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Back in February, when French President Emmanuel Macronannounced that troops from France's Barkhane mission aswell as the European Union's Takuba task force would bewithdrawn from Mali, Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoumraised eyebrows by declaring that Niger would welcome theFrench and European troops on its territory. Niger is generally considered to be a relativelywell-governed state in a region rife with politicalinstability and weak state institutions, and it is oftenheld up as an example for neighboring countries in theSahel to emulate. [Extracted from the article]

Though the election isn't until next year, the race todetermine the next president of Nigeria is officiallyunderway, as the country's two main parties havenominated their flagbearers for the contest to succeedoutgoing President Muhammadu Buhari. A number of other candidates from othersmaller parties will contest the race, but Tinubu, Atikuand Obi are expected to be the main challengers. [Extracted from the article]

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made his inaugural visit to Africa with a three-nation tour that began in Senegal and concluded in South Africa. Days after Scholz's visit, Sall visited Angola for the first time as president (https://twitter.com/Macky%5FSall/status/1529587987796869122?s=20&t=uhrU4YMTAqdgyzhEVep6yg), and he will attend a summit of AU leaders scheduled for this weekend (https://www.africanews.com/2022/05/26/african-union-extraordinary-summits-will-tackle-humanitarian-political-crises/). [Extracted from the article]

A little over nine months later, Goita also deposed the transitional government the interim junta had selected to steer the country back toward a democratically elected civilian government. Unsurprisingly, military coups, unconstitutional changes of government and political transitions in countries like Mali, Guinea, Chad and Sudan were consistent topics of their meetings. The spate of military takeovers and attempted coups across Africa over the past two years has led to speculation in some quarters about a generalized "return to military rule" or "coup contagion" on the continent. [Extracted from the article]

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio visited Dakar, Senegal, this week as part of his first trip to the African continent since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic. Guterres also stopped in at a vaccine-manufacturing facility at Dakar's Pasteur Institute that will soon produce COVID-19 shots, where he called for vaccine equity to help Africa recover from the pandemic. [Extracted from the article]

South Africa is grappling with one of the most devastating floods in the countiy's history. Ironically, the city of Durban was the first in South Africa to create a climate change plan, doing so in 2014, perhaps underscoring the urgency of the continent's vulnerability to climate change, and the dangers of not acting fast enough. [Extracted from the article]

Rwanda has announced an agreement with the United Kingdom to take in some asylum-seekers for processing in the East African country. The U.K.-Rwanda migration partnership is one more example of policy initiatives by Global North countries to avoid their international obligations to take in refugees and asylum seekers, as Matthew Gibney wrote in a WPR article last year. [Extracted from the article]

At a virtual summit held Tuesday, the leaders of the East African Community's member states approved the Democratic Republic of Congo's admission into the bloc. Upon formal completion of its accession, Congo will be the largest and most populous country in the EAC, bringing a population of 90 million people into the bloc and increasing the EAC's total population to nearly 300 million. [Extracted from the article]

Even before Russia's invasion of Ukraine pushed the price of crude oil above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2014, global oil prices had been on the rise for several months. His fears were echoed by the country's finance minister, who was quoted by Reuters as saying that rising oil prices are putting Nigeria in a bind (https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigeria-tap-eurobond-cash-local-funds-fuel-subsidy-oil-prices-rise-2022-03- 15/) due to the exploding cost of oil subsidies. [Extracted from the article]

Along with the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, the eight-nation grouping known by its French-language acronym UEMOA had imposed economic and financial restrictions on Mali in January, after the country's interim military government reneged on a pledge to hold elections by February 2022 as part of Mali's return to civilian rule. The court of the West African Economic and Monetary Union yesterday ordered that sanctions imposed on Mali by West African leaders should be lifted. [Extracted from the article]

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the reaction it has drawn from the United States and the European Union, has been described by many observers as having "revitalized the liberal international order", as Kori Schake of the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute wrote in The Atlantic. Africa Opposes the Ukraine War. Keep up to date on Africa news with our daily curated Africa news wire. [Extracted from the article]

Erdogan restated his "commitment" to a deeperrelationship with Congo and Africa more broadly,referring to the communique, action plan and jointimplementation report adopted during December'sTurkey-Africa summit as "a roadmap in our relations withAfrica for 2022-2026." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited theDemocratic Republic of Congo and Senegal this week,returning to the African continent just months after hismost recent four-day, three-nation tour last October, aswell as the Third Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit, whichwas held in December in Istanbul. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on Africa's democratization wave overlapped with the World Bank's decision to broaden its public sector management agenda to include key issues of governance, leading to the adoption of the "good governance"agenda in international development. It mentions style of policy implementation that Global North countries and international organizations have imposed on African governments as conditions of development aid.

