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Bob Wekesa (Inaugural Africa Visiting Fellow, USC Annenberg Center) talks with Africa Center for Strategic Studies on Chinese Media Practices in Africa

To watch the full recording, please click HERE.

The Expert’s Corner on the topic of U.S.-Africa relations, written by Bob Wekesa, Inaugural Africa Visiting Fellow, USC Annenberg Center

UNITED STATES–AFRICA LEADERS SUMMIT 2022: REINFORCING COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND CIVIL SOCIETY

UNITED STATES–AFRICA LEADERS SUMMIT 2022: ADVANCING PEACE, SECURITY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

UNITED STATES–AFRICA LEADERS SUMMIT 2022: ADVANCING AFRICA’S GLOBAL VOICE

U.S.-AFRICA UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS: POSSIBILITIES AND REALITIES

April 16, 2024

Upcoming Events
Africa Futures Summit, April 16, 9:00am EDT (United States Institute of Peace)

9th Annual AGOA Spring Conference, April 18, 9:00am EDT (AGOA CSO Network)

Africa-U.S. Forum: Africa and Freedom of Expression, April 22, 9:00am EDT (University of Southern California, Capital Campus)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
Washington’s Failed Africa Policy Needs a Reset, by Daniel Twining & Will Meeker (Foreign Policy)

Continent At-Large
US Senators Introduce Bill to Renew Africa Trade Pact Through 2041, by Makini Brice (Reuters)

US Senate Introduces 16-Year AGOA Renewal, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

US Lawmakers Plan to Extend Africa Trade Pact AGOA Through 2041, by Ana Monteiro (Bloomberg)

Risch, Coons Introduce Legislation to Renew Trade Partnership Between U.S. and Sub-Saharan African Countries (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

Proposed AGOA Renewal Hangs on US Elections Outcome, Say Experts, by Siphelele Dludla (IOL)

Critical Minerals in Africa: Strengthening Security, Supporting Development, and Reducing Conflict amid Geopolitical Competition (United States Institute of Peace)

Report: US Must Enhance Critical Minerals Strategy in Africa, by Nike Ching (Voice of America)

U.S. Foreign Aid Is Broken but Fixable, by Walter Kerr & Amanda Arch (Foreign Policy)

Who’s the Big Boss of the Global South? (The Economist)

Understanding Africa’s Coups, by Alex Vines (Georgetown Journal of International Affairs)

‘Matter of Time’: AFRICOM Puts Counter-Drone Systems at Top of $500M Unfunded Priorities List, by Lee Ferran & Valerie Insinna (Breaking Defense)

Central Africa/Sudans
US to Announce Additional $100 Million in Aid to Respond to Sudan Conflict, by Daphne Psaledakis (Reuters)

Looking Ahead after a Year of Conflict in Sudan, by Cameron Hudson (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Sudan: One Year into Conflict, Freedom House Urges United Action to End Violence and Aid Democratic Transition (Freedom House)

Washington Changes Strategy Ahead of Fresh Talks in Jeddah (Africa Intelligence)

Chair Cardin Statement Marking One Year Since Onset of Civil War in Sudan (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

Risch on One Year Anniversary of War in Sudan (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

McCaul, Meeks Statement on One-Year Mark Since Start of Sudan Conflict (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

Rwanda’s Leader Criticises Perceived US Ambiguity Over 1994 Genocide (Africanews)

Ending Congo’s Forever War, by Adekeye Adebajo (Project Syndicate)

East Africa/Horn
US Warns of Possible Attacks on ‘Multiple Locations’ in Mogadishu, by Harun Maruf (Voice of America)

Chair Cardin Statement on the Killing of Bate Urgessa in Ethiopia (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

North Africa
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry (U.S. Department of State)

Washington’s Delicate Balancing Act with Kais Saied (Africa Intelligence)

Morocco’s Tourism Office Hires Lobbyist Joshua Kaufman for North America (Africa Intelligence)

Southern Africa
The Empty Promises of the US-EU Lobito Infrastructure Project, by Chris O. Ògúnmọ́dẹdé (Stimson Center)

US Senators Drop Plans to Mandate Immediate Review of South Africa’s Eligibility for AGOA, by Peter Fabricius (Daily Maverick)

Stop Financing South Africa’s Rogue Foreign Policy, by Max Primorac (The National Interest)

To Decipher South Africa’s Strange Foreign Policy, Look to Its Past, by Keith B. Richburg (The Washington Post)

Fact Sheet: The African National Congress’s Hostility Toward the United States, by Joshua Meservey (Hudson Institute)

West Africa
What Washington Got Wrong About Niger and Russia, by John Lechner & Sergey Eledinov (Responsible Statecraft)

Rift Between US and Niger Reveals Failure of ‘Counterterrorism’ in West Africa, by Owen Schalk (Canadian Dimension)

Russian Soldiers Arrive in Niger as Relationship with U.S. Deteriorates, by Rachel Chason (The Washington Post)

Protesters in Niger Call for U.S. Military Exit as Russian Force Arrives, by Elian Peltier (The New York Times)

To Help Stabilize West Africa, Bolster a Key Partner: Nigeria, by Rachel Yeboah Boakye, Chris Kwaja, Matthew Reitman (United States Institute of Peace)

Recent Events
Leveraging the AfCFTA to Accelerate US Trade and Investment in Africa, April 10, 10:00am EDT (Brookings Institution)

Senegal’s Democracy: How Did We Get Here and What Shall We Expect?, April 10:30am EDT (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

USAID’s Foreign Policy and International Development Priorities in the Era of Great Power Competition, April 10, 2:00pm (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

Sustainable Security Solutions in West Africa, April 11, 9:00am EDT (New Lines Institute)

Check out The Political Unrest in Chad with Dr Nathaniel Powell (Centre for African Conflict & Development) & New U.S. Envoy on Ending Sudan’s War (International Crisis Group)

April 9, 2024

Upcoming Events
Leveraging the AfCFTA to Accelerate US Trade and Investment in Africa, April 10, 10:00am EDT (Brookings Institution)

Senegal’s Democracy: How Did We Get Here and What Shall We Expect?, April 10:30am EDT (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

USAID’s Foreign Policy and International Development Priorities in the Era of Great Power Competition, April 10, 2:00pm (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

Sustainable Security Solutions in West Africa, April 11, 9:00am EDT (New Lines Institute)

9th Annual AGOA Spring Conference, April 18, 9:00am EDT (AGOA CSO Network)

Africa-U.S. Forum: Africa and Freedom of Expression, April 22, 9:00am EDT (University of Southern California, Capital Campus)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
In Shifting US Ties with Niger and Africa, Focus on Human Rights and Democracy to Strengthen Partnerships, by Ikechukwu Uzoma (Just Security)

Continent At-Large
Why Africans Hold the Future of Global Democracy in Their Hands, by Rama Yade (Atlantic Council)

Biden Administration Looks to Boost Africa’s Creative Industries, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Central Africa/Sudans
President Biden Announces Presidential Delegation to the Republic of Rwanda on the Occasion of Kwibuka 30 (The White House)

Ex-President Clinton to Lead Rwanda Genocide Delegation Amid Tensions with US, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Curbing Outside Intervention in the Sudan War, Jonathan Campbell-James (The Washington Institute for Near East Policy)

Renewing the Call for the South Sudan Transitional Government to Conduct a Credible Investigation Into Journalist Christopher Allen’s Death (U.S. Department of State)

Ugandan Court Decision on the Anti-Homosexuality Act (U.S. Department of State)

Chair Cardin Statement on Ugandan Constitutional Court Decision Upholding Anti-Homosexuality Act (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

East Africa/Horn
US Point Out Gaps in Kenya’s Financial Management System Portal, by Boniface Otieno (The East African)

Relations Between Kenya and US Business Strained by Bribery, by Chinedu Okafor (Business Insider Africa)

North Africa
U.S. Security Cooperation with Morocco (U.S. Department of State)

Southern Africa
Bringing South Africa to Its Knees Would Be Self-Sabotage for the US, by Naledi Pandor (Financial Times)

The US Can’t Afford to Cripple SA, Says Naledi Pandor in UK Op-Ed, by Phillip de Wet (News24)

US Concerned Over South Africa’s Growing Ties with Russia, Iran and Hamas: ‘Fallen’ for Propaganda, by Peter Aitken (Fox News)

Why a Confirmed Ambassador and Revised Strategy Are Needed to Advance U.S. Foreign Policy Interests in Zimbabwe, by Charles A. Ray & Michael Walsh (Afro News)

West Africa
How the United States Lost Niger, by Cameron Hudson (Foreign Policy)

The United States Needs to Get Troops Out of Niger, by William Walldorf (The Hill)

Niger’s Pivot to Moscow: What’s Next for US Engagement in Africa?, by Raphael Parens, Christopher Faulkner, Marcel Plichta (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

Counter-Terror Turned the Sahel into a Coup-Belt. U.S. Policy in the Region Should Move On., by Hannah Rae Armstrong (Center for International Policy)

The US War on Terror in West Africa Is a Continuing Disaster, by Nick Turse (Jacobin)

Senegal Just Saved Its Democracy. That Helps All West Africa., by Joseph Sany (United States Institute of Peace)

Could Togo’s New Constitution Jeopardize its Stability?, by Komlan Avoulete (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

Recent Events
The State of Governance and Rule of Law in Uganda, April 3, 10:00am EDT (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Implementing the Global Fragility Act in Sub-Saharan Africa, April 3, 3:00pm EDT (Howard University)

Building Peace and Resilience in West Africa – a Conversation with ECOWAS Vice President Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, April 4, 9:30am (Georgetown University)

Crossroads of Democracy: A Conversation about Senegal’s Current Political Landscape, April 4, 12:00pm EDT (Georgetown University)

Kenya’s and Zambia’s Relations with China 1949-2019, April 5, 10:30am (Georgetown University)

Check out Investigating US-Trained Coup Leaders in Africa (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

April 2, 2024

Upcoming Events
The State of Governance and Rule of Law in Uganda, April 3, 10:00am EDT (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Implementing the Global Fragility Act in Sub-Saharan Africa, April 3, 3:00pm EDT (Howard University)

Building Peace and Resilience in West Africa – a Conversation with ECOWAS Vice President Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, April 4, 9:30am (Georgetown University)

Crossroads of Democracy: A Conversation about Senegal’s Current Political Landscape, April 4, 12:00pm EDT (Georgetown University)

Kenya’s and Zambia’s Relations with China 1949-2019, April 5, 10:30am (Georgetown University)

Leveraging the AfCFTA to Accelerate US Trade and Investment in Africa, April 10, 10:00am EDT (Brookings Institution)

9th Annual AGOA Spring Conference, April 18, 9:00am EDT (AGOA CSO Network)

Africa-U.S. Forum: Africa and Freedom of Expression, April 22, 9:00am EDT (University of Southern California, Capital Campus)

News & Analysis
Top Picks
South Africa’s Strong Relationship with the U.S. Can Withstand Disagreements, by Cyril Ramaphosa (The Washington Post)

America Must Act to Prevent a Rwanda-Congo War, by Evan W. Nachtrieb (Foreign Policy)

Continent At-Large
America’s African Balancing Act, by Scott Firsing (The National Interest)

Crafting US Foreign Policy in Light of Africa’s Geopolitical Importance, by Joshua Meservey (Hudson Institute)

Russia Is Creating Havoc in Africa, by Stavros Atlamazoglou (The National Interest)

US Still Has an Edge over Russia in Africa, Says AFRICOM Commander, by Lenin Ndebele (News24)

Pentagon Ignores Law Calling for Report on How It Trained So Many African Coup Leaders, by Nick Turse (The Intercept)

ISIS Still a Threat but More Active in Asia and Africa, Pentagon Says, by Patty Nieberg (Task & Purpose)

The Trouble With “the Global South”: What the West Gets Wrong About the Rest, by Comfort Ero (Foreign Affairs)

Making Africa a Top Priority for Bretton Woods Institutions, by Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou (Atlantic Council)

How Business Builds Bridges Between the U.S. and Africa (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

USAID Launches the Africa Trade Desk through Prosper Africa (U.S. Agency for International Development)

U.S. Department of State Announces Film, Music, and Television Platforms to Strengthen the U.S.-African Creative Economies (U.S. Department of State)

Central Africa/Sudans
US Eyes April 18 to Potentially Resume Sudan Peace Talks in Jeddah, by Nike Ching (Voice of America)

US Pushes for Sudan Talks, by Mathias Hammer (Semafor)

We Can’t Bear to Think About Sudan and Haiti, So We Don’t, by Andreas Kluth (Bloomberg)

East Africa/Horn
Somali Troops Train Alongside U.S. Forces in Justified Accord Military Exercise, by Jeff Schogol (Task & Purpose)

North Africa
Inside the Plan to Send American Diplomats Back to Libya, by Elizabeth Hagedorn (Al-Monitor)

Southern Africa
Pretoria Walks a Tightrope on US Relations, by Peter Fabricius (Institute for Security Studies)

South Africa’s ‘High-Wire’ Act with the US, by Matt Berg & Eric Bazail-Eimil (Politico)

Wall Street Journal Slams SA as Crucial Bill to Review US Relationship Gains Traction, by Ahmed Areff (News24)

US Pledges Additional $22M to Fight Terrorism in Mozambique, by Charles Mangwiro (Voice of America)

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Announces Partnerships for Peace in Northern Mozambique (U.S. Embassy in Mozambique)

Changing the Status Quo in US-Zimbabwe Relations, by Charles A. Ray & Michael Walsh (Orbis)

A Novel Analysis of the Integrated Country Strategies for Malawi and Zimbabwe, by Michael Walsh (Orbis)

West Africa
US Withdrawal from Niger Signals a Shift in Western Influence in the Sahel, by Abigail Kabandula (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

Procurement by Proxy: How Sahelian Juntas Acquire Equipment from Ousted Security Partners, by Nina Wilén (Egmont Institute)

Statement from President Joe Biden Congratulating Bassirou Diomaye Faye as President-elect of Senegal (The White House)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with President-Elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal (U.S. Department of State)

Democracy Decline in West Africa: A Conversation with Policy Actors – Remarks by Ambassador Palmer (U.S. Embassy in Ghana)

Son of Guinea-Bissau’s Ex-President Jailed in US for Trafficking Drugs to Fund Coup, by Gloria Aradi (BBC News)

Recent Events
What Is the Future of U.S.-Africa Trade Policy?, March 27, 2:00pm EDT (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

Check out Revitalizing US-Africa Relations with Witney Schneidman (Conversations with Gofaone) & Great Power Competition in Africa: Threat Status with Ambassador Johnnie Carson (Washington Times)

March 26, 2024

Upcoming Events
What Is the Future of U.S.-Africa Trade Policy?, March 27, 2:00pm EDT (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

Implementing the Global Fragility Act in Sub-Saharan Africa, April 3, 3:00pm EDT (Howard University)

News & Analysis
Top Picks
The Cost of Paternalism: Sahelian Countries Push Back on the West, by Catherine Nzuki (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

For Sahel Stability, U.S. Needs Broader, Coordinated Policy, by Kris Inman & Matthew Reitman (United States Institute of Peace)

Continent At-Large
U.S. Plans to Build Africa’s Infrastructure Bring Opportunities, Challenges, by Cobus van Staden (United States Institute of Peace)

Why the United States Struggles to Compete With China in Building African Infrastructure: Report, by Barry van Wyk (China Global South Project)

The Sustainability of Developmental Programs by the U.S. and China in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Comparison of Effectiveness, by Mandy Dagold & Mitchel Stimers (SN Social Sciences)

As America’s Stake in Africa Fades, Malign Actors Are Filling the Vacuum Amid a Historic Debt Crisis, by M.J. Koch (New York Sun)

Is China Eyeing a Second Military Base in Africa as the US Struggles to Maintain One in Niger?, by Alex Vines, Armida van Rij, Henry Tugendhat (Chatham House)

African Crossroads: US-China Competition in a Continent’s Evolution, by Momina Saleem Baig (Eurasia Review)

US-Led Security Efforts in Africa Face Torrent of Pro-Russia Propaganda, Report Finds, by John Vandiver (Stars and Stripes)

The Gulf State Rivaling China and the US in Africa, by Neil Munshi (Bloomberg)

AFRICOM Commander Testifies Before Congress (AFRICOM)

Achieving Peace, Sahel States Yet to Learn from Mozambique, by Kester Kenn Klomegah (Eurasia Review)

How ‘Democratic’ U.S. Disregards Humanitarian Values, by CGNT (Chinese State Media) (The Citizen Tanzania)

PEPFAR: Looking Back, Looking Ahead, by Mark Green (Wilson Center)

US Top Treasury Official Stresses America’s Ambitions for Africa’s Metal Resources, by Adekunle Agbetiloye (Business Insider)

Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Bitter Travels to Nigeria and Ethiopia (U.S. Department of State)

U.S. Chamber’s “Advance with Africa” Event Spurs U.S.-Africa Business Opportunities (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Readout of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s US-Africa Policy Working Group Meeting with Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee (Office of Representative Ilhan Omar)

Central Africa/Sudans
Squeezed by African Coups, Biden Cozies up to the World’s Worst Dictator, by Nick Turse (The Intercept)

US, Allies Urge South Sudan to Ensure Genuine Elections (Reuters)

Joint Statement on South Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

US Slammed Over African Discrimination Against Cameroon Separatists, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Power Africa Opens New Office in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo)

East Africa/Horn
Washington’s “One Somalia” Delusion, by J. Peter Pham (The National Interest)

US-China Scramble for Africa: Why Kenya Is at the Centre of Militarisation of the Horn, by Juma Kwayera (Nation Africa)

Atrocity Survivors in Ethiopia Remain Without Justice (Amnesty International)

North Africa
Egypt Is What Happens When the U.S. Gives Up on Democratization, by Shady ElGhazaly Harb (Foreign Policy)

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Egyptian President El-Sisi (U.S. Department of State)

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry (U.S. Department of State)

Southern Africa
South Africa Joins the Anti-U.S. Axis, by the Editorial Board (The Wall Street Journal)

Bill That Calls for Full Review of US Relations with SA Crosses First Hurdle in US Congress, by Peter Fabricius (Daily Maverick)

South Africa Accuses US Congress of Adding it to a New ‘Axis of Evil’ Over Israel Genocide Case, by Anita Powell (Voice of America)

Ramaphosa Responds to Latest Tensions Between South Africa and the United States (BusinessTech)

SA-US Relationship Built on Mutual Respect and Cooperation (South African Government News Agency)

U.S., Seychelles Conduct Bilateral Maritime Security Engagements (U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa)

West Africa
Responding to Security Threats from the Sahel: What Role for External Security Partnerships in Coastal West African States?, by Folashadé Soulé (Megatrends Afrika)

U.S. Searching for a Way to Keep Troops in Niger, by Eric Schmitt (The New York Times)

U.S. Seeks to Keep Troops in Niger After Key Ally Calls Their Presence Illegal, by Rachel Chason, Dan Lamothe, Michael Birnbaum (The Washington Post)

US Forces Not Yet Being Kicked Out of Niger, Top Defense Official Tells Congress, by Corey Dickstein (Stars and Stripes)

Niger’s Decision to End a US Military Pact Raises New Uncertainty, by Alexis Akwagyiram (Semafor)

US Gets ‘Mixed Signals’ from Niger on Future of US Troops, US General Says (Reuters)

US Holds Out Hope for Partnership with Niger, by Jeff Seldin (Voice of America)

Niger Has Cut Military Ties with the US: Why This Is Bad for the Sahel’s Security, by Olayinka Ajala (The Conversation)

America’s Forfeiture of Niger Emerges as Part of a Pattern Stretching All the Way to Australia, by Aleksandra Gadzala Tirziu (New York Sun)

A U.S. Exit from Niger Would Be No Catastrophe, by Daniel R. Depetris (National Review)

US Fears Russia’s Influence in Africa After Niger Junta Cancels Security Pact, by Robert Tait (The Guardian)

Why the Nigerien Junta Wants to Kick US Troops Out, by Alex Thurston (Responsible Statecraft)

Why Niger Declared US Military Presence in its Territory Illegal, by Pavan Kulkarni (Internationalist 360°)

U.S. Accuses Niger of Iran Uranium Deal (Foundation for the Defense of Democracies)

Russia’s Lies Helped Persuade Niger to Eject US Troops, AFRICOM Says, by Patrick Tucker (DefenseOne)

Did Russia, Iran Provoke Niger Walkout from US Military Pact? (Al-Jazeera)

Nigeria Launches $200 Million Global Philanthropy Push in Silicon Valley, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Recent Events
Are South Africa-U.S. Relations at a Turning Point? A Conversation With Naledi Pandor, March 19, 11:00am EDT (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

Sudan’s Vital Humanitarian and Political Situation, March 19, 12:00pm EDT (Georgetown University)

Playing Both Sides or Being Played? Africa in China-U.S. Tech Wars, March 21, 9:00am EDT (Georgetown University)

Africa-U.S. Forum: Africa and the Diaspora, March 25, 9:00am EDT (University of Southern California)

Check out Democratic Renewal in Africa (United States Institute of Peace)

March 19, 2024

Check out Sudan Conflict: US Envoy Tom Perriello Says There’s Political Will to End the War (BBC), Is Niger Giving America the Boot? (The National Security Institute), and Jeremy Garlick on China’s Strategic Advantage in the Global South (The China Global South Podcast)

March 12, 2024

Check out South Africa-US Relations at a Crossroads (New Lines Magazine) & South Sudanese Nationals Face US Illegal Weapon Export Charges (Voice of America)

February 27, 2024

Upcoming Events
Advancing Peaceful and Democratic Transitions in Africa, February 28, 10:00am EST (United States Institute of Peace)

The State of Democracy in Africa, February 29, 9:00am EST (Atlantic Council)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
US Bets on $2.3 Billion African Railway to Help Deliver EV Revolution, by Matthew Hill (Bloomberg)

Continent At-Large
US Increasingly Worried About Kremlin’s Disinfo Operations in Africa, by Joseph Gedeon (Politico)

US-Led Partnership to Develop Atlantic Coast Takes Root in Africa, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Africa’s Coup Calamity: What Happened to Deterrence?, by Claude Lambert (War on the Rocks)

How Will US Move to Pause New LNG Exports Impact Africa?, by Harry Clynch (African Business)

Terrorism a Continuing Threat, Particularly in Africa (Voice of America)

Twenty-Third Cohort of Young African Leaders Receives U.S. Government Support (United States Agency for International Development)

Central Africa/Sudans
Dirty Money Is Destroying Sudan: How America Can Stop Money Launderers From Funding Africa’s Worst Civil War, by John Prendergast (Foreign Affairs)

Online Briefing with Molly Phee, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs; Michael Hammer, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa; and John Godfrey, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

Condemning the Obstruction of Humanitarian Assistance and Closing of Civic Space in Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

Announcement of a Special Envoy for Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

US Names Tom Perriello New Special Envoy to Sudan in Push to End War, by Mawahib Abdallatif (The East African)

The United States Tells Rwanda and Congo They Must ‘Walk Back from the Brink of War’, by Edith M. Lederer (Associated Press)

US Ambassador Meets With Gabon Coup Leader, by Moki Edwin Kindzeka (Voice of America)

It Is Not the End of AGOA for Uganda, Says Ambassador Kakonge, by Isaac Mufumba (Monitor Uganda)

US and Russia Clash at UN Security Council Over Bangui’s Overflight Ban (Africa Intelligence)

East Africa/Horn
Phee’s Folly: Why Is the US Building Bases for a Chinese Ally?, by Michael Rubin (Washington Examiner)

Al-Shabab Reports Cuban Hostages Killed by US Airstrikes, by Harun Maruf (Voice of America)

US Assessing Whether Air Strike Against al-Shabaab in Somalia Killed Two Cuban Doctors Held by Group, by Oren Liebermann & Hamdi Alkhshali (CNN)

AFRICOM Responds to Somali Militants’ Claim that US Strike Killed Civilian Hostages, by John Vandiver (Stars and Stripes)

What the Ethiopia-Somaliland Deal Means for Washington’s Strategy in the Red Sea, by Maxwell Webb (Atlantic Council)

If the State Department Wants to Scuttle the Somaliland-Ethiopia Deal, Recognize Somaliland, by Michael Rubin (AEIdeas)

Ruto’s US State Visit Needs to Navigate America’s Uncertain Political Future, by Declan Galvin (The Kenyan Wall Street)

US-Led Kenya Exercise Represents Novel Mission for Group of Somali Soldiers, by Brian Erickson (Stars and Stripes)

North Africa
AFRICOM Commander Visits Morocco (AFRICOM)

Morocco, ‘Beacon of Security & Cooperation in the Region’ – US AFRICOM Commander (North Africa Post)

Southern Africa
A New Effort to Punish South Africa Is a Terrible Look for Democrats, by Karen Attiah (The Washington Post)

President Ramaphosa Meets with US Congressional Delegation (Presidency of South Africa)

Unveiling a Dictatorship — Angola’s New Security Law, by Paula Cristina Roque & David Boio (Daily Maverick)

West Africa
For Peace in Sahel, African and U.S. Experts Urge Focused Partnership, by Katia Cavigelli & James Rupert (United States Institute of Peace)

U.S. Struggles for Influence in West Africa as Military Juntas Rise, by Rachel Chason & Michael Birnbaum (The Washington Post)

Benin Offers 2,000 Troops to Haiti Force, US Ambassador Says (Reuters)

