Ethiopia Sets Up Caretaker Government for Tigray Region

 The Associated Press published on 16 October 2026 an article titled "Ethiopia Sets Up Tigray Caretaker Government as Ex-fighters Seek Return to Civilian Life" by Khaled Kazziha.

Following the capture by federal government forces of Mekele, capital of Tigray Region, the central government set up a six-month caretaker government.  Some former Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) fighters registered with federal authorities in Mekele to return to civilian life.  Other TPLF fighters have taken refuge in mountainous parts of Tigray Region.  

Ethiopia Today published on 16 October 2026 an article titled "Ethiopia Establishes Six-Month Caretaker Administration in Tigray."

This account provides the names of the key personnel in the new caretaker government.

Expanding China's Role in Africa's Electricity Integration

 The South African Institute of International Affairs published in September 2026 a policy brief titled "Expanding China's Role in Africa's Electricity Integration" by Cobus Van Staden.

The brief outlines Africa's ambitious plan for an integrated continental grid and power market and how these draw on regional power pools that already enable energy trading.  It then highlights current levels of Chinese involvement in electricity integration in Africa and ways Chinese entities can expand this cooperation.

Somalia Schedules Elections While Opposition Protests

 Somalia Today published on 15 October 2026 an article titled "Somalia Sets Dates for Parliamentary, Presidential Polls" by Ayaan Abdullahi.

Somalia scheduled federal parliamentary elections for 15 April 2027 and a presidential vote for 15 May.  The political opposition rejected the timetable and accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of pursuing elections without the agreement of federal member states or opposition groups.  Preparations for elections face significant political and security obstacles.

Iran War Puts New Focus on Eritrea

 Reuters published on 5 October 2026 a photo essay titled "As Iran War Smolders, Shunned Eritrea Looks to Come in from the Cold" by Monicah Mwangi and Giulia Paravicini.  

Eritrea has acquired new geopolitical significance following the war in Iran and owing to its 1,000 kilometers of coastline along the Red Sea shipping route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean.  With the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea has become an important alternative route for Gulf energy shipments.  Outside powers are paying more attention to Eritrea.

At the same time, mandatory National Service continues to cause numerous departures from Eritrea and requests for asylum and refugee status in other countries.

Ethiopia-Egypt Tensions Pose Challenge for China

 Al-Monitor published on 8 October 2026 an article titled "Why Renewed Egypt-Ethiopia Tensions Are a Problem for China" by Joyce Karam.

As Cairo and Addis Ababa trade diplomatic expulsions, revive disputes over Nile water usage and access to the Red Sea, Beijing faces mounting pressure to protect ties with two of its most important African partners.  

Zambia to Settle Some Copper Sales in Chinese Yuan

 Business Insider Africa published on 15 October 2025 an article titled "Zambia to Settle Some Copper Sales in Chinese Yuan as Africa's Biggest Trading Partner Steps Up Challenge to Dollar Dominance" by Adekunle Agbetiloye.

Starting early next year, Zambia will accept the Chinese yuan for some copper exports, marking a move away from US dollar dependency.  China's push to internationalize the yuan is gaining momentum as growing numbers of yuan settlements strengthen China-Africa commercial relations.

China Deepens Ties with Botswana

 Tsela Journal published on 13 October 2026 an article titled "Botswana and China Deepen Ties Through Strategic Economic Partnership."

Botswana's President Duma Boko made a state visit to China with the goal of leveraging Chinese investment to transition from a diamond-dependent economy to a more resilient, multi-sectoral one.  Botswana seeks to secure commitments that translate into jobs, technology transfer, and local capacity building.

China Upgrades Relations with Togo

 Togo First published on 14 October 2026 an article titled "Togo and China Elevate Relations to Shared-Future Partnership" by Renaud Dossavi.

Togo's President Faure Essozimna Gassingbe is on an official visit to China.  The two countries upgraded their relationship from comprehensive strategic partnership to "China-Togo community with a shared future in the new era."

Chinese Imports Swamp South African Manufactured Goods

 Eyewitness News posted on 13 October 2026 an article titled "Influx of Cheaper Chinese Goods (Not only Cars) Puts Local Manufacturers Under Pressure" by Paula Luckhoff.

