People protest against proposed budget and social funding cuts in Cape Town, South Africa on Feb. 21, 2024.
People protest against proposed budget and social funding cuts in Cape Town, South Africa on Feb. 21, 2024.

South Africa VAT Spat Delays Budget

A disagreement between coalition partners delays the government’s plans to raise revenue amid Trump’s aid cuts.

Military personnel supervise the arrival of aid carried by a Russian Ilyushin Il-76TD transport aircraft at the airport of Benghazi on Sept. 16, 2023.
Military personnel supervise the arrival of aid carried by a Russian Ilyushin Il-76TD transport aircraft at the airport of Benghazi on Sept. 16, 2023.

After Assad’s Fall, Russia Looks to Libya and Sudan

Moscow agrees to a Red Sea naval base near Port Sudan while working to establish airbases in Libya.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump appear during an executive order signing in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 11
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump appear during an executive order signing in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 11

Trump vs. South Africa

U.S. government escalates feud with Pretoria by cutting aid and offering refugee status to Afrikaners.

Residents look at members of the Congolese Red-Cross burying dozens of bodies in Goma on Feb. 3.
Residents look at members of the Congolese Red-Cross burying dozens of bodies in Goma on Feb. 3.

M23 Declares Congo Cease-Fire

The Rwanda-backed rebels fail to seize Bukavu and announce a unilateral truce.

A displaced man carries his possessions as he flees Nzulo for Goma, near Nzulo, on Jan. 22.
A displaced man carries his possessions as he flees Nzulo for Goma, near Nzulo, on Jan. 22.

Rwanda-Backed Rebels Capture Goma

M23 troops have seized one of the largest cities in eastern Congo.

Supporters of Mozambique's opposition leader Venancio Mondlane hold a Mozambican flag as they follow his convoy after Mondlane landed in Maputo on Jan. 9.
Supporters of Mozambique's opposition leader Venancio Mondlane hold a Mozambican flag as they follow his convoy after Mondlane landed in Maputo on Jan. 9.

Mozambique Forms Government Amid Protests

Opposition demonstrations continued during Daniel Chapo’s inauguration last week.

Somalis celebrate the election victory of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during celebrations organized by the government in Mogadishu, on May 29, 2023.
Somalis celebrate the election victory of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during celebrations organized by the government in Mogadishu, on May 29, 2023.

How Turkey Became Africa’s Mediator

After successfully brokering a deal between Ethiopia and Somalia, Ankara is trying to end Sudan’s civil war.

A man holds the flag of Somaliland in Hargeisa on Nov. 7, 2024.
A man holds the flag of Somaliland in Hargeisa on Nov. 7, 2024.

What to Watch in Africa in 2025

Will Trump inflame conflict over disputed territories?

Trucks loaded with copper prepare to leave Tenke Fungurume Mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the world, in the southeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 17, 2023.
Trucks loaded with copper prepare to leave Tenke Fungurume Mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the world, in the southeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 17, 2023.

Africa Brief’s Year in Review

Middle powers rise, some democracies prevail, and great powers spur a scramble for infrastructure.

France's President Emmanuel Macron (R) and first lady Brigitte Macron (L) welcome Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, in Paris, on Nov. 28.
France's President Emmanuel Macron (R) and first lady Brigitte Macron (L) welcome Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, in Paris, on Nov. 28.

France’s New African Ally

Nigeria’s president is desperate for foreign investment—and after being ousted from Sahel countries, France is seeking new friends on the continent.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Angolan President Joao Lourenco walk to review the honor guard ahead of their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Luanda on Dec. 3.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Angolan President Joao Lourenco walk to review the honor guard ahead of their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Luanda on Dec. 3.

Biden Goes to Africa

The lame-duck U.S. president touts a critical minerals infrastructure project in Angola.

Uganda's veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye (C) reacts as supporters and media watch him being escorted by military police out of the Makindye Martial Court in Kampala, on Nov. 20.
Uganda's veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye (C) reacts as supporters and media watch him being escorted by military police out of the Makindye Martial Court in Kampala, on Nov. 20.

Uganda Kidnaps Opposition Leader in Kenya

Washington helped bolster Ruto’s reputation, but scandals have cratered his popularity at home.

Armored vehicles are positioned at a military checkpoint in Bawku, Ghana, on Dec. 7, 2022.
Armored vehicles are positioned at a military checkpoint in Bawku, Ghana, on Dec. 7, 2022.

Jihadi Violence Looms Over Ghana’s Election

Countering the spillover of Islamist militants from the Sahel will be a major challenge for the country’s next leader.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (L) and then-U.S. President Donald Trump (R) speak during a bilateral meeting in Biarritz, France on August 26, 2019.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (L) and then-U.S. President Donald Trump (R) speak during a bilateral meeting in Biarritz, France on August 26, 2019.

Why Trump Is Good News for Egypt

Sisi is poised to once again be the president’s favorite dictator.

Botswana’s newly elected President Duma Boko (R) shakes hands with the outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi at the Office of the President in Gaborone on Nov. 4 as Masisi officially hands over office to Boko.
Botswana’s newly elected President Duma Boko (R) shakes hands with the outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi at the Office of the President in Gaborone on Nov. 4 as Masisi officially hands over office to Boko.

Young Voters Oust Botswana’s Ruling Party

The opposition trounced the party that has governed for more than 50 years.

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