UN BACKS RENEWED TALKS ON MOROCCO’S WESTERN SAHARA PROPOSAL
The UN Security Council has approved a resolution endorsing renewed talks on Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, a territory that Rabat claims and where the Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeks to establish an independent Sahrawi Republic. Eleven members voted in favor, while Russia, China, and Pakistan all abstained. Algeria, also a current member of the UNSC, declined to participate. Under the proposal, Western Sahara would gain its own legislative, executive, and judicial authorities, with Morocco retaining control over defense, foreign affairs, and religious matters. The Polisario Front rejected the resolution, arguing that only complete independence meets the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. The move positions Morocco’s plan as the most viable basis for negotiations and increases pressure on Algeria and the Polisario to return to the negotiating table. (Reuters, October 31, 2025)
UAE ACCUSED OF SUPPLYING WEAPONS TO RSF
The United Arab Emirates is allegedly funneling weapons to Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), including advanced Chinese-made drones along with small arms, heavy machine guns, vehicles, artillery, mortars, and ammunition. The war has killed an estimated 150,000 people and pushed Sudan to the brink of state collapse. The UAE, meanwhile, has increasingly backed the RSF in order to secure its economic interests in the country. The resulting supply of arms has enabled the RSF to intensify operations and prolong the conflict, deepening civilian suffering and further expanding the intensity of the war. The allegations also raise wider geopolitical questions, underscoring how strategic competition among the Gulf states is reshaping conflict dynamics across the Horn of Africa. (Africa Defense Forum, April 15, 2025; Wall Street Journal, October 28, 2025)
AL-QAEDA-LINKED MILITANTS TIGHTEN FUEL BLOCKADE
Security in Mali continues to deteriorate amid a comprehensive fuel blockade imposed by Al-Qaeda-aligned insurgents. Fighters from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) have expanded control across major corridors, overrunning towns near the capital and imposing a fuel chokehold that has crippled daily life. The country’s ruling military junta, already isolated after expelling both Western forces and the resident UN mission, has launched airstrikes, but struggled to break the siege. The chairperson of the African Union has urged urgent international action and intelligence-sharing to aid Mali, warning that the humanitarian situation in the country is deteriorating rapidly. The blockade has denied people access to essential supplies, caused widespread power outages, and worsened civilian hardship as militants tighten their grip. (Financial Times, November 1, 2025; Reuters, November 10, 2025)
THE PERILS OF CHINESE MINING
The Democratic Republic of Congo has suspended operations at Congo Dongfang International Mining (CDM), a Chinese-owned copper and cobalt producer, after a containment dam collapsed, spilling “several million cubic meters” of contaminated water into Lumbumbashi, the DRC’s second-largest city. The spill flooded multiple neighborhoods, prompting mass evacuations and raising serious health concerns. Mines Minister Louis Watum condemned CDM’s waste-storage facilities for failing to meet “any international standards,” citing poor structural integrity, no water-tight barriers, and no emergency plan. CDM must repair the environmental damage, compensate affected residents, and pay its workers during a three-month suspension that could be extended. The suspension signals mounting pressure from Kinshasa on Chinese mining firms to improve safety and environmental compliance in its resource sector. (Semafor, November 10, 2025)
GUINEA SEEKS IRON ORE LEVERAGE
Guinea has launched production on its $20 billion Simandou iron-ore mine as it seeks to use its high-grade output to influence global prices. Production is expected to reach 120 million metric tons annually. While 75 percent of the project is Chinese-owned and much of the ore will flow to China, Guinea intends to preserve premium prices and avoid over-dependence on China. The 65 percent iron ore is suited for “green steel” production, allowing Guinea to sell directly to Europe and the Middle East, beyond China’s dominant steel industry. To secure long-term value, Guinea plans to develop domestic pellet and direct-reduced iron plants, thereby increasing processing and revenue within the country. By supplying high-grade ore, it could challenge traditional exporters such as Australia and Brazil while supporting global efforts to decarbonize steel production. (Reuters, November 12, 2025)