The Empire of Theft: France, US and UAE’s Hidden War on Africa

By Norris McDonald

Jamaica Gleaner

Mali has been in the news with shocking reports of a car bombing that allegedly killed Defence Minister General Sadio Camara and members of his family. This dastardly attack was followed by a coordinated terrorist offensive involving thousands of armed fighters targeting the capital Bamako, the international airport, and other major cities.

Camara was a key figure in consolidating a more cohesive West African military alliance and strengthening ties with Russia. By targeting such a figure, foreign powers likely hoped the Malian army would flounder, leaving the nation vulnerable to renewed external influence and continued resource exploitation.

Sections of the Western press celebrated prematurely. Yet with assistance from Russia Africa Corps, the military forces of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have reportedly inflicted major defeats on Western-backed mercenary forces in the region.

ARAB GULF COMPLICITY 

For many observers, the attack in Mali resembles patterns previously seen in Syria, where externally enabled militant networks rapidly transformed the political landscape. The rise of Ahmed al-Sharra, the Al Nusra (Al Qaeda) leader who later emerged as Syria’s president, remains controversial evidence, for critics of Western foreign policy, of how militant actors can be rehabilitated when geopolitical interests shift. 

What we are witnessing is not entirely new.

The Arab Gulf states – including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates – have long been accused by critics and investigators of helping facilitate financial networks connected to extremist groups, often alongside the geopolitical objectives of American, French, and British intelligence operations. 

The US House Financial Services Committee Report of March 11, 2003 pointed to some of these concerns. More historically, Operation Cyclone remains one of the clearest examples of the CIA’s support for Islamist militant networks during the Afghan war against the Soviet Union, including forces connected to Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda.

The larger question therefore becomes: what drives these recurring cycles of terrorism, instability, and war?

THE PAN-AFRICAN STRUGGLE 

Mali and much of West Africa are not simply facing problems of religious or ethnic conflict. While such tensions do exist, they are often manipulated and amplified, in my opinion, to obscure the deeper issue of continued resource plunder and geopolitical domination.

The Western Sahel appears increasingly trapped in dynamics similar to those affecting Congo, where the M23 insurgency has reportedly benefited from external backing tied to the exploitation and trafficking of Congolese gold and minerals. In the case of West Africa, however, Pan-African leaders such as Ibrahim Traoré, Assimi Goïta, and Abdourahamane Tchiani are now locked in a life-and-death struggle to rescue their nations from the global ‘Empire of Theft’.

The methods of imperialism may evolve, but the objective remains fundamentally the same - control African wealth.

The events in Mali must be understood within this wider historical context of imperial domination and resource extraction.

Mali’s struggles are not simply about terrorism or ethnic division, but centuries-long systems of plunder in which gold and diamonds enrich foreign powers and local collaborators, rather than national development.

Assimi Goïta and his counterparts frame their struggle as one of reclaiming national dignity and asserting sovereign control over national wealth, creating a new modus vivendi that prioritises African people over global capital interests.

These questions point towards broader international smuggling and laundering systems that connect African conflict zones to global commodity markets.

HUB FOR BLOOD DIAMONDS AND DIRTY GOLD

And within this system, Dubai has increasingly emerged, according to international watchdogs, as a major hub for the trade in illicit gold and diamonds which is then shipped to America, Europe and Asia. 

A report by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists revealed that in 2020, the US Treasury abandoned a major money-laundering case against a Dubai-based gold company that had allegedly become deeply embedded in the dirty gold trade. According to investigators, the Dubai-based company purchased precious metals from suppliers suspected of links to criminal and terrorist organisations.

Dubai has become central to the illicit gold and diamond economy. Since 2013, more than 40 per cent of the global gold trade has reportedly passed through the emirate, while diamond transactions rose from US$690 million in 2003 to more than US$38 billion in 2023.

In summary, the evidence exposed by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, and others, suggest – and exposes – the connection between terrorism, resource smuggling, and the money corridor through Dubai. 

This is precisely what the emerging Pan- African popular movements is attempting to confront - the direct and indirect theft of African wealth, while the masses remain poor, dispossessed, and marginalised.

This remains one of the great modern tragedies of Africa. We are repeatedly sold the Anancy story of the so-called “resource curse” and told that Black people are incapable of governing themselves, when the devilish machinery of imperialism continues to undermine independent development and positive political change.

Africa’s uranium, copper, petroleum, lithium, blood cobalt, diamonds, gold, and other strategic minerals continue to fuel foreign economies with the assistance of regional facilitators and comprador elites in countries such as Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Morocco, the UAE, and Qatar.

ECOWAS SILENCE 

The silence of ECOWAS raises troubling questions about the role of African political elites who permit continued extraction and dependency, while millions of African citizens remain trapped in poverty. 

ECOWAS has remained one of the biggest stumbling blocks to African progress. Their corrupt governments are propped up by America and France, who use their territory to destabilise Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. 

The story of Mali is not simply one of terrorism and conflict. It is also a story of resistance, resource control, political awakening, and the enduring fight for dignity and self-determination. 

Despite the continued scurrilous activities attributed to America, France, and the UAE, the growing Pan-African movement is showing true grit, resisting and beating back the dark forces of the Empire of Theft!

That is the bitta truth.

Norris R. McDonald is an author, economic journalist, political analyst, and respiratory therapist. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and miaminorris@yahoo.com.

Mali's Army Carries Out Overnight Strikes on Rebel-held City of Kidal

Mali’s army reportedly carried out several strikes overnight Wednesday to Thursday on the town of Kidal in the desert region in the north of the country.

It has been under the control of Tuareg rebels and their allies from the JNIM jihadist group since their large-scale coordinated attacks across the country in late April.

Their rare alliance enabled a rapid campaign that saw several strategic military bases overrun across northern Mali.

Residents have told an AFP journalist they heard at least four explosions in Kidal on Wednesday night which caused material damage.

One strike reportedly hit a house near a former market, destroying it, while another struck the governor’s compound.

A Malian army officer says the armed forces are targeting specific objectives and warned the strikes will be intensifying in the coming days.

Witnesses say Kidal was unusually calm on Thursday morning with very little traffic on the roads.

The strategic town served as an unofficial headquarters of the Tuareg Azawad Liberation Front coalition for more than a decade

It was captured by Mali's army in late 2023 with the help of Russian mercenaries.

First Doha Flight Arrives in Khartoum

14 May 2026

Badr Airlines aircraft at Khartoum airport

May 13, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The first Badr Airlines flight from Doha arrived at Khartoum International Airport on Wednesday, marking the resumption of service after a three-year hiatus caused by the war.

The arrival comes as national carrier Sudan Airways announced it will restart direct flights between Cairo and Khartoum beginning this Saturday.

The reopening follows a drone attack on the airport last week that briefly suspended operations. The Sudanese government accused Ethiopia of providing launch sites for Rapid Support Forces drones targeting the airport and other locations, a claim Addis Ababa has denied.

Wednesday’s flight from the Qatari capital carried 179 passengers. Sources told Sudan Tribune that a flight carrying pilgrims from Khartoum State also departed for Saudi Arabia the same day.

Sudan Airways will operate the Cairo-Khartoum route once a week. Mustafa Abu Suleiman Travel, Tourism, and Hunting Group reported high demand for the new service, which many travelers see as a vital alternative to the long detour through Port Sudan International Airport.

Booking trends show that Sudan Airways has quickly attracted passengers by offering fares roughly 70% lower than competitors, along with flexible baggage allowances. Three of the five scheduled flights for this month are already fully booked.

