Independent UN Report on Atrocities in Sudan

 The UN Human Rights Council published on 5 September 2025 a report titled "Sudan: A War of Atrocities."

An Independent Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan compiled this report, which documents widespread violence against individuals and communities, including killings, mass displacement, detention, enforced disappearance, and sexual violence.  Medical centers, schools, markets, food production systems, electricity stations, and displacement camps suffered extensive damage. 

Both the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan Armed Forces perpetrated war crimes, but the RSF and their allies generally were the most criticized of the two sides.  

 

Undersea Cables Cut in Red Sea Disrupt Internet Access

 The Associated Press published on 7 September 2025 an article titled "Undersea Cables Cut in the Red Sea, Disrupting Internet Access in Asia and the Mideast" by Jon Gambrell.

A series of subsea cable outages on 6 September in the Red Sea has degraded internet connectivity in multiple countries.  It has not been determined who cut the cables, although one possibility is the Houthi rebels in Yemen.  

Kenya to Swap US Dollar Debt for Chinese Yuan

 The South China Morning Post published on 5 September 2025 an article titled "Kenya's Plan to Switch Debt Payments to China from US Dollars to Yuan Is a 'Win-Win'."

Kenya plans to convert its large debt to China from US dollars to Chinese yuan.  This would reduce interest payments for Kenya and advance China's goal of increasing the global use of its currency.  It could also set a precedent for other countries to seek debt reduction with China and reduce reliance on the US dollar.  

A Comprehensive Report on Russia's Africa Corps

 The Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey published in August 2025 a study titled "Putin's New Frontier: The Prospects and Limitations of Africa Corps" by Hanna Notte. 

This timely and well researched study concludes that Russia's Africa Corps is a bureaucratic restructuring and rebranding of the Wagner Goup, which only continues to function in the Central African Republic.  It employs many former Wagner mercenary fighters and has taken control of its recruitment infrastructure. 

The Africa Corps is tethered closer to the Russian military's chain of command. It prioritizes training and routine security assistance rather than the high-risk missions of the Wagner Group.  It apparently relies on funding from Russia's state budget.  The Africa Corps might face future competition from countries such as Turkey, Iran, and China.  

Ethiopia Detains Journalists

 The Committee to Protect Journalists posted on 5 September 2025 a press release titled "Ethiopian Police Detain 2 Sheger FM Journalists, Force Station to Delete Report."

The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that Ethiopian authorities detained 2 FM radio journalists and forced the station to remove a report on widespread poor working conditions of healthcare workers.

South Africa Asks for Postponement of Naval Exercise with China and Russia

 The Associated Press published on 4 September 2025 an article titled "South Africa Asks China to Postpone Naval Exercises that Coincide with Possible Trump Trip for G20" by Gerald Imray.  

South Africa, China, and Russia had planned to hold their biennial joint naval exercise in late November.  South Africa asked China to postpone the exercise because it coincides with the 22-23 November meeting in South Africa of the G-20, which President Trump may attend.  

Countering China's Security Engagement in Africa

 The Atlantic Council published in August 2025 a paper titled "Addressing China's Military Expansion in West Africa and Beyond" by Tressa Guenov.

The United States needs to develop a strategic approach to Africa that addresses all Chinese security-related initiatives on the continent.  This is not the time for Washington to be pushing back from a region as important as Africa.

Ethiopia's Painful Debt Repayment

 Ethiopia Insight published on 5 September 2025 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's Debt: When Reform Becomes Punishment" by Eyob Yohannes, a writer based in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is caught between a history of reckless borrowing and foreign imposed belt tightening, resulting in price volatility and diminished purchasing power.  The painful economic reforms occur during a period of internal political conflict.

Yemen's Houthi Rebels Resume Red Sea Shipping Attacks

 Military.com posted on 4 September 2025 an article titled "Suspected Attack by Yemen's Houthis Targets Ship in Red Sea After Missiles Fire on Israel" by Jon Gambrell.

Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted and nearly hit a ship in the Red Sea on 4 September.  There have been other Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping in recent days.  

China: Falling Crude Oil Imports from Africa

 Visual Capitalist published on 2 September 2025 a chart titled "Visualizing China's Crude Oil Imports by Country" by Dorothy Neufeld and Joyce Ma.

The chart shows China's crude oil imports by major source in 2024.  African countries accounted for less than 9 percent of China's total imports.  This percentage has been steadily declining over the last 15 years but has stabilized in the last couple of years at this low level.

By comparison, in 2024 China received 57 percent of its crude from the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, and Iran.  Another 20 percent came from Russia.    

Russia's Africa Corps Taking Over from Wagner Group

 Foreign Policy published on 3 September 2025 an article titled "Prigozhin's Ghost Haunts Africa Corps" by Christopher Faulkner, US Naval War College.

The Central Africa Republic (CAR) stands as the sole remaining foothold of the Wagner Group.  Its successor, the Africa Corps, is replacing it, but so far it has served as little more than a praetorian guard for autocrats seeking regime survival and deeper relations with Russia. Moscow has even asked the CAR to cut ties with the Wagner Group and sign a contract with the Africa Corps, which will pose serious challenges for Russia's policy on the continent.

China Steps Up Engagement in Libya

 The Libya Tribune published on 27 August 2025 an article titled "China's New Expansion to North Africa" by Sema Kalayaloglu.

China is expanding its outreach to both the Tobruk and Tripoli administrations in Libya as the Trump administration shows little interest in the region.  China's support for rail development, solar power, and water treatment plants is evidence of this engagement.