Recent Events
China in the Global South: Development and Influence in a Shifting Global Order, February 21, 9:00am EST (Atlantic Council)

Peace, Security and Prosperity in the Sahel, February 21, 9:30am EST (United States Institute of Peace)

Africa-U.S. Forum: African Agency and Global Powers, February 26, 9:00am EST (University of Southern California)

Security in the Horn of Africa: A Discussion with Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister, February 26, 9:00am EST (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Check out Thomas Sheehy on U.S. Investment in Africa’s Critical Minerals Infrastructure (United States Institute of Peace) & Russian Disinformation Targets US and Western Allies (Voice of America)

February 20, 2024

Upcoming Events
Peace, Security and Prosperity in the Sahel, February 21, 9:30am EST (United States Institute of Peace)

Africa-U.S. Forum: African Agency and Global Powers, February 26, 9:00am EST (University of Southern California)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
US Government’s $300 Million for West Africa — How to Make it Count, by Will Meeker & Patrick Quirk (Just Security)

Continent At-Large
Trust Deficit: Historical Obstacles Hamper U.S. Relations in Africa, by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Assisting Africa’s Security and Development Needs Does Not Have to Be a Football Match, by Andrey Kortunov (Modern Diplomacy)

Strategic Minerals Geopolitics in Africa: Unraveling Great Power Competition, by Ayesha Abrar (Modern Diplomacy)

The United States Deeply Committed to Africa Trade, by Julie LeBlanc (B&FT Online)

Central Africa/Sudans
Rwanda Rejects US Calls for Withdrawal of Missiles and Troops from Eastern Congo, by Rodney Muhumuza (Associated Press)

Escalation of Hostilities in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (U.S. Department of State)

McCaul, Meeks Statement on Conflict in Eastern DRC (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

What Next for Equatorial Guinea After Oil?, by Ken Opalo (An Africanist Perspective)

East Africa/Horn
United States Lacks Strategic Clarity on the Horn of Africa, by Michelle Gavin (Council on Foreign Relations)

US to Build 5 New Military Bases for Somali Army, Which Faces a Rebellion by an Extremist Group, by Omar Faruk (Associated Press)

Somali, U.S. Forces Engage Insurgents in Support of the Federal Government of Somalia (AFRICOM)

Assistant Secretary Phee’s Travel to Somalia (U.S. Department of State)

Biden to Welcome Kenyan President to the White House in May (Associated Press)

Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the State Visit of President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto of Kenya (The White House)

Recognize Somaliland as an Independent Nation, by Eliot Wilson (The Hill)

North Africa
US Envoy to Visit Egypt, Israel for Hostage Talks, Official Says (Reuters)

U.S. – Tunisian Leaders Meet to Foster Bilateral Security Cooperation (U.S. Embassy in Tunisia)

Southern Africa
US Lawmakers Warn South Africa Over Hamas Ties, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

SA in US Headlights with Foreign Policy, by Steven Gruzd (South African Jewish Report)

Could the US and Other States Be Implicated in South Africa’s Genocide Case Against Israel?, by Celeste Kmiotek (Atlantic Council)

The Lobito Corridor: Building Africa’s Most Important Railway, by Ellington Arnold (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

U.S. Navy Leaders Visit Madagascar for Women, Peace and Security, Bilateral Engagements (U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa)

West Africa
West Africa Continues Slide Toward Instability, by Alex Thurston (Responsible Statecraft)

As Senate Considers New Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Human Rights Focus Would Strengthen US Policy, by Ousmane Diallo & Kate Hixon (Just Security)

On Senegal’s Constitutional Court Decision (U.S. Department of State)

US Urges Senegalese President Sall to Restore Senegal’s Electoral Calendar (Reuters)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Senegalese President Sall (U.S. Department of State)

Sacked Twitter Staff in Ghana Finally Get Pay-Off, by Nkechi Ogbonna (BBC)

Recent Events
Senegal’s Suspended Elections, Coups, and Jihadi Militancy in West Africa, February 13, 10:00am EST (Brookings Institution)

The Future of Freedom in Nigeria, February 14, 2:00pm EST (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

Check out The Problem With US Security Assistance to Africa (American Prestige)

February 13, 2024

Africa Year in Review: A Look at US-Africa Relations in 2024, February 8, 10:00am EST (Wilson Center)

February 6, 2024

Upcoming Events
Africa Year in Review: A Look at US-Africa Relations in 2024, February 8, 10:00am EST (Wilson Center)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
Africa: Year in Review 2023 (Wilson Center)

Continent At-Large
US Touts Alternatives to Russia’s Wagner for Security in Africa, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

What Trump’s Reelection Could Mean for Africa, by Martina Schwikowski (DW)

Africa Should Beware the Second Coming of Trump’s Terrifying World, by David Monyae (Sunday Times)

Blinken’s Visit to Africa – Is U.S. Counterterrorism Counterproductive?, by Promise Eze (allAfrica)

Blinken Trip to Africa – America’s Impotence in the Post-Hegemonic World, by Daniel Volman (African Security Research Project)

Upcoming Digital Press Briefing on the 2024 Investing in Africa Mining Indaba Conference (U.S. Department of State)

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on the Power of Democracy and the Future of Peacekeeping After the AU Financing Security Council Resolution (United States Mission to the United Nations)

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s Interview with Haydé Adams of VOA’s Straight Talk Africa (United States Mission to the United Nations)

EPA Administrator Regan Wraps up Successful Mission to Africa, Reaffirms Commitment to Partnerships in Mozambique and Ghana (Environmental Protection Agency)

Central Africa/Sudans
US to Appoint Tom Perriello as Special Envoy to Sudan, by Colum Lynch (Devex)

US Imposes Sanctions on Three Sudanese Companies Tied to the Warring Parties, by Jack Jeffery (Associated Press)

US Offers Reward for Escaped Sudan Official Wanted on Darfur (Agence France Presse)

State Department Declares “Ethnic Cleansing” in Sudan But Won’t Say the Same about Israel’s War in Gaza, by Ryan Grim & Nick Turse (The Intercept)

CAR: Russia’s Wagner and US Security Firms in Tussle for Muscle, by Mathieu Olivier & Vincent Duhem (The Africa Report)

Congo Can’t Thrive Without Dismantling its Kleptocracy, by Damon Wilson (The Hill)

East Africa/Horn
Kenya’s Mudavadi Talks Trade with Blinken, with Eye on Haiti, by Luke Anami (The East African)

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Mudavadi (U.S. Department of State)

Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi Before Their Meeting (U.S. Department of State)

Inside Duale’s Strategic Four Day Mission in the US, by Cyrus Ombati (The Star)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with former Kenyan President Kenyatta (U.S. Department of State)

US Donates $1.3M in Military Equipment to Kenya, by Joe Saballa (The Defense Post)

USAFRICOM’s Ambassador Scott Visits Tanzania to Meet Leaders, Talk Maritime Security (AFRICOM)

Does Ethiopia Face a Western Backlash as a Result of Joining BRICS?, by David Whitehouse (The Africa Report)

The US Refuses to Even Apologize for Killing Civilians, by Nick Turse (Jacobin)

North Africa
Blinken to Meet Egypt’s Sisi on Gaza Hostage Deal, by Humeyra Pamuk (Reuters)

Southern Africa
U.S. Special Operations Command Africa Partners with International and Malawian Forces to Support U.N. Operations in Africa (U.S. Army)

Under Secretary Fernandez’s Travel to South Africa (U.S. Department of State)

West Africa
Liberia Shows a Path Toward Democracy in West Africa, by Matthew Reitman & Katie Todd (United States Institute of Peace)

Liberia’s New President Is Doing the Right Thing. Washington Should Help Him., by Michael Rubin (AEIdeas)

Recent Events
Frontline Civilian Response in Sudan, January 31, 2:00pm EST (United States Institute of Peace)

The Future of Peacekeeping and the Increasing Role of Private Military Companies in Africa, January 31, 2:00pm EST (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

Check out Joseph Sany on Secretary Blinken’s Africa Tour (United States Institute of Peace) and Is the US Gambling with Africa? (World of Africa)

January 30, 2024

January 23, 2024

January 9, 2024

News & Analysis
Top Pick
Congo’s President Has Been Re-Elected. His Climate Policy Will Have Global Significance., by Alexandra Wexler (The Wall Street Journal)

Continent At-Large
US State Department: Who’s Who in Molly Phee’s Africa Team, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

African Migration to the U.S. Soars as Europe Cracks Down, by Miriam Jordan (The New York Times)

Asylum Seekers Faced Severe Abuse in ICE Detention Under Trump, Suit Says, by Osei Owusu Amankwaah & Justin Wm. Moyer (The Washington Post)

The Signal in the Noise: The 2023 Threats and Those on the Horizon, by Austin Doctor (Lawfare)

Central Africa/Sudans
How Many More Must Suffer in DRC Before the West Stops Enabling Tshisekedi?, by Vava Tampa (The Guardian)

US Expresses Concern After Burundi President Says Gay People Should Be Stoned (Reuters)

US Slams Burundi’s President Over ‘Public Stoning of Gay Couples’ Comment (Radio France Internationale)

On the Human Rights Situation in Burundi (U.S. Department of State)

CAR in Talks with US Security Firm as West Eyes Wagner’s Ground in Africa, by Melissa Chemam (Radio France Internationale)

Between Wagner and Bancroft, Touadéra’s Tricky Security Situation (Africa Intelligence)

Religious Freedom, Along with Everything Else, Is Unraveling in Sudan, by Kelsey Zorzi (The Hill)

East Africa/Horn
U.S. Should Endorse Somaliland’s Independence, by Michael Rubin (Middle East Forum)

Kenya-US Trade Talks to Resume in February, by Luke Anami (Business Daily)

North Africa
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Algerian Foreign Minister Attaf (U.S. Department of State)

Southern Africa
US Condemns South Africa’s ‘Meritless’ Genocide Case Against Israel (Agence France Presse)

U.S. Rejects ‘Meritless’ South Africa ICJ Case Against Israel (Foundation for the Defense of Democracies)

Zimbabwe as a Growth Hub for Southern Africa, by Michael Walsh & Charles A. Ray (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

Brainstorming Diplomatic Options for Advancing U.S. National Security and Foreign Policy Interests in Zimbabwe, by Michael Walsh (The Democracy-Security Paradox)

West Africa
U.S. Seeks Drone Bases in Coastal West Africa to Stem Islamist Advance, by Michael M. Phillips (The Wall Street Journal)

After Niger Coup, U.S. Scrambles to Keep a Vital Air Base, by Elian Peltier & Eric Schmitt (The New York Times)

Biden Administration Responds to the Collapse of U.S. Counterterrorism Strategy in Niger, by Daniel Volman (allAfrica)

U.S. Security Strategy in West Africa (World Politics Review)

Scramble for the Sahel – Why France, Russia, China and the United States Are Interested in the Region, by Olayinka Ajala (The Conversation)

January 1st, 2024

News & Analysis
Top Pick
Congress Deems Africa Staffing Shortages a National Security Issue, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Continent At-Large
Why Biden Didn’t Visit Africa in 2023, by Yinka Adegoke (Semafor)

State Department’s Africa Bureau Undermines Efforts to Counter Houthis, by Michael Rubin (AEIdeas)

Biden’s Energy Plan Means Lights Out for Africa, by Mario Díaz-Balart & Michael McCaul (New York Post)

Enough Space for Everyone? US, China Target Africa, by Kate Bartlett (Voice of America)

China Shows the US How to Woo Africa, by Emmanuel Matambo & David Monyae (TimesLive)

Clashing Geopolitical Railways: China’s Belt And Road Initiative And US Effort To Redefine African Infrastructure, by Syed Raiyan Amir (Eurasia Review)

Russia’s Growing Footprint in Africa, by Mariel Ferragamo (Council on Foreign Relations)

UK Forces Have Taken Part in US AFRICOM Operations for Decades: Report (Al Mayadeen)

Meet Kendra Gaither, New Africa Head at Key US Lobbying Group, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

547 New Deals Valued at $14.2 Billion in U.S.-Africa Trade and Investment (Modern Diplomacy)

Central Africa/Sudans
Washington Tries to Correct Course on Sudan’s Civil War, by Robbie Gramer (Foreign Policy)

A Tragedy of Disregard, by Michelle Gavin (Council on Foreign Relations)

US Lawmakers Blame Abu Dhabi Over Sudan War, by Aggrey Mutambo (The East African)

Cardin, Risch Announce Joint, Bipartisan Congressional Resolution Calling for a Special Envoy to Sudan (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

US Renews Call for DR Congo Transparency as Voting Extended (Agence France Presse)

US Turns Tables on Putin in Africa PMC Powerplay, by Brendan Cole (Newsweek)

East Africa/Horn
Somalia Says U.S. Drone Strike Killed Mastermind of Attack on Americans, by Katharine Houreld (The Washington Post)

Strike in Somalia Said to Kill Mastermind of Attacks on Americans and Kenyans, by Abdi Latif Dahir & Eric Schmitt (The New York Times)

US-Somali Operation Kills a Top Al-Shabab Commander, by Harun Maruf (Voice of America)

Joint Letter to Secretary Austin Urging Pentagon to Make Amends for Civilian Harm in Somalia (Human Rights Watch)

As 2023 Comes to a Close, US-Tanzania Ties Are Stronger Than Ever, by Michael Battle (The Citizen)

MCC Returns to Tanzania After 7-Year Absence, by Apolinari Tairo (The East African)

Ethiopia in Troubled Waters, by Michelle Gavin (Council on Foreign Relations)

USAID Announces Funding to Respond to Catastrophic Floods in Kenya (U.S. Agency for International Development)

North Africa
What Does Biden’s ‘Mr Sahara’ Want?, by Fadwa Islah (The Africa Report)

U.S. Maintains Unchanged Stance on the Moroccan Sahara: Denial of Allegations and Highlighting Geopolitical Tensions with Iran (North Africa Post)

Southern Africa
South Africa in the Emerging World Order, by Christopher S. Chivvis, Zainab Usman, Beatrix Geaghan-Breiner (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

West Africa
How Western Powers are Failing West Africa – and Why the Future is Grim, by Pablo Molina Asensi (The International Affairs Review)

Constitutional Referendum in Chad (U.S. Department of State)

Recent Events
After the Coup d’état, What Comes Next? A Conversation With Niger’s Prime Minister, December 19, 2:00pm EST (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Check out Between China and the U.S., Africa Doesn’t Want to Choose (China Global South Project)

December 11th, 2023

Upcoming Events
AfriNEXT: A Celebration of African Creativity and Innovation, December 12, 9:00am EST (Atlantic Council)

Beyond the SCIF: A Conversation with Reps. Austin Scott and Jimmy Panetta on Great-Power Competition in Africa, December 12, 12:00pm EST (American Enterprise Institute)

Rewiring the U.S.-Africa Tech Landscape: An Annual Review of the Digital Transformation With Africa Initiative, December 12, 2:00pm EST (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

Assessing the DRC’s High-Stakes Presidential Elections Amid Uncertainty, December 18, 10:00am EST (Brookings Institution)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
The Crisis of African Democracy: Coups Are a Symptom—Not the Cause—of Political Dysfunction, by Comfort Ero & Murithi Mutiga (Foreign Affairs)

Continent At-Large
If the U.S. Really Wants to Compete With China in Africa, Then It Needs to Keep Its Promises, by Eric Olander (China Global South Project)

America Is Failing Africa by Not Taking COP28 Seriously, by Adboulie Ceesay (Euronews)

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Unveils White Paper on Empowering African Smallholder Farmers (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Defeating Terrorist Groups in Africa Is Focus of Conference Hosted by US Special Operators, by John Vandiver (Stars and Stripes)

Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President pro tempore of the Senate regarding the War Powers Report (The White House)

U.S. Space Force Activates New Unit to Support Operations in Europe and Africa, by Sandra Erwin (SpaceNews)

Central Africa/Sudans
War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity, and Ethnic Cleansing Determination in Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

US Declares Warring Parties in Sudan Committed War Crimes, by Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk, Nafisa Eltahir (Reuters)

Sudan: Action is Key After US Atrocity Determination (Human Rights Watch)

Welcoming the Outcomes of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s Extraordinary Summit Toward Ending the Conflict in Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

US-Uganda: Museveni Dispatches Son-in-Law to Salvage AGOA Duty-Free Benefits, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Ceasefire Agreed in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Conflict, US Says (Reuters)

East Africa/Horn
Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Hammer Travels to Djibouti, Qatar, and Ethiopia (U.S. Department of State)

North Africa
Attack in Western Sahara Complicates US Regional Strategy, by Michael Walsh (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

Duelling Western Sahara Commentaries Expose Washington Media Swamp Things, by Mike Walsh (Mail & Guardian)

Southern Africa
The U.S. Strategic Bet on Angola Pays Off—and Vice Versa, by J. Peter Pham (The National Interest)

De-Risking, The Lobito Corridor, and the United States’ Approach to African Development, by Aaron Dorshow (Georgetown Security Studies Review)

US Makes US $2 Billion Commitment to Angola as Oil-Rich Nation Eyes Move Beyond Chinese Funding Model, by Jevans Nyabiage (South China Morning Post)

US Makes US $2 Billion Commitment to Angola (Modern Diplomacy)

China-Angola Meeting As Luanda Navigates Great Power Competition, by Cobus van Staden (China Global South Project)

Visa Restriction Policy for Undermining Democracy in Zimbabwe (U.S. Department of State)

West Africa
Western Failures, Military Coups, and Kremlin Gains Undermine US Geostrategic and Counterterrorism Interests in the Sahel, by Liam Karr (Critical Threats Project)

DOD Seeks to Quell Violent Extremism in Africa’s Sahel Region, by David Vergun (U.S. Department of Defense)

US and Niger Security Relations: Pragmatic?, by Joseph Balodis (Grey Dynamics)

Assistant Secretary Phee’s Travel to Nigeria (U.S. Department of State)

Recent Events
The Sahel in Crisis: Examining U.S. Policy Options, December 5, 2:00pm EST (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

December 4th, 2023

Upcoming Events
AfriNEXT: A Celebration of African Creativity and Innovation, December 12, 9:00am EST (Atlantic Council)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
Biden Hosts Angola’s President, Seeking to Strengthen Africa Ties, by Erica L. Green (The New York Times)

Continent At-Large
Biden’s Unfilled Vow to Visit Africa Renews Fears of Neglect, by Akayla Gardner (Bloomberg)

For Peace in the Sahel, Can the U.S. Work with Algeria?, by Thomas M. Hill (United States Institute of Peace)

How Renewing a Bush Era Program for Africa Will Help Us Fend off Russia and China, Boost National Security, by David Bernstein (Fox News)

AGOA Must Be Extended to Boost US-Africa Trade Relationships, by David Luke (The Standard)

AGOA Isn’t the Political Leverage Washington Thinks It Is, by Ovigwe Eguegu (Ventures Africa)

Joint Statement on the United States and Africa CDC’s New Joint Action Plan (U.S. Department of State)

Central Africa/Sudans
Discourse Check: How China Frames Its Involvement in DRC Mining, by Cobus van Staden (China Global South Project)

Designation of Individuals Linked to the Conflict in Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Three Sudanese Figures with Ties to Former Leader Omar al-Bashir, by Jack Jeffery (Associated Press)

Taking Steps to Impose Visa Restrictions for Undermining Democracy and for Repression in Uganda U.S. Department of State)

East Africa/Horn
The Kosovo Conditions And The Case For American Unilateral Recognition Of Somaliland, by Oliver McPherson-Smith & Jendayi Frazer (Hoover Institution)

AFRICOM, Djibouti Leaders Continue to Strengthen Ties (DVIDS)

North Africa
Western Sahara: Does Biden Fully Understand the Polisario Front?, by Michael Walsh (The Democracy-Security Paradox)

Southern Africa
Biden Hosts the Angolan President in an Effort to Showcase Strengthened Ties as Africa Visit Slips, by Zeke Miller & Aamer Madhani (Associated Press)

Biden Hosts Angola’s Leader for Talks of Rail Corridor, Energy Security, by Anita Powell (Voice of America)

Biden’s Plans to Counter China Run Through Angola, by Morgan Chalfant (Semafor)

A Chinese Perspective on the Proposed U.S.-Backed Lobito Corridor in Angola, by Eric Olander (China Global South Project)

Angolan President’s Oval Office Meeting a Win for His Lobbyists, by Caitlin Oprysko (Politico)

Biden Plots Trip to Angola as Promise of Africa Trip Lingers, by Trevor Hunnicutt (Reuters)

Is White House Re-Framing Shared Values Ahead of Angola Visit?, by Michael Walsh (allAfrica)

Angola: Biden-Lourenço Meeting Paves Way for Unprecedented Collaborations Between U.S., Angola, by Pearl Matibe (Premium Times)

United States and Angola Forge Closer Ties, with a Focus on Defence Cooperation, by Pearl Matibe (defenceWeb)

Readout of Meeting Between President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola (The White House)

FACT SHEET: The U.S. – Angola Partnership (The White House)

Presidential Elections in Madagascar (U.S. Department of State)

West Africa
US Self-Destruction and France’s Self-Effacement in Africa: The Challenge of the Sahel for Tinubuplomacy+, by Bola A. Akinterinwa (This Day Nigeria)

Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Sison’s Travel to Ghana (U.S. Department of State)

Recent Events
U.S. Policy Toward Africa: Formulation, Implementation, Future, November 29, 5:30pm EST (Howard University)

Ethiopia: Promise or Perils, The State of U.S. Policy, November 30, 10:00am EST (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

Book Event: The Lumumba Plot: The Secret History of the CIA and a Cold War Assassination, December 1, 1:00pm EST (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Africa’s Future: Technology, Innovation, and the Digital Economy, December 4, 9:00am EST (University of Southern California)

November 28, 2023

Upcoming Events
U.S. Policy Toward Africa: Formulation, Implementation, Future, November 29, 5:30pm EST (Howard University)

Ethiopia: Promise or Perils, The State of U.S. Policy, November 30, 10:00am EST (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

Book Event: The Lumumba Plot: The Secret History of the CIA and a Cold War Assassination, December 1, 1:00pm EST (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Africa’s Future: Technology, Innovation, and the Digital Economy, December 4, 9:00am EST (University of Southern California)

AfriNEXT: A Celebration of African Creativity and Innovation, December 12, 9:00am EST (Atlantic Council)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
Will Chad be the Next Western Ally in Africa to Fall? (The Economist)

Continent At-Large
Military Leaders Convene in Naples for AFRICOM Strategic Alignment Conference (AFRICOM)

United States Congress Should Consider Extending AGOA Rules of Origin to Oman, by Michael Walsh (The Democracy-Security Paradox)

U.S. and African Development Bank Collaborate to Accelerate Africa’s Digital Transformation (African Development Bank)

Central Africa/Sudans
Battle for Influence Rages in Heart of Wagner’s Operations in Africa, by Elian Peltier (The New York Times)

Readout of Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines’s Travel to Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda (The White House)

US Intelligence Director Met Kagame, Tshisekedi in Renewed Bid to Forge Peace, by Lenin Ndebele (News24)

US Pressure on Kigali, Kinshasa to Make Peace Is Starting to Pay Off, by Patrick Ilunga (The East African)

East Africa/Horn
The United States Joins Kenya for Second Cyber and Digital Dialogue in Nairobi (U.S. Department of State)

North Africa
The Risk of Politicization of AGOA’s Expanded Rules of Origin for North African Countries, by Michael Walsh (The Democracy-Security Paradox)

Southern Africa
Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the Visit of President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola (The White House)

Angolan President to Visit Washington This Week For Lobito Corridor Talks, by Cobus van Staden (China Global South Project)

New Opportunities to Deepen US Trade and Investment in Namibia Open Up, by Niël Terblanché (Windhoek Observer)

West Africa
Statement from President Joe Biden Congratulating Joseph Boakai as President-elect of Liberia (The White House)

Does the United States Fund a Cheetah Mating Program in West Africa Because of … Terrorism?, by Ben Mathis-Lilley (Slate)

November 21, 2023

Upcoming Events
U.S. Policy Toward Africa: Formulation, Implementation, Future, November 29, 5:30pm EST (Howard University)

AfriNEXT: A Celebration of African Creativity and Innovation, December 12, 9:00am EST (Atlantic Council)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
The West Should Give Up the Battle of Narratives, by Julien Barnes-Dacey & Jeremy Shapiro (Foreign Policy)

Continent At-Large
In Africa, the Legacy of the US War on Terror Is Death and Chaos, by Nick Turse (Jacobin)

The State Department Promotes China and Hamas in Africa, by Michael Rubin (Washington Examiner)

There Is a New Scramble for Africa, by Jonathan Rosenthal (The Economist)

In Africa, Trump Saw ‘Huts.’ Biden Sees Opportunity to Curb President Xi’s Growing Influence, by Michael Collins (USA Today)

Africa Is No Longer the World’s Mineral Chessboard, by Luc Woodall Gillard (International Policy Digest)

For 20 Years, This AIDS Relief Plan Enjoyed Broad US Support. What Changed?, by Eden Harris (Al Jazeera)

The Missing History Of Africa In American Education, by Daina Ramey Berry (Forbes)

Joint Statement on the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS Africa Focus Group Meeting (U.S. Department of State)

Central Africa/Sudans
U.S. Lawmakers Weigh Sanctions, Criminal Charges Against Chinese Companies Over Child Cobalt Mining in DR Congo, by Eric Olander (China Global South Project)

