标签： Africa

In a significant development in the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the M23 rebel faction has declared the commencement of its withdrawal from the strategically vital city of Uvira. This announcement follows intense diplomatic pressure from the United States, which has simultaneously issued allegations of Rwandan support for the insurgents—a claim vehemently denied by Kigali.

The capture of Uvira, situated near the Burundian border, represents a major escalation despite the recent signing of a US-brokered peace agreement between the Congolese and Rwandan governments on December 4th. The seizure triggered immediate condemnation from Washington, accompanied by warnings of potential sanctions against Rwanda.

M23 leadership, including commander Bertrand Bisimwa, confirmed the withdrawal process was ‘underway,’ characterizing the move as a concession ‘for the sake of peace.’ Through social media channels, Bisimwa appealed to international mediators to ensure protection for the city against potential reprisals and remilitarization.

However, the declared withdrawal has been met with profound skepticism from both local residents and the Congolese government. DR Congo’s official spokesman, Patrick Muyaya, described the announcement as a potential ‘diversion’ tactic intended to influence the American mediation team. Ground reports from Uvira residents early Thursday revealed continued movement of M23 vehicles throughout the city, casting doubt on the sincerity of the pullout.

The humanitarian impact of the offensive has been severe, with UN agencies reporting dozens of fatalities, at least 100 wounded, and approximately 200,000 displaced persons. An additional 30,000 civilians sought refuge across the border in Burundi.

This development occurs against the backdrop of parallel peace processes—the Washington agreement between nation-states and a separate Qatar-mediated negotiation involving the rebels themselves, highlighting the complex multilateral efforts to resolve the persistent instability in the region.

In a significant diplomatic development, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar has issued a formal apology to Burkina Faso following the unauthorized incursion of a Nigerian military aircraft into Burkinabè airspace. The incident, which resulted in the detention of eleven Nigerian servicemen, has been resolved with their subsequent release and anticipated return to Nigeria.

According to official statements from the Nigerian Air Force, the aircraft experienced technical difficulties while en route to Portugal, necessitating an emergency landing in Burkina Faso. This unauthorized landing triggered a serious diplomatic confrontation with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a regional coalition comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

The AES leadership characterized the incident as an ‘unfriendly act’ and responded by elevating their defense readiness. Member states’ air forces were placed on maximum alert and authorized to ‘neutralize any aircraft’ violating the confederation’s airspace—a strong indication of the regional tensions.

Minister Tuggar led a high-level delegation to Ouagadougou on Wednesday for crisis talks with Burkinabè military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré. During a joint appearance on national television, Tuggar acknowledged administrative failures regarding flight authorizations and expressed regret for the incident.

The diplomatic resolution comes against a complex geopolitical backdrop. The three AES states, all under military governance, have recently withdrawn from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS and have strengthened ties with Russia, while most ECOWAS members maintain alliances with Western nations.

Both nations have agreed to maintain regular consultations and implement practical measures to enhance bilateral cooperation and regional integration, according to Nigeria’s foreign ministry. The detained personnel, described as being in ‘high spirits,’ await their return alongside the aircraft, though specific timing remains undisclosed.

ACCRA – African leaders convened for the inaugural African Summit in Ghana’s capital, delivering a powerful message to the international community: the continent demands fundamental reforms to global governance structures. Under the theme “Building a New United Africa,” policymakers and stakeholders gathered to forge consensus on achieving greater integration and strategic autonomy.

Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa set the tone, highlighting Africa’s persistent challenges including fragmentation, weak intra-African trade, infrastructure deficits, and excessive dependence on external markets. “The global environment within which Africa must pursue its integration agenda is undergoing rapid, profound transformation,” Ablakwa declared, emphasizing Africa’s transition from passive observer to active shaper of global outcomes.

The summit occurred against a backdrop of significant geopolitical shifts. November’s G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg marked a watershed moment as African nations, alongside Global South partners, successfully steered discussions toward development priorities despite U.S. opposition. The adopted declaration emphasized multilateral cooperation and stronger support for developing economies.

Economic indicators signal Africa’s rising prominence. The IMF projects sub-Saharan Africa’s growth will outpace the global average at 4.1% in 2025. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) demonstrates substantial progress, with 47 nations ratifying the agreement. World Bank estimates suggest AfCFTA could generate $450 billion in additional economic output by 2035, lifting 30 million from extreme poverty.

However, security challenges persist. Recent coups in Guinea-Bissau and Benin, alongside renewed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo displacing over 500,000 people, prompted West African authorities to declare a regional “state of emergency.” Analysts attribute these instability patterns to colonial legacies, terrorism, and economic development gaps.

External economic pressures compound these challenges. U.S. tariff impositions on Lesotho and South Africa triggered dramatic export declines, with Lesotho losing nearly 80% of textile orders and South African auto exports plummeting 85% in May.

Infrastructure development emerges as a cornerstone solution. The recent launch of Guinea’s Simandou iron ore project to China and the Tanzania-Zambia Railway rehabilitation project demonstrate advancing regional connectivity. Zambia’s Transport Minister Frank Tayali noted these initiatives support visions of becoming “a land-linked nation and logistics hub.

As the 70th anniversary of China-Africa diplomatic relations approaches in 2026, partnerships continue deepening. Kenyan economist James Shikwati observed that “China’s pragmatic, inclusive approach offers viable alternatives to traditional Western models” for Global South development.

African Union Director of Information Leslie Richer captured the summit’s consensus: “The Global South must not speak in fragments. Our strength lies in unity” to shape global decision-making.

Somalia and China have commemorated 65 years of established diplomatic relations, reaffirming their commitment to enhanced cooperation and shared developmental objectives. The milestone event, held in Mogadishu, brought together high-ranking officials from both nations to celebrate this enduring international partnership.

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre addressed attendees by highlighting the historical significance of this bilateral relationship, characterizing it as “a testament to enduring friendship between our two peoples.” He emphasized that this friendship has been fundamentally built upon mutual respect for national sovereignty and shared understanding across decades of regional and global transformations.

Since initially establishing diplomatic ties on December 14, 1960, China has consistently emerged as a trusted partner to Somalia. This partnership has notably respected Somalia’s political independence while supporting its national priorities and belief in the country’s future potential. The cooperative relationship has yielded practical impacts across multiple sectors including critical infrastructure development, healthcare system strengthening, educational advancement, public service capacity building, and humanitarian response during crises.

Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Wang Yu recalled the historical context of the relationship’s formation, noting that China was among the first nations to recognize Somalia’s independence. Somalia similarly distinguished itself as the first East African nation to establish formal diplomatic relations with China. Ambassador Wang acknowledged Somalia’s consistent adherence to the One-China principle while reaffirming China’s unwavering support for Somalia’s national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity.

The diplomatic celebration underscored how the China-Somalia relationship has evolved into a model of South-South cooperation, demonstrating how mutually beneficial partnerships can foster common development between nations.