South Africa Schedules Joint Naval Drill with China and Russia

 Pravda published on 2 September 2025 an article titled "South Africa to Hold Joint Naval Drills with Russia and China During G20 Summit" by Anton Kulikov.

The South African National Defence Force will conduct the third stage of the MOSI joint naval exercise with Russia and China in November this year to coincide with the G-20 summit hosted by South Africa.  

Zambians Demand Compensation Following Toxic Spill by Chinese Company

 Business Insider Africa published on 1 September 2025 an article titled "One of Zambia's Worst Toxic Spills Draws in Compensation Demand for $420 Million" by Chinedu Okafor.  

Zambian communities impacted by a spill of toxic chemicals in February are demanding $420 million in damages from a subsidiary of China Nonferrous Mining Co.  The spill occurred when a waste dam collapsed at a copper-processing plant.  

Two African Leaders Attend China's Military Parade

 Semafor Africa published on 3 September 2025 an article titled "Congo Brazzaville, Zimbabwe Presidents Attend China's Military Parade" by Preeti Jha.  

President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo and Emmerson Mwangagwa of Zimbabwe were the only Africans among the 26 foreign leaders who attended China's military parade in Beijing on 3 September.  

Russia Tries to Improve Security in Africa's Sahel Region

 Al-Estiklal published on 29 August 2025 an article titled "Sahel States and Russia Establish Strategic Partnership: Messages and Objectives."

In mid-August, Russia invited the defense ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to Moscow to discuss strengthening security ties.  Russia reportedly is prepared to provide comprehensive support to these countries as they battle terrorist threats and armed groups.  The meeting also signaled the transfer of security support from Russia's Wagner Group to its Africa Corps replacement. 

Weather Disaster in Sudan's Darfur Region Kills Many

 Reuters published on 2 September 2025 an article titled "Plea for Help after Landslide Wipes Out Sudan Village, Kills More than 1000."

Torrential rains in a mountain village in the Jebel Marra area of Sudan's Darfur region caused a landslide that destroyed a village and killed at least 1,000 people.  The area is controlled by the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army, which has remained neutral in the civil war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

China's Minerals for Infrastructure Deal in DRC Under Fire Again

 Africa News published on 25 August 2025 an article titled "DR Congo: Civil Society Groups Call for Reassessment of China Mining Deal."

Civil society groups and NGOs in the Democratic Republic of Congo are calling for another reassessment of the controversial $7.5 billion "minerals for infrastructure" deal with China.  

Succession Concerns in South Sudan

 The International Crisis Group (ICG) published on 1 September 2025 an analysis titled "Succession Fever Deepens South Sudan's Malaise."

As the health of South Sudan's President Salva Kiir declines, there is growing disquiet in the country over Kiir's effort to have inexperienced Benjamin Bol Mel succeed him.  The ICG argues there needs to be a forum where key South Sudanese elites can discuss the political future, including the question of who will replace Kiir.

Genocide in Sudan

 The New York Times published on 30 August 2025 an opinion piece titled "Where There's No Debate About Genocide--And No Response Either" by Nicholas Kristof.

The author argues there is bipartisan agreement in the United States that Sudan is suffering both genocide and famine and a bipartisan consensus to do little about it.  The Biden administration was too passive, and now so too is the Trump administration.  But the failure is global.  Arab and African countries have done more to aggravate the suffering in Sudan than to ease it.

Trump Administration Shrinks National Security Council

 The Wall Street Journal published on 30 August 2025 an article titled "Trump Turns to Small Group of Advisers, Shrinks National Security Council" by Alexander Ward and Robbie Gramer.

The Trump administration has downgraded the role of the National Security Council and reduced the staff to less than 150 compared to about 400 in previous administrations.  The change leaves President Trump reliant on a handful of senior advisers for guidance on foreign policy.

Implementing China's Global Security Initiative in Africa

 The South China Morning Post published on 30 August 2025 an article titled "A New Model for Peace? China Takes Its Global Security Initiative to Africa" by Jevans Nyabiage.

Africa is a key testing area for China's Global Security Initiative (GSI), which is evolving from an ambiguous concept to concrete training and military and police assistance programs.  The GSI also encourages China's security model, which has the potential to entrench a politicized military.  

China-US Competition in Djibouti

 The Atlantic Council published on 31 July 2025 an analysis titled "Djibouti Is the Next Arena for US-China Competition in the Red Sea" by Emily Milliken.

The author asks how the US can maintain or strengthen its influence in Djibouti when China is providing billions for infrastructure development.  Greater US support for American investment, partnering with the UAE, encouraging the use of Israeli technology, and engaging the country with strategic clarity would improve Washington's position in Djibouti.

Challenges to Higher Education in Ethiopia

 Ethiopia Insight published on 30 August 2025 a commentary titled "Education Under Siege in Ethiopia" by Aemro Worku, former lecturer at Injibara University.

COVID-19, periodic conflict and insecurity, and regional educational differences have done serious damage to higher education in Ethiopia.  

Female Tigray War Veterans Fear Being Left Behind

 World Politics Review published on 28 August 2025 a commentary titled "In Post-War Ethiopia, Tigray's Female Veterans Fear Being Left Behind" by Mehret Berhe and Hilary Matfess.

Women comprised 20 to 30 percent of the Tigrayan Defense Forces during the recent civil war.  Female veterans are concerned that they will not receive help in reintegrating into civilian life while victims of sexual violence doubt the perpetrators will be brought to justice.