Western Backlash to Uganda’s Anti-Gay Law Starts to Bite, by Musinguzi Blanshe (The Africa Report)

Risch, McCaul: Biden Admin Must Change Sudan Strategy (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

East Africa/Horn
U.S. Resumes Assistance to Ethiopia After Intense Negotiations Over Corruption in Aid Program, by Katharine Houreld (The Washington Post)

Risch on USAID’s Decision to Resume Food Assistance to Ethiopia (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy (U.S. Department of State)

The Americans Who Got Away with Murder in Somalia, by Nick Turse (Mail & Guardian)

How Uganda AGOA Ban Will Impact East Africa, by Luke Anami & Kabona Esiara (The East African)

North Africa
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Foreign Minister Shoukry of Egypt (U.S. Department of State)

Southern Africa
The Contested Eligibility of South Africa for AGOA Benefits, by Michael Walsh (Wilson Center)

AGOA Is a Game-Changer for South African Agriculture, by Sakhumzi May (IOL)

Why Working With South Africa is Important, But Complicated for Both the U.S. and China, by Cobus van Staden (China Global South Project)

West Africa
Will Ghana Warm Up to US Nuclear Energy Project Proposal?, by Jonas Nyabor (The Africa Report)

Liberian Presidential Elections (U.S. Department of State)

Recent Events
From Cobalt to Cars: How China Exploits Child and Forced Labor in the Congo, November 14, 10:00am (Congressional Executive Commission on China)

China’s Space Collaboration with Africa, November 14, 1:30pm EST (United States Institute of Peace)

Mobilizing Private Investment in International Infrastructure, November 16, 1:30pm EST (Wilson Center)

Check out Africa is at the Center of U.S.-China Competition for Critical Resources (The China in Africa Podcast, China Global South Project)

November 14, 2023

Upcoming Events
From Cobalt to Cars: How China Exploits Child and Forced Labor in the Congo, November 14, 10:00am (Congressional Executive Commission on China)

China’s Space Collaboration with Africa, November 14, 1:30pm EST (United States Institute of Peace)

Mobilizing Private Investment in International Infrastructure, November 16, 1:30pm EST (Wilson Center)

AfriNEXT: A Celebration of African Creativity and Innovation, December 12, 9:00am EST (Atlantic Council)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
Africans See Hypocrisy in US Policy on Israel in Gaza, by Alex Thurston (Responsible Statecraft)

Continent At-Large
All Agree AGOA Should Be Renewed – but How?, by Peter Fabricius (Institute of Security Studies)

The Role of AGOA in Accelerating Africa’s Digital Transformation, by Daniel F. Runde & Thomas Bryja (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Africa-US Trade: AGOA Deal Expires in 2025 – an Expert Unpacks What It’s Achieved in 23 Years, by David Luke (The Conversation)

Prosper Africa Coordinates 17 US Agencies to Help Boost Africa’s Low Participation in AGOA, by Peter Fabricius (Daily Maverick)

AGOA Must Be Reflective of Modern Africa, Not Used for Geopolitics, by Haydé Adams (Voice of America)

US Treasury’s Adeyemo Hopes Congress Will Extend US-Africa Program, by Andrea Shalal (Reuters)

Upgrading US-Africa Investment Policy And Trade Partnership, by Kester Kenn Klomegah (Eurasia Review)

China Is Winning Africa’s “White-Gold” Rush for Lithium (The Economist)

Central Africa/Sudans
US Pushes, Again, for Revived Rwanda-DRC Talks, as SADC Force Prepares to Enter the Fray, by Lenin Ndebele (News 24)

Chairman McCaul, Senator Coons Call for Free and Fair Elections in DRC (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

Cardin, McCaul, Meeks, Risch Statement on Attacks on Civilians in Darfur (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

East Africa/Horn
Secret Pentagon Investigation Found No One at Fault in Drone Strike That Killed Woman and 4-Year-Old, by Nick Turse (The Intercept)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary/ Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Mudavadi (U.S. Embassy in Kenya)

CJTF-HOA Works with U.S. Embassy in Tanzania to Maintain Regional Readiness, by Douglas Lorance (DVIDS)

North Africa
Assistant Secretary Robinson’s Travel to Morocco and Algeria (U.S. Department of State)

Southern Africa
South Africa Urges US to Hasten Trade Pact with Two-Step Renewal (Bloomberg)

AGOA Is an Opportunity to Deepen Ties Between the US and SA, by Reuben Brigety (Financial Mail)

South Africa: Key Opposition Party Lobbies for US Support to Dethrone ANC in 2024, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Ambassador, Former Elliott Dean Talks US-South Africa Economic Relations, by Juliet Lancey (The GW Hatchet)

10 Years On, Mandela’s Model Can Build Peace in a Despairing World, by Johnnie Carson (United States Institute of Peace)

The Lobito Corridor: Washington’s Answer to Belt and Road in Africa, by Alex Stonor (Geopolitical Monitor)

West Africa
Niger Coup Raises Questions About U.S. Sahel Strategy, by Ned Rauch-Mannino (The Heritage Foundation)

The Collapse of Western Influence in West Africa Points to Wider Problems, by Nina Wilén & Jack Watling (Royal United Services Institute)

US Launches Democratic Transition Scheme for Africa After Consecutive Coups, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Announcement on ADAPT initiative in Guinea (U.S. Department of State)

First US-African Nuclear Summit Concludes in Ghana (Nuclear Engineering)

Recent Events
Toward Greater Synergy Between International and Domestic Election Observation, November 7, 10:30am EST (Wilson Center)

Africa in Focus: Shaping US-Africa Policy for the Future, November 7, 3:30pm EST (Georgetown University)

Symposium for Sustainable Peace and Security in West Africa, November 9, 9:00am EST (New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy)

Pivotal States: Where Does the U.S.-South Africa Strategic Partnership Go From Here?, November 9, 2:00pm EST (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

Religious Freedom in the Sahel Region of Africa, November 9, 3:30pm (United States Commission on International Religious Freedom)

Confronting Disinformation in Central Africa, November 13, 1:00pm EST (United States Institute of Peace)

November 7, 2023

Upcoming Events
Toward Greater Synergy Between International and Domestic Election Observation, November 7, 10:30am EST (Wilson Center)

Africa in Focus: Shaping US-Africa Policy for the Future, November 7, 3:30pm EST (Georgetown University)

Symposium for Sustainable Peace and Security in West Africa, November 9, 9:00am EST (New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy)

Pivotal States: Where Does the U.S.-South Africa Strategic Partnership Go From Here?, November 9, 2:00pm EST (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

Confronting Disinformation in Central Africa, November 13, 1:00pm EST (United States Institute of Peace)

China’s Space Collaboration with Africa, November 14, 1:30pm EST (United States Institute of Peace)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
AGOA: Road to Reauthorization Collection (Wilson Center)

Continent At-Large
The U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), by Nellie Peyton (Reuters)

U.S. Faces Tricky Questions With African Trade Group, by John Eligon & Lynsey Chutel (The New York Times)

How African Apparel Industry’s Future Depends on U.S. Congress, by Joe Bavier & Duncan Miriri (Reuters)

US Officials, Lawmakers Express Support for Extension of Africa Trade Program, by Mogomotsi Magome (Associated Press)

US-Africa Program Should Be Extended Through 2041, Senate Democrat Says, by Makini Brice (Reuters)

McCaul, Meeks Support Reauthorization of AGOA (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

Africa – US Trade Programme Needs at Least 10-Year Extension, AU Says, by Joe Bavier (Reuters)

Biden Wants to Improve U.S. – Africa Trade Programme, Not Just Renew It – Blinken, by Joe Bavier, Nellie Peyton, Bhargav Acharya (Reuters)

U.S. – Africa Trade Program Must Be More Than ‘Symbolic,’ U.S. Trade Chief Says, by Joe Bavier (Reuters)

US Congress Members Bail on AGOA to Avoid Government Shutdown at Home, by Paddy Harper (Mail & Guardian)

An Early Extension of AGOA Deal Is Unlikely Thanks to US Politics, Says Expert, by Siphelele Dludla & Helmo Preuss (IOL)

Can African Leaders Extend the US-Africa Trade Program?, by Mimi Mefo Takambou (DW)

AGOA Forum: Has the US Trade Pact Helped Africa?, by Jewel Kiriungi (BBC)

Beyond 2025: The AGOA Summit’s Bid For Extended Economic Ties On The Continent, by Yeshiel Panchia (Forbes)

AGOA: US Vows to Support Regional Integration, by Peter Dube (The East African)

Biden Tests Diplomacy in Shifting Trade Ties with African Nations, by Gerren Keith Gaynor (The Grio)

US Trade Envoy Tai Talks Trade Policy in Africa as Summit Ends, by Kate Bartlett (Voice of America)

Digital Press Briefing with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves on the Outcomes of the AGOA Forum 2023 (U.S. Department of State)

Remarks by Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves at the Africa Growth and Opportunity Forum (AGOA) Private Sector Forum (U.S. Department of Commerce)

Secretary Antony J. Blinken Video Remarks to the AGOA Forum (U.S. Department of State)

U.S. Delegation Joins 20th AGOA Forum (U.S. Department of State)

Senator Coons Releases Draft of AGOA Reauthorization Act to Deepen U.S.- Africa Economic Relationship (Office of U.S. Senator Chris Coons)

US Eyes Africa’s Industrialisation to Grow Superpower’s Might, by Sarah Smit (Mail & Guardian)

US Takes Up China’s Infrastructure Mantle in Africa, by Kate Bartlett (Voice of America)

US Launches Investment Network to Engage Private Sector in Africa Minerals Strategy, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

US Export-Import Bank Pushes Africa Renewables, by Adelaide Changole & Paul Burkhardt (Bloomberg)

Will U.S. Abortion Wars End a Successful Foreign Policy in Africa?, by Nosmot Gbadamosi (Foreign Policy)

9th Annual U.S.-AUC High-Level Dialogue Joint Statement (U.S. Department of State)

Secretary Antony J. Blinken And African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat Before Their Meeting (U.S. Department of State)

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with African Union Commission Chairperson Faki (U.S. Department of State)

Biden Expected to Skip COP Climate Summit, Trip to Africa, by Jonathan Lemire (Politico)

Space Force Sets Date to Activate Its Europe and Africa Component in December, by Chris Gordon (Air & Space Forces Magazine)

How Africa Can Make the Most of Diaspora Finance, by Tsitsi Masiyiwa (Project Syndicate)

Central Africa/Sudans
Biden’s AGOA Decision Will Hurt Ugandan Exporters, by Martin K.N Siele (Semafor)

Uganda’s Museveni Defiant Over Removal from US Trade Pact (Agence France Presse)

Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni Hits Back Over Expulsion from US-Africa Trade Pact AGOA, by Wedaeli Chibelushi (BBC)

Secretary Blinken’s Calls with Democratic Republic of the Congo President Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Kagame (U.S. Department of State)

East Africa/Horn
Facebook’s Algorithms ‘Supercharged’ Hate Speech in Ethiopia’s Tigray Conflict, by Kalkidan Yibeltal & Wycliffe Muia (BBC)

1st Anniversary of Ethiopia’s Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (U.S. Department of State)

North Africa
Putin’s Move to Secure Libya Bases Is New Regional Worry for US (Bloomberg)

U.S. to Restore Mauritania’s AGOA Trade Preferences After Worker Rights Progress, by David Lawder (Reuters)

Egyptian Dissidents Are the Collateral Damage of U.S. Support for Israel, by Abdelrahman ElGendy (Foreign Policy)

Secretary Antony J. Blinken, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi At a Joint Press Availability (U.S. Department of State)

U.S. – Morocco Africa Working Group (U.S. Department of State)

Southern Africa
SA Likely to Secure Trade Status Extension with US, Say Officials – but for How Much Longer?, by Ferial Haffajee & Peter Fabricius (Daily Maverick)

US Senator Chris Coons Proposes Immediate Review of SA’s AGOA Eligibility, by Peter Fabricius (Daily Maverick)

S.Africa Hosts US-Africa Trade Summit After Diplomatic Tensions (Agence France Presse)

Risch: Biden Admin is Wrong to Host AGOA Summit in South Africa (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

Biden Administration Acknowledges Damage Done by Brigety Claims, by Lizeka Tandwa (Mail & Guardian)

China Has Belt and Road, Now the US Has the Lobito Corridor from Angola to Zambia, by Lenin Ndebele (News24)

Digital Press Briefing on Lobito Corridor MoU Signing (U.S. Department of State)

Risch: Biden Admin Must Condemn Zimbabwe Government’s Severe Repression (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

An Opportunity to Deepen Trade and Investment between the United States and Namibia, by Randy Berry (U.S. Embassy in Namibia)

Assistant Secretary Phee’s Travel to Namibia (U.S. Department of State)

West Africa
Liberia Pivots Toward Dictatorship as the World Looks Elsewhere, by Michael Rubin (1945)

Recent Events
China’s Critical Mineral Investments in Africa, October 31, 9:30am EDT (Wilson Center)

The Role of Diaspora and Civil Society in Shaping U.S. Policy Toward Africa, November 1, 5:10pm EDT (Howard University)

Check out China’s Grip on Africa Is Finally Sparking a US Response (Bloomberg) & U.S.-Africa Trade (The Trade Guys, CSIS)

October 31, 2023

Upcoming Events
China’s Critical Mineral Investments in Africa, October 31, 9:30am EDT (Wilson Center)

The Role of Diaspora and Civil Society in Shaping U.S. Policy Toward Africa, November 1, 5:10pm EDT (Howard University)

Africa in Focus: Shaping US-Africa Policy for the Future, November 7, 3:30pm EST (Georgetown University)

Symposium for Sustainable Peace and Security in West Africa, November 9, 9:00am EST (New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy)

Pivotal States: Where Does the U.S.-South Africa Strategic Partnership Go From Here?, November 9, 2:00pm EST (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
How Russian Disinformation Toppled Government After Government in Africa, by Elizabeth Dwoskin (The Washington Post)

The World Is Becoming More African, by Declan Walsh & Hannah Reyes Morales (The New York Times)

Continent At-Large
Democracy in Africa Is Not a Western Imposition, by Tafi Mhaka (Al-Jazeera)

US Strips Four More Countries of AGOA Trade Benefits, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

10 Key Debates at Next Week’s AGOA Summit in South Africa, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

U.S.- Africa Duty-Free Programme Needs Changes – U.S. Trade Official, by Joe Bavier (Reuters)

AGOA Forum: ‘Africa to Assert Its Place in Global Economy’, by Sarah Smit (Mail & Guardian)

SA Is Seeking to Maximise Its AGOA Benefits at 20th Annual Forum, by Peter Fabricius (Daily Maverick)

Prior to AGOA Forum, Biden Administration Unlikely to Formally Transmit 2024 Eligibility Determinations to Congress, by Michael Walsh (Medium)

AGOA Gives US ‘Unworthy Licence to Interfere’ in Domestic Affairs of African States, by Brian Sokutu (The Citizen)

Africa-Focused US Law Reframed Around Countering China, Russia, by Michael Walsh (Asia Times)

Digital Press Briefing with Constance Hamilton, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa and Joy Basu, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs of the State Department (U.S. Department of State)

Cassidy Joins Call to Renew AGOA to Combat Chinese and Russian Influence in Africa, Provide Certainty for U.S. Businesses (Office of U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy)

Senators Coons, Scott, Kaine, Wicker Introduce Bill to Strengthen HBCUs’ Role in U.S.-Africa Partnerships (Office of U.S. Senator Chris Coons)

Central Africa/Sudans
Why Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis Is Now Being Fought in Washington, by Amindeh Blaise Atabong (Semafor)

US Declares Toppling of Gabon’s Ali Bongo a Coup, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Troika Welcomes Meeting of Sudanese Civilians in Addis Ababa to Chart Next Steps in Restoring Sudan’s Democratic Governance (U.S. Department of State)

The United States, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, Together with the African Union, Relaunch Humanitarian and Ceasefire Talks Between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (U.S. Department of State)

Sudan Army Says to Resume US and Saudi-Led Talks on Ending War (Agence France Presse)

A Billion Dollar Copper/Cobalt Mine Is Up for Grabs in the DR Congo, Providing Rare Opening for the U.S. to Get in the Market, by Eric Olander (China Global South Project)

Open the Congo Files and Face Up to What the CIA Did, by Stuart A. Reid (The Washington Post)

East Africa/Horn
US Pledges Support for Somalia in Al-Shabaab Operations (Garowe Online)

North Africa
Assistant Secretary Witkowsky’s Travel to Libya and Tunisia (U.S. Department of State)

AFRICOM Commander and Senior Enlisted Leader Travel to Mauritania (AFRICOM)

Southern Africa
Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Development of the Lobito Corridor and the Zambia-Lobito Rail Line (U.S. Department of State)

AGOA Trade Deal Talks: South Africa Will Need to Carefully Manage Relations with the US and China, by Arno J. Vam Niekerk (The Conversation)

Ahead of Crucial AGOA Forum, Pretoria Again Treads a Fine Line with Its Stance on Israel, Palestine, Gaza, by Peter Fabricius (Daily Maverick)

West Africa
Senators Take Biden Official to Task Over Coups in West Africa, by Lydia McFarlane (The Hill)

Extremist Attacks Escalate in Niger After Coup Topples American Ally, by Rachel Chason (The Washington Post)

Senate Shoots Down Effort to Withdraw US Troops from Niger, by Connor Echols (Responsible Statecraft)

Rand Paul Wants U.S. Troops Out of Niger, by Nick Turse (The Intercept)

Recent Events
Instability in the Sahel and West Africa: Implications for U.S. Policy, October 24, 10:00am EDT (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

Security Challenges in Africa: Coups, Terrorism, and External Interventions, October 25, 10:00am EDT (Orion Policy Institute)

Voices from American Industry on the AGOA Forum, October 30, 10:00am EDT (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

October 24, 2023

Upcoming Events
Instability in the Sahel and West Africa: Implications for U.S. Policy, October 24, 10:00am EDT (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

Security Challenges in Africa: Coups, Terrorism, and External Interventions, October 25, 10:00am EDT (Orion Policy Institute)

Voices from American Industry on the AGOA Forum, October 30, 10:00am EDT (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

China’s Critical Mineral Investments in Africa, October 31, 9:30am EDT (Wilson Center)

News & Analysis
Continent At-Large
U.S. Defense Secretary Austin’s Trip to Africa: Can the U.S. Military Hold the Line in Africa?, by Daniel Volman (allAfrica)

Diaspora Initiative Looks to Tap into $1.7 Trillion African-American Purse, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Names Kendra Gaither President of U.S.-Africa Business Center (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Central Africa/Sudans
Concern over Increased Shelling and Civilian Casualties in Nyala and Omdurman (U.S. Department of State)

Risch, Cornyn, Rounds, Tim Scott Ask Biden Admin to Appoint Special Envoy to Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

Military Coup d’Etat in Gabon (U.S. Department of State)

US Formally Concludes that a Military Coup Has taken Place in Gabon (Voice of America)

East Africa/Horn
US Warns Against Doing Business in Uganda, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

U.S. Government Issues a Business Advisory for Uganda (U.S. Department of State)

U.S. Offers $5 Million Reward for Shabaab’s Deputy Emir, by Bill Roggio (Long War Journal)

North Africa
Washington Accepts Continuing Turkish Military Presence in Libya (Africa Intelligence)

Southern Africa
Hamas Allegations Threaten Another Breakdown in US-South Africa Ties, by Michael Walsh (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

SA Expected to Retain its AGOA Status Despite Differences with US, by Queenin Masuabi & Peter Fabricius (Daily Maverick)

U.S. Embassy Urges Fair Resolution to Irregularities in 2023 Municipal Elections (U.S. Embassy in Mozambique)

Rapid Dollarization to Stymie Zimbabwe’s Plan to Drop Greenback, by Ray Ndlovu (Bloomberg)

West Africa
US Finally Recognizes Coup in Niger. Now What?, by Alex Thurston (Responsible Statecraft)

West Africa: Collapse of U.S. Counterterrorism Strategy in the Sahel, by Daniel Volman (allAfrica)

Joint Statement on the Meeting of the U.S.-Spain Working Group on the Sahel (U.S. Department of State)

Cardin, Risch Statement on One Year Anniversary of Black Thursday Massacre in Chad (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

U.S. Gathers Experts to Tackle Illegal Mining in Ghana (U.S. Embassy in Ghana)

Recent Events
The Future of the Wagner Group in Africa, October 18, 10:00am EDT (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

What Do Military Coups Mean for the Fight Against Violent Extremism in West Africa?, October 18, 10:00am EDT (Conflict Research Network West Africa)

Non-State Armed Groups and Illicit Economies in West Africa: JNIM, October 19, 9:00am EDT (Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime)

Rising to the Moment – Launching USAID’s new Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance, October 19, 3:00pm EDT (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Africa’s Future Series: Digital Governance, October 23, 9:00am EDT (University of Southern California)

October 17, 2023

Upcoming Events
The Future of the Wagner Group in Africa, October 18, 10:00am EDT (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

What Do Military Coups Mean for the Fight Against Violent Extremism in West Africa?, October 18, 10:00am EDT (Conflict Research Network West Africa)

Non-State Armed Groups and Illicit Economies in West Africa: JNIM, October 19, 9:00am EDT (Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime)

Rising to the Moment – Launching USAID’s new Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance, October 19, 3:00pm EDT (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Africa’s Future Series: Digital Governance, October 23, 9:00am EDT (University of Southern California)

China’s Critical Mineral Investments in Africa, October 31, 9:30am EDT (Wilson Center)

News & Analysis
Continent At-Large
Biden’s Africa Policy Trilemma, by Haleigh Bartos & John Chin (The Duck of Minerva)

A Window of Opportunity to Build Critical Mineral Security in Africa, by Gracelin Baskaran (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

How the US Can Build Better Strategic Partnerships in Africa to Secure Critical Minerals, by Nii Simmonds & Shirley Martey Hargis (Atlantic Council)

US Seeks to ‘Diversify’ China-Dominated Africa Minerals Supply Chain, by Kate Bartlett (Voice of America)

Acting Special Coordinator for the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment Matza’s Travel to Angola, Zambia, DRC, and Belgium (U.S. Department of State)

How Views on Race Relations Shape African Americans’ Foreign Policy Preferences, by Christopher Shell (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

Ignoring U.S. Calls for Peace, Egypt Delivered Drones to Sudan’s Military, by Benoit Faucon, Nicholas Bariyo, Summer Said (The Wall Street Journal)

Army Command Works to Engage With African Partners, by Jim Garamone (U.S. Department of Defense)

Where the United States Spends Its Development Aid (Devex)

Central Africa/Sudans
The Dirty Business of Green Energy in Congo, by Janvier Murairi, Sophia Pickles, Jack Wolf (New Lines Magazine)

U.S. Considers Dropping Sanctions Against Israeli Billionaire in Push for EV Metals, by Summer Said, Julie Steinberg, Stephen Kalin (The Wall Street Journal)

East Africa/Horn
Optimism as Kenya-US Trade Deal Enters 3rd Round of Negotiations, by Luke Anami (The East African)

North Africa
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Egyptian President El-Sisi (U.S. Department of State)

Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi Before Their Meeting (U.S. Department of State)

Blinken Meets Resistance in Courtship of Egypt and Saudi Arabia on Gaza War, by John Hudson & Claire Parker (The Washington Post)

Behind a Senator’s Indictments, a Foreign Spy Service Works Washington, by Mark Mazzetti & Vivian Lee (The New York Times)

U.S.-Algeria Strategic Dialogue (U.S. Department of State)

Southern Africa
US Universities Help Malawi Establish First AI Center, by Lameck Masina (Voice of America)

Time for US to Revise Its Integrated Country Strategy for Zimbabwe, by Michael Walsh & Charles Ray (Times Live)

West Africa
Military Coup d’Etat in Niger (U.S. Department of State)

US Declares July Takeover in Niger Was a Military Coup, by Daphne Psaledakis & Phil Stewart (Reuters)

The US Declares the Ousting of Niger’s President a Coup and Suspends Military Aid and Training, by Sam Mednick & Tara Copp (Associated Press)

US Suspends Niger Aid Over Coup While Keeping Military Bases, by Henry Meyer & Nick Wadhams (Bloomberg)

US and France Seek New Host Country for Drone Base After Niger Coup, by Ekene Lionel (Military Africa)

US Takes Harder Stance in Niger with ‘Coup’ Designation, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Collapse of US Counterterrorism Strategy in the Sahel, by Daniel Volman (African Security Research Project)

Amid a Region Rife with Coups and Instability, Ghana is a Democratic Bulwark, by Donna Charles (United States Institute of Peace)

Ghana’s Akufo-Addo Urges US Not to Abandon Africa Amid Crises in Israel and Ukraine, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Recent Events
South Africa Elections 2024, October 10, 10:30am EDT (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

Dialogue with Africa, October 10, 2:00pm EDT (Liberty University)

Talk Peace, Vote Peace: South Sudan’s 2024 Elections, October 11, 10:00am EDT (United States Institute of Peace)

Ghana’s Leadership in Building Peace in West Africa, October 12, 10:00am EDT (United States Institute of Peace)

The Sahel-Transatlantic Dialogues, October 16, 9:30am EDT (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

October 10, 2023

Upcoming Events
South Africa Elections 2024, October 10, 10:30am EDT (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

