Sub-Saharan Africa
Op-ed: The Pope’s Trip to Africa Highlights Catholic Diplomacy, as Cameroon Ceasefire Shows Faith’s Peace Role
During Pope Leo XIV’s pastoral visit to Africa, Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis reached a ceasefire in anticipation of the Pope’s arrival. This halt in violence signals hope for the region and symbolizes the role of the Catholic Church in diplomacy.
The Shakeup of Mali’s Junta
On April 25th, 2026, a series of coordinated attacks by Tuareg separatists and Al-Qaeda linked militants resulted in the killing of the Malian Defense Minister, General Sadio Camara. Further attacks were directed toward the Malian President, Colonel Assimi Goïta.
A New Scramble: Critical Minerals and Competition in Sub-Saharan Africa
Precious minerals are abundant resources in Africa, driving nations to maximize revenue; with growing geopolitical polarization, this could signal a shift in ownership.
Pope Leo’s Ten-Day Tour of Africa
Pope Leo embarked on a tour of Africa on April 13, 2026, and was set to visit Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea.
Op-ed: Budget Performance Crisis: Why African Governments Publish Forecasts They Won’t Keep
Governments across sub-Saharan Africa routinely miss their own budget targets—an IMF study shows why these gaps persist and how political incentives drive the cycle.
The UN Recognizes the Enslavement of African People as the “Gravest Crime Against Humanity”
The resolution recognizing the enslavement of African people as the “gravest crime against humanity” was proposed by Ghana and passed in a 123 to 3 vote, with 52 nations abstaining.
Ethiopian and Kenyan-driven growth projects success for the East African Region
With growing investment and expansion, two East African nations: Ethiopia and Kenya have are two engines promoting success regionally and internationally, leading to a growth rate more than double the global average.
The Return of Rhinos to Uganda’s Kipedo National Park
This marks a milestone for Uganda’s wildlife conservation practices while shedding light on current and future conservation methods throughout the African continent.
Guinea’s Military Government Dissolves 40 Political Parties
Guinea’s military-led government has dissolved 40 of the nation’s political parties, further consolidating government power while echoing a growing trend in the Sahel region.
Attack Resurges the Possibility of a Civil War in South Sudan
Many are worried following the attack on Abiemnom County that South Sudan will be catapulted back into a civil war.
Recent U.S.-African Health Agreements Face Backlash
Backlash grows as U.S.-African health deals raise questions about lack of mutual benefits.
Weeks-Long Fuel Blockade in Mali Continues to Worsen
Mali, a country of 25 million people, has faced a weeks-long fuel shortage due to a blockade on fuel imports by jihadi militants. Daily life in Mali has been deeply disrupted, with basic necessities such as medical services having their services disrupted due to a lack of fuel.
Blood-Stained Ground Visible From Space as RSF Carries out Systematic Mass Killings in El-Fasher
Sudan's paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces, seized El-Fasher, a city in southwestern Sudan that was the Sudanese Armed Forces' last stronghold in the Darfur Region. Since seizing El-Fasher, the RSF has begun a campaign of systematic mass killings in the city and its surroundings.
Former DRC President’s Political Party Suspended
The People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy, founded by former DRC president, Joseph Kabila, has been suspended by the government for their alleged support for the M23 rebel group.
Op-ed: Is Russia Really Helping Developing African Nations?
As part of its battle for power against the Western world, under Vladimir Putin’s leadership Russia has turned to developing nations to extend his influence.
General Brice Oligui Nguema, Coup Leader to Elected President
April 12, 2025 Gabon election shows previous coup leader General Brice Oligui Nguema to become Gabon’s new elected president. Having won over 90% of votes, many look to him to create a Gabon free of corruption and for a better economy, while others question his character.
A Meningitis Outbreak in Northwest Nigeria Has Now Killed 26 People
The death toll in Nigeria is rising after a meningitis outbreak in January. The response to the spreading disease has been seriously hindered after the cutting of USAID programs.
China’s African Gambit: Investment or Entrapment
China’s investments in poorer countries have long been subject to critique, many of which increasingly target Africa. The question is, are these loans beneficial or hurtful to the nations?
Kenyan Peacekeeper Killed in Central African Republic
On Saturday, March 29, the United Nations condemned the killing of a Kenyan peacekeeper in the east of the Central African Republic. The peacekeeper, a Kenyan soldier serving with the UN stabilization force in the southeast of the country, was killed in an ambush of a patrol group.
How Illegal Gold Mining in Ghana is Leading to Environmental Concerns
Throughout October 2024, protests against “galamsey,” a local term referring to the illegal mining of gold, swarmed Accra, Ghana’s capital. On Oct. 11, hundreds marched to protest the practice.