ZIMBABWEANS PROTEST MNANGAGWA’S PRESIDENCY
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa is facing mounting domestic pressure, with protests erupting across the nation, fueled by a deepening economic crisis and widespread dissatisfaction. For the past eight years, Mnangagwa has struggled to address the country's financial troubles, which have only worsened under his tenure. The recent protests, which are now calling for his resignation, have gained momentum as rumors circulate that Mnangagwa intends to extend his presidency beyond the legal limit by two years.
Mnangagwa’s government has imposed tight security measures in response. Nevertheless, the protests have been strong enough to shut down businesses, schools, and public transit in Zimbabwe’s major cities over fears of potential violence. The unrest reflects growing discontent among the general populace as well as within Mnangagwa's party itself, which is now suffering internal conflicts over his leadership. (BBC, March 31, 2025; New York Times, March 31, 2025 )
A FRANCO-ALGERIAN THAW
France’s Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune have held talks by phone in an effort to defuse a deepening diplomatic spat between the two countries. The tensions, which have been building for months, are largely the result of Algeria's reluctance to accept the return of citizens deported by France for crimes or suspected threats to security. And while underlying problems persist, the Macron-Tebboune phone call appears to have yielded results; France's foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, confirmed that the two countries agreed to restart cooperation in all areas. (Euronews, April 1, 2025; Reuters, April 6, 2025)
THE AES TAKES AIM AT ECOWAS…
The newly-formed Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – which consists of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso – has imposed a 0.5% import tariff on goods from any members of the rival Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The tariff, which has a humanitarian exception, applies to all goods from ECOWAS members, and represents a bid by AES nations, who recently defected from the former bloc, to dilute its economic power. In turn, revenues generated by the tax are intended to fund the activities of the new bloc. (Premium Times, April 1, 2025)
…AND COURTS MOSCOW FOR MILITARY SUPPORT
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, under the banner of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), are moving to solidify their relations with Russia. Foreign ministers from those AES countries will be visiting Moscow in the near future to discuss military-to-military relations in the first of what will be a series of diplomatic exchanges. The engagement is borne of necessity; the AES, which is dominated by nations governed by military juntas, is now at pains to contain the growing jihadist insurgency in the region. (Reuters, April 1, 2025)
FRANCE SEEKS TO STABILIZE EGYPT
France and Egypt have signed a series of strategic partnership agreements that aim to shore up Egypt's economy and internal stability amid growing regional volatility. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi recently received France’s Emmanuel Macron in Cairo for talks that deals in key sectors such as health, transport, and energy. As part of the expanded partnership, France's overseas development agency will provide Egypt with 260 million euros in grants and loans in order to help al-Sisi’s government tackle economic challenges like high inflation and foreign currency shortages. (Reuters, April 7, 2025)
DRC EXPLORES MINERALS-FOR-SECURITY DEAL WITH U.S.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is now weighing whether it can seal a minerals-for-security agreement with the United States. President Félix Tshisekedi had a recent meeting with U.S. Congressman Ronny Jackson to assess whether, amid turmoil in the central African nation's eastern districts, such an arrangement is feasible. The United States has expressed an interest in gaining access to the DRC's massive stores of cobalt, lithium, and uranium, but has so far not officially put forward such a proposal. (Reuters, March 17, 2025)
RUSSIA, CHINA EXPAND MEDIA INFLUENCE IN AFRICA
Moscow and Beijing are increasing their media outreach to Africa as U.S. international broadcasting to the region dries up. Russia has been active on the continent for years, with propaganda outlet Sputnik boasting editorial offices in Ethiopia, South Africa, and Tanzania and targeting Swahili and Hausa language audiences, while state broadcaster RT has collaborated with over 30 African television networks and established the RT Academy to train local media. Meanwhile, China is reaching out to African publics with outlets such as Xinhua, CGTN, and Startimes, which collectively disseminate Chinese cultural messaging and promote PRC political objectives and narratives. Now, both countries are making a push to expand the activities and reach of these media sources as American messaging has receded as the Trump administration’s cuts to federal spending have forced the Voice of America to go silent. (NiemanLab, April 3, 2025)
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