The article informs that overlooked role of western multinationals in African corruption. It mentions that British American Tobacco as been accused of paying bribes to the notoriously corrupt former president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe. It also mentions that the allegations come amid a number of other reports of Western multinational corporations allegedly engaging in questionable conduct on the African continent.

The article explores shootout close to the presidential residence in Conakry, Guinea's capital, between pro-government forces and an elite army unit intent on deposing President Alpha Conde, Col. Mamady Doumbouya, a former French Legionnaire and the commander of a special forces unit created by Conde, appeared on state television to announce the closing of the country's borders.

The article reports that the U.S. President Joe Biden campaigned for the 2020 Democratic nomination promising to restore the defense of human rights and democracy to a central position in U.S. foreign policy to build back better in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Topics include change in tone from administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump; and Biden pledging that the U.S. will pursue diplomacy in America's democratic values by defending freedom, and treating person with dignity.

The article reports that Kenya's Court of Appeal upheld a judgment by the High Court blocking a government bid to make fundamental changes to the country's constitution. Topics include ruling marks a setback to President Uhuru Kenyatta's legacy-building project and is certain to shift the political landscape a year before the country's general election; and debate over the constitutional reforms has dominated Kenya's politics since the landmark agreement between Kenyatta and Odinga.

The article focuses on African Olympic athletes began to trickle out of Tokyo. It mentions that Peruth Chemutai, Ugandan woman won Olympic medal, taking gold in the women's steeplechase. It also mentions that Eliud Kipchoge spectacularly defended his marathon gold medal, and teenagers from Namibia and Tunisia won silver and gold medals respectively.

The article focuses on the African Union (AU) granted observer status to Israel after nearly 20 years of Israeli diplomatic efforts to that effect. It mentions that AU has vocally supported Palestinian statehood and consistently criticized Israel's violations of international law, occupation of Palestinian land and human rights abuses.

The article focuses on the Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has demonstrated a pattern of authoritarianism. Topics include anti-LGBTQ law to criminalize displays of same-sex affection and advocacy for LGBTQ rights, dismissal of Charlotte Osei, head of the electoral commission, and COVID-19 pandemic mitigation measure and to stop migrants from neighboring Togo from crossing the border.

The article focuses on the leader of the separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu was arrested and repatriated to Nigeria to face charges of terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms. It mentions that advocate Sunday Adeyemo was arrested at an airport in neighboring Benin. It also mentions President Muhammadu Buhari administration's problems with the rule of law are well-documented.

In the article, the author discusses why multilateralism could hold the key in successfully eradicating or controlling the spread of the coronavirus disease, particularly in Africa. Topics include the coronavirus-driven social unrest in African countries like South Africa, and the need for the international community to fulfill its promise of providing affordable, safe and effective vaccines in low- and middle-income countries in the Global South.

And that is to saynothing of Rwanda's dreadful human rights recordunder Kagame, which even the U.K. governmentnoted was characterized by "continued restrictions tocivil and political rights and media freedom" asrecently as January 2021. The government of Rwanda announced earlier thismonth what it described as a "migration and economicdevelopment partnership" with the United Kingdom,in which the U.K. claims it would send migrants whohad reached British territory to Rwanda for processingof their asylum claims for possible settlement in theU.K. [Extracted from the article]

With Washington consumed by its international diplomacy to isolate Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, Biden administration officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan, reportedly used the meeting to press African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat on the issue. The war in Ukraine might be distant from the African continent, but its effects are proving to be far-reaching. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports that U.S. President Joe Biden will need to combine prudence with creativity to forge a more productive relationship with Nigeria.

The article offers information on the people demonstration against police brutality and Special Anti-Robbery Squad, in Lagos, Nigeria. It further discusses civic uprising to demand more accountability from law enforcement and an end to rampant police brutality in Nigeria; implemented curfews due to increased violence and pockets of unrest; and the investigation and prosecution of armed robbery, murder, kidnappings and other violent crimes.

