French President Emmanuel Macron and Moroccan King Mohammed VI signed €10 billion in deals to enhance cooperation in investment, energy, and infrastructure during a state visit to Morocco on Tuesday. Key agreements include a French commitment to provide Morocco with up to 18 high-speed train cars, while Morocco’s Phosphates Office and French energy company Engie secured a potential €3.5 billion investment partnership. This visit, initiated by the king, follows France’s recent endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, which Macron called a foundation for a fair and lasting resolution to the territorial dispute with Algeria.
Guinea’s junta authorities dissolved 53 political parties on Monday and placed 54 others under observation, marking a significant move amid the country’s ongoing military rule since the 2021 coup that ousted President Alpha Condé. The transitional government, which has yet to announce a date for upcoming elections scheduled for 2025, initiated these actions following an evaluation begun in June, aimed at “cleaning up the political chessboard.” Among the parties under observation are Condé’s Rally of the Guinean People and the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea. Officials cited issues such as failure to hold timely party congresses and provide financial statements.
South Africa officially filed a Memorial to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on October 28, 2024, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. The case, focusing on alleged breaches of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, details Israeli actions that South Africa claims constitute genocide, including targeting civilians, blocking humanitarian aid, and using starvation as a weapon. The Memorial is extensive, with over 750 pages supported by 4,000 pages of exhibits, and argues that Israel’s actions are rooted in genocidal intent.
Mauritius on Friday imposed a social media ban ahead of its parliamentary elections on Nov. 10, citing national security concerns. The decision, effective until Nov. 11, was announced by the Information and Communication Technology Authority (ICTA) in response to the recent leak of recorded conversations involving politicians, business figures, and journalists on social media. The government claims the leaked recordings pose a risk to national stability. Network provider EMTEL confirmed it would comply with the order, although it acknowledged the inconvenience to users. This restriction comes as Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth seeks a second term in office.
This week, Botswana’s ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), in power since 1966, faced a historic defeat as voters favored the opposition coalition, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by Duma Boko. Outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi accepted the loss, assuring a peaceful transition to opposition and offering support to the new leadership. With a confirmed parliamentary majority, Boko’s UDC is set to form the next government, marking a turning point for the diamond-rich nation. Boko pledged to serve with dedication, aligning with voters’ clear desire for change after nearly six decades of uninterrupted BDP governance
The U.N. Security Council extended the mandate of its Western Sahara peacekeeping mission (MINURSO) by a year on Thursday, though Algeria, a supporter of the pro-independence Polisario Front, protested by abstaining. The extension passed with 12 votes in favor, while Russia and Mozambique abstained. Algeria criticized the resolution, drafted by the U.S., for excluding provisions to monitor human rights in Western Sahara, a long-disputed region with rich oil and mineral resources. The Polisario Front resumed armed conflict in 2020, ending a nearly 30-year ceasefire, while Morocco continues to push for autonomy instead of independence.
A recent U.N. report released on Thursday warns that severe food crises in conflict-affected areas, including the Palestinian territories, Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali, threaten hundreds of thousands of lives. Conflicts, economic instability, and climate extremes are driving acute food insecurity in 22 global “hunger hotspots,” according to the FAO and WFP. Critical situations in countries like Chad, Lebanon, and Yemen illustrate high levels of food scarcity exacerbated by multiple crises, including conflicts and climate change impacts. The spread of conflict, particularly in the Middle East, has intensified, with displacement and access barriers worsening food systems. La Niña is expected to persist until March 2025, raising flooding risks in parts of Africa and impacting agricultural conditions.
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) this week said it plans to contest sanctions following the cancellation of their October 15 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria, where Nigeria was awarded a 3-0 victory and the LFF was fined $50,000 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Nigeria’s Super Eagles were stranded due to a flight diversion and returned home without playing. Libya’s acting LFF president, Abdunnaser Ahmed, criticized CAF’s decision, arguing that match forfeiture in these circumstances sets a troubling precedent.
The United States this week introduced new visa restrictions targeting individuals in Ghana who are involved in activities that undermine democracy, in anticipation of Ghana’s upcoming elections. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that the policy supports Ghana’s democratic stability, aiming to prevent violence and promote a peaceful election process. The restrictions are directed at specific individuals rather than the Ghanaian population or government as a whole.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Tuesday that over 14 million people have fled their homes in Sudan, a figure that includes both internally displaced individuals and those who have sought refuge across borders. According to IOM Director-General Amy Pope, approximately 11 million people are internally displaced within Sudan, while around 3.1 million have crossed into neighboring countries. This significant displacement includes individuals who were already displaced prior to the onset of civil conflict in April 2023. Pope emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance as the situation continues to deteriorate, with around 200,000 people fleeing just in the past month.
