August 30, 2023
Gabon: Washington Following Gabon 'Closely' After Military Detains President
Washington is following events in Libreville "very, very closely," the White House said Wednesday, hours after military officers in the West African nation of Gabon seized power… Read more »
August 28, 2023
Mali: UN Mission in Mali Enters 'Last Chapter'
This week, the United Nations enters the second phase of drawing down one of its largest peacekeeping missions, after military authorities in Mali announced in June that they… Read more »
August 27, 2023
Somalia: U.S. Airstrike Kills 13 Al-Shabaab Militants, Africom Says
The U.S. military in Africa (AFRICOM) reported a "collective self-defense" airstrike against al-Shabab militants -- killing 13 fighters in Somalia. Read more »
August 26, 2023
Zimbabwe: US Embassy Joins Others Voicing Concern About Zimbabwe Election
The U.S. Embassy in Harare joined other election observers Saturday in voicing deep concerns about Zimbabwe's general election, saying it fell short of the requirements of the… Read more »
August 23, 2023
Africa: U.S. Sees IS Effectiveness Decreasing, but Analysts Warn Resurgence Still Possible
While the Islamic State terror group continues to lose influence in Iraq, U.S. Major General Matthew W. McFarlane recently warned that IS remnants still pose a threat to areas not… Read more »
South Africa: Putin, Xi Slam West At Brics Summit
China and Russia used the second day of the BRICS Summit of emerging economies to criticize the West, while also throwing their support behind the proposed expansion of what's seen… Read more »
August 19, 2023
Africa: Humanitarian Workers Risk Their Lives to Help Others
This year's World Humanitarian Day is being commemorated at a time of increased risk for the thousands of aid workers who put their lives on the line every day to help millions of… Read more »
August 18, 2023
South Africa: Trade On Agenda for Chinese Leader's State Visit to South Africa
Chinese President Xi Jinping will be in South Africa next week for a major summit as well as an official state visit, at a time of increasing South African concern about persistent… Read more »
Niger: U.S. Military Preparing for Worst-Case Scenario, Evacuation From Niger
Planning is underway for a possible U.S. military evacuation from Niger, even though a top U.S. general says any final decision is still "weeks away." Read more »
August 16, 2023
Africa: Chinese Social Media Platforms Fail to Control Racism Against Black People - Report
A new report by Human Rights Watch finds that racist content denigrating Black people is increasingly common on the Chinese internet, and that major social media platforms and… Read more »
August 10, 2023
Africa: China and Wagner in Africa - Friends or Foes?
China's "friendship without limits" with Russia may be tested in Africa, where Beijing's long-established economic interests are at risk of clashing with the growing footprint of… Read more »
August 09, 2023
Uganda: World Bank Says No Future Funding for Uganda Due to Anti-Gay Law
Ugandan authorities say they will keep talking to the World Bank after the bank pledged to not release any new funds to the east African nation. The bank objects to a new… Read more »
Sudan: United Nations Urges Negotiated Solution for Sudan Conflict
A senior United Nations official for Africa called Wednesday for a negotiated solution to the conflict in Sudan, saying there is no alternative. Read more »
August 08, 2023
West Africa: Senior U.S. Diplomat Visits Niger for Talks With Country's Military Leaders
A top U.S diplomatic official has visited Niger to urge the nation's new military rulers to restore the West African nation's democratically elected president to power. Read more »
July 28, 2023
Burkina Faso: Countries Urged Not to Deport Burkina Faso Refugees Amid Escalating Violence
The U.N. refugee agency, the UNHCR, Thursday appealed to West African states not to forcibly repatriate refugees who have fled escalating insecurity and violence sparked by… Read more »
Africa: Target 'Niche' Chinese Travelers, Not Numbers, Tourism Experts Tell Africa
African countries are investing heavily in trying to attract tourists from the world's biggest outbound travel market, China, as they battle to recover from losses suffered during… Read more »
August 04, 2023
Africa: China's Military Influence in Africa Grows As Russia's Diminishes
China's People's Liberation Army marked the 96th anniversary of its founding this week with President Xi Jinping overseeing celebrations in China, but the anniversary was also… Read more »
August 05, 2023
Zimbabwe: U.S. Official Calls for Free, Fair Elections, End to Political Violence in Zimbabwe
Editor's note: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee gave an interview to VOA Zimbabwe Service's Blessing Zulu on Thursday. Read more »
August 03, 2023
Ethiopia: Japan, Ethiopia to Work On Black Sea Grain Deal Resumption
Japan's foreign minister, following a one-on-one meeting Thursday with Ethiopia's deputy prime minister, expressed hope their two nations would work together on the resumption of… Read more »
August 02, 2023
Niger: Washington Closely Watching Niger After Coup
The White House says it's closely watching a coup in Niger, as the U.S. Embassy prepares to evacuate some staff from the West African nation. With the coup plotters staring down a… Read more »
July 26, 2023
Uganda: UN Condemns, Demands Repeal of Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act
A U.N. watchdog committee condemned Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act Wednesday and called on the government to repeal what it calls a harmful, discriminatory law, which criminalizes… Read more »
July 27, 2023
Africa: Communications Director Discusses U.S. Dismissal of Russia's Offer of Free Grain to Africa
The Biden administration is dismissing Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer to supply free grain to several African nations whose leaders are attending a summit in St.… Read more »
Africa: Putin Promises Russian Grain Shipments to Africa
Russian President Vladimir Putin told leaders and officials from African countries on Thursday that Moscow would provide grain for sale or free to the neediest countries to avert… Read more »
July 26, 2023
Africa: Amid Chinese Foreign Ministry Shake-up, Wang On Africa Tour
This week as Beijing suddenly announced that China's foreign minister Qin Gang had been removed after just seven months in the job, his predecessor and now replacement, seasoned… Read more »
Africa: What Africa and Russia Have to Gain From Summit
JOHANNESBURG -- African leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, are heading to St. Petersburg this week for the second Russia-Africa Summit, as an isolated… Read more »