African leaders on Friday arrived in Addis Ababa for the 38th African Union (AU) summit on February 15-16, focusing on pressing continental issues, including the escalating conflict in eastern DR Congo, where M23 rebels have seized more territory. The summit will also address security, economic challenges, and Africa’s stance on global affairs.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck central Ethiopia on Friday, near the populous Oromiya region, according to multiple agencies including the USGS and EMSC. The shallow quake, at a depth of 10km, prompted social media expressions of solidarity, though initial reports indicated no immediate casualties or damage. The affected regions of Oromiya and Afar have been experiencing heightened seismic activity since December, including numerous smaller quakes and volcanic unrest that has already forced thousands to evacuate and caused significant infrastructure damage.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has declined a White House visit as long as the agenda includes U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza, according to Egyptian security sources. Trump’s proposal, which includes relocating over 2 million Palestinians and turning Gaza into a resort hub, has sparked outrage. Egypt and Jordan have rejected the plan, despite Trump’s threats to cut aid. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty conveyed Cairo’s stance in Washington, emphasizing reconstruction efforts to keep Palestinians on their land. Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah reaffirmed support for a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders.
The Central African Republic (CAR) on Tuesday launched a meme coin, $CAR, aiming to boost its global profile despite economic struggles. President Faustin-Archange Touadera announced the move on X, nearly three years after CAR became the first African nation to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. Meme coins, known for volatility and limited utility, have gained attention, with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s $Trump token briefly surging in value. The $CAR coin, trading at $0.22, is intended to unite people and support national development. However, an official account for updates was suspended on X, and efforts are underway to restore it.
Rwandan-backed M23 rebels seized Kavumu airport, a key hub near Bukavu in eastern DR Congo on Friday, marking a major strategic gain after capturing Goma last month. Congolese forces withdrew equipment as rebels advanced, also taking Katana and Kabamba. With fighting escalating, President Felix Tshisekedi is seeking international support at the Munich Security Conference and African Union summit. The U.N. reports 350,000 displaced civilians, worsening the humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, protests against foreign interference have erupted in Kinshasa, with demonstrators attacking U.N. offices and embassies, including those of Rwanda, France, the U.S., and Kenya, amid rising tensions in the conflict.
Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Yousuf Ahmed Al-Sharif, during a visit to Moscow this week, expressed gratitude to Russia for blocking a UN Security Council resolution that could have allowed international intervention in Sudan. Speaking alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Al-Sharif rejected foreign interference, emphasizing cooperation for peace and sovereignty. Sudan remains in turmoil since the 2019 ousting of Omar al-Bashir, with a failed democratic transition and a 2021 military coup. Fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces since 2023 has killed over 28,000 people and displaced millions, worsening the country’s humanitarian crisis.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced on February 13 an additional $2 million in funding to support Uganda’s response to its Ebola outbreak. The outbreak has resulted in one death and at least eight infections. The funds aim to strengthen containment efforts, enhance surveillance, and support medical teams combating the Sudan strain of the virus. Uganda is conducting vaccine trials, as no approved vaccine exists for this strain. The WHO continues to collaborate with Ugandan health authorities and global partners to control the spread and prevent further fatalities.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) this week said it’s investigating whether Italy violated its statute by releasing Libyan military officer Osama Elmasry Njeem, wanted for war crimes. Italy’s Justice Minister Carlo Nordio cited errors in the ICC’s warrant as justification for Njeem’s release, sparking domestic outrage and a legal probe into Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government. The ICC’s inquiry could lead to Italy facing reprimands from its governing body or the U.N. Security Council. The court has been probing war crimes in Libya since the 2011 civil war and will allow Italy to present its defense before making a decision.
The U.S. military presence in Somalia may extend as the Pentagon refocuses on countering ISIS and Al-Shabaab. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday emphasized the need to prevent extremist strongholds, with about 500 U.S. troops supporting Somali and African Union forces. Despite past withdrawals, recent airstrikes have targeted key militants. The Biden administration reversed Trump’s 2020 withdrawal due to Al-Shabaab’s growing threat. Discussions continue on AFRICOM’s long-term role, with military commanders’ recommendations shaping future deployments. Somali authorities welcome U.S. support, while analysts debate whether prolonged foreign presence strengthens security or fuels insurgent recruitment.