Dialogue with Africa, October 10, 2:00pm EDT (Liberty University)

Talk Peace, Vote Peace: South Sudan’s 2024 Elections, October 11, 10:00am EDT (United States Institute of Peace)

Ghana’s Leadership in Building Peace in West Africa, October 12, 10:00am EDT (United States Institute of Peace)

The Future of the Wagner Group in Africa, October 18, 10:00am EDT (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

China’s Critical Mineral Investments in Africa, October 31, 9:30am EDT (Wilson Center)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
Africa Matters (The Wilson Quarterly)

Continent At-Large
US Consistency Is the First Casualty in Rash of African Coups, by Alex Thurston (Responsible Statecraft)

Africa Is Front and Center at IMF as US-China Rivalry Heats Up, by Ekow Dontoh, Mirette Magdy, Alister Bull (Bloomberg)

Silver Lining for African Countries of Silicon Valley Bank’s Demise, by Hippolyte Fofack (Brookings Institution)

French Decline in Africa Paves the Way for US, by Zineb Riboua (Washington Examiner)

Central Africa/Sudans
The U.S. Needs to Step Up in Sudan, by Cameron Hudson (World Politics Review)

US Suspends Military Aid to Rwanda Over Support for M23 Rebels in DRC, by Julian Pecquet & Romain Gras (The Africa Report)

US Extends Deportation Relief for Immigrants from Cameroon (Reuters)

East Africa/Horn
Despite One of the US Military’s Greatest Fiascoes, American Troops Are Still in Somalia Fighting an Endless War, by Jason C. Mueller (The Conversation)

U.S. Resumes Food Aid for Refugees in Ethiopia, by Abdi Latif Dahir (The New York Times)

North Africa
The Senate Begins to Stand Up to Egypt’s Dictator, by the Editorial Board (The Washington Post)

The Menendez Fiasco: Implications for US-Egyptian Relations, by Khalil E. Jahshan (Arab Center Washington DC)

Biden Administration to Work with Congress on Egypt Aid Concerns – State Dept, by Simon Lewis (Reuters)

Chairman Cardin Statement on Foreign Military Financing to Egypt (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

US Senator Blocks Egypt Military Aid Over Rights (Agence France Presse)

Special Online Press Briefing with Ambassador Richard Norland, U.S. Special Envoy for Libya (U.S. Department of State)

Southern Africa
Washington ‘Recommits’ to Improve Bilateral Relations with South Africa, by Ignatius Annor (Voice of America)

Washington, Pretoria ‘Reaffirm and Recommit’ After Public Spat Over Russia, by Anita Powell (Voice of America)

Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s Call with National Security Advisor Sydney Mufamadi of South Africa (The White House)

U.S. Mission Statement on Free and Fair Elections for the Official Campaign Season (U.S. Embassy in Madagascar)

West Africa
US Preparing to Officially Designate Military Takeover in Niger as a Coup d’Etat After Months of Delay, Officials Say, by Natasha Bertrand, Oren Liebermann, Alex Marquardt (CNN)

Liberia: US Threatens Visa Ban on Election Saboteurs, by Darlington Porkpa (The Africa Report)

Statement by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Liberia’s Upcoming Elections (United States Mission to the United Nations)

Nigeria: Tinubu Rival Enlists US Courts to Swing Election Judgement, by Eniola Akinkuotu (The Africa Report)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Nigerien President Bazoum (U.S. Department of State)

Recent Events
Check out Why Is the US Training African Coup Leaders? (Responsible Statecraft)

October 3, 2023

Upcoming Events
Dialogue with Africa, October 10, 2:00pm EDT (Liberty University)

Ghana’s Leadership in Building Peace in West Africa, October 12, 10:00am EDT (United States Institute of Peace)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
America Needs a New Strategy in Somalia: A Narrow Focus on Counterterrorism Won’t Bring Peace, by Sarah Harrison (Foreign Affairs)

Continent At-Large
U.S. Defense Secretary Tours Africa, by Jack Detsch (Foreign Policy)

US Defense Secretary Completes First Tour Across Africa, by Carla Babb (Voice of America)

A Partnership of Principle and Progress: Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III During a Trip to Africa (U.S. Department of Defense)

Austin Pledges Support to African Partners, by Jim Garamone (U.S. Department of Defense)

President Biden Announces the Inaugural Members of the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States (The White House)

Meet Joe Biden’s 12 Diaspora Bridge Builders to Africa, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

New Initiative Aims to Connect US to Africa, by Anita Powell (Voice of America)

The Biden Administration Is Dangerously Downplaying the Global Terrorism Threat, by Charles Lister (Foreign Policy)

How Can African Countries Participate in U.S. Clean Energy Supply Chains?, by Zainab Usman & Alexander Csanadi (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

Imperial Footprints in Africa: The Dismal Role of AFRICOM, by Binoy Kampmark (International Policy Digest)

Kennedy Introduces Bill to Extend African Growth and Opportunity Act (Office of U.S. Senator John Kennedy)

Central Africa/Sudans
Foreign Assistance Programs and Events in Gabon (U.S. Department of State)

US Suspends Foreign Assistance Programs to Gabon Following Military Coup (France 24)

U.S. Fears Sudan’s War Will Worsen Humanitarian Crisis, by Jack Detsch (Foreign Policy)

Designating Actors Undermining the Peace, Security, and Stability of Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

US Imposes Sanctions on Former Sudanese Minister and 2 Companies Backing the Paramilitary Force, by Jack Jeffery (Associated Press)

Cameroon: Anglophone Separatists Hire Lobby Firm for US and UN Push, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Africa’s Regional Forces Are Not Ready to Bring Peace in the DRC, the USA Says, by Lenin Ndebele (News 24)

East Africa/Horn
America Finally Finds Some Success in the War on Terror, by Michael M. Phillips (The Wall Street Journal)

Boost for Terror Fight as US, Kenya Sign Pact (The East African)

Austin Praises Kenya’s Commitment to Regional Peace, by Joseph Clark (U.S. Department of Defense)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy (U.S. Department of State)

North Africa
Senate Democrat Threatens to Block More of Military Aid to Egypt, by Karoun Demirjian (The New York Times)

U.S. General Met Notorious Libyan Warlord, by Nick Turse (The Intercept)

Southern Africa
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Pandor (U.S. Department of State)

Secretary Antony J. Blinken And South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor Before Their Meeting (U.S. Department of State)

West Africa
If the US Exits Niger, the Terrorists and Russians Win, by Andreas Kuth (Bloomberg)

After Siding With the West, Liberia is Now Aligned With China on Sensitive Territorial Issues, by Eric Olander (China Global South Project)

Visa Restriction Policy on Undermining Democracy in Liberia (U.S. Department of State)

Recent Events
Zimbabwe Elections Impact on US Foreign Policy, September 26, 10:30am EDT (Howard University)

One Year Later, What Is the Status of the U.S. Strategy Towards Africa?, September 26, 2:00pm EDT (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

The Future of Homeland Security: Addressing the Rise of Terrorism in Africa, September 27, 10:00am EDT (House Committee on Homeland Security)

Examining the Current U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relationship, September 27, 2:00pm EDT (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

Politics and Security in the Democratic Republic of Congo, September 27, 2:00pm EDT (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

September 26, 2023

Upcoming Events

Zimbabwe Elections Impact on US Foreign Policy, September 26, 10:30am EDT (Howard University)

One Year Later, What Is the Status of the U.S. Strategy Towards Africa?, September 26, 2:00pm EDT (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

Politics and Security in the Democratic Republic of Congo, September 27, 2:00pm EDT (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Dialogue with Africa, October 10, 2:00pm EDT (Liberty University)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
Why the New Cold War Will Split Africa: And How America Can Win Over the Continent, by Brett L. Carter (Foreign Affairs)

Continent At-Large
The U.S. Needs a New Africa Strategy, by Paul Du Quenoy (Newsweek)

Will Biden Visit Africa This Year?, by Witney Schneidman & Gracelin Baskaran (Brookings Institution)

Austin to Visit Key Allies in Africa Amid Bloody Struggles on the Continent, by Doug G. Ware (Stars and Stripes)

Pentagon Chief on Africa Tour Focusing on Defense Issues, by Carla Babb & Harun Maruf (Voice of America)

Biden Officials Focus on African Crises at United Nations Gathering, by Michael Crowley (The New York Times)

Wagner’s African Hosts Regret Letting Them In, by Jack Detsch (Foreign Policy)

The Elusive Figure Running Wagner’s Embattled Empire of Gold and Diamonds, by Benoit Faucon & Gabriele Steinhauser (The Wall Street Journal)

France’s Defeat in Africa Is A Warning Sign to the US, by Tom O’Connor (Newsweek)

China’s Space Collaboration with Africa: Implications and Recommendations for the United States, by Julie Michelle Klinger & Temidayo Isaiah Oniosun (United States Institute of Peace)

Republican Lawmakers in the U.S. Propose Yet Another Strategy to Challenge China’s Belt and Road Initiative, by Eric Olander (China Global South Project)

U.S. Plan Envisions Factories in Africa for Surging EV Battery Demand, by Joe Davidson (The Washington Post)

A Renewal of US-Africa Trade Law Without Changes Is a Lost Opportunity, Tai Says, by Ana Monteiro (Bloomberg)

Unlocking Africa’s Agricultural Potential, by Aubrey Hruby & Fatima Ezzahra Mengoub (Atlantic Council)

Ukraine Isn’t the Only Front in the Battle to Save Democracy, by K. Riva Levinson (The Messenger)

Central Africa/Sudans
U.S. Sudan Sanctions Won’t Work Without the UAE’s Help, by Yasir Zaidan (Foreign Policy)

Biden Rejects Meeting with Kiir (Sudans Post)

South Sudan Inks Deal with U.S.-Based Firm to Acquire Petronas Shares, by Baria Johnson (Eye Radio)

Rwanda’s President Says He’ll Run for a Fourth Term and Doesn’t Care What the West Thinks About It, by Ignatius Ssuuna & Cara Anna (Associated Press)

East Africa/Horn
US Pledges $100M to Back Proposed Kenyan-Led Multinational Force to Haiti, by Matthew Lee & Dánica Coto (Associated Press)

US and Kenya Sign Defense Agreement Ahead of Planned Haiti Deployment, by Evelyne Musambi (Associated Press)

MCC Awards Kenya $60 Million to Help Improve Urban Transport, by Mariama Diallo (Voice of America)

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Kenyan President Ruto (U.S. Department of State)

State Dept. Contractor Is Accused of Stealing Satellite Imagery of Africa, by Adam Goldman (The New York Times)

State and Justice Dept. Contractor Charged with Spying for Ethiopia, by Spencer S. Hsu (The Washington Post)

Austin Praises ‘Impressive Progress’ in Somali Fight Against al-Shabab, by Carla Babb (Voice of America)

US Defense Chief Meets Djibouti President, Defense Minister, by Mohammed Dhaysane (Anadolu Agency)

North Africa
Why Everyone Is Courting Mauritania, by Samuel Ramani (Foreign Policy)

Menendez Accused of Brazen Bribery Plot, Taking Cash and Gold, by Benjamin Weiser, Tracey Tully, William K. Rashbaum (The New York Times)

US Forces Fly in Much-Needed Aid to Libya After Major Floods, by Zamone Perez (MilitaryTimes)

Gen. Michael Langley’s Libya Visit Highlights USAID Humanitarian Aid Efforts and Bilateral Cooperation (AFRICOM)

AFRICOM Chief Meets Khalifa Haftar in Libya (The New Arab)

Informal Consultations on Supporting Libya’s Political Process on the Margins of the U.N. General Assembly (U.S. Department of State)

AFRICOM Commander Visits Tunisia (AFRICOM)

Southern Africa
South Africa to Host US-Africa Trade Summit Despite Russia Spat (Reuters)

South Africa’s Decision to Host US-Africa Trade Summit Sparks Diplomatic Tensions, by Victor Oluwole (Business Insider Africa)

Ramaphosa Goes on Charm Offensive During US Visit, by Lizeka Tandwa (Mail & Guardian)

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Hosts President of South Africa To Deepen Bilateral Trade and Investment Ties (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

U.S., Mozambique Sign $537M Connectivity and Coastal Resilience Compact (Millennium Challenge Corporation)

Austin Lauds Mozambique’s Leadership on Regional Security (U.S. Department of Defense)

Mozambique-U.S. Seek to Deepen Defence, Security Ties (Africanews)

US Government Raises Concern Over Attacks on Opposition Supporters (New Zimbabwe)

West Africa
US Companies ‘Willing to Make More Investments’ in Nigeria, by Ben Ezeamalu (The Africa Report)

US to ‘Evaluate’ Next Steps After French Announce Niger Withdrawal: Austin (Agence France Presse)

Readout of Justice Department Officials’ Trip to Ghana and Togo to Advance West Africa Consumer Fraud Initiative (U.S. Department of Justice)

U.S. Africa Command, Côte d’Ivoire Armed Forces Host the West Africa Logistics Conference in Abidjan (AFRICOM)

United States and Côte d’Ivoire Launch Child Protection Compact Partnership Activities (U.S. Department of State)

September 19, 2023

Upcoming Events
One Year Later, What Is the Status of the U.S. Strategy Towards Africa?, September 26, 2:00pm EDT (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

Dialogue with Africa, October 10, 2:00pm EDT (Liberty University)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
Washington Must Not Allow Another Stolen Election in Congo, by Stephen R. Weissman & Anthony Gambino (Foreign Policy)

Continent At-Large
US and EU Join Forces on Rail Corridor in Play for African Minerals, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

The US and EU Are Doubling Down on Africa’s Strategic Corridors, by J. Peter Pham (The Hill)

Biden’s BRI Moment, by Peter Fabricius (Institute for Security Studies)

Further Downhill for African Democracy Efforts, by Michelle Gavin (Council on Foreign Relations)

How to Reverse a Coup, with Todd Moss, by Santi Ruiz (Statecraft)

US, Norway to Launch Africa Agriculture Fund, Commit $70 Million, by Daphne Psaledakis (Reuters)

Afrobarometer Delegation in Washington: Data-Driven Policy Solutions to Take Center Stage in Engagement with US Africa Policy Actors (Modern Ghana)

Central Africa/Sudans
The New Crisis in Darfur: What America, the African Union, and the UN Can Do to Stop the Killing, by Alex de Waal (Foreign Affairs)

On Civilian Casualties in Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

Museveni Defiant as US Firms Stop Uganda Imports Over Anti-Gay Law, by Andrew Bagala (Monitor Uganda)

How America Has Funded UPDF, by Chris Kayonga (Monitor Uganda)

East Africa/Horn
Kenya Is Most Stable Democracy in Africa – Meg Whitman, by Magdaline Saya (The Star)

In San Francisco, Kenya’s President Woos American Tech Companies Despite Increasing Taxes at Home, by Evelyne Musambi (Associated Press)

US Gave ‘Remote’ Help to Somali Military Operation That Killed Civilians, by Harun Maruf & Falastine Iman (Voice of America)

Al-Shabaab Leaders Fires Warning at US, Threatens Revenge (Garowe Online)

North Africa
US to Withhold $85 Million Aid to Egypt Over Political Detentions, by Humeyra Pamuk & Arshad Mohammed (Reuters)

See Why the US Has Decided to Withhold $85 Million Worth of Military Aid from Egypt, by Chinedu Okafor (Business Insider Africa)

Choosing Security Over Rights, U.S. Approves $235 Million in Egypt Aid, by Michael Crowley & Vivian Yee (The New York Times)

United States Supports Libyan Response to Devastating Floods, Activates a Disaster Assistance Response Team to the Region (United States Agency for International Development)

United States Expresses Support for Earthquake-Affected Communities in Morocco (United States Agency for International Development)

Southern Africa
SA and US Aim to Put AGOA Storm Behind Them (Business Day)

U.S. Military Hegemony a Tool for Exploitation, Says Zimbabwean Politician (Xinhua – Chinese State Media)

United States Announces Donation of Helicopters to Zambia Air Force (AFRICOM)

West Africa
U.S. Resumes Drone Operations From Niger, by Michael R. Gordon (The Wall Street Journal)

US Military Resumes Surveillance Flights Over Niger (Agence France Presse)

US Resumes Some Drone Operations in Niger for Force Protection, by Jeff Schogol (Task & Purpose)

The Real Meaning of Niger’s Coup: Will Anger at the West Entrench a New Authoritarian Order?, by Ebenezer Obadare (Foreign Affairs)

Deputy Treasury Secretary to Visit Nigeria to Bolster Economic Ties, by Alan Rappeport (The New York Times)

Stable Naira, Graft End Top US-Nigeria Goals, Adeyemo Says, by Anthony Osae-Brown (Bloomberg)

US Treasury’s Adeyemo Urges Nigeria to Work on Stable Currency, Fight Corruption (Reuters)

US Chamber of Commerce Hosts Nigerian President Tinubu for NASDAQ Bell Ringing (Zawya)

Nigeria, US, France to Boost Security in Gulf of Guinea (APA News)

Sierra Leone President Says US Pressured Him To Interfere In Vote (Agence France Presse)

Anti-George Weah Lobbying Gathers Steam in Washington (Africa Intelligence)

Recent Events
Rising Coups in Africa: The Road Ahead, September 14, 9:30am EDT (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

September 13, 2023

Upcoming Events
Rising Coups in Africa: The Road Ahead, September 14, 9:30am EDT (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

One Year Later, What Is the Status of the U.S. Strategy Towards Africa?, September 26, 2:00pm EDT (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

Dialogue with Africa, October 10, 2:00pm EDT (Liberty University)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
US Response to Gabon and Niger Coups Suggests Need for a New West Africa Policy in Washington, by Julius A. Amin (The Conversation)

Continent At-Large
Africa’s Future Will Be Shaped by Africans, Not Outside Powers, by Alexander Clarkson (World Politics Review)

Why the US May Not Be the Partner of Choice for a Rising Africa, by Tom O’Connor (Newsweek)

Africa’s Dual Battle with Progress and Chaos, by Ahmed Charai (The National Interest)

Africa’s Coup Epidemic Reveals Weakness in Washington, by Yinka Adegoke (New York Post)

Recent African Coups: End of Françafrique, Need for US Leadership, by J. Peter Pham (The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune)

Coups, Counterterrorism, and Competition, by Katherine Zimmerman (The Liberal Patriot)

In African ‘Coup Belt,’ Western Values Must Now Compete, by Howard LaFranchi (The Christian Science Monitor)

In Africa, Russia Is Playing the West Like a Fiddle, by Ken Opalo (An Africanist Perspective)

Pentagon Misled Congress about U.S. Bases in Africa, by Nick Turse (The Intercept)

U.S.-Africa Policy Adrift, by James Jay Carafano (GIS Reports)

U.S., Saudi Arabia in Talks to Secure Metals for EVs, by Summer Said, Julie Steinberg, Stephen Kalin (The Wall Street Journal)

Parallel Lines – US and China Vie for African Rail Dominance, by Ben Payton (African Business)

Walmart Goes All In on Africa, by Alexandra Wexler (The Wall Street Journal)

A Year on the Road with “Advance with Africa”, by Ellington Arnold (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

China, US Pledge Millions in Extra Help for Africa at Climate Summit, by Jevans Nyabiage (South China Morning Post)

United States Announces Key Investments During Africa Climate Summit (U.S. Department of State)

Central Africa/Sudans
Is the US Picking Sides in Sudan’s Civil War?, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

US Envoy Visits Chad Border with Sudan, Vows to Respond to Atrocities, by Michelle Nichols (Reuters)

Actions Against Senior Rapid Support Forces Commanders in Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield Announces Nearly $163 Million in Additional Humanitarian Assistance for the Sudan Emergency Response (U.S. Department of State)

East Africa/Horn
US Injects $2 Million to Somali Army, to Bolster Al-Shabaab War (Garowe Online)

Airstrike Aimed at Al-Shabab Extremists in Somalia Kills Civilians (Garowe Online)

U.S. Forces Conducts Medical Evacuation of Injured Civilians in Support of the Federal Government of Somalia (AFRICOM)

Contractor for U.S. Government Charged With Spying for Ethiopia, Officials Say, by Adam Goldman & Glenn Tursh (The New York Times)

Why President Ruto Is America’s New ‘Mr Nice’ in Africa, by John Kamau (Nation Africa)

North Africa
The United States Reaffirms Its Support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara as “Serious, Credible and Realistic”, by Raúl Redondo (Atalayar)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Foreign Minister Bourita of Morocco (U.S. Department of State)

On the Earthquake in Morocco (U.S. Department of State)

Southern Africa
U.S., EU Unveil Next Steps in the Expansion of Angola’s Lobito Corridor Railway, by Eric Olander (China Global South Project)

West Africa
The US Must Tread More Carefully in Niger, by Adekeye Adebajo (Bloomberg)

What is the United States Doing in Niger?, by Ron Paul (The Orange County Register)

US Drone Flights Limited Since Niger Coup, by Carla Babb (Voice of America)

US Military Repositions Some Troops in Niger, Pulls Non-Essential Personnel (Reuters)

Recent Events
The ’Coup’ in Niger and its Impact on Long-term Policy Towards the Sahel, September 12, 10:00am EDT (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

Check out Is It Time for a ‘Reset’ of the US Strategy in Africa? (Al Jazeera) and Africa’s Recent Contagion of Coups (Counterbalance, Hudson Institute)

September 5, 2023

Upcoming Events
The ’Coup’ in Niger and its Impact on Long-term Policy Towards the Sahel, September 12, 10:00am EDT (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

One Year Later, What Is the Status of the U.S. Strategy Towards Africa?, September 26, 2:00pm EDT (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
Niger’s Coup and America’s Choice: Washington Should Push for Mediation, Not Military Intervention, by Hannah Rae Armstrong (Foreign Affairs)

Continent At-Large
Matt Gaetz Wants to Make the Pentagon Answer for Training Coup Leaders, by Nick Turse (The Intercept)

The United States Marine Corps Is Not Designed for Deployment in Africa, by Glen Segell (London School of Economics)

What is Wagner’s “Value Proposition” in Africa?, by J. Peter Pham (The National Interest)

U.S. Africa Command Hosts the 2023 Strategic Religious Affairs Conference, by Jonathan Bell, Ryan Bareng, Robert Blalock (AFRICOM)

International Day for People of African Descent (U.S. Department of State)

Central Africa/Sudans
A Darling of the West, He Wore Out His Welcome at Home, by Declan Walsh & Dionne Searcey (The New York Times)

‘Obama’s Man in Africa’ Under House Arrest as Popular Coup Rocks Gabon, by Max Blumenthal (The Gray Zone)

Events in Gabon (U.S. Department of State)

Kagame Promotes General Sanctioned by US for War in DR Congo, by Patrick Ilunga (The East African)

East Africa/Horn
Rwanda President Says U.S. Puts Minerals Over Values in Africa, by Steve Clemons (Semafor)

North Africa
Why Libya’s Cackhanded Israel Diplomacy Is Bad for America, Too (The Economist)

U.S. and Moroccan Armies Conduct Joint CBRN Training Exercise in Agadir, Utilizing Revolutionary USC Truck, by Shae Cox (DVIDS)

Morocco-US Military Cooperation Discussed with Congressmen Delegation in Rabat (North Africa Post)

Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Phee’s Conversation with Algerian Foreign Minister Attaf (U.S. Department of State)

Southern Africa
South African Inquiry Rebuts U.S. Charge on Russian Arms, by John Eligon & Lynsey Chutel (The New York Times)

Trade Between US and South Africa Is Mutually Beneficial If It Doesn’t Compromise SA’s Sovereignty, by Lyndall Singh (Mail & Guardian)

Automotive Sector Warns SA Must Not Lose Its AGOA Ties, by Banele Ginindza (IOL)

In China’s Shadow, U.S. Rushes Back to Neglected Indian Ocean Island, by Liz Sly (The Washington Post)

Zimbabwe Elections: South Africa, US Note Observer Concerns (Reuters)

The Starkly Different Responses by the U.S. and China to Zimbabwe’s Controversial Election, by Eric Olander (China Global South Project)

Disquiet Over US Military Bases in SADC, by Savious Kwinika (Caj News Africa)

USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman Travels to Tanzania and Malawi (U.S. Agency for International Development)

West Africa
The Niger Coup’s Outsized Global Impact, by Gilles Yabi (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

Shocked by Niger Coup, Victoria Nuland Appeared “Desperate” During Africa Tour, by Anya Parampil (The Gray Zone)

U.S. Throws France Under the Bus After Niger Coup, by Konrad Yakabuski (The Globe and Mail)

Visa Restriction Policy on Undermining the Democratic Process in Sierra Leone (U.S. Department of State)

Recent Events
A View from the Right: Republican Perspectives on US-Africa Policy, August 29, 12:00pm EDT (Atlantic Council)

Time for Choices in Niger, August 31, 1:00pm EDT (Atlantic Council)

Check out “Prospects for U.S. Minerals Engagement with Africa”: Audio Brief with Gracelin Baskaran (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

August 28, 2023

Upcoming Events
A View from the Right: Republican Perspectives on US-Africa Policy, August 29, 12:00pm EDT (Atlantic Council)

News & Analysis
Top Picks
Is Niger’s Coup the Sahel’s Last Straw?, by Robbie Gramer (Foreign Policy)

The United States Should Work With the Sahel’s New Juntas, by Colin P. Clarke & Michael Shurkin (World Politics Review)