In 2023, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, two of Africa's four most-populous countries, are scheduled to hold general elections that include keenly anticipated presidential races, as are Zimbabwe and Madagascar. Over the course of the next two and a half years, voters in several of Africa's largest and most populous countries will be going to the polls, with a lot riding on the outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

But while Mohamud and Somalia's military leadership aresure to welcome that news with enthusiasm, the move isunlikely to alleviate the deep-rooted socio-economic andpolitical hurdles Somalia faces, nearly all of whichaffect its security but cannot readily be solved bymilitary interventions. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, right, marks his election win withincumbent President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, left, inMogadishu, Somalia, May 15, 2022 (AP photo by Farah AbdiWarsameh). [Extracted from the article]

South African President CyrilRamaphosa, Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde and SouthSudanese President Salva Kiir were among the thousandspresent at the service in Nyayo National Stadium inNairobi, Kenya's capital. Then-Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, center, shakes handswith Raila Odinga, right, as former U.N.Secretary-General Kofi Annan, left, looks on, Jan. 24,2008 in Nairobi, Kenya (AP photo by Karel Prinsloo). [Extracted from the article]

Last week, the United Nations' top court ordered Ugandato pay the sum of $325 million to the Democratic Republicof Congo for the East African country's role in thebrutal war there at the turn of the century. The ICJ ruling is the second landmark internationalverdict in recent months involving two African states,after the U.N. court sided in October 2021 with Somaliain a years-long dispute with neighboring Kenya over theirmaritime border. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. and European Unionannounced a new round of sanctions against Russia thathas sent the ruble crashing. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last Thursday, majordevelopments that will reshape global politics bothimmediately and for years to come have rapidly unfoldedone after the other. [Extracted from the article]

African heads of state gather for a group photograph atthe 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assemblyin Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Feb. 5, 2022 (AP photo). [Extracted from the article]

The article informs that 5 November 2021 a collision between a petrol fuel tanker and a lorry at a busy junction of Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, resulted in an explosion and a fire. It mentions that victims included motorbike drivers who reportedly rushed toward the scene to collect leaking fuel, which they presumably hoped to either use or sell, as well as roadside traders and commuters trapped in vehicles along the busy intersection.

The article informs that African Union's Agenda 2063 for economic integration. It mentions that has identified several programs and initiatives promoting connectivity and mobility as central to accelerating shared growth and development in Africa, as well as to forging a common identity. It also mentions that tourism, labor mobility and technological innovation have similarly been identified as the building blocks.

The article presents an update on world politics as of November 5, 2021. African leaders, policy specialists, businesspeople and activists promoted a justice-oriented approach to addressing the climate crisis at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland. The regional summit on human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) was held in Dakar, Senegal. The French Goncourt Prize was awarded to Senegalese writer Mohamed Mbougar Sarr.

The article examines the implication of a military coup in Sudan in 2021. The aim of the creation of a new government by the military under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is to address the revolution. It mentions the possible emergence of a violent crackdown by security forces and paramilitary groups if protests against the coup persist. Also noted is the call of civil society entities for the African Union, United Nations and Intergovernmental Authority on Development to address the coup.

The article considers the continuation of the #EndSARS protests against police brutality in Nigeria. The 2020 demonstrations developed from a campaign against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to a call for political accountability and improved governance. It describes the violent crackdowns and repression of activists and organizers involved in the October 2020 protests. Also noted is the significance of the #EndSARSMemorial held to honor those who were killed in the October 2020 protests.

The article focuses on Pandora Papers investigation which found 50 politicians and public officials from 18 African countries have connections to secretive offshore financial structures and trusts in tax havens. It mentions revelations come at a time when debates over taxation, sovereign debt and capital flight from Africa are raging, against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic's economic fallout. It also mentions implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.

The article focuses on World Bank Group has announced its decision to end publication of the Doing Business report with its flagship annual publication that rates the business environment of countries. It mentions data irregularities on the 2018 and 2020 editions of Doing Business were reported internally, World Bank management paused the report to conduct a series of reviews and audits into the report itself and its methodology.

The article informs on Operation Barkhane, an ongoing anti-insurgent operation led by the French military against Islamist groups in Africa's Sahel, Mali region. It mentions that France's massive counterinsurgency mission across the Sahel, and a rumored deal to deploy Russian private military contractors from the Wagner Group to the country, and it's fair to say Mali's immediate and long-term future are at stake.