1. China Removes Tariffs on African Exports to Boost Trade
China has announced the elimination of all tariffs on exports from its 53 African partners, aiming to enhance trade by offering duty- and quota-free market access. This move is expected to benefit both least developed and middle-income nations, including Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco. The announcement follows a meeting in Changsha between Chinese officials and African foreign ministers to assess commitments from a prior summit in Beijing. Read at reuters.com
2. Mali’s Junta Extends Power Amid Protests
Mali’s military junta has approved a bill granting junta leader Gen. Assimi Goita an additional five-year renewable term, extending his rule beyond the previously promised transition to civilian governance. The move has sparked protests in Bamako, with demonstrators calling for democratic reforms and an end to military rule. The bill still requires ratification by the National Transitional Council. Read at 1apnews.com+1
3. Guinea Establishes Election Body Amid Transition
Guinea’s military junta has set up the Directorate General of Elections (DGE) to oversee upcoming elections, including a constitutional referendum in September and general elections in December 2025. While the move is part of a delayed democratic transition, concerns persist about the credibility of the process due to previous actions by the junta, such as dissolving political parties and restricting media freedom. Read at apnews.com
4. U.S. Pushes for Peace Deal Between Rwanda and Congo
The United States is urging swift progress in peace negotiations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), aiming for a peace agreement as early as June or July. Technical teams are actively working to implement agreed-upon principles, although mistrust remains, particularly regarding Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebel group in eastern Congo. Read at reuters.com
5. Wagner Group Withdraws from Mali Amid Security Concerns
The Wagner Group has announced its withdrawal from Mali following heavy losses, leaving the Russian Africa Corps to maintain a presence in the country. The departure of Wagner, a private military company, raises questions about the future of Russian influence and security arrangements in Mali. Read at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3ve0e7ndzo
6. Egypt and Somalia Strengthen Strategic Partnership
Egypt and Somalia have concluded a strategic partnership agreement encompassing political, economic, and military cooperation. The partnership aims to bolster Somalia’s security and development, with Egypt offering support for a new African peacekeeping mission in Somalia to replace the current one. Read at https://web.mfa.gov.so/somalia-and-egypt-enhance-strategic-partnership-with-key-agreements/
7. U.S. Intensifies Airstrikes Against Extremist Groups in Somalia
The U.S. military has conducted at least 32 airstrikes in Somalia in 2025, targeting extremist groups such as ISIS-Somalia and al-Shabab. These operations are part of a broader counterterrorism effort in the region, highlighting Africa’s strategic importance to U.S. security interests. Read at axios.com
8. Chad: Diplomatic Tensions Escalate with U.S. Travel Ban
In response to the U.S. reinstating a travel ban affecting Chad, the Chadian government has suspended visa issuance to U.S. citizens. President Mahamat Idriss Deby emphasized the principle of reciprocity, highlighting Chad’s sovereign dignity. This move underscores the growing diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The travel ban has also affected other countries, including Somalia and Sudan. Read at apnews.com+1reuters.com+1
9. Somalia: Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amid Drought and Conflict
Somalia faces a worsening food insecurity crisis, with over 4.6 million people projected to experience acute hunger between April and June 2025. This dire situation is driven by ongoing conflict, drought conditions, and rising food prices. Additionally, the country is grappling with a cholera outbreak, further straining its fragile healthcare system. International aid organizations are calling for urgent support to mitigate the crisis. Read at sodma.gov.so+4bignewsnetwork.com+4miragenews.com+4
10. India-Africa Maritime Exercise Enhances Security Cooperation
India and several African nations conducted the inaugural Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) naval exercise in April 2025. The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability among participating countries and strengthen diplomatic and operational ties in the Indian Ocean region. Read at https://adf-magazine.com/2025/06/india-co-hosts-first-joint-african-maritime-exercise/