Goods imported by South Africa from China increased 29 percent in the first 8 months of 2026 compared to 2025.  The increase comes as Chinese manufactured goods face higher barriers in Western markets.  Electric vehicles and mobile phones are prominent among the imports.

Ethiopian Troops Move to Border with Eritrea

 Business Insider Africa published on 14 October 2026 an article titled "Fear of a War Between Ethiopia and Eritrea, 28 Years after Their Last, Has Been Ignited as Armies from Both Sides Get Uncomfortably Close to Each Other" by Chinedu Okafor.

Ethiopian National Defense Force troops have positioned themselves at the border with Eritrea in Tigray Region, raising the question whether they plan to cross into Eritrea.  Eritrean Defense Force troops have been supporting the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) inside Tigray Region.  

Podcast on Ethiopia-Eritrea Conflict

 The International Crisis Group posted on 13 October 2026 a 39-minute podcast titled "Ethiopia and Eritrea, On the Cusp of War" with Alan Boswell and Michael Woldemariam, University of Maryland.

The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) is gaining control over larger parts of Tigray Region while the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has faced reversals and appears to be moving towards asymmetric warfare.  The TPLF is more divided today that it was during the 2020-2022 Tigray war.

There are credible reports that the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) have joined the TPLF in Tigray Region and it will now be difficult to convince the ENDF to stop pursuing both the TPLF and the EDF anywhere inside Ethiopia   It is less clear how extensive is the EDF incursion into Ethiopia.  Should this result in an all-out war between Ethiopia and Eritrea, geography and military capacity favor Ethiopia.  In the event of war, external support for both sides is problematic.  Eritrea might get some assistance from Egypt.

It is important for external powers to encourage both sides to deescalate the situation.  Eventually there needs to be dialogue between Ethiopia and Eritrea.  The existence of external actors with separate agendas makes dialogue and a peaceful resolution of the dispute more difficult.  

Add Drought to Sudan's Humanitarian Catastrophe

 UN News posted on 12 October 2026 an article titled "Sudan: Drought and War Push Darfur and Kordofan towards Famine."

A severe El Nino drought has added to Sudan's humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur and Kordofan regions.  Drought now covers more than half of Sudan and adds to the humanitarian problems caused by the ongoing civil war.

Preventing All-Out Ethiopia-Eritrea Conflict

 The International Crisis Group posted on 12 October 2026 a commentary titled "Pulling Ethiopia and Eritrea Back from War."

As Ethiopia and Eritrea slide closer to war, the International Crisis Group urges regional governments and those further away to press both sides to avoid escalation.  It also seeks more engagement by the UN Security Council.

China Defines "Global South"

 The Diplomat published on 11 October 2026 a commentary titled "China's Bid to Define the 'Global South'" by Kawashima Shin.  

China views itself as the representative of the developing world and defines the Global South "as the family of emerging markets and developing countries."  China considers independence, justice, and development as the defining characteristics of the Global South, which separates it from the West.

Togo's Ecobank Joins China's Payments System

 Semafor published on 12 October 2026 an article titled "Ecobank Arees to Join Chinese Payment Platform."

Togo-based Ecobank has joined a growing number of African banks by agreeing to a partnership with the China Interbank Payments System (CIPS) to enable transaction settlements in the yuan currency.

Backgrounder on the Houthi Threat to the Red Sea

 The Council on Foreign Relations published on 8 October 2026 a background piece titled "Another Hormuz? What to Know About the Houthi Threat to the Red Sea" by Diana Roy.

Each year, approximately 12 to 15 percent of global maritime trade worth more than $1 trillion, including 30 percent of global container traffic transits the Red Sea.  This is an excellent summary of the threat posed by the Iran-backed and Yemen-based Houthis to international shipping through the Red Sea.

Ethiopia War Update

 AEIs Critical Threats Africa File posted on 9 October 2026 an update titled "Ethiopia War Security Review" by Liam Karr.

This is a summary of the fighting in Ethiopia as of 9 October.

Reshaping China's Critical Minerals Strategy in Africa

 China Africa Security Radar posted on 11 October 2026 an analysis titled "Chinese Study Shows How African Agency Is Reshaping China's Critical Minerals Strategy."