Observers noted that these promotional offers could revitalize air travel between Sudan and Egypt and help restore confidence in the national carrier. Passengers are now awaiting the announcement of further direct routes to Khartoum, particularly from Jeddah and Riyadh.

The Civil Aviation Authority issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on Friday officially reopening Sudanese airspace to international traffic at Khartoum International Airport, citing efforts to restore full operational capacity and international safety standards.

Sudanese Army Intensifies Drone Strikes on RSF Strongholds in Nyala

14 May 2026

A member of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) stands near the debris of a drone that the paramilitary group said it shot down in Nyala, May 14, 2026.

May 14, 2026 (NYALA) – The Sudanese army intensified its aerial operations in Nyala on Thursday, launching drone strikes for the third consecutive day against various targets in the capital of South Darfur.

This aerial escalation marks the largest of its kind since the conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in April 2023.

The RSF and its allies have turned Nyala into the capital of a parallel government led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, with Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi serving as prime minister. The city has also become a hub for military supplies arriving from Chad, Libya, and Bosaso, Somalia, following the reopening of the airport.

A military source told Sudan Tribune that the army aims to paralyze the RSF’s defensive and offensive capabilities through these intensive strikes.

The source said the bombing targeted Nyala International Airport, destroying drone runways at the “UNAMID” site and new fortifications built to protect the RSF’s drone fleet. The attacks also hit fuel depots, ammunition and missile stores, air defence systems, and the residences of RSF commanders.

Witnesses and local sources reported that drones targeted several areas of the city, including the airport, the industrial zone, the Al-Riyadh and Dumaya neighbourhoods, and the University of Nyala complex.

Sources noted four unprecedented explosions on Thursday morning, followed by similar strikes in the evening, causing widespread panic among residents.

In response, RSF leadership restricted access to Starlink satellite internet for security reasons and closed several internet cafes. The RSF intelligence wing also launched a wave of arrests targeting civilians and traders in Nyala’s main market and the El Geneina bus station market.

Meanwhile, pro-RSF platforms claimed their air defences shot down a Bayraktar Akinci drone over the city. The platforms shared videos showing burnt wreckage, though Sudan Tribune could not independently verify the drone’s identity.

Earlier in May, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo arrived in Nyala to meet with his allies in the “Ta’asis” coalition and with military leaders from RSF-controlled states.

Sudan Warns African Union Mission Against Finalizing Report Without Wider Testimony

14 May 2026

Sudanese delegation participating at the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights in Banjul on May 12, 2026

May 13, 2026 (BANJUL) – Sudanese officials warned the African Union’s fact-finding mission on Wednesday against publishing any final report before interviewing all affected parties.

Since its inception, the mission has released one report concluding that the Sudanese army, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and their allies committed widespread abuses. That report recommended deploying a force to protect civilians, establishing an international judicial mechanism, and expanding the Darfur arms embargo to cover all of Sudan.

The Sudanese delegation attending the 78th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights met with the head of the fact-finding mission and the AU commissioner for Sudan, Hatem al-Saim.

Sudan’s Ambassador to Addis Ababa and head of the delegation, Zain Ibrahim, said in a statement that he warned during the meeting “against publishing any final report before completing investigations with all those affected.”

He urged the mission to meet with Sudan’s national human rights mechanism and to document victims of RSF violations within the country.

The delegation reiterated Sudan’s reservations regarding the joint statement with the UN fact-finding mission, arguing that existing international and national mechanisms, such as the country office for human rights and the UN Human Rights Council’s designated expert, are sufficient.

On Tuesday, the AU and UN missions issued the “Banjul Declaration” during the 87th African Commission session held in the Gambian capital.

Sudan has consistently refused to cooperate with the UN fact-finding mission established in October 2023 and has denied its members entry to the country.

The Sudanese delegation briefed Hatem al-Saim on recent developments, including the relocation of state institutions to Khartoum and the voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons. The delegation also highlighted a peace initiative presented by the Prime Minister to the UN Security Council.

According to the statement, al-Saim briefed the delegation on the mission’s visit to refugee camps in eastern Chad, where they witnessed the scale of violations committed by the RSF in Darfur. He noted that virtual interviews were also conducted with victims in other regions.

The Banjul Declaration called for an end to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, immediate steps toward a cessation of hostilities, and a sustainable ceasefire supported by monitoring and trust-building measures.

It further called for investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces and recommended the creation of an African-led accountability mechanism to prosecute perpetrators.

Sudan Central Bank Eases Gold Export Rules to Boost Forex Inflows

14 May 2026

May 14, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s central bank has eased gold export regulations and revised import procedures, introducing a daily pricing mechanism that applies a $10 per ounce discount to the global 24-karat gold rate.

The central bank said the move aims to encourage gold exports through official channels to increase foreign currency inflows and stabilize the Sudanese pound’s exchange rate.

Under Circular No. 13/2026, the bank will calculate the daily price by applying the discount to the international exchange rate and converting it to a price per gram in U.S. dollars.

Commercial banks and relevant authorities must adhere to prices announced through the XAR electronic system. The central bank stated that export shipments would not be cleared if their value falls below the estimated incentive price.

In a separate directive, Circular No. 12/2026, the central bank removed previous restrictions on the use of export earnings. Exporters are now permitted to use proceeds from gold and other commodities to fund the import of any goods authorized by the Ministry of Trade.

The regulations established an “intermediate import account” to manage these operations. Funds must be utilized within 21 days, after which the central bank will purchase any remaining balance.

Motasim Mohamed Saleh, secretary-general of the Gold Exporters Chamber, told Sudan Tribune the amendments are a positive step toward reducing currency speculation.

Saleh said the measures would improve the flow of revenues but urged the government to tighten oversight on non-essential imports to ensure the policy’s success.

While welcoming the changes, Saleh noted that exporters still face logistical hurdles and called for the reinstatement of the “passenger-accompanied” transport system to lower costs.

A previous directive, Circular No. 11/2026, allows exporters to use gold proceeds for their own imports or sell them to commercial banks and the central bank. It also set the minimum export contract at one kilogram.

Over 40% of Sudan’s Population Face High Levels of Acute Food Insecurity, Monitoring Group Warns

Customers buy vegetables at a market in Omdurman, on the outskirts of Khartoum, Sudan, Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

10:55 AM EDT, May 14, 2026

CAIRO (AP) — More than 40% of the population in war-torn Sudan are facing high levels of acute food insecurity through May as the conflict enters its fourth year, a global hunger monitoring group said Thursday.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, said in a new assessment that of the nearly 19.5 million people facing this level of food insecurity, 135,000 people were in Phase 5, which is characterized by “extreme food gaps, starvation, very high levels of malnutrition, and death due to disease or acute malnutrition.”

“Conditions are expected to deteriorate further in the upcoming June–September lean season,” the IPC assessment statement read. It warned that an estimated 825,000 children under 5 years old are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition in 2026 amid limited access to medical treatment, marking a 7% increase compared to last year and a 25% increase compared to prewar levels.

More than 98,500 children received treatment for severe acute malnutrition between January and March, according to the IPC.

The war in Sudan broke out in April 2023 after long-simmering tensions between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted into a full-scale armed conflict. At least 59,000 people have been killed, some 13 million displaced, and many parts of the country have been pushed into famine. More than 30 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.

The IPC said Thursday that it found that no area is in famine, but warned that 14 areas in the provinces of North Darfur, South Darfur, and South Kordofan are at risk of famine if conflict intensifies, food access worsens, healthcare and sanitation decline, and displacement increases.

