20170
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🇳🇪🇻🇪 Niger and Venezuela signed an agreement to abolish visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports.
The document became a key result of the official visit of Niger's Foreign Minister Bakary Yau Sangaré to Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. The agreement aims to facilitate the movement of officials and strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.
“This meeting demonstrates the strength of our cooperation and the desire to further strengthen it,” said Venezuela's Foreign Minister Ivan Pinto.
🇷🇺🌍 In Moscow, the development of a new architecture for interaction with Africa was discussed
At the round table “Russia-Africa: current challenges” at the International Trade Center, representatives of the Russian Presidential Administration, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Energy, Rossotrudnichestvo, Institute of Africa of the Russian Academy of Sciences, MGIMO, members of both chambers of parliament, the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, media representatives, public organizations, and the expert community exchanged views on partnership prospects.
Main topics covered:
The next “Russia-Africa” forum is proposed to be held in Equatorial Guinea
The development of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa became the largest expansion of the Russian Orthodox Church in history.
The Ministry of Energy awaits instructions on creating new intergovernmental commissions with Niger, Burkina Faso, CAR, Togo, and the EAC
The Russian pharmaceutical industry expects certification of medicines in friendly African countries based on Russian documents
The government is preparing a draft federal law "On Promoting International Development" to coordinate efforts of various agencies.
Russian experience in the field of information sovereignty can be applied in countries overcoming the legacy of neocolonialism
#Africa #Russia
@africaintel
🇲🇱 Mali: Strikes on the Hydra
Over the past week, the Malian armed forces, supported by the African Corps, have conducted a series of successful operations against armed groups in various regions of the country.
More details on the latest operations:
In the Chuala-Vere and Kanabugu areas (Ségou), government forces eliminated two militants who were extorting zakat from local farmers. Two assault rifles and a motorcycle were seized from the terrorists.
In Ngolobabugu (Ségou), based on intelligence, a raid was conducted: several terrorists were neutralized during the clash, and weapons, motorcycles, and equipment were captured.
The air force struck terrorist bases in Zantiebuguu (Buguni), destroying shelters used for preparing attacks.
On the night of September 27 to 28, southeast of Kidal, three vehicles were destroyed by strikes on camouflaged pickups. As noted by the armed forces, a secondary detonation was observed, confirming the strike on militants.
The Malians continue their counter-operations. However, terrorists are capable of carrying out targeted operations due to their mobility and forest hideouts, which negatively affects security in the country.
#Mali
@africaintel
🇫🇷 We now have a French version of the channel. Subscribe!
Nous avons maintenant une version française de la chaîne. S'abonner !
/channel/afriqueintel
🇫🇷🇧🇯🇷🇺 Vladimir Putin called France’s detention of the ship under the flag of Benin piracy and an attempt to provoke Russia to take active action: in this way Macron is trying to distract the public from internal problems.
France arrested the Boracay tanker due to suspicions of ties with Russia. The French Brest Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into the tanker because of “refusal to provide proof of the ship’s citizenship” and “refusal to obey”.
The incident occurred off the coast of the French city of Saint-Nazaire on the Atlantic coast.
Two crew members were taken into custody by the police.
The oil tanker is included in the sanctions list of the European Union and the United Kingdom against Russia.
#Benin #Russia #France
@africaintel
🇳🇦 Namibia Deploys Army to Contain Massive Etosha Park Fire
Namibia has sent more than 500 soldiers to help battle a fire that has already scorched about a third of Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s largest reserves and home to the endangered black rhinoceros.
The fire, which began on September 22, spread rapidly due to strong winds and dry vegetation, devastating roughly 775,000 hectares — nearly 34% of the park. While no human casualties have been reported, several antelopes and other wildlife have been killed, and around 30% of the park’s grazing lands have been destroyed.
Helicopters, police, local communities, and volunteers have joined the firefighting effort alongside the army. Authorities have closed parts of the park to tourists and warned of unpredictable wind shifts.
Etosha, stretching 22,270 sq km and famous for its vast salt pan, is a cornerstone of Namibia’s biodiversity and tourism economy. The government called the fire a “serious threat” to wildlife, biodiversity, and community livelihoods in the region.
