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Africa Brief

From Algeria to Zimbabwe and countries in between, a weekly roundup of essential news and analysis from Africa. Delivered Wednesday.

Ishag Abdullah Khatir, 30 from Geneina in West Sudan whose leg was amputated after he was shot by RSF soldiers, walks through Ambelia refugee camp on April 20 in Adre, Chad.
Ishag Abdullah Khatir, 30 from Geneina in West Sudan whose leg was amputated after he was shot by RSF soldiers, walks through Ambelia refugee camp on April 20 in Adre, Chad.

Will Washington Sanction Sudan’s RSF?

Lawmakers are calling for direct measures against the group’s leader, Hemeti.

Protesters hold up a sign demanding that U.S. soldiers leave Niger during a demonstration in Niamey, Niger on April 13.
Protesters hold up a sign demanding that U.S. soldiers leave Niger during a demonstration in Niamey, Niger on April 13.

Anti-American Protests in Niger

Junta leaders and demonstrators seek to replace U.S. presence in the country.

Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé is received by the president of the Economic Community of West African States Commission, Omar Touray (left), and Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar (right) at the presidential villa in Abuja, Nigeria, on Feb. 24.
Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé is received by the president of the Economic Community of West African States Commission, Omar Touray (left), and Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar (right) at the presidential villa in Abuja, Nigeria, on Feb. 24.

Togo Readies for Turmoil

The country’s president has delayed elections indefinitely, but the political opposition is prepared for a fight.

Bassirou Diomaye Faye (L) is sworn in as Senegal's president at an exhibition centre in the new town of Diamniadio near the capital Dakar on April 2.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye (L) is sworn in as Senegal's president at an exhibition centre in the new town of Diamniadio near the capital Dakar on April 2.

How Will Senegal’s New President Govern?

Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s agenda has spooked some investors, but power could temper his more radical proposals.

Members of the American Federation of Teachers and teachers unions representatives from Uganda and South Africa rally against Bridge Academies at the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings on April 21, 2017 in Washington.
Members of the American Federation of Teachers and teachers unions representatives from Uganda and South Africa rally against Bridge Academies at the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings on April 21, 2017 in Washington.

Kenya’s Sex Abuse Scandal Puts World Bank in Spotlight

U.S., U.K., and France disagree on compensation for victims at an IFC-funded chain of for-profit schools.

A man walks past a Senegalese flag ahead of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye's campaign event in Cap Skirring, Senegal on on March 16.
A man walks past a Senegalese flag ahead of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye's campaign event in Cap Skirring, Senegal on on March 16.

Senegal’s Existential Election

After a month of chaos, the country is going to the polls with formerly imprisoned opposition candidates on the ballot.

A general view of land reclaimed by a Namibian farm worker is seen on November 26, 2019 on the outskirts of Ovitoto settlement in the Okahandja district area, Namibia.
A general view of land reclaimed by a Namibian farm worker is seen on November 26, 2019 on the outskirts of Ovitoto settlement in the Okahandja district area, Namibia.

Namibia Calls for Reparations Talks With Germany

More than a century after the Herero-Nama genocide, Namibian communities are seeking compensation, land redistribution, and a seat at the table.

Nigerian musician Rema performs during the half time show of the NBA All-Star game in Salt Lake City, Utah on Feb. 19, 2023.
Nigerian musician Rema performs during the half time show of the NBA All-Star game in Salt Lake City, Utah on Feb. 19, 2023.

African Music Goes Global With Universal Deal

An investment in Nigeria’s Mavin label—coupled with interest from China and South Korea— highlights the increasing allure of Africa’s cultural exports.

Maxar satellite imagery shows another view of the contruction of a wall near the Rafah border crossing into Egypt on Feb. 15.
Maxar satellite imagery shows another view of the contruction of a wall near the Rafah border crossing into Egypt on Feb. 15.

What Is Egypt’s Gaza Policy?

As Israel threatens Rafah, the Sisi government is clearing land and building walls in Sinai.

Sudanese men who have fled from the war in Sudan line up during a cash assistance program at a Transit Centre for refugees in Renk, South Sudan on Feb. 15.
Sudanese men who have fled from the war in Sudan line up during a cash assistance program at a Transit Centre for refugees in Renk, South Sudan on Feb. 15.

Sudan’s Refugee Crisis

After nearly one year of civil war, 8 million people have been displaced—more than 1 million of whom have fled to neighboring Chad and Egypt.

Members of the Senegalese media gather for a vigil to protest violence against the media, in Dakar on Feb. 12.
Members of the Senegalese media gather for a vigil to protest violence against the media, in Dakar on Feb. 12.

Chaos in Senegal After Election Delay

Macky Sall’s government cracks down on protests while ECOWAS leverage fades.

Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni welcomes William Ruto, president of Kenya, at the Italy-Africa international conference on Jan. 28 in Rome.
Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni welcomes William Ruto, president of Kenya, at the Italy-Africa international conference on Jan. 28 in Rome.

Italy’s Energy Deal Faces Backlash in Africa

Critics charge that a plan that aims to curb migration will derail the continent’s climate change agenda.

Demonstrators wave Palestinian and Algerian flags as they march in a rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Algiers on Oct. 19, 2023.
Demonstrators wave Palestinian and Algerian flags as they march in a rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Algiers on Oct. 19, 2023.

Algeria Seeks U.N. Action Following ICJ Decision on Gaza

After the court ordered Israel to take provisional measures to prevent genocide, some countries are seeking to enforce the ruling.

Demonstrators hold banners and flags in support of Somalia’s government following a port deal signed between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland in Mogadishu on Jan. 3.
Demonstrators hold banners and flags in support of Somalia’s government following a port deal signed between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland in Mogadishu on Jan. 3.

Sudan and Ethiopia Snub Regional Mediation

East African leaders want to arbitrate conflicts in both countries. But neither is interested in outside help.

Palestinians carry flags and banners as they gather at Nelson Mandela Square in Ramallah, West Bank, to demonstrate in support of the genocide case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Issam Rimawi/Anadolu via Getty Images
Palestinians carry flags and banners as they gather at Nelson Mandela Square in Ramallah, West Bank, to demonstrate in support of the genocide case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Issam Rimawi/Anadolu via Getty Images

Why the Global South Supports Pretoria’s ICJ Genocide Case

Namibia and Bangladesh are the most vocal of many countries backing South Africa’s legal challenge to Israel.

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