Continent At-Large
Why Ignoring Malaria in Africa Undermines U.S. Interests, by Sohini Chatterjee & Mark P. Lagon (The National Interest)

Case Studies: US Military Assistance in Africa Doesn’t Work, by Jim Lobe (Responsible Statecraft)

United States Turns Focus to Africa in Shifting Global Landscape, by Alemitu Homa (Addis Standard)

China Tries to Increase Its Clout in Africa Amid Rivalry With the U.S., by David Pierson and Lynsey Chutel (The New York Times)

Central Africa/Sudans
The Central African Republic’s Constitutional Referendum (U.S. Department of State)

US Calls on Central African Republic to Announce Date for Local Elections, by Kanishka Singh (Reuters)

U.S. Sanctions Individuals Contributing to the Recent Escalation of Conflict in the DRC (U.S. Department of State)

US Sanctions 6 Rwandans, Congolese Over Conflict in Eastern DRC, by Patrick Ilunga (The East African)

On Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

Elections in Gabon (U.S. Department of State)

East Africa/Horn
US Air Strike Said to Kill 13 Al-Shabaab Militants in Somalia (Reuters)

Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Hammer Travels to Kenya and Ethiopia (U.S. Department of State)

North Africa
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Foreign Minister Shoukry of Egypt (U.S. Department of State)

Southern Africa
Election Results in Zimbabwe (U.S. Department of State)

Presidential Elections in Zimbabwe (U.S. Department of State)

USAID Calls for Immediate Release of Detained Members of Zimbabwe Civil Society (U.S. Agency for International Development)

Risch Statement on Elections in Zimbabwe (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

West Africa
US Says Niger Has Not Told US Ambassador to Leave the Country (Reuters)

15 US-Backed Officers Had Hand in 12 West African Coups, by Nick Turse (Responsible Statecraft)

Can West Africa Survive the Coup in Niger?, by Komlan Avoulete (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

The US Targeted His Assets. Nigeria Made Him Budget Minister, by William Clowes (Bloomberg)

Presidents Tinubu, Biden to Meet at UN, Likely Discuss Niger (Voice of America)

Assistant Secretary Phee’s Travel to Nigeria, Chad, and Ghana (U.S. Department of State)

August 21, 2023

Upcoming Events
A View from the Right: Republican Perspectives on US-Africa Policy, August 29, 12:00pm EDT (Atlantic Council)

News & Analysis
Top Picks
The United States Should Decouple It’s West Africa Policy from France, by Ken Opalo (The Africanist Perspective)

Less is More: A New Strategy for US Security Assistance to Africa, by Elizabeth Shackelford, Ethan Kessler, Emma Sanderson (The Chicago Council on Global Affairs)

Continent At-Large
Takeaways from a Landscaping Analysis of African Organizations with Impact Evaluation Capacity, by Justin Hurley, Janeen Madan Keller, Erin Collinson (Center for Global Development)

Africa Is Being Courted by China, Russia and the US. Why the Continent Shouldn’t Pick Sides, by Bhaso Ndzendze (The Conversation)

Progress and Promise – Delivering on the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Partnership, by Johnnie Carson (allAfrica)

What a U.S.-DRC-Zambia Electric Vehicle Batteries Deal Reveals About the New U.S. Approach Toward Africa, by Folashadé Soulé (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

America Has Lost the War Against Islamist Terror in Africa, by Nick Turse (The Spectator)

Is Western Media’s Perception of Africa Racist?, by Ramzy Baroud (Common Dreams)

Central Africa/Sudans
Designation of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Public Officials for Significant Corruption (U.S. Department of State)

US Imposes Visa Ban on Congolese Officials for Trafficking Wildlife to China, by Patrick Ilunga (The East African)

US Calls On Rwanda, DR Congo to De-Escalate (Agence France Presse)

On Fighting in Nyala in South Darfur, Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

East Africa/Horn
Kenya and the US Are Negotiating a Trade Deal That Could Be a Model for Africa – But Its Position on Workers Needs a Rethink, by Uche Ewelukwa Ofodile (The Conversation)

Whitman Says US-Kenya Bilateral Trade Pact to Be Concluded by End of Year, by Wangechi Purity (Capital News)

Kenya’s 2022 Election Was Free and Fair – US Ambassador Maintains, by Felix Kipkemoi (The Star)

US Ambassador Whitman Caught Up in Kenya Political Crossfire, by Otieno Otieno (The East African)

Keep Your Mouth Shut – Raila Tells Off US Ambassador Meg Whitman, by Brian Oruta (The Star)

Ruto Defends US Envoy Meg Whitman Over Raila’s Onslaught, by Esther Nyambura (The Standard)

US Says Airstrike Kills 5 al-Shabaab Terrorists in Somalia, by Natasha Bertrand (CNN)

U.S. Forces Provide Assistance to Somalia National Army (AFRICOM)

Honorable Mara Karlin Concludes Visit to Djibouti (U.S. Department of Defense)

Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer Travels to Stockholm and Brussels (U.S. Department of State)

North Africa
Advocates Cite Mauritania’s Ongoing Slavery in Pushing for End to Deportations, by Rafael Bernal (The Hill)

Thousands More Mauritanians Are Making Their Way to the US, Thanks to a Route Spread on Social Media, by Jake Offenhartz, Patrick Orsagos and Renata Brito (Associated Press)

Southern Africa
In the Battle for Economic Primacy, Where Does AGOA Fit?, by Sarah Smit (Mail & Guardian)

Brigety Stays Put, by Lizeka Tandwa (Mail & Guardian)

Anti-Zimbabwe Media Blackout Unsettles US (Bulawayo 24)

The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander Reinforces U.S.-Mozambique Security Cooperation (African Business)

West Africa
Biden Must Immediately Call Niger’s Coup a ‘Coup’, by Austin S. Matthews (The Hill)

Niger Junta Appoints U.S.-Trained Military Officers to Key Jobs, by Nick Turse (The Intercept)

Arrival of Ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon to Niger (U.S. Department of State)

New US Envoy Now In Niger, But No Policy Change: State Dept (Agence France Presse)

US Readying Plans to Evacuate Drone Bases If Necessary Under Niger’s New Junta, Commander Says, by Ellen Knickmayer (Associated Press)

Coup in Niger Upends U.S. Terrorism Fight and Could Open a Door for Russia, by Eric Schmitt, Declan Walsh and Elian Peltier (The New York Times)

‘It’s Like a Bad Monster Movie’: U.S. Officials Who Helped Train Nigerien Troops Reel from Coup, by Lara Seligman & Nahal Toosi (Politico)

Blindsided: Hours Before the Coup in Niger, U.S. Diplomats Said the Country Was Stable, by Courtney Kube, Mosheh Gains and Dan De Luce (NBC News)

Did American Diplomacy Under Biden ‘Lose’ Niger?, by Simon Hankinson & Brett Schaefer (The Daily Signal)

Niger: A Longtime Bastion of Stability in West Africa Could Drive Destabilization, by Riley Moeder & Tammy Palacios (New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy)

Niger’s Coup Shows the West’s Peril in Africa, by François Baird (The Wall Street Journal)

Niger Coup: Will the West Change Its Security Approach to the Sahel?, by Ismail Numan Telci & Fuat Emir Sefkatli (Al-Jazeera)

Niger’s Coup Will Likely Lead to More NATO Intervention, by Marc Ramsingh (Louisville Cardinal)

US Deeply Concerned by Threat of Worsening Violence in Mali (Reuters)

Controversial S.Leone Radio Interview With US Envoy Airs (Agence France Presse)

Pressure Mounts on Illegitimate President Bio as US Envoy Condemns Planned Electoral Review, by Abdul Rashid Thomas (The Sierra Leone Telegraph)

August 15, 2023

News & Analysis
Top Picks
The Deluge Facing Africa’s Leaders Is Going to Get Worse, by Alex de Waal (The New York Times)

How to Respond to Niger’s Coup — and Prevent the Next One, by Joseph Sany (United States Institute of Peace)

West Africa’s Grim Trajectory, by Santiago Stocker (Just Security)

Continent At-Large
Russia-US: Will the Real Friend of Africa Please Stand Up?, by Musinguzi Blanshe (The Africa Report)

Africa After Prigozhin Is an Opportunity for the West, by Jaynisha Patel (Foreign Policy)

If Your Country Is Falling Apart, the Wagner Group Will Be There, by Colin P. Clarke (The New York Times)

It’s Time for U.S. Agriculture Leaders to Challenge China in Africa, by Kip E. Tom (The National Interest)

Fraying Bonds: The Erosion of U.S.-Africa Relations, by Tahir Abbas (Modern Diplomacy)

AFRICOM Belongs Here in Charleston, by Ken Ryan (The Post and Courier)

Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Waihiga Mwaura of BBC Focus on Africa (U.S. Department of State)

Central Africa/Sudans
US Issues Advisory Highlighting Risks of Doing Business in South Sudan (Reuters)

East Africa/Horn
US Vetoes Compensation of Embassy Blast Victims, by Luke Anami (The East African)

North Africa
Morocco Looks Beyond US, France in Arms Race with Algeria, by Achraf Tijani (The Africa Report)

Southern Africa
Upcoming National Elections Complicate Efforts to Reset US-South Africa Relations, by Michael Walsh (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

South Africa Pushing for US Ambassador Reuben Brigety’s Expulsion, by Sarah Smit (Mail & Guardian)

‘Aggressive Push’ to Expel US Ambassador from SA as Government Data Shows No Weapons Exports to Russia, by Ed Stoddard (Daily Maverick)

Reflections on “A U.S. Envoy’s Tongue-Lashing of South Africa Infuriates Foggy Bottom”, by Michael Walsh (Medium)

How Zimbabwe’s Charm Offensive with the West Went South, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Zimbabwe’s Impending Elections: A Challenge for International Observers, by Larry Garber (Just Security)

US Think Tank Urges Zimbabweans to ‘Show Commitment for Democracy’ Ahead of Poll, by Lenin Ndebele (News 24)

West Africa
Niger Is Not Just a Western Problem, by Jack Detsch (Foreign Policy)

A Key Lesson from the Niger Crisis: Africans, Not Global Powers, Will Plot the Continent’s Path, by Nesrine Malik (The Guardian)

The Coup in Niger Threatens American Interests, by Francois Baird (The National Interest)

Niger Needs America’s Help, by Mamadou Kiari Liman-Tinguiri (The Wall Street Journal)

Time to Change US Policy Toward Niger and Its West African Neighbors, by C. William Walldorf Jr. (Defense One)

At Center of Niger’s Coup Is One of America’s Favorite Generals, by Michael M. Phillips (The Wall Street Journal)

At Least Five Members of Niger Junta Were Trained by U.S., by Nick Turse (The Intercept)

US Military Mission in Niger in Focus After Coup, by Idrees Ali & Daphne Psaledakis (Reuters)

U.S. Forces Under ‘Protection Measures’ As African Troops Deploy for Niger, by Tom O’Connor (Newsweek)

How the Niger Coup Unfolded, by Vanda Felbab-Brown (Brookings Institution)

Did the Niger Coup Just Succeed? And Other Questions Answered About What’s Next in the Sahel (New Atlanticist, Atlantic Council)

US to Hold Niger Military Junta Accountable for Detained Leader’s Safety, Blinken Says, by Kanishka Singh (Reuters)

US and UN Concerned for Ousted Niger President Mohamed Bazoum’s Health, by Thomas Mackintosh (BBC)

Defense Official Says Force Posture in Niger Is Unchanged, by David Vergun (Department of Defense)

Ghana’s Trade with the US Hits a Record High $1.8 Billion Trade Surplus, by Chinedu Okafor (Business Insider Africa)

Recent Events
Prospects for Democracy, Security, and Political Reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo, August 14, 10:00am EDT (Brookings Institution)

The Wagner Group in Africa: Myth vs. Reality, August 14, 12:00pm EDT (The Resistance Bureau)

August 8, 2023

Upcoming Events
Prospects for Democracy, Security, and Political Reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo, August 14, 10:00am EDT (Brookings Institution)

News & Analysis
Top Picks
U.S. Seeks to Balance Security and Human Rights in Turbulent West Africa, by Rachel Chason & John Hudson (The Washington Post)

Putting the Recent Coups in the Sahel in Broader Perspective, by Ken Opalo (An Africanist Perspective)

President of Niger: My Country Is Under Attack and I’ve Been Taken Hostage, by Mohamed Bazoum (The Washington Post)

Continent At-Large
Africa’s Critical Minerals Could Power America’s Green Energy Transition, by Witney Schneidman & Vera Songwe (Foreign Policy)

US Fashion Brands Urge Early Renewal of Africa Trade Program, by Olivia Rockeman (Bloomberg)

Does U.S. Military Training Embolden Coup Plotters in Africa?, by Emma Ashford & Matthew Kroenig (Foreign Policy)

The Wagner Group in Africa Serves Putin’s Global Ambitions, by Zineb Riboua (The Wall Street Journal)

Putin and Wagner Are Still Gunning for Africa, by James Stavridis (Bloomberg)

Kleptocratic Cooperation in Africa: How Russia and China Undermine Democracy, by J.R. Mailey, Andrea Ngombet Malewa, Ed. Melissa Aten (National Endowment for Democracy)

Preserving the Diversity Visa Helps the U.S. Counter Chinese and Russian Influence in Africa, by Gil Guerra (Niskanen Center)

U.S. Lawmakers Want to Sell More Stuff to Africa and Latin America to Counter China, by Eric Olander (China Global South Project)

Foreign Aid: A Political Weapon or Goodwill?, by Keifala Kanneh (Modern Ghana)

Joint Statement on Working Group on African and Global Issues (U.S. Department of State)

Secretary Blinken’s Remarks at the Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit for Young African Leaders (U.S. Department of State)

Central Africa/Sudans
Statement on Atrocities in Darfur, Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

East Africa/Horn
The U.S. Wants Kenya to Lead a Multinational Force in Haiti. But Watchdogs Worry That Could Fuel Rights Abuses, by Cara Anna (Time)

Kenya Considering Leading a Multinational Force in Haiti (U.S. Department of State)

Blinken Speaks of ‘Immediately Implementing’ Pretoria Agreement in Phone Call with Abiy (Addis Standard)

North Africa
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry (U.S. Department of State)

Southern Africa
Embassy Luanda Launches the Dinheiro Digital é Melhor Project to Increase Financial Inclusion (U.S. Department of State)

‘Kill the Boer’ Song Fuels Backlash in South Africa and U.S., by John Eligon (The New York Times)

LGBTQI+ Special Envoy Stern’s Travel to Mauritius and South Africa (U.S. Department of State)

West Africa
Senior State Dept. Official Visits Niger to Negotiate with Junta, by Katharine Houreld & Michael Birnbaum (The Washington Post)

Top US Official Traveled to Niger and Held ‘Difficult’ Talks with Junta Officials, by Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis (Reuters)

Acting Deputy Secretary Nuland’s Trip to Niger (U.S. Department of State)

Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland on the Situation in Niger (U.S. Department of State)

Why the US Isn’t Calling the Crisis in Niger a ‘Coup’, by Laura Kelly (The Hill)

Why the U.S. Hasn’t Declared a Coup in Niger, by William Rampe (Reason)

Biden Administration Unwilling to Call Niger Coup a ‘Coup’, by Nahal Toosi & Lara Seligman (Politico)

How the U.S. Fumbled Niger’s Coup and Gave Russia an Opening, by Drew Hinshaw, Benoit Faucon, Joe Parkinson (The Wall Street Journal)

What Niger’s Coup Means for West Africa’s Geopolitical Contest, by Rama Yade (New Atlanticist, Atlantic Council)

Why Many Nigeriens Want Russia in and the West Out, by Collin Meisel & Adam Szymanski-Burgos (Time)

Countering Coups: How to Reverse Military Rule Across the Sahel, by Kamissa Camara & Susan Stigant (United States Institute of Peace)

Ordered Departure of Non-Emergency U.S. Government Personnel from U.S. Embassy Niamey (U.S. Department of State)

In Niger, the US Seeks to Hang on to Its Last, Best Counterterrorist Outpost in West Africa, by Ellen Knickmeyer, Sam Mednick, Cara Anna (Associated Press)

Future of US Drone Base in Nigér in Question, by Ekene Lionel (Military Africa)

US Troops Restricted to American Bases, Embassy in Niger, by Natahsa Bertrand, Jennifer Hansler, Kylie Atwood (CNN)

U.S. Suspends Security Cooperation with Niger as Europeans Evacuate, by Karen DeYoung, Dan Lamothe, Michael Birnbaum (The Washington Post)

Niger Upheaval Underscores US Military’s Challenges in African Joint Missions, by John Vandiver (Stars and Stripes)

Niger Coup Could Jeopardize US Counterterrorism Operations in Africa, by Chris Gordon (Air & Space Forces Magazine)

Why Nigeria Shouldn’t Let America Push It to War in Niger Republic, by Emmanuel Ogebe (Sundiata Post)

The Risk of a West African War, by James Barnett (Hudson Institute)

U.S. to Pause Some Financial Aid to Niger as Country Reels From Coup, by Vivian Salama (The Wall Street Journal)

Foreign Assistance Programs and Events in Niger (U.S. Department of State)

Risch, Menendez Statement on the Situation in Niger (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Nigerien President Bazoum (U.S. Department of State)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with African Union Commission Chairperson Faki About the Attempted Takeover in Niger (U.S. Department of State)

Recent Events
Russia-Africa Summit Reflections, August 3, 9:00am EDT (South African Institute of International Affairs)

Democracy Derailed: Sudan’s Precarious Information Environment, August 8, 8:00am EDT (Atlantic Council)

Check out U.S. – Russia Tensions Are Playing Out in Niger in the Wake of Its Military Coup (NPR)

August 1, 2023

Upcoming Events
Russia-Africa Summit Reflections, August 3, 9:00am EDT (South African Institute of International Affairs)

News & Analysis
Top Picks
A Coup in Niger: What It Means for Africa, U.S. and Partners, by Kamissa Camara (United States Institute of Peace)

Washington Must React Realistically to the Coup in Niger, by J. Peter Pham (The National Interest)

Continent At-Large
How the West Could Actually Help the Sahel, by Howard W. French (Foreign Policy)

Another Chip Falls in Africa, and America Remains AWOL, by Michael Rubin (AEIdeas)

African Perception of the United States in an Evolving Geopolitical Landscape, by Fikayo Akeredolu (Africa Up Close, Wilson Center)

Why Africa Talks So Much About Infrastructure, by Mark A. Green (Stubborn Things, Wilson Center)

Shifting Sands of Supply: Africa, China, and the Global Race for Rare Earth Elements, by Shane Tews & Nii Simmonds (AEIdeas)

US Takes Aim at Kremlin Over Russia-Africa Summit: ‘No Meaningful Commitments’, by Paul Tilsley (Fox News)

Kremlin Accuses West of Trying to Sabotage Its Showcase Russia-Africa Summit, by Andrew Osborn (Reuters)

Is the Wagner Group a Terrorist Organization?, by Amy Mackinnon (Foreign Policy)

Shopping for Russian Guns, Dodging American Lectures, by Joseph Were (The Independent Uganda)

How the U.S. Can Build Democracy in Africa, by Michael Dziedzic (The Washington Post)

Italy’s Meloni to Push for Greater NATO Role in Africa During US Visit, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

US Supports Permanency for Africa on Security Council, Becoming Significant Trade Player, by Tobi Awodipe (The Guardian Nigeria)

New Report Finds Disproportionate F-1 Visa Denials in Africa and the Global South, by Rajika Bhandari, Hilary O’Haire, Shelley Landry, Jill Welch (The Presidents’ Alliance and Shorelight)

African and South American College Students Face High Hurdles to Study in the U.S., by Emi Tuetnhi Tran (NBC News)

Secretary Blinken to Deliver Remarks at the Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit for Young African Leaders (U.S. Department of State)

Central Africa/Sudans
France and the US’s Possible Faustian Pact with CAR’s Touadéra, by Peter Fabricius (Institute for Security Studies)

East Africa/Horn
Designating Senior ISIS-Somalia Financier (U.S. Department of State)

US and Somalia Discuss Strategies for Fighting Al-Shabaab Financial Empire (Garowe Online)

Reps. Omar and Garamendi Call for Resumption of Food Aid to Ethiopia (Office of Rep. Ilhan Omar)

America’s Decision to Tighten Its Monetary Policy May Add Pressure to Tanzania’s Economy, by Chinedu Okafor (Business Insider Africa)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Kenyan President Ruto (U.S. Department of State)

North Africa
US Lawmakers Urge Biden to Withhold More Military Aid to Egypt (Al-Jazeera)

Southern Africa
America Needs South Africa inside AGOA, by Francois Baird (The National Interest)

Powerful US Senator Jim Risch Tables Legislation to Scuttle SA’s Hosting of AGOA Forum, by Peter Fabricius (Daily Maverick)

Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation Lapenn’s Travel to Namibia, South Africa, and Angola (U.S. Department of State)

West Africa
Explainer: What Is at Stake for the United States in Niger?, by Daphne Psaledakis & Simon Lewis (Reuters)

Why the Niger Coup Matters — and What the U.S. Should Do About It, by the Editorial Board (The Washington Post)

U.S. Sees ‘Narrow Opportunity’ to Reverse Coup in Niger as Ousted President Meets Chad’s Leader, by Courtney Kube, Mosheh Gains, Abigail Williams, Dan De Luce (NBC News)

‘Washington Has to Thread a Very Difficult Needle’ on Niger Response, Experts Say, by Jennifer Hansler (CNN)

The Military Seizes Power in Niger, by Michelle Gavin (Council on Foreign Relations)

Soldiers Mutiny in U.S.-Allied Niger, by Nick Turse (The Intercept)

Niger Becomes Latest Domino Falling to Western-Trained Militaries, by Alex Thurston (Responsible Statecraft)

Niger Coup Upends U.S. Security Plans in West Africa, Handing Russia an Opportunity, by Michael M. Phillips, Benoit Faucon, Drew Hinshaw (The Wall Street Journal)

Niger Coup Threatens Western Counterterrorism Efforts and Could Offer Opportunities to Russia, by Liam Karr (Critical Threats Project)

Domestic Actors, Outside Powers, and the Unfolding Political Crisis in Niger, by Sebastian Elischer (Democracy in Africa)

The West Saw Niger as a Democratic Bulwark. Then, a Coup Happened., by Ishaan Tharoor (The Washington Post)

Niger Coup: US Offers ‘Unflagging’ Support to Ousted Leader as Sanctions Threatened (The Guardian)

US Threatens to Pull All Aid for Niger, by Jeff Seldin (Voice of America)

US, Partners Communicating with Military Leaders in Niger, by Steve Holland & Daphne Psaledakis (Reuters)

Secretary Blinken’s Calls with Nigerien President Bazoum and Former President Issoufou (U.S. Department of State)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Nigerien President Bazoum (U.S. Department of State)

Readout of Vice President Harris’s Call with President Tinubu of Nigeria (The White House)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu (U.S. Department of State)

Extraordinary ECOWAS Summit on Niger (U.S. Department of State)

Wagner in Mali: US Sanctions Camara, Diarra, Bagayoko, by Benjamin Roger (The Africa Report)

Why Is the Biden Administration Overlooking Nigeria’s Jihadi Attacks on Christians?, by Lela Gilbert (Hudson Institute)

Recent Events
From Monitoring to Action: Preventing Atrocities in Sudan, July 28, 10:00am EDT (United States Institute of Peace)

July 25, 2023

Upcoming Events
From Monitoring to Action: Preventing Atrocities in Sudan, July 28, 10:00am EDT (United States Institute of Peace)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
The West Needs to Prepare for the ‘Next Wagner’ in Africa, by Christopher Faulkner, Raphael Parens, Marcel Plichta (World Politics Review)

Continent At-Large
Africans Challenge Biden Policies at US Business Summit, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

The Western Summits Are Invariably a Disappointment for Africa, by V.A. Albia (Daily Post Nigeria)

Beyond AGOA: Building a Bigger Africa Policy, by Eliot Pence (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Could Supply Chain Security Take U.S. Firms to Africa?, by Ned Rausch-Mannino (RealClear Defense)

U.S. Tasks African Youths on Activism, Good Governance, by Tobi Awodipe (The Guardian Nigeria)

Lessons From a New Era of African Statecraft, by Michelle Gavin (Council on Foreign Relations)

American Special Operations Command in Africa Puts Navy SEAL in Charge, by John Vandiver (Stars and Stripes)

SOCAFRICA Holds Change of Command Ceremony (DVIDS)

What Is AFRICOM? How the U.S. Military is Militarizing and Destabilizing Africa, by Samar Al-Bulushi (Teen Vogue)

If the US Is Serious About Countering China, Why Does It Ignore Africa?, by Michael Rubin (Washington Examiner)

Examining China’s Impact on Mining in Africa: Critiques and Credible Responses, by Lauren Herzer Risi & Claire Doyle (Africa Up Close, The Wilson Center)

Why the U.S. is Losing Africa to China and Russia, by David L. Dambre (Modern Diplomacy)

US to Be Harmed Irreparably If Russian Gains in Africa Continue to Grow, Witnesses Tell Congress, by Darren Taylor (The Epoch Times)

Why Is Joe Biden Surrendering to the Wagner Group in Africa?, by Michael Rubin (1945)

What’s Ahead for the Wagner Group in Africa and the Middle East?, by Vanda Felbab-Brown (Brookings Institution)

