AN ATTEMPTED COUP IN MALI
Last month, Mali's junta declared that it had foiled an attempted coup, arresting dozens of soldiers and detaining a French national accused of working with political and civil society figures to destabilize the government. Security officials identified the Frenchman as Yann Vezilier, an individual allegedly linked to French intelligence (although Paris has not confirmed his identity). Reports suggest that up to 50 Malian officers, including senior figures, were detained amid mounting tensions within the regime and a surge in jihadist attacks in the north of the country.
The arrests follow the suspension of political parties and persecution of opposition leaders, as interim president Assimi Goïta moves to extend his rule until at least 2030. Mali, alongside Burkina Faso and Niger, has expelled French forces in recent times, turning instead to Russia for support. As part of that larger pivot, Bamako formally quit the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, earlier this year. (New York Times, August 15, 2025; BBC, August 11, 2025)
A SOLAR SURGE ACROSS AFRICA
As of June, the African continent had imported a record number of Chinese solar panels so far this year, enough to generate 15 gigawatts of energy. That figure represents a 60% increase over prior records, and signals a potential shift in the continent's energy and political landscape. In all, twenty countries set new records, with Nigeria, Algeria, and several smaller states driving growth outside of South Africa. The surge, largely in distributed solar generation, could ease chronic power shortages and reduce reliance on costly diesel imports, reshaping state budgets and energy geopolitics on the continent in the process. Local governments now face pressure to adapt grids and regulation or risk being outpaced by the boom. (Ember, August 26, 2025)
ISRAEL, SOUTH SUDAN IN GAZA RESETTLEMENT TALKS
Israel is reportedly in discussions with South Sudan to potentially resettle Palestinians displaced from Gaza, part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's push for "voluntary migration." Six sources have confirmed the talks to the Associated Press, with Israeli delegations expected to assess possible camps. Egypt has lobbied Juba to reject the proposal, fearing refugee flows across its own border. For South Sudan, the deal could secure sanctions relief and closer ties with both Jerusalem and Washington, though civil society leaders warn the fragile, famine-stricken country should not become a "dumping ground." (Associated Press, August 12, 2025)
A PUSH TO RECOGNIZE SOMALILAND
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Africa Subcommittee, has urged the Trump administration to recognize the independence of Somaliland, describing the breakaway Somali region as a "critical security and diplomatic partner." In a letter dated August 14th, Cruz argued that recognition would strengthen U.S. counterterrorism cooperation, trade ties, and efforts to counter China in the Horn of Africa. Somaliland officials hailed the endorsement, noting bipartisan momentum and ongoing talks with Washington over access to the strategic Berbera port on the Gulf of Aden. President Trump has said his administration is "looking into" the issue, while lawmakers in both chambers are preparing to press the case further in September. (The Africa Report, August 15, 2025)
A M23 MASSACRE IN EASTERN DRC
Rebels from the notorious M23 militia killed at least 140 civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last month despite ongoing peace talks, Human Rights Watch has laid out in a new report. Witnesses described mass executions of Hutu villagers in Rutshuru, with victims shot, hacked with machetes, and thrown into the local river. The group, which is said to be backed by elements of Rwanda's military, denies the allegations. The killings, which the UN says may exceed 300, are among the worst atrocities since M23's resurgence in 2021 and come amid stalled U.S.- and Qatari-brokered ceasefire efforts. Rights groups have urged international sanctions against, and prosecutions of, the commanders involved. (BBC, July 17, 2025)