Last year, famine was confirmed in el-Fasher, a major city in the western Darfur region, and in the town of Kadugli, in South Kordofan.

Farmers in Sudan are bracing for an expensive planting season as costs of fertilizers, gasoline to power farm equipment and diesel for irrigation pumps increase due to the conflict in the Middle East.

The Gulf region, where hundreds of commercial ships have been stranded for weeks because of Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz, provides over half of Sudan’s fertilizer that’s imported by sea. Fuel prices have shot up by around 30%.

Two Weeks of Clashes in a Southern Sudan Region Kill Dozens, a Local Medical Group Says

This is a locator map for Sudan with its capital, Khartoum. (AP Photo)

By FATMA KHALED

5:46 PM EDT, May 13, 2026

CAIRO (AP) — Two weeks of intense clashes in southern Sudan have killed over 61 people, including nine children, a local medical group said Wednesday, fighting that is part of the larger war that has gripped the African country since 2023.

According to the Sudan Doctors Network, which monitors casualty tolls in the conflict, the fighting erupted earlier this month between forces linked to the rebel group Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North and the Otoro tribe in the town of Kauda, in South Kordofan.

Rebel leader Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, who commands the SPLM-N, has aligned his fighters with the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, a group that is fighting the Sudanese military.

Sudan’s war, now in its fourth year, has left the military in control over the north, east and central regions, including Sudan’s Red Sea ports and its oil refineries and pipelines. The paramilitary RSF and its allies control the western Darfur region and areas in the Kordofan region along the border with South Sudan — both regions rich in oil fields and gold mines.

Al-Hilu’s group, the SPLM-N, has been active in South Kodrofan and has joined a local government set up by the paramilitary RSF.

The SPLM-N is a breakaway faction of the SPLM, the ruling party of neighboring South Sudan. The Otoro tribe is a minority group in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan.

The war in Sudan broke out in April 2023 after long-simmering tensions between the army and RSF erupted into a full-out war. The conflict has killed at least 59,000 people, displaced some 13 million, and pushed many parts of the country into famine. More than 30 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.

The statement from the doctors group said that according to testimonies its team in South Kordofan gathered from survivors, five women and nine children were among those killed over the past two weeks.

Mohamed Elsheikh, the group’s spokesperson, told The Associated Press that poor communication has made it difficult to verify the full toll, which is likely higher as the clashes continue.

The doctors group also said that SPLM-N fighters burned homes and shops and looted properties. Survivors reportedly told the group that civilians were “indiscriminately targeted.”

The group also warned that areas around Kauda have seen “systematic burning” and attacks on civilians, with no safe corridors for evacuating the wounded or delivering aid.

The SPLM-N did not immediately respond to request for comments.

In Dilling, another town in South Kordofan, artillery shelling by the RSF on Tuesday killed seven people and wounded 17, according to a local hospital. Umm Bakhita Hospital director Omran Teia in Dilling told the AP that civilians were targeted by the paramilitary and SPLM-N.

Sudan’s both warring sides have been accused by the United Nations and rights groups of committing atrocities, including ethnic cleansing, extrajudicial killings and sexual violence against civilians. Aid groups say the true toll could be much higher as access to areas of fighting across the vast country remains limited.

___

Associated Press writer Yassir Abdalla in Shendi, Sudan, contributed to this report.

A Surge in Violence Followed Trump’s Cuts to USAID Programs in Africa, a Study Finds

By WILSON MCMAKIN

2:11 PM EDT, May 14, 2026

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision last year to abruptly dissolve the U.S. Agency for International Development — once a leading global aid donor — has been followed by a significant increase in violence in several African countries that the agency had supported, according to a study published on Thursday.

While the authors did not blame the USAID cuts for the increase in violence, they said the findings demonstrate that “large-scale, sudden aid cuts can destabilize fragile settings.” They, however, added that this is not evidence that more aid reduces conflict, instead it only shows “the effect of a sudden and unexpected disruption.”

For many years, USAID had provided crucial support to African countries wrecked by conflict and violence. By eliminating more than 90% of foreign aid contracts, the Trump administration effectively cut some $60 billion in funding.

The study by researchers from several universities in Europe and the United States said the abrupt withdrawal of USAID resources also interrupted contracts, staffing and aid procurement.

“The abrupt withdrawal of USAID led to a significant and sustained increase in conflict across Africa’s most USAID-dependent regions,” said the study, published in the Science journal.

The researchers said they examined whether the abrupt shutdown of USAID was followed by an increase in violence in regions of Africa that had historically received the most support and found that there was a correlation.

Africa is facing a threat from jihadis more than any other region in the world, conflict experts say. The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data, or ACLED, said Wednesday in a new report that jihadis in the region have been more involved in violence across the board and have been increasingly targeting civilians in the last four years.

USAID had long been the key funding partner for many African countries, helping to provide funding that helped governments and aid groups respond to multiple crises across different sectors.

In Nigeria for example, USAID support had helped victims of the militant Boko Haram group, which emerged in 2002. In Ethiopia’s fragile Tigray region, officials relied heavily on U.S. funds as full-scale recovery efforts were yet to start after the war there killed hundreds of thousands.

And in northern Ivory Coast, a front line of the global fight against extremism, USAID had made significant financial commitments to counter the spread of al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.

The findings from the study underscore the lasting impact of funding cuts, said Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health, who was not among the authors of the study.

“The lasting problem with the shuttering of USAID is likely going to be that for much of its conflict prevention work, even if you put back all the money ... the experience is gone,” Raymond said.

Also, some USAID programs may have helped prevent spillover from conflict zones, said Ladd Serwat, senior Africa analyst at ACLED.

“We now see increasing insurgency and spillover, so some of those programs may have supported these communities from insurgent threats, and now they are no longer active,” said Serwat.

Somalia is in a Deadly Drought Again. Most Humanitarian Aid Isn’t There This Time

By JACK DENTON and OMAR FARUK

10:28 AM EDT, May 14, 2026

PUNTLAND, Somalia (AP) — Most of Abdi Ahmed Farah’s hundreds of goats have died. It has not rained steadily in this part of Somalia for three years, something the 70-year-old never thought possible.

He is in debt from buying water. The reservoir outside his tent is nearly empty. His family is down to one meal a day: rice with sugar and oil. The youngest of his 22 children was born three weeks ago and his wife produces only occasional drops of breast milk.

“I have considered abandoning my family because I cannot provide for them,” said Farah, sitting in front of dwindling food supplies, as if on guard.

Yet another drought is affecting millions of people across Somalia, one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate shocks. Some rivers are dry. Crops have withered. Experts say the drought could be among the worst in Somali history.

The crisis is compounded by aid cuts, most dramatically by the Trump administration, and rising prices from the Iran war. Somalia buys most of its fuel from the Middle East, and 70% of its food is imported.

Production of staple crops of maize and sorghum in the October-December rainy season was the lowest on record in Somalia, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.

Food security experts warn that nearly a half-million children might face severe acute malnutrition, the harshest kind. That would be higher than the number of children requiring treatment for it during droughts in 2011 and 2022, according to UNICEF.

‘It’s a repeated climate shock’

“2026 is the worst year on record for Somalia in terms of drought,” said Hameed Nuru, the U.N. World Food Program director for Somalia. “Children have started dying.”

The Somali government and the United Nations estimated in February that 6.5 million people face crisis levels of hunger, representing a third of the country’s population and a 25% increase since January.

The number of Somalis currently facing food insecurity stands at 6 million, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report released on Thursday. Although the figure is lower than the 6.5 million reported in February, it is higher than the projected 5.5 million indicated in the February report.

Aid agencies are trying to maximize resources and the Somali diaspora is sending money to help, but humanitarian workers warn it is not enough.

“This drought is not just another cycle of dry season. It’s a repeated climate shock with shrinking humanitarian support,” said Mohamed Assair, a manager with Save the Children in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region.

People drank dirty rainwater and got sick

Farah once had 680 goats, but a lack of food and water as well as diseases exacerbated by drought have claimed all but 110 of them, barely clinging to life.

“There is no market for my goats because they are so thin. Previously we would trade them for rice, but now we can’t,” he said. Farah’s family has been at a site outside Usgure village for 10 days. Almost a dozen goat carcasses lie nearby.

In Usgure, home to 700 families, community leader Abshir Hirsi Ali said the local economy has collapsed because they rely on pastoralists like Farah. Shops have closed and food rations have run low.

A recent, brief shower brought puddles of dirty rainwater. “Some families were so desperate they drank it … now there is a high number of people with fever,” Ali said.

Save the Children occasionally brings free water to Usgure, but private water trucks have quadrupled their prices and the cost of a 50-kilogram (110-pound) bag of flour has increased by a third, to $40.

“I’m not only afraid for my family but the future of the whole village,” said Muhubo Tahir Omar, a 47-year-old mother of 11 children.

Omar, like other parents, had sold her goats to pay for school fees, “but when we didn’t pay, the teachers left.” Her last goat is now sick.

‘Conflict made our situation even worse’

Decades of conflict in Somalia have displaced millions of people. The drought has displaced another 200,000 this year, the U.N estimates.

Some families flee across harsh landscapes with limited supplies.

“People are on the move … and when people move, people die,” said Kevin Mackey, the Somalia director for humanitarian group World Vision. He recently met people who had walked for nine days to get aid in Dollow in the south.

Around 80 families live in a displacement camp outside Shahda village in Puntland.

Shukri, a 20-year-old mother of four, usually can eke out one meal a day from handouts. Now there is nothing to eat and limited access to clean water.

“The children got diarrhea (from dirty water) and malnourishment worsened,” said Shukri, who gave only her first name. “I know a few people who have died.”

Many people head to Mogadishu, the capital, where food also remains scarce.

Fadumo, a 45-year-old mother of seven, moved there from Lower Shabelle, where livelihoods were already threatened by al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militants.

“The water sources we depended on for farming, including the river, dried up,” Fadumo said. “Conflict made our situation even worse, forcing us to flee.”

‘The outlook is deeply concerning’

Drought ravaged Somalia in 2022 and an estimated 36,000 people died, according to the U.N. Now the kind of aid that was rushed to respond to such crises is shrinking.

“Unless there is a sudden and substantial response from donors, the outlook is deeply concerning. A drought of similar severity in 2022 received a response five times greater than what we are seeing,” said Antoine Grand, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Somalia.

Aid funding to Somalia dropped to $531 million in 2025 in large part because of aid cuts by the United States, which had been Somalia’s top donor. In 2022, aid funding was nearly five times as much at $2.38 billion.

WFP said it intended to help 2 million people with food aid this year but has reached only 300,000 because of funding gaps.

A center at the hospital in Qardho, Puntland, treats children with severe acute malnutrition. But therapeutic milk is now rarely in stock, and nurses resort to homemade alternatives such as cow’s milk, said director Shamis Abdirahman.

The center receives around 15 children a month, but they expect more as displaced people arrive.

One 4-year-old, Farhia, weighs a scant 7.5 kilograms (16.5 pounds). Her eyes are sunken and her bones are prominent under her skin.

Her family fled to Qardho when all of their goats died, said her mother, Najma.

“I don’t know what to hope for, or see how we can get back to what we had,” she said.

___

Faruk reported from Mogadishu, Somalia.

Southern States Move Toward Massive Disenfranchisement of African Americans

Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais, et.al eviscerates the already weakened Voting Rights Act of 1965

By Abayomi Azikiwe, Editor, Pan-African News Wire

Wednesday May 13, 2026

Politico-Legal Analysis

On May 7, just hours after the Republican-dominated Tennessee State Assembly passed legislation which split Memphis into three separate congressional districts, the city which has a large majority of African Americans could be left with no relevant representation.

Protests in Nashville led by African American State Assembly members have generated even more attacks on opponents of the Louisiana v. Callais decision and the subsequent redrawing of the Memphis congressional map. 

The Supreme Court voted along partisan lines with the 6 conservative justices ensuring that the Voting Rights Act passed by Congress in 1965 and signed into law by then President Lyndon Baines Johnson would be effectively eliminated. This legislation which grew directly out of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, opened the way for the first African American Congressional representation since the defeat of Reconstruction during the 1870s. 

Efforts under the previous administration of President Joe Biden to pass renewed voting rights legislation named in honor of the late Congressman and Civil Rights activist John Lewis failed due to lack of votes in a Democratic-dominated House of Representatives and Senate in 2021. The John Lewis Voting Rights bill was scraped along with other legislation such as the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, represented promises made during the mass demonstrations and rebellions which occurred during 2020 leading up to the presidential and congressional elections of that year.

In addition, a $3.5 trillion social spending bill did not succeed either, which was purportedly aimed at reducing poverty among children. All of these failures since 2021, have worsened the social conditions among African Americans and other oppressed people.  

This recent Supreme Court decision was not surprising considering the polls which indicate extremely low approval ratings for current President Donald Trump. His tariffs policies have prompted inflationary pressures while the unprovoked war on Iran has caused political and economic turmoil in the United States and internationally. 

One Tennessee state legislator said during the session which disenfranchised African Americans in the state that the purpose of the redistricting bill was to ensure that right-wing Republicans maintain control of the House of Representatives. If the Democrats retake the House, the stage could be set for considerable acrimony within Congress over the final two years of the Trump second non-consecutive term. 

Moreover, the unprovoked war against Iran has drawn even more negative reviews of the Trump administration. The State of Israel and the U.S. launched a bombing campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28 hoping for the collapse of the government in Tehran which has been in existence since early 1979. 

Trump’s mantra of “making America great again” has alienated a considerable number of his right-wing base with the launching of the war on Iran. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen whether or not the failure of the U.S. in the Iran war and the concomitant outcomes including the rise in fuel, food and other consumer goods prices will turn Republicans away from Trump and his allies. The rise in inflation has impacted small and medium-sized business enterprises prompting lay-offs across the country. 

Additional Attacks on Tennessee Voters

On the same day as the Tennessee Assembly voted to redraw the Memphis Congressional District, demonstrations were held in Nashville against this injustice. The African American representatives and their allies vowed to fight against the disenfranchisement of the people of Memphis and Shelby County.

The Tennessee State Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) immediately filed a lawsuit to overturn the redistricting legislation. In the claim filed by the NAACP in Tennessee it accuses Republican Governor Bill Lee of not informing the Assembly of the purpose of the special session which carried out the redistricting scheme.

In an article published in Tennessee Outlook, it notes:

“State attorneys are asking the court to deny the NAACP Tennessee chapter’s request to stop a redrawn congressional map from going into effect before the 2026 election. NAACP Tennessee President Gloria Sweet-Love and the NAACP Tennessee State Conference filed an emergency petition in Davidson County Chancery Court on May 7, hours after Gov. Bill Lee signed into law the new U.S. House district map — which carved up the state’s only majority-Black, majority-Democrat district in Memphis…. The NAACP and Sweet-Love contend that ‘the Governor didn’t use just the right magic words to describe the exact election laws he hoped to change when he convened the Special Session, and so any legislation resulting from the special session is ‘void,’ Skrmetti’s filing read. ‘Plaintiffs take an all too jaundiced view of the Tennessee Constitution and the Governor’s Proclamation that began the Special Session.’ The lawsuit also challenged a provision that suspends residency requirements for candidates in the newly drawn districts, similarly, stating that this was not included in Lee’s proclamation prior to the special session.

