North Africa boasts an extensive and stunning coastline along the Mediterranean Sea

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the ceasefire agreed upon between the army and armed groups on July 5th has been extended by 2 weeks. According to local reports, following mediation talks held in the United States, conflicting parties in the DRC have agreed to extend the ceasefire. Under this decision, which aims to allow displaced people to return home, the ceasefire declared on July 5th has been prolonged for an additional 2 weeks. Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, expressed satisfaction with the ceasefire decision. Human rights advocates highlight that the conflicts intensified in the eastern part of the country have led to numerous human rights violations, including murder, arrests, and sexual abuse targeting women and children. The renewed attacks by the M23 Movement in eastern DRC since November 2021 have displaced thousands of civilians in the region and sparked a crisis between Rwanda and the DRC. The DRC has accused Rwanda of attempting to occupy its mineral-rich territories, including gold, coltan, and cobalt, for its own interests, as well as supporting M23 rebels. Rwanda denies these allegations.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said late Thursday that South Africa’s new Government of National Unity (GNU) will prioritize inclusive growth, job creation and the reduction of poverty. “We have decided to place inclusive economic growth at the center of the work of the Government of National Unity and at the top of the national agenda,” he said at the opening of the Seventh Parliament in Cape Town. Ramaphosa’s address on Thursday is historic because it coincides with former President Nelson Mandela’s birthday and it is when he presided over a GNU in 1994 during the first democratic government. “Our experience over the past 30 years has shown that when our economy grows, jobs are created. When our economy contracts there is no job creation and jobs are lost,” said Ramaphosa. He said the GNU will pursue every action that contributes to sustainable, rapid economic growth and remove every obstacle that stands in the way of growth. Ramaphosa said the government is determined that growth must be inclusive, transformational and drive the redistribution of wealth and opportunity. “It must support the empowerment of black South Africans and women, and all those who in the past had been relegated to the fringes of the economy,” he said. Ramaphosa explained that the move is part of the constitutional imperative to redress the imbalances of the past caused by apartheid and deal with the slow process of development. “Inclusive growth demands that we affirm the position of women and youth in the economy. Requires that we remove the social, economic, cultural and other barriers to the full participation of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in the economy,” he added. South Africa held national and provincial elections on May 29 where Ramaphosa’s African National Congress party (ANC), which ruled South Africa without a coalition for the last three decades, lost its majority. The ANC reached a deal with nine parties to form the GNU, and Ramaphosa appointed partner members to his Cabinet as ministers and deputy ministers.

U.N. ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. is pledging $203M in the hopes of averting the crisis in Sudan to spill over into the region. Close to 9 million people have fled their homes, according to the United Nations, and more than 1 million have left the country. Thousands have been killed in a conflict overshadowed by the ones in Gaza and Ukraine. “We hope this new round of aid serves as a call to action for others to follow. Partners will use this funding to build new shelter for refugees or provide cash assistance so that they can pay rent, and it will help children whose lives have been upended by conflict return to school,” among other things, Thomas-Greenfield told reporters in New York on Thursday. “Three quarters of a million people, women and children, the very old and very young, facing famine, starvation, IPC five level conditions. People are eating dirt to survive, relying on tree leaves for nutrition,” she also said. The war in Sudan began a little over a year ago causing tens of thousands to flee into neighboring Chad in search of safety. The U.N. says it has asked for $2.7 billion in funding to respond to humanitarian needs but has received $155 million — or 6%. “My call is for those who have influence on the warring parties to press them, to urge them to come to the table, because until they come to the table, the people of Sudan will continue to suffer. There is no military solution to this situation,” the ambassador also said.

Former Mozambique finance minister Manuel Chang has begun trial in the US for his alleged involvement in the “tuna bond” scandal, revealed in 2016. Chang, who served as finance minister from 2005 to 2015, faces charges of accepting bribes to secure large loans for Mozambique, which prosecutors claim were subsequently embezzled. The loans were originally intended to fund a fleet of tuna fishing vessels but instead contributed to a financial crisis when Mozambique’s hidden debt of $2 billion was exposed. Prosecutors allege that substantial portions of the loans were diverted to bribes and kickbacks, including $7 million to Chang himself. During opening statements in a federal court in Brooklyn, Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Cooch accused Chang of abusing his authority for personal gain through bribery, fraud, and money laundering. Chang has pleaded not guilty, with his defense arguing there is no evidence he accepted payoffs in exchange for guaranteeing the loan repayments on behalf of Mozambique. The scandal severely impacted Mozambique’s economy, leading to stagnation in growth, currency depreciation, inflation, and reduced investor confidence. Mozambique has since reached settlements with creditors, including payments to Credit Suisse and agreements with VTB Bank and BCP Bank. Chang’s extradition to the US followed legal battles in South Africa, where he was arrested in 2018. Despite attempts by his defense to dismiss the case, arguing legal immunity and jurisdictional overreach, these arguments were rejected by U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis.

UAE president Sheikh Mohammed confirmed UAE’s support for ending Sudan’s crisis in a call with army chief Al Burhan.

A 15-day truce extension offers a glimmer of hope, but both sides reportedly prepare for renewed conflict.

Thousands of migrants from Asia and Africa allegedly smuggled into the U.S. by a network led by a Sierra Leonean man.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a nearly $109 million fund for humanitarian and development projects in Africa and the Middle East.

A Zimbabwean court denies bail to opposition leader Jameson Timba and 78 activists arrested for a protest.

With half the population needing assistance, the US urges other nations to step up and help avert disaster.

This decision follows a month of anti-government protests during which at least 50 people have been killed

Kagame extends his leadership in Rwanda for another five years, following constitutional amendments allowing his continued rule.

Turkey and Niger sign a deal to develop Niger’s oil and gas fields, deepening their partnership after Niger expels Western forces.

The Trans-African Highway 7, spanning approximately 4,500 kilometers from Dakar, Senegal, to Lagos, Nigeria

Agreement aims to establish procedures for identification, counting, determination of status of Chadian citizens residing in Libya.

Other historic parties, notably the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party, received nearly 11% and 9% of the votes respectively. 

Kenya’s opposition coalition led by its veteran leader Raila Odinga has ruled out any possibility of a coalition with the government.

Leaders discuss solutions at the Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum, including development projects and tackling human trafficking.

Niger’s army accuses “terrorists” of killing seven civilians in a recent raid on a western village, vowing to apprehend the attackers.

From budget talks to the G20, African leaders have a full agenda at the AU Executive Council meeting in Ghana.

A Moroccan court jails seven people accused of aiding French tycoon Jacques Bouthier in a sexual abuse and trafficking case.

Locals are calling for more troops to fight the rebels.

William Ruto, the Kenyan president, named his foreign minister as acting cabinet secretary for all ministries after violent protests over tax hikes led to the dismissal of most of his cabinet.