […]