Sudan Renews Naval Base Talks with Russia

 The Wall Street Journal published on 1 December 2025 an article titled "Sudan Offers Russia Its First Naval Base in Africa" by Benoit Faucond and Nicholas Bariyo.

Sudan's military government has revived discussions with Moscow for a naval base on the Red Sea.  Sudan is offering Russia a 25-year lease to station up to 300 troops and 4 warships--including nuclear powered ones--at Port Sudan or another Red Sea location.  In exchange, Sudan would receive advanced Russian anti-aircraft systems and other weaponry at preferential prices to support its war against the Rapid Support Forces.

Comment:  This naval base has been under discussion for years but always seems to encounter problems before a final deal is reached.  It is not clear if agreement has actually been reached on this occasion.

Morocco-China Relations Advance

 The ChinaMed Project published on 1 December 2025 an article titled "From Geoeconomics to a Chinese Diplomatic Shift on the Western Sahara? Moroccan Press Coverage of FM Bourita's Visit to Beijing" by Imane Ezzehouany.

In October, China abstained on a UN Security Council vote that endorses Morocco's 2007 Autonomy Project for the Western Sahara.  Morocco interpreted Beijing's vote as a diplomatic victory.  China has consistently refused to recognize either side's claim over the disputed territory.  This nuanced political change follows expanding economic ties between China and Morocco. 

Update on Sudan's Civil War

 Aljajeera published on 30 November 2025 an article titled "War in Sudan: Humanitarian, Fighting, Control Developments, November 2025" by Maziar Motamedi.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) consolidate control in Darfur in western Sudan while the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) does the same in the Khartoum area.  Kordofan region continues to be contested.  The RSF says it has accepted a ceasefire requested by the Quad (US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and UAE) but continues to engage SAF forces.  The SAF has rejected the terms of the Quad's ceasefire.  The humanitarian situation is worsening in Darfur but may be improving slightly in the Khartoum area.

The US Can Outcompete China in Africa

 The American Enterprise Institute published on 26 November 2025 a commentary titled "The U.S. Can Outcompete China in Africa" by Liam Karr and Yale Ford.

AEI argues that American companies have a better track record than Chinese companies on issues such as protecting the environment, worker safety, and labor standards.  US companies are less likely to make some of the mistakes made recently in Africa by Chinese companies.  Consequently, African countries should be attracting more US investment, and US companies should win more construction contracts than Chinese companies.

Comment:  In theory, this is a valid argument, but it overlooks financing advantages often offered by Chinese state banks and state-owned companies, a larger on the ground presence in Africa by important sectors such as Chinese construction and IT companies, a willingness by Chinese companies to take higher risks, a greater willingness by Chinese companies to engage in corrupt practices that are all too common in Africa, fewer governmental incentives available to American companies, and just less interest in Africa by American companies.  There is no indication this situation will change anytime soon.  

New Shipping Route from Somaliland to Dubai Mainly for Ethiopia

 Nanyang Technological University posted on 26 November 2025 an article titled "DP World Launches Shipping Corridor between Dubai and Somaliland."

The UAE's DP World has launched a shipping route connecting Dubai's Jebel Ali Port with Berbera Port in Somaliland on the Gulf of Aden.  Most of the trade on this new route will come from and go to landlocked Ethiopia's 130 million people.  

The Plusses and Minuses of Chinese Infrastructure Projects in Africa

 Polity published on 28 November 2025 a commentary titled "China's Infrastructure Partnerships in Africa Require Strategising Developmental Needs over Debt Risks and Security Vulnerabilities."

Chinese state banks and companies have financed numerous interest-bearing loans for African infrastructure projects.  While much African infrastructure has been developed in this way, dependence on Chinese suppliers and management poses potential risks for African nations, especially concerning control over port and telecommunication systems.

China Emphasizes Health Care Aid to Africa

 The Economist published on 27 November 2025 an article titled "The Changing Shape of Chinese Aid to Africa."