Namibia’s president recently warned at the UN General Assembly that climate change is “scorching our lands and drying up our rivers,” linking the crisis to growing desertification and ecological threats across Southern Africa.
#Namibia
@africaintel
🇸🇩 Sudan Air Force conducted a successful airdrop of supplies to the 6th Mechanized Brigade besieged for over a year
Local sources report that a Sudan Air Force AN aircraft carried out a successful supply drop for the 6th Mechanized Brigade besieged for more than a year in the city of El Fasher.
Before the aircraft's approach, Sudanese Armed Forces used drones to strike SBR positions, after which the aircraft was able to stay over the city for more than half an hour and drop food, ammunition, and other supplies to the brigade's servicemen.
#Sudan
@africaintel
🇧🇫 "Al-Qaeda" militants attacked a military unit in Burkina Faso
Militants of the terrorist group "Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin," which is part of Al-Qaeda, attacked the town of Gamboro in Burkina Faso for the second time in three weeks.
The attack targeted a military unit as well as civilian areas of the mentioned settlement.
#BurkinaFaso
@africaintel
🇸🇨 Seychelles Heads to Runoff Election October 9–11
The Seychelles will return to the polls from October 9–11, 2025, after no candidate won outright in the first round of the presidential race.
Opposition leader Patrick Herminie of the United Seychelles party secured 48.8% of the vote, while incumbent President Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles Democratic Alliance followed with 46.4%. A candidate must win 50% plus one vote to avoid a runoff.
The contest will determine who leads the island nation for the next five years, with voters also weighing in on parliamentary seats through both majoritarian and proportional systems.
#Seychelles
@africaintel
🇰🇪 The Russian Embassy in Kenya denied information about the alleged “arrest” and subsequent “deportation” of Russian blogger and businessman Mikhail Lyapin in Nairobi.
💬 “On the evening of September 25, Kenyan law enforcement officers escorted Russian citizen Mikhail Lyapin to the capital’s Criminal Investigations Department of the Republic of Kenya to question the Russian about his business activities in the country of residence. After completing all necessary procedures, on the afternoon of September 26, Lyapin left Kenya as previously planned,” the Russian embassy statement said.
💬
“To date, the embassy has no official information from local authorities about any claims against the Russian citizen or his activities. Contrary to claims by some media, Lyapin has never been an employee of Russian state authorities and does not work at the Russian embassy in Nairobi,” the Russian embassy in Kenya noted.
🇳🇪 The Arbitration Court of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) ruled in favor of the French company Orano in the case of nationalization of the Somair uranium mine by the Government of Niger.
“In its decision, the arbitration court, as demanded by Orano, ordered Niger not to sell, transfer or even facilitate the transfer to third parties of uranium mined by Somair, which was withheld in violation of the company’s rights. ICSID also demanded that the state of Niger release [Orano employee Ibrahim Kurmo] in accordance with the decision of the Court of Appeal,” the company reported.
Orano stressed that the decision “confirms the validity of the arguments” and warned that they were ready to take further steps in case of new violations of their rights.
In June, the Niger authorities nationalized Somair, a key subsidiary of Orano. Niamey said that the decision was made for “more effective management of resources in the interests of the people”. In response, the company, which owned 63.4% of the shares, filed lawsuits in national courts and ICSID, demanding compensation and return of assets.
#Niger #France
@africaintel
🇲🇱The Armed Forces of Mali returned the cattle stolen by the militants to the owners in Agelhok
#Mali
@africaintel
🇲🇱The group "Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin" published footage of an attack on a Malian armed forces post in the settlement of Benena on the border with Burkina Faso
According to the group, they killed three soldiers and seized weapons from the base.
It is worth noting that now almost every attack by radical Islamists is accompanied by footage from a reconnaissance UAV and active media coverage.
#Mali
@africaintel
🇰🇪Kenya intends to increase specialized tea production capacity by ten times by 2030
Kenya is one of the largest tea exporters by volume but ranks third in revenue after China and Sri Lanka. The country plans to increase specialized orthodox tea production from 15,000 tons to 200,000 tons by 2030.
Mutai Kagwe, the Minister of Agriculture, announced plans to increase the number of producers from 22 to 42 by 2027 and to include orthodox tea in the auction system. The first sale took place on September 24, with expected prices ranging from $3 to $10 per kilogram, significantly higher than the average price of CTC black tea — $2.28.
In 2024, Kenya exported 594,500 tons of tea worth about 1.4 billion dollars.
#Kenya
@africaintel
🇳🇬 Nigeria: tensions over the alleged sale of NNPC oil assets
Nigeria is facing financial difficulties and plans to cancel fuel subsidies as well as sell part of its assets in the oil sector. The government intends to sell stakes in joint ventures managed by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).
However, two major unions, NUPENG and PENGASSAN, oppose this sale. They fear the state's share in the enterprises could drop to 30-35%, which may negatively affect NNPC Ltd's revenues, stability, and workers' welfare.
The unions threaten protests if a compromise solution is not found.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
🇺🇬🌍 African Union (AU) meeting, dedicated to the voluntary surrender of illegal weapons, took place in the capital of Uganda on October 2-3.
💬 “This event highlights the vital commitment to strengthening peace, security, and stability across Africa. It is important to develop safer communities,” said Uganda's First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga at the opening.
🇪🇹 In Ethiopia, the groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the construction of a urea fertilizer production plant and an oil refinery.
The fertilizer plant will produce 3 million tons of urea annually. The raw materials will be supplied via a 108 km pipeline from the Kalub gas fields.
The capacity of the oil refinery in Goda will be 3.5 million tons of products per year. Crude oil and condensate from the Hilala fields will be used as raw materials.
“Today marks a historic day for all Ethiopians. These projects represent more than industrial progress — they embody our shared responsibility to seize opportunities, strengthen cooperation, and promote peace. Therefore, I urge all Ethiopians to continue acting united for progress,” said the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed Ali.
#Ethiopia
@africaintel
🇲🇱 Al-Qaeda militants attacked a FAMa convoy near the capital of Mali
Militants from the group "Nusrat al-Islam wa-l-Muslimin," part of Al-Qaeda, attacked a Mali Armed Forces (FAMa) convoy on September 2, traveling between Bamako and Ségou.
According to local sources, 7 servicemen were killed, 2 pieces of equipment destroyed, and a large amount of weapons captured.
#Mali
@africaintel
🇲🇿🇷🇺 Mozambique's Minister of Sports Kaifadin Manasse will participate in the XIII International Sports Forum "Russia — a Sporting Power".
During the meeting on October 1, the Russian Ambassador to Mozambique Vladimir Tararov and Manasse discussed the minister's participation in the forum, which will take place from November 5 to 7 in Samara.
The parties analyzed the state and prospects of Russian-Mozambican cooperation in the field of youth policy and sports.
💬"Manasse emphasized the special nature of the relations between Moscow and Maputo, whose history began even before Mozambique gained independence, noted the invaluable contribution of the USSR to the political and economic formation of his country, and expressed readiness to work together to develop bilateral cooperation in areas so important to Mozambique," the Russian Embassy in Mozambique noted.
🇷🇺🇬🇳"Russia sees Guinea as a reliable friend." Interview with the Russian Ambassador
On October 2, the Republic of Guinea celebrates Independence Day, and on October 4, the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Moscow and Conakry, which began in 1958, will be observed.
In an interview with "African Initiative," the Russian Ambassador to Guinea Alexey Popov spoke about the new stage of relations between the countries, prospects for bilateral partnership, and key areas of cooperation.
Russia sees Guinea as a reliable friend and strategic partner. Our ties are strengthening both in traditional areas — energy, mining, personnel training — and in new directions. We attach special importance to the development of humanitarian contacts.
Official Conakry is actively participating in events under the aegis of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum. The next ministerial conference of this format is scheduled to take place in November in Cairo, and we expect our partners to once again demonstrate their best on the platform.
The field of geological exploration and mineral extraction is key to economic cooperation between our countries. The main player among Russian companies in this market is the United Company "Rusal," which has been operating in Guinea for more than two decades and is currently one of the largest foreign investors in the country's economy.
Many Russian companies show interest in working with Guinea. For example, there are good prospects for expanding partnerships in agriculture. This year, a delegation from "EFKO," the largest agro-industrial producer in Russia, visited Conakry. Promising plans for joint work have been outlined.
Today, cooperation in the field of education is one of the most dynamic segments of our bilateral relations. Under the government quota for studying at Russian civilian universities, 164 Guinean scholarship recipients were selected this year.
We welcome Guinea's return to constitutional governance. This will contribute to stabilizing the domestic political situation and strengthening Conakry's authority on international and regional platforms.
#Guinea #Russia
@africaintel
🇲🇱🇩🇿 From Drone to Crisis: How Algeria and Mali Lost Trust
Algeria's refusal to appear before the International Court of Justice has led to a new escalation in relations with Mali. The court notified Mali of Algeria's unwillingness to recognize its jurisdiction in the case of the downed drone.
The Malian government saw this as evidence of Algeria's support for "terrorist groups," accusing its neighbor of disregarding international norms and attempting to conceal its role in regional instability. This move intensified mutual accusations, raising the question: how deep is the crisis, and could it lead to a broader conflict in the Sahel?
Facts indicate a consistent escalation. The incident occurred on the night of March 31 to April 1, 2025, when Algerian forces destroyed a Malian Akinci strike-reconnaissance drone. Mali insists the drone was monitoring armed Tuareg separatist formations on its territory, while Algeria claims an airspace violation.
On September 4, Mali filed a lawsuit demanding compensation and acknowledgment of guilt. Algeria's refusal provoked sharp statements: Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga accused the neighbor of "insults and evasion tactics." Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf rejected receiving the complaint, calling the accusations unfounded.
The roots of the conflict go back to the region's history. The Tuareg uprisings of 2011–2012 led to the capture of northern Mali by Islamist groups, and Algeria acted as a mediator in the 1991, 2006, and 2015 agreements. However, Mali accuses it of bias toward separatists, which led to Mali's withdrawal from the 2015 Algerian agreement.
Mali's reorientation toward new partners after breaking ties with France and other Western "allies" has increased distrust: Algeria fears border destabilization, while Mali sees interference in its internal affairs.
Experts believe the situation risks turning into a protracted crisis with border incidents and weakening counter-extremism efforts. Direct confrontation is unlikely due to Algeria's military superiority, but consequences include increased migration, economic losses, and a security vacuum in the region.
#Mali #Algeri
@africaintel
🇳🇪🇩🇿 Al-Qaeda militants seized an army post on the Niger-Algeria border
On September 27, JNIM militants allegedly captured a Niger Armed Forces post in the settlement of Assamaka in the Agadez province, near the border with Algeria.
It is worth recalling that in 2023, the Sahel branch of the Islamic State, claimed responsibility for the killing of 7 Nigerien soldiers during an ambush against the Niger Armed Forces, organized in the Tillabéri area (in the so-called "death triangle" between Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso).
At that time, terrorists rushed into this area in a race for control over the Nigerien border.
#Niger #Algeria
@africaintel
🇬🇳 Guinea Sets Presidential Elections for December 28, 2025
Guinea will hold its long-awaited presidential election on December 28, 2025, officially marking the end of the country’s transitional period.
“The presidential election voting will be held on December 28, 2025, throughout the country,” states the decree of Guinea’s leader.
The announcement comes shortly after the approval of a new constitution, endorsed by nearly 90% of voters with over 6 million participants. The 199-article document lays the groundwork for future presidential, parliamentary, and municipal elections, and opens the door for transitional president Mamadi Doumbouya to stand as a candidate.
Beyond the political reforms, the constitution guarantees free education through secondary school, establishes universal public healthcare, strengthens anti-corruption mechanisms, and promotes decentralization to ease ethnic and regional divisions.
Guinea’s current transitional leadership began in 2021, when the military ousted former president Alpha Condé. Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, who led the coup, was sworn in as transitional president later that year.
#Guinea
@africaintel
🇸🇩 Rebels of the "Rapid Support Forces" (RSF) are preparing a large-scale offensive on cities in North Darfur state, where tens of thousands of displaced people live.
According to Sudan Tribune citing its sources, in videos published by the RSF, the commander of the Western Darfur sector, Idris Hassan, announced to militants the imminent start of the attack.
💬 "The army and its allies expect the RSF to launch a large-scale attack on the city of Al-Tina near the border with Chad," said a military source to the publication.
🇺🇦 Kiev has agreed to export “surplus weapons” to a number of African countries, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said.
“As for the issue of controlled export of weapons, it is controlled, because it is the export of those weapons with which the Ukrainian army has no shortage. An agreement was reached with the African continent at the UN General Assembly site, there are already proposals from several African countries and a request for representation in Africa,” the President of Ukraine wrote.
Zelensky did not name specific countries, but specified that the proceeds from exports would be used to purchase specialised drones and other weapons. According to him, it is also planned to supply military products to the EU countries, the United States and the Middle East.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Ukraine supplies drones to terrorists in Mali and trains militants. Prime Minister of Mali Abdulai Maiga accused Kiev of supporting terrorist groups and called on Western states to stop supporting the Ukrainian regime.
#Ukraine #Africa
@africaintel
🇲🇱The separatists of the “Azavad Liberation Front” again tried to strike at the city of Throw with the help of a kamikaze drone
And this time the drones did not reach the target, and the local military were happy to share the downed trophies.
#Mali
@africaintel
🇲🇱🇱🇾🇨🇫🇧🇫🇸🇩🇹🇩🇳🇪🇩🇿 Sunset in one of the Arab African countries in the of a Russian military specialist
#Africa
@africaintel
🇪🇬 Egypt Rejects Libya-Turkey Maritime Pact, Defends Sovereignty
Egypt has firmly rejected the latest maritime claims by Libya and Turkey, declaring them “null and void” and a violation of its sovereignty and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Cairo denounced the June 2025 memorandum signed between the Libyan National Oil Corporation and Turkish Petroleum Corporation, which authorizes seismic surveys in contested areas of the Eastern Mediterranean. Egypt emphasized that so-called “Area 4” overlaps with its maritime borders and pledged to defend its rights under international law, including UNCLOS.
Egypt also underlined its refusal to recognize previous Turkish-Libyan memoranda of 2019 and 2022, reiterating their incompatibility with international practice and sovereign rights of neighboring states.
At the same time, Cairo stressed its readiness to negotiate in good faith with regional partners on fair maritime boundary demarcation.
The dispute highlights once again how Ankara’s unilateral moves in the Mediterranean disregard the sovereignty of its neighbors and undermine regional stability.
#Egypt #Libya #Turkey
@africaintel
🇲🇱🇱🇾🇨🇫🇧🇫🇸🇩🇹🇩🇳🇪🇩🇿 Morning in one of the countries of Arab Africa in the lens of a Russian military specialist.
#Africa
@africaintel
🇸🇩 Omar al-Bashir. Life after overthrow - a separate residential complex, internet, and personal service
Details have emerged about how the former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, who was overthrown in April 2019, is living. After many years of debate about whether he remained in Kober prison or was transferred to a prison hospital, sources have confirmed that al-Bashir currently resides in a residential complex on the grounds of the Merowe medical base, alongside prominent military leaders such as Bakri Hassan Saleh, Youssef Abdel Fattah, and Mohamed El-Hanjjar.
Al-Bashir's life in his residence is characterized by a clear daily routine. He starts the morning with a half-hour walk, then reads books and follows the news. Al-Bashir also keeps up with events in Sudan via his smartphone connected to the internet through a Starlink device.
Regarding living conditions, the building where he lives is equipped with a permanent generator and satellite internet, and there is staff responsible for cooking and cleaning.
It is also noted that previously al-Bashir and his associates visited the hospital three times a week, but recently a specialized medical team has started coming to their home to provide necessary assistance. In short, it’s not a life of hardship but quite comfortable.
Actually, I told my acquaintances about this back in 2019, that he would "serve time" exactly like the Egyptian colleague Hosni Mubarak did before him, "serving time" in a villa. As I told the Sudanese, after the overthrow of the "dictator," your country would come to an end. It just doesn’t work any other way here. Not at all.
#Sudan
@africaintel