The Habari Network’s Post

Why Niger may become the most consequential Sahel State in Africa - https://lnkd.in/g9cJMGeP - By Fidel Amakye Owusu The Republic of Niger, the largest country in West Africa by land area and the third largest in the Sahel after Chad and Sudan, holds a key geographic position. Situated at the northeastern edge of West Africa, it connects the region to Central Africa through Chad and

10 most peaceful African countries in 2024 A new report by the Global Peace Index for 2024 has revealed that the world is at a crossroads, and without concerted effort, there is a risk of a surge in major conflicts. Business Insider Africa presents 10 most peaceful African countries in 2024 The list is courtesy of 2024 Global Peace Index (GPI). In Africa, the report indicates that Mauritius is the most peaceful country for 2024, with an overall score of 1.577. Globally, there are now 56 conflicts, the highest number since World War II. These conflicts have become increasingly international, with 92 countries involved in disputes beyond their borders—the most since the inception of the Global Peace Index (GPI). The rise in minor conflicts increases the likelihood of more major conflicts in the future. Botswana scores 1.863. Below are the 10 most peaceful African countries in 2024: Rank Country Overall Score Overall Rank 1 Mauritius 1.577 22 2 Madagascar 1.838 44 3 Botswana 1.863 50 4 Ghana 1.938 55 5 Zambia 1.948 57 6 Namibia 1.972 62 7 Tanzania 1.987 65 8 Sierra Leone 1.993 66 9 Liberia 2.025 69 10 Angola 2.043 73

Great article on the global south by Ronak Gopaldas and ISS Africa. I agree with most points, not least the point on how diverse this group is - think of China, Mali and Somalia and their common interests internally as well as in relation to the equally diverse "global north". My main question and challenge: What can the global south as well as sub-groups and individual countries do on their own? Not least in #Africa I think the internal positioning as well as an implicit (and sometimes convenient) victim role is too often seen as the starting point. In my experience, there is no such thing as a free lunch - no matter how unfairly the funding of the lunch has been arrived at. Example: the articled uses Ukraine as an example where the West has engaged, but then partially neglected Gaza and Sudan and Ethiopia. This may be true, but what has Africa done on Ethiopia and Sudan? And what would be the right balance? Certainly worth reading. https://lnkd.in/dka5AHBK Nic Cheeseman Peter J Evans Dan Jørgensen Anne-Mette Kjær African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET)

Eyeopening piece on US Africa policy & the Gulf in TIME by Matthew Page & Ricardo Soares de Oliveira of University of Oxford. I hope State's Africa & Near Eastern Affairs bureaus & the National Security Council, The White House heed these recommendations, because the current policies are causing major problems in Sudan, DRC, Libya. & elsewhere. We're working on more detailed US policy recommendations along these lines now. Key quotes: "powerful smuggling networks—especially in gold—are a major source of interregional financial flows... Washington has begun nudging Gulf states to invest in Africa—particularly its strategically-important mining sector. In doing so, it has chosen to prioritize great power competition above all else... Instead of greenlighting a no-holds-barred scramble for the continent’s natural resources, the U.S. should leverage its deep ties to the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf countries to ensure that their activities bring growth and development—not corruption, smuggling, and warlordism—to Africa." #africapolicy

My second contribution to the Middle East and North Africa intelligence analysis for Global Weekly is released. My piece is on the worsening situation of food insecurity in #Yemen.

#Ethiopia 🇪🇹 Lord Valentine Cecil the chairman of the Eastern Africa Association and Agnes Gitau EAA’s Exec. Dir called on Ethiopia’s newly appointed Ambassador, H.E. Ambassador Biruk, to discuss Ethiopia’s progress & EAA’s unwavering support for the country’s economic growth and regional stability. Our conversation touched on: - Ethiopia’s recent economic reforms, including significant changes to the foreign exchange landscape aimed at boosting investor confidence. - Progress on the Pretoria Peace Agreement, underlining efforts towards lasting peace - Ethiopia’s strategic role in the Horn of Africa, its position as a key player in promoting regional stability and economic integration. H.E. Ambassador Biruk expressed Ethiopia’s commitment to fostering an investor-friendly environment and welcomed future collaborations with the EAA to advance shared goals. This meeting reinforces our dedication to supporting Ethiopia’s economic development and facilitating impactful partnerships that drive progress across the region. #EconomicReforms #RegionalStability #Ethiopia #InvestmentOpportunities #Partnerships

Since establishing diplomatic relations on December 14, 1963, Kenya and China have built a partnership rooted in history, stretching back to the Ming Dynasty. Today, China sees Kenya as a gateway to East Africa, making it a cornerstone of its trade and economic strategy across the continent. From trade and foreign aid to direct investment, the impact of China-Kenya economic ties is visible in Kenya's social and economic development. Chinese investments are powering roads, hospitals, and schools, especially in underserved areas, while malaria prevention programs and skill-building initiatives are improving lives. In recent years, the rise of foreign direct investment in Kenya’s manufacturing, service, and mining sectors has further solidified this partnership. This growing relationship offers Kenya and other African nations a fresh development model, one that’s often called the "Beijing Consensus." With flexible terms and fewer conditions than Western donors, China’s approach emphasizes mutual benefit and tangible results. As this partnership evolves, it will continue to shape Kenya’s path towards modernization and development, bringing benefits to both sides. Let’s look forward to what the future holds for Kenya-China relations!

AFRICA - CAN YOU REALIZE AGENDA 2063 WITHOUT SECURITY & POLITICAL UNITY WITH A CLEAR DIRECTION WITH BENCHMARKED GOALS? WITHOUT THIS HOW WILL AFRICA BE ABLE MANAGE ONE OR TWO SEATS AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL? This reality is very painful as we see big change taking place in the world where countries are fighting to position themselves politically, militarily and economically for the future. No country can achieve peace, economic development and prosperity without security. Africa cannot build its economy and feed its children while trying to dodge bullets. The world is a field of competition. Can Africa tell us if on the track field at the Olympics athletes who are about to win the race stop to care for those who collapse before the victory line? I hope the leaders of the continent will take a minute to answer this question. Africa must understand that it cannot count on its partners in this race for survival for its security and economic development. Africa has the human and natural resources and must organize and work harder with clear goals to achieve its development goals. No man can build his house on the foundations of someone else's house. Africa must come down to earth in its dreams to build the Africa it wants. Africa can learn from its partners, but must not rely on them to build its future. This year, 2024, the continent can boat officially with a milestone of 1.5 (1,520,973,233) billion people, with 70% under 30; 60% under 25, and 41% under 15. It is time to change course. By Eby Aka African Development Bank Group African Union

🌍 The 24th East African Community (EAC) Summit concludes in Tanzania ⚫ Kenyan President William Ruto assumed the presidency of the EAC. He succeeds South Sudanese leader Salva Kiir, whose one-year term has come to an end. Ruto underlined the importance of harnessing emerging opportunities and building a more stable and competitive EAC that will accelerate the creation of a single continental market. ⚫ At the summit, EAC Heads of State agreed to expedite the establishment of the Political Federation, the fourth and final stage of EAC integration, according to a statement from the intergovernmental organisation. ⚫ The EAC is composed of 8 partner states: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania. #HammidBakare #OpeningMonologue #DiasporaNews #News #Africa #Somalia #EastAfricaCommunitySummit #EAC #SouthSudan#Uganda#Tanzania#Kenya #Congo #DRC #Burundi

Africa is a continent transition. By the year 2050, one in four people on the planet will be African, and many are working to realize Africa’s demographic, energy, industrial, agricultural, technological and human development potential. But that transition is not taking place in a vacuum. The world is increasingly fragmented on critical global issues, including those affecting Africa. And the recent series of coup d’etats in the Sahel, the severe impact of climatic shocks and ongoing violent conflicts underline the need for a unified approach among Africans and the international community regarding the continent’s future. Join @usipeace for the Africa Futures Summit to examine approaches to catalyze Africa’s potential to benefit and shape the global system. Discussions will draw on the African Futures research, forecasting and policy analysis led by the Institute for Security Studies, along with perspectives from Africa, the African Diaspora and American experts. Details: Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 Time: 9:00am - 4:40pm EDT Location: Online Event #AfricaFuturesSummit #AfricanLeadership #AfricanLeaders Nancy Atieno Onyango