Since COVID-19, China has stepped up its aid to health care in Africa as the United States withdraws its support.  The US says it remains committed to being "the world's health leader" by routing assistance mainly through recipient country governments.

Comment:  It is still too early in the Trump administration to judge if the new US approach will work as predicted.  With the dismantlement of the US Agency for International Development, there are no longer field personnel to monitor aid programs, and it is questionable if State Department personnel at embassies abroad have the bandwidth to do this.

Illegal Chinese Fishing off Gambia

 Voxeurop posted on 10 November 2025 an article titled "The Gambia's Stolen Catch: How Chinese Trawlers Feed Europe's Seafood Market" by Davide Mancini.

The Gambia has a tiny exclusive economic zone, but it is a hotspot for illegal fishing because of the nutrient-rich waters.  Chinese-controlled trawlers are the principal offenders.  

Chinese Companies Face Insurgencies in Africa's Sahel

 The Diplomat published on 20 November 2025 an article titled "China's Sahel Gamble Falters as Insurgencies Rage" by Robert Bociaga.

Chinese companies in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have become targets of global terrorism putting at risk China's investment in the Sahel region.  

African Insurgencies Target Chinese Nationals

 NDTV posted on 24 November 2025 an article titled "China's Africa Gamble Turns Dangerous as Insurgencies Target Its Citizens."

Chinese nationals increasingly experience security issues in Africa, especially the Sahel region, as they expand their numbers and presence on the continent.

Trial of South Sudan's Vice President Threatens Stability

 The International Crisis Group published on 27 November 2025 an analysis titled "A Trial for South Sudan's Frail Peace" by Daniel Akech.

The trial of South Sudan's First Vice President Riek Machar poses a serious threat to the country's stability.  Machar is charged with criminal offenses including treason, murder, and crimes against humanity.  

China and Russia Advance in Africa as US Narrows Interest to Critical Minerals

 Stimson published on 20 November 2025 a commentary titled "Trump's Critical Minerals Search in Africa Won't Tip the Scales Against China" by Mathew Burrows and Benjamin Weise.   

As the United States pulls back from Africa and narrows its interest to the extraction of critical minerals, China and Russia are expanding their engagement on the continent.

European Union Seeks to Counter China at Summit with African Union in Angola

 Deutsche Welle published on 25 November 2025 an article titled "How the EU Seeks to Counter China in Africa" by Katharina Kroll.  

The African Union and the European Union held in Angola their seventh summit in late November.  The underlying theme was competition with China and the EU's Global Gateway initiative as the response to China's Belt and Road Initiative.  

Africa and World Happiness Report

 The Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford published the World Happiness Report 2025.  The focus of this year's report is the impact of caring and sharing on people's happiness.  It includes factors such as giving money to charity, volunteering, and helping strangers.  It tries to measure the degree of benevolence in each of the 147 countries that it evaluates.  

The five highest ranked African countries are Mauritius (78), Libya (79), Algeria (84), South Africa (95), and Mozambique (96). Seven of the ten lowest ranked countries are in Africa: Lesotho (138), Comoros (139), DRC (141), Botswana (142), Zimbabwe (143), Malawi (144), and Sierra Leone (146).

Sharp Increase in Chinese Exports to Africa

CNBC published on 24 November 2025 an article titled "Chinese Consumer Brands Flood into Africa as Old Investment Model Fades and Exports Jump" by Evelyn Cheng and Victoria Yeo.

Chinese exports to Africa during the first three quarters of 2025 have surged 28 percent year-on-year, following a 57 percent increase from 2020 to 2024.  China is increasingly emphasizing consumer sales in Africa as profit margins narrow at home.  This is putting added pressure on African companies that produce consumer goods, although some Chinese companies are moving production to the continent.  

Sudan Armed Forces Rejects Quad Ceasefire Proposal

 The Associated Press published on 24 November 2025 an article titled "Top General Rejects US-led Ceasefire Proposal, Calling It 'the Worst Yet'" by Samy Magdy.