The state’s response said the lawsuit fails to identify ‘imminent harm.’” (https://tennesseelookout.com/2026/05/11/state-responds-to-tennessee-naacp-lawsuit-challenging-redistricted-map/)

Due to protests by African Americans and Democrats in the State House in Nashville, they have been removed from committee seats in the legislature. Consequently, the African American population of Tennessee is being silenced by the Republican majority.

The State of Tennessee’s argument that no damage has been done is outrageous. Just 61 years after the passage of the Voting Rights Act, the federal government under the Trump administration has declared war on the gains which were made during the post-World War II period for African Americans and women in general. 

The freedom of African people in the U.S. took a series of rebellions and a civil war to bring into existence. The 13th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution were passed by the Congress in 1865 and 1868 respectively. The 13th Amendment purportedly ended African enslavement, and the 14th granted due process rights to the millions of whom had languished in involuntary servitude for nearly 250 years. 

In 1870, the 15th Amendment was passed which ostensibly granted the right to vote for African American men. It would take another half-century in 1920 (19th Amendment) for white women to gain the right to vote on a national level. 

However, even as late as the early and mid-1960s, the majority of African Americans still living in the southern U.S., were denied the right to vote. Not only were they denied the right to vote, African Americans, in many instances, could not walk into a restaurant and order a cup of coffee or a meal. African Americans were excluded from hotels and educational institutions based upon the color of their skin. 

It would take a mass Civil Rights Movement encompassing demonstrations, civil disobedience and legal challenges to initiate the changes which came into being during the mid-1960s. The MAGA Republicans who argue that Civil Rights legislation is no longer needed and are tantamount to racial preferences granted to the nationally oppressed, the reality is that the gap between African American and white wealth is still widening. 

Racist violence is still very much the norm in the U.S. African Americans and Latin Americans remain subjected to disproportionate violence from law-enforcement agencies in both the South and the North. The criminal justice system continues to profile, target and prosecute African Americans and Latin Americans to the extent that they constitute together the majority of those incarcerated in jails and prisons across the country. 

If the current trajectory is not reversed, it will be inevitable that further divisions and struggles on a national and class level will escalate. African Americans will be compelled to develop new tactics to meet the current challenges from the far right to place them back into a subservient social status in the U.S.

Other States Seeking to Repeat the Actions of the Tennessee State Assembly

The Supreme Court decision striking down key elements of the Voting Rights Act originated in the state of Louisiana where 30% of the population are African Americans. Already based upon the Supreme Court decision, the scheduled primary for May has been postponed until July in order to take into consideration the new ruling.

At present Congressman Cleo Fields and Troy Carter are the only African Americans representing Louisiana in Congress. Under the current ruling, they could very easily loose his seat leaving African Americans with no representation. There have been only four African Americans from Louisiana in the U.S. Congress since the Reconstruction era.

In Alabama, where a previous court rulings had mandated the creation of another majority African American district, only two are present in the current Congress where under the new ruling could be left without representation. Alabama represented the key state where the Selma Campaign of the mid-1960s created the political atmosphere which prompted the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

South Carolina could also be impacted where Congressman James Clyburn is the only African American representing this conservative southern state. In Virginia, a state supreme court decision has struck down a plan which could have created four additional districts which would benefit Democratic politicians.

Overall, in 2026, the largest number of African Americans ever are serving in the U.S. House and Senate. There are 62 in the House and 5 in the Senate. Consequently, the Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais is designed to severely reduce these numbers.

These developments require militant action on the part of African Americans and their allies not only in the South but across the entire country. The shifting demographic character of the U.S. and the sharpening class divisions is causing panic on the part of many whites. 

Within another generation, people of color communities could very well constitute a combined majority-minority country. The rise in poverty will undoubtedly intensify the struggle to organize labor and oppressed people into a formidable force aimed at ending racism and capitalist exploitation. 

Nigerian Military Airstrike Kills 100 Civilians at a Market, Rights Group Claims

By DYEPKAZAH SHIBAYAN and TUNDE OMOLEHIN

1:07 PM EDT, May 12, 2026

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria ‘s military Tuesday denied a rights group’s claim that an airstrike killed 100 civilians in a market over the weekend, as attention turned again to a long-running fight against armed groups in the country’s volatile north.

Amnesty International in a statement Monday said a military airstrike on Sunday hit a market in Tumfa in Zamfara state. A Red Cross official in the state, Ibrahim Bello Garba, confirmed the strike to The Associated Press and said “multiple civilians” were killed.

“In one village alone, 80 people were buried and there is no evidence that any of those people killed is a bandit. They are all civilians. The majority of them are young girls and small boys,” Amnesty International Nigeria director Isa Sanusi told the AP.

Nigeria’s military confirmed an airstrike to the AP but said “no verifiable evidence of civilian casualties as being suggested in the media has been established.”

“Civilians are not the target, and everything is being done to avoid civilian casualties,” said a spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, who said military operations continued in the area.

The Amnesty allegation is the latest related to an accidental military airstrike hitting civilians in the West African nation that faces threats from militant groups including Boko Haram.

Last month, an accidental strike by Nigeria’s air force killed 100 people.

Analysts blame a lack of coordination between the air force and personnel on the ground for such strikes, which have killed hundreds of civilians. Nigerian officials have maintained that targets are members of armed groups.

Armed groups often mix with locals in areas where they operate, complicating efforts to target them.

___

Omolehin reported from Sokoto, Nigeria.

Macron Faces Backlash After Interrupting Africa Summit Panel in Kenya

French President Emmanuel Macron gave a telling off to a noisy audience during a presentation at the University of Nairobi. The event was part of the “Africa Forward: Inspire and Connect” business forum where he was also joined by his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto.

By MARK BANCHEREAU

1:00 AM EDT, May 13, 2026

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron is facing backlash after he interrupted a panel at the Africa Forward Summit in Kenya to demand silence from the audience.

Macron stormed the stage to rebuke audience members for what he called a “total lack of respect,” accusing them of disrupting speakers during a presentation by artists and young entrepreneurs. He had earlier described himself as a “Pan-Africanist” during a news conference.

The summit is meant to showcase France’s new policy for the continent — a shift from a former colonial power seen as dominating to what Paris describes as a partnership of equals. On Tuesday, Macron announced a $27 billion investment into various sectors in Africa, including energy, artificial intelligence and agriculture.

Videos of Macron’s heated intervention on Monday quickly spread across social media, drawing a mix of mockery, praise and criticism.

Appearing visibly frustrated by the noise in the room, Macron abruptly walked onto the stage and asked the speaker to hand him the microphone, saying he would “restore order.”

Addressing the audience in English, he criticized attendees for talking over the speakers and creating disruptions during the session.

Some audience members applauded the intervention, but Macron also drew criticism over his response.

“Just imagine what would happen if an African leader did the same thing in America or Europe,” said Thierno Mbaye, a history student at a university in Senegal’s capital, Dakar.

“He acted like a schoolteacher scolding children,” Mbaye told The Associated Press.

The intervention also drew criticism in France.

