THE RSF ESTABLISHES A PARALLEL GOVERNMENT IN SUDAN
Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the leader of Sudan’s rebel paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has been sworn in as head of a parallel government. The ceremony took place in Nyala, the RSF’s de facto capital. The city, however, is very much contested ground, and had come under drone attack on August 30, just days before the swearing-in. The RSF also remains locked in a pitched conflict with the Sudanese army over control of al-Fashir, Darfur’s historic capital. Hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped there, with reports that many have been forced to survive on animal feed. Meanwhile, the Sudanese army has consolidated control over eastern and central Sudan. As such, Hemedti’s move signals a further fragmentation of Sudan’s political landscape, raising the risk of partition and complicating efforts by outside actors to mediate the conflict. (Reuters, August 30, 2025)
KENYA COURTS TRUMP ON TRADE
A Kenyan trade delegation visited Washington last month to push for renewed free-trade talks, as well as to secure duty-free access beyond the looming expiry of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), even as Nairobi’s close ties with Beijing fuel tensions with the U.S. During the delegation’s visit, Trade Minister Lee Kinyanjui and senior officials met with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and held talks with the Office of the United States Trade Representative. At the same time, Nairobi also signed a $2.1 million lobbying contract with a firm linked to the Trump administration.
The visit followed Kenyan President William Ruto’s April trip to China, which had drawn criticism in Washington and prompted a Senate amendment to reconsider Kenya’s status as a military ally. Kenyan officials insist they have the right to widen their diplomatic space, but have paired that message with heavy lobbying as they seek to restart FTA negotiations and reassure U.S. businesses of their investment climate. (The Africa Report, August 20, 2025)
A HEALTH EMERGENCY IN BOTSWANA
Botswana’s President, Duma Boko, declared a public health emergency on August 25 after the country’s medical supply chain collapsed, leaving hospitals and clinics without essential medicines. The national military was ordered to lead emergency supply distribution, backed by 250 million pula ($17m) in emergency funding. Botswana’s health ministry had warned of looming shortages earlier in the month, citing financial strain and more than 1 billion pula in unpaid debts to private suppliers. The crisis was exacerbated by a downturn in global diamond markets and cuts in U.S. health assistance under the Trump administration. Shortages affected drugs for hypertension, diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis, asthma, and reproductive health, as well as basic surgical supplies. (BBC, August 25, 2025)
ETHIOPIA INAUGURATES CONTROVERSIAL GRAND RENAISSANCE DAM
Ethiopia officially inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on September 9. Africa's largest hydroelectric project, situated on a tributary of the Nile, is expected to provide energy to millions of people. The project is central to Ethiopia’s economic plans and has been welcomed domestically as a step toward greater energy security. However, the dam has deepened tensions with Egypt, which relies on the Nile for 90 percent of its fresh water. Cairo has expressed concerns that the dam could restrict its water supply, especially during droughts, and has opposed the project since its inception in 2011.
For its part, Ethiopia maintains that the GERD will not significantly harm downstream countries and has been filling the reservoir gradually since 2020. Independent research indicates that, to date, no major disruptions to downstream flow have been observed. Nonetheless, the inauguration – while marking a milestone in Ethiopia’s development ambitions – underscores unresolved disputes with Egypt that could have broader political and security implications for the region. (Associated Press, September 9, 2025)
AFRICAN LEADERS UNVEIL $100 BILLION GREEN INDUSTRIALIZATION PLAN
African leaders announced a plan to mobilize up to $100 billion for green industrialization using renewable energy at a climate summit in Ethiopia. The initiative comes after the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement created uncertainty in global climate efforts. African countries are among the least responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, but among the most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of global warming. However, it also highlights Africa's growing role as a potential hub for renewable energy, technological development, and green industry. Africa’s priorities under the plan will be presented at the upcoming COP30 summit this November. (Reuters, September 8, 2025)
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