US Africa Assistant Secretary's Visit to Zambia, Ethiopia, and Kenya

 Firstpost posted on 1 September 2026 a 15-minute podcast titled "Trump Targets Zambia, Ethiopia, and Kenya" with Alyson Le Grange.

The podcast reviews US ties with Zambia, Ethiopia, and Kenya as US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, makes his inaugural visit to those countries.  Le Grange discusses critical minerals in Zambia, Red Sea security with Ethiopia, and Kenya's status as the only US non-NATO ally in sub-Saharan Africa.  She asks about Washington's "trade not aid" policy and wonders what Africa wants out of its relationship with the United States.

As US Oil Companies Pull Out of Equatorial Guinea, China Moves In

 The Washington Examiner published on 31 August 2026 an article titled "America Saw No More Oil.  China Saw an Atlantic Military Fortress" by Yagiz Sullu.

After oil production in Equatorial Guinea peaked and began to decline, American oil companies began their departure.  China remained and began helping Malabo diversify its economy.  Beijing may have in mind longer term security interests and possibly even a military base in the Atlantic.

Egypt-China Joint Statement, Different English Translations

 China's President Xi Jinping made a state visit to Egypt 1-2 September 2026.  Both countries issued joint statements at the end of the visit.  Curiously, the English translations of the two statements are different.

Egypt's version published by ahramonline and dated 2 September 2026 is titled "Egypt and China Joint Statement on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."

China's version posted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and dated 2 September is titled "Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Arab Republic of Egypt on Further Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership." 

Following are the different translations of three sections relating to African issues important to Egypt.  While the meaning is essentially the same, there are some important differences in word choice.    

China's translation of the section on Nile water:

"Both sides reaffirmed their firm mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.  China emphasized its understanding of the Nile's vital importance as Egypt's main lifeline and its legitimate rights to safeguard its water security, food security, and development interests.  Both sides called on all Nile River basin countries to abide by international law, including avoiding harm."

Egypt's translation of the section on Nile water:

"The two sides reaffirmed their firm mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.  The Chinese side affirmed its recognition of the vital importance of the Nile River to Egypt as its principal lifeline and of Egypt's legitimate right to safeguard its water and food security and development interests.  Both sides called on all Nile Basin countries to comply with international law, including the obligation not to cause harm."  

China's translation of the section on Red Sea security:

"The governance and security of the Red Sea are primarily the responsibility of the Red Sea littoral states.  The wishes of these countries should be fully respected.  The Red Sea littoral states should strengthen regional cooperation, jointly address challenges, and ensure freedom of navigation and unimpeded international trade."

Egypt's translation of the section on Red Sea security:

"The primary responsibility for the governance and security of the Red Sea rests with its littoral states.  The will of those states must be fully respected.  Regional cooperation among the littoral states must be strengthened to address common challenges and safeguard freedom of navigation and international trade."

China's translation of the section on Sudan:

"Both sides emphasized that Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected, Sudanese state institutions should be upheld, and interference in its internal affairs should be avoided.  Both sides stressed their willingness to work together to achieve a ceasefire in Sudan and initiate a Sudanese-led inclusive political process."

Egypt's translation of the section on Sudan:

"The two sides stressed the need to: Respect Sudan's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.  Preserve Sudan's national institutions. Refrain from interfering in Sudan's internal affairs.  Work jointly to end the war in Sudan and launch a comprehensive, Sudanese-owned political process." 

Dealing with Gender Violence in Ethiopia

 Ethiopia Insight published on 1 September 2026 a commentary titled "'Let Her Be Heard' Unmasks a Power Struggle over Culture in Ethiopia" by Daniel Hailu.

The "Ler Her Be Heard" campaign urges the Ethiopian government to recognize violence against women and girls as a national crisis requiring coordinated action, accountable leadership, public funding, measurable implementation, and greater transparency.

USAID Is Dead, But Its Spirit Lives On

 The Foreign Service Journal published in its September/October 2026 edition an article titled "The Aid Transition Alliance: Running Toward a Disaster" by Susan Reichle.

The ill-advised decision by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to dismantle the US Agency for International Development may have killed the organization, but not its spirit.  Former employees have created the Aid Transition Alliance, which brought together more than 2,000 Linkedin staff members to preserve USAID data, provide counseling to persons summarily fired, organize rallies, and even draft recommendations for a modernized US foreign assistance program for the future.

China's President Reaches Out to Egyptian Citizens Via Media

 China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on 1 September 2026 the text of Xi Jinping's open letter to the Egyptian public titled "Celebrating 70 Years of Solidarity, China and Egypt Embark on a New Journey" sent to three prominent Arabic-language Egyptian papers prior to his arrival on a state visit.  The three papers are Al-Ahram, the most widely circulated Egyptian daily, Al-Akhbar, a state-owned morning daily, and Al-Gomhuria, another state-owned daily.

Xi Jinping's message emphasized the long-standing cultural connection between the two countries and 70 years of diplomatic relations.  The lengthy letter notes that "the Yangtze River and the Yellow River gave birth to the Chinese civilization, and the Nile was the cradle of the ancient Egyptian civilization."  He added that our two great civilizations, China and Egypt, should implement China's Global Civilization Initiative.  