“It’s stronger than him: as soon as he sets foot on the African continent, he can’t help but behave like a colonizer,” Danièle Obono, a lawmaker for the hard-left party France Unbowed, said in a post on X.

Diplomatic and military setbacks in West Africa

The Africa Forward Summit, which is set to close on Tuesday with a declaration that is expected to be signed by all 30 heads of state, comes amid a fallout between France and its former colonies, mostly in West Africa.

France has long maintained a colonial policy of economic, political and military sway dubbed Françafrique, which included keeping thousands of troops in the region it controlled.

After years of criticism from leaders and opposition parties in many West African countries over what they described as a demeaning and heavy-handed approach, France has withdrawn most of its troops from the region. It completed the withdrawal of troops from Senegal in July.

Macron had already faced a backlash ahead of the summit for claiming Sunday at news conference alongside Kenyan President William Ruto that “we are the true Pan-Africanists.”

“We believe that Africa is a continent, and that this continent has an enormous amount to build,” Macron said.

Pan-Africanism refers to an ideology seeking the unity of Africans and the elimination of colonialism. Given France’s colonial history across the continent, the remark went viral on social media and drew swift backlash.

“Pan Africanism is not a brand, Mr. Macron, neither is it a diplomatic posture,” Farida Nabourema, a Togolese human rights activist, said in an open letter on Monday.

“It is a political philosophy that said no to everything France spent three centuries saying yes to: slavery, colonialism and neocolonialism,” she added.

Beverly Ochieng, a senior analyst at geopolitical risk consultancy Control Risks, said Macron is trying to distance France from its diplomatic and military setbacks in West Africa by turning to the east of the continent, signaling that its strategic priorities now follow where it finds goodwill.

She said Macron’s remarks were raising questions about whether France’s renewed engagement with Africa represented a genuine equal partnership or merely convenient rhetoric.

The French presidency and Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Paris will be respectful of each African country’s independence, Macron said on Tuesday, adding that “sovereignty and autonomy is shared, and your success is our success.”

‘Inauthentic or politically manipulated’

Alioune Tine, founder of the Afrikajom Center think tank, said Macron’s remark might also be a subtle jab at Russia, which has replaced France as the main security partner in some West African countries.

“When Macron describes himself as the ‘true’ pan-Africanist, it is also a subtle response to the pro-Russian pan-Africanist voices online, which French officials tend to view as inauthentic or politically manipulated,” Tine said.

He said relations between Western powers and African states are inherently paternalistic and France is no exception, but that Macron has shifted policy away from the colonial legacy through a more informal diplomatic style aimed at rebuilding trust.

According to an Ipsos survey conducted on behalf of the French Foreign Ministry in nine African countries ahead of the summit, 74% of respondents said they have a positive image of France. Support was highest in English-speaking countries and among respondents under 35.

Macron, who is the first French president born after the colonial era, had pledged after his first election in 2017 that he would reset French relations with Africa.

Remains of 2nd US Soldier Who Went Missing During Military Exercises in Morocco Have Been Recovered

By AKRAM OUBACHIR

6:51 PM EDT, May 13, 2026

CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — The remains of the second U.S. Army soldier who went missing during military exercises in Morocco have been recovered, the Army said Wednesday, ending a multinational search operation that deployed air, naval and artificial intelligence assets.

The soldier was identified as Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington of Taveres, Fla., the U.S. military Europe and Africa said in a statement. She was 19 years old.

“Royal Moroccan Armed Forces transported the Soldier’s remains by a Moroccan helicopter to the morgue of Moulay El Hassan Military Hospital in Guelmim, Morocco,” the statement said.

Collington served as an air and missile defense crewmember and was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, U.S. Army Europe and Africa said.

Collington entered the Regular Army’s Delayed Entry Program in 2023 before beginning active-duty service in 2024. She completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, as a 14P air and missile defense crewmember. She reported to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, in Ansbach, Germany, in February 2025 and was promoted to specialist on May 1, 2026.

Her awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon.

The announcement came days after the military said the remains of another soldier, 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a 14A Air Defense Artillery officer, had been recovered. The two soldiers fell off a cliff during an off-duty recreational hike in Morocco. Their remains are en route to the United States.

A spokesperson for U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa told The Associated Press that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

The two soldiers were reported missing May 2 after participating in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise held in Morocco. Their disappearance triggered a search operation involving more than 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civilian personnel, the SETAF-AF spokesperson added.

Assets deployed during the operation included a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, thermal and ISR sensors, an unmanned underwater vehicle, side-scan sonar, a Moroccan multibeam echosounder and U.S. Coast Guard drift modeling capabilities, according to the spokesperson.

African Lion 26, is a U.S.-led exercise launched in April across four countries – Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal – with more than 7,000 personnel from over 30 nations.

In 2012, two U.S. Marines were killed and two others injured during a helicopter crash in Morocco’s southern city of Agadir while taking part in the exercises

Guterres Praises Ethiopia’s Multilateral Leadership, Calls for Urgent Global Governance Reform

Addis Ababa, May 13, 2026 —United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has lauded Ethiopia’s enduring commitment to international cooperation and its pivotal role as a champion of multilateralism.

Speaking at the National Palace during the launch of a commemorative stamp series marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Guterres highlighted the deep-rooted partnership between the organization and Ethiopia, which stands as one of its 51 original founding members. 

The Secretary-General emphasized that Ethiopia’s status as an ancient civilization that successfully preserved its independence while most of the continent faced colonial division serves as a testament to its national strength. 

He noted that those with a solid past tend to have a solid future and commended the rapid transformation of Addis Ababa into a significant global diplomatic hub that continues to evolve with remarkable speed.

The Secretary-General further underscored the necessity of reforming global governance structures, specifically the United Nations Security Council and international financial institutions, to ensure just representation for Africa. 

He described Ethiopia’s claim for a reformed UN and a permanent African presence on the Security Council as very legitimate, stressing the need to redress historical injustices. 

Guterres pointed out that many existing global institutions were created when most of the African continent was still under colonial domination, yet Africa was fortunately represented from the beginning by Ethiopia. 

He also called for increased participation of developing nations in decision-making processes within global financial institutions, noting that African countries like Ethiopia are currently at the forefront of economic development and demonstrating remarkable resilience.

In his concluding remarks, António Guterres reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to being a dedicated partner in supporting Ethiopia’s national and regional efforts to consolidate peace and spur development. 

He acknowledged the distinguished service of Ethiopian men and women in UN peace operations and humanitarian efforts worldwide, highlighting that the partnership between the UN and Ethiopia remains essential for building a better future for the continent. 

The Secretary-General emphasized that the core promises of the United Nations—peace, justice, and prosperity—remain as urgent today as they were eight decades ago and noted that the world continues to count on Ethiopia’s leadership in the journey forward.

How Ethiopia and France Are Building a Future of Innovation and Cooperation?

By Henok Tadele HAILE

Addis Ababa, May 13, 2026 —Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday officially welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron at the historic National Palace as the French leader began his latest official visit to Ethiopia, signaling the continued strengthening of relations between the two nations.

Sharing moments from the welcoming ceremony at the National Palace, Prime Minister Abiy posted on social media that he had formally received President Macron, whose latest trip underscores France’s growing strategic interest in Ethiopia and the wider Horn of Africa region.

The two leaders later visited the Ethiopia Science Museum, where discussions focused on innovation, technology, and future opportunities for cooperation. In another social media post following the visit, PM Abiy said Ethiopia and France are “walking ahead to the future,” describing the Science Museum tour as a reflection of both nations’ shared commitment to innovation and technological advancement.

