First Independent Mena Newspaper
Talks over the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) are set to begin by July, but African nations face growing uncertainty as U.S. tariffs threaten to undermine the landmark trade pact. AGOA, which since 2000 has granted duty-free access to the United States for eligible sub-Saharan African exports, is scheduled to expire […]
As tensions surge between the world’s two largest economies, China is ramping up its global diplomacy, holding strategic talks with Saudi Arabia and South Africa to counterbalance the United States’ sweeping new tariffs. China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao recently held virtual meetings with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia and South Africa, focusing on responses to […]
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has decided to terminate its six-month $5 million lobbying contract with the U.S. public relations firm Earhart Turner, instead preferring to pursue direct negotiations with the Trump administration. The lobbying contract, signed in March 2025, aimed to enhance Congo’s image in Washington, particularly in the context of a mineral […]
Chinese state-owned firms are playing a dominant role in port development across Africa, with a presence in 78 ports across 32 countries as builders, financiers, or operators, sparking concerns about China’s long-term geo-strategic aims. According to a new report by the Washington-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies, these Chinese firms are not only builders and […]
A sharp restriction in off-continental irregular migration combined with escalating push factors will continue to shape governance and security priorities in Africa in 2025, according to a new report by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS), which also highlights the urgent need for more regional cooperation to accommodate intra-continental population movements. The new analysis […]
The United Nations and the US have called for an “urgent” meeting of Libyan political leaders to address the crisis of the Central Bank of Libya (BCL) and the blockade of oil production and exports. The UN Support Mission in Libya expressed “deep concern” over the worsening situation and convened a meeting to seek a […]
The United States has congratulated Morocco on its election to the Presidency of the UN Human Rights Council for 2024, while committing to strengthening bilateral cooperation for the sake of the promotion of human rights in the world. “My heartfelt congratulations to Morocco and Ambassador Omar Zniber after being elected President of the UNHRC in […]
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 […]
As China levies export controls on two critical minerals, gallium and geranium, from August, for US industry dependent upon reliable supply chains, Africa represents a key opportunity for American interests, according to Ned Rauch-Mannino, a former co-chair for the White House’s Prosper Africa initiative. The restrictions imposed on access to these two critical minerals mark […]
The United States is increasingly frustrated that Sudan’s warring factions are not taking advantage of talks initiated by Washington and Riyadh aiming to reach a permanent ceasefire as they originally agreed, according to US State Department sources. Therefore, U.S . will decide in the coming days with its partners how to proceed on mediation, a […]