Russia Unveils US Military Plot to Test Unregistered Drugs on African Populations (Press TV — Iranian State Media)

Youth Arts and Sports: Underutilized Tools in International Stability Efforts, by Abigail Edwards & John Christianson (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Central Africa/Sudans
Fears of Sudan Refugee Influx to West Misplaced: US Official (Agence France Presse)

East Africa/Horn
US Airstrike Kills 5 al-Shabaab Militants in Somalia, by Haley Britzky (CNN)

U.S. Forces Provide Assistance to Somalia National Army (AFRICOM)

North Africa
Tunisia Receives Four T-6C Training Aircraft from U.S (Reuters)

Southern Africa
Inside the Desperate Diplomatic Efforts to Salvage U.S.-South Africa Ties, by Robbie Gramer (Foreign Policy)

Somebody Should Arrest Putin, and the US Can Help, by Andreas Kluth (Bloomberg)

Senior South African Says US Cluster Bomb Decision Will Affect Africa (Africanews)

Statement by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Nelson Mandela International Day (United States Mission to the United States)

West Africa
Imposing Sanctions on Malian Officials in Connection with the Wagner Group (U.S. Department of State)

US Sanctions Malian Officials Over Alleged Ties to Wagner Group (Reuters)

US Sanctions Mali’s Defence Minister, Officials Over Wagner Ties (Al Jazeera)

Malians Describe Atrocities Committed by US-Backed Army Troops, Wagner Mercenaries, by Brett Wilkins (Common Dreams)

Togo Offers Washington a Diplomatic Win if it Takes It, by Komlan Avouletem (International Policy Digest)

AFRICOM Chief Michael Langley Set to Visit Lomé (Africa Intelligence)

US Donates Defender-Class Boats to Ghana’s Naval Forces, by Ekene Lionel (Military Africa)

Recent Events
Redefining Crisis Responses: Unveiling The Sahel Dilemma and Innovative Engagement Approaches, July 18, 11:00am EDT (Africa Faith & Justice Network)

Great Power Competition Implications in Africa: The Russian Federation and its Proxies, July 18, 2:00pm EDT (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

Russia in Africa: The Wagner Group, Russia-Africa Summit and Beyond, July 19, 9:30am EDT (United States Institute of Peace)

Check out Ambassador Katherine Tai Outlines America’s Trade Agenda for Africa (CNBC) and Moscow’s Diplomatic Approach to the Russia-Africa Summit (United States Institute of Peace)

July 18, 2023

Upcoming Events
Redefining Crisis Responses: Unveiling The Sahel Dilemma and Innovative Engagement Approaches, July 18, 11:00am EDT (Africa Faith & Justice Network)

Great Power Competition Implications in Africa: The Russian Federation and its Proxies, July 18, 2:00pm EDT (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

Russia in Africa: The Wagner Group, Russia-Africa Summit and Beyond, July 19, 9:30am EDT (United States Institute of Peace)

News & Analysis
Top Picks
Here’s Why US-Africa Trade Under AGOA Has Been Successful for Some Countries but Not Others, by Landry Signé (Brookings Institution)

Reimagining the AGOA to Deepen the U.S.-African Economic Partnership, by Daniel F. Runde & Thomas Bryja (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Continent At-Large
United States AGOA and Private Sector Collaboration as Backbone for Strengthening Relations with Africa, by Kester Kenn Klomegah (Modern Diplomacy)

Engaging with Africa Starts on Main Street, by Scott Eisner & Bob Harvey (The Hill)

African Leaders at Business Summit Call for Extension of Trade Deal With US, by Mqondisi Dube (Voice of America)

African Trade Ministers Push for Revamp of AGOA Trade Act, by Yinka Adegoke (Semafor)

U.S.-Africa Business Summit Looks to Enhance Africa’s Value in Global Chains, by Nontobeko Mlambo (allAfrica)

USAID Announces Appointment of Prosper Africa Coordinator (United States Agency for International Development)

US: 10 Things to Know About British Robinson, the New Head of Prosper Africa, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Delivers on Major Trade and Investment Deals Following the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit (The White House)

US Shows Off $6 Billion In Africa Deals Since Biden’s ‘All In’ Vow (Agence France Presse)

U.S.- Africa Trade and Investment Flourish, Fueling Economic Growth and Job Creation, by Stacy M. Brown (Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder)

The US Cannot Allow Russian Mercenaries to Continue Ransacking the African Continent, by Roy Allen Howell (The Hill)

Russia’s Wagner Uprising Will Force a Kremlin Reshuffle in Africa, by Heather Ashby & Joseph Sany (United States Institute of Peace)

In Africa, Wagner Is Not the Only Game in Town, by Amanda Kadlec (New Lines Magazine)

Positioning China as ‘Imaginary Enemy’ at the Core of US Africa Strategy, by Song Wei (Global Times — Chinese State Media)

Central Africa/Sudans
Sudan: While US, Saudi Diplomats Talked, Generals Rearmed (The Africa Report)

Investigations and Prosecutions of Atrocities in Darfur (U.S. Department of State)

USAID Chief Says She’s Haunted by How Many People Are Unable to Leave Sudan, by Joyce Hackel (The World)

Angola, DRC Eye Iconic Rail Revamp to Quench Global Minerals Thirst (Radio France Internationale)

East Africa/Horn
The U.S. Containment Strategy in Somalia (International Crisis Group)

Eritrea’s Growing Ties with China and Russia Highlight America’s Inadequate Approach in East Africa, by Joshua Meservey (Hudson Institute)

Standard Bank Chief Touts East Africa Pipeline at US Summit, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

United States Launches a Regional Summit for the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs in East Africa (African Business)

North Africa
Stronger Transatlantic Cooperation Key to More Stable North Africa, by James Jay Carafano & Stefano Graziosi (The Heritage Foundation)

Menendez, Risch Applaud Committee Passage of Safeguarding Tunisian Democracy Act (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

Southern Africa
South Africa Lobbies to Retain Preferential Access to US Markets, by S’thembile Cele (Bloomberg)

The Democrats Want America to Be More Like South Africa. That’s a Terrible Idea., by Bryan Dean Wright (The Daily Caller)

Zimbabwe Crashes America’s Summit in Africa, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

US Senator Objects to Zimbabwean President’s Invitation to US-Africa Business Summit, by Peter Fabricius (Daily Maverick)

West Africa
On Sierra Leone’s Election (U.S. Department of State)

Common Typo Causes Millions of Emails Intended for Members of the US Military to Be Sent to Accounts in Mali, by Sean Lyngaas (CNN)

Recent Events
State of Migration in East and Horn of Africa, July 11, 3:30pm EDT (United States Institute of Peace)

AGOA and the Future of US-Africa Trade and Investment, July 12, 9:30am EDT (Atlantic Council)

A Conversation with Rep. Sara Jacobs, July 14, 9:00am EDT (Devex)

Check out How Will the NATO Summit Affect Africa? (Voice of America) and The State of Africa’s Indebtedness (Into Africa, Center for Strategic & International Studies)

July 11, 2023

Upcoming Events
State of Migration in East and Horn of Africa, July 11, 3:30pm EDT (United States Institute of Peace)

A Conversation with Rep. Sara Jacobs, July 14, 9:00am EDT (Devex)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
Prosper Africa at Four: Successes, Questions, and Next Steps, by Ned Rauch-Mannino (The Heritage Foundation)

Continent At-Large
Power Africa: 10 Biggest Projects in 10 Years, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Botswana Hosts 1,000 Business, Political Leaders for US-Africa Business Summit, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

See the $500 Million Deal Between African Development Bank and the United States, by Chinedu Okafor (Business Insider Africa)

US Asks What’s Next for Wagner Group in Middle East, Africa, After Mutiny Attempt, by Phil Stewart & Idreas Ali (Reuters)

Sudan, Mali, CAR: US Goes After Russia’s Gold Operations, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

A Golden Opportunity on the Rainbow Continent, by Bobby Miller (National Review)

How America Can Win Over the Global South, by Suzanne Nossel (Foreign Affairs)

Why China’s Global South Diplomacy Is Such a Challenge for the United States, by Cobus van Staden (The China Project)

Chinese Professional Military Education for Africa: Key Influence and Strategy, by Paul Nantulya (United States Institute of Peace)

Peak China, a Declining USA and the Future of Africa, by Jakkie Cilliers (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute)

The U.S. Strategic Minerals Situation Is Critical, by Christina Lu (Foreign Policy)

The Era of Geopolitical Competition: Implications for Peacebuilding in Africa, by Faith Mabera (The Finer Points)

How Africa Surprised the West During the War in Ukraine, by Ted Snider (The National Interest)

After the Fall of Roe, Emboldened Religious Conservatives Lobby to Restrict Abortion in Africa, by Cara Anna (Associated Press)

US Intel Executive ‘Actively Responsible’ for Driving anti-LGBTQ+ Agenda in Africa, Say Campaigners, by Caroline Kimeu (The Guardian)

Is American Influence Waning in Africa?, by Anthony Akaeze (Baptist News Global)

Including Africa Threat Analysis in Force Design 2030, by Glen Segell (Journal of Advanced Military Studies)

Biden Rules Tighten Limits on Drone Strikes, by Charlie Savage (The New York Times)

The U.S. Funds Shadow Police Units All Over the World, by Michael M. Phillips (The Wall Street Journal)

Central Africa/Sudans
U.S. Envoy Pick Reveals Battle Over Sudan Policy, by Robbie Gramer (Foreign Policy)

Senior US Diplomat to Travel to Addis Ababa to Discuss Sudan Conflict, by Kanishka Singh (Reuters)

Glencore Launches In-House Lobbying as US Targets Cobalt Operations in DRC, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Progressives Use Pentagon Budget to Protest Outrageous Anti-LGBTQ+ Law, by Nick Turse (The Intercept)

East Africa/Horn
Don’t Let Ethiopia off the Hook, by Kate Hixon & Kehinde A. Togun (Foreign Policy)

U.S. Lifts Human Rights Violation Designation on Ethiopia, by Robbie Gramer (Foreign Policy)

Blinken’s Legacy in Africa Might Be Setting Somalia Ablaze, by Michael Rubin (Washington Examiner)

Deployed Forces in Somalia Leave US in ‘Lopsidedly Militaristic’ Position, Report Says, by John Vandiver (Stars and Stripes)

New US Airstrikes Kill Al-Shabab Militants, by Harun Maruf (Voice of America)

Terrorist Group’s Claim of US Casualties in Somalia Blast ‘Not Accurate,’ AFRICOM Says, by John Vandiver (Stars and Stripes)

U.S. Forces Provide Assistance to Somalia National Army (AFRICOM)

US Ambassador Meg Whitman: Why Finance Act Will Attract American Investors, by Martin Olage (Mwakilishi)

VP Harris Hails Tanzania Efforts to Build Open Economy, by Maureen Odunga (Daily News)

North Africa
Utah National Guard’s 20-year Partnership with Moroccan Royal Armed Forces (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Southern Africa
The U.S. Helped Coordinate and Finance the New Lobito Corridor Deal, by Eric Olander (China Global South Project)

New Half-Billion Dollar Deal Aims to Position Angola’s Lobito Corridor as Main Gateway for Africa’s Critical Resources, by Eric Olander (China Global South Project)

Americans Tried to Save Elephants in Zambia. Were They the Good Guys?, by Ruth Maclean & Collins Chilumba Sampa (The New York Times)

South Africa: Graft-Accused Mozambique Ex-Minister to Be Extradited to US (Agence France Presse)

DA’s Bid to Secure AGOA Renewal for South Africa Submitted, by Dion George (Democratic Alliance)

U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, Ambassador Dr. John Nkengasong, Visits Namibia to Celebrate 20 Years of PEPFAR Globally (U.S. Embassy in Namibia)

West Africa
Mali’s Destination Unknown, by Michelle Gavin (Council on Foreign Relations)

UN Ends Peacekeeping Mission in Mali, US Blames Russia’s Wagner, by Michelle Nichols (Reuters)

Boko Haram Is a Ghost. The US Needs to Recognize That., by Alexandra Gorman (Atlantic Council)

Chad’s Political Transition Might Be Its Last Shot for Democracy and Peace, by Gondey Ladiba (United States Institute of Peace)

Addressing Election Integrity in Sierra Leone, by Michelle Gavin (Council on Foreign Relations)

Risch on Recent Elections in Sierra Leone (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

Senegal’s Sall Sets ‘Example’ By Declining Bid For Third Term: US (Agence France Presse)

Senegal’s President Says He Won’t Run Again. Democracy Advocates Applaud., by Rachel Chason (The Washington Post)

US Launches Energy Security Dialogue with Nigeria, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Recent Events
Stepping Into Focus: Africa, BRICS, and the War in Ukraine, June 28, 12:00pm EDT (Atlantic Council)

China’s Critical Mineral Supply Chains in Africa, June 29, 2:00pm EDT (United States Institute of Peace)

Check out How HBCUs Are Building Ties With Africa (Voice of America) and America Can’t Force LGBTQ Rights On Africa While Not Pushing LGBTQ Rights in the Middle East (Victoria Advocate)

June 28, 2023

Upcoming Events
Stepping Into Focus: Africa, BRICS, and the War in Ukraine, June 28, 12:00pm EDT (Atlantic Council)

China’s Critical Mineral Supply Chains in Africa, June 29, 2:00pm EDT (United States Institute of Peace)

News & Analysis
Top Picks
Prigozhin’s Rebellion Raises Questions About Wagner’s African Footprint, by Rachel Chason, John Hudson, Greg Miller (The Washington Post)

Wagner Group: The Evolution of a Private Army (The Soufan Center)

Continent At-Large
U.S. Targets Wagner Group Associates in Africa with Sanctions, by Eric Bazail-Emil (Politico)

Sanctioning Entities and Individual Connected to Wagner Group in Africa (U.S. Department of State)

US Targets Wagner Group in Curbs on Gold Firms Suspected of Funding Mercenary Force, by Daphne Psaledakis (Reuters)

The United States Issues an Advisory Focused on the Gold Sector Across Sub-Saharan Africa (U.S. Department of State)

Prigozhin’s Uncertain Future Could Help United States Dislodge Wagner Group in Africa (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Wagner Group Mercenaries in Africa: Why There Hasn’t Been Any Effective Opposition to Drive Them Out, by John F. Clark (The Conversation)

There is Still a ‘Scramble’ for Africa, by Nick Kimble (International Policy Digest)

With China on the Move in Africa, Is the U.S. Prepared to Act?, by Ivan Sascha Sheehan (Townhall)

Why China Is Outpacing America in the Scramble for African Trade, by Peter Kagwanja (Nation Africa)

Aid Is the Next Battleground Between China and the West, by Agathe Demarais (Foreign Policy)

Is US Africa Strategy Over the Hill?, by Charles Ray & Michael Walsh (Times Live)

Africa: The African Growth and Opportunity Act Nears Its Deadline, by Virusha Subban (IOL)

U.S. Investors Could Achieve Returns While Addressing Africa’s Infrastructure Needs, by Yeabsira Zewdie (African Business)

Africa’s Business Steadily Growing With United States, by Kester Kenn Klomegah (Modern Diplomacy)

The West Must Offer the Global South a New Deal, by Andreas Kluth (Bloomberg)

Central Africa/Sudans
The US and the Sudan Conflict: Motives and Ability to Influence Events (Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies)

Here’s How to Respond to the Genocide Brewing in Darfur, by the Editorial Board (The Washington Post)

US Adjourned Sudan Talks on Wednesday Because Format Not Succeeding, by Daphne Psaledakis (Reuters)

Joint Statement by the Troika on Sudan and South Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

State Department, U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and Norwegian Foreign Office Engage with Companies Operating in the South Sudanese Oil Market Regarding Sanctions and Due Diligence (U.S. Department of State)

Too Early to Withdraw UN Peacekeepers from DR Congo, US Warns (Agence France Presse)

Architects of Terror: The Wagner Group’s Blueprint for State Capture in the Central African Republic (The Sentry)

East Africa/Horn
Out of the Box: How to Rebalance U.S. Somalia Policy (International Crisis Group)

Readout of Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s Meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (United States Mission to the United Nations)

Somali President, Austin Discuss Future, Partnership During Pentagon Meeting (U.S. Department of Defense)

North Africa
As West Battles China, a Trade Ally Tries to Keep Both Doors Open, by Brendan Murray (Bloomberg)

US Urges Algeria to Back Efforts by UNSG’ s Envoy to Solve Sahara Conflict (North Africa Post)

Southern Africa
No Winners in SA, US Spat Over Russia-Ukraine Conflict, by Sizo Nkala (IOL)

The United States Cannot Tolerate an Independent South Africa, by Mandla J. Radebe & Vijay Prashad (Peoples Democracy)

Premier Winde Pushes for SA’s AGOA’s Reauthorisation in US Visit (Western Cape Government)

Our Commitment to Agoa Is Not Just for Trade, but Also Standing Up for What Is Right, by Alan Winde (Daily Maverick)

Hichilema Refutes Western Accusations China Was to Blame for Delays in Zambia’s Debt Restructuring, by Eric Olander (China Global South Project)

Zambia’s Minister of Defense visits AFRICOM Headquarters (AFRICOM)

West Africa
Announcement of the U.S.-Nigeria Energy Security Dialogue (U.S. Department of State)

Recent Events
Africa’s Future Series: Africa’s Peace and Security, June 26, 9:00am EDT (University of Southern California/George Washington University)

Sudan Crisis: Charting a Path Forward, June 26, 10:00am EDT (Atlantic Council)

Check out Three Things to Know About the U.S.-Africa Security Partnership and Thomas Sheehy on U.S.-China Competition and Africa’s Critical Minerals (United States Institute of Peace)

June 21, 2023

Upcoming Events
Africa’s Future Series: Africa’s Peace and Security, June 26, 9:00am EDT (University of Southern California/George Washington University)

Stepping Into Focus: Africa, BRICS, and the War in Ukraine, June 28, 12:00pm EDT (Atlantic Council)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
How to Drive US Investment to Africa, by Witney Schneidman & Gracelin Baskaran (Brookings Institution)

Continent At-Large
What Africa Wants and What the West Needs to Do, by Jakkie Cilliers (Institute for Security Studies)

Libya, Washington and Khartoum, by Khaled Mahmoud (African Arguments)

Counterterrorism Partnerships Sharpen America’s Competitive Edge, by Katherine Zimmerman (The Liberal Patriot)

Uncle Sam’s ‘Dialogue of the Deaf’ with Africa, by Adekeye Adebajo (BusinessDay)

US Trains with African Nations in Large-Scale Exercise Amid Fight Against Regional Terrorism, by John Vandiver (Stars and Stripes)

HIMARS, Allied Partnerships at Center of African Lion Drills, by Zamone Perez (ArmyTimes)

Chairman McCaul Delivers Opening Remarks at Hearing Assessing U.S. Efforts to Counter CCP’s Belt and Road Diplomacy (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

Connected Africa: The Power of Digital Trade, AfCFTA, by Kendra Gaither (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

The African Growth and Opportunity Act Nears Its Deadline (Baker McKenzie)

Central Africa/Sudans
Seeking Urgency on Sudan, by Michelle Gavin (Council on Foreign Relations)

The United States Announces Nearly $172 Million in Additional Humanitarian Assistance for Sudan and Neighboring Countries (U.S. Department of State)

Condemning Atrocities in Darfur (U.S. Department of State)

US Calls Darfur Atrocities ‘Ominous Reminder’ Of Genocide (Agence France Presse)

Sudan: US-Backed Monitor Says ‘Highly Likely’ RSF Killed West Darfur Governor (Middle East Eye)

Visa Restrictions for Undermining the Democratic Process in Uganda (U.S. Department of State)

Top US Generals, UPDF Commander Meet in Somalia, by Andrew Bagala (Monitor Uganda)

East Africa/Horn
U.S. Africa Command Chief Visits Jubaland State During Somalia Trip (Shabelle)

North Africa
African Lion 2023: US Experts Highlight Morocco-US Strategic Partnership for Peace, Stability (North Africa Post)

Special Representative McAuliffe Supports African Innovation In Morocco (U.S. Department of State)

Risch, Menendez Introduce Legislation to Safeguard Tunisia’s Democratic Institutions (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

Southern Africa
Bipartisan Letter Escalates U.S.-South Africa Tensions Over Russia, by Joe Davidson (The Washington Post)

SA Always Faced Being Axed from US Trade Deal, by Ron Derby (Mail & Guardian)

Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros: US Boosts Indian Ocean Presence Amid Rivalry with China, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Readout of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Meeting with Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the United States (Office of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar)

West Africa
The Case For a Governance First U.S. Security Policy in the Sahel, by Alexander Noyes (The Caravan)

Don’t Abandon Burkina Faso, by Michael Shurkin (War on the Rocks)

The Malian Transition Government’s Withdrawal of Consent for MINUSMA (U.S. Department of State)

US Urges ‘Orderly, Responsible’ Drawdown of UN Peacekeepers from Mali (Reuters)

‘It Was Hell’: Hostage Freed After Years in Africa Recounts Ordeal and Frustrations with US Response, by Eric Tucker (Associated Press)

American and Ghana Military Provide Medical Care to Civilians, by Nathan Baker (U.S. Army)

Assistant Secretary Pyatt’s Travel to Nigeria (U.S. Department of State)

Recent Events
Green Hydrogen for Africa: Opportunities and Obstacles in African Markets, June 21, 9:30am EDT (Atlantic Council)

Check out A Conversation With Judd Devermont, One of the Chief Architects of U.S. Foreign Policy in Africa (The China in Africa Podcast)

June 15, 2023

Upcoming Events
Green Hydrogen for Africa: Opportunities and Obstacles in African Markets, June 21, 9:30am EDT (Atlantic Council)

News & Analysis
Top Pick(s)
Check out the great articles reflecting on the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and the U.S.-Africa relationship more broadly in the latest issue of the Foreign Service Journal!