Welcoming President Macron on his third official visit to Ethiopia, Prime Minister  Abiy said France’s friendship with Ethiopia “speaks for itself,” emphasizing that bilateral ties continue to deepen.

Beyond the ceremonial engagements, the visit produced tangible diplomatic outcomes. The two leaders held substantive bilateral talks at the National Palace, addressing a broad range of issues of mutual interest. Among the key agreements signed was a 54.6 million Euro loan for Ethiopia’s Renewable, Integrated, Sustainable Energy and Digitalization Program, which is expected to support the country’s green energy transition and digital transformation agenda.

Additional cooperation agreements were also exchanged, reinforcing collaboration in sustainable development, energy, and technological modernization.

Macron’s latest visit comes at a time when relations between Ethiopia and France are gaining remarkable momentum across political, economic, cultural, and development sectors.

The relationship between the two countries dates back to the 19th century when Ethiopia and France signed the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce in 1843. Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1897 following agreements signed between Emperor Menelik II and French representative Léonce Lagarde.

That same year also marked the beginning of construction of the historic Djibouti–Addis Ababa Railway, one of the earliest major infrastructure partnerships between Ethiopia and France. France later opened its diplomatic legation in Addis Ababa in 1907 on land granted by Emperor Menelik II.

Throughout the 20th century, cooperation expanded into infrastructure development, legal reforms, education, administration, and cultural exchanges. One of the most notable milestones came in 1966 when former French President Charles de Gaulle visited Addis Ababa, resulting in the signing of a cultural convention that remains active today.

Relations entered a new phase in 2018 following Prime Minister Abiy’s rise to power. His visit to Paris later that year opened a new chapter in bilateral engagement, followed by Macron’s state visit to Ethiopia in 2019, during which both countries signed agreements on heritage preservation, security, and infrastructure development.

Diplomatic engagement continued in subsequent years. In 2023, French and German foreign ministers visited Addis Ababa in support of Ethiopia’s peace process following the northern conflict. Abiy also visited Paris that same year, further strengthening dialogue between the two governments.

The momentum continued in 2024 when French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot visited Ethiopia. Macron later returned to Addis Ababa in December of that year for the inauguration of the restored National Palace, which was renovated with French support and transformed into a museum.

Prime Minister Abiy’s visit to France in May 2025 and France’s hosting of a Europe-Ethiopia investment forum later that year further demonstrated the growing strategic importance of the partnership.

Economic cooperation has increasingly become one of the strongest pillars of Ethiopia-France relations. The partnership is particularly active in aerospace, energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors.

According to diplomatic sources, bilateral trade reached 812.6 million Euros in 2024, making Ethiopia one of France’s major trading partners in East Africa.

The aviation sector remains especially significant, with Airbus supplying aircraft to Ethiopian Airlines. French investments have also expanded into logistics, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and digital services.

The Franco-Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce continues playing an important role in strengthening business partnerships between companies from both countries.

Renewable energy cooperation remains another critical area of engagement. France previously supported Ethiopia through the development of the Ashegoda Wind Farm, one of the country’s major wind energy projects and a symbol of growing cooperation in sustainable development.

Cultural ties remain equally strong. Alliance Française Addis-Ababa and Alliance Française Dire Dawa continue promoting French language education and cultural exchange through exhibitions, language programs, concerts, and film screenings.

France has also supported Ethiopia’s creative industries through initiatives such as the Habesha Creative Lab, which helps young Ethiopian innovators and entrepreneurs expand their creative potential.

President Macron’s latest visit reflects more than diplomatic tradition. It signals a partnership increasingly focused on innovation, sustainable development, investment, and future opportunities.

As Ethiopia continues pursuing economic reform and technological transformation, its growing partnership with France appears poised to play an increasingly important role in shaping that future.

Macron Arrives in Ethiopia Ahead of High‑level AU Talks

After Egypt and Kenya, Emmanuel Macron arrived in Ethiopia. He was welcomed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa in May, 13, 2026.

By Dominic Wabwireh with other agencies

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, where he was welcomed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed before heading into a trilateral meeting at the African Union headquarters with UN Secretary‑General António Guterres and AU Commission chairman Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

Macron landed at Bole International Airport in the early afternoon, marking his third official visit to Ethiopia since 2019.

Prime Minister Abiy greeted him on the tarmac and later shared a message on X describing the French leader as “my brother,” calling the visit a testament to the “strong friendship” between the two countries.

Abiy added that both sides were preparing for “meaningful conversations,” underscoring the diplomatic weight of the trip.

A visit shaped by regional tensions

Macron’s arrival comes during a period of heightened diplomatic activity in the Horn of Africa, where Red Sea security concerns, shifting alliances and ongoing regional tensions have drawn increased international attention.

Ethiopia, emerging from years of conflict and economic strain, has been working to rebuild and diversify its foreign partnerships.

France, meanwhile, has sought to expand its political and economic engagement across East Africa, positioning itself as a key European partner in the region.

Expanding cooperation between Paris and Addis Ababa

In recent years, Ethiopia and France have strengthened collaboration in several areas, including: defense cooperation, cultural heritage preservation, infrastructure development and economic partnerships.

France has supported Ethiopia through development initiatives and cultural projects, while maintaining dialogue on regional stability and security.

Focus on development, stability and investment

During this visit, discussions are expected to center on development cooperation, regional stability, investment opportunities and cultural exchange.

The trilateral meeting with Guterres and Youssouf at the AU headquarters highlights the broader geopolitical context, as global powers recalibrate their engagement in the Horn of Africa.

A partnership gaining strategic weight

Macron’s trip underscores France’s continued interest in Ethiopia at a time when both countries are navigating complex regional dynamics.

For Ethiopia, the visit offers diplomatic reinforcement as it seeks to stabilize its economy and strengthen international ties.

Gabon Move to Acquire Stake in International Manganese-mining Company

Gabon said it was moving to acquire a stake in Eramet, the international company whose subsidiary, Comilog, mines manganese in Moanda in the east of the country.

This is part of government action, under President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, to achieve greater control over its natural resources.

The state already owns 29 per cent of Comilog and claims it reached an agreement on acquiring a stake in Eramet during the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi this week.

It said firm commitments have been made, but did not specify the amount and terms of the stake.

The French mining giant, for its part, said it had noted Libreville’s intention “to subscribe to its €500 million capital increase”.

Eramet added that management will submit the proposal to shareholders when the group meets on the 27 May.

Last year, Gabon announced an export ban on unrefined manganese from 2029 as part of plans to move from exporting raw material to local processing.

Demand for manganese, used in steel production and increasingly in electric vehicle batteries, has grown globally.

Eramet's Moanda mine is the world’s biggest for manganese.

Rwanda's Former First Lady to Appeal Decision to Reopen Genocide Probe Against Her

Agathe Habyarimana, the widow of former President of Rwanda Juvenal Habyarimana.

Rwanda's former first lady Agathe Habyarimana will appeal last week's court ruling that overturned a 2025 decision to dismiss an investigation into her role in the 1994 genocide.

The killing spree was triggered by the assassination of her husband, former Hutu president Juvenal Habyarimana. Over 100 days, more than 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were brutally murdered.

Now 83, Agathe Habyarimana has been under investigation for complicity in the genocide since 2008.

She has never been formally charged but has the status of an 'assisted witness,' a French legal category between a witness and a defendant.

Prosecutors allege that she led the 'Akazu,' or inner circle of Hutu power, and played an active role in planning the massacres, drawing up lists of people to be executed.