Sudan's top general, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, called the ceasefire proposed by the US-led Quad (US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and UAE) unacceptable and "the worst yet" because it eliminates the Sudanese Armed Forces, dissolves security agencies, and allows the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to stay where they are.  The RSF says it has agreed to the truce proposal.

Ethiopian Volcano Eruption Impacts Indian Air Travel

 The BBC published on 25 November 2025 an article titled "Ethiopian Volcano Eruption Sends Ash to Delhi, Hitting Flight Operations" by Abhishek Dey.

An Ethiopian volcano dormant for several thousand years recently erupted sending an ash column to India, where it interrupted air travel.  

Chinese Gold Miners Warned in Central African Republic

 The China-Africa Security Radar posted on 22 November 2025 an article titled "'Mining Slave' Warning in CAR Sparks Fierce Debate among Chinese Netizens."

The Chinese embassy in Bangui, Central African Republic, issued a strong warning about the dangers facing Chinese nationals involved in gold mining.  This led to a vigorous internet debate among Chinese netizens as to how to respond to the warning.  

Trump Now Turns Against Somalis in Minnesota

 The Washington Post published on 22 November 2025 an article titled "Trump Says He Will Cancel Temporary Protected Status of Somalis in Minnesota" by Frances Vinall.  

In a post on Truth Social, President Trump said, without evidence and without providing further explanation, that "Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of dollars are missing."  As a result, he was terminating effective immediately temporary protected status (TPS) for Somali immigrants living in Minnesota.  

The Minnesota Attorney General pointed out that you cannot terminate TPS for just one state.  There are more than 75,000 persons with Somali heritage living in Minnesota.  Few of them reside there with TPS; the vast majority are US citizens.  According to the Library of Congress, nationwide there were only 705 Somalis with TPS as of August.  

Navigating Federalism and Elections in Somalia

 The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies published in November 2025 a policy brief titled "Somalia's 2026 Mandate Test: Navigating Elections and Federal Tensions."

This policy brief examines the federal government's evolving role in Federal Member States' elections, the competing interpretations of constitutional authority, and the political and logistical obstacles to direct voting.  

Charging War Crimes in Sudan

 Foreign Policy published on 21 November 2025 an article titled "Documenting War Crimes in Sudan Begins Now" by Janine di Giovanni, Reckoning Project.

The evidence of war crimes in Darfur Region of Sudan is visible by satellite imagery from space.  It is supported by witness accounts.  The challenge now is to use the evidence in a court system and bring the perpetrators to justice.  

South Sudan Suspends Online News Outlet

 The Committee to Protect Journalists published on 21 November 2025 a press release titled "South Sudan Authorities Suspend Hot in Juba News Outlet."

The South Sudan Media Authority has suspended the "Hot in Juba" online news outlet for reasons that are not clear.  

Ukraine's Efforts to Counter Russia in Africa

 The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published on 20 November 2025 an analysis titled "A Shadow War in the Global South: Are Kyiv's Operations in Africa Paying Off?" by Sam Bowden.  

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kyiv has conducted intelligence operations against the Kremlin across Africa and the Middle East.  Kyiv opened 8 new embassies in Africa after the Russian invasion in 2022, raising its total to 19.  But Ukraine's efforts continue to lag well behind Russia's engagement in Africa, and its outreach to the continent has been limited at best.  

International Pressure Needed to End Sudan Conflict

 Foreign Policy published on 20 November 2025 an article titled "The Dire Need for International Pressure to End the War in Sudan" by John Haltiwanger.

The secretary-general of the Danish Refugee Council, Charlotte Slente, recently met with Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad.  She concluded that the international community must put pressure on the belligerents in Sudan to end the atrocities and genocide.  

Thriving Chinatown in Bamako, Mali

 The Washington Post published on 20 November 2025 an article titled "Inside a Thriving Chinatown Neighborhood in the Heart of West Africa" by Rachel Chason.  

This is the story of transforming a section of Bamako, Mali into a Chinese neighborhood and the hopes and fears of the Chinese migrants.