How Françafrique still shapes French-African relations
“Françafrique” refers to the political, economic, and military networks France used to maintain influence over its former African colonies, a term popularized in 1998 by François-Xavier Verschave. The term was originally meant to convey a positive partnership but has evolved into a system of corruption, patronage, and informal networks. This system rested on three pillars: military intervention […]
Angola seeks $4.5 billion to extend Lobito Corridor rail
Angola is spearheading a major infrastructure push, seeking $4.5 billion to extend the Lobito Corridor railway into Zambia’s mineral-rich Copperbelt region. This project aims to drastically streamline export logistics for the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, which together produce over 13% of the world’s copper. Currently, shipping this critical metal is a weeks-long ordeal through congested […]
What’s next for marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge?
Despite a 17th-place finish in the New York City Marathon, Eliud Kipchoge, widely considered the greatest marathoner ever, cemented a different kind of victory by completing all seven World Marathon Majors. His focus, however, has clearly evolved beyond winning races. Celebrated for breaking the two-hour barrier and his profound philosophy that “no human is limited,” Kipchoge now […]
Qatar to invest billions in Egyptian project
Qatari Diar, the real estate arm of Doha’s sovereign wealth fund, is set to invest $29.7 billion in transforming Egypt’s Mediterranean coast into a year-round luxury destination. The massive Alam Al-Roum project will feature marinas, golf courses, schools, and upscale neighborhoods across nearly 5,000 acres. It marks Qatar’s largest investment in Egypt since diplomatic ties were restored […]
Port closures in Tanzania threaten regional commerce
Recent election unrest in Tanzania has created a chain reaction, severely disrupting vital trade routes across Southern Africa. The unrest led to the temporary closure of key border crossings with Malawi, which stranded cargo trucks, causing fuel shortages and threatening the timely delivery of critical agricultural supplies such as fertilizer. This incident highlights the profound vulnerability of […]
Sudanese allies resist RSF’s political recognition
Sudanese armed groups allied with the national army have rejected any political settlement that treats the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as an equal to the state. In a statement, the Joint Force of Armed Movements in Darfur—which includes the Justice and Equality Movement and the Sudan Liberation Movement—reaffirmed its commitment to defending Sudan’s unity and […]
US engages Mali as security crisis deepens
US diplomat Christopher Landau recently met with Mali’s foreign minister to discuss regional security, affirming Washington’s support for Mali’s fight against Islamist militants. This dialogue comes as Mali’s capital, Bamako, faces a severe fuel blockade imposed by the al-Qaeda-linked militant group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). For two months, these insurgents have attacked fuel convoys, effectively […]
Ancient Kenyan discovery rewrites human history
A groundbreaking discovery in northwest Kenya suggests that the earliest humans were far more inventive than previously believed. Archaeologists uncovered 1,300 stone tools at the Namorotukunan site, revealing that early humans used and refined the same technology continuously for 300,000 years—starting 2.75 million years ago. The tools, made with remarkable precision, show that the early inhabitants of […]