Continent At-Large
After the G7, and Beyond, the US Needs a Bigger Focus on Africa, by Philippe Benoit (The Hill)

The US Military’s Carbon Footprint Is Making Africa Less Secure, by Kyilah Terry (Responsible Statecraft)

Civil Society Engagement At Core Of US-African Relations In Multipolar World, by Kester Kenn Klomehag (Eurasia Review)

The Fourth Scramble for Africa – an Opportunity for Africans to Dictate the Rules of the Game, by Mandira Bagwandeen (Daily Maverick)

US Takes Stock of Relations in Africa Ahead of Leaders’ Peace Mission to Russia, by Lenin Ndebele (News 24)

Challenging China’s Grip on Critical Minerals Can Be a Boon for Africa’s Future, by Edward A. Burrier & Thomas P. Sheehy (United States Institute of Peace)

How Africa Can Reap from US-China Rivalry, by Denis Owiny (Monitor Uganda)

U.S. Seeks to Expand Developing World’s Influence at United Nations, by Missy Ryan (The Washington Post)

How the US Can Support the African Trade That Matters for the Continent’s Goal of Economic Transformation, by David Luke & Jamie MacLeod (London School of Economics)

CEOs Must Focus on Sub-Saharan Africa if They Want to Stay in Business, Says Top US Official (Bloomberg)

PEPFAR Turns Twenty: What America’s AIDS Program Teaches Us About Leadership, by Jennifer Lotito (Forbes)

Biden Administration ‘Hijacking’ George Bush AIDS Program to Push Abortion in Africa: GOP Congressman, by Andrew Mark Miller (Fox News)

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s Interview with Hayde Adams of VOA’s Straight Talk Africa (United States Mission to the United Nations)

Russia’s Wagner Mercenaries – Putin’s Dogs of War, by Tibor Nagy (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Welcomes White House Advisor Dana Banks to the U.S.-Africa Business Center (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Central Africa/Sudans
Blinken Says US to Consider Visa Restrictions Over Ugandan Anti-Gay Law (Reuters)

US Posts Uganda Warning Over Anti-LGTBQ Law (Agence France Presse)

Biden, Cruz Condemn Uganda Law Allowing Death Penalty for ‘Aggravated Homosexuality’, by Danielle Wallace (Fox News)

Uganda Accuses West of Blackmail in Its Response to anti-LGBTQ Law (Reuters)

Anti-Gay Act: Is the West Manifesting Hypocrisy?, by Elizabeth Kamurungi (Monitor Uganda)

Medics Say No to UN, US Claims on Gay Aids, by Tonny Abet (Monitor Uganda)

U.S. Measures in Response to the Crisis in Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

US Imposing Sanctions Against Those Perpetuating Violence in Sudan, by Daphne Psaledakis & Nafisa Eltahir (Reuters)

U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Warring Sudanese Factions, by Helene Cooper & Declan Walsh (The New York Times)

Risch Statement on Sudan Sanctions (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

US to Announce ‘Next Way Forward’ on Sudan in Coming Days (France 24)

From Abraham Accords To Evacuation: Can The U.S. Restore Its Influence In Sudan?, by Ned Rauch-Mannino (1945)

Why Sudan Matters to Us All, by Gregory Kearns (The Messenger)

Sudan Is Bleeding to Death and Current Triage Is Useless, by Alex de Waal (Responsible Statecraft)

US, Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemn Resumption of Violence in Sudan After 24-Hour Ceasefire (Reuters)

US, Saudi Arabia Urge Sudan’s Warring Parties to Agree to a New Cease-Fire, Fighting Continues, by Samy Magdy (Associated Press)

US Secretary of State Blinken Travels to Saudi Arabia in Push for Sudan Peace Talks, by Melissa Chemam (RFI)

U.S. – Africa Policy Working Group: Briefing on Sudan, by Abdullahi Halakhe (Refugees International)

Public Launch of Sudan Conflict Observatory Monitoring Platform (U.S. Department of State)

America’s Evacuation Efforts in Sudan Stall Out, by Jack Detsch (Foreign Policy)

Project Dynamo: The Daring Mission to Rescue Trapped Americans from Civil War, by Conrad Hoyt (Washington Examiner)

US-Based Aid Group Says Around $900,000 Stolen by Employees in Congo, by Sam Mednick (Associated Press)

U.S. Marines Conduct Exercise Judicious Activation 23 in Gabon, by William Reckley (U.S. Marines)

Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Central Africa (United States Mission to the United Nations)

East Africa/Horn
American Leadership in the East Africa Is Helping Stabilize the Region, by Stephen Yates & Luke Lindberg (Washington Times)

Biden’s Incredible Insensitivity to Genocide: Africa Edition, by Michael Rubin (AEIdeas)

US Military Launches Second Somalia Airstrike Within a Week, by Jeff Schogol (Task & Purpose)

USAID Suspends All Food Aid to Ethiopia Over Massive Diversion Scheme: Reports, by Obi Ayadike (The New Humanitarian)

U.S. Suspends Food Aid for Ethiopia, Citing Widespread Theft, by Declan Walsh & Abdi Latif Dahir (The New York Times)

UN Agency Joins US in Suspending Food Aid to Ethiopia after Diversions, by Giulia Paravicini (Reuters)

Ethiopia Accuses USAID of Defaming Good Image (APA News)

Top U.S. Diplomat Welcomes Ethiopian Pledge to Investigate Food Aid Diversion (Reuters)

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mekonnen (U.S. Department of State)

Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Hammer Travels to Djibouti and Ethiopia (U.S. Department of State)

Afwerki to Putin: Remake World Order to End US Dominance, by Tesfa-Alem Tekle (The East African)

Kenya Calls on Africa to Use PAPSS to Ditch US Dollar in Trade Deals (The North Africa Post)

Gen. Langley Visits Somalia and Kenya (AFRICOM)

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Summit (U.S. Department of State)

North Africa
US Foreign Policy in Tunisia: Dilemmas and Prospects, by Sabina Henneberg (Arab Reform Initiative)

U.S. Army Reserve CST Builds Capacity with Tunisian Partners, by Jessica Forester (DVIDS)

In Second African Trip, US First Lady Jill Biden Visits Egypt, Morocco, by Pearl Matibe (Premium Times)

Morocco: US First Lady Hails the King’s ‘Leadership’ to Empower Women and Youth (North Africa Post)

US First Lady Wraps Up Visit to Morocco (North Africa Post)

Southern Africa
A U.S. Envoy’s Tongue-Lashing of South Africa Infuriates Foggy Bottom, by Nahal Toosi (Politico)

Blinken Allegedly Told Pandor That US Ambassador Brigety Went Rogue, by Lizeka Tandwa (Mail & Guardian)

US Threatens South Africa with Loss of Trade Privileges over Russia Ties, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

U.S. Lawmakers Ask White House to Punish South Africa for Supporting Russia, by John Eligon (The New York Times)

Top US Legislators Demand SA Be Punished for Russian Support, by Helena Wasserman (News 24)

US Lawmakers: ‘Pretoria, Move August Trade Summit!’ (Reuters)

SA Adamant Its Relations with US Intact as Policymakers Caution Against Hosting AGOA Forum, by Kgaugelo Masweneng (Times Live)

US Prefers to Keep SA on Side Amid Russia Controversy, by Eric Naki (The Citizen)

Could the War in Ukraine Spoil US-South Africa Ties?, by Connor Echols (Responsible Statecraft)

Debate Over Possible Putin Visit Heats Up in South Africa Amid U.S. “Concern” Over BRICS Intentions, by Sarah Carter (CBS News)

US Calls on South Africa to Persuade Russia to Comply with Treaty that Limits Nuclear Weapons, by Peter Fabricius (Daily Maverick)

Russia’s Lavrov Rejects US Accusations Against South Africa (Africanews)

US Cracks Down on SA Flight Schools with Alleged Links to China’s Military, by Thando Maeko (Business Day)

Readout of 19th U.S.-South Africa Defense Committee (U.S. Department of Defense)

Why AGOA Is Vital for SA Food Exporters, by Wolfe Braude (News24)

Angola Says It’s Ready to Ditch Russia for US as Lourenço Eyes Third Term, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Export-Import Bank of the United States Approves More Than $900M for Solar Energy Project in Angola (Export-Import Bank of the United States)

US Eyes Chance to Challenge China’s Dominance in Key African Trade Corridor, by Jevans Nyabiage (South China Morning Post)

Diplomat: USAID to Continue Providing Aid to Zimbabwe Despite Protest Over Election Ads, by Columbus Mavhunga (Voice of America)

Risch Applauds Committee Passage of Legislation on Eswatini, Human Trafficking (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

Deputy Secretary Verma’s Meeting with Mauritian President Roopun (U.S. Department of State)

Deputy Secretary Verma’s Meeting with Mauritian Prime Minister Jugnauth (U.S. Department of State)

Deputy Secretary Verma’s Meeting with Mauritian Leader of the Opposition Duval (U.S. Department of State)

Department of State Celebrates Groundbreaking of New U.S. Embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius (U.S. Department of State)

Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Verma’s Meeting with Comorian President Azali (U.S. Department of State)

U.S. Engagement in Comoros (U.S. Department of State)

Deputy Secretary for Management & Resources Verma’s Meeting with Seychellois President Ramkalawan (U.S. Department of State)

Deputy Secretary for Management & Resources Richard Verma’s Meeting with Seychellois Foreign Minister Radegonde (U.S. Department of State)

Deputy Secretary Verma’s Meeting with Commissioner of Anti-Corruption Commission Seychelles May De Silva (U.S. Department of State)

Opening of the U.S. Embassy in Victoria, Seychelles (U.S. Department of State)

US Reopens Embassy in Seychelles After 27-Year Absence (Associated Press)

US Reopens Its Seychelles’ Embassy to Boost Bilateral Trade (Garowe Online)

“One Country, One Day” Conference Promotes United States (U.S.) – Madagascar Trade and Investment (APO Group & U.S. Embassy in Madagascar)

West Africa
Washington’s Dilemma in Chad: Defense or Democracy?, by Michael M. Phillips (The Wall Street Journal)

On the Unrest in Senegal (U.S. Department of State)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Senegalese President Sall (U.S. Department of State)

Sierra Leone Election Series: US Speaks on Relationship with Sierra Leone, by Pearl Matibe (Premium Times)

Biden Pledges Support for Tinubu’s Administration, by Kazeem Biriowo (Nigerian Tribune)

Gambia Hires US Law Firm to Consider Action on Toxic Indian Cough Syrup, Minister Says, by Pap Saine & Edward Mcallister (Reuters)

Secretary Antony J. Blinken Before Meeting on Multilateralism in the Sahel (U.S. Department of State)

Recent Events
FY 2024 Budget Request for the Middle East and North Africa, May 31, 10:00am EDT (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

Sudan in Conflict and the Implications for the U.S. Footprint in Africa, June 1, 2:00pm EDT (Jewish Institute for National Security of America)

PEPFAR at 20: Bridging Divides and Building a Better Future, June 5, 3:00pm EDT (Bipartisan Policy Center)

May 30, 2023

Upcoming Events
FY 2024 Budget Request for the Middle East and North Africa, May 31, 10:00am EDT (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
Africa Is Getting Renewed Attention from Washington — and Some African States Are Courting African Americans, by Asafa Jalata (The Conversation)

Continent At-Large
America’s Failure in Africa, by Rui Verde (The Elephant)

US Veteran Diplomat Johnnie Carson Races to Enact Biden’s Africa Agenda, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Filling Africa’s Data Gap: How the World Bank Can Bolster the Continent’s Economic Growth, by Jendayi Frazer & Peter Blair Henry (Foreign Affairs)

Beijing and Washington Are Battling Over Africa’s Green Future, by Theophile Pouget-Abadie & Rachel Rizzo (Foreign Policy)

Sudan’s Crisis Offers New Lessons for Building Peace in the Sahel, by Joseph Sany & Susan Stigant (U.S. Institute of Peace)

US Sanctions Wagner in Mali, Confirms CNN Investigation on Support to Sudan Paramilitaries, by Nima Elbagir & Eve Brennan (CNN)

West, North African Countries Host Month-Long US-Funded Military Exercise, by Lenin Ndebele (News 24)

Reform PEPFAR, the 25-Year ‘Emergency’ Foreign Aid Program, by Tim Meisburger (The Hill)

Is the U.S. Missing Out on Top Talent from Africa?, by Emmanuel Smadja (International Policy Digest)

Does America Have Summit Syndrome?, by Rachel George (The National Interest)

Celebrating Africa Day: Advancing through the AfCFTA, by Scott Eisner (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Central Africa/Sudans
America’s Best Choice in Sudan Is the Least Bad Option, by Joshua Meservey (Hudson Institute)

In Sudan, Washington Needs To Settle on a Side, by Benny Avni (New York Sun)

Saudi Arabia, US Say Sudan Factions Posturing for Escalation, by Khalid Abdelaziz (Reuters)

Blinken Warns Rival Sudanese Generals to Respect Latest Truce or Face Possible Sanctions, by Amy Magdy (Associated Press)

McCaul, Risch Press Admin’s Handling of the Crisis in Sudan (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

Why US-China Anti-Piracy Efforts Offer Hope for Cooperation on Ending Sudan War, by Emanuele Scimia (South China Morning Post)

The United States Announces $245 Million in Humanitarian Assistance to Sudan and Neighboring Countries (U.S. Department of State)

Support for SRSG Perthes in Leading UNITAMS (U.S. Department of State)

Biden Urges Uganda to Repeal Drastic New Anti-LGBT Law, by Nicholas Bariyo & Gabriele Steinhauser (The Wall Street Journal)

On the Enactment of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act (U.S. Department of State)

US Revokes Visas After Museveni Signs Tough Anti-Gay Bill Into Law, by Jonathan Kamoga (The East African)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Democratic Republic of the Congo President Tshisekedi (U.S. Department of State)

East Africa/Horn
U.S. Counterterrorism Operation in Somalia (AFRICOM)

US Military Confirms Airstrike Against Al-Shabab in Somalia, by Harun Maruf (Voice of America)

New US Sanctions on Al Shabaab Signal Return to Old Crimes, by Manase Otsialo (The East African)

Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield Announcing $524 Million in Humanitarian Assistance at a High-level Pledging Event on the Horn of Africa (United States Mission to the United Nations)

Attack on the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (U.S. Department of State)

North Africa
Readout of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s Meeting with Tunisia’s Ambassador to the United States (Office of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar)

Southern Africa
A South African Company Delivered Arms to Russians, Government Probe Suggests, by Sam Mkokeli (Semafor)

South Africa Has Non-Aligned Itself Out of Relevance, by Charles Onyango-Obbo (Bloomberg)

The Lady R and AGOA — Take a Lesson from Warren Buffet and Make a Case for the Intrinsic Value of SA Inc, by Theo Boshoff (Daily Maverick)

Patel: SA Must Do All It Can to Remain in AGOA, by Carol Paton (News 24)

Wheels Come Off South Africa’s Hollow Version of Non-Alignment, by Priyal Singh (Institute for Security Studies)

Arms-to-Russia Row Raises Doubt About South Africa’s Compliance with Arms Control. It Could Face Tougher Scrutiny in Future, by Moses B. Khanyile (The Conversation)

Walking the Tightrope Between the Superpowers (Business Day)

A New Look Into Why the US Blocked Exports of Nuclear Fuel Components to Koeberg, by Peter Fabricius (Daily Maverick)

Deputy Secretary Verma’s Travel to Mauritius, Comoros, and Seychelles (U.S. Department of State)

West Africa
President Biden Announces Presidential Delegation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Attend the Inauguration of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu (The White House)

US Delegation Proves Tinubu’s Acceptance By World Leaders, by Sunday Isuwa (Leadership)

US Sanctions Wagner Commander in Mali in Latest Crackdown on Russian Mercenary Operations in Africa, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

The Sahel Now Accounts for 43% of Global Terrorism Deaths, by Mark Green (The Wilson Center)

Promoting Accountability for Human Rights Abuses and Violations in Moura, Mali (U.S. Department of State)

Niger’s Cycle of Deadly Violence Raises Questions Over US Counter-Terror Role, by Nick Turse (The Guardian)

Senegal: Seck Plans US Visit to Undercut President Sall’s Potential Third Term Bid, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Recent Events
Partnering for Impact: How Strategic Partnerships Cultivate Entrepreneurship Across Africa, May 24, 12:00pm EDT (U.S. African Development Foundation)

Africa Day Open Forum: Re-Shaping a New US-Africa Policy & the Role of HBCU, May 25, 8:00am EDT (Howard University)

Africa Day 2023: A Conversation with Congress, May 25, 2:00pm EDT (Atlantic Council)

May 23, 2023

Upcoming Events
Partnering for Impact: How Strategic Partnerships Cultivate Entrepreneurship Across Africa, May 24, 12:00pm EDT (U.S. African Development Foundation)

Africa Day Open Forum: Re-Shaping a New US-Africa Policy & the Role of HBCU, May 25, 8:00am EDT (Howard University)

Africa Day 2023: A Conversation with Congress, May 25, 2:00pm EDT (Atlantic Council)

News & Analysis
Top Picks
Dealing with Hybrid Regimes: Pursuing US Interests Without Giving them a Pass on Democracy, by Patrick Quirk & Santiago Stocker (Just Security)

U.S. Apathy Paved the Way for China in Africa, by Howard W. French (Foreign Policy)

Continent At-Large
How the United States Can Effectively Implement Its New Digital Transformation With Africa Initiative, by Jane Munga (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

The Global Economy’s Future Depends on Africa, by Jack A. Goldstone & John F. May (Foreign Affairs)

How the World Misunderstands the African Market, by Nahal Toosi (Politico)

Africa’s Business Revolution: A Visual Exploration, by Ellington Arnold (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

FACT SHEET: Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment at the G7 Summit (The White House)

US Struggles to Get Africa to Break with Russia’s Wagner Group, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

US Fails to Vie with China in Africa, Plunging Continent into Chaos (Press TV — Iranian State Media)

America’s African Diaspora: An Unmatched Advantage in the Soft Power Competition for Influence, by Yaya Moussa (The Africa Report)

US Embassies Should Not Cede Space to Terrorists, by Kathryn Tyson & Katherine Zimmerman (The Messenger)

U.S. Africa Command Civilian Casualty Assessment Report; 2nd Quarter, 2023 (AFRICOM)

Rumours of AFRICOM’s Departure from Stuttgart Are Unfounded (Africa Intelligence)

African Lion 23 Begins, by Chris Bradley (U.S. Army)

State Partnership Program Adds 3 New Partner Nations in Africa, by Allison Stephens (National Guard)

Central Africa/Sudans
What the U.S. Can Do to Help Sudan, by Mutasim Ali & Yonah Diamond (Time)

Biden’s Sanctions on Sudan Aren’t Working — Here’s What He Needs to Change, by Mutasim Ali & Yonah Diamond (The Hill)

Sudan: Engage Civilians Now, Not Later, by Susan Stigant (United States Institute of Peace)

Battered by War, Sudan Faces Many Possible Paths — None Good, by Declan Walsh (The New York Times)

Fleeing Sudan, U.S. Diplomats Shredded Passports and Stranded Locals, by Declan Walsh (The New York Times)

The Sudanese Sate Is Collapsing, but Does the US or Africa Really Care?, by Kate Almquist Knopf (Daily Maverick)

Inside the Scramble to Evacuate a US Embassy Surrounded by the Chaos of Street Fighting, Gunfire, and Explosions, by Jake Epstein (Insider)

Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements in Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Sudanese General Burhan (U.S. Department of State)

USAID Chief Says Committed to Helping Sudanese Refugees, by Virginia Pietromarchi (Al-Jazeera)

United States Provides More Than $103 Million to Support Countries Affected by the Crisis in Sudan (U.S. Agency for International Development)

South Sudan Is Facing a Cascade of Chaos, by John Prendergast & Brian Adeba (The Hill)

Readout of APNSA Jake Sullivan’s Call with President of Gabon Ali Bongo Ondimba (The White House)

East Africa/Horn
The Failure of Partner-Led, US-Enabled Policy in the Horn of Africa: The Case Study of Somalia, by Guled Ahmed (Middle East Institute)

Readout of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s Meeting with Somalia’s Ambassador to the United States (Office of Rep. Ilhan Omar)

US Pledges Support to East Africa Private Sector, by Zephania Ubwani (The Citizen)

Speaker Wetang’ula Appeals to US Over Sh960 Billion Silicon Savannah Project, by David Mwere (Nation Africa)

North Africa
Tunisia Can “Bounce Back” from Authoritarianism with Proper Support, by Sabina Henneberg & Sarah Yerkes (Just Security)

Joint Statement on the U.S.-Egypt Joint Economic Commission (U.S. Department of State)

Southern Africa
A South African Scandal Could Shake up Relations With Washington, by Robbie Gramer & Jack Detsch (Foreign Policy)

Walking on Diplomatic Eggshells with South Africa Only Obscures Increasingly Discordant US-SA Relationship, by Michelle Gavin (Daily Maverick)

Facing Reality on South Africa, by Michelle Gavin (Council on Foreign Relations)

South Africa’s ‘Russian Armsgate’ Signals New Tensions with the U.S., by Chris Olaoluwa Ògúnmọ́dẹdé (World Politics Review)

South Africa’s Nonsensical Nonalignment, by Eusebius McKaiser (Foreign Policy)

Minister Modise’s Response to US Is Petulant and Doesn’t Grasp the Seriousness of the Tectonic Shifts in Geopolitics, by Ron Derby (Mail & Guardian)

US-SA Diplomatic Spat Signals BRICS Jitters, by Sarah Smit (Mail & Guardian)

South Africa’s Russia Problem, by Dov S. Zakheim (The Hill)

South Africa No Longer Hedging, Moves Closer to Russia (The Soufan Center)

Geopolitics Behind US Weapons Claim, by Philip Dexter (Mail & Guardian)

Did South Africa Sell Arms to Russia? Only a Series of Unlikely Scenarios Could Have Made It Possible, by Guy Lamb (The Conversation)

US Ambassador ‘Shooting Blanks’ in Guns for Russia Claim, by Paddy Harper, Emsie Ferreira & Lizeka Tandwa (Mail & Guardian)

ANC Still Wary of Trusting US Ambassador Brigety, by Lizeka Tandwa (Mail & Guardian)

South Africa’s ANC Holds Talks With US Envoy After Russia Row, by S’thembile Cele & Mpho Hlakudi (Bloomberg)

Angola and US Co-Host 2023 Intelligence Conference, Address Terror Threats, by Pearl Matibe (defenceWeb)

West Africa
Gunmen Attack US Convoy in Southeast Nigeria; 2 Policemen, 2 Consulate Staffers Killed, by Chinedu Asadu (Associated Press)

Nigerian Police Rescue Two U.S. Embassy Staff Missing After Convoy Attack, by Alexandra Wexler & Gbenga Akingbule (The Wall Street Journal)

Attack on US Convoy in Nigeria Probed After Four People Killed, by Anthony Osae-Brown (Bloomberg)

Attack on U.S. Convoy in Nigeria (U.S. Department of State)

Police Release Names of Victims of U.S. Embassy Convoy Attack, Say 2 Suspects Arrested, by David-Chyddy Eleke (This Day)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Nigerian President-elect Tinubu (U.S. Department of State)

Nigeria’s Losing Presidential Candidates Confront US Over Call with Disputed Presidential Elect, by Lenin Ndebele (News 24)

Chad Opposition Leader Hires Lobbyist for US Pressure Campaign on Déby, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

It’s the Safe Haven Surrounded by Jihadist Radicals, Russian Mercenaries and Madcap Dictators. Can It Cling On?, by Kim Sengupta (Independent)

US Says Russia’s Wagner Group Seeking to Transit Material Acquisitions through Mali (Reuters)

US Urges Mali to Investigate, Hold Accountable Those to Blame for Moura Attack (Reuters)

Petition Document for Liberia’s War Crimes Court Surfaces in Washington, D.C. (Daily Observer)

Recent Events
How Far Has USAID Gotten Toward Localization?, May 16, 9:00am EDT (Devex)

Public Health in Africa: Assuring Health Security for All, May 16, 10:00am EDT (Brookings Institution)

Africa’s Future: Africa’s Strategy Toward Global Powers, May 22, 9:00am EDT (University of Southern California/George Washington University)

May 16, 2023

Upcoming Events
How Far Has USAID Gotten Toward Localization?, May 16, 9:00am EDT (Devex)

Public Health in Africa: Assuring Health Security for All, May 16, 10:00am EDT (Brookings Institution)

Africa’s Future: Africa’s Strategy Toward Global Powers, May 22, 9:00am EDT (University of Southern California/George Washington University)

News & Analysis
Top Pick
How the U.S. Fumbled Sudan’s Hopes for Democracy, by Robbie Gramer (Foreign Policy)

Continent At-Large
When It Comes to Great Power Competition in Africa, One Competitor Is Missing: Iran, by Danny Citrinowicz (Atlantic Council)

Africa Should Resist US Bullying Tactics, by Action Mandingo (The Sunday Mail)

What Is Russia’s Wagner Group Doing in Africa?, by William Rampe (Council on Foreign Relations)

Is Wagner Pivoting Back to Africa?: Ukraine Isn’t the Only Place Where America Must Counter Russia’s Mercenaries, by Colin P. Clarke, Raphael Parens, Christopher Faulkner, Kendal Wolf (Foreign Affairs)

Russia, Wagner, and the Future of Counterterrorism in Africa, by Ryan O’Farrell & Caleb Weiss (Georgetown Journal of International Affairs)

Are US-China Tensions Bad for Africa?, by Harry Clynch (African Business)

Rep. Omar Launches U.S.-Africa Policy Working Group with 20 Members of Congress (Rep. Ilhan Omar)

The Long, Slow Death of Global Development, by David Oks & Henry Williams (American Affairs)

Is `Global Development’ Dead?, by Ken Opalo (An Africanist Perspective)

Central Africa/Sudans
The Geopolitics of U.S. Engagement in Sudan, by Zineb Riboua (Foreign Policy)

Could the US Have Helped Avert the Crisis in Sudan?, by Jonathan Guyer (Vox)

Sudan’s Two Truths, by Michelle Gavin (Council on Foreign Relations)

What Sudan Needs Right Now, by Alex Rondos (United States Institute of Peace)

There Can Be No Peace in Sudan Without the Democratic Empowerment of Its People, by Muzan Alneel (Jacobin)

What the West Gets Wrong About Peacemaking in Sudan (The Economist)

US Hints at Sanctions on Burhan and Hemeti if Sudan Peace Talks Falter, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Sudan’s Clashing Forces Agree to Allow Aid In, but Not to a Truce, U.S. Says, by Declan Walsh & Michael Crowley (The New York Times)

Briefing with Senior State Department Officials on the Situation in Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

On the Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

Assistant Secretary Molly Phee’s Continued Diplomacy to Resolve the Crisis in Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

US Negotiators at Sudan Talks Are ‘Cautiously Optimistic’, by Daphne Psaledakis & Simon Lewis (Reuters)

U.S. Senators Call for Humanitarian Support to Sudan (Sudan Tribune)

Mineral-Rich Central Africa Becomes Focal Point in US-China Tug of War, by Laetitia Tran Ngoc (South China Morning Post)

East Africa/Horn
AGOA Jobs in Kenya Hit 66,000 Ahead of Trade Pact Expiry (The East African)

Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer Travels to Los Angeles, California and Santa Fe, New Mexico (U.S. Department of State)

North Africa
U.S. Ally Rebuffs Requests to Block Russian Military Flights, by Summer Said & Jared Malsin (The Wall Street Journal)

Southern Africa
US Won’t Sanction South Africa Over Weapons Row, Godongwana Says, by Paul Vecchiatto (Bloomberg)

A Painful Price to Pay — What’s Really at Stake in the US-SA-Russia Squabble, by J. Brooks Spector (Daily Maverick)

South Africa Scolds U.S. Ambassador Over Russian Arms Claim, by Missy Ryan & Lesley Wroughton (The Washington Post)

South Africa Summons US Ambassador Over Weapons for Russia Allegations, by Gerald Imray (Associated Press)

South Africa Says US Ambassador Apologised for Alleging Country Supplied Arms to Russia, by Pumza Fihlani (BBC News)

What’s Behind the State Department’s South Africa Controversy?, by Daniel DePetris (Washington Examiner)

South Africa Investigating US Charge of Supplying Arms to Russia (Al Jazeera)

U.S. Says South Africa Supplied Weapons, Ammunition to Russia, by Gabriele Steinhauser (The Wall Street Journal)

South Africa’s Drift into Russian Sphere Triggers Western Concern, by Geoffrey York (The Globe and Mail)

SA, US and Russia Are Capable of Almost Infinite Hypocrisy, by Tom Eaton (Times Live)

South Africa’s Dangerous Game of Russian Roulette, by Ronak Gopaldas (Institute for Security Studies)