China obtains 99 percent of its cobalt, 85 percent of its manganese, 81 percent of its chromium, and 70 percent of its bauxite from Africa.  Policy shifts in African countries are forcing China to rethink its critical minerals strategy.

Are Ethiopia and Eritrea Close to All-Out War?

 The International Crisis Group posted on 9 October 2026 a 39-minute podcast titled "How Close Are Ethiopia and Eritrea to All-out War?" with Richard Atwood and Alan Boswell.

Eritrean Defense Forces are aligned with the Tigray People's Liberation Front forces against the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and an opposition Tigrayan contingent.  The war in Tigray Region is nearing the Ethiopia-Eritrea border as ENDF troops advance and raises the possibility of extending into Eritrea.

Landlocked Ethiopia remains committed to obtaining permanent access to the Red Sea, although Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says he will seek maritime access through negotiation and not force. Does the war in Tigray change the equation? 

Analysis of Somaliland President's Visit to US

 The Emirates Policy Center published on 9 October 2026 an analysis titled "Visit of Somaliland's President to Washington: Testing Potential Shifts in US Policy and the Trajectory of Bilateral Ties."

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi visited the US in September in hopes of advancing the country's goal of diplomatic recognition.  A meeting with President Trump was not promised and it did not happen.

The analysis concludes that Washington is likely to adopt a policy of calculated openness toward Somaliland while stopping short of formal recognition.  Bilateral relations could gradually evolve into a strategic partnership, with the path toward recognition potentially accelerating should sufficient security, political, and regional drivers converge.

How a Chinese Company Came to Dominate Africa's Cell Phone Market

 Sixth Tone published on 5 October 2026 an article titled "The Transsion Story: How a Chinese Firm Conquered Africa's Tech Market" by Cai Yiwen.  

China's Transsion makes nearly half of all the cell phones bought in Africa, beating competition from Samsung, Apple, and Huawei.  The phones meet basic communication needs of low-income users with features adapted specifically for the African market. 

Ethiopian Drones Attack Eritrean Troops in Ethiopia

 The Guardian published on 8 October 2026 an article titled "Ethiopia Launches Drone Attack against Eritrean Troops Who Crossed into Tigray" by Rachel Savage.

Eritrean Defense Forces crossing into Ethiopia in support of a Tigrayan rebel force have been targeted by drones launched by the Ethiopian National Defense Forces as the conflict expands.

Egypt Forms Anti-Ethiopia Coalition

 AEIs Critical Threats Africa File published on 8 October 2026 an analysis titled "Egypt Forms Anti-Ethiopian Coalition" by Liam Karr.

Egypt hosted on 3 October a regional summit with the leaders of Eritrea, Somalia, and the head of Sudan's armed forces.  The four countries agreed to the el Alamein joint declaration which did not mention Ethiopia but stated positions in direct response to Ethiopia's perceived policies in the region.

The joint declaration emphasized respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the region.  It stated that governance of the Red Sea is the exclusive responsibility of the littoral states and denounced any action on dam construction that negatively impacts downstream countries.

China-US Competition for DRC Copper and Cobalt

 Discovery Alert published on 8 October 2026 an analysis titled "Why China's Grip on DRC Copper Is Deepening, Not Loosening" by Muflih Hidayat.  

China's share of imported copper from the DRC, the world's second largest copper producing nation after Chile, climbed to 45 percent in the first seven months of 2026.  Chinese companies have spent years building vertical integration across the DRC's mining and refining sectors, controlling an estimated 70-80 percent of industrial-scale copper-cobalt production.  

The DRC this year banned exports of copper and cobalt concentrate, forcing more domestic value-added processing.  New smelter capacity in the DRC is largely backed by Chinese capital.  This has the effect of strengthening Beijing's position, making it difficult for American and European companies to compete.

Nevertheless, US imports of DRC copper surged in 2026, although it remains to be seen if the surge is durable and whether the Lobito Corridor project can change the nature of US-China competition in the DRC.

Attention Turns to Red Sea Conflicts

 World Politics Review posted on 8 October 2026 a commentary titled "The Red Sea Is the New Epicenter of Conflict in the Middle East" by Frida Ghitis.

While the Strait of Hormuz continues to be the focus of attention, the economically vital Red Sea with conflicts raging on both sides of the waterway could erupt into an out-of-control wildfire with global repercussions.