Habyarimana has rejected the allegations, saying she was a stay-at-home mother of eight children with no link to politics.

In 2025, a lower court found that there was insufficient evidence to continue the investigation but following an appeal by the French National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office, that ruling was dismissed.

Her lawyer has described the decision to re-open the case as “incomprehensible,” saying there was no evidence to seriously support these claims. He said she will now take the case to the Supreme Court and won't hesitate to take it to the European Court of Human Rights.

Prosecutors Seek Seven-year Prison Term for Sarkozy in Gaddafi Case

By Dominic Wabwireh with Other agencies

French prosecutors have requested a seven‑year prison sentence for former president Nicolas Sarkozy in his appeal trial over allegations that his 2007 presidential campaign received illegal funding from Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya — a case that has become one of the most explosive political‑financial scandals of France’s Fifth Republic.

After three days of what the prosecution described as a “fierce” closing argument, the Paris general prosecutor’s office asked the appeals court to impose the same seven‑year sentence it sought during the first trial.

Sarkozy was previously convicted and handed a five‑year prison term, serving 20 days behind bars before being released pending appeal.

Prosecutors portrayed Sarkozy as “the principal, the sole beneficiary” and “the instigator” of an alleged pact with the Libyan regime to secure covert funding for his 2007 campaign.

A battle for political survival

The appeal trial, now nearing its conclusion, is critical for Sarkozy, who insists that “not one cent” of Libyan money entered his campaign or personal finances. A ruling is expected on 30 November.

If convicted again, his remaining legal recourse would be an appeal to France’s Court of Cassation.

Sarkozy’s lawyer Christophe Ingrain said the defense would demonstrate the former president’s “perfect innocence,” arguing that no evidence supports the accusation of Libyan financing.

Accusations of a secret pact with Ghaddafi

The prosecution’s case centers on allegations that Sarkozy, then interior minister under Jacques Chirac, struck an agreement with Gaddafi to receive illicit funds in exchange for political favors — including examining the judicial situation of Abdallah Senoussi, Gaddafi’s powerful intelligence chief and brother‑in‑law.

According to investigators, two secret meetings in Libya in late 2005 involving Sarkozy’s close aides Claude Guéant and Brice Hortefeux laid the groundwork for the arrangement.

In 2006, around €6 million allegedly moved from Libyan accounts to intermediary Ziad Takieddine, who has since died.

Prosecutors argue these maneuvers “tainted the financing of the supreme election of the Fifth Republic.”

Co‑defendants also face heavy sentences

The prosecution also requested: six years in prison for Claude Guéant, four years, including two suspended, for Brice Hortefeux, with the firm portion to be served under electronic monitoring

Both men were previously convicted in the first trial for their roles in the alleged scheme.

Victims’ groups welcome the prosecution’s stance

Guillaume Denoix de Saint Marc, founder of a French victims’ association linked to the 1989 UTA DC‑10 bombing — an attack attributed to Senoussi — welcomed the prosecution’s demands, saying he hoped Sarkozy would “return to prison, at least long enough to write a second book.”

Verdict expected at the end of the month

After two months of hearings and testimony from ten defendants, the trial is set to conclude in two weeks with final defense arguments.

The appeals court will deliver its decision on 30 November, a ruling that could once again send a former French president to prison.

Iran Says US Threats and Provocations Obstruct End to War

By Al Mayadeen English

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says US threats and provocations remain the main obstacle to ending the war, during talks in Tehran with Norway’s deputy foreign minister.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed that US threats, provocations, and what he described as Washington’s lack of goodwill and credibility remain the main obstacles preventing a definitive end to the war and the achievement of a possible agreement.

Araghchi made the remarks during a meeting in Tehran with Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, who arrived in the Iranian capital leading a diplomatic delegation for consultations with Iranian officials.

Tehran and Oslo discuss negotiations and regional tensions

According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations, the imposed war and its security and economic consequences, as well as developments related to the Islamabad negotiations track.

Araghchi stressed that the current tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are primarily the result of the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran and subsequent repeated violations of the ceasefire through the continued blockade of Iranian ports.

He added that Iran, as a coastal state bordering the Strait of Hormuz, is conducting consultations aimed at formulating arrangements related to the strategic waterway in accordance with international law.

Norway calls for regional stability and diplomacy

For his part, Kravik reviewed discussions he previously held with officials in Pakistan and Oman, emphasizing the importance of establishing sustainable peace and stability in the region and protecting international law.

The Norwegian official also expressed his country’s readiness to support diplomatic efforts and enhance consultations concerning maritime safety and environmental protection.

During his visit to Tehran, Kravik also held separate meetings with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi and the head of the Foreign Ministry’s Center for Political and International Studies Saeed Khatibzadeh.

The meetings addressed regional and international developments, alongside several bilateral issues of mutual interest.

Cuba Says US Using False Narrative to Maintain Blockade

By Al Mayadeen English

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel rejects US claims that Cuba threatens national security, saying they are used to justify sanctions and economic blockade.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has rejected accusations that Cuba poses a threat to US national security, saying such claims are intended to justify the tightening of sanctions and the continuation of the economic blockade against the island.

In a post on X, Díaz-Canel said the narrative lacks any logical basis or credible evidence, arguing that it contradicts historical facts and long-standing relations between the two countries.

He warned that continued escalation could have serious consequences for regional populations, stressing that Cuba “does not threaten anyone and does not fear threats.”

No hostile actions from Cuba against US

Díaz-Canel also noted that Cuba has not carried out any hostile actions against the US for more than six decades, while alleging that the country has instead been subjected to hostile operations originating from US territory, which he said resulted in thousands of Cuban casualties.

Amid ongoing US sanctions and restrictions on Havana, Díaz-Canel recently criticized remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accusing him of avoiding recognition of the blockade and shifting responsibility for Cuba’s economic difficulties onto internal factors.

He added that Washington, through significant political and financial investment, continues to pursue policies aimed at undermining the Cuban economy, while blaming Havana for the resulting hardship.

Trump frustrated by Cuban resistance

According to NBC News, US officials told President Donald Trump that the government of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel “could still fall by the end of the year” without direct military intervention, but the US president is unwilling to wait that long.

However, Trump is reportedly becoming increasingly frustrated that Cuba’s government has not collapsed under Washington’s escalating pressure campaign, with reports indicating the administration is now examining possible military options against the Caribbean nation.

The report stated that Trump’s impatience has prompted the Pentagon to intensify contingency planning for a possible military attack targeting Cuba.

The development comes amid a broader US pressure campaign against Havana that has included sweeping sanctions, restrictions on oil shipments, financial measures, and threats of further escalation.

Rubio recently described Cuba as “an unacceptable status quo,” arguing that Washington cannot tolerate “90 miles from our shores, a failed state that also happens to be friendly territory for some of our adversaries.”

Havana rejects regime change pressure

The Trump administration has pursued what it calls a “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at forcing political change in Cuba through economic strangulation and diplomatic isolation.

The measures have contributed to fuel shortages, power outages, and mounting economic pressure on the island, though the Cuban government has maintained its position despite the sanctions campaign.

Earlier this year, Trump escalated aggression against Havana further by imposing an oil blockade targeting countries supplying fuel to Cuba while also threatening additional punitive measures.

In April, Díaz-Canel told NBC News he was prepared to “give his life for the revolution” if necessary.

“If the time comes, I don’t think there would be any justification for the United States to launch a military aggression against Cuba,” the Cuban president said. “If that happens, there will be fighting and there will be a struggle. And we’ll defend ourselves. And if we need to die, we’ll die.”