South Africa Walks a Tightrope of International Alliances – It Needs Russia, China and the West, by Thapelo Tselapedi (The Conversation)

Questions About South Africa’s Arms Scandal Should Go Beyond ‘Malign Influence’, by Cobus van Staden (China Global South Project)

Calm Heads Required as ‘New Cold War’ Intensifies, by Nontobeko Hlela (Mail & Guardian)

US Rang the Alarm Bells in February About SA’s Alleged Supply of Arms to Russian Cargo Ship Lady R – Godongwana, by Victoria O’Regan & Peter Fabricius (Daily Maverick)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with South African Minister Pandor (U.S. Department of State)

The Landing of a Sanctioned Russian Plane at Waterkloof Undermines Mufamadi’s US Mission, by Peter Fabricius (Daily Maverick)

Department of State Begins Construction on New U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe, Malawi (U.S. Department of State)

West Africa
Taking Steps to Impose Visa Restrictions on Individuals Involved in Undermining the Democratic Process During Nigeria’s 2023 Elections Cycle (U.S. Department of State)

How Supporting a Pardon Helps the US Uplift Africa’s Largest Democracy, by Kelsey Zorzi (The Hill)

Biden Shouldn’t Let Chad Become Another Sudan, by Bobby Ghosh (Bloomberg)

US, Ivorian Armies Host African Land Forces Summit in Abidjan, by Neil Ruggiero (DVIDS)

U.S., Sierra Leone Soldiers Discuss Military Public Affairs, by Luke Wilson (U.S. Army)

Recent Events
A Conversation with Cote d’Ivoire National Assembly President Adama Bictogo, May 9, 10:30am EDT (United States Institute of Peace)

Making Democracy Work in and for Africa, May 10, 9:00am EDT (Afrobarometer)

Russia in Africa: A Re-Emerging Great Power or a Chimera?, May 11, 10:00am EDT (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

Check out Under African Skies (Foundation for Defense of Democracies), The Fight Against Violent Extremism in Coastal West Africa (United States Institute of Peace), China’s Influence on African Media (Africa Center for Strategic Studies), and The Case for More U.S. Soft Power to Counter China in the Global South (China Global South Project)

May 9, 2023

Upcoming Events
A Conversation with Cote d’Ivoire National Assembly President Adama Bictogo, May 9, 10:30am EDT (United States Institute of Peace)

Making Democracy Work in and for Africa, May 10, 9:00am EDT (Afrobarometer)

Russia in Africa: A Re-Emerging Great Power or a Chimera?, May 11, 10:00am EDT (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

How Far Has USAID Gotten Toward Localization?, May 16, 9:00am EDT (Devex)

Public Health in Africa: Assuring Health Security for All, May 16, 10:00am EDT (Brookings Institution)

Africa’s Future: Africa’s Strategy Toward Global Powers, May 22, 9:00am EDT (University of Southern California/George Washington University)

News & Analysis
Continent At-Large
Washington Should Reconsider Its Economic Gameplan in Africa, by Narayanappa Janardhan & Husain Haqqani (Foreign Policy)

Wagner Group Accused of Plotting a ‘Confederation of States’ in Africa, by Alex Thurston (Responsible Statecraft)

China: Africa’s Debt Problems Due to “Dollar Hegemony”, by Eric Olander (China Global South Project)

China-US Tensions: What Will This Cost Africa?, by Yara Rizk (The Africa Report)

Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa Could Permanently Decline if Geopolitical Tensions Escalate, by Qianqian Zhang & Ivanova Reyes (International Monetary Fund)

China’s Global Influence Game, by Michael Cunningham (Discourse Magazine)

US Power Abroad: Development, ‘Soft’ Power, and Washington Conservatives, by J. Peter Pham (The Hill)

Do No Harm: US Aid to Africa and Civilian Security, by Patricia L. Sullivan (Political Violence at a Glance)

Reassessing America’s $30 Billion Global AIDS Relief Program, by Tim Meisburger (The Heritage Foundation)

A New Evidence Localization Initiative at USAID, by Janeen Madan Keller, Julia Kaufman, Amanda Glassman (Center for Global Development)

Army Sustainers Talk Logistics and Contracting in Africa at Summit, by Cain Claxton (DVIDS)

Prosper Africa to Lead a Delegation of U.S. Institutional Investors to Attend Africa’s Largest Private Capital Gathering in Egypt (Africa.com)

Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Todd D. Robinson Travels to Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa, and Accra, Ghana (U.S. Department of State)

Assistant Secretary Stewart Travels to South Africa and Egypt (U.S. Department of State)

Central Africa/Sudans
Does America Realize That Sudan Is Too Big to Fail?, by Lydia Polgreen (The New York Times)

How U.S. Efforts to Guide Sudan to Democracy Ended in War, by Edward Wong, Michael Crowley, Declan Walsh (The New York Times)

Sudan: What’s Wrong with the US-Saudi-Mediated Talks in Jeddah?, by Amgad Fareid Eltayeb (The Africa Report)

A Chaotic Evacuation Is Symbolic of U.S. Failure in Sudan, by Josh Rogin (The Washington Post)

Biden Signs Executive Order to Levy Sanctions Related to Sudan Crisis, by Mengqi Sun (The Wall Street Journal)

Executive Order on Imposing Sanctions on Certain Persons Destabilizing Sudan and Undermining the Goal of a Democratic Transition (The White House)

U.S. Warns Sudan’s Warring Generals Against Hiring Wagner Mercenaries, by David Brennan (Newsweek)

Sudan Fighting Commands Attention. Can US Correct Its Course?, by Howard LaFranchi (The Christian Science Monitor)

Role of US Troops in Sudan to Shift as Biden Administration Sees No Quick End to Fighting, by Ellen Mitchell (The Hill)

People Are Free to Travel at Their Own Risk, by Katherine Zimmerman (Washington Examiner)

Joint Statement on Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

East Africa/Horn
Ethiopia’s Mixed Signals, by Michelle Gavin (Council on Foreign Relations)

US Joins UN in Suspending Food Aid to Ethiopia’s Tigray (Associated Press)

Statement Marking Six-Month Anniversary of the Cessation of Hostilities in Northern Ethiopia (U.S. Department of State)

US Military Driving and Exacerbating Violence in Somalia, by Daniel Larison (Responsible Statecraft)

Making Crisis Inevitable: The Effects of U.S. Counterterrorism Training and Spending in Somalia, by Ẹniọlá Ànúolúwapọ ́Ṣóyẹmí (Watson Institute, Brown University)

US Troops in Somalia Rise to 900, House Votes Not to Withdraw, by Ann Garrison & Jamal Abdulahi (The Gray Zone)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Djiboutian Foreign Minister Youssouf (U.S. Department of State)

North Africa
How the United States Can—and Should—Continue to Support Tunisia, by Sabina Henneberg & Sarah Yerkes (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

Former US Officials, Academics Demand Biden Suspend Assistance to Tunisia Government (Middle East Eye)

Morocco and the United States Renew Their Position as Essential Allies, by Enrique Fernández (Atalayar)

Why the US Is Arming Morocco and Working to Combat Russian Influence in Algeria, by Robert Inlakesh (Mint Press News)

President El-Sisi Meets Chairman of United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (Zawya)

Southern Africa
South Africa Allowed Russian Plane Under U.S. Sanctions to Land at Base, by Lynsey Chutel & John Eligon (The New York Times)

DA and ANC on Same Page about AGOA, but Steenhuisen Touts ‘ANC Is Not South Africa’ to US, by Peter Fabricius (Daily Maverick)

Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice Cormier Smith’s Travel to Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban (U.S. Department of State)

West Africa
Western Countries Pile Pressure on Mali Over Wagner Group Role, by Emma Farge (Reuters)

Recent Events
The United States Development Approach in an Age of Great Power Competition: A Conversation with Former USAID Administrators, May 8, 10:00am EDT (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Check out VP Harris Takes U.S. Promises One Step Further (Into Africa, CSIS) and Sudan Crisis: Americans Remain At Risk (Fault Lines)

May 2, 2023

Upcoming Events
The United States Development Approach in an Age of Great Power Competition: A Conversation with Former USAID Administrators, May 8, 10:00am EDT (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

News & Analysis
Top Picks
How Smarter U.S. Counterterrorism in the Sahel Can Pay Dividends for Great Power Competition, by Christhoper Faulkner, Raphael Parens, Marcel Plichta (CTC Sentinel)

Sudan’s Descent Into Chaos: What Washington and Its Arab Partners Must Do to Stop the Shootout, by Alex de Waal (Foreign Affairs)

Continent At-Large
Increasing Terrorism in Africa and American Counterinsurgency Policy, by Natasha Louis (European Eye on Radicalization)

Are China and Russia Bad for Africa? That’s the Wrong Question., by Howard W. French (Foreign Policy)

A “New Scramble for Africa”?, by Ebenezer Obadare (Council on Foreign Relations)

Who Is Winning the Scramble for Africa?, by Thomas Fazi (UnHerd)

Russia, Proxies Compete With China for Africa (Voice of America)

Public Perception of US, China in Africa Equal, According to Afrobarometer Report, by Lenin Ndebele (News24)

New Afrobarometer Polling Shows Both China and the U.S. Losing Popularity in Africa, by Cobus van Staden (China Global South Project)

New Boston University Report Challenges Chinese Debt Trap Meme That’s Still Popular With U.S. Government Officials, by Eric Olander (China Global South Project)

Africa Is Russia’s New Resource Outlet, by Axel de Vernou (The National Interest)

Africa’s Seat at the Table: Why the G-20 Needs the African Union, by Landry Signé & Brahima Sangafowa Coulibaly (Foreign Affairs)

America’s Dead-End Democracy Promotion, by Hugo Gurdon (Washington Examiner)

United States and Africa: Increased Engagement Regarding Trade Creating Opportunities in the African Free Trade Area (Africa Business)

Uncertainty in Preferential Trade Agreements : Impact of AGOA Suspensions on Exports, by Habtamu Edjigu, Shushanik Hakobyan, Woubet Kassa (World Bank)

The Kamala Harris I Saw in Africa, by Errin Haines (Richmond Free Press)

Central Africa/Sudans
How the West Enabled Sudan’s Warring Generals, by Eliza Mackintosh & Jennifer Hansler (CNN)

How the International Community Failed Sudan, by George Clooney & John Prendergast (Time)

American Doctor Killed in Sudan Had Stayed to Treat His Patients as Bombs Fell, by Nicholas Bariyo (The Wall Street Journal)

Sudan Conflict Poses High Stakes for Global Trade and U.S. Credibility, by Tracy Wilkinson (Los Angeles Times)

US ‘Confident’ of Influence to Bring Down Violence in Sudan (Al Jazeera)

Evacuation Efforts of U.S. Citizens From Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

US Says Second Convoy Carries Evacuees To Port Sudan (Agence France Presse)

Defense Department Ready to Support State Department Ensuring Safe Passage of Americans in Sudan (U.S. Department of Defense)

The Incomplete U.S. Evacuation in Sudan, by Robbie Gramer (Foreign Policy)

Why Aren’t We Evacuating Americans From Sudan?, by Elliot Ackerman (The Atlantic)

Secretary Blinken’s Call with African Union Commission Chairperson Faki About Ending the Fighting in Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

US Postpones Uganda HIV Aids Programme Meeting, Seeks to Assess LGBTQI-Plus Bill (Channel Africa)

East Africa/Horn
Why Kenya, Why Africa?, by Meg Whitman (The Star)

US Boosts Kenya Apparel Industry with $55m in New Trade Deals, by Luke Anami (The East African)

Rep. Matt Gaetz, Progressives Jointly Call for U.S. Military To Leave Somalia, by Nick Turse (The Intercept)

House Rejects Gaetz Resolution to Remove US Troops from Somalia, by Peter Kasperowicz (Fox News)

North Africa
US Stresses Importance of a United Army in Libya (Panapress)

Southern Africa
US Cracks Down on South Africa-Linked Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, by Linda Ensor (BusinessDay)

Central Bank Offers Zimbabweans an Alternative to the US Dollar (Mining.com)

West Africa
Five Principles to Guide U.S. Policy Towards Mali, by Chic Dambach, Vivian Lowery Derryck and Melvin Foote (allAfrica)

Liberia: US Ambassador Accuses Regime of ‘Neglect’ and ‘Contempt’ for Citizens (Agence France Presse)

US, Nigeria Conclude Deal on Super Tucano Fighter Jets, Train 24 Pilots, by Kingsley Nwezeh (This Day)

United States Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Cindy Dyer to Deliver Pre-recorded Remarks at the Inaugural Regional Conference on Ending Human Trafficking of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) (U.S. Department of State)

Recent Events
Sudan: Unpacking the Crisis, April 26, 11:00am EDT (Atlantic Council)

Check out The American Dream of African Immigrants (France 24) and What’s Next for U.S. Engagement in the Horn of Africa? (United States Institute of Peace)

April 25, 2023

Upcoming Events
Sudan: Unpacking the Crisis, April 26, 11:00am EDT (Atlantic Council)

News & Analysis
Top Picks
Democratic Values Are Key to Competing with China in Africa, by Mike Brodo (National Review)

Wagner Group Surges in Africa as U.S. Influence Fades, Leak Reveals, by Greg Miller & Robyn Dixon (The Washington Post)

Continent At-Large
CAR, Chad, Sudan…How the CIA Wants to Push Wagner and Prigozhin Off the Continent, by Mathieu Olivier (The Africa Report)

China Holds Upper Hand in Battle with U.S. for Africa’s Energy, by Robert Bociaga (Nikkei Asia)

Lithium: EU and US Play Catch Up to China Mining Headstart, by Louise Rozes Moscovenko (The Africa Report)

What Do Recent US Official Visits to Africa Mean for Africa-US Relations?, by W. Gyude Moore (The Africa Project)

Note to Biden: Africans Deserve to Live Terror Free, by Michael Rubin (AEIdeas)

Recalibrating US Economic Engagement With Africa, by Joy Kategekwa (The Wilson Quarterly)

Using Geopolitical Complexities and Contradictions for Africa’s Economic Growth, by Kester Kenn Klomegah (Modern Diplomacy)

What America Can Learn from France’s Mistakes in Africa, by Komlan Avoulete (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

Congress Must Reauthorize AIDS Relief: We Still Have Work to Do, by David J. Kramer (The Hill)

VOA Interview: US Senator Chris Coons on Africa, Leaked Documents, by Anita Powell (Voice of America)

Earth Day for Africa: Overcoming “Differentiated Realities”, by Ellasandra Walsh (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Biden’s Pick For Top Africa Job Twice Failed Foreign Service Officer Test, ‘Couldn’t Get Through the English Grammar Section’, by Joseph Simonson (Washington Free Beacon)

Central Africa/Sudans
In Sudan, U.S. Policies Paved the Way for War, by Justin Lynch (Foreign Policy)

Sudan Is Tearing Itself Apart and Washington Lost Its Capacity to Help, by Alex de Waal (Responsible Statecraft)

Sudan in Crisis, by Michelle Gavin (Council on Foreign Relations)

What’s Behind the Fighting in Sudan?, by Susan Stigant (United States Institute of Peace)

US Is ‘in Touch With Hundreds’ of Americans Left in Sudan Amid Worsening Conflict, by Mike Brest (Washington Examiner)

Swift Evacuation of U.S. Staff From Sudan Prompts Questions, by Michael M. Phillips, Nicholas Bariyo, Benoit Faucon (The Wall Street Journal)

U.S. and Other Countries Evacuate Embassy Staff From Sudan (The New York Times)

White House: No Evacuation Plans for All Americans in Sudan, by Lolita C. Baldor, Matthew Lee and Tara Copp (Associated Press)

US Ships, Drones Positioned to Assist Americans Fleeing Sudan, by Meghann Myers (Air Force Times)

McCaul Expresses Grave Concerns Over US Citizen Safety in Sudan, Urging State Not to ‘Repeat Mistakes of Afghanistan Evacuation’ (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

U.S. Rubbishes Sudan Paramilitary Force’s Evacuation Claims, by Khaleda Rahman (Newsweek)

United States Says Wagner Has Quietly Picked Sides in Sudan, by Eric Schmitt & Edward Wong (The New York Times)

How Does the Conflict in Sudan Affect Russia and the Wagner Group?, by Catrina Doxsee (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Announcement of Nationwide Ceasefire in Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

Suspension of Operations at Embassy Khartoum (U.S. Department of State)

Statement from President Joe Biden on the Situation in Sudan (The White House)

Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Sudan (U.S. Department of Defense)

Briefing with Under Secretary for Management Ambassador John Bass, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Ambassador Molly Phee, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict Chris Maier, And Lieutenant General D.A. Sims, Director of Operations for Joint Staff J3 On the Situation in Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

Risch, Scott Statement on Unrest in Sudan, 20 Years After Darfur Genocide (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

Sudan Unrest: Evacuations Intensify as US Warns of Humanitarian Crisis, by Jason Burke & Zeinab Mohammed Salih (The Guardian)

U.S. Military Chief Working the Phones to Halt Sudan Conflict, by Robbie Gramer & Jack Detsch (Foreign Policy)

U.S. Readies New Sanctions on Warring Sudanese Forces, by Robbie Gramer (Foreign Policy)

At a Key Moment, the West Could Have Rescued Sudan. It Didn’t, by Borzou Daragahi (The Independent UK)

The Eruption of Violence in Sudan Shows the Generals Can’t Be Trusted, by Jeffrey Feltman (The Washington Post)

Sudan on Fire: A Tortuous Transition and Power Struggle Fueled by Outsiders, by Khalil al-Anani (Responsible Statecraft)

The U.S.-China Cobalt Test in the DR Congo, by Eric Olander (China Global South Project)

US Warns Regional Forces Against Escalating Tension in DRC, by Franklin Draku (Monitor Uganda)

US Diplomat Calls on DR Congo to Denounce Hate Speech, Hold Inciters Accountable, by Hudson Kuteesa (The New Times)

Washington Gives $10 Million for FACA Military Camps (Africa Intelligence)

Rwanda Showcases Its Coffee to Buyers in America, by Emmanuel Ntirenganya (The New Times)

East Africa/Horn
A Counterterrorism Mission Doesn’t Make Somalia a ‘Vital US Interest’, by Brandon Temple (The Hill)

Kenya-US: 10 Crucial Issues to Tackle at the Trade Talks, by Jeff Otieno (The Africa Report)

Joint Statement on the Third U.S.-Kenya Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (U.S. Department of State)

Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Dr. Alfred Mutua At a Joint Press Availability (U.S. Department of State)

Tanzania: Is It Too Late for the US to Play Catch-Up with China?, by Edward Nyembo (The Africa Report)

U.S. Chamber Delegation Strengthens Commercial Ties with East Africa, by Ellington Arnold (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Amnesty International Gets International Law Wrong in Africa, by Michael Rubin (AEIdeas)

North Africa
Libya Seeks U.S. Help in Fresh Effort to Recover Gadhafi Billions, by Benoit Faucon & Chao Deng (The Wall Street Journal)

Algerian Freed From US Guantanamo Custody (Voice of America)

Southern Africa
Zimbabwe’s Ruling Party Vilifies the Opposition as American Puppets. But the Party Itself Had Strong Ties to the US, by Brooks Marmon (The Conversation)

West Africa
As Russians Plot Against Chad, Concerns Mount Over Important U.S. Ally, by Rachel Chason (The Washington Post)

Nigeria – US: Meet Brian Browne, the American Who Could Shape Tinubu’s Administration, by Eniola Akinkuotu (The Africa Report)

In Nigeria, the Biden Administration Forgets the Religious Roots of Foreign Aid, by Paul Teller (The Washington Stand)

Ambassador Cromer: United States Will Continue to Invest in Gambia, by Sarjo M. Camara (The Point)

Recent Events
Great Power Competition Implications in Africa: The Chinese Communist Party, April 18, 2:30pm, EDT (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

PEPFAR at 20: Achieving and Sustaining Epidemic Control, April 19, 10:00am EDT (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

Protests, Coups, and U.S. Involvement in Africa, April 20, 1:00pm EDT (International Crisis Group)

Russian and Chinese Actors in Africa’s Security Landscapes, April 21, 9:00am EDT (Georgetown University & Howard University)

Carbon Markets: Key to Unlocking Climate Finance for Africa, April 21, 9:30am EDT (Atlantic Council)

Africa’s Future: University Partnerships, April 24, 9:00am EDT (University of Southern California, George Washington University)

Check out Bright Simons on Africa in the Era of Great Power Competition (The China in Africa Podcast)

April 18, 2023

Upcoming Events
Great Power Competition Implications in Africa: The Chinese Communist Party, April 18, 2:30pm, EDT (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

PEPFAR at 20: Achieving and Sustaining Epidemic Control, April 19, 10:00am EDT (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

Protests, Coups, and U.S. Involvement in Africa, April 20, 1:00pm EDT (International Crisis Group)

Russian and Chinese Actors in Africa’s Security Landscapes, April 21, 9:00am EDT (Georgetown University & Howard University)

Carbon Markets: Key to Unlocking Climate Finance for Africa, April 21, 9:30am EDT (Atlantic Council)

Africa’s Future: University Partnerships, April 24, 9:00am EDT (University of Southern California, George Washington University)

News & Analysis
Top Picks
Order of Oppression: Africa’s Quest for a New International System, by Tim Murithi (Foreign Affairs)

African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA): Program Usage, Trends, and Sectoral Highlights (United States International Trade Commission)

Continent At-Large
Millions Will Fall Into Extreme Poverty If The U.S. And China Can’t Come Together On The African Debt Crisis, by Gayle E. Smith (Forbes)

U.S. Steps up Its Game, but China Has a Head Start in Africa, by Guy Taylor (The Washington Times)

US Can’t Drive a Wedge Between China and Africa, by Hannan R. Hussain (China Daily — Chinese State Media)

IMF Says Africa Most at Risk from US-China Divorce, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

Powerful Suitors Are Now Courting Africa, by Danford Mpumilwa (The Citizen)

Kamala Harris Joins the Pilgrimage to Africa, by Peter Fabricius (Institute for Security Studies)

VP Kamala Harris’ Africa Visit: Rethinking US-Africa Relations, by Felix Kumah-Abiwu & N. Kariūki wa Gīthuku (The Elephant)

How the War in Ukraine Ends, and the Implications for Africa, by Jakkie Cilliers (Institute for Security Studies)

Combating AIDS Through PEPFAR Should Remain a U.S. Priority, by William Steiger (George W. Bush Institute)

The World Bank Won’t Succeed Until the West Pulls Its Weight, by Devesh Kapur (Foreign Policy)

The Cost of Ending Counterterrorism, by Katherine Zimmerman (The Liberal Patriot)

Exporting Prejudice: How the West Promotes Homophobia in Africa, by Nic Cheeseman (The Africa Report)

Central Africa/Sudans
US Must Pull Sudan Back from the Brink of Civil War, by David L. Phillips (The Boston Globe)

US Calls for Ceasefire in Sudan, by Julia Mueller (The Hill)

U.S. Diplomatic Convoy Fired on in Sudan as U.N. Aid Workers Assaulted, by Katharine Houreld, John Hudson, Ellen Francis (The Washington Post)

Secretary Blinken’s Calls with General Abdel Fattah al Burhan, Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Commander of the Rapid Support Forces (U.S. Department of State)

Statement Delivered by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield at the UN Security Council Stakeout on the Situation in Sudan (United States Mission to the United Nations)

Risch on Current Fighting in Sudan (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

McCaul, Meeks Call for Immediate Ceasefire and Protection of Civilians in Sudan (House Foreign Affairs Committee)

U.S. Blinken Urges Swift Formation of Civilian Government in Sudan (Sudan Tribune)

Update on the Situation in Sudan (U.S. Department of State)

As Sudan’s Transition to Democracy Accelerates, Reforming the Security Forces Must Be a Top Priority, by Benjamin Mossberg (Atlantic Council)

A Decade Ago, the Obama Administration Acted When the M23 Terrorized Eastern DRC. Will Biden Do the Same?, by Daniel Levine-Spound & Ari Tolany (Just Security)

Kagame’s Revenge: Why Rwanda’s Leader Is Sowing Chaos in Congo, by Michela Wrong (Foreign Affairs)

East Africa/Horn
Kenya: Is Ruto’s Government Dumping China for the West?, by Herald Onyango (The Africa Report)

Kenya-US Trade Talks Might Stall as Local Farmers Wary, by Herald Onyango (The Africa Report)

East Africa’s Thriving Startup Ecosystem Accelerates Commercial Ties with US, by Kenn Abuya (TechWeez)

North Africa
Egypt Nearly Supplied Rockets to Russia, Agreed to Arm Ukraine Instead, Leak Shows, by Missy Ryan, Evan Hill, Siobhán O’Grady (The Washington Post)

Southern Africa
10 Things to Know About Zambia, the New US Darling in Africa, by Julian Pecquet (The Africa Report)

South Africa’s Naval Exercises with China and Russia: Cause for Concern?, by Charles A. Ray (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

West Africa
Washington Provides $1 Million to Help West African States Transition Back to Democracy (Africa Intelligence)

Recent Events
President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa, April 13 (The White House)

African Perspectives on Bretton Woods and Urgency of Reforms in 2023, April 14, 8:30 EDT (Atlantic Council)

Check out U.S. Counterterrorism Efforts Destabilizing African Nations, Intercepted (The Intercept) and US Documents Raise Concerns Over Russia’s Wagner in Burkina Faso (Al Jazeera)