Financing Terrorist Organizations in Somalia

 The Africa Center for Strategic Studies published on 6 August 2026 an analysis titled "Countering Terrorism Financing in East Africa" by Daisy Muibu and Nicole Mazurova.

Al-Shabaab in Somalia has established a sophisticated revenue-generation capacity that includes criminal activities, illicit trade, smuggling, and money laundering.  Al-Shahaab obtains annual revenue of up to $200 million annually.  The Islamic State in Somalia generates between $100,000 and $360,000 monthly through extortion and illicit taxation.  

Defeating these terrorist organizations will require degrading their revenue generation capacities through strengthened national and regional coordination.  

US Critical Minerals Policy in Africa

 The Global South Policy Hub, a Washington-based nonpartisan think tank, published on 17 August 2026 a paper titled "Aligning U.S. Critical Minerals Policy with Africa's Development Agenda" by Alaka Lugonzo.  

Africa holds about 30 percent of the world's critical minerals that power renewable energy technology.  Africa's critical mineral wealth is rapidly reshaping its relationship with the United States.  The author argues that current US mineral partnerships remain heavily tilted toward securing supply chains rather than delivering shared economic benefits.  

The United States has an opportunity to rethink its approach by moving away from extractive relationships toward transparent industrial partnerships along the lines of the African Union's African Green Mineral Strategy (AGMS).  A more sustainable approach would align US strategic interests with Africa's development agenda.

Comment:  While this is sound advice, China is a much larger importer of Africa's critical minerals than the United States.  It would be useful if some organization, particularly one in Africa, could offer similar advice for Beijing.

Chinese and American Approach to Egypt

 Armstrong Economics posted on 24 August 2026 a commentary titled "China and Egypt Unite" by Martin Armstrong.

The author argues that Washington never seems to understand that trade and geopolitical influence go hand in hand, citing the case of China's influence in Egypt.  The United States sees Egypt in a military context while China looks at Egypt as a commercial gateway connecting three continents.

Sharp Increase in Egypt-China Economic Cooperation

 Egypt Today published on 31 August 2026 an article titled "Economic Cooperation between Egypt, China Witness Unprecedented Leap."

The article highlights the unprecedented increase in China's economic engagement in numerous Egyptian sectors, especially in the Suez Canal zone and China's role in constructing the New Administration Capital's Central Business District.

Comment:  The article notes that Egypt-China trade reached a record high of almost $21 billion in 2025, marking China's status as Egypt's top trading partner for 14 consecutive years.  It fails, however, to point out that $20 billion constituted Chinese exports to Egypt and less than $1 billion was Egyptian exports to China.  

Russia's Praetorian Guard Helps Put Down Coup in Niger

 France 24 posted on 30 August 2026 an article titled "Niger Junta Puts Down Mutiny with Help from Russia's Africa Corps."

Niger authorities thwarted a mutiny by young soldiers on 28-29 August with the help of Russia's Africa Corps.  Moscow's ambassador to Niger said the military government requested help, and the mutineers were "neutralised particularly thanks to the intervention of Africa Corps."

Algeria May Purchase Russia's New Refueling Tanker

 Military Africa posted on 26 August 2026 an article titled "Algeria Likely Buyer of Russia's New IL-78 Aerial Tanker" by Israel Chukwuma.

Algeria's Air Force may be the first buyer of Russia's IL-78MK-90A aerial refueling tanker, adding to its Russian-supplied fleet.  Algeria devoted $25.4 billion to military spending in 2025, the highest amount for any country in Africa.

Yemen's Houthis Building Ties with Horn of Africa

 Al-Estiklal, a Turkish daily based in Istanbul, published on 24 August 2026 an article titled "Houthi Expansion in the Horn of Africa: From Arms Smuggling to a Cross-Border Network of Influence."

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi outreach to the Horn of Africa is an attempt to build a human, logistical, and intelligence network that can be utilized on both sides of the Red Sea.  It involves collaboration with al-Shabaab in Somalia and sympathetic individuals in Ethiopia and Eritrea.  

It is part of Iran's broader strategy in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.  The Houthis monitor the movements of countries allied with Saudi Arabia and the United States and secure supply lines to ensure the continued flow of weapons and supplies.

Is Russia Prepared to Get Serious about Africa?

 Pan African Visions published on 29 August 2026 an article titled "Beyond Promises: Russia-Africa Summit 2026 Faces a Crucial Investment Test" by Kester Kenn Klomegah.

Russia remains a marginal player in African infrastructure, industry, and agriculture compared with China, the European Union, and the United States.  Many announced projects have stalled, financing instruments are weak, and younger Africans see little contemporary economic impact of Russia beyond anti-Western messaging.

At the Russia-Africa Summit in October, Moscow needs to deliver on existing pledges with real capital and project execution and engage Africa's large youth and middle-class markets if it wishes to develop a sustained, mutually beneficial economic partnership with the continent.

African Leaders Welcome More Players in Continent

 Vietnam.vn published on 28 August 2026 an article titled "The Geopolitical Race for Influence, Resources, and Power in Africa" by Bao Quoc Te.  

