By Azu Ishiekwene The writer is the Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP and the author of the new book Writing for Media and Monetising It. ABUJA, Nigeria | 27 May 2025 (IDN) — The world has never been short of demagogues and fools, but the remedies have often matched the supply. In 1990, during President Nelson Mandela’s […]
Russia Seeks to Rebuild Relations with Africa After Years of Disengagement
By Kester Kenn Klomegah* MOSCOW | 26 May 2025 (IDN) — Tatiana Dovgalenko, Director of the African Partnership Department at Russia’s Foreign Ministry, praised policy achievements and reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to supporting Africa’s economic transformation in her mid-May interview report for Africa Day on 25 May. She also emphasized Russia’s dedication to increasing investment guarantees […]
Situation Report Horn of Africa: Leaked report on human trafficking in Tigray
Situation in Sudan (per 26 May) The Joint Forces group of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced the recapture of Al-Dabiabat in South Kordofan state, which is a strategic city linking South Kordofan, North Kordofan and East Darfur. Large-scale displacement is ongoing in South Kordofan due to clashes between SAF and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). […]
Can Trump Break the Iran Deadlock and Reshape the Middle East?
By Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK | 23 May 2025 (IDN) — The Trump administration’s pursuit of a negotiated agreement over Iran’s nuclear program is the only sound policy that can prevent a regional conflagration. Beyond that, it offers a unique opportunity that can change the regional security trajectory and potentially usher in long-term peace and […]
Situation Report Horn of Africa: Sudan appoints a new prime minister
Situation in Sudan (per 22 May) Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Transitional Sovereignty Council, has named Kamil El-Tayeb Idris Abdelhafiz as a new prime minister. Idris served in the past as Sudan’s representative to the UN and held various positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The African Union and Intergovernmental Authority on Development […]
War on Gaza and Settler Violence: Interpreting Canada-France-UK Statement
By A.L.A. Azeez* COLOMBO. Sri Lanka | 21 May 2025 (IDN) — Canada, France and the UK issued a joint statement urging Israel to not expand its ongoing military operations in Gaza and to allow immediate delivery of humanitarian aid. The three countries have also called upon Israel to halt illegal settlements in the West […]
Trump’s Hostility Towards China
By Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden | 20 May 2025 (IDN) — President Donald Trump’s antagonism towards China existed before the Coronavirus. Despite his bonhomie with President Jinping Xi whenever he meets him, he has gone all out with his trade war. He refuses to negotiate an extension of the nuclear weapons reduction agreement with Russia […]
UN Reform Is Not a Floorplan. It’s a Reckoning
By Stephanie Hodge* UNITED NATIONS | 20 May 2025 (IDN) — Last week’s leaked UN80 reform blueprint offers a sweeping architectural plan for a more “streamlined” UN. It proposes merging development-related entities, relocating operations to Nairobi, cutting senior posts, and centralizing administration through a new Executive Secretariat. It reads like a rebrand of the UN system […]
Situation Report Horn of Africa: Suicide bombing kills 13 in Somalia
Situation in Sudan (per 19 May) Shelling of the Abu Shouk displacement camp by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killed at least 14 people on Sunday. The local emergency response room stated that the shelling hit a market, mosques, and homes near public facilities. A full assessment of the damage and deaths in Abu Shouk […]
Myanmar: Military Leadership Prioritizes Its Survival Following Earthquake Aftermath
By Jan Servaes* BRUSSELS | 16 May 2025 (IDN) — The 28 March earthquake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, has hit Myanmar hard. It was the strongest since 1912, with its epicenter in Mandalay, the country’s second-most populous city, the United States Geological Survey reported. The official death toll continues to rise. By the […]