Podcast on Background and Future Impact of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

 The International Crisis Group (ICG) posted on 26 September 2025 a 39-minute podcast titled "Ethiopia's Grand and Contested Dam" with Murithi Mutiga and Alan Boswell, both with the ICG.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is the largest in Africa and was financed mostly by Ethiopians.  Egypt perceived the dam as a threat to its downstream water supply while Ethiopia saw it as an essential hydropower development project.  Sudan was caught in the middle, seeing both potential benefits and problems, but has recently sided with Egypt.  

Now that the dam is completed, Egypt's major concern as a downstream country is low water flow during successive years of drought in the Nile Basin.  Reduction of tension between Ethiopia and Egypt requires trust building.  In the meantime, there is the possibility of Egyptian proxy activity aimed at Ethiopia.  

Egypt's Response to Ethiopia's New Hydropower Dam

 World Politics Review published on 25 September 2025 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's New Megadam Inflames Regional Tensions" by Jonathan Fenton-Harvey.

Now that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is operational, the author concludes that the chances of a direct military conflict between Ethiopia and Egypt are slim, but low-grade clashes could erupt in the form of a proxy fight.

Iran's Connection with Sudan's Civil War

 Alhurra aired on 24 September 2025 a 3-minute video titled "Sudan War: Between U.S. Sanctions and Iran."

The United States sanctioned Sudan's finance minister Jibril Ibrahim and a key Sudanese militia, spotlighting suspicions of Iranian support for Islamist forces and the Sudan Armed Forces in the country's civil war.

Avoiding Chaos in Somalia's Next Election

 The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies published in September 2025 a commentary titled "Preventing Chaos in Mogadishu: Why Dialogue Must Replace Force."

The commentary calls for dialogue on behalf of the incumbent Somali administration and the political opposition in the runup to elections in 2026, especially concerning the ground rules for voting.  

Will Tanzania's Investment Center in China Attract More from Africa?

 The South African Institute of International Affairs published in August 2025 a study titled "Tanzania and China: China-Africa Policy Signals, Substance and Suggestions" by Lauren Johnston.  

In December 2024, Tanzania established an Investment Centre in China's Hunan province.  Tanzania is the first African country to open such a center in Hunan.  This development may encourage other African countries to follow Tanzania's example.  

Efforts at UN to End Sudan Conflict

 The Associated Press published on 26 September 2025 an article titled "World Leaders Step Up Efforts Behind the Scenes at the UN to End the War in Sudan" by Edith M. Lederer.

The Quad (United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and UAE) met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and called for a ceasefire in Sudan followed and concluded within 9 months by a process that results in a civilian government having broad legitimacy.  A separate group convened by the African Union and European Union supported the Quad proposal and called on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the Sudan Armed Forces to reach a permanent ceasefire.  

China-Africa Trade Increases, But So Do African Trade Deficits

 Forbes posted on 23 September 2025 an article titled "Africa-China Trade Increases Amid Global Uncertainty, but a Mutually-Beneficial Mindset Is Needed" by Freddie Hiney.

There has been in 2025 a sharp increase in China-Africa trade.  But most of the increase is due to more Chinese exports to Africa, resulting in even larger African trade deficits.  

Sudan's Paramilitary Force Makes Gains in El Fasher, Darfur

 AEI's Critical Threat Africa File posted on 25 September 2025 an update titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo.  

The update describes recent ground apparently gained by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, at the expense of the Sudan Armed Forces.  It also reviews the war crimes and atrocities committed by the RSF in Darfur.

China's Assertive Global Governance Initiative

The Diplomat published on 23 September 2025 a commentary titled "2025 Xiangshan Forum: China Enters a New Era of Assertive Global Governance" by Sookyeon Lee, lieutenant colonel in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps and associate professor at the Korea National Defense University.  

The 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in September 2025 represented a watershed moment in China's foreign policy.  The author, who attended the forum in 2024 and 2025, concluded this year's session showcased an emboldened China ready to present itself as the leader of an alternative global order.  The forum also tracked closely the recent announcement of China's Global Governance Initiative, a framework for reforming the current Western-led international system. 

Chinese Automaker Returns to South Africa

 Business Insider Africa published on 24 September 2025 an article titled "Chinese Automaker Stages Major Comeback in South Africa after More Than a Decade Away" by Soloman Ekanem.

Chinese automaker Geely is reentering the South African market after having left in 2009 due to economic pressures and strong competition.  Geely has secured 35 dealerships throughout South Africa.  This move is part of Geely's global expansion.  

Turkish Drones Fuel Conflict in Somalia

 Foreign Policy posted on 24 September 2025 an article titled "Turkish Drones are Fueling a Somali Shadow War" by Mohamed Gadobe.

Turkey is waging in Somalia a drone war against the al-Shabaab terrorist organization.  It has the support of the United States and the UAE.

Zambia Suspends Operations of Chinese Company

 The Lusaka Times posted on 24 September 2025 an article titled "China 11th Chemical Construction Company Operations Suspended."

Zambia suspended the operations of the China 11th Chemical Construction Company following multiple violations of Zambian labor laws.  The company's manager responded that the allegations are exaggerated, and the company is cooperating in resolving outstanding issues.