The competition for expanding influence in Africa involves more actors than ever before and is constantly evolving. Most African countries are benefiting from the increasing attention by more external countries.   

Washington Post Editorial on US-China AI Competition in Africa

 The Washington Post published on 27 August 2026 an editorial titled "How the U.S. Can Beat China in Africa's AI Race."

Software developers across Africa are adapting Chinese models to build applications tailored for African users.  But China has no monopoly on AI projects in Africa.  In compute, the US has far more to offer than China.  The US needs to revive its Power Africa initiative, which came to an end when the Trump administration dismantled USAID, in order to support African data centers.  

Bauxite and Iron Ore Dominate China-Guinea Trade

 The China Global South Project published on 28 August 2026 an article titled "China-Guinea Trade Is a Story of Bauxite and Iron" by Christian Geraud Neema Byamungu.

Chinese demand for Guinean bauxite ore and, increasingly, iron ore dominates trade between the two countries.  Guinea exports almost all of its bauxite and iron as raw ore and does not earn any added value.  It wants to reach domestic aluminum refining capacity of about 6 million tons by 2030 rather than continue exporting raw ore.  

Misfired Turkish Drones Take Civilian Toll in Ethiopia and Sahel

 HumAngle, an African media platform with funding from the MacArthur Foundation and committed to identifying security and humanitarian crises in Africa, published on 21 August 2026 an article titled "The Human Price of Turkish AI-Powered Drone Rush Across Africa" by Ibrahim Adeyemi.  

Ethiopia was one of the first countries in Africa to deploy Turkey's Baykar manufactured TB2 drones in combat.  Military misfires of the drones in Amhara Region of Ethiopia and in the Sahel region of Africa have taken a toll on the civilian population.  Inadequate training in use of the drones probably accounts for most of the mistakes.  

Russia's Ghost Reporters and Fake Experts in African Media

 Graphika, an intelligence platform based on digital relationships, coordination, and the movement of information across networks, published on 25 August 2026 an analysis titled "Umbrae Ex Machina: Mapping Russian Ghostwriting Operations Across African News Outlets."

Russia has been planting ghost reporters and fake experts in African media to advance its strategic interests on the continent.  This report provides an overview of the English-and French-speaking network of Russian ghost reporters in Africa.  It identified 44 ghost writers and fake experts who were active between 2021 and 2026.  Their media content was duplicated or quoted on 138 websites and republished on at least 113 Facebook accounts.

Don't Let Iran War Distract US from Africa

 Brookings published on 27 August 2026 a commentary titled "Don't Let the Iran War Distract the United States from Africa" by Landry Signe.

The Iran war risks distracting the United States from Africa when competition for critical minerals, trade, and alliances with African countries become more intense.  China, France, Russia, UAE, and India are accelerating their engagement on the continent, meaning any American retreat will come at a high geopolitical opportunity cost.  

Ethiopian Military Launches Drones on Tigray Region

 AEIs Critical Threats Africa File posted on 27 August 2026 an article titled "Ethiopia" by Michael DeAngelo.

The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) has conducted numerous drone strikes targeting Mekele, the capital, and other parts of Tigray Region.  There was large-scale fighting in Western Tigray on 1 August between the ENDF and the Tigray People's Liberation Front.  

China Enhances Broadcasting Exchanges with South Africa

 Broadcast Media Africa posted on 25 August 2026 an article titled "South Africa: SABC and JSBC Forge Partnership to Enhance Cultural Exchange and Broadcasting Cooperation."

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese media organization Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation (JSBC).  The SABC will broadcast China Hour, a dedicated program designed to give South African audiences greater exposure to Chinese stories, culture, and people.  The goal is to strengthen people-to-people connections between South Africa and China.    

China Orders Its Citizens Out of Eswatini

 The BBC posted on 26 August 2026 an article titled "China Advises Its Citizens to Leave Taiwan Ally Eswatini Over 'Security Risks'" by Basillioh Rukanga.

China's Foreign Ministry told its citizens to leave Eswatini, the only country in Africa that recognizes Taiwan, citing "rampant cyber fraud and criminal activities associated with gambling."  Eswatini had earlier arrested 40 Chinese nationals during raids on alleged illegal online gambling centers.  

China Steps Up Engagement with Egypt

 Al-Monitor published on 26 August 2026 an article titled "China's Xi to Visit Egypt for First Time in Decade as Military, Huawei Ties Grow" by Jack Dutton.  

President Xi Jinping will make his first visit to Egypt in a decade next week.  The visit comes after the beginning of a joint military air exercise and as Huawei seeks to supply more than 2,000 advanced AI chips for Egyptian government data centers.  Huawei's move prompted Washington to consider backing a rival offer from US technology companies.

Interview on Multipolarity and Africa

 Eurasia Review published on 26 August 2026 an article titled "Interview with Professor David Shinn" by Kester Kenn Klomegah.

This is a brief interview focused on the impact of Chinese and Russian-led multipolarity in Africa.  While many African countries have taken advantage of the multipolar world to improve their situation, there is nothing static about the current engagement of external players in Africa.  The alignments today may look very different in a year or two.