Vol 66 No 14 | RWANDACONGO-KINSHASAUNITED STATES Trump’s peace deal hinges on minerals, militias – and megawatts 11th July 2025 A White House-brokered agreement promises regional calm and economic integration, but success depends on dislodging rebels and securing mining rights Speaking at the White House on 27 June, during the signing of a new peace agreement by the Rwandan and Congolese foreign ministers, President Donald Trump declared that... READ FOR FREE
Vol 66 No 14 | KENYABRITAIN How Turkana’s promises of oil riches became a pipe dream 11th July 2025 The oil companies arrived with pledges of roads, schools and clean water. Instead there has been negligible production but lots of environmental damage More than 15 years have passed since British-based Tullow Oil came to the remote plains of northern Kenya, raising expectations of transformation. Once oil was confirmed, it was...
Vol 66 No 14 | SUDAN The deadly stalemate deepens 11th July 2025 As both sides escalate drone warfare backed by foreign patrons, civilians are trapped in a cycle of violence, revenge and economic devastation The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) have clawed back large tracts of land in the heart of the country forcing the Rapid Support Forces to refocus on western Sudan...
Vol 66 No 14 | SUDANUNITED STATES Would-be mediators mull a new initiative 11th July 2025 US officials have sounded out the combatants and their backers over a new peace plan – but nobody is jumping into fresh talks A flurry of peace initiatives put to the warring factions in Sudan and their main sponsors is yet to move the needle. But it may prompt would-be mediators...
Vol 66 No 14 | SOMALIA Politicians seek a way out of the impasse 11th July 2025 With Al Shabaab holding its own, the viability of next year’s elections diminishing, and donors in dismay, the constitution has moved centre stage Mogadishu’s politicians are ending a period of bitter dispute and beginning to talk to each other as they all conclude that the conditions are not yet right for...
Vol 66 No 14 | KENYA Death toll mounts after protests 11th July 2025 With police barricading every available route into Nairobi’s central business district and effectively suspending business activity across the country, the hotspots of protests marking the 35th anniversary of...
Vol 66 No 14 | RWANDACONGO-KINSHASAUNITED STATES Trump family allies broker security and mining deals in Central Africa 27th June 2025 Multiple mining investments and a hydropower project are riding on Kigali and Kinshasa making peace but details on military arrangements remain thin US Africa Envoy Massad Boulos and US hedge fund executive Gentry Beach – both with close links to US President Donald J Trump’s family – were prime movers...
Vol 66 No 13 | KENYA The shine comes off M-Kopa 27th June 2025 Founded by the Vodafone team behind M-Pesa, M-Kopa has seen similar commercial success and political backing. At a 2015 entrepreneurship summit with President Barack Obama, then-President Uhuru Kenyatta...
Vol 66 No 12 | UGANDA Muhoozi attacks regime insiders 13th June 2025 As the president seeks to build bridges ahead of 2026 elections, his son is throwing online bombs at powerful figures Social media attacks on rivals by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the president’s son and head of Uganda’s military, are widening divisions in the ruling family. Over the past few...
Vol 66 No 12 | KENYATRIBUTE Ngugi wa Thiong’o – The pan-Africanist bard 13th June 2025 A champion of African literature and the rejection of colonial languages as a means to convey it, Kenya’s Ngugi wa Thiong’o, who died on 28 May, was often...