Ranking of China's Global Influence

 Uganda's The Independent published on 24 September 2025 an article titled "How China Controls the World" by Ronald Musoke.

The article draws on China's growing influence in Uganda and the results of the China Index 2024, published by China in the World network with the Taiwan-based non-profit Doublethink Lab.  The index measures China's influence in 101 countries.  

Comment:  It is difficult to determine if the title of the article is tongue in cheek or a misreading of the China Index 2024.  In any event, the index suggests that China is generally increasing its global influence.  

Avoiding Turmoil in Somalia's Electoral Reform Process

 The International Crisis Group (ICG) published on 24 September 2025 an analysis titled "Electoral Showdown in Somalia: Avoiding Another Round of Turmoil."

Somalia's political opposition sees the government's electoral reform package as an effort to tilt the scales in the incumbent president's favor.  The ICG calls on the government and its opponents to accept a compromise.  

Podcast on Current Situation in Sudan

 Aljazeera posted on 21 September 2025 a 30-minute Inside Story podcast titled "What's Driving the Violence in Sudan--and What Could Bring Peace?"

Sudan is the world's largest humanitarian, protection, and displacement crisis today.  A recent appeal by the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE to accept a cease fire is not seen as a serious proposal by the warring Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.  Nor was there any expectation there would be a serious effort at the current session of the UN General Assembly in New York to deal with the conflict in Sudan.  

Turkiye as a Strategic Partner in Africa

 United World International posted on 21 September 2025 a commentary titled "Turkiye as a Strategic Partner in Africa" by Halim Gencoglu.

The author argues that as Turkiye expands its influence in Africa it could play a more important role in promoting political stability.  It offers an alternative to growing Chinese and Russian influence and could partner with Western countries.  

Departure of Ethiopia's Bank Governor

 Ethiopia Insight published on 23 September 2025 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's Central Bank Shake-Up: The Governor's Exit and What It Means" by Abrar Fitwi, Saint Mary's College in Indiana.

The departure of Ethiopia's central bank governor, Mamo Mihretu, highlights the unsettled nature of Ethiopia's economic adjustment efforts.  

Morocco Establishes Strategic Dialogue Mechanism with China

 Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on 19 September 2025 a notice that Morocco and China had signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a strategic dialogue mechanism to strengthen bilateral relations and further consolidate the ties linking Rabat and Beijing.  

Sudan's Future and the International Community

 The New York Times published on 21 September 2025 a commentary titled "Sudan Is What Happens When You Recognize a Junta" by Suliman Baldo, director of Sudan Transparency, and Mai Hassan, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The authors argue that the international community may be about to make a grave mistake by legitimizing Sudan's government controlled by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), which it describes as responsible as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces for "usurping civilian democratic rule." The United States and others should empower Sudan's civilian representatives, not its warlords.  

Situation Deteriorates in Sudan's Darfur Region

 UN News posted on 21 September 2025 an article titled "UN Chief Sounds Alarm over Worsening Crisis in Sudan's El Fasher" by Vibhu Mishra. 

The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the situation is rapidly deteriorating in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, which has been under siege for months by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.  

China's Economic Influence in Africa

 The IE China Observatory and Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in collaboration with Afrobarometer and the IE Africa Program published in September 2025 a report titled "China's Economic Influence in Africa: A Data Driven Analysis."

The report is based on large-scale survey data from 27 African countries and looks at how ordinary citizens across Africa perceive Chinese economic influence. The report concludes that China's impact is neither uniform nor static.  The findings vary by country, region, demographic, and socioeconomic status.  

The Plundering of South Sudan

 UN News published on 16 September 2025 an article titled "Government Corruption Fuels Human Rights Crisis in South Sudan, Independent Panel Finds."

Two years of independent investigations revealed systemic corruption and the plundering of South Sudan by its government.  Little of the country's $25.2 billion in oil revenue since 2011 has gone to essential services.  The funds have mostly gone to patronage and private pockets.  

China-US Competition in East Africa's LAPSSET Corridor

 The London School of Economics and Political Science posted on 18 September 2025 a commentary titled "China's LAPSSET Corridor and the US's Stakes in the Horn of Africa" by Tewodros Woldearegay, Lingnan University.  

China is financing and building development projects in the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor designed to create an East African economic zone.  China's engagement threatens to limit long-standing US security interests in the region.  The author argues that the US and its allies need to do a better job of offering economic and security alternatives to counter China's initiatives.  

Former Tigrayan Insider Predicts Ethiopia-Eritrea War

 Ethiopia Insight published on 19 September 2025 a commentary titled "New Ethiopia-Eritrea Conflict Is 'Inevitable'" by an anonymous author.

A former senior Tigray People's Liberation Front official says another war between Ethiopia and Eritrea "appears inevitable."  Ethiopian access to the Eritrean port of Assab on the Red Sea is the reason for the presumed upcoming conflict. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed envisages an Ethiopian port on the Red Sea as his signature achievement.  

Uganda Strengthens Defense Cooperation with China

 Defence Web posted on 19 September 2025 an article titled "New Bilateral Agreement Strengthens China/Uganda Defence Co-operation."

Uganda and China signed a military agreement aimed at expanding defense cooperation through increased exchanges in professional military education, joint